WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R42853) on March 26, 2025, entitled "Nuclear Energy - Overview of Congressional Issues:" (Continued from Part 2 of 3) * * * Safety and Regulation The 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant disaster in Japan, triggered by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and 45-foot tsunami, greatly increased concerns about safety in the nuclear policy debate. The incident clearly demonstrated the potential consequences of a t more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R46246) on April 3, 2025, entitled "The SALT Cap: Overview and Analysis" by acting section research manager Grant A. Driessen. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Taxpayers who itemize their deductions may reduce their federal income tax liabilities by claiming a deduction for certain state and local taxes (SALT) paid, often called the "SALT deduction." The 2017 tax revision (P.L. 115-97, commonly referre more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48482) on April 3, 2025, entitled "Science and Technology Issues for the 119th Congress" by Emily G. Blevins and Marcy E. Gallo, science and technology policy analysts: * * * SUMMARY Science and technology (S&T) underlie a wide range of issues confronting the nation. The advancement of S&T drives economic growth, helps address national priorities, and improves health and quality of life. The ubiquity a more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, issued the following news release: * * * Baldwin, Bipartisan Group of Colleagues Urge Trump to Permit the Year-Round Sale of E15 Fuel, Lower Price at the Pump WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined a bipartisan group of her colleagues in urging President Trump to permit the year-round sale of E15 fuel through the summer of 2025 to lower fuel costs for Wisconsinites and boost Wisconsin's agricultural sector. "To mee more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release: * * * Boyle, Norcross Introduce Bills to Give Tax Breaks to Workers WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, Representatives Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA-02) and Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) announced the introduction of their bills, the Tax Fairness for Workers Act and No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act. Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) joined the members in leading the introduction of the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Florida, issued the following news release: * * * Castor, Buchanan, Soto and Bilirakis Aim to Protect Florida's Coasts from Offshore Drilling WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Reps. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Darren Soto (FL-9) and Gus Bilirakis (FL-12) introduced critical bipartisan legislation, the Florida Coastal Protection Act, to permanently prohibit oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production off Florida's coast more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The House Foreign Affairs Committee released the following testimony by Norman Roule, a non-resident senior advisor of the Warfare, Irregular Threats and Terrorism Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, from an April 1, 2025, hearing entitled "A Return to Maximum Pressure: Comprehensively Countering the Iranian Regime's Malign Activities": * * * Chairman Mast, Ranking Member Meeks, and distinguished members of the Committee, thank you for the oppo more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: * * * Congressmen Flood & Cleaver Kick Off Public Input Process for HOME and CDBG Reauthorization WASHINGTON, D.C. \- Today, Housing and Insurance Subcommittee Chairman Mike Flood (R-NE) and Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) released a video kicking off a new initiative to gather public input on a potential reauthorization of Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Home Investment Partnershi more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, issued the following news release: * * * Davids Pushes Back on Proposed Shipping Fees That Would Hurt Kansas Businesses, Farmers Recently, Representative Sharice Davids urged U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer to amend a new shipping policy that would hurt Kansas businesses, farmers, and U.S. national security. The plan would impose massive fees (link is external) on American shipping companies that rely on foreign-built ships more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 (Rep.) -- House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * Dear Colleague on Reckless House Republican Budget Bill Dear Colleague: I write with respect to the reckless House Republican budget bill and their toxic scheme to enact the largest Medicaid cut in American history in order to reward their billionaire donors like Elon Musk with massive tax breaks. Once again, it is essential that House Democrats are present with maxim more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * Dear Colleague on Reckless House Republican Budget Bill Dear Colleague: I write with respect to the reckless House Republican budget bill and their toxic scheme to enact the largest Medicaid cut in American history in order to reward their billionaire donors like Elon Musk with massive tax breaks. Once again, it is essential that House Democrats are present with maximum attendance for what is  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-North Dakota, issued the following news release on April 7, 2025: * * * Fedorchak leads House resolution to protect grid reliability amid rising energy demand Washington, D.C. -- Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) introduced H.Res. 290, a resolution recognizing the urgent and growing threats to the reliability of America's electric grid. The resolution warns that the premature shutdown of reliable baseload power sources--such as coal and