OPM Announces 2022 Health, Dental, and Vision Program Premiums

U.S. Office of Personnel Management Announces 2022 Health, Dental, and Vision Program Premiums | site |



Federal Benefits Open Season begins November 8


(Information contained in U.S. Office of Personnel Management press release dated: September 29, 2021)

Washington, DC - - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced today the 2022 plans and premiums for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). OPM manages the health insurance enrollment for 8.2 million people, making the FEHB program the largest employer-sponsored program in the world. In the midst of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, OPM and the federal benefits carriers have worked closely to negotiate benefits and rates for the 2022 plan year. OPM continues to focus on offering quality health, dental, and vision benefits that are affordable to the...

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission [CPSC] offers Top Safety Tips for Early Holiday Shoppers Amid Reports of Expected Toy Shortage | site |



2020 Data Show 9 Deaths and Nearly 150,000 ER-Treated Injuries with Children’s Toys


(Information contained in U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission [CPSC] press release dated: September 28, 2021)

Washington, D.C. - - Toy manufacturers are warning of potential supply-chain delays and global shipping issues due to COVID-19. Concerns about a possible toy shortage this holiday, are prompting many Americans to start their holiday shopping early.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is issuing its holiday toy buying tips early this year, urging shoppers to review these safety tips BEFORE hitting the stores in person, or shopping online.

A new report released by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows that in 2020, there were nine deaths...

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas to Allow Fully Vaccinated Travelers from Canada and Mexico to Enter U.S. at Land Borders and Ferry Crossings | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of Homeland Security press release dated: October 12, 2021) Washington - - Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced that, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health experts, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will amend Title 19 regulations to allow non-essential travelers who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and have appropriate documentation to enter the United States via land and ferry ports of entry (POEs) across the U.S. border. “In alignment with the new international air travel system that will be implemented in November, we will begin allowing travelers from Mexico and Canada who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter t...

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Completes Sixty-Day Assessment of Order under 42 U.S.C. 265 | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention press release dated: October 2, 2021) On August 2, 2021 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Order under Sections 362 and 365 of the Public Health Service Act, and associated implementing regulations, that temporarily suspended the right to introduce certain noncitizens into the United States based on the Director’s determination that introduction of such noncitizens, regardless of their country of origin, migrating through Canada and Mexico into the United States creates a serious danger of the introduction of COVID-19 into the United States, and the danger is so increased by the introduction of such noncitizens that a temporary suspension is necessary to protect the public health. Unaccompanied noncitizen ...

U.S. Internal Revenue Service launches new Webpage to assist Taxpayers with Refunds subject to Joint Committee on Taxation Review | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Internal Revenue Service [IRS] press release dated: September 22, 2021)

Washington - - The IRS today introduced a new webpage that provides information to taxpayers whose large refunds are subject to further review by the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT or Joint Committee). By law, when taxpayers claim a federal tax refund or credit of more than $2 million ($5 million for a C corporation), the IRS must review the refund or credit and provide a report to the JCT, a non-partisan committee of the U.S. Congress. Refunds subject to this review are known as “Joint Committee Refund Cases.” Taxpayers can now find answers to most questions about Joint Committee case reviews and links to additional resources at ...

U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Announces New Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Milestone
| site |



In Less Than Two Months, One Million Borrowers Apply for Direct Forgiveness through Agency’s PPP Portal 

Administrator Guzman highlights new Direct Forgiveness Portal and other innovations as critical to accelerating reviews and approvals


(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration press release dated: September 22, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) reached a major milestone today as its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Direct Borrower Forgiveness Portal recorded its one millionth PPP loan forgiveness application for borrowers seeking forgiveness for loans of $150,000 or less. “We are committed to delivering against the promise of forgiveness for our eligible PPP borrowers. Our innovative direct forgiveness portal is helping our PPP borrowe...

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas’s Meeting with Haitian Ambassador to the United States Edmond | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of Homeland Security [DHS] press release dated: September 29, 2021) Washington - - Yesterday, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas met with Haitian Ambassador to the United States Bocchit Edmond to discuss our nations’ continued cooperation. “I appreciated the opportunity to speak directly with Ambassador Edmond about our shared commitment to ensuring that Haitian migrants are treated with dignity and respect,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “I look forward to continuing to work with the government of Haiti and other partners throughout the hemisphere as we work toward safe, orderly, and humane management of migration in the region.” Secretary Mayorkas thanked the Government of Haiti for supporting the safe return and re-integration of Haitian nationals...

