NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced to Over 12 Years in Federal Prison for Narcotics, Firearm, and Immigration Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Kenneth M. Sorenson announced that Juan Carlos Espinoza Lopez, 49, of Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court by Chief U.S. District Judge Derrick K. Watson to 151 months of imprisonment followed by five years of supervised release for possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin, being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and illegal reentry. Espinoza Lopez pled guilty to these charges on December 17, 2024.

    In his plea agreement, Espinoza Lopez admitted that he was a native and citizen of Mexico and had been removed from the United States on four occasions, mostly recently in 2022. He reentered the United States and traveled to Hawaii where he was apprehended in April 2024, while in Ocean View, Hawaii, at which time he possessed with the intent to distribute 176 grams of methamphetamine and 184 grams of heroin, as well as a Colt AR-15 rifle loaded with twenty-seven rounds of ammunition.

    At sentencing, Judge Watson explained that Espinoza Lopez’s drug dealing, which was poisoning the community, was aggravated by the defendant’s possession of a loaded firearm as well as his illegal presence in the United States. Judge Watson further noted Espinoza Lopez’s two prior felony convictions made it “difficult” to accept his statement of remorse. 

    “This prosecution and today’s lengthy sentence deliver the clear message that when you come to Hawaii as an illegal alien for the purpose of brazenly and repeatedly violating our nation’s laws, you will be federally prosecuted and sentenced to a long period of imprisonment,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson. “We will not tolerate those who exploit our borders, endanger our citizens, and profit from the addiction, misery, and violence that accompany the trafficking of drugs in our communities.”

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Hawaii Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren W.K. Ching prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Omar’s Statement on the ICE arrest of a University of Minnesota Student

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON —Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement on the arrest of a University of Minnesota student by Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) officers: 

    “My office received a report that an international graduate student at the University of Minnesota was arrested by ICE officers on Thursday. We immediately contacted ICE to request information about the nature of this arrest. The University of Minnesota confirmed that they did not have any prior knowledge of or involvement in the arrest. My office is in communication with the individual’s counsel, the University of Minnesota, and other elected officials. I will provide updates as soon as I am able.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Perry to Host TeleTown Hall

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10)

    Harrisburg, PA – Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA) will host another TeleTown Hall on April 2, 2025, at 6:00 PM. 

    This is another great opportunity for constituents of the 10th District to discuss a wide range of important topics, including Medicaid, tariffs, taxes, National security, and cutting waste, fraud, and abuse.

    “As always, I’m eager to hear your views and concerns so we can work toward solutions that benefit our communities and Nation,” said Congressman Perry. “I look forward to hearing from you, and providing you updates on what Congress is doing to address the challenges you care about most.”

    The event will also be live-streamed on Congressman Perry’s Facebook page and at http://perry.house.gov/live. Constituents wishing to participate and ask questions during the call are asked to RSVP at https://perry.house.gov/forms/form/?ID=2951.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Perry Re-Introduces TREAT PTSD ACT

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10)

    Washington D.C. – Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10) re-introduced his Treatment and Relief through Emerging and Accessible Therapy (TREAT) of PTSD Act to provide access to lifesaving Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) therapy for Veterans suffering with PTSD.

    “Far too many of our Veterans come home to find the war comes home with them,” said Congressman Perry, a combat Veteran with nearly 40 years in uniform. “Our current PTSD treatments provide relief for only a fraction of our Veterans, and some really encouraging treatments are either unavailable or offered at too few facilities. We have a moral duty to do everything possible to ease the suffering of those who risk(ed) it all to protect our freedoms and way of life. This bill offers unrestricted access to SGB therapy – a proven and amazing PTSD treatment, the results of which I’ve witnessed personally.”

    SGB therapy is an outpatient procedure that’s been used since the 1920s. It’s safe, effective, and affordable – especially in cases where other treatments have failed – and proven to alleviate common PTSD symptoms such as exaggerated responses and anxiety. By injecting an anesthetic agent onto the stellate ganglion (nerves in the neck that control the “fight or flight” reflex) it helps bring relief to regions of the cerebral cortex thought to be abnormally activated in sufferers of PTSD. SGB changes the paradigm of treatment from the failing perception of simply a mental disorder to that of a treatable injury, and with traditional therapies as needed, that can bring long-term relief to our injured Veterans.

    As of 2018, only 11 out of America’s 170 VA facilities reported using SGB or making it available. Making matters worse, a Veteran must fail traditional treatments before being considered for SGB therapy. The time, distance, and monetary burdens demanded from finding SGB elsewhere frequently prove too much, which leaves far too many of our Veterans with options like self-medicating, self-harm, and – too often – suicide. Our Nation suffers 20 Veteran suicides every single day; enough is enough.

    This bill ensures that Veterans have unrestricted access to SGB therapy without having to travel vast distances or failing other treatments first. It directs the Secretary of the VA to expand SGB access to Veterans upon PTSD diagnoses by making it a covered treatment under federal law.

    Read more about H.R.1947 here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Perry Introduces the Falun Gong Protection Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10)

    Washington D.C. – Yesterday, Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10) introduced the Falun Gong Protection Act to impose sanctions on the Chinese Communist Party for engaging in forced organ harvesting and other human rights violations against the practitioners of Falun Gong.

