Reece Nations

WASHINGTON – The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Material conducted a hearing Wednesday exploring the Surface Transportation Board’s part in developments to the country’s passenger rail system.  During the hearing, executive officials from Metra, Amtrak and the STB gave expert testimony... Read More

WASHINGTON – In a virtual legislative hearing Tuesday, the House Natural Resources Committee considered legislation introduced by its chairman, Rep. Raúl Grijalva, D-Ariz., that would establish an ocean-based carbon sequestration program among other climate change mitigation measures.  Grijalva’s bill, entitled the Ocean-Based Climate Solutions Act, endeavors... Read More

Of all the classes of workers who have come to be highlighted as “essential” during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, one group that is often, unfairly overlooked are those who keep the infrastructure of high rise offices and residential buildings functioning -- elevator mechanics. Throughout the pandemic’s... Read More

WASHINGTON – Reps. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., jointly introduced legislation Wednesday that would exclude Veterans Affairs Disability Compensation from the list of benefits that have to be reported in a student’s application for Federal Student Aid.  Under current law, VA disability compensation must... Read More

WASHINGTON -- Republican Attorneys General from 10 states have filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in the latest legal action in the case to contend the counting of certain mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania. In the brief, the AGs argue the United States Supreme Court... Read More

CHICAGO – Mayor Lori Lightfoot unveiled an emergency coronavirus relief program for restaurants and bars in Chicago that are still grappling with the effects of the pandemic.  The grant program will reallocate $10 million in CARES Act funds to businesses impacted by “state-imposed mitigation measures,” Lightfoot... Read More

SALT LAKE CITY – Following Tuesday night’s gubernatorial election, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert joined Gov.-elect Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov.-elect Deidre Henderson in the Utah State Capitol in a showcase of their upcoming transition into office. Cox, Utah’s current lieutenant governor, defeated Democratic challenger Chris Peterson,... Read More

Gen. David Thompson, the United States Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations, tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday, the Department of the Air Force said in an email.  Thompson was tested Oct. 28 after learning that “a close family member, with whom he had contact, tested... Read More

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The United States Space Force recently launched its Space Operations Command, according to Air Force Magazine. Lt. Gen. Stephen Whiting was introduced as the head of the operations command during a ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Oct. 21, according to AFM.... Read More

SAN ANTONIO – The military’s newest branch, the United States Space Force, swore in its first recruits Tuesday, Oct. 20. Seven recruits, five men and two women, will commence the force’s inaugural boot camp at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland for seven and a half weeks, according... Read More

WASHINGTON – Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., introduced a bill in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support that would guarantee access to the future novel coronavirus vaccine at no cost to Medicare beneficiaries. The bill, entitled the “Securing Affordable Vaccines Equally for Seniors Act,” would amend... Read More

WASHINGTON – Newly proposed legislation by Reps. André Carson, D-Ind., Don Young, R-Alaska, and Rick Larsen, D-Wash., in the House of Representatives would support and promote a national aviation center for research, education and training. The “National Center for the Advancement of Aviation Act of 2020”... Read More

LANGHORNE, Pa. — Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, D-Pa., Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., and Gerry Connolly, D-Va., brought forth a bill that would ensure disabled veterans can fully utilize their benefits following disruptions in veterans’ health care due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Back in March 2020, the novel coronavirus... Read More

WASHINGTON – Rep. Brad Schneider, D-Ill., revealed plans to fully repeal the cap on the state and local tax deduction that was included in the Republican-backed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The state and local tax deduction, also known as the SALT deduction, permits... Read More

WASHINGTON – A national survey by the Small Business for America’s Future coalition found that roughly 8 in ten respondents identified something other than the Supreme Court nomination when asked about Congressional priorities. The survey, conducted from Oct. 2 through Oct. 5, took input from 1,511... Read More

ALBANY, N.Y. - New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli’s office has released a report indicating employment in New York City’s restaurant industry fell from 317,800 jobs to only 91,000 jobs after pandemic-related restrictions were imposed on businesses. While the industry once accounted for $10.7 billion in... Read More

WASHINGTON – United States Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., received the “Friend of Farm Bureau” award from the American Farm Bureau Federation on Tuesday.  Spanberger, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee and as chair of the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry, was presented the award for... Read More

The United States’ intelligence community is expecting active Russian disinformation efforts to influence the results of the 2020 presidential election, according to analysis by the RAND Corporation. Among the corporation’s key findings was that technological innovation has made widespread propaganda efforts by Russia easier to conduct... Read More

