In 2013, leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives and at the Internet Education Foundation sought to foster an appreciation for computer science and STEM. That year House leadership overwhelmingly passed H.Res. 77, Academic Competition Resolution of 2013, which outlined the plans for Representatives to host yearly district-by-district computer science (or “app”) competitions for middle school ... Read more »

Originally published on HuffPost As coronavirus cases surge in the U.S. again, Democrats want to get free rapid COVID-19 tests into people’s hands for regular testing. On Wednesday, House Democrats introduced the Free At-Home Tests For All Act, which would require the federal Department of Health and Human Services to buy enough rapid, at-home tests to give two tests per week for a year to everyo... Read more »

Originally published on ARLNow For the first time since it was built in the early 1960s, the northern section of the GW Parkway will be getting a major overhaul. The National Park Service announced yesterday that it had awarded a $161 million contract to rehabilitate the Parkway from Spout Run in Arlington to the Capital Beltway in McLean. After a design process in 2022, construction is expected t... Read more »

BY MELANIE ZANONA AND MANU RAJU Originally published on CNN Republicans are cranking up their crusade against federal vaccine mandates, making their resistance to the Biden administration's pandemic response efforts a prominent rallying cry in the GOP — even as they simultaneously criticize the President for failing to get the virus under control. From the outset, the GOP has been fighting vaccine... Read more »

Rep. Don Beyer introduces bill to require vaccines or negative coronavirus test for domestic travel BY MEAGAN FLYNN AND LORI ARATANI Originally published on The Washington Post Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) introduced a bill on Thursday to require all domestic travelers to show proof of vaccination or a negative coronavirus test at airports or for Amtrak trips, seeking to revive largely stagnant discuss... Read more »

DoD Commits to Looking at New Helicopter Noise Mitigation Strategies BY JO DEVOE Originally published on Arlington Now Reducing local helicopter noise while conducting missions safely may be difficult, the Pentagon says, but the military is willing to try, according to a new report. The commitment and the recommendations conclude a Dept. of Defense report on the causes and effects of helicopter no... Read more »

Lawmakers urge Biden to make 'bold decisions' in nuclear review BY RECECCA KHEEL Originally published At The Hill A group of Democratic lawmakers is urging President Biden to be actively involved in his administration’s review of the nation's nuclear policy and make “bold decisions” that would reduce the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. national security strategy. “Mr. President, as a United States... Read more »

House votes to nix Trump methane rule BY RACHEL FRAZIN Originally Published At The Hill The House voted on Friday to get rid of a Trump administration rule that weakened regulation on a powerful greenhouse gas called methane. The measure, passed by the House in a 229-191 vote, has already been approved by the Senate and will now head to the White House for President Biden's signature. Twelve House... Read more »

Originally Published In The Connection Papers Parkway Safety Improvements Identified by National Park Service Changes are in store for traffic on the George Washington Memorial Parkway to make it safer in the southern portion between Old Town and the Mount Vernon Plantation. After evaluating a safety study that was done last year, the National Park Service has identified nine “key intersections,” ... Read more »

Originally Published At WDVM National Park Service recommends improving nine GW Parkway intersections ALEXANDRIA, Va. (WDVM) — The National Park Service has released its George Washington Memorial Parkway safety study, which Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va) commissioned to prevent crashes in the corridor. The park service identified nine intersections — between the City of Alexandria and Mount Vernon ... Read more »