WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48484) entitled "Nontraditional Workers and Retirement Saving: An Overview and Discussion of Policy Issues." The report is written by income security analyst Elizabeth A. Myers, labor policy specialist Sarah A. Donovan and social policy analyst Zhe Li. Here are excerpts: * * * SUMMARY Many factors influence workers' retirement preparedness, including their access to employer-sponsored pension plans. more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following report (No. R48484) entitled "Nontraditional Workers and Retirement Saving - An Overview and Discussion of Policy Issues:" (Continued from Part 1 of 2) * * * Estimates of Nontraditional Workers' Access to and Participation in Retirement Savings Plans Workers' access to and participation in retirement savings plans are influenced by multiple factors, such as the nature of the work arrangement, whether their employ more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- American Bridge 21st Century, an organization that says it focuses on holding Republicans accountable and helps deliver Democratic victories, issued the following news release: * * * Nightmare Scenario: Trump Lights Economy on Fire While Gutting Social Security for Americans on Fixed Incomes Republicans expect Americans to suffer, shut up, and die waiting in line for benefits that may never come In the middle of Donald Trump causing a market crash and burning 401(k) sa more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Illinois, issued the following news release on April 8, 2025: * * * Budzinski Slams SNAP Cuts at House Agriculture Committee Hearing WASHINGTON, DC-- Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) participated in a House Committee on Agriculture hearing where she criticized proposed cuts to SNAP benefits at a time when families are struggling with rising grocery costs. In Illinois' 13th district, 55,000 households rely on SNAP. Like the rest of the more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- The Center for Strategic and International Studies issued the following commentary on April 8, 2025: * * * Reviving Cobre Panama Could Be Strategic to U.S. Minerals Security By Gracelin Baskaran and Paula Reynal The shutdown of Cobre Panama--one of the largest copper mines globally--has become a cautionary tale of how political risk can undermine significant investments from Western mining companies. Developed and operated by Canadian company First Quantum Minerals, th more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities issued the following research: * * * Abruptly Eliminating Social Security Phone Services Threatens Access to Benefits By Kathleen Romig The Trump Administration is making it harder for eligible Social Security beneficiaries to access their benefits by eliminating phone services, forcing millions more people to seek in-person help even as it cuts thousands of Social Security Administration (SSA) staff. At the same time, increas more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities issued the following research: * * * Restricting Phone Services for Social Security Will Harm Seniors 6 Million of Them Are More Than a 45-Mile Trip From Their Field Office By Claire Zippel and Devin O'Connor The Trump Administration and DOGE have proposed eliminating phone access for critical Social Security services, including retirement applications. Millions of seniors would have to seek in-person help from an understaffe more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, issued the following news release on April 8, 2025: * * * Chairmen Rick Scott and Ron Johnson Pen Letter to Social Security Administration on Steps to Stop Fraud and Protect Benefits for Aging Americans WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Senator Rick Scott, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Senator Ron Johnson, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Perma more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Florida, issued the following news release on April 8, 2025: * * * Chairwoman Laurel Lee Delivers Opening Remarks at Subcommittee Hearing Revisiting the 2024 Election Washington, D.C. - Today, Chairwoman Laurel Lee (FL-15) opened today's Subcommittee on Elections Hearing titled, "Revisiting the 2024 Election with Secretaries of State."Rep. Lee's opening remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Ranking Member Sewell, members of the committee, and  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 (TNSrep) -- The Government Accountability Office issued the following report: * * * Child Welfare: States' Use of TANF and Other Major Federal Funding Sources Fast Facts This Q&A looks at how states use federal funds to address child abuse and neglect. In FY 2015-2022, states spent $23.5 billion on child welfare from Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a grant that helps families with lower incomes. During that time, states also spent $68.6 billion from Title IV more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Florida, issued the following news release: * * * Congressman Maxwell Frost Statement on Homeless Services Network's Latest Report Revealing Rise in Homelessness New Data from Orlando HSN Reveals More than 40 Percent of Those Experiencing Homelessness Are Children and Seniors ORLANDO, FL -- Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) released a statement on Homeless Services Network's (HSN) new report which has found that more than 40% of  more PR

WASHINGTON, April 5 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release: * * * Republicans Put Medicaid and Critical Programs for Working Families on the Chopping Block for Billionaire Handouts In response to Senate Republicans repeatedly voting for more disastrous tax handouts for the ultra-wealthy while putting critical programs on the chopping block, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement: "Last night, Senate Republicans showed us who they are and who the more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The Democratic National Committee issued the following news release: * * * DNC Announces New War Room Operation to Take on Trump Administration The DNC War Room, led by veteran strategist Tim Hogan, will aggressively scale its rapid response operation, innovate in the media and information ecosystem and build on efforts to hold the Trump administration accountable Today, the DNC is announcing the launch of a new War Room to expand and streamline the DNC's communicatio more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee posted the following news release: * * * DSCC Statement on Chris Sununu Declining to Run for Senate In response to former Governor Chris Sununu announcing this morning that he will not run for Senate in New Hampshire in 2026, DSCC Communications Director Maeve Coyle issued the following statement: "Chris Sununu's decision not to run for Senate is an embarrassing recruitment failure for Republicans as they face a building mi more PR