U.S. Department of Agriculture Announces Intent to Establish an Equity Commission, Solicits Nominations for Membership | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Agriculture press release dated: September 24, 2021)

Washington, September 24, 2021 - - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced it will establish an Equity Commission and is requesting nominations for membership on the Equity Commission Advisory Committee and Equity Commission Subcommittee on Agriculture. The Notice represents an important step towards implementing President Biden’s commitment to create an Equity Commission and the American Rescue Plan Act provision that directs USDA to "address historical discrimination and disparities in the agriculture sector… [through] one or more equity commissions to address racial equity issues within USDA and its programs." “USDA is committed to advancing equity throughout our Departm...

U.S. Department of Transportation Fines United Airlines for Violating Tarmac Delay Rule | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of Transportation press release dated: September 24, 2021) Washington - - The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today fined United Airlines $1.9 million for violating federal statutes and the Department’s rule prohibiting long tarmac delays. The airline was also ordered to cease and desist from future similar violations. This is the largest fine issued by the Department for tarmac delay violations. An extensive investigation by the Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (OACP) found that between December 2015 and February 2021, United allowed twenty domestic flights and five international flights at various airports throughout the United States to remain on the tarmac for a lengthy period of time without providing passengers an opportuni...

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Charges Webcast Host for alleged Role in Market Manipulation Scheme | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] press release dated: October 1, 2021) Washington, D.C., Oct. 1, 2021 - - The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced charges against Mark Melnick, the host of a stock trading webcast, for spreading more than 100 false rumors about public companies in order to generate illicit profits. The SEC previously charged Barton Ross for his role in this scheme. According to the complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia on September 30, 2021, Melnick received advance notice of companies about which another scheme participant planned to spread false rumors, and then shared the companies’ names with subscribers to his online trading room. Melnick advised the subscribers that he had taken positions in the ...

Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, September 21-22, 2021 | site |




(Information contained in Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System press release dated: October 13, 2021)

The Federal Reserve Board and the Federal Open Market Committee on Wednesday released the attached minutes of the Committee meeting held on September 21–22, 2021.

The minutes for each regularly scheduled meeting of the Committee ordinarily are made available three weeks after the day of the policy decision and subsequently are published in the Board’s Annual Report. The descriptions of economic and financial conditions contained in these minutes are based solely on the information that was available to the Committee at the time of the meeting.

FOMC minutes can be viewed on the Board’s website at http://www.federalreserve.gov/moneta...ccalendars.htm Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee September 21–22, 2...

Federal Reserve Board and Federal Open Market Committee release Economic Projections from the September 21-22 FOMC Meeting | site |



(Information contained in Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System press release dated: September 22, 2021)

The attached tables and charts released on Wednesday summarize the economic projections made by Federal Open Market Committee participants in conjunction with the September 21-22 meeting.

Projections | Accessible Materials...

Remarks of Federal Communications Commission Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to the 10th Americas Spectrum Management Conference | site |



(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] speech release dated: October 12, 2021)

Remarks of Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel to the 10th Americas Spectrum Management Conference

October 12, 2021

Good morning! It’s great to join you for the tenth Americas Spectrum Management Conference. That’s a big milestone, especially because with wireless, there just seems to be something about the power of ten. Every ten years a new wireless technology changes everything—from first generation analog networks all the way up to today’s fifth generation broadband networks. So ten is a big deal and a good time to think about what comes next.

Now this is my first time addressing this conference as Acting Chairwoman, and...

Starting Oct. 28, new $67 User Fee applies to Estate Tax Closing Letters | site |



IRS reminds executors of free transcript option


(Information contained in U.S. Internal Revenue Service [IRS] press release dated: September 27, 2021)

Washington - - The Internal Revenue Service announced today that starting Oct. 28, a new $67 user fee will apply to any estate that requests a closing letter for its federal estate tax return.

The new user fee was authorized under final regulations, TD 9957, available today in the Federal Register. Closing letter requests must be made using Pay.gov. The IRS will provide further procedural details before the user fee goes into effect. By law, federal agencies are required to charge a user fee to cover the cost of providing certain services to the public that confer a special benefit to the recipient. Moreover, agencies must review these fees every two years to determine whether the...

Remarks by U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen at the Countdown Summit | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of the Treasury press release remarks dated: October 12, 2021)

Remarks by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen at the Countdown Summit

October 12, 2021

As prepared for delivery: Hello, everyone. I’m Janet Yellen, the United States Treasury Secretary. I want to thank Vice President Gore for the invitation and for his many years of leadership on this issue. We’re now three weeks out on the road to Glasgow, and it’s a road crowded with many different travelers. A generation ago, the road, so to speak, was a much lonelier place, deserted by comparison. There was a cohort of environmental activists and government officials, like Vice President Gore, who cared deeply about climate change, but it was nothing like the broad cross-se...