Although still far from happening, United States Space Command leader Maj. Gen. John Shaw said Space Force troops will eventually be sent to space. Shaw’s comments on the Space Force came during the AFWERX Engage Space Conference, which ran from Sept. 29 through Sept. 30, according... Read More

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan delegation of Congressional leaders met Wednesday with National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger to discuss the United States' foreign policy toward China in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.  “We are grateful to Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger for holding a very constructive... Read More

WASHINGTON – The Democratic Blue Dog Coalition announced its support for an emergency funding bill to help municipalities withstand the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation, introduced in the House by Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., provides $500 billion in coronavirus relief funds to “every... Read More

WASHINGTON – In its ongoing commitment to expanding the Democratic Party’s majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, the New Democrat Coalition Action Fund announced six new formal endorsements Monday. The coalition, founded in 1997, is composed of 104 House Democrats and is the largest ideological... Read More

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer jointly released a statement urging Congress to open an oversight investigation concerning “the Trump administration’s politicization of government functions,” that undermined the nation’s pandemic response. In their statement, the governors contend President Donald Trump and his... Read More

WASHINGTON – In its second report ranking members of the U.S. House of Representatives for their votes on legislation related to toxic chemicals, the Environmental Working Group Action Fund presented Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-N.Y., with a perfect score. Much of Delgado’s environmental initiatives concern man-made substances... Read More

MONROE, La. – A live, virtual forum featuring candidates for Louisiana’s 5th congressional district will take place Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. CST. The forum will mark an opportunity for voters to hear from the candidates vying for the seat held by outgoing Rep. Ralph... Read More

WASHINGTON – The federal debt owed by the United States government is expected to grow over the next 30 years to almost twice the size of the nation’s economy, according to the Congressional Budget Office’s Long-Term Budget Outlook report. While the average deficit over the past... Read More

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s “Win the Era PAC and Action Fund” has endorsed 28 candidates for various offices in the November elections. “I’m excited to announce our latest slate of endorsements, which include forward-thinking leaders across our country who are... Read More

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation that would authorize the president to posthumously award U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe the Medal of Honor. Cashe was injured in October 2005 while deployed in Iraq when the Bradley Fighting Vehicle he was in... Read More

WASHINGTON – A vote is expected in the House this week on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bill that would require employers to provide “reasonable workplace accommodations for workers whose ability to perform the functions of a job are limited by pregnancy, childbirth, or a... Read More

OAKLAND, Calif.– Four plaintiffs in a recently-filed California lawsuit allege they endured verbal harassment and discrimination by their supervisors at Mitsubishi Electric U.S., Inc. LeiRoi Bowie, Gabriel Ross, Lavell Roberson and Craig Martin, all plaintiffs in the suit, were consistently forced to do menial labor and... Read More

Two sets of public opinion surveys commissioned by AARP across 11 key battleground states found a majority of likely voters aged 50 and older plan to cast their ballots either absentee or during the early voting period this election cycle. AARP’s poll also found similar levels... Read More

WASHINGTON – Last year, roughly 10.5% of all U.S. households lacked access to enough food for “an active, healthy life for all household members,” according to a report from the USDA’s Economic Research Service. This figure is down slightly from 2018’s national food insecurity report, which... Read More

MILWAUKEE – Newly released polling data from the Marquette University Law School indicates that voting preferences and attitudes have changed minimally since its last survey in August. Marquette’s poll in August, conducted before unrest had been caused by shootings and protests in Kenosha, Wis., found former... Read More

RHINEBECK, N.Y. – The United States Chamber of Commerce continues its recent trend of defying tradition by announcing its endorsement of Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-N.Y., in his first reelection campaign. The chamber is the largest business federation in the world and represents more than three million... Read More

Telehealth services have made substantial progress throughout the COVID-19 pandemic despite the hardships the health care industry as a whole has had to endure. The concept of telehealthcare is now more widely accepted than ever before. In August, a bipartisan group of lawmakers announced their support... Read More

Pandemic-induced poll worker shortages could potentially wreak havoc on the electorate of vulnerable communities this November. One high-profile effort to combat this issue, “More Than a Vote,” is launching an initiative with professional athletes to recruit poll workers for this year’s election cycle in crucial swing... Read More

ALBANY, N.Y. – Elected officials rallied with voting rights advocates this week in support of New York state Sen. Brad Hoylman’s proposed bill that would authorize election boards to establish absentee ballot drop off locations statewide. The Democratic legislator staged the event Monday, Aug. 31, on... Read More