    “The United States, as the beacon of freedom around the world, cannot be silent when the Chinese Community Party is engaged in systemic torturing, incarceration, and forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners,” said Congressman Scott Perry. “The CCP and its enablers must be held accountable for these atrocities.”

    In 2020, the Independent Tribunal into Forced Organ Harvesting from Prisoners of Conscience in China found an “incomprehensible gap” between the number of transplant operations in the People’s Republic of China in comparison to the number of eligible registered donors. Falun Gong practitioners are a main source of organs for forced organ harvesting in China.

    The Falun Gong Protection Act imposes sanctions on those who participate in or facilitate forced organ harvesting. The bill directs the Secretary of State to determine whether CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong constitutes crimes against humanity or genocide, alongside a required report on CCP organ transplant policies and practices. Additionally, the bill makes it U.S. policy to avoid any cooperation with the CCP as long as its forced organ transplant industry continues.

    The world is becoming aware of the atrocities committed against people who simply want the freedom to practice their religious beliefs – like the practitioners of Falun Gong.

    Read the bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Scott Perry Introduces the 45Q Repeal Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10)

    Washington D.C. – Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10) introduced the 45Q Repeal Act to repeal the 45Q tax credit for carbon capture and sequestration.

    The bill will reduce overregulation and fraud, and has the added benefit of terminating a wasteful tax credit that we can now negotiate for real tax breaks in the pending reconciliation package.

    “We’ve got to get the federal government out of every facet of our lives,” said Congressman Perry. “The American People demand that we cut waste, fraud, and abuse, and don’t want their tax dollars being used to prop up inefficient and market-distorting technology.”

    The 45Q tax credit subsidizes technologies that serve no purpose beyond distorting energy markets.

    There are serious concerns about the integrity of the tax credit; for example, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration found nearly $1 billion in claims for unverified activities.

    The 45Q Repeal Act is a first step in restoring sanity to our energy sector and allowing markets to work by demand, not disrupted by subsidies from the federal government.

    This bill protects the Taxpayer and restores market discipline by removing insidious and wasteful tax incentives for market-distorting and inefficient technology.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Scott Perry Introduces the No Propaganda Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Perry (PA-10)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Scott Perry (PA-10) re-introduced the No Propaganda Act today, co-sponsored U.S. Representative Andy Ogles (TN-5), to defund the biased Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The organization and its subsidiaries are staffed by extreme liberals, including the newly appointed, divisive CEO of National Public Radio (NPR) who openly campaigned for Joe Biden while claiming to be unbiased and serving the best interest of the public.

    “The American Taxpayer continues to provide handouts through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to media outlets that have actively pushed Chinese propaganda and have prioritized disinformation over free speech,” said Rep. Perry. “CPB must be defunded to end the stream of Taxpayer funds to biased, anti-American public radio and television stations.”

    The CPB funds content that incorporates woke and divisive messaging. A whistleblower, and 25-year veteran of NPR, recently called out NPR for allowing its “pro-Democrat political leanings to seep into editorial judgments, including its decision to turn a blind eye to the Hunter Biden laptop story.” In addition to influencing public opinion about U.S. politics, CPB has worked with a Chinese Communist Party-controlled media outlet, registered as a foreign agent, to air a documentary promoting Chinese propaganda. These efforts are funded in part by CPB grants paid for by American Citizens.

    “The Corporation for Public Broadcasting should not be funneling Louisianians’ hard-earned tax dollars to outlets with one-sided coverage that clearly aims to promote a leftist political agenda. The No Propaganda Act would make sure that Americans aren’t footing the bill for biased, government media,” said Sen. Kennedy.

    Founded in 1967, the CPB is a publicly funded, non-profit corporation that promotes and advances public broadcasting. Throughout the years, Congress has appropriated nearly $15 billion to the CPB, which distributes the funds to publicly-owned television and radio stations like PBS.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Latest Musk-Trump Threat to Public Schools Helps NEA Lawsuit

    Source: US National Education Union

    WASHINGTON – The Trump administration today doubled-down on its continued actions to harm students and public education. In its latest missive to states, the administration threatened to withhold federal funding from public schools that promote an inclusive education for all students.

    The National Education Association, NEA-New Hampshire, individual educators, and the Council for Black Educator Development sued the Trump administration in March over its directive to punish educators and public schools. The lawsuit asks the court to block the U.S. Department of Education from enforcing this harmful and vague directive and protect students from politically motivated attacks that stifle speech and erase critical educational lessons.

    The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle:

    “Educators and parents know that teaching should be guided by what is best for students, not by threat of illegal restrictions and punishment. That is why we sued the Trump administration – and we stand by our lawsuit. This latest action by the Trump administration to shut down free speech and coerce educators to abandon inclusive practices at school remains illegal and unconstitutional as we pointed out in our legal filing. We will continue to do what is best for students, not by directives of illegal restrictions and punishment by Linda McMahon, Elon Musk, or Donald Trump.

    “Our students need more opportunities to succeed, and we need to strengthen, not dismantle, our public schools where 90 percent of this country’s students—and 95 percent of students with disabilities—learn. If the Trump administration follows through with their latest threat, students are the ones who stand to lose. Hundreds of thousands of educators stand to lose their jobs if the Trump administration has its way.