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, April 8 -- The Florida Auditor General released the following report (No. 2025-112) on Feb. 17, 2025, entitled "Department of Veterans' Affairs - State Nursing Home and Domiciliary Admissions and Information Technology Controls - Operational Audit." Here are excerpts: * * * This operational audit of the Department of Veterans' Affairs (Department) focused on State nursing home and Domiciliary admissions and selected information technology controls. Our audit disclosed th more PR

LANSING, Michigan, April 8 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release: * * * ICYMI: Hands Off Roundup - Michigan Rejects Trump and Republicans' Disastrous Agenda This Saturday, Michiganders rallied in the thousands in Marquette, Lansing, Detroit, Grand Rapids, and more to show their outrage at Trump's reckless 77 days as President LANSING -- In case you missed it, this weekend, tens of thousands of Michiganders rallied across the state to take part in Hands Off protes more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- 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 8 -- Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico, issued the following news release: * * * Lujan: On Heels of Disastrous Tariffs, Senate Republicans Push Partisan Budget That Guts Critical Programs Millions of Americans Rely On - All to Pay for the Next Tax Scam Senate Republicans Push Partisan Budget That Adds Trillions to Debt While Blocking Lujan Amendment to Fight Food Insecurity Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after Se more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, ranking member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following news release on April 7, 2025: * * * Merkley Demands OMB Turn Over All Documents Relating to Agencies' Plans to Fire More Federal Workers WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, demanded that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) turn over all documents from agencies and departments in response to large-s more PR

LANSING, Michigan, April 9 -- The Michigan Democratic Party issued the following news release on April 7, 2025: * * * RELEASE: Mike Duggan Praises Right Wing Election Denier Matt Hall LANSING -- Yesterday, independent gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan joined the extreme Republican state House Speaker, Matt Hall. Following their event, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party Curtis Hertel released the following statement: "MAGA Matt Hall has been failing Michiganders as Speaker of the House more PR

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, April 9 -- The House Natural Resources Committee released the following testimony by David Hill, principal chief of the Muscogee Creek Nation, from an April 4, 2025, field hearing entitled "Examining 50 Years of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act in Indian Country": * * * Good morning Chairman Hurd, Ranking Member Leger Fernandez, and Members of the House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. Thank you for holding this important field hea more PR

ALBANY, New York, April 8 -- The office of the New York State Comptroller issued the following audit report (B25-5-2) on April 3, 2025, entitled "East Ramapo Central School District - Budget Review." Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose of Budget Review The purpose of our budget review was to determine whether the significant revenue and expenditure projections in the District's adopted 2024-25 budget were reasonable. Background Pursuant to Chapter 89 of the Laws of 2016, as amended, the New  more PR

ALBANY, New York, April 8 -- The office of the New York State Comptroller issued the following audit report (B25-6-1) on Jan. 22, 2025, entitled "Village of Washingtonville - Budget Review." Here are excerpts: * * * Purpose of Budget Review The purpose of our budget review was to determine whether the significant revenue and expenditure projections in the Village of Washingtonville's (Village's) 2025-26 tentative budget were reasonable. Background The Village is located in Orange County. C more PR

