What you need to know:Preliminary data suggests property and violent crimes in California were down in 2024.
Sacramento, California – As the state continues to invest in the safety and security of California communities, new data suggests violent and property crime trended down in 2024 statewide. According to an analysis ofReal Time Crime Index data by the Public Policy Institute of California, violent crime dropped by 4.6% and property crime dropped by 8.5% in 2024, compared to 2023.
Through preliminary data for 29 of California’s law enforcement agencies, robberies decreased by 5.2% and aggravated assaults went down by 3.9%. In addition, robbery and homicides in 2024 also dropped by 12.5% and 5.9%, respectively. There was a large decrease for vehicle theft – an 11.9% drop – in 2024. Burglary and larceny also went down by 13.6% and 18.6%, respectively, compared to pre-pandemic levels.
Overall, the decreases in violent and property crimes in California were similar to those seen bylaw enforcement agencies in other states– property crime went down by 8.5% in California and 8.4% elsewhere.
Stronger enforcement. Serious penalties. Real consequences.
California hasinvested$1.1 billion since 2019 to fight crime, help local governments hire more police, and improve public safety. In 2023, as part of California’sPublic Safety Plan, the Governor announced thelargest-everinvestment to combat organized retail crime in state history, an annual310%increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, andspecialoperationsacrossthe state to fight crime and improve public safety.
As part of the state’s largest-ever investment to combat organized retail crime, Governor Newsom announced last year the statedistributed$267 million to 55 communities to help local communities combat organized retail crime. These funds have enabled cities and counties to hire more police, make more arrests, and secure more felony charges against suspects.
Saturating key areas
Working collaboratively to heighten public safety, the Governor tasked the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to work with local law enforcement areas in key areas to saturate high-crime areas, aiming to reduce roadway violence and criminal activity in the area, specifically vehicle theft and organized retail crime. Since the inception of this regional initiative, there have been nearly 6,000 arrests, about 4,500 stolen vehicles recovered and nearly 300 firearms confiscated acrossBakersfield,San BernardinoandOakland.
Cracking down on retail theft
In addition, spearheaded by the CHP, the Organized Retail Crime Task Force since 2019 has been involved in over 3,600 investigations, leading to the arrest of more than 4,000 suspects and the recovery of over 1.3 million stolen goods valued at nearly $54 million. Most recently, Governor Newsom announced a strong start to2025 operations, with 136 retail theft investigations leading to 209 arrests while recovering 24,510 stolen items worth an estimated nearly $2.2 million.
Last August, Governor Newsom signed into lawthe most significant bipartisan legislation to crack down on property crime in modern California history.Building on the state’s robust laws and record public safety funding, these bipartisan bills offer new tools to bolster ongoing efforts to hold criminals accountable for smash-and-grab robberies, property crime, retail theft, and auto burglaries. While California’s crime rate remains near historic lows, these laws help California adapt to evolving criminal tactics to ensure perpetrators are effectively held accountable.
California law provides existing robust tools for law enforcement and prosecutors to arrest and charge suspects involved in organized retail crime — including up to three years of jail time for organized retail theft. The state has the 10th toughest threshold nationally for prosecutors to charge suspects with a felony, $950. 40 other states — including Texas ($2,500), Alabama ($1,500), and Mississippi ($1,000) — require higher dollar amounts for suspects to be charged with a felony.
Recent news
Apr 15, 2025
News What you need to know: With one of the state’s leading climate programs – cap-and-trade – set to expire in 2030, Governor Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced they would seek an extension of the program….
Apr 14, 2025
News What you need to know: Governor Newsom extended an executive order from January barring predatory investors from making unsolicited undervalued property offers to families in areas impacted by the Los Angeles area firestorms. LOS ANGELES — Governor Gavin Newsom…
Apr 14, 2025
News What you need to know: California is launching a new campaign to further strengthen tourism between California and Canada — reminding its international partners that the Golden State remains a welcoming, inclusive, and unparalleled travel destination. SACRAMENTO…
What you need to know: With one of the state’s leading climate programs – cap-and-trade – set to expire in 2030, Governor Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced they would seek an extension of the program.
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced today they will seek an extension of California’s nation-leading climate pollution reduction program – known as cap-and-trade – during this legislative year.
The program is currently set to expire in 2030, and requires extension by the Legislature. As the Governor noted in his proposed budget, extending the program this year can provide the market with greater certainty, attract stable investment, further California’s climate leadership and set the state on a clear path to achieve its 2045 carbon-neutrality goal.
Today’s announcement comes as the Trump Administration threatens deep cuts to federal environmental programs and attempts to derail state climate efforts with a “glorified press release masquerading as an executive order.”
California must continue to lead on reducing pollution and ensuring our climate dollars benefit all residents. That’s why we’re doubling down on cap-and-trade: one of our most effective tools to cut emissions and create good-paying jobs.
In just the last decade, cap-and-trade has invested billions of dollars in projects by holding polluters accountable – helping clean our air, protect public health and propel new careers.
Cap-and-trade is a huge success and, working together, we’ll demonstrate real climate leadership that will attract investment and innovation to deliver the technologies of tomorrow, right here in California.
Governor Gavin Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas
The cap-and-trade program is the state’s leading climate program – proposed by Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and adopted under a law he signed in 2006 – that holds carbon polluters accountable by charging them for emitting more carbon pollution than allowed. The funds raised are then put to use across the state on projects and programs that help clean the air, protect public health, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, conserve nature, and more. The funds are also delivered directly back to Californians in the form of the California Climate Credit, a credit applied to utility bills twice a year.
As of last year, the program had funded $28 billion in investments across the state in the last decade and cut carbon emissions equivalent to taking 80% of the state’s cars off the road. Since 2000, the state has cut carbon emissions by 20% while California’s GDP has increased by 78%.
Details of the Governor’s proposal for the cap-and-trade extension will be shared in the coming weeks.
Press Releases, Recent News
Recent news
Apr 14, 2025
News What you need to know: Governor Newsom extended an executive order from January barring predatory investors from making unsolicited undervalued property offers to families in areas impacted by the Los Angeles area firestorms. LOS ANGELES — Governor Gavin Newsom…
Apr 14, 2025
News What you need to know: California is launching a new campaign to further strengthen tourism between California and Canada — reminding its international partners that the Golden State remains a welcoming, inclusive, and unparalleled travel destination. SACRAMENTO…
Apr 14, 2025
News What you need to know: California will receive 32 new rangers and lifeguards serving across 13 state parks – protecting and informing more visitors ahead of the high travel season. PARADISE — While the federal government cuts staffing for national parks, Governor…
STATEWIDE – The Colorado Department of Local Affairs’ (DOLA) Division of Local Government (DLG) has set aside up to $2 million for an incentive program to encourage early adoption of fast-track policies, otherwise known as expedited development review. Communities that implement fast-track policies reduce housing costs and boost supply by eliminating delays that drive up project expenses. Local governments that adopt a Proposition 123-compliant expedited review process by December 31, 2025 (one year ahead of the December 2026 deadline) will receive up to $50,000 in grant funding, with no local match required.
“The quicker that applications get processed for housing, the better, and this incentive helps local governments turn around applications even faster,” said Governor Jared Polis.
“We know that time is money in the housing space, and Coloradans want to see more housing that people can afford as soon as possible,” said Maria De Cambra, DOLA Executive Director. “While this work is challenging, speeding up review processes will have a transformative impact on housing supply and affordability across our state.”
Communities that achieve early adoption of fast track will be rewarded with incentive funds that could be used for personnel, software, consultants, professional development or any other planning-related expenses that support advancing housing affordability goals, and are eligible under the Local Planning Capacity (LPC) grant program. Local governments would receive a notice of award once DOLA has verified eligibility.
The next funding cycle for Local Planning Capacity grants will open May 1, 2025 and close on Friday, May 30, 2025 at noon. These funds are only available to those local and tribal governments who have filed a Proposition 123 commitment and are eligible for Proposition 123 funds. This grant program supports local government implementation of Proposition 123 requirements including fast track and other planning efforts that advance affordable housing goals or strategies.
Proposition 123 states that in order to remain eligible for the State Affordable Housing Fund, local governments must demonstrate they have implemented an expedited review process by the end of 2026 for housing projects where at least half of the units are affordable. The law recognizes that revising local regulatory processes takes time, therefore some incentives will also be available for local governments that adopt a compliant expedited development review process by June 30, 2026.
With Eurojust’s support, the JIT was set up in October 2021 by the judicial authorities of Sweden and France, with Belgium joining in October 2022 and the Netherlands in June 2023. The main aim of this judicial cooperation is to identify FTFs linked to ISIL (Da’esh) who have returned from Syria or Iraq and were involved in core international crimes, mainly perpetrated against Ezidi victims. Core international crimes are crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The Netherlands had its first conviction for crimes against the Ezidi in December 2024. A Dutch citizen was convicted of crimes against humanity for the enslavement of a female Ezidi victim, participation in ISIL (Da’esh), promoting crimes with a terrorist objective and abandoning the victim’s son in a helpless position in a war zone. She was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment and identified through the work of the JIT.
