Washington, DC - Expedition 46 Commander Scott Kelly and Flight Engineer Tim Kopra of NASA are preparing for a previously unscheduled spacewalk outside the International Space Station on either Monday, Dec. 21, or Tuesday, Dec. 22. The pair will move the station’s mobile transporter rail car so it can be latched in place ahead of the Wednesday, Dec. 23 docking of a Russian cargo resupply spacecraft.

Washington, DC - In an unusually busy year, the American Red Cross helped hundreds of thousands of people impacted by disasters in 2015, both here at home and around the globe. Red Cross disaster workers responded to 176 large U.S. disasters – more than each of the past three years.

Washington, DC - President Obama spoke today by phone with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. 

Washington, DC - Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51) voted in favor of the $1.15 trillion government spending bill voted on and approved by the House of Representatives today. Over 100 programs supported by Rep. Vargas were included in the bill. Rep. Vargas issued the following statement after voting on the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act:

Washington, DC - Joint Statement by Secretary Kerry and Secretary Foxx on the U.S.- Mexico Air Transport Agreement:

Washington, DC - The State Department welcomes the December 17th launch of the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation and congratulates USAID for its leadership. This public private partnership will help developing countries streamline their border processes making the movement of goods more transparent and efficient. Reducing trade costs and increasing predictability allows small and medium-size enterprises to reach new customers and take advantage of global supply and value chains.