The defense secretary said, "Providing these small businesses with opportunities is a laudable goal, but over the decades, as it happens, the 8(a) program has morphed into swamp code words for DEI, race-based contracting." He explained that the small businesses often take a fee, then pass the contract off to a larger firm. Today, Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Rigas is meeting with officials in Japan. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker is traveling to Nigeria, Oman, Bahrain, and Italy to discuss mutual regional concerns. The Internal Revenue Service begins accepting income tax returns for the 2025 tax year today. | 