Recently, a Swedish citizen was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, committed against nine Ezidi victims. Six of the victims were children under the age of seven. The extensive cooperation through the JIT proved to be crucial for this conviction in Sweden.
In 2026, a French citizen might be tried on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.
Based on the principle of universal jurisdiction, EU Member States can start investigations into core international crimes committed outside their own territory. Such cases are actively supported and coordinated by Eurojust and the Genocide Network Secretariat (GNS), which the Agency hosts.
With the financial and operational support of Eurojust, the JIT partners and investigating judicial authorities from Germany, United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Australia fully intend to continue the investigations into crimes against Ezidi victims committed by ISIL (Da’esh). However, they stress the need to receive adequate information and analytical support.
In view of this, they regret the closure of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (UNITAD), which ceased its activities in September 2024. With the conclusion of UNITAD’s mandate, information from its database, which is highly relevant to the work of the JIT, has been transferred to the United Nations headquarters. Unfortunately, they have limited capacity to respond to requests for access from national authorities.
Leading Swedish prosecutor and co-founder of the Eurojust-supported JIT, Ms Reena Devgun, stated: Unfortunately, the closure of UNITAD has slowed down the investigations of the joint investigation team. However, all its members hope that the UNITAD archive will be made easily accessible again soon to all practitioners who investigate core international crimes against Ezidi victims. This is of prime importance to continue their work to end impunity for these atrocities.
The work of the JIT is also actively supported by the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the investigation and prosecution of persons responsible for the most serious crimes under international law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic (IIIM). Eurojust remains fully at the disposal of the JIT partners to assist with the coordination and support of investigations.
In the west, avalanches cause more fatalities on an annual basis than earthquakes and landslides combined. Avalanche frequency has increased due to increasing temperatures and mid-winter rain events. Ecosystems Land Change Science Program science is used by land and transportation infrastructure managers to inform avalanche forecasting, hazard mitigation, and land-use planning in avalanche terrain, which saves human lives, avoids property loss, and minimizes economic losses due to transportation corridor closures.
For example, in Glacier National Park, park managers rely on USGS Land Change Science expertise to provide on-site avalanche forecasting for the Going-to-the-Sun Road – a major thoroughfare and tourist destination in the park. Since the USGS Glacier National Park Avalanche Program began forecasting efforts in 2003, there have been no avalanche related injuries or fatalities, despite there being 1168 avalanche days with 607 avalanches that impacted the road over the 22-year period. Further, in 2021, due to increased park visitation by tourists and access to higher stretches of road, USGS began providing weekend avalanche forecasts to the Visitor Protection Division at Glacier National Park, which uses those forecasts as the definitive measure of whether to close specific areas for public safety, saving lives and property.
USGS Land Change Science also partners with Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado Avalanche Information Center to inform planning and disaster mitigation into the future. Critical transportation corridors run through the state of Colorado, including transcontinental Interstate 70 and many other highways that are at risk from snow avalanche hazards each winter. According to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, the value of freight shipments to and from businesses in Colorado was $232 billion in 2022 of which 77% was shipped by truck. Thus, road closures and damages by avalanches are extremely costly (millions can be lost for each day of closure), making accurate forecasting and mitigation activities essential for keeping the road open, avoiding both losses of life and property.Long term USGS avalanche frequency data has helped the Colorado Department of Transportation, Burlington National Santa Fe Railway, National Park Service, and Colorado Avalanche Information Center. USGS provided a 200-year avalanche chronology of destructive, large magnitude avalanches that helped them reassess their forecasts to improve public safety, saving lives and property.
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
The 32nd SpaceX commercial resupply mission to the International Space Station is set to lift off on a Falcon 9 rocket from our Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 4:15 a.m. EDT (0815 UTC), Monday, April 21, delivering science investigations and supplies to the orbiting lab.
SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft is carrying several new research projects to the station, including experiments focused on vision-based navigation, spacecraft air quality, materials for drug and product manufacturing, and advancing plant growth with less reliance on photosynthesis.
More about the research aboard Dragon: https://go.nasa.gov/4j4g53V
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
Plants are more than just greenery, they’re key to helping astronauts survive and thrive off Earth. They provide food and oxygen, recycle water and waste, and even offer psychological benefits.
But the positives don’t stop there. Growing plants in the International Space Station also helps scientists develop new technologies for agriculture in extreme environments, a skill that could benefit future explorers on the Moon and Mars but also agriculture right here on Earth, especially in places where growing food is a challenge.
A NASA scientist explains why space farming is so important for both space exploration and life on our own planet. Learn more about growing plants in space: https://www.nasa.gov/exploration-research-and-technology/growing-plants-in-space/
Producers: Scott Bednar, Pedro Cota, Jessie Wilde
Editor: James Lucas
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
“I visited Dr. Shad Marvasti and other community leaders at Native Health in Phoenix, Arizona, to learn about their innovative work using healthy, locally-sourced, unprocessed foods to combat chronic disease. Native American communities experience some of the highest rates of chronic illness in the country, largely due to the prevalence of processed foods. Native Health stands as a powerful example of how food and lifestyle changes can help reverse this epidemic. This model should be replicated and become the standard of care across Indian Country.”
– Secretary Kennedy
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | http://www.hhs.gov
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
“I visited the FDA with Commissioner Makary to see the groundbreaking work driving innovation in science and medicine. I encouraged FDA employees to reimagine their roles — to lead with courage, think boldly, and take initiative to Make America Healthy Again.” – Secretary Kennedy
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | http://www.hhs.gov
Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)
“Thank you, Buu Nygren for an inspiring hike at Window Rock—a trail I first explored as a child with my dad. Advancing the health and well-being of tribal nations remains a top priority for me.”
– Secretary Kennedy
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | http://www.hhs.gov
Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
04.14.25
I recently delivered my annual address to the Legislature in Juneau. I spoke about the success we’ve had in continuing our military build-up, including the possibility of re-opening the U.S. Navy base in Adak, to counter the unprecedented number of Russian and Chinese incursions near our air and waters.
I spoke about our veterans and how we’re continuing to work to make sure they get the benefits they have earned. We’ve also passed significant legislation, the Social Security Fairness Act, to ensure that our other outstanding public servants — like teachers, firefighters, police officers — get the Social Security benefits they have earned. I spoke about our focus on making aviation safer, and the work we’re doing to help our hard-working fishermen and coastal communities, all of whom have experienced very rough times recently.
But the heart of my speech centered on two visions for Alaska that have existed since statehood. One sees our state more run by an absent federal landlord who seeks to protect us and occasionally gives us scraps from the wealth of America’s table to keep us happy. This arrogant federal landlord view of Alaska reached its zenith under President Biden with his “Last Frontier lock-up” — 70 executive orders and actions exclusively focused on shutting down Alaska’s private sector economy, harming working families, and killing hundreds if not thousands of jobs.
The other vision, which I believe most Alaskans support, envisions unlocking the wealth of Alaska to create sustainable, private sector economic growth and good-paying jobs. With the stroke of a pen on his first day in office, President Trump fully endorsed this vision by issuing an Alaska-specific executive order that undoes much of the Biden lock-up and sent an unmistakable message that unleashing Alaska’s extraordinary resources and growing our economy is a top priority of his administration.
I encourage all Alaskans to read the EO, understand it, and most importantly, work to use it for the betterment of Alaskans. This executive order could help us achieve many of the big, long-sought ambitions in our state and create thousands of good-paying jobs.
To be clear, this EO is not a panacea. But we are the only state in the country that got one. Alaska has never seen such a positive signal directly from a U.S. president that we should pursue our vision of a state that seeks private sector wealth and job creation with a federal government that is a partner in opportunity, not a hostile opponent.
As I was delivering my speech in Juneau, the Interior Department released another order lifting the decades-obsolete Public Land Order 5150, long used to hinder major resource projects in our state. This order puts ANWR and NPR-A back on the table for responsible development and enables the State of Alaska to select lands along the Dalton Highway corridor for conveyance, including the land beneath the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, something Alaskans have been trying to get done since the 1970s.
We’ve also seen major progress on a dream that has eluded our grasp for decades — the Alaska LNG project. As a state and federal official, I’ve been working on this project for over 15 years. I understand there is skepticism. We have been hearing about this for decades. But the potential transformative benefits for our state are so huge, and the geostrategic imperative for America and our Asian allies so compelling, that my team and I have, for years, kept ramming our shoulders into the cement wall of Alaska LNG, hoping someday that this wall would give way.
As of late, a crack has developed — an 800-mile crack in this wall that shows undeniable progress.
After the November election, I met with President Trump and pitched him and his team on the huge benefits of this project for America. I asked the president for his full backing, and we’ve gotten it.
In his recent meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, President Trump pressed him on the Alaska LNG project. And last month in his address to Congress, President Trump said:
“My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska—among the largest in the world—where Japan, South Korea, and other nations want to be our partner with investments of trillions of dollars each. There’s never been anything like that one. It will be truly spectacular.”
None of this progress happens by accident. I worked closely with Gov. Dunleavy and our teams to secure these actions.
But we’re pushing on an open door. The Trump administration wants to help Alaska.