natura more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, issued the following news release: * * * Feenstra Introduces Legislation to Lower Interest Rates on Student Loans WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced legislation to lower interest rates on student loans by allowing states like Iowa to utilize more private activity bonds to offer student loans. "As a father of four, ensuring that our kids have the resources that they need to pursue higher education and ach more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere released the following testimony by Chelsa Kenney, director of international affairs and trade at the Government Accountability Office, from a March 27, 2025, hearing entitled "INL Should Fight Crime, Not Fight Conservatives." INL is the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. * * * Chairwoman Salazar, Ranking Member Castro, and Members of the Subcommittee: Thank you for the opportunity  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 5 -- Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Texas, chairman of the House Budget Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Chairman Arrington Statement on Reconciliation WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) released the following statement in response to the Senate's amendment to the House-passed budget resolution: "In order to bring down prices and restore fiscal sanity in Washington, President Trump has been working at warp speed to root more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minnesota, issued the following news release: * * * ICYMI: Rep. Omar Speaks at Hands Off! People's Veto Rally in Washington D.C. WASHINGTON- On Saturday, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) spoke at the Hands Off! People's Veto Rally at the National Mall in Washington D.C. Rep. Ilhan Omar called out the chaos, corruption, and callousness of the Trump Administration. She emphasized the importance of fighting and defending our democracy and upholding our Constitut more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF10676) on March 11, 2025, by Rebecca M. Nelson, international trade and finance specialist. Here are excerpts: * * * The International Monetary Fund The International Monetary Fund (IMF, the Fund) is an international organization that works to ensure the stability of the international monetary system. Founded in 1945, its membership has grown from 30 countries to more than 191. The Unit more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 (Rep.) -- House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * LEADER JEFFRIES: "THESE RECKLESS TARIFFS WILL COST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR" Washington, DC - Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference where he emphasized that House Democrats will continue to push back against Donald Trump's reckless tariffs which will raise costs on everyday Americans. LEADER JEFFRIES: Good afternoon, ev more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-New York, issued the following news release: * * * LEADER JEFFRIES: "THESE RECKLESS TARIFFS WILL COST THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS A YEAR" Washington, DC - Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference where he emphasized that House Democrats will continue to push back against Donald Trump's reckless tariffs which will raise costs on everyday Americans. LEADER JEFFRIES: Good afternoon, everybody. Donald Trump and  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Lujan Blasts President Trump's Reckless Tariffs, Disastrous Republican Budget That Will Gut Critical Programs As President Trump's Reckless Tariffs Jeopardize American Livelihoods, Senate Republicans are Ramming Through a Partisan Budget That Will Cut Programs for New Mexicans Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) delivered a floor speech and joined a press conference al more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Lujan: President Trump's Reckless Tariffs Will Make Life More Expensive for Families and Put New Mexico Jobs at Risk Experts Say Trump Tariffs Could Throw U.S. Into a Recession, Increase Annual Costs By Thousands for New Mexico Families Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, issued the following statement on President Trump's  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Donald W. Norcross, D-New Jersey, issued the following news release: * * * Norcross, Boyle Introduce Bills to Give Tax Breaks to Workers WASHINGTON, DC --Today, Representatives Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA) announced the introduction of their bills, the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act and Tax Fairness for Workers Act. Representative Judy Chu (D-CA) joined the members in leading the introduction of the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act.  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Chris Pappas, D-New Hampshire, issued the following news release: * * * Pappas Highlights Devastating Impact of Republican Budget on Medicaid, NH Medicaid Expansion Approximately 180,000 Granite Staters, including 60,000 enrolled in Medicaid Expansion, would see their access to health care put at risk. In response to news that House Republicans will soon bring up the Senate's amended version of their budget (link is external), Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) hel more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Florida, issued the following news release on April 7, 2025: * * * Rep. Cammack Announces Launch of RSC Emerging Tech Task Force WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11) and Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03) announced the launch of a groundbreaking task force dedicated to addressing the rise of new technological advances. The RSC's Emerging Technologies Task Force, led by Chair Rep. Kat Cammack and Vice Chair more PR