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been a top lobbying group for decades, with the lion’s share of the organization’s support going to conservative candidates. However, in a surprising change from convention, the chamber is now prepared to endorse nearly two dozen freshmen House... Read More

WASHINGTON – A change in Customs and Border Protection policy that allows the agency to award its own contracts for select U.S.-Mexico border wall construction projects is being questioned by congressional members. In a letter addressed to acting CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan, Reps. Kathleen Rice, D-N.Y.,... Read More

ATLANTA – In cooperation with the Mayo Clinic, Delta Air Lines is implementing a widespread COVID-19 testing program for its employees to fortify the safety of passengers and personnel. The partnership between Delta and the Mayo Clinic has been on-going since June, according to Delta. The... Read More

A new Harris poll found 69% of its respondents would support a priority system – particularly for workers in the health care sector and seniors – for COVID-19 vaccine distribution in the United States. By comparison, 31% of respondents indicated they would rather the vaccine be... Read More

Coinciding with the first day of the Republican National Convention, the Joe Biden for President campaign announced the launch of “Republicans for Biden,” an initiative aimed at courting conservative voters away from incumbent President Donald Trump. Among the 27 prominent Republicans supporting Biden’s candidacy is former... Read More

OKLAHOMA CITY – Republican voters in Oklahoma’s Fifth Congressional District will determine their party’s candidate to face incumbent Democrat Rep. Kendra Horn in Tuesday’s primary runoff election. Horn, the first Democrat to represent the district in over 40 years, will face off against either entrepreneur and... Read More

In a three-part series entitled “We the People Demand Racial Justice” during the first night of the Democratic National Convention Monday, party leaders teamed with activists to address nationwide racial inequity. The discussion outlined former Vice President Joe Biden’s plan of action for confronting the country’s... Read More

WASHINGTON - Many variables will contribute to how the 2020 presidential election takes shape, however, there appears to be one undecided factor paramount to a successful campaign — suburban voters.  This was made evident in 2016 when President Donald Trump beat former Secretary of State Hillary... Read More

WASHINGTON – New data from the Gallup Center for Black Voices found 61% of Black Americans want the police presence to remain the same in their area. From June 23 through July 6, a Gallup Panel survey asked participants whether they want law enforcement to spend... Read More

For the first time in its history, the Democratic Party has elected not to gather in person to select a presidential nominee, opting instead to convene virtually from Monday, Aug. 17 through Thursday, Aug. 20. The full updated schedule for the Democratic National Convention, dubbed “Uniting... Read More

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging funding for the Federal Communications Commission’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program to be included in any upcoming COVID-19 relief legislation. The FCC established the program in April 2020 to better provide health care support as the health crisis brought... Read More

Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., announced Monday the acquisition of $1.2 million in federal grant funds for the Virginia Health Workforce Development Authority’s recruitment efforts, continuing education and health care workforce development. The VHWDA grant will be issued to the organization’s network of Area Health Education Centers,... Read More

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan passed his chairmanship of the National Governors Association to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo at the association's bi-annual meeting Wednesday. Cuomo will head the new gubernatorial leadership in tandem with Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, the association’s newly elected vice chair. The first... Read More

WASHINGTON – Two members of Congress have penned letters requesting a probe into the Pentagon’s decision to grant a multibillion dollar moving contract to American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Group Inc. The three-year, $7.2 billion contract would privately outsource the management of service members’ household goods, according... Read More

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - A consent decree approved by the Ramsey County District Court has struck down two key requirements pertaining to vote-by-mail restrictions in Minnesota. The civil suit, filed by a group of individual voter-plaintiffs and the Minnesota Alliance for Retired Americans Educational Fund, was supported... Read More

WASHINGTON - Thirty-four members of the U.S. Senate have signed a letter to Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting an extension of various waivers that allow low-income students access through the upcoming school year to school-provided meals. One-in-seven children lived in a food insecure household... Read More

A new report from a political reform nonprofit has outlined major risks to the nation’s democratic election process.  MapLight, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization, examined the most significant risks to the 2020 presidential election in the report. Some of the issues highlighted were turnout decline due to... Read More

MINNEAPOLIS - A panel of community leaders will lead a discussion on systemic injustices in Minneapolis, Minn., on Wednesday as a part of the “Heal America Tour”, a series of events designed to spark productive dialogues on inequality in America. The event, hosted by Bishop Omar... Read More