In the past week, I’ve had productive discussions with President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other members of Trump’s cabinet on prioritizing the Alaska LNG project and, in particular, long-term Alaska LNG off-take agreements from countries like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in their tariff agreement negotiations. Both Trump and Bessent have stated that this is one of their goals in these negotiations.
In my speech, I respectfully asked our state legislators to find creative ways to build on this unprecedented momentum we’re seeing at the federal level for the Alaska LNG project, not stop it. To the naysayers and pessimists, I asked, what is the alternative for Alaskans? Importing gas from Canada or Mexico? If we do, energy prices are going to double or triple for our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. Low-cost energy will be closed for a generation, and the good-paying jobs and possibilities that go with the Alaska LNG project will flee our state — and so will our kids.
To be clear, I don’t agree with everything the Trump administration has done, particularly some of the DOGE actions in Alaska.
But difficult choices have to be made. Our $36 trillion national debt is at a dangerous and unsustainable level. Last year, we paid out more in interest on this debt — upwards of $950 billion — than we did to fund our military at about $870 billion. When you look at history, great powers begin to fail when they hit this precarious inflection point. These debt and spending levels also drive high inflation rates as we’ve seen over the past few years, which remain the top concern of Alaska families.
I’ve spoken directly with DOGE and Trump administration leaders regularly on this effort. They know that some mistakes will be made, and they want to work with us to correct them. We have had some successes reversing or preventing certain actions — on things like GSA leases and frozen federal funding on numerous projects across our state — particularly if they undermine the President’s Alaska-specific EO to unleash Alaska’s economy.
But it’s vital that we Alaskans not forget the bigger picture. We have opportunities like never before to grow our state’s economy, create thousands of good-paying jobs and permit and build our long-sought projects. Imagine what we could achieve with a nearly inexhaustible supply of our own affordable natural gas for the whole state. Imagine the private sector opportunities that could start here — a manufacturing base, thousands of good-paying jobs, a steady source of income for many years to come to our state’s coffers.
We can’t lose sight of the vision arising from our frontier heritage. This vision built our state and is still brimming with strength, invention, energy, and opportunity.
By: Sen. Dan SullivanSource: Anchorage Daily News
Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
WASHINGTON––U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) and Representative French Hill (R-AR-02) introduced the S. Corporation Additional Participation (S-CAP) Act, legislation to increase the maximum number of employees who can become shareholders in an S Corporation (S Corps) from 100 to 250.
“Congress has a duty to shape the tax code with pro-growth policies that spur job creation and capital investment. S Corps are an important element in that framework that also help empower employees with expanded economic opportunity through the enterprise they know and trust most,” said Boozman. “Congress has adjusted S Corps shareholder caps previously, and our bill is another simple but important tax code reform that will benefit millions of small businesses and the hardworking Americans who drive their success.”
“As a former community banker, I have a deep appreciation for the importance of S Corporations. They are an invaluable tool that helps workers and small businesses alike. That is why I am pleased to introduce the S-CAP Act, which will expand access to the benefits of S Corps,” said Hill. “By increasing equity participation for employees in private companies, S Corps have given more and more families the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. They improve employee retention, motivation, and productivity, and they increase the ability for companies to access capital through diverse sources. S Corps also empower Americans to climb the economic ladder and build generational wealth. This bill will build on the success of S Corps by increasing the number of shareholders they can have. It is a simple change that will have a dramatic positive impact on thousands, if not millions, of hardworking Americans.”
The S-CAP Act is endorsed by Nabholz Construction, the Subchapter S Bank Association, TransPecos Banks and the American Council of Engineering.
“In 1949, my grandfather, Bob Nabholz embarked on a journey to build a house for himself and his wife, setting in motion the start of a construction legacy that has thrived for more than 75 years. Today we have 16 offices in seven states and employ more than 1,700 professionals with an expected 2025 revenue of over $1.8 billion. In 1976, Bob saw the value in offering ownership to key employees and invited the first group of team members to become shareholders. He felt it was important to give employees an opportunity to shape the future of our company and have a personal stake in our long-term success. That tradition continues to this day. Employee ownership has been a cornerstone of our company’s success for nearly 50 years. We are very proud of our employee owners and the impact they have on our company and the communities we live in. The proposed increase in the S Corp shareholder cap will give us the ability to offer many more well-deserving employees the opportunity to become owners of Nabholz Construction. We are grateful to Senator Boozman and Congressman Hill for sponsoring this legislation which will help reward and retain top talent, ensuring the long-term growth and success of our company. We respectfully encourage Congress to pass this legislation,” said Nabholz Construction Corporation Chief Executive Officer Jake Nabholz.
Background:
In the United States, S Corps are the most common corporate structure, created in 1958 to help shield family-owned businesses from the double taxation treatment imposed on C Corporations (“C Corps”).
When established, Congress limited the number of S Corps shareholders to 10.
Congress, in recognition of the power of S Corps to create jobs and grow the economy, has increased the number of permitted shareholders multiple times, with the most increase raising the cap to 100 in 2004.
While the 100 shareholder cap was appropriate over twenty years ago, evolving technology, enhanced global competition, and changing regulatory landscapes have made it such that U.S. small businesses need greater flexibility to grow and attract top talent. This is why it’s time for Congress to modernize the shareholder cap.
In Arkansas, there are 318,525 S Corp employees across the entire state and 38,533,460 nationwide.
. Pillen Announces Resignation of DHHS Director Menefee of Public Health
LINCOLN, NE — Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced the resignation of Charity Menefee, director of the Division of Public Health in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Menefee, who has served the state since 2021, has made the decision to step down to dedicate more time to her family. Her resignation is effective May 9.
Gov. Pillen expressed his appreciation for Menefee’s dedicated public service, including her service in the military. Menefee recently retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Tennessee Air National Guard after 25 years.
“Charity leaves public service with an impeccable record of dedication to the health and well-being of Nebraskans,” said Gov. Pillen. “Under her leadership, the division reduced processing times from 100 days to 25 for certain licenses and improved disease tracking capabilities throughout the state.”
“Director Menefee stands as the shining example of a person who puts others first,” said DHHS CEO Steve Corsi. “Whether it consisted of late-night meetings coordinating with stakeholders or spending weekends in support of operations tracking infectious diseases and ensuring they were contained, Charity was there to ensure the people of Nebraska were protected.”
“Leading and serving alongside the dedicated people at the Division of Public Health has been the greatest honor of my career,” said Menefee. “I deeply appreciate Governor Pillen for his trust in appointing me and his strong commitment to public health. I also thank CEO Steve Corsi for his support and leadership.”
Further information regarding interim leadership and the selection of permanent leadership will be announced at a later date.
Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) introduced The Finding Opportunities for Resource Exploration (Finding ORE) Act to strengthen U.S. mineral security and reduce strategic vulnerabilities. Representatives Rob Wittman (R-Va.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) will introduce a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Critical minerals are essential to producing technologies for the defense, semiconductor, automotive, and energy sectors—industries that will determine America’s economic future and global influence. Although we have an abundance of domestic mineral resources, demand already outstrips this supply. We must work with allies and partners to achieve mineral security. Additionally, the U.S. is heavily dependent on China for production and processing of many key critical minerals. This bill would leverage the strengths of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in geological mapping of critical mineral reserves while giving U.S. firms a leg up in responsibly developing global mineral resources around the world.
“From the technology that powers the cell phones in our pockets to the systems that keep us safe, Americans depend on critical minerals for our economic strength and national security,” said Senator Coons. “The Finding ORE Act makes sure that our nation will have access to the essential materials we need to keep innovating, growing our economy, and deterring our enemies. I’m grateful for the bipartisan and industry support this bill has received and look forward to pushing for its enactment.”
“Many countries are unmapped or reliant on outdated geological surveys. Our bill would create opportunities for collaboration between the United States and these countries to update geological mapping with the goal of locating critical mineral deposits. These partnerships would be mutually beneficial and provide the United States access to more critical minerals, reducing our dependence on China,” said Senator Todd Young.
“We can’t solve climate change or strengthen national security without harnessing the power of critical minerals,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “Better and more accurate maps will help us and our allies safely and ethically explore untapped critical mineral deposits.”
“Access to a reliable supply chain of critical minerals is essential to meet our nation’s defense, manufacturing, and energy needs,” said Senator Cornyn. “By shoring up alliances with trusted allies and promoting geological mapping of critical mineral reserves, this legislation would ensure America has the resources needed to keep up with global demand and bolster both our mineral security and national security in the years ahead.”
“Critical minerals and rare earth elements are the building blocks of our modern economy and our national security,” said Representative Wittman. “This bill ensures that the United States can work hand-in-hand with like-minded nations to identify and responsibly develop these essential resources, while strengthening supply chain resilience and promoting American leadership in mineral exploration. Through this bill, we are reinforcing our alliances, building technical capacity, and supporting global standards in responsible mineral development. I’m proud to introduce the Finding ORE Act as a forward-looking solution to this pressing global challenge.”
“America’s dependence on adversarial nations for critical minerals poses a significant threat to our national security and our clean energy future,” said Representative Castor. “The Finding ORE Act leverages our expertise in geologic mapping to promote the sustainable development of critical mineral supply chains through international partnerships. This legislation will make our nation safer and stronger while supporting our strategic alliances. I’m grateful to my bipartisan colleagues for working together to enhance U.S. leadership in the clean energy transition.”