WASHINGTON, April 7 [Category: Law/Legal] -- The National Consumer Law Center posted the following news release: * * * Proposals to Alter Student Loan Repayment Would Worsen Crisis of Older Adults Struggling with Student Debt April 7, 2025 -- Press Release Low-Income Borrowers Could Be Left in Repayment Until Death, and Parent PLUS Borrowers Would Be Left Without Affordable Payment Options WASHINGTON - Two new fact sheets from the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC) explain how recent pro more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release: * * * Rep. Lee, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Raise Minimum Wage **For Immediate Release** SummerLeePress@mail.house.gov WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 8, 2025 -- Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12), a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce joined Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03)and Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pe more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release: * * * Reps. Lee, Pressley, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Invest in Safe, Nurturing Learning Environments for All Students **For Immediate Release** SummerLeePress@mail.house.gov Bill Would Invest in Counselors, End Over-Policing of Public K-12 Schools Text of Bill WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 8, 2025 -- Today, as Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Republicans attack public education, Congresswoman Summer more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The Service Employees International Union issued the following news release: * * * SEIU condemns Senate Plan that threatens working families healthcare to fund billionaire tax breaks SEIU members across the country join Hands Off! mass mobilization to fight back against Administration's attacks on Medicaid and vital services Members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) are coming out in full force after Senate Republicans advanced a budget resolution tha more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, issued the following floor remarks on April 7, 2025: * * * Madam President, as the Presiding Officer will recall, it was 2:30 in the morning on Saturday--just a few short hours ago, it seems like--that the Senate voted to pass a budget resolution amending the House budget resolution, the next important step to passing President Trump's "America First" agenda. The budget will go back--and has gone back--to the House, and then it will be time fo more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-New York, issued the following floor remarks on April 7, 2025: * * * Mr. President, on Social Security, while markets plunge and retirement accounts reel from Donald Trump's tariffs, Elon Musk and DOGE are taking a blowtorch to Social Security. This morning, the Washington Post reported that the Social Security website is facing widespread and repeated outages. People can't log on and see their benefits. Millions of low-income Americans even r more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Patty Murray, D-Washington, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Murray, Commerce Director Nguyen, WA Businesses and Agriculture Respond to Trump Tariffs Raising Costs on Americans, Tanking Economy Murray : "I'm calling on my Republican colleagues to help us, stop letting Trump tank the economy and raise prices, vote with us to reverse these pointless and destructive tariffs... Already, the chaos and uncertainty these tariffs have created are pushing us more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, issued the following news release: * * * Senator Warren Calls on Secretary Bessent to Convene Financial Stability Oversight Council to Contain Damage of Trump Worldwide Tariffs Warren: Instead of spinning tales with Tucker Carlson, we need a Secretary of Treasury in the real world Reiterates call for Republicans to join Democrats in Congress to pass a res more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Rep. Laurel Lee, R-Florida, chairwoman of the House Administration Subcommittee on Elections, issued the following news release on April 8, 2025: * * * Chairwoman Lee Delivers Opening Remarks at Subcommittee Hearing Revisiting the 2024 Election Chairwoman Laurel Lee (FL-15) opened today's Subcommittee on Elections Hearing titled, "Revisiting the 2024 Election with Secretaries of State." Chairwoman Lee's full opening statement as prepared for delivery: Presidential, p more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following transcript on April 7, 2025: * * * Transcript of U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Interview with Tucker Carlson on President Donald Trump's Tariff Plan and Its Impact on the Middle Class Tucker Carlson: Mr. Secretary, thank you very much for joining us. So, the Treasury Department--President Trump had a press conference yesterday, next door, in which he announced a whole new global tariff regime. He'd been pr more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the following news release: * * * ICYMI: Secretary Scott Bessent's Interview with Tucker Carlson WASHINGTON - Secretary Bessent sat down with Tucker Carlson to discuss President Trump's tariff plan and its impact on the middle class. Secretary Bessent select interview quotes: TARIFFS "The good news is, we have President Trump's previous term, when everyone said none of this was going to work: 'Oh, the China tariffs are going more PR

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida, April 8 -- The University of South Florida St. Petersburg campus issued the following news: * * * Why Americans file every April 15 and more about taxes By Matthew Cimitile Tax season is upon us, the time of the year when Americans file their returns and hope to receive money back from the federal government. Though the famous adage states the certainty of death and taxes, for more than half of America's history there was no income tax. A brief tax on income came i more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF12936) on March 10, 2025, by Natalie R. Ortiz, government organization and management analyst. Here are excerpts: * * * Using Data to Reduce Improper Payments: An Overview of the Do Not Pay Initiative Payment integrity - ensuring that payments issued by federal agencies are accurate and proper - is a central concern in the stewardship of taxpayers' dollars. The Office of Management and more PR

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, ranking member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, issued the following news release on April 8, 2025: * * * Warren to Mortgage Bankers Association: Trump's Trade War is Driving Up Housing Costs Amidst Housing Affordability Crisis Washington, DC - Today, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, spoke to the Mortgage Bankers Association a more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: * * * Warren, Wyden, Kelly Demand Answers on Reported Social Security Benefit Disruptions "These beneficiaries are some of the most vulnerable in the nation--low-income seniors and children and adults with disabilities--and face extraordinary hardship if their benefits are delayed or disrupted." "[W]e are concerned that these efforts are a precursor to attempts to make further cuts to Social Se more PR

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Massachusetts, issued the following news release: * * * Whip Clark on the Economic Pain Caused by Trump's Tariffs: "Republicans Are Nowhere to Be Found." WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined ABC News Live to slam the devastating impacts of Donald Trump's tariffs and House Republicans' billionaire-first agenda. Below are excerpts from her interview: On Congressional Republicans Enabling Trump's Tariffs: "Wh more PR