    “We will not let those politicians distract us from the real issues facing public schools. We know what is at stake. That is why we are coming together—parents, students, and educators—to make sure every child, regardless of race, ZIP code, or family income, has the opportunities and resources they need to grow into their brilliance.

    “More to the point, the court will have the final say, not a ‘Dear Colleague’ letter.”

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    Follow us on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/neapresident.bsky.social and https://bsky.app/profile/neatoday.bsky.social 

    The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Transcript: Governor Hochul is a Guest on Bloomberg TV

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on Bloomberg TV’s “Balance of Power”.

    AUDIO: The Governor’s conversation is available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Kailey Leinz, Bloomberg TV:  President Trump announcing steep tariffs on all exporters to the US yesterday with rates ranging from 10 percent to over 50 percent, which his administration says aimed to counter large trade imbalances with other countries. But the levies are also expected to have consequences here at home. And for a look at how individual states are bracing for them, we turn now to the Democratic Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul.

    Governor, thank you for joining us here on Bloomberg TV and radio. I’m curious what you’re already hearing from businesses and companies in your state and whether they are already suggesting they are making changes on hiring practices on pricing, for example, or if they’re playing, “wait and see” here to see whether or not this actually sticks.

    Governor Hochul: Thank you for having me. No, the impact is immediate. I mean, this is nothing short of the largest tax increase in American history. And the impact on New York — let me explain. This is the 10th largest economy in the world. We have Wall Street, we have farms, we have a border of 450 miles with Canada, so we have a trade relationship with Canada of over $50 billion.

    So already, here’s what we’re seeing: Droppings in bookings from Canadians coming to New York State. A huge source of tourism all the way to New York City, but certainly my hometown in Buffalo, where Canadians come over all the time and they go to our sport events. They shop at our stores.

    So here’s number one: Sales tax revenues are dropping already. Now, speaking to a farmer in a very Republican part of our state — I’d call it Stefanik Country in the North Country — he told me that as a dairy farmer, he gets his shavings, he gets his fertilizer, he gets all these products from Canada and his costs are going up $10,000 a month. A dairy farmer. Not the total cost, but an increase of $10,000 a month.

    So, there’s such anxiety now. Not to mention the Walmart mom who goes to Walmart like I did when my kids were little — that giant grocery cart with the oversized diapers and lots of baby food and paper towels — that’s going to have an impact on people shopping at Walmart who come out of the trailer park like the one my parents grew up in.

    So I have to say, it goes all the way from Wall Street to the farmers to the small towns, Main Street to Wall Street — there is a cataclysmic effect on this, and New Yorkers are reeling right now.

    Joe Mathieu, Bloomberg TV: I hear where you’re coming from here Governor. I wonder if there’s a silver lining in any of this for the great industrial towns of your state from the last century: Syracuse, Rochester. Based on what we’re hearing from this administration, they will again have a seat at the manufacturing table. Do you believe that?

    Governor Hochul: I hope so, but we already have advanced manufacturing coming to New York. I literally got off the phone with someone who’s in a pharmaceutical business looking all over the world, and he is very likely with the deal I’m making, to come to New York.

    So we have advanced manufacturing, we have pharmaceuticals. In fact, I was able to lure Micron with a $100 billion investment, the largest in our nation’s history, to build semiconductors in the Syracuse area. So we are already reimagining our economy based on manufacturing. So that’s important to me.

    I come from Buffalo. I mean, my dad worked at the steel plant. I know how hard it is when businesses leave, but we are backfilling in with businesses that we think will have a long-term future, and they’ll be affected by this, the component parts to what they’re building and the supply chain. They’re going to see an increased cost, not just because they’re in New York, but because they’re in America.

    And that’s what worries me. There could be a silver lining, as you say. I don’t know how old I’m going to be when that happens. I mean, what are they going to do? Start building factories now? And, you know, I just don’t know. All I know is that people were promised lower prices on Inauguration Day, and guess what? They’re going up.

    Kailey Leinz, Bloomberg TV: Well, is there anything you can do about that Governor? Regardless of what policy is set by the federal executive, you as a state executive, are there levers you can pull to help offset any economic pain that results from these tariff policies?

    Governor Hochul: Well, I’ve had to have this conversation. I’m assembling some of the smartest economists in the country to help give us advice on this. This is an unforced error. This did not have to be this way. And yes, you can use tariffs as a tool to negotiate or, you know, have something in moderation. But this is so extreme and so immediate that I need to figure out with some real experts on what this is going to do.

    But I’ll tell you what’s going to happen. Wall Street goes down, next January, when I’m looking at my revenues that are coming in from Wall Street bonuses where I fund a lot of the generous programs we hear in our state, that’s going to be lower. I’m going to have to look at where we’re going to have to cut there. I have to look at the whole picture.

    Now in the context of the Budget, I’m negotiating the revenues I count on, the revenues I’m going to lose, but also the impact on our businesses who may not be expanding now. So I have to find ways we can use state resources to say, “We’ll help calm it down.” What can I do for a farmer in upstate New York? That’s a good question. I don’t want them to suffer. Thirty two thousand farms in our state. People think of New York as just Manhattan. I know they do. But it’s so much more than that. An important part of our economy is our agricultural sector.