“The United States has too often watched from the sidelines as our adversaries explored, invested in, and secured the world’s most promising mineral deposits,” said Abigail Hunter, Executive Director of SAFE’s Center for Critical Minerals Strategy. “This bill changes that. It positions the United States—our geological experts and industry—to help identify and potentially develop the next generation of great deposits. It ensures we show up in resource-rich nations, rather than leaving them to deepen their ties with China.”
“The American Critical Minerals Association welcomes the bipartisan, bicameral introduction of the Finding ORE Act by Senators Coons, Young, Hickenlooper, and Cornyn and Representatives Wittman and Castor,” said Sarah Venuto, Executive Director of ACMA. “Expanding our knowledge base of global minerals resources and growing partnerships with our allies will ensure the United States is a leading force in resourcing critical minerals in a responsible way. ACMA looks forward to working with Senator Coons and his colleagues to advance the Finding ORE Act.”
“Colorado School of Mines commends Senators Coons, Young, Hickenlooper, and Cornyn and Reps. Wittman and Castor for their bipartisan efforts to leverage U.S. expertise in mineral mapping to support safe, secure, and responsible mineral supply chains,” said Dr. John Bradford, Vice President for Global Initiatives at Colorado School of Mines. “When called upon to contribute, institutions with strong partnerships with USGS, like Colorado School of Mines, seek to support America’s government and industry partners to advance the technology, knowledge, and workforce required to responsibly identify, assess, and produce mineral resources in the U.S. and around the world.”
“BPC Action applauds the bipartisan introduction of the Finding ORE Act. The bill will strengthen U.S. supply chain security by enhancing coordination with allies on critical mineral development, helping secure new critical minerals sources free from adversary control,” said Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action).
“Terra AI celebrates this forward-thinking, bi-partisan critical minerals exploration legislation introduced by Senators Coons, Young, Hickenlooper, and Cornyn and Reps. Wittman and Castor,” said John Mern, CEO of Terra AI. “The Finding ORE Act would empower America’s agencies and private firms to explore and claim the next major deposits of critical minerals which will supply our industries for decades to come; supporting manufacturing, aerospace, energy, and artificial intelligence. We support this act’s unique approach to winning the critical minerals race by leveraging America and Her Allies’ relative advantages — strong diplomatic relations, world-leading technology, and entrepreneurial spirit. This act is the essential early stage first step to establishing US global mineral dominance and winning this generational opportunity. As a mineral exploration AI company, we see huge value in collaboration between the private sector and our nation’s diplomatic, geologic and financial agencies abroad. It is a winning playbook, and we look forward to seeing more legislation in this area.”
The Finding ORE Act would authorize the Director of USGS to enter into memoranda of understanding (MOU) with foreign partner countries related to mapping of critical minerals. The bill identifies four objectives for these MOU:
Committing USGS to assist the partner country with a range of critical mineral mapping activities
Committing the partner country to offer a right of first refusal to private companies based in the United States or an allied country in the further development of mapped critical minerals
Facilitating investment in the development of critical minerals in the partner country, including by leveraging financing from the U.S. Development Finance Corporation and Export-Import Bank
Ensuring that mapping data created through partnership with USGS is not disclosed to governmental or private entities in non-allied countries
The bill requires USGS to collaborate with both the State Department and the private sector in identifying which countries to prioritize for negotiation of an MOU and would involve the State Department in the negotiation and implementation process.
A one-pager on the bill is available here.
The full text of the bill is available here.
Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) introduced the bipartisan Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act to ensure veterans in every state, including Delaware, can benefit from critical suicide prevention resources.
When Congress passed the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019, it authorized several new programs designed to improve veterans’ access to mental health care. Among the provisions, the bill established the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSG Fox SPGP) to reduce veteran suicide through a community-based approach.
Although SSG Fox SPGP authorized $174 million to be appropriated for fiscal year 2021 through fiscal year 2025, neither North Dakota nor Delaware, nor entities serving these states, have received any funding.
The Every State Counts for Veterans Mental Health Act would address this by providing priority consideration of SSG Fox SPGP applications to entities in states that have not previously received a grant.
“We have a duty to support those who have volunteered to serve in our armed forces, and no aid is more urgent than helping our veterans at risk of suicide,” said Senator Coons. “Until now, Delaware has missed out on critical funds to address veterans’ mental health and suicide risk despite the amazing organizations in the First State ready to expand their reach. This bill rights that wrong so that more Delaware veterans who have risked their lives to keep us safe will receive the life-saving support they deserve when they come home.”
“Veterans across North Dakota and the nation bravely served our country and have been promised timely access to mental healthcare, no matter where they live,” said Senator Cramer. “Our bipartisan bill provides a practical fix to ensure North Dakota veterans receive suicide prevention support if they need it.”
You can read the full text of the bill here.
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) in sending a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick regarding the Biden administration’s AI Diffusion Rule (AIDR). The letter calls on President Trump’s administration to withdraw Biden’s overly restrictive rule and propose an alternative that is effective in preventing Communist China from capturing the world market in leading technology.
“We applaud President Trump’s commitment to ensuring American dominance in the tech sector,” the senators write. “Today, we are in an enviable position: American companies dominate in crucial areas that will define tomorrow’s economy including semiconductor design, compute infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI). This leadership position has been hard fought. Maintaining and growing our tech lead requires diligently advancing an American-led, global ecosystem around the world.”
“With the compliance deadline of May 15, 2025, rapidly approaching, immediate action is necessary to prevent irreversible damage to American innovation and competitiveness,” the senators continue. “Every day this rule remains in place, American companies face mounting uncertainty, stalled investments, and the risk of losing critical global partnerships that cannot be easily regained. Therefore, we urge you to withdraw this rule and propose an alternative that is effective in preventing Communist China from capturing the world market in a leading technology without compromising American advantages.”
Sens. Tuberville and Ricketts were joined by Sens. Ted Budd (R-NC), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) in signing the letter.
Read full text of the letter below or here.
“Dear Secretary Lutnick:
We applaud President Trump’s commitment to ensuring American dominance in the tech sector. Today, we are in an enviable position: American companies dominate in crucial areas that will define tomorrow’s economy including semiconductor design, compute infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI). This leadership position has been hard fought. Maintaining and growing our tech lead requires diligently advancing an American-led, global ecosystem around the world.
Concerningly, President Biden’s recently issued Artificial Intelligence Diffusion Rule
(AIDR) threatens to undermine this leadership and advancement. Among other things, the rule categorizes countries into three tiers, imposing complex restrictions on the purchase of U.S. technology. Only Tier 1 countries—limited to just 18 nations—would have access to American technology. Even these 18 would only have access if they comply with a burdensome and ever-evolving set of federal regulations. The vast majority of nations fall into Tier 2. These countries face arbitrary purchase limits and a cumbersome licensing process to acquire U.S. computing technologies. Strikingly, key allies and partners like Israel have been inexplicably excluded from the top tier and placed into Tier 2. Tier 3 countries, including Communist China, are already rightly restricted.
While the AIDR claims to provide secure ecosystems for the responsible diffusion of AI, this rushed midnight rule’s impact and overly broad scope will result in consequences that divorce it from its intent. Fundamentally, the rule places burdensome constraints on U.S. companies that would be difficult to comply with and even harder for the Federal government to enforce. Buyers, particularly in Tier 2 countries that are constrained from purchasing U.S. technology, would be incentivized to turn to Communist China’s unregulated, cheap substitutes. Additionally, technology companies in Tier 2 countries could be motivated to create their own AI technology stack that is outside our export control regime. Neither outcome furthers our nation’s long-term economic and national security goals.
With the compliance deadline of May 15, 2025, rapidly approaching, immediate action is necessary to prevent irreversible damage to American innovation and competitiveness. Every day this rule remains in place, American companies face mounting uncertainty, stalled investments, and the risk of losing critical global partnerships that cannot be easily regained. Therefore, we urge you to withdraw this rule and propose an alternative that is effective in preventing Communist China from capturing the world market in a leading technology without compromising American advantages.
Sincerely,”
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)
On Tax Day, organizations and innovators are continuing to show support for the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act, legislation introduced by Reps. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) and John Larson (D-Connecticut) that permanently allows for immediate research and development expensing looking back to 2022 when the provision expired. Reps. Estes and Larson were joined by Reps. Rudy Yakym (R-Indiana) and Suzan DelBene (D-Washington) and the bill has an additional 70 cosponsors evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. The statements below are in addition to support expressed by the National Association of Manufacturers and the Association of Equipment Manufacturers when Reps. Estes and Larson introduced the bill in March.
“The Aerospace Industries Association is grateful for the continued bipartisan support of the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act, which will restore immediate research and development expensing — allowing innovation to flourish among America’s aerospace and defense companies and ensuring we continue to outpace our adversaries. We thank Congressman Estes and Congressman Larson for championing these efforts and supporting American business by reintroducing this important bill,” said Eric Fanning, president and CEO, Aerospace Industries Association.
