Federal Housing Administration takes steps to remove barriers to Homeownership for those with Student Loan Debt

Federal Housing Administration takes steps to remove barriers to Homeownership for those with Student Loan Debt | site |



Updates to Single Family student loan monthly payment calculation expand access to FHA-insured mortgage financing for creditworthy individuals, particularly in communities of color


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD] press release dated: June 18, 2021)

Washington - - The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) on Friday announced updates to its student loan monthly payment calculations to take steps to remove barriers and provide more access to affordable single family FHA-insured mortgage financing for creditworthy individuals with student loan debt, which has a disproportionate impact on people of color. The updated policy more closely aligns FHA student loan debt calculation policies with other housing agencies, helping to streamline...

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says 2020 Fatality Data Show Increased Traffic Fatalities During Pandemic | site |



Risky Driving Behaviors Including Failure to Wear a Seatbelt, Speeding, and Drinking While Driving Identified as Contributing Factors


(Information contained in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA] press release dated: June 3, 2021)

June 3, 2021 | Washington, DC - - The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today released preliminary estimates of crash fatalities in 2020 involving motor vehicle occupants, motorcyclists, and people walking and biking. Alongside the release of the 2020 fatality projections, Early Estimate of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities in 2020, the agency issued two special reports, Early Estimates of Motor Vehicle Traffic Fatalities and Fatality Rate by Sub-Categories in 2020, and Update to Special Reports...

U.S. Small Business Administration Reconvenes the Council on Underserved Communities | site |



SBA Administrator Guzman restores Council to address the immediate needs and concerns of underserved and underrepresented communities hit hard by COVID-19


(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: June 22, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration announced today that it is reconvening the Council on Underserved Communities (CUC) under the authority of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). In conjunction with the Biden-Harris Administration’s agenda, the restoration of the Council will help support the SBA’s prioritization of equity across its programs and initiatives. The Council will consist of 20 diverse stakeholders from every region of the country tasked with advising the SBA on strengthening and improving its strategies to help underserved...

U.S. Food and Drug Administration Approves First Oral Blood Thinning Medication for Children | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA] press release dated: June 21, 2021) Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Pradaxa (dabigatran etexilate) oral pellets to treat children 3 months to less than 12 years old with venous thromboembolism (a condition where blood clots form in the veins) directly after they have been treated with a blood thinner given by injection for at least five days. The FDA also approved Pradaxa oral pellets to prevent recurrent clots among patients 3 months to less than 12 years old who completed treatment for their first venous thromboembolism. In addition, Pradaxa was approved in capsule form to treat blood clots in patients eight years and older with venous thromboembolism directly after they have been treated with a blood thinner given by injection for at least five days, and to preve...

Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Competitive Lease Sale for Offshore Wind Development for New York and New Jersey | site |



Innovative Proposed Lease Stipulations for New York Bight Lease Sale Would Prioritize Union Jobs and Ocean User Engagement


(Information contained in U.S. Department of the Interior press release dated: June 11, 2021)

Washington - - In support of the Biden-Harris administration’s goal of installing 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2030, the Department of the Interior today announced a proposed sale for offshore wind development on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the New York Bight – an area of shallow waters between Long Island and the New Jersey coast. This would be the first competitive offshore wind lease sale for the Biden-Harris administration. The proposed lease areas have the potential to unlock over 7 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, powering more than 2.6 million...

The U.S. Small Business Administration & the White House Webinar with Small Business Leaders on Economic Recovery & Vaccine Leadership Briefing | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: June 14, 2021)

Washington - - On Thursday, June 10, as part of the "Vaccine Month of Action," The White House, the U.S. Small Business Administration, and Public Private Strategies Institute hosted a briefing for small business leaders on COVID-19 recovery as part of their recently announced "Getting Back on Track: Help is Here" webinar series.

Over a thousand participants joined the briefing featuring SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman and Dr. Bechara Choucair, White House COVID-19 Vaccinations Coordinator. Administrator Guzman and Dr. Choucair discussed the importance of vaccinations and provided updates on COVID-19 economic aid programs, such as the ...

U.S. Department of Labor Outlines upcoming Worker-centered Protections in Biden-Harris Administration Spring 2021 Regulatory Agenda | site |




(Information contained in U.S. Department of Labor press release dated: June 11, 2021)


Washington, DC - - A mother of two struggles to budget for child care expenses on an hourly income of $11.50 as a call center worker with a federal contractor. A construction company owner learns they’ve lost another federal contract because a competitor was able to underbid the job by not paying livable wages. Socially conscious investors want to maximize their savings and do the planet some good, but are frustrated by the investment options available to do that.

As part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Spring 2021 regulatory agenda – published today as required by Executive Order 12866 – the U.S. Department of Labor is announcing a series of anticipated regulatory actions to ensure the...