    So all of our sectors are going to be hurt. So I have to look at our Budget, what we can do to help other incentives for economic development. And as I’m doing, I’m trying to put money back in people’s pockets. I mean, the average New Yorker will have $6,000 less in their pockets because of these tariffs. And that’s an opinion by a number of economists.

    I have a budget I’m negotiating right now that puts $5,000 back in people’s pockets: Child tax credits, a middle class tax cut, the largest in 70 years, the largest tax rate decrease in 70 years, and an inflation rebate for people who paid so much more in sales tax. So I have a path to put all this money back in their pockets. But you know what’s really sad? That’s going to be sucked right out with $6,000 that they’re going to lose because of tariffs. So I’ll keep fighting, I’ll keep doing what I can do, but this is a real hit on New Yorkers.

    Joe Mathieu, Bloomberg TV: So it sounds like the potential for state tax cuts in the year ahead depend on tax receipts from Wall Street, Governor. Is that right?

    Governor Hochul: Oh, it always does. I mean, I’ve not had an increase in our income tax because I want to make sure high net worth people know we appreciate them and I don’t want to drive them out of our state. So that’s my view.

    Joe Mathieu, Bloomberg TV: But does it increase the urgency behind extending the Trump tax cuts and eliminating the SALT cap? Because a lot of Republican members of Congress in your state are working to do that now.

    Governor Hochul: Well, they better be successful. We want to make sure that the SALT deduction, state local tax deduction, is brought back 100 percent. Absolutely. And I have seven Republican members of Congress — you better win on this one because you promised your voters you would.

    Kailey Leinz, Bloomberg TV: Governor, before we let you go, our time is short here, but I do want to ask you about New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, who of course had charges against him dismissed. He now says he will continue his mayoral campaign for reelection, but as an independent. During the height of that controversy, you said it will be up to the voters to choose who they want to be Mayor. You opted not to force him out of the position. Even if you’re not going to endorse anyone, would you encourage New Yorkers to reconsider a vote for him as an independent?

    Governor Hochul: All I’m going to say is my job is to work with whomever’s in the White House — I have a relationship with Donald Trump based on our mutual interest in building infrastructure and working on projects like Penn Station, but not allies when I don’t support many of his policies. Same thing with the Mayor of New York, no matter who is sitting in that seat that the voters of New York decide they want me to work with. I will do that, but always stand up for the rights of the entire state and focus on my agenda of affordability and public safety.

    Joe Mathieu, Bloomberg TV: It’s great to have you with us, Governor. Come see us again. New York Governor Kathy Hochul with us on “Balance of Power”.

    Governor Hochul: Will do. Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 04.03.2025 Sens. Cruz, Padilla Introduce Bill to Improve Fog Forecasting, Boost Vessel Safety at Ports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) today introduced the Fog Observations and Geographic Forecasting Act (FOG Forecasting Act), bipartisan legislation to improve the National Weather Service’s (NWS) fog forecasting capabilities to enhance safety at America’s ports and help prevent costly shipping delays caused by dense fog.
    Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “In my hometown of Houston, we’ve seen unexpected severe fog occurrences delay goods coming in and out of Port Houston. The FOG Forecasting Act would keep vessels moving safely and swiftly at U.S. ports, benefiting shippers, exporters, and consumers. I’m glad to partner on legislation with Sen. Padilla to help produce more accurate fog forecasts that will reduce collisions between vessels, ensure American cargo reaches its destinations intact and on time, and save millions in economic costs from port closures.”
    Sen. Padilla said, “Californians along the Pacific Coast have experienced how unpredictably dense and dangerous the marine layer fog can be. Fog can create hazardous conditions, increasing collision risk for ships transporting essential goods to and from California’s high-volume ports. As communities prepare for and respond to increasingly severe weather patterns, strengthening NOAA’s weather forecasting capabilities is an important bipartisan priority to bolster safer transportation at sea and in the air along our coastlines.”
    Read the bill text here.
    BACKGROUND
    This past February, widespread fog in Houston caused significant disruption to the city’s port operations, impacting the Houston Ship Channel’s navigation for nearly two weeks and ultimately reducing cargo flows through the port. Studies have shown that poor visibility, often fog-associated, significantly impacts maritime traffic safety, predisposing vessels to collision accidents. Approximately 70% of ship collisions are attributed to foggy conditions, underscoring the critical need for effective monitoring and management of fog in maritime operations. Marine fog is the primary reason for Houston port closures, and each hour the port is closed can have over $100 million in economic costs. Smaller ports such as Freeport, Port Lavaca, and Texas City can also lose millions of dollars for each hour their ports are closed. too.
    The FOG Forecasting Act would require the NWS to establish more marine-based observations that measure visibility, temperatures, dewpoints, and water levels, as well as provide cameras needed to enhance the safe navigation of vessels. The bill would also improve high-resolution modeling capabilities to produce more accurate wind, temperature, dewpoint, and visibility forecasts. These new techniques will give users more detailed and visually appealing information on visibility. Better fog forecasts would reduce uncertainty, allowing ports to reopen sooner, get commerce moving, and reduce the economic costs of port closures.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine Statement on Effort to Block Select Weapons Transfers to Israel