“Restoring full and immediate R&D expensing is essential to the future of American manufacturing and the competitiveness of the U.S. plastics industry,” said Chris Rager, vice president of government affairs, Plastics Industry Association. “Our sector supports over one million jobs and drives innovation in critical areas like healthcare, automotive, and sustainable packaging. This bipartisan measure will help ensure manufacturers can continue investing in next-generation technologies that strengthen our economy, advance sustainability, and keep the United States at the forefront of global innovation.”
“The American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act is a beacon of hope for U.S. manufacturers as we face unfair global competition,” said Eric Axel, executive director, American Medical Manufacturers Association. “By reinstating immediate R&D expensing, this bipartisan legislation empowers domestic makers of critical medical supplies to innovate, compete, and safeguard our public health and national security. It’s a crucial step towards ensuring America remains a leader in producing life-saving supplies, fostering economic resilience, and creating high-paying jobs nationwide.”
“Our research and development efforts drive advancements in magnetic technologies used across food processing, recycling, and advanced manufacturing. These innovations not only help protect equipment and ensure safety—they also support good-paying, skilled jobs in Kansas. Restoring immediate expensing for R&D, as proposed in Congressman Estes’ legislation, would give manufacturers like us the certainty and resources we need to keep hiring, expanding, and staying competitive. We’re grateful for his leadership and strong support of Kansas manufacturers,” said Robert Bunting Jr., president & CEO, Bunting in Newton, Kansas.
You can read the full text of the bill here.
Background Rep. Estes has been a leader in advocating for American innovation. In the previous Congress, Reps. Estes and John Larson (D-Connecticut) reintroduced H.R. 2673 – the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act – on April 18, 2023. Rep. Estes delivered remarks on the House floor in April of 2023 and numerous organizations offered their support following the bill’s introduction. In June, Rep. Estes testified on the legislation in a Small Business Committee subcommittee, discussed the bill during a Ways and Means markup for the Committee’s Build It in America Act – an economic package that included a version of Rep. Estes’ bill and was reported out of committee and penned an op-ed for The Hill highlighting the then more than 100 cosponsors and touting the benefits of the legislation. In December, Rep. Estes spoke to Tax Notes about the expired provision and published an op-ed in Newsweek unpacking the positive outcomes – for individual taxpayers and across the economy – made possible by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 and explaining how his bipartisan bill offers a solution to the expired R&D expensing provision that would help restore America’s dominance in R&D and secure American jobs.
In April of 2024, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and Tax Subcommittee Chairman Mike Kelly (R-Pennsylvania) named Rep. Estes chair of the newly formed U.S. Innovation Tax Team, one of ten working groups comprised of committee members to study key tax provisions from the 2017 Trump tax cuts that are set to expire in 2025. Rep. Estes talked with innovators and manufacturers throughout Kansas in August and September and led a delegation with House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and then-Tax Team Vice Chair Michelle Steel (R-California) to Silicon Valley later in September to meet with U.S. innovators and stakeholders about the upcoming TCJA expirations.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)
CONNEAUT LAKE, Pa. — On Saturday, April 12, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) honored Crawford County Treasurer Christine Krzysiak as the latest 16th Congressional District Community Champion for her decades of public service to Crawford County. Krzysiak will retire at the end of the year after serving as Crawford County Treasurer for 14 years.
“Christine embodies what it means to be a dedicated public servant,” Rep. Kelly said. “Whether it’s her role as Crawford County Treasurer, serving in her church, or becoming a mentor to young professionals across the region, she continues to put others first and strengthen our communities.”
Krzysiak serves on the executive board of the County Treasurers’ Association of Pennsylvania (CTAP) and has for the last 4 years. She was elected as CTAP president in 2023. Additionally, she has been a member of the Meadville Business and Professional Women since 2011, where she served as their Treasurer for seven of those years. Krzysiak currently serves on their Audit Committee. She also serves as an altar server at her church.
Previously, Krzysiak served as Venango Township (Crawford County) Tax Collector from 2005-2011.She first began working for Crawford County in the Clerk of Courts Office in 1984.
Krzysiak and her husband have three adult children and one grandchild.
BACKGROUND
The Community Champion Award is a citation instituted by the Office of U.S. Representative Mike Kelly in January 2015 to recognize and thank service-minded individuals throughout Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District for selfless and significant contributions to their surrounding communities. Each winner is presented with an official award plaque from Rep. Kelly’s office, a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol building, and a statement of congratulations entered into the official Congressional Record.
In February, Rep. Kelly honored Erie businessman Chris Sirianni for his contributions to the Lake Erie Ale Trail and promoting the craft beer industry in Northwest Pennsylvania. During his tenure, Sirianni grew the group from four to 17 local breweries. He stepped down from his executive duties with the Lake Erie Ale Trail in January 2025.
Rep. Kelly co-chairs the House Small Brewers Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives.
LANGLEY, British Columbia, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — First West Credit Union (“First West”) a leading Canadian financial co-operative, announced that it closed its offering (the “Offering”) of $150 million aggregate principal amount of fixed rate senior deposit notes due on March 24, 2027 (the “Notes”). The Notes are unsecured and bear a fixed interest rate of 4.252% per annum, paid semi-annually and commencing on September 24, 2025. First West’s most recent offering is the third offering of notes since 2022.
With approximately $20 billion in assets and assets under administration, First West serves 283,000 members throughout British Columbia and is one of Canada’s largest credit unions. First West has received a R-1 (low) Short-Term and a BBB (high) Long-Term credit rating from Morningstar DBRS.
“The overwhelming response underscores the continued confidence the investment community places in First West, its financial strength and its long-term growth strategy, backed by a trusted team and a bold outlook,” says Mark Moreland, First West’s Chief Financial and Strategy Officer. “We’re proud of this strong endorsement – what started as a $150 million offering closed with a final order book of $615 million – over four times oversubscribed.”
First West Credit Union is in the advanced stages of its pending federal continuance and remains fully committed to becoming a federal credit union. Moreland continues, “We believe that First West is well-positioned for federal continuance with all technology systems, policies and procedures ready, and we’ve completed several years of preparation under the guidance of the federal banking regulator. While we wait for approval, First West will continue to navigate with strength through this economic environment while supporting our members in the weeks and months ahead.”
CIBC World Markets and Scotia Capital acted as joint bookrunners. McCarthy Tetrault acted as external legal counsel to First West and Stikeman Elliott acted as legal counsel to the bookrunners and co-managers.
About First West Credit Union
First West Credit Union brings together the best of both worlds, combining the scale, stability and solutions of a leading Canadian financial institution with the care and community leadership of a local cooperative. Powered by the leadership of Launi Skinner, First West is Canada’s premier multi-brand credit union, serving 283,000 members through four admired community brands: Envision Financial, Valley First, Island Savings, and Enderby & District Financial. With approximately $20 billion in total assets and assets under administration, First West makes it easy for its members to get impactful, practical advice and personalized service that’s truly in their best interests, through 45 branches across B.C., a Member Advice Centre and leading digital tools.
Since 2010, First West has given back more than $41 million to its communities, while cultivating a culture with its 1,250 team members that is recognized nationally with Canada’s Most Admired Cultures Award, BC’s Top Employers Award, 5-Star Psychological Safety Award, and the Canadian Workplace Wellbeing Award. Learn more at firstwestcu.ca and see how we’re redefining banking through our belief that every person, business and community deserves to feel financially confident.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information and statements (collectively, “forward -looking statements”). When used in this news release the words “may”, “well-positioned”, “working”, “to be”, “becoming”, “anticipates”, “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this news release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brittany Pettersen (Colorado 7th District)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), led 58 of their colleagues in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Senior Official Performing the Duties of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Cameron Hamilton expressing deep concern over the reckless attempt to terminate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and the risk that halting approved BRIC projects poses to vulnerable communities.
The BRIC program plays a critical role in supporting pre-disaster mitigation and strengthening community resilience in the face of increasingly frequent and severe natural disasters. In Colorado, where wildfires have burned over 1.5 million acres in the last 25 years, BRIC funding has been used to upgrade infrastructure, modernize water systems, and reduce wildfire risks in high-threat areas. BRIC saves lives, protects homes and schools, and reduces the devastating costs of recovery.
In a letter, the Members shared: “Across our districts, natural disasters are no longer confined to a ‘season’; instead, the risks persist throughout the year, and it’s critical to prepare our communities as we learn to live with worsening natural disasters. Building resilient communities is an undeniable role of the federal government, and the unlawful termination of BRIC abandons our commitment to the communities that we serve.”
The Members continued: “The urgent and timely need for action on natural disaster preparedness and mitigation cannot be overstated. Any delay in funding and implementation of critical programs threatens the safety and resilience of our communities.
The Members are demanding the following:
A list of approved BRIC projects that will not receive funding after April 4, 2025, including key project details.
Guidance for project sponsors on how to draw down remaining funds and finalize contracts.
FEMA’s current strategy for addressing wildfire readiness and community preparedness goals.
A timeline for resuming the implementation and disbursement of BRIC funding.
Nineteen female fourth-year UConn medical students in the Class of 2025 have met their career match in surgery. They are choosing to enter the surgery fields at residency training programs at UConn and across the country. Their surgery-heavy training fields include general surgery, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, ENT, and OB/GYN.