As part of a $36 million food security program, Massachusetts’ executive administration unveiled $3 million in grants for residents suffering from urgent food instability due to the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced Wednesday the funding will come as part of... Read More

Since Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Electoral College defeat, public sentiment towards presidential polling numbers often centers around skepticism. Although many were blindsided by that year’s election results, exit polling data tracked closely with popular vote results. Presidential polling leading up to the general election is meant to... Read More

WASHINGTON – Members of the Blue Dog Coalition issued a letter urging congressional leaders to include measures to further protect taxpayer dollars in the next round of pandemic response funding.  The coalition, founded on fiscal responsibility and centrist-ideals, highlighted the fact that more than 1 million... Read More

RICHMOND, Va. – Due to the lack of federal workplace guidelines in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam announced Wednesday emergency occupational safety standards to be implemented statewide. The rules, instituted via an executive order, mandate social distancing, sanitation and the use... Read More

Challenges faced by residents of rural and underserved communities regarding barriers to health care were analyzed in a report released by the House Ways and Means Committee. The report, entitled “Left Out: Barriers to Health Equity for Rural and Underserved Communities”, examined many cross-sector and historically... Read More

Fifteen states and the District of Columbia agreed to work collaboratively on hastening the switch to all-electric fleet vehicles in an effort to suppress toxic air pollution Tuesday. Their goal, according to a joint memorandum signed by the states’ governors, is to certify all new medium-duty... Read More

WASHINGTON - Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., has joined the growing number of lawmakers calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials to explain their decision to upend the educational plans of thousands of international students holding F-1 and M-1 visas. Last week the agency prohibited such students... Read More

WASHINGTON – The NewDEAL Forum has established a task force comprised of state and local officials to devise recommendations on a sustainable recovery from the coronavirus outbreak. The Renewing America Task Force will be led by five Democratic co-chairs including Phoenix, Ariz., Mayor Kate Gallego; Michigan... Read More

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., has been recognized for her support of small business, by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Houlahan, who has represented Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District since 2018, is not only an Air Force veteran, engineer and educator, she’s also the first woman elected to... Read More

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognized Rep. Antonio Delgado, D-N.Y, with its yearly Spirit of Enterprise Award for his support of business-friendly initiatives in the first session of the 116th Congress. The chamber has rated members of Congress based on how they vote on... Read More

WASHINGTON - Rep. Lizzie Fletcher, D-Texas, received multiple honors from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce last week for her efforts on behalf of small business and her constituents.  Fletcher, who was elected to represent Texas’ 7th Congressional District in 2018, serves on the House Transportation &... Read More

WASHINGTON – A group of influential Democratic Senators are urging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to deny a confirmation vote of President Donald Trump’s nominee for a vacant United States appeals court seat. The legislators appealed to McConnell in a letter after the Senate Judiciary Committee approved... Read More

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan effort to expand the employee retention tax credit has gained a significant endorsement from a coalition representing 130 small businesses and key industry organizations.  The bill, entitled the “Jumpstarting Our 5 Businesses’ Success Credit Act”, or JOBS Credit Act of 2020, aims... Read More

WASHINGTON - New legislation would commemorate June 19 as a federal holiday 155 years after Major Gen. Gordon Granger issued the order signifying the end of slavery in the United States. In accordance with the Emancipation Proclamation, in 1865 Granger would give “General Order No. 3”... Read More

WASHINGTON – Two senators serving on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation introduced legislation designed to improve aviation safety following two fatal crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.  Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the committee, jointly announced... Read More

As nationwide coronavirus deaths continue to trend downward, a surge of new cases across a multitude of states is complicating plans to lift stay-at-home orders and reopen economies.  Updated data from the Johns Hopkins University tracker indicates 10 states are averaging their highest seven-day increase in... Read More

WASHINGTON - New legislation filed in the House of Representatives would designate June 27 as National Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day and all of June as National PTSI month. The resolution, along with its companion legislation in the Senate, seeks to reduce the stigma surrounding mental... Read More

A top member of Pennsylvania’s state Republican leadership is stepping down amid claims his party withheld information concerning a GOP representative's coronavirus diagnosis.  Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai announced Wednesday he is leaving the Legislature before his term ends in November. Turzai, who had previously declared... Read More

WASHINGTON – As state governors continue to roll back restrictions on gatherings and business brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Gallup survey indicates at least two-thirds of Americans want to meet specific conditions before they are willing to fully restart the United States’ economy.... Read More