Social Security Announces 5.9 Percent Benefit Increase for 2022 | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Social Security Administration press release dated: October 13, 2021) Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 5.9 percent in 2022, the Social Security Administration announced today. The 5.9 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will begin with benefits payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2022. Increased payments to approximately 8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on December 30, 2021. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits). The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are based on the incre...

Federal Reserve issues Federal Open Market Committee Statement | site |



(Information contained in Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System press release dated: September 22, 2021) The Federal Reserve is committed to using its full range of tools to support the U.S. economy in this challenging time, thereby promoting its maximum employment and price stability goals. With progress on vaccinations and strong policy support, indicators of economic activity and employment have continued to strengthen. The sectors most adversely affected by the pandemic have improved in recent months, but the rise in COVID-19 cases has slowed their recovery. Inflation is elevated, largely reflecting transitory factors. Overall financial conditions remain accommodative, in part reflecting policy measures to support the economy and the flow of credit to U.S. households and businesses. The path of the economy continues to depend on the course o...

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to issue Rule Protecting Tenants facing Evictions for Non-payment of Rent in HUD-assisted Properties | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development press release dated: October 6, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Wednesday announced that it will publish a rule that prohibits the eviction of tenants facing eviction for nonpayment of rent from HUD-subsidized public housing and certain properties with project-based rental assistance without providing a 30-day notice period that includes information about available federal emergency rental assistance. The interim rule, which will be published in the Federal Register on Thursday, October 7, provides that when there is a national emergency-such as the COVID-19 pandemic-and federal money is allocated to help tenants facing eviction for nonpayment of rent, the HUD Secreta...

U.S. Internal Revenue Service announces 2022 Tax Counseling for the Elderly and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Grants | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Internal Revenue Service [IRS] press release dated: October 12, 2021) Washington - - The Internal Revenue Service recently awarded over $41 million in Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) grants to organizations that provide free federal tax return preparation. This year, the IRS awarded grants to 34 TCE and 300 VITA applicants. The IRS received 379 applications requesting over $70 million. The TCE program, established in 1978, provides free tax counseling and federal return preparation to individuals who are age 60 or older. Volunteers receive training and technical assistance to provide assistance at community locations across the nation. The VITA program, created in 1969, assists underserved communities, such as low- and moder...

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington Sued by EEOC for Race Discrimination | site |



African American Worker Endured Co-Worker’s Repeated Use of Racial Slur, Federal Agency Charges



(Information contained in U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission [EEOC] press release dated: October 8, 2021) Tacoma, Wash. - - Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington (KFHPW) violated federal law when it tolerated repeated use of a racial slur over the objections of an African American employee at its Tacoma Medical Center, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit. According to the EEOC’s suit, for several months, Darlene Hayden, an African American laboratory assistant, endured a co-worker’s use of racial slurs. On the first occasion, Hayden informed her non-Black co-worker that the term, a version of the N-word, was offensive and discriminatory, and the co-worker apologized. However, when the co-wo...

Remarks by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen to CEOs and Business Leaders at the White House on Debt Limit | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of the Treasury press release remarks dated: October 6, 2021)

Remarks by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen to CEOs and Business Leaders at the White House on Debt Limit

October 6, 2021

As prepared for delivery I want to thank business and community leaders for joining us here today. I wish we could be meeting to discuss another topic, like finding solutions to climate change or how to better invest in the future of our economy. But the urgency of the debt limit situation demands immediate attention. I want to be clear about my position. First, this is an urgent matter which must be resolved immediately. Treasury is on the cusp of exhausting its extraordinary measures if Congress has not acted to raise or suspe...

Oct. 15 Deadline approaches for Taxpayers who Requested Extensions to File 2020 Tax Returns | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Internal Revenue Service [IRS] press release dated: September 16, 2021)

Washington - - The Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers about the upcoming October 15 due date to file 2020 tax returns. People who asked for an extension should file on or before the extension deadline to avoid the penalty for filing late. Electronic filing options, such as IRS Free File, are still available.

Although October 15 is the last day for most people to file, some taxpayers may have more time. They include:

• Members of the military and others serving in a combat zone. They typically have 180 days after they leave the combat zone to file returns and pay any taxes due.
• Taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas who already had valid extensions. For details, see

...

U.S. Department of Education Announces 2021 National Blue Ribbon Schools | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: September 21, 2021)

U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona today recognized 325 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021. The recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups. Secretary Cardona will make the announcement during his Return to School Road Trip, where he will visit an awardee school, Walter R. Sundling Jr. High School, in Palatine, Illinois. "This year's cohort of honorees demonstrates what is possible when committed educators and school leaders create vibrant, welcoming, and affirming school cultures where rich teaching and learning can flourish," said Secretary Cardona. "I commend this school and all our Blue Ribbon honorees for working to keep students healthy and safe wh...