“We have a really amazing group of women – possibly the largest group ever – who matched to a robust set of competitive surgical residency programs,” said Dr. Marilyn Katz, assistant dean for Medical Student Affairs at UConn School of Medicine.
UConn Bound One of the graduating UConn medical students is Kyanna Alleyne, 26, of West Hartford who is staying at UConn for residency training to become a future orthopaedic surgeon.
“I’m so excited to stay at UConn and in Connecticut. My whole family is here. I knew I wanted to be at UConn,” says Alleyne who is so proud to see so many of her fellow female classmates choosing to enter the surgery fields too.
“It’s amazing,” says Alleyne. “I love to see it. We do a lot of work at UConn to get more girls and women interested in surgery careers.”
Future surgeons Kyanna Alleyne and Desiree Dear are both staying in their home state of Connecticut for a UConn surgical residency training program (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo).
She was inspired to become an ortho expert after being a student athlete playing soccer at American University: “I’ve been around a ton of injuries,” she says. “Daily function of your body, even your hands, is so important.”
Alleyne was also inspired to become an ortho surgeon thanks to her mentor Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr. Katherine Coyner at UConn Health who is also director of the new Women’s Center for Motion and Performance and an Orthopedic Team Physician for the UConn Huskies college athletes.
“Dr. Coyner has helped me every step of the way during medical school. She takes mentorship of women very seriously and it shows from middle and high school girls to medical students to college athletes at UConn,” she says.
Alleyne has volunteered in Coyner’s numerous workshops for female youth and medical students introducing them to the primarily male-dominated fields like orthopaedic surgery to recognize their potential to succeed in these fields.
Desiree Dear, 28, of Bethel is also thrilled to be staying at UConn for residency too but in ENT. She also attended UConn as an undergrad.
“UConn is such a family. We are very diverse, and UConn trains and show us the diverse fields of medicine too,” says Dear.
Her mentor is Dr. Kourosh Parham, professor of ENT at UConn School of Medicine and UConn Health.
(Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo).
“Dr. Parham is extremely supportive. I really liked learning about ENT, its surgical field and its outpatient care. Plus, I love the longitudinal relationships you can make with your ENT patients ranging from managing hearing loss to head and neck cancer surgery care,” says Dear.
“UConn always has a focus to increase female representation. Seeing all these women entering diverse fields of surgery specialties is definitely inspiring. I hope it inspires other medical school classes in the future,” says Dear. “I am looking forward to graduation and experiencing the culmination of our medical education and celebrating with my classmates.”
Parham, her mentor, is celebrating the record five UConn medical students who matched into ENT residency this year, and four of the five are women.
“There was an outstanding group of UConn medical students, including Desiree, in the match applying to otolaryngology this year. We could not be more delighted with the result of the match that allowed us to retain a talent like Desiree at UConn. We are excited about the next five years,” shared Parham.
UConn Made Doctors Becoming Future Women Surgeons
It’s a match! Some of the many female graduating UConn medical students choosing a future career in the surgery fields include (top row) Margaret Boudreau, Caitlin Foster, Vedika Karandikar, Carly Malesky, Desiree Dear, Kyanna Alleyne, Emily Orosco, (bottom row) Grace Nichols, Sarishka Desai, Summer Xu, Khaoula Ben Haj Frej, Julia Silverman, and Cailyn Regan. (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo)
Other Class of 2025 students entering surgery residencies include Khaoula Ben Haj Frej, 27, of Waterbury who matched to General Surgery at Johns Hopkins.
“I’m very excited,” she says. “I have always been interested in oncology, and I want to be a surgical oncologist.”
“Both my grandfathers died of cancer, so becoming a cancer doctor has been a personal mission,” she says after having worked in clinical trials at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute prior to attending medical school at UConn where she loved her learning experiences.
“I chose the surgery field because of the impact you can have. I love the immediacy of the surgical oncology field to be able to remove a patient’s cancer the same day. I saw a colon cancer patient here at UConn Health who got to go home without it! Also, oncology patients are an amazing patient population, and have such resilience,” she says.
Cailyn Regan, 26, of West Hartford matched to General Surgery at Rutgers.
“My Mom is actually a urologist,” Regan shared. “At the time she was the only woman in her urology residency training program. It’s so great to see so many UConn-trained women doctors following in my Mom’s footsteps representing women in all these diverse surgical fields.”
Vedika Karandikar, 26, of Wilton matched to General Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and is thrilled.
“I feel incredibly grateful to be entering a field that allows me to connect deeply with people, make a direct impact in their lives, and combine science with precision in such a meaningful way,” says Karandikar.
Catherine Qiu is Queens, NY bound. She matched to General Surgery residency training at NY-Presbyterian-Queens.
Catherine Qiu, 25, of Trumbull, is an Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholar at UConn. She matched to General Surgery at NY-Presbyterian-Queens.
“I’m so excited to start my surgical journey in Queens, a community I spent most weekends in growing up. It’s incredibly meaningful to work in a place that helped shape me,” Qiu said.
She says UConn School of Medicine has prepared her well to become a well-rounded surgeon.
“I’ve gained strong clinical skills and learned the value of patient-centered care through hands-on experiences and supportive mentorship. I’m especially proud to join the growing number of women surgeons from UConn—empowered by my inspiring female peers and mentors, and ready to lead in the field!” says Qiu.
Pascale Carrel, 27, of Cos Cob matched into OB/GYN at NYP-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital is also thrilled to embark on the next step of her career.
“OBGYN, like most other surgical fields, is incredibly competitive nowadays,” she shared and she’s proud of her female classmates entering surgery fields.
“This just goes to prove that women can, and should, pursue their passions in competitive, historically male-dominated, fields. I’m so proud to be one amongst my peers,” says Carrel.
ElizabethSuschana, 29, of Somers also matched to OB/GYN at SUNY HSC Brooklyn.
“Being a woman in medicine is challenging, but the future is female. It’s part of our duty as future female surgeons to empower others to pursue their specialty of choice despite society telling us what is and isn’t a surgeon,” Suschana shared.
Zoe Paige Garvey, 28, of Windsor also matched to OB/GYN at Mount Sinai Morningside-West. She chose to enter medicine after experiencing surgery as a child.
“I am driven to address healthcare disparities and improve the health outcomes of not only the patients and communities I directly serve but also through my advocacy for women on a state and national level,” said Garvey.
Amanda Hernández Rodríguez, 27, of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico matched to OB/GYN at Nuvance Health Consortium, as she admires the important role OB/GYN physicians play in empowering women through education.
Felicia Woron, of East Hartford, matched to OB/GYN at Maimonides Medical Center.
“Although I was always interested in obstetrics and gynecology, I was actually fairly intimidated by the prospect of entering a surgical field until I had the opportunity to be in the OR during rotations. I quickly realized how gratifying and rewarding it could be to work as part of a surgical team and make an immediate impact on patients’ lives.”
Woron concludes, “I am so excited to become a surgeon and proud of all of the other women from UConn entering surgical fields!”
Other UConn women entering the surgical fields also includes:
Margaret Boudreau, 27, of Wilton matched to Ophthalmology at UVA.
Sarishka Desai, 26, of Darien matched to Ophthalmology at Tufts.
Caitlin Foster, 26, of Glastonbury matched to Plastic Surgery at the University of Colorado.
Carly Malesky, 25, of Milford matched to ENT at Montefiore/Einstein.
Grace Nichols, 27, of Wethersfield matched to ENT at Georgetown.
Emily Orosco, 27, of Camarillo, Calif. matched to General Surgery at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
Julia Silverman, 25, of West Hartford matched to General Surgery at UNC.
Summer Xu, 26, of Glastonbury matched to ENT at Beth Israel Deaconess.
Some of the many women future surgeons in the UConn School of Medicine’s Class of 2025 donning their white coats including (front row): Summer Xu, Grace Nichols, Margaret Boudreau, (middle row) Emily Orosco Cailyn Regan, Caitlin Foster, Khaoula Ben Haj Frej, Sarishka Desai, Kyanna Alleyne, (back row) Desiree Dear, Vedika Karandikar, Julia Silverman, and Carly Malesky (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo).
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MARIA DEL CARMEN SANCHEZ POTRERO, also known as Maria Carmela Sanchez, 71, a citizen of Mexico last residing in Hartford, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 51 months of imprisonment for her involvement in a scheme to smuggle aliens into the U.S., harbor them at Hartford area residences, force them to work, and threaten to harm them in various ways if they failed to pay exorbitant fees, interest, and other living expenses.
According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning in September 2022, the FBI and Hartford Police interviewed several Mexican nationals who disclosed that they were smuggled from Mexico into the U.S. and transported to Hartford. The investigation revealed that victims typically arranged with Sanchez and others in Connecticut and Mexico to cross the border into the U.S. in exchange for a fee of between $15,000 and $20,000 that each would need to pay once they were in the U.S. In most cases, the victims were required to turn over a property deed as collateral before leaving Mexico. They were then smuggled across the border and transported to Hartford area residences, including Sanchez’s residence on Madison Street in Hartford, often at a substantial risk of bodily injury or death.
