The Paper Trail: July 19, 2024

911 Call Center Emergency; Biden Considers SCOTUS Reform; DOD’s Mental Health Failure; and More.

Jul 19, 2024

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The Paper Trail

Announcements

Applications are now open for a two-day intensive Boot Camp on the art and practice of oversight and investigations hosted by POGO, the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy, and The Lugar Center. This training is only open to staff in Congress. Apply at THIS LINK by July 22.

Join the Office of the Whistleblower Ombuds for its annual Lunch & Learn: Working with Whistleblowers and Support Agencies. This event will be held on July 29 at 12:00 noon in The Gold Room. Lunch will be served. This event is open to Members and Congressional staff. Learn more and register at https://whistleblower.house.gov/events.

Israel-Hamas War

U.S. decides to permanently dismantle pier helping deliver aid into Gaza, official says: Plagued by poor weather and frequent breakdowns, the $230 million aid pier has been operational for just around 20 days since its installation in May. (David Martin and Eleanor Watson, CBS News)

U.S. launches effort to stop Russia from arming Houthis with antiship missiles: A U.S. commander has alerted the Pentagon through a confidential letter that current measures are insufficient to prevent Red Sea attacks on shipping by Russia-armed Houthis. (Michael R. Gordon and Lara Seligman, Wall Street Journal)

Classified Documents

Pentagon leaker Jack Teixeira to face a military court-martial, Air Force says: After pleading guilty to federal charges for leaking classified documents, Jack Teixeira will also be tried in a military court-martial for disobeying orders and obstructing justice. (Associated Press)

Dobbs Aftermath

Maternal deaths were highest in states that restrict abortion: Women were more than twice as likely to die in or around childbirth in some U.S. states with severe abortion restrictions compared to those with greater access, researchers said, and disparities could worsen as access to the procedure narrows. (Sophia Vahanvaty, Bloomberg News)

Police Misconduct

Seattle police officer fired over ‘cruel comments’ about pedestrian’s death: The officer, Daniel Auderer, was heard laughing as he discussed Jaahnavi Kandula, who was struck and killed by a speeding police SUV driven by another Seattle officer. (Alexandra E. Petri, New York Times)

Defense and Veterans Affairs

VA unable to collect over $665M in revenue because of tool suspension, OIG says: The Department of Veterans Affairs has lost out on collecting millions due to the suspension of a tool critical for processing billing claims for veterans receiving community care. (Edward Graham, Nextgov/FCW)

A mental health program for service members transitioning to civilian life was unable to contact most enrollees: A Defense Department program that helps service members departing the military access mental health services is failing to connect with most of the individuals who are enrolled in the program. (Sean Michael Newhouse, Government Executive)

VA warns Congress that benefits payments are at risk due to projected $15 billion budget shortfall: The VA is facing a nearly $15 billion budget gap that threatens its ability to deliver benefits and health care, exacerbated by an increase in veterans seeking services. (Rebecca Kheel, Military.com)

Business and Finance

Senators press AT&T, cloud comany for answers on data breach: Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT.) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) have demanded explanations from AT&T and Snowflake regarding a breach that compromised the call and text records of nearly all AT&T customers. (Julia Shapero, The Hill)

More gas cars and trucks, fewer E.V.s as automakers change plans: Automakers are adjusting their strategies as the growth in electric vehicle sales significantly slows, with consumers deterred by high prices and charging inconveniences during long trips. (Neal E. Boudette, New York Times)

U.S. authorizes tobacco-flavored vuse e-cigarettes: The FDA has approved tobacco-flavored Vuse Alto e-cigarettes, allowing America’s best-selling e-cigarette brand to continue sales in the U.S. market. (Jennifer Maloney, Wall Street Journal)

Infrastructure

Major federal bridge grants jump-start long-stalled projects: More than a dozen large bridge projects in 16 states will receive funding from the Large Bridge Project, as part of the Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program funded by 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. (Daniel C. Vock, Route Fifty)

Health Care

HealthSherpa and insurers team up to curb unauthorized ACA enrollment schemes: In response to over 90,000 Obamacare customers reporting unauthorized enrollments and plan changes in the first quarter, HealthSherpa will collaborate with insurers to protect consumers from unwanted changes that limit access to doctors and increase costs. (Julie Appleby, KFF Health News)

Colorado bird flu cases show how extreme heat may be complicating efforts to control the virus: In Colorado, industrial fans used to cool overheated poultry barns may have exacerbated the spread of bird flu, contributing to recent infections among five workers. (Brenda Goodman, CNN)

Recalled Diamond Shruumz gummies contained illegal controlled substance, testing finds: People eating some of the now-recalled Diamond Shruumz brand candies may also have been getting a dose of an illegal substance from magic mushrooms. (Alexander Tin, CBS News)

COVID-19

Vaccines significantly reduce the risk of long COVID, study finds: A large new study provides some of the strongest evidence yet that vaccines reduce the risk of developing long COVID. (Pam Belluck, New York Times)