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees, released the following statement regarding resolutions that will come to the Senate floor for a vote to block two out of over 100 separate weapons transfers to Israel by the Biden and Trump Administrations since October 7, 2023:

    “For over a year, I have called for the U.S. to support the protection of the Israeli people through the robust provision of defensive weapons, such as those that regularly defeat drone and missile attacks from Iran and Hamas. But I continue to urge a pause in the transfer of offensive weapons because of the harm they are likely to cause to innocent Palestinian civilians and my serious concerns that they will generate further instability across the region that will put U.S. servicemembers at risk. It’s clear that a durable ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, resulting in the return of all hostages to their families and a surge of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, is the only path to stability in the region—as evidenced by the fact that the Houthis stopped attacking container ships in the Red Sea during the most recent ceasefire, only to start back up after the agreement collapsed. Our focus must remain on encouraging a long-term peace, not packing a tinder box, and therefore, consistent with my long-standing view, I will oppose the transfer of these offensive weapons.”

    Kaine has repeatedly reiterated his support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas following Hamas’ horrific October 7 terrorist attacks, and helped gain Senate support for the national security supplemental funding package that passed in April 2024 and included over $14 billion in security assistance funding for Israel. He has also been a leading voice in Congress regarding the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He’s taken a series of steps to prioritize the release of hostages taken by Hamas, protect civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, and counter threats to Israel from Hamas and Iran.

    Consistent with Kaine’s years-long efforts to ensure that Congress plays an assertive and deliberate role in matters of war and peace, Kaine raised concerns over the Biden Administration’s decision in December 2023 to transfer weapons to Israel without congressional oversight. In February 2024, following reports of a pending major weapons transfer from the U.S. to Israel, Kaine urged the Biden Administration to ensure that the transfer is comprised primarily of defensive weapons critical to the security of the Israeli people, such as restocking the Iron Dome and David’s Sling air defense systems. In September 2024, Kaine opposed the transfer of three offensive weapons systems to Israel.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Announce Recommendations for U.S. Attorneys for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today sent a letter to the White House recommending candidates for the U.S. Attorney vacancies in the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) and the Western District of Virginia (WDVA). In their letter, the Senators recommended Michael Gill, Assistant General Counsel and Director of Investigations for Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), and Erik Siebert, Eastern District of Virginia Interim United States Attorney, for the EDVA position. The Senators recommended Christopher “Todd” Gilbert, Minority Leader in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Robert Tracci, Senior Assistant Attorney General and Section Chief for Major Crimes and Emerging Threats in the Office of the Virginia Attorney General, for the WDVA position.

    “Across the Commonwealth, well-respected attorneys interviewed several excellent candidates, including Mr. Gill, Mr. Siebert, Mr. Gilbert, and Mr. Tracci. After conducting our own interviews and reviewing these recommendations, we find these four candidates to be exceptionally qualified for the position of U.S. Attorney,” said the senators.

    The White House will now nominate one individual for each vacancy to be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The nominations are subject to confirmation by the full Senate.

    A copy of the letter can be found here and below.

    Dear Mr. President:

    As you consider candidates to serve in the two U.S. Attorney positions in the Commonwealth of Virginia, we are pleased to recommend Michael Gill and Erik Siebert for the position of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA); and, Todd Gilbert and Robert Tracci for the position of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia (WDVA). Bipartisan panels of esteemed attorneys from across the Commonwealth interviewed Mr. Gill, Mr. Siebert, Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Tracci, along with many other excellent candidates. After considering the panels’ reviews and conducting our own interviews, we find these four candidates to be exceptionally qualified for the position of U.S. Attorney. 

    U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District

    Michael Gill is Assistant General Counsel and Director of Investigations for Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) in Newport News, Virginia. Prior to joining HII, Mr. Gill served as a federal prosecutor for twenty years, fifteen of which were in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the EDVA. He last served the EDVA as the Chief of the Criminal Division from 2018 to 2023, supervising operations across the District’s four divisions.  Mr. Gill received his Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from Texas Christian University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law.

    Erik Siebert currently serves as the Interim United States Attorney for the EDVA. Mr. Siebert has worked as a line Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the EDVA, handling violent crimes, possession and trafficking of illegal firearms, and narcotics, as well as the Deputy Criminal Supervisor in the EDVA Richmond Division, supervising AUSAs and partnering with federal, state, and local partners. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the EDVA, Mr. Siebert was a police officer and an investigator with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C. Mr. Siebert received his Bachelor of Arts from the Virginia Military Institute and his Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Richmond School of Law. 

    U.S. Attorney for the Western District

    Christopher “Todd” Gilbert is the Minority Leader in the Virginia House of Delegates. During his twenty years representing parts of the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mr. Gilbert also served as Speaker and Majority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates. Mr. Gilbert has nearly fifteen years of experience prosecuting criminal and traffic cases in Shenandoah, Warren, and Frederick counties and the City of Lynchburg. He now operates his own firm representing criminal defendants. Mr. Gilbert earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and his Juris Doctor from the Southern Methodist University School of Law.