After the victims arrived in Connecticut, they were told that they would have to pay approximately $30,000, with interest, and that they would have to pay Sanchez and her co-coconspirators for rent, food, gas and utilities. Sanchez and her co-conspirators created false documents for the victims, including Permanent Residence cards and Social Security cards, and helped the victims find employment in the Hartford area. In addition to their own jobs, some victims were required to perform housework and yardwork without compensation and without having their debt reduced.
Victims were rarely provided with an accounting of their debt. If victims failed to make regular payments, or in amounts that Sanchez and her co-conspirators expected, they were sometimes threatened, including with threats to harm family members in Mexico, to take property in Mexico that had been secured as collateral, to reveal victims’ immigration status to U.S. authorities, and to raise their interest payments.
To date, investigators have identified 19 victims of this scheme. Multiple victims were minors, and at least two were smuggled into the U.S. unaccompanied by a relative or legal guardian.
Sanchez has been detained since her arrest on March 1, 2023. On October 24, 2024, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to encourage and induce, bring in, transport, and harbor aliens.
Judge Dooley ordered Sanchez to pay restitution of $574,608.
Sanchez faces immigration when she completes her prison term.
This investigation has been conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hartford Police Department, U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Inspector General, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angel Krull and Shan Patel.
TORONTO, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (Ninepoint Partners) is pleased to announce the appointment of Samarjit (Sam) Mitter to its investment team as Senior Portfolio Manager, beginning May 2025.
Mr. Mitter joins Ninepoint with over 25 years of experience in the investment industry and a well-established career managing equity portfolios across U.S. and global markets. In his new role, he will focus on expanding Ninepoint’s equity investment platform and launching new mandates that reflect evolving client needs and market opportunities.
Most recently, Mr. Mitter was a Portfolio Manager at AGF Management Ltd., where he managed the AGF US Small & Mid Cap Fund, which was the top-performing fund in its category in 2024. He was an integral part of AGF’s Growth Team, serving as Associate Portfolio Manager and Co-Manager for AGF Global Select and AGF US Large-Cap Funds, under lead manager, Tony Genua, from 2014 to 2025. AGF’s Growth Team managed over $16 Billion in assets at the end of 2024.
Mr. Mitter brings broad experience across equity research, portfolio construction, and strategy development gained over the course of his career at several leading Canadian asset managers.
“We’re excited to welcome Sam to Ninepoint as we continue to grow our investment team and broaden our platform,” said John Wilson, Co-CEO and Managing Partner at Ninepoint Partners. “His depth of experience and proven history of stock selection in both Global and US Equities will help us improve our Firm’s product offerings as we strive to deliver alpha generating, actively managed solutions to our clients.”
Mr. Mitter holds an MBA from Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, California and a Bachelor of Science from Culver-Stockton College, Canton, Missouri. He will be based in Toronto.
His appointment underscores Ninepoint’s commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative investment strategies led by experienced professionals.
About Ninepoint Partners LP
Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.
For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit ninepoint.com or please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.
Media Inquiries: Longacre Square Partners Kate Sylvester / Liz Shoemaker ninepoint@longacresquare.com
SUNNYVALE, Calif., April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Real-Time Innovations (RTI), the infrastructure software company for smart-world systems, is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the seventh year in a row. This award is based entirely on what current employees say about their experience working at RTI. This year, 93% of US-based employees said RTI is a great place to work – 36 points higher than the average U.S. company.
“This recognition is a testament to the individuals who make RTI what it is,” said Stan Schneider, CEO of RTI. “Nobody understands a company better than its employees. This certification validates our unwavering commitment to a collaborative culture, unwavering ethics, and excellent execution. I’m incredibly proud of the RTI team and the collective spirit that shapes our exceptional workplace.”
The Great Place to Work survey highlights key factors that make RTI a great place to work. An impressive 97% of employees agree that when they join the company, they are made to feel welcome. Additionally, 96% believe they have equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of background, and feel that management is honest and ethical in its business practices, fostering a strong sense of trust across the organization.
“Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience,” says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, the Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that RTI stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees.”
RTI’s “1RTI” culture fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment, where team members, regardless of location, feel connected and valued. In fact, 96% of employees agreed that people at RTI care about each other, and that management is approachable and easy to talk with. Flexibility and personal growth are also prioritized, with opportunities for professional development at every stage. By embracing different perspectives, RTI empowers employees to contribute to shared success, creating a culture where every talent is recognized and respected.
According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4.5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace. Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits and have a fair chance at promotion.
WE’RE HIRING! Looking to grow your career at a company that puts its people first? Visit our careers page at: rti.com/company/careers
Don’t meet every single requirement? At RTI, we are dedicated to building an inclusive and authentic workplace so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t perfectly align with all qualifications in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or another one of our open roles.
About RTI
Real-Time Innovations (RTI) is the infrastructure software company for smart-world systems. RTI Connext® is the world’s leading software framework for intelligent distributed systems. Uniquely, Connext users can build systems that combine advanced sensing, fast control, and AI algorithms.
With 2,000 customer designs, RTI excels at getting customers to production. RTI software runs over 300 autonomous vehicle programs, supports dozens of automotive ADAS and software-defined architectures, controls the largest power plants in North America, integrates over 500 major defense programs, drives a new generation of MedTech systems and robotics, and underlies Canada’s air traffic control and NASA’s launch control systems.
RTI runs a smarter world.
RTI is the market leader in products compliant with the Data Distribution Service (DDS™) standard. RTI is privately held and headquartered in Silicon Valley with regional offices in Colorado, Spain, and Singapore.
Download a free trial of the latest, fully-functional Connext software today: www.rti.com/downloads
About Great Place to Work Certification™
Great Place To Work® Certification™ is the most definitive “employer-of-choice” recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience – specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified.
About Great Place To Work®
As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work® brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All™ Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified™ or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces™ List.
LOS ANGELES, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a year where passive income is more important than ever, PFMcryptoannounces the expansion of its free crypto asset management platform, now recognized as the most trusted way to earn Bitcoin without any upfront investment. With over 9.2 million users across 192 countries, PFMcrypto is helping individuals tap into digital income streams through a safe, transparent, and 100% free model.
PFMcrypto Named Best Free Cloud Mining Platform of 2025 With Over 9.2 Million Global Users
As inflation continues to outpace traditional savings, more people are turning to digital assets like Bitcoin to preserve and grow their wealth. Cloud-based crypto earning tools are leading the way—requiring no hardware, no technical expertise, and no upfront costs.
According to Statista, global crypto users surpassed 800 million in 2024, and simplified platforms like PFMcrypto are playing a key role in that adoption. The platform introduces an accessible way for anyone to start earning Bitcoin passively—anytime, anywhere.
PFMcrypto Offers $10 Bitcoin Bonus for New Users with Daily Returns Up to $0.60
PFMcrypto has been independently rated as the top free platform for earning Bitcoin, thanks to its user-first features, verified returns, and global accessibility. Here’s what sets it apart:
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PFMcrypto’s approach has earned it a 4.7/5 user satisfaction score, with over 1.4 million verified reviews and the top spot in Blockchain Analytics Group’s April 2025 rankings.
Real Users, Real Feedback
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PFMcrypto operates with the reliability of both traditional and blockchain finance. Key safeguards include:
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As more people seek alternative income sources, PFMcrypto positions itself as the best free crypto asset management platform in 2025. Whether new to crypto or expanding the portfolio, PFMcrypto provides a low-risk, high-potential entry point into Bitcoin.
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Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)
Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) published an opinion piece outlining a new proposal that would make a series of common income tax breaks refundable against payroll taxes. At a time when prices are high, Senator Hawley highlights how his proposal would deliver a historic tax cut for working families across the country.
Read Senator Hawley’s full op-ed here or below.
Time was, Republicans knew how to do tax cuts. Reagan-era columnist Robert Novak once quipped, “God put the Republican Party on Earth to cut taxes.” But Republicans in Washington these days could use a refresher course.
The negotiations over President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful” budget bill have to date included surprisingly little talk of tax cuts for the people who need them most: America’s working class. These are the people who make less than $80,000 per year. These are the people who delivered an electoral victory for Trump. And these are the Americans Washington policy types have largely forgotten for a generation. Republicans should remember them now — and deliver for them the largest tax cut in our lifetime.
The American working class needs a break. Manufacturing jobs that once provided a good living for many workers and a sure future for many families have disappeared. Blue-collar workers haven’t gotten a real pay raise in decades. Mortgages are unaffordable. Rent is unaffordable. Groceries are unaffordable.
All this takes a toll on the spirit as much as the checkbook. To find jobs, young people move away from the places where they grew up. Families are pulled apart, and small towns wither and die. To afford children, parents take multiple jobs, work around the clock, and return home exhausted and despairing. To survive in the present, many Americans live with no hope for the future: no time for neighborhood or church or family life.
And, in this way, the economy Washington has fashioned for the working class unravels the fabric of the nation.
Republicans can begin to repair it. They can give America’s working people a lifeline by giving them the biggest working-class tax cut in our history. Here’s how: Make the largest income tax credits — the home mortgage deduction, the child tax credit and the charitable deduction — available to all Americans who pay the payroll tax.
