Biden-Harris Administration Begins Distributing American Rescue Plan Rural Funding to Support Providers Impacted by Pandemic

Biden-Harris Administration Begins Distributing American Rescue Plan Rural Funding to Support Providers Impacted by Pandemic site



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release dated: November 23, 2021) Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), began distributing $7.5 billion in American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural payments to providers and suppliers who serve rural Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Medicare beneficiaries. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to providing much-needed relief to rural providers who historically operate on thin margins and have had their financial challenges further exacerbated during the pandemic. The average payment being announced today is approximately $170,700, with payments ranging from $500 to approximately $43 million...

U.S. Internal Revenue Service offers How-To Videos to help Taxpayers apply for Offers in Compromise and avoid Scams site



(Information contained in U.S. Internal Revenue Service [IRS] press release dated: November 17, 2021)

Washington - - The Internal Revenue Service today unveiled a new how-to video series enabling taxpayers to avoid potential scams by considering and applying for an Offer in Compromise (OIC) themselves and avoid paying excessive fees to companies advertising outlandish claims. "We encourage eligible taxpayers in real financial distress to consider looking into an Offer in Compromise to resolve their tax issues," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "People also need to use caution with the program. Some companies routinely overstate how they can help with this program and clear up people's back taxes for pennies on the dollar. A quick visit to IRS.gov can provide important information to help people with this p...

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Launches Innovative Hiring Program to Recruit and Retain World-Class Cyber Talent site


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Homeland Security press release dated: November 15, 2021) Washington - - Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched the Cybersecurity Talent Management System (CTMS), a new personnel system that will enable DHS to more effectively recruit, develop, and retain our Nation’s top cybersecurity professionals. CTMS will enable DHS to fill mission-critical cybersecurity positions by screening applicants based on demonstrated competencies, competitively compensating employees, and reducing the time it takes to be hired into the Department. Employees hired through this system will join the new DHS Cybersecurity Service, the Nation’s preeminent federal cybersecurity team working to protect U.S. critical infrastructure and the American people from cybersecurity threats, and increase nationwide ...

U.S. Education Secretary Cardona, U.S. Labor Secretary Walsh, Swiss President Parmelin Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the United States site


Coincides with National Apprenticeship Week


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: November 18, 2021) Washington - - U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh, Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves, and Switzerland's President Guy Parmelin signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) today to expand apprenticeships among Swiss companies and Swiss-invested companies in the United States, and to promote job creation in both countries. Swiss companies actively invest in U.S. manufacturing and directly support more than 500,000 U.S. jobs, with an average annual salary of $101,800. The signing took place at the Department of Labor's Frances Perkins Building as the...

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awards $20 Million for Eviction Protection and Diversion site




(Information contained in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD] press release dated: November 23, 2021) Washington - - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Tuesday announced $20 million in inaugural grants from its Eviction Protection Grant Program, the first of its kind for the Department. These grants will be awarded to legal service providers to assist in providing legal assistance to low-income tenants at risk of or subject to eviction. The Eviction Protection Grant Program is part of HUD’s continued work, as part of a whole of government approach, to support families recovering from the public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. HUD has selected and offered grants to 10 organizations from across the country to support their ability to expand resolution options for clients at ...

Federal Communications Commission Inspector General Issues Advisory regarding EBB Enrollment Fraud site



(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: November 22, 2021) Washington, November 22, 2021 – In an Advisory issued today, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the Federal Communications Commission alerted EBB providers, beneficiaries, and the public to improper and abusive EBB program enrollments made in connection with the USDA National School Lunch Program’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). Providers’ sales agents are enrolling households in the EBB program by falsely claiming the household includes a dependent child who attends a CEP school. The Advisory provides examples where the number of EBB households enrolled based on CEP school participation vastly outnumber the students actually enrolled in those schools. OIG reminds all EBB providers that they are required to im...

Statement from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Canada’s Suspension of Potatoes from Prince Edward Island, Canada, to the United States |site



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Agriculture press release dated: November 22, 2021) Washington, Nov. 22, 2021 – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) commends Canada for implementing the necessary plant health (phytosanitary) measures to safeguard against the transmission of potato wart disease from Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada, to the United States. “I appreciate Canada’s action to suspend the movement of all potatoes from Prince Edward Island to the United States,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Our risk assessment demonstrated that this action is necessary to protect U.S. potato producers from possible exposure to the Federally designated select agent Synchytrium endobioticum, commonly known as potato wart. We look forward to working with the Can...

U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen Sends Letter to Congressional Leadership on the Debt Limit | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of the Treasury press release dated: November 19, 2021)

Washington - - Today, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen sent a letter to all members of Congressional leadership regarding the debt issuance suspension period (DISP).

The full text of the letter is also available below. The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Madam Speaker: On October 18, I informed you that I had determined that a debt issuance suspension period (DISP) would continue through December 3, 2021 with respect to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (CSRDF). I am writing to notify you, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 8348(l)(2), of my determination that, by reason of the statutory debt limit, I will be unable to fully invest the portion of the CSR...

