Paulsen works to spur American innovation, job creation with new legislation

By Ripon Advance News Service | May 31, 2017

Bipartisan legislation reintroduced by U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) last week would boost American innovation by allowing more foreign-born individuals who earn doctorate degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to remain in the country. The Stopping Trained in Read more…

Hoeven bill aims to reduce infrastructure costs for state and local governments

By Ripon Advance News Service | May 31, 2017

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) is leading the effort to help state and local governments fund repairs to their outdated infrastructure by proposing legislation that would offer relief with a combination of a new tax credit and tax-exempt bonds to Read more…

Thompson introduces legislation to improve orthotics, prosthetics services under Medicare

By Ripon Advance News Service | May 31, 2017

Protections would be established for Medicare beneficiaries receiving prosthetic and orthotic services, and unlicensed providers would be targeted, under legislation recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA). The Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act, H.R. 2599, would ensure Read more…

Barr strives to bring integrity, transparency to horse racing

By Ripon Advance News Service | May 31, 2017

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced legislation on Thursday to pave the way for the creation of a national uniform medication program that would govern various horse racing organizations. Currently, different medication policies and practices are used across dozens of Read more…

Issa introduces bill to make voting easier for active-duty service members

By Ripon Advance News Service | May 31, 2017

Active-duty service members would be able to vote in communities where they are stationed rather than their “home of record” under legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) on Friday. The Bringing All Servicemembers Equality in Voting Act (BASE Read more…

Senate passes legislation to protect U.S. agriculture, food supply from terrorism

By Ripon Advance News Service | May 31, 2017

The Senate approved legislation on Thursday to protect the nation’s food supply from potential terrorist attacks through coordinated efforts led by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), the chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, introduced Read more…

Moran leads call for Senate action on IT modernization, cybersecurity bill

By Ripon Advance News Service | May 30, 2017

U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS) led a bipartisan call last week for action on a bill to modernize the federal government’s information technology (IT) capabilities while curbing wasteful spending and improving cybersecurity. The government spends $80 billion on IT per Read more…

Capito, Sullivan lead efforts to step up homeland missile defense

By Ripon Advance News Service | May 30, 2017

In response to threats posed by North Korea, U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) introduced legislation last week to enhance and expand U.S. homeland missile defense. The Advancing America’s Missile Defense Act, which was introduced with Read more…

Young introduces bill to improve strategy and coordination in U.S. diplomatic efforts

By Ripon Advance News Service | May 30, 2017

The State Department would be required to periodically submit a National Diplomacy and Development Strategy (NDDS) to Congress under bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) on Wednesday. The bill calls for that strategy report to include an Read more…

Rooney introduces bipartisan bill to support new housing options for homeless veterans

By Ripon Advance News Service | May 30, 2017

The nation’s 40,000 homeless veterans could see more housing opportunities under bipartisan legislation from U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (R-FL) that would help convert abandoned properties into housing for formerly homeless veterans. The Housing Our Heroes Act was introduced by Rooney Read more…