    Robert Tracci is the Senior Assistant Attorney General and Section Chief for Major Crimes and Emerging Threats in the Office of the Virginia Attorney General. He previously served as the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Albemarle County. Mr. Tracci has also worked in the WDVA as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, where he assisted in the prosecution of complex financial services fraud, firearms and narcotics crimes, and child exploitation. Mr. Tracci also previously served in the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. House of Representatives. He received his Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from the Ohio Wesleyan University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law. 

    We believe that any of these candidates would make an excellent U.S. Attorney, and we are honored to be able to recommend them to you.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine, Warner, Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Support Virginia’s Seafood Industry

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the bipartisan Save Our Seafood (SOS) Act, which would exempt fish processors—which are critical to Virginia’s economy—from the H-2B visa cap, which has made it difficult for local seafood processors to hire the seasonal workforce they need.

    “The seafood industry is a critical part of Virginia’s economy, especially in Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore,” said Kaine. “I often hear from Virginia’s seafood processors about how hard it is to find seasonal workers, so I’m glad to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to make it easier for these businesses to hire the workers they need.” 

    “Virginia’s seafood industry relies on seasonal, H2-B workers to help meet demand during peak season,” said Warner. “Without this workforce, many of Virginia’s seafood processors would simply have to close up shop. I’m glad to introduce this legislation that will help Virginia’s businesses by ensuring they have the labor needed to keep their operations up and running.”

    “Alaska’s seafood industry is a delicate chain – and when processors don’t have the workforce to meet demand, the whole industry can fall apart,” said Murkowski. “Coastal communities, family-owned fishing boats, and Alaskans who work in the industry need to know that they have fully-functioning operations where they can deliver their catch. Through this legislation, I’m working to ensure that the industry has a dependable workforce that can process and deliver the highest-quality seafood in the world.”

    Seafood is a billion-dollar industry in Virginia, supporting over 7,000 jobs for Virginians and generating over $26 million in revenue annually. Many of Virginia’s seafood processors rely on workers from the H-2B visa program to harvest and process Virginia crabs and oysters in season, but processors annually struggle to get enough workers during the season when they are needed most. The SOS Act would permanently exempt seasonal, non-immigrant workers who work in seafood processing from the cap on H-2B visas, ensuring that processors have the workforce they need, when they need them to meet the increased demand at the start of the harvesting season.  

    “The Virginia seafood processing industry is grateful for Senators Kaine and Warner reintroducing the Save Our Seafood Act. We appreciate the bipartisan group of Senators committed to supporting working seafood businesses around the country. Virginia seafood has participated in the seasonal, temporary H-2B program since 1997,” said AJ Erskine, Board Member, Virginia Seafood Council. “We manufacture domestic, perishable seafood products that require an increased seasonal workforce. Our seasons are defined by state and federal regulations and the environmental conditions in which we work. Senators Kaine and Warner understand that this is not a partisan issue. The seafood industry is simply asking for a small modification of an existing cap exemption. We thank Senators Kaine and Warner for their vision and support of our seafood industry.”

    “Our 4th generation family crab processing facility in Hampton continues to struggle to keep our doors open! The H-2B program has been our lifeline the last 30 years and without congressional help we will perish,” said John Graham III, President, Graham & Rollins, Inc. “The current lottery system currently deployed by Homeland Security is not feasible to sustain any kind of business and frankly is a disaster!!”

    The senators have long supported the seafood industry. In 2023, Kaine and Warner introduced the Save Our Seafood Act, and Kaine met with heads of Virginia seafood companies in Lottsburg, VA to discuss the need to boost the seafood workforce. Earlier that year, the senators met with then-Labor Secretary Marty Walsh to discuss workforce challenges facing the Virginia seafood industry and urge the Department of Labor to consider reforms to the H-2B lottery to better meet seasonal labor needs. In 2022, Kaine and Warner also successfully pushed the Department of Homeland Security for the release of additional H-2B visas.  

    The legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

    Full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine and Scott to Introduce Bill to Protect Miners’ Safety

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), and U.S. Representative Robert C. “Bobby” Scott, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce will introduce the Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2025. 

    This bill coincides with the 15th anniversary of the Upper Big Branch (UBB) Mine Disaster, reflecting lessons learned from the deadly explosion on April 5, 2010, that killed 29 miners.  The bill improves mine safety and closes glaring loopholes in our nation’s mine safety laws that could help save miners’ lives.  The bill would further prioritize the safety of miners by holding rogue mine operators accountable.

    “Miners take incredible risks to power our nation.  While we’ve made progress to support them—like extending the Black Lung Disability Trust excise tax at a higher rate and strengthening silica standards—the recent actions of the Trump Administration have undermined decades of work to enhance protections for coal miners,” said Kaine.  “This legislation is critical to strengthening safety standards and holding mine operators accountable for unsafe working conditions.”

    “The Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2025 is a critical step toward protecting the health and safety of mine workers across the country.  Coal miners, mine safety regulators and the UBB families have asked Congress to address long, overdue reforms to the nations’ mine safety laws.  The reforms in this bill would ensure that all miners are able to return home safely to their families at the end of their shift,” said Scott. “The tragedy of the Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster will be in vain if Congress does not close the loopholes that have allowed a small minority of mine operators to put profit ahead of their miners’ safety.”