WASHINGTON, April 4 -- Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Delaware, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. McBride Visits Lewes Public Library, Condemns Trump Administration's Illegal Dismantling of Federal Library Funding Lewes, DE - Today, Delaware's Congresswoman Sarah McBride (D-Del.) visited the Lewes Public Library to highlight the devastating impact of the Trump Administration's illegal move to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the independent agency responsible  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, issued the following news release on April 7, 2025: * * * REP. RO KHANNA RECEIVES PUBLIUS AWARD FROM THE CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF THE PRESIDENCY AND CONGRESS On March 25th, Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), alongside Senator Todd Young, received the Publius Award from the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress -- a non-partisan, non-profit dedicated to promoting bipartisan leadership. The award honors political leaders who put t more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-California, issued the following news release: * * * Reps. Carbajal, Brownley, Panetta Demand the Trump Administration Halt its Illegal Plans to Close Facilities Vital to the Central Coast Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) sent a letter to Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian of the General Services Administration over the planned illegal closures of crucial facilities across the Centra more PR

WASHINGTON, April 12 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: * * * Schatz Statement On Voting Against Senate Budget Resolution WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) released the following statement after voting against the Republican Senate budget resolution. "Tonight, Senate Republicans voted to give even more money to billionaires while slashing programs that help regular people get by--things like Medicaid, food assistance, and education. Working f more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, issued the following news release: * * * Schatz: Donald Trump Is Ruining The Economy On Purpose, Everyone Will Pay More For Everything WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai'i) spoke out on the Senate floor today after President Donald Trump announced a new tariff plan that will levy the largest tax hike on middle-class families in a generation and force families to pay an average of $5,000 more each year. "Donald Trump is ruining more PR

WASHINGTON, April 6 -- House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, issued the following news release: * * * The Leader's Floor Lookout: Week of April 7, 2025 Here's what to watch for on the House Floor this week: Outlining One Big, Beautiful Bill to Pass President Trump's Agenda and Deliver for Americans In the reconciliation process, there are two main steps: 1) passing the budget resolution that unlocks the committees' ability to develop legislation that meets certain objectives, more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The House Foreign Affairs Committee released the following testimony by Claire Jungman, chief of staff at United Against Nuclear Iran, from an April 1, 2025, hearing entitled "A Return to Maximum Pressure: Comprehensively Countering the Iranian Regime's Malign Activities": * * * Chairman Mast, Ranking Member Meeks, and members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify today. The topic of this hearing could not be more urgent: identifying and disrupting I more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, issued the following news release: * * * Warner & Kaine Join Colleagues in Letter Emphasizing Immense Harm Shuttering Department of Education will have on Students with Disabilities WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, (both D-VA) joined 19 of their senate colleagues in writing to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to emphasize the detrime more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The House Foreign Affairs Committee released the following testimony by Dana Stroul, a senior fellow and director of research at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, from an April 1, 2025, hearing entitled "A Return to Maximum Pressure: Comprehensively Countering the Iranian Regime's Malign Activities": * * * Chairman Mast, Ranking Member Meeks, and distinguished members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify on U.S. po more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, issued the following news release: * * * Welch, Padilla, Durbin Lead Colleagues in Demanding Answers on Dismantling of U.S. Refugee Admissions Program Senators to Secretaries Rubio and Noem: "These actions undermine America's longstanding commitment to humanitarian protection and place thousands of vulnerable individuals--many of whom served alongside U.S. armed forces--at grave risk" WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D- more PR

WASHINGTON, April 5 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following remarks on April 4, 2025, on the Republican budget proposal: * * * Wyden: Republican Budget Proposal is a Bailout for Billionaires as Trump Wrecks the Economy As Prepared for Delivery All around the country this morning, Americans turned on the news and saw panic. People are wincing as they look at their retirement accounts. Their savings are down. The cost of their morning c more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Todd Young, R-Indiana, issued the following news release: * * * Young, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Improve Access to Infrastructure Funding for Great Lakes Ports WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) joined a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues in introducing legislation aimed at ensuring that Great Lakes ports receive a fair share of existing federal funding available for port infrastructure upgrades and repairs. From 2019 to 2024, Great Lakes  more PR