U.S. Small Business Administration Announces Funding Competition to Organizations Providing Federal Procurement Training to Veteran Entrepreneurs | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: June 12, 2021)

Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced that non-profit organizations and private sector firms are now eligible to compete for funding of up to $500,000 to deliver federal procurement training to veteran and service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs. The application period begins today through July 12, 2021.

Up to two awardees will use the $500,000 in total funding to participate in the Veteran Federal Procurement Entrepreneurship Training Program (SB-OVVT-21-001) with grants from SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development. Awards will be made for a base project period of 12 months, with three option periods of 12 months each. These funds will be used...

Biden Administration announces U.S. Government procurement of Merck’s Investigational Antiviral Medicine for COVID-19 Treatment | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS] press release dated: June 9, 2021) The Biden Administration today announced that the U.S. government will procure approximately 1.7 million courses of an investigational antiviral treatment, molnupiravir (MK-4482), for COVID-19 from Merck, pending emergency use authorization (EUA) or approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Molnupiravir (MK-4482) is designed to induce viral genome copying errors to prevent the virus from replicating in the human body, and evidence to date from clinical trials in patients with COVID-19 suggests that molnupiravir may reduce replication of the SAR-CoV-2 virus. This treatment is being evaluated in an ongoing Phase 3 trial for its potential to reduce the risk of hospitalization or deat...

Biden Administration Recommends Policy Changes to Secure U.S. Pharmaceutical Supply Chain | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release dated: June 8, 2021)

The White House, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today released a series of policy recommendations to address the vulnerabilities in U.S. pharmaceutical supply chains. Led by FDA and ASPR, the White House report and its recommendations have been accepted by President Biden. "Last year the American people experienced a widespread and significant shortage of N95 respirators for healthcare workers and masks to protect essential workers and others, and year after year we see shortages of medicines and medical supplies like saline,” said FDA Acting Commissioner Janet Woodcock. “Pharmaceutical supply chai...

U.S. Small Business Administration Recognizes the Office of Surety Guarantees FY20 Award Winners | site |




SBA says winners highlighted have more than 524 bonds with contract value of more than $260 million


(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: June 3, 2021) Washington - - The U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes the Office of Surety Guarantees award winners for their continued work to help small contracting businesses acquire surety bonds. Three SBA surety bond partners were selected to receive awards based on their participation, activity, claims, and recovery and their commitment to helping small businesses obtain contracts with both government and private sector entities. One small business was selected to receive an award based on its growth since entering the Surety Bond Guarantee (SBG) Program and the number of jobs it supports in the local economy. West Bend Mutual Insuranc...

U.S. Small Business Administration provides information about the Community Navigator Pilot Program Information Webinar | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration press release dated: June 3, 2021)

Washington - - On May 27, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Public Private Strategies Institute (PPSI) held an educational webinar about the Community Navigator Pilot Program –a $100 million competitive grant program to strengthen outreach to businesses in underserved communities enacted through the American Rescue Plan.

More than 1,600 participants spanning the nation joined the session intended for nonprofit organizations, state, local, and tribal governments, SBA resource partners, and other community organizations. Participants heard from the following panelists:

• SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman (by video)
• Renée Johnson, Senior Advisor, Public Private Strategies & Moderator
• Mark

...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says Biden-Harris Administration Launches Relief Program to Improve Access to Affordable Water Services | site |



HHS says "Bolstered by American Rescue Plan, HHS Announces $166.6 Million in Initial Funding to Advance Environmental Justice in Communities Historically Marginalized and Overburdened by Underinvestment in Access to Water and Wastewater Services"


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release dated: June 2, 2021) Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced the official launch of the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP). This first-of-its-kind water assistance program will expand access to more affordable water and help low-income households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic pay their water and wastewater bills, avoid shutoffs, and support household w...

U.S. Small Business Administration Launches “Getting Back on Track: Help Is Here” Webinar Series to Help America’s Small Business Owners & Entrepreneurs | site |



(Information contained in U.S. Small Business Administration [SBA] press release dated: May 20, 2021)

Washington - - Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the non-profit Public Private Strategies Institute will launch a new regional webinar series, “Getting Back on Track: Help is Here,” to provide Main Street entrepreneurs with the information and resources they need to continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The educational webinars will feature speakers from The White House, the SBA, Members of Congress, and small business leaders, and will provide updates on the American Rescue Plan.

“The 'Getting Back on Track: Help is Here' webinar series is an important outreach effort to help small businesses recover, rebuild and gain resiliency,”...

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Announces Additional Biden Administration Staff Appointments | site |


(Information contained in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services press release dated: May 25, 2021) Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced additional Biden Administration appointments: “HHS has made incredible progress expanding vaccine access, lowering health care premiums, and leading the advocacy charge for the American Families Plan,” said HHS Chief of Staff Sean McCluskie. “Our growing team reflects our commitment to continue fighting for the health of this country during a time of great need and even greater opportunity.” These new appointees join tens of thousands of career officials throughout the agency, whose expertise is critical for tackling the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis, implementing the American Rescue Plan, ensuring Americans have access to quality and affordable health care, strengt...