    The comes at a time when the Trump Administration is abandoning the nation’s commitment to protect miners.  The Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has fired inspectors and appears to be closing offices across the country.  That agency has yet to answer congressional queries.  Meanwhile, in a secretive and apparently arbitrary process, the Trump Administration terminated thousands of Health and Human Services (HHS) employees—including many scientists and researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) who focus on black lung and innovative technologies to keep mines safe.

    Eliminating so much of the government’s mine safety capacity, especially as we near the fifteenth anniversary of the UBB Mine Disaster, is reckless and nonsensical.  Congress permanently established NIOSH’s Office of Mine Safety and Health in the aftermath of the deadly Sago Mine Disaster.

    Weakening the Labor Department’s ability to inspect mines at a time when the White House seeks to ramp up mining is a recipe for more mine disasters.  The Trump Administration’s actions will waste decades of life-saving innovations and put miners’ lives at risk.

    The Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act protects miners’ health and safety by:

    • Expanding the authority of the MSHA to strengthen safety regulations and enforce penalties against mines with repeat violations.
    • Increasing penalties for mines violating health and safety standards.
    • Providing the MSHA with better enforcement tools to allow proper inspection and investigation.
    • Protecting whistleblowers from retaliation and loss of income.
    • Updating mine safety standards to prevent explosions.
    • Increasing accountability for the MSHA to ensure that inspectors are independent and qualified to provide quality oversight.

    The Robert C. Byrd Mine Safety Protection Act of 2025 is endorsed by Appalachian Citizens Law Center, Appalachian Voices, United Mine Workers of America, and United Steel Workers.

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    Read a section-by-section summary of the bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gomez Pushes to Block Illegal Use of IRS Data to Target Immigrant Families

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, joined Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), and Dan Goldman (NY-10) in calling on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately halt any efforts to misuse confidential taxpayer data for immigration enforcement.

    In a letter to Acting IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Gomez and 61 House Democrats raised alarms over reports that DHS has requested Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), address data, and other sensitive tax information to facilitate large-scale immigration operations—even when individuals are not suspected of any crimes. These revelations come amid concerning reports that Treasury officials, including the IRS’s acting Chief Counsel, were removed for resisting such efforts.

    “We write to express our grave concern regarding reports that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is considering disclosing taxpayer information… to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration enforcement purposes,” the Members wrote. “Such actions would undermine taxpayer confidentiality, erode trust in our nation’s tax system, and have a chilling effect on compliance, particularly among immigrant communities who contribute billions in tax revenue annually.”

    The Members pointed to long-standing legal and policy protections that strictly limit how taxpayer data can be used and shared. Under Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, tax return information may only be disclosed in narrow, well-defined circumstances—none of which include civil immigration enforcement.

    “The IRS has long maintained that tax compliance must be encouraged through confidentiality protections. Any deviation from this guiding principle risks eroding public trust and discouraging taxpayers from fulfilling their obligations,” the letter continues. “If immigrants fear that filing taxes could expose them to deportation, many will choose not to file, reducing Federal revenues… while shifting resources to the informal economy.”

    The letter also cites previous legal guidance from the IRS’s Office of Chief Counsel, as well as warnings from the National Taxpayer Advocate that such actions would undermine voluntary compliance and the integrity of the tax system.

    Gomez and his colleagues are demanding a formal clarification of the agencies’ current policies and any communications between the IRS and DHS regarding the use of tax information for immigration enforcement. They also urge the IRS to publicly reaffirm its commitment to taxpayer privacy.

    Read the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jimmy Gomez, Colleagues Demand Independent Intelligence Community Investigation into SignalGate

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and all House Intelligence Committee Democrats are calling on Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and the Intelligence Community to launch an independent investigation into a Signal group chat where senior Trump administration officials shared detailed plans for a U.S. military strike on Houthi terrorists in Yemen.

    Last week during a committee hearing on worldwide threats, Rep. Gomez (CA-34) pressed Director Gabbard over conflicting testimony, raised concerns about Defense Secretary Hegseth’s judgment, and warned that sharing classified information over insecure platforms put national security at risk.

    “Since you and other intelligence community leaders testified about the group chat before the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence last Wednesday, there have been new developments,” the 11 Members wrote. “First, the bipartisan leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee requested the Acting Inspector General of the Department of Defense conduct an inquiry into the facts and circumstances of the chat. Second, the Wall Street Journal, citing multiple U.S. officials, reported that a key American ally ‘provided sensitive intelligence from a human source in Yemen on a key Houthi military operative’ who was targeted in the U.S. military attack; that National Security Advisor Mike Waltz sent texts on the Signal chain following the attack—noting the U.S. had ‘positive ID’ that the building in which the operative was located had collapsed—that may have been linked to information from that source; and that the U.S. ally complained to the United States that Mr. Waltz’s texts had become public. The Wall Street Journal’s reporting, if accurate, is deeply concerning.”

    The Members continued: “These developments underscore the need for the intelligence community, under your leadership, to conduct a parallel inquiry into the chat, to complement the congressionally-requested inquiry by the DOD IG and the inquiry that is—according to your testimony—apparently being conducted by the National Security Council.”