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Randal K. Quarles submits Resignation as a Member of the Federal Reserve Board, effective at the end of December | site |


(Information contained in Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System press release dated: November 8, 2021) Randal K. Quarles submitted his resignation Monday as a member of the Federal Reserve Board, effective at the end of December. He served as the Board's first Vice Chair for Supervision and has been a member of the Board since October 13, 2017. As Vice Chair for Supervision, he oversaw the supervision and regulation of financial firms in the Board's jurisdiction. He served simultaneously as Chair of the Financial Stability Board, or FSB, an international body established by the G20 to ensure the resilience of the global financial system. His three-year term as FSB Chair ends on December 2. In both positions, he played a central role in ensuring the safe operation of both the domestic and international financia...

U.S. Department of Education Announces Recognition Status of Nine Accrediting Agencies | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Education press release dated: October 28, 2021)

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Education’s Senior Department Official (SDO) informed nine accreditors about the status of their recognition. The following agencies were approved for renewal of recognition for five years:

• Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
• American Bar Association (ABA).
• Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
• American Osteopathic Association (AOACOCA).
• American Psychological Association (APACOA).

Additionally, the SDO notified the following agencies that within 12 months, they must come into compliance with the specific criteria outlined in the SDO’s letter and submit a compliance report to the Department. If recognition is renewed following a decision on the compliance report, the...

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission updates Electronic Filing Requirements | site |



SEC says "Amendments Will Help Modernize Manner in Which Information Is Submitted to Commission"


(Information contained in U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission [SEC] press release dated: November 4, 2021) Washington D.C., Nov. 4, 2021 - - The Securities and Exchange Commission today published proposed amendments to update electronic filing requirements. The SEC currently permits and sometimes requires certain forms to be filed or submitted in paper format. The proposed rule and form amendments would require certain forms to be filed or submitted electronically. The proposed amendments also would make technical amendments to certain forms to require structured data reporting and remove outdated references. The amendments are intended to promote efficiency, transparency, and operational resiliency by modernizing the manner ...

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development releases more than $13 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to assist Victims of Housing Discrimination related to the Coronavirus Pandemic | site |



Funds will support the efforts of fair housing enforcement organizations


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development press release dated: November 3, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it is providing $13.6 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to enable 51 HUD Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) agencies to conduct a range of fair housing enforcement and education and outreach activities related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the activities that will be conducted by the organizations is addressing discriminatory practices in underserved communities. “Discriminatory policies have no place in a nation...

Federal Communications Commission commits over $421 Million in additional Funding through Emergency Connectivity Fund Program | site |



New Funding Wave Brings Total Commitments to Over $3 Billion, Connecting Over 10 Million Students


(Information contained in Federal Communications Commission [FCC] press release dated: November 8, 2021)

Washington, November 8, 2021 - - The Federal Communications Commission today announced that it will commit over $421 million in the latest round of Emergency Connectivity Fund announcements, bringing total program commitments to over $3.05 billion. The funding is supporting schools and libraries in all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. The funding can be used to support off-campus learning, such as nightly homework and virtual learning, as schools and libraries continue to respond to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. “Far too many students lack the co...

U.S. Small Business Administrator Guzman Announces the Addition of Five New Regional Innovation Clusters | site |




Newly-designated Clusters Collectively Awarded $1.5M to Support Small Business Growth and Drive Innovation in Local Economies


(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration press release dated: November 6, 2021) Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman announced the addition of five new Regional Innovation Clusters (RIC) to the portfolio of communities the agency supports through the program. RICs are geographically-concentrated networking hubs of small businesses, suppliers, service providers, and related institutions that work together to maximize resources, compete on larger scales, and drive innovation and job creation. “Our nation’s innovators are critical to our economic recovery as they create jobs and strengthen our...

A Coordinated Strategy to Advance Racial Equity at Treasury | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of the Treasury press release dated: October 25, 2021)

A Coordinated Strategy to Advance Racial Equity at Treasury


October 25, 2021

By Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo

President Biden has made clear since Day One that advancing racial equity is not just a moral priority for our country—it is also critical to our economic success. Taking steps to unlock the unrealized potential of underserved communities makes our economy stronger and benefits all Americans. This is one reason why the Department of the Treasury is focused on advancing racial equity. This informed our decision to create a dedicated Office of Recovery Programs and has flowed through the policy and operational decisions we’ve made to implement the historic American...

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Issues A New Memo to Terminate Migrant Protection Protocols | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of Homeland Security [DHS] press release dated: October 29, 2021)

Washington - - Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today issued a new memorandum announcing and explaining his decision to terminate the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) program. “This Administration is tackling longstanding problems that have plagued our immigration system for decades in order to achieve needed systemic change. MPP does not help meet this goal,” said Secretary Mayorkas. “MPP had endemic flaws, imposed unjustifiable human costs, pulled resources and personnel away from other priority efforts, and did not address the root causes of irregular migration. MPP not only undercuts the Administration’s ability to implement critically needed and foundational changes to the immigration...

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Video sources: Youtube ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxGDjrKPRWk&t=43s ) and Team Taylor Environmental Grant
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