These popular tax credits provide billions in tax relief every year. But, as it stands, you have to earn a considerable amount of money, and pay a considerable amount of income tax, before these credits become fully available. Yet two-thirds of Americans pay more in payroll taxes than they do in income taxes. And most working-class Americans pay little or no income tax at all.
That doesn’t mean they are freeloading. Mitt Romney’s infamous barb about “the 47 percent” who allegedly pay no taxes was never accurate: America’s working people pay billions in taxes every year — but mostly in payroll taxes, the 15 percent levied on every paycheck and sometimes split with employers. And that’s no small burden. In fact, the federal government takes in well over $1 trillion of this tax every year.
But, for working people, the bottom line is, despite the chunk taken out of your paycheck every few weeks, you don’t qualify for the generous tax relief upper-income earners receive.
Republicans should fix this now. Make the home mortgage interest deduction, the child tax credit and the charitable deduction available against the payroll tax. That is to say, allow Americans earning a wage and paying the payroll tax to claim these credits to offset their tax liability.
To understand what this tax cut would mean in the real world, consider these real-world people from my home state of Missouri.
One is a father of six and pastor of a small church in the small town where he grew up. Under my proposal, on his annual salary of roughly $80,000, this constituent would save $6,582. A year.
And then there’s a wife and mother who shared her financial concerns with my office in a letter: “I’m writing to you as the new mother of twin girls and the wife of a police officer, who is struggling in this economy,” she explained. “In order to work, we are paying $33,000 a year for daycare …. The cost of inflation is crippling us hardworking, middle-class families … ”
The couple has two daughters and a mortgage and takes a standard deduction. We ran the numbers. They would save $7,500 under my proposal. And their family could use that money.
Every working family could use the money. And they deserve it. They earned it, after all. Republicans should get back to doing what they once did best: cutting taxes for the people who make this nation work.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03)
GAINESVILLE, FL — This morning, Congresswoman Kat Cammack issued the following statement about the U.S. Department of Commerce’s announcement of its intent to withdraw from the 2019 Agreement Suspending the Antidumping Investigation on Fresh Tomatoes from Mexico, with termination effective in 90 days.
“This has been a priority of ours for years in Florida,” said Rep. Kat Cammack. “For half a decade now, our producers have been subject to an unfair marketplace. In the past five years alone, Mexican tomato producers have violated the suspension agreement over 100 times. The economic impact of these violations has been catastrophic on our domestic tomato producers.”
“I’ve long been a champion of free but fair trade. Since the beginning of 2000 we have dropped from 250 producers to just 25. I’m grateful the Trump administration is working so hard to enforce international U.S. trade laws, and I know our tomato producers in Florida will be relieved to once more have a level playing field. As the only Florida Member on the House Agriculture Committee, I’m proud to work on behalf of our farmers, ranchers, and producers to deliver the support they deserve and keep their industry alive. Food security is national security which is why ensuring our producers are protected from unfair trade practices is critical,” Rep. Cammack added.
The Department of Commerce currently maintains 734 antidumping and countervailing duty orders which provide relief to American companies and industries impacted by unfair trade. These duty orders provide American workers with a mechanism to seek relief from harmful unfair pricing of imports.
“A great injustice to our Florida tomato producers has finally been addressed,” said Jeb Smith, President of the Florida Farm Bureau. “Thank you to Congresswoman Cammack for heeding the pleas of our growers and leading the charge. Many thanks to Secretary Lutnick, Secretary Rollins, and others in this administration for acting. For decades our farmers have simply sought strict enforcement of U.S. trade law, including the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement. At last, we are witnessing such. With the institution of the antidumping duty order resulting in duties of 20.91 percent on most imports of tomatoes from Mexico, fair trade could be attainable. It is an exciting day for tomato growers in the Sunshine State and the broader produce industry!”
“For decades, unfair foreign trade practices have taken their toll on U.S. growers of fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Mike Joyner, president of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association. “The termination of the 2019 Tomato Suspension Agreement is a positive step toward helping tomato growers compete on a level playing field and ensure American consumers are not forced to rely on foreign sources for fresh fruits and vegetables. We sincerely appreciate the support and efforts of this administration and Congresswoman Cammack for effectively implementing U.S. trade laws and protecting domestic tomato growers.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), along with U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), led 117 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. expressing strong opposition to the department’s proposal to reverse Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace eligibility for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, a move that would significantly restrict access to affordable health coverage.
“The ACA makes all lawfully present immigrants eligible for marketplace coverage. When the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) first established the regulatory definition of lawfully present immigrants in 2010, it included all deferred action recipients, consistent with longstanding federal policies for Social Security benefits and driver’s licenses under the REAL ID Act. However, in 2012, the agency, without any statutory justification, added an exclusion for DACA recipients. We believe CMS made the wrong decision, arbitrarily excluding hundreds of thousands of immigrant youth from health coverage despite Congress’s intent in passing the ACA to widely expand access to health care,” the lawmakers wrote.
In 2024, HHS finalized a rule correcting this error which resulted in ACA Marketplace and subsidy eligibility being granted to DACA recipients, “Prior to this rule, DACA recipients were nearly five times more likely to be uninsured compared to their U.S. born peers. The proposed regulation would reverse course and tear health coverage away from DACA recipients who have only had eligibility for less than a year.”
The lawmakers highlighted that President Trump has repeatedly recognized the value of DREAMers. In December 2024, President Trump made clear that Congress must “do something about the Dreamers, because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age, and many of these are middle-aged people now, they don’t even speak the language of their country.”
“We agree with President Trump that Congress must pass the DREAM Act to create a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients. In the meantime, CMS must not enact this proposed rule. Removing ACA eligibility undermines the law’s purpose, contravenes President Trump’s priorities, and jeopardizes the health and stability of hundreds of thousands of immigrant families,” the lawmakers concluded.
The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Brian Schatz, Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Peter Welch (D-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Adrian Espaillat (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Shri Thaneder (D-MI), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Scott Peters (D-CA), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Becca Balint (D-VT), Judy Chu (D-CA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Sean Casten (D-IL), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Yvette Clark (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Gerald Connoly (D-VA), Suzanna Bonamici (D-OR), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Julie Johnson (D-TX), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Kelly Morrison (D-MN), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Andre Carson (D-IN), Mark Takan (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Lou Correa (D-CA), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Danny Davis (D-IL), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Sarah McBride (D-DE), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), John Larson (D-CT), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Sam Liccardo (D-CA), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), Adam Smith (D-WA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Greg Casar (D-TX), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Diana Degette (D-CO), Luz Rivas (D-CA), Greg Landsman (D-OH), and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)
April 15, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last Friday, Representatives Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), along with U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), led 117 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. expressing strong opposition to the department’s proposal to reverse Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace eligibility for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients, a move that would significantly restrict access to affordable health coverage.
“The ACA makes all lawfully present immigrants eligible for marketplace coverage. When the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) first established the regulatory definition of lawfully present immigrants in 2010, it included all deferred action recipients, consistent with longstanding federal policies for Social Security benefits and driver’s licenses under the REAL ID Act. However, in 2012, the agency, without any statutory justification, added an exclusion for DACA recipients. We believe CMS made the wrong decision, arbitrarily excluding hundreds of thousands of immigrant youth from health coverage despite Congress’s intent in passing the ACA to widely expand access to health care,” wrote the lawmakers.
In 2024, HHS finalized a rule correcting this error which resulted in ACA Marketplace and subsidy eligibility being granted to DACA recipients, “Prior to this rule, DACA recipients were nearly five times more likely to be uninsured compared to their U.S. born peers. The proposed regulation would reverse course and tear health coverage away from DACA recipients who have only had eligibility for less than a year.”
The lawmakers highlighted that President Trump has repeatedly recognized the value of DREAMers. In December 2024, President Trump made clear that Congress must “do something about the Dreamers, because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age, and many of these are middle-aged people now, they don’t even speak the language of their country.”
“Congress must pass the Dream Act to create a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients. In the meantime, CMS must not enact this proposed rule. Removing ACA eligibility undermines the law’s purpose, contravenes President Trump’s priorities, and jeopardizes the health and stability of hundreds of thousands of immigrant families,” the lawmakers concluded.
The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tim Kaine (D-VA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ed Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Brian Schatz, Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Peter Welch (D-VT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patty Murray (D-WA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and U.S. Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Adrian Espaillat (D-NY), Grace Meng (D-NY), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Shri Thaneder (D-MI), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Scott Peters (D-CA), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Becca Balint (D-VT), Judy Chu (D-CA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Sean Casten (D-IL), Dan Goldman (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Yvette Clark (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Gerald Connoly (D-VA), Suzanna Bonamici (D-OR), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Julie Johnson (D-TX), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Kelly Morrison (D-MN), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Andre Carson (D-IN), Mark Takan (D-CA), Jason Crow (D-CO), Lou Correa (D-CA), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Danny Davis (D-IL), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Sarah McBride (D-DE), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), John Larson (D-CT), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Wesley Bell (D-MO), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), Sam Liccardo (D-CA), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), Adam Smith (D-WA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Greg Casar (D-TX), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Diana Degette (D-CO), Luz Rivas (D-CA), Greg Landsman (D-OH), and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA).