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
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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 ...