    In addition to Rep. Gomez, Representatives Jim Himes (CT-04), André Carson (IN-07), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Jason Crow (CO-06), Ami Bera (CA-06), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Mike Quigley (IL-05) signed the letter calling for the independent intel probe.

    The full text of the letter is available here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jimmy Gomez Statement on Trump’s New Tariffs: “Today’s the Day the Trump Slump Turned Into the Trump Recession”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) — a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, which oversees tax and trade policy — released the following statement as Donald Trump’s new round of reciprocal tariffs takes effect:

    “Trump’s dumb tariffs are nothing more than a tax on working families, raising prices on everything from groceries, clothes and shoes to cars and construction materials. He’s tearing apart the backbone of LA’s economy—our construction, ports, and hospitality and tourism industry—at a time of already soaring costs when we need to build more homes and recover from the devastating LA wildfires. We’re already seeing job losses in key American sectors due to his tariffs. There’s no strategy here—just chaos, higher costs, and economic uncertainty for working families. Mark my words: today’s the day the Trump Slump turned into the Trump Recession.”

    BACKGROUND:

    President Trump announced a new round of tariffs, including a baseline 10% tariff on almost all goods from nearly all countries with even higher tariffs for around 60 other countries. This follows a 25% hike on steel and aluminum, additional duties of up to 25% on imported automobiles and auto parts, along with a 25% tariff on certain goods from Canada and Mexico. Economists and small business leaders have warned these moves will increase costs on essential goods and strain industries already impacted by inflation. In Los Angeles, where communities are still rebuilding after recent wildfires, rising construction costs will worsen the housing crisis, while auto repair shops, tourism businesses, and local employers will face higher costs and slowed growth.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Neguse Ranked Most Effective Colorado Lawmaker by Center for Effective Lawmaking

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

    Lafayette, CO — This week, the Center for Effective Lawmaking released scores for the 118th Congress, once again ranking Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02) as one of the most effective lawmakers in the House of Representatives. Neguse earned the title of the 2nd most effective House Democrat, the 7th overall most effective lawmaker in the Chamber, and most effective lawmaker of the Colorado House delegation. 

    In addition, Rep. Neguse was recognized for his ability to get standalone bills substantially incorporated into law—exemplified by the enactment of four of his bills as part of the bipartisan, bicameral Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act. 

    “I’m proud of the work our team accomplished in the 118th Congress on behalf of the state of Colorado — including enacting laws to increase drought preparedness, support our rural schools, and reform disaster management resources for floods, wildfires and more. Each of these legislative efforts will benefit the people of our great state that I’ve privileged to serve, from the Western Slope to northern Colorado, and we’ll keep rolling up our sleeves to deliver real results each and everyday,” said Rep. Neguse. 

    Since first assuming office in 2019, Neguse has received distinctions in this annual report, finishing as the No. 3 overall most effective lawmaker last Congress and ranking No.8 among House Democrats and earning the title as the top freshman legislator for “exceeding expectations” in his first term, the 116th Congress. 

    The Colorado Congressman has never wavered in his ability to make an impact for his communities, receiving top rankings despite which party had a majority in the Chamber. An achievement the Center for Effective Lawmaking made note of in their report: “Moving beyond Rep. Castro, we see that Representative Neguse and Delegate Norton continued their trends of being among the “top 10” most effective Democratic lawmakers, even though the Democrats were now the minority party in the 118th Congress. This speaks to their abilities to navigate the legislative process whether in the majority or minority party.” 

    Read the full report HERE. 

    Background

    Congressman Joe Neguse has represented Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District since 2019. He is currently a senior member of House Leadership, having been elected by his colleagues to serve as House Assistant Minority Leader in March 2024.

    Earlier this month, Assistant Leader Neguse was recognized by GovTrack.us for writing the 2nd most laws of any member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 118th Congress. He was also listed as the overall Member of Congress with the most amount of bipartisan support on his proposals. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell: “Bad Idea” for Department of Energy to Sell Off BPA Assets

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    04.03.25

    Cantwell: “Bad Idea” for Department of Energy to Sell Off BPA Assets

    House Republicans are considering proposals to sell off public lands to fund Trump tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, pressed James Danly and Katharine MacGregor – President Trump’s nominees to serve as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE) and Deputy Secretary of the Department of the Interior (DOI) – on their commitments to not sell off public assets owned by Bonneville Power Administration after DOGE recently ordered the sale of the BPA Portland building. Sen. Cantwell also secured a commitment from Danly to uphold the Hanford Tri-Party Agreement, and she pressed MacGregor to oppose DOGE proposals to cut funding and staff to fight wildfires. 

    “Do you commit to opposing any proposal to auction off assets, including those owned by Bonneville Power Administration?” asked Sen. Cantwell.

    Danly responded, “I know there have been talks at different times for the Power Marketing Administrations to be privatized, and like, I have no interest in in that subject historically in my career, and I don’t really know enough about that to give an informed answer here.”

    “Maybe take a little homework assignment. Bad idea,” responded Sen. Cantwell.

    During the Q&A, Sen. Cantwell also secured a commitment from Danly to uphold the Tri-Party Agreement: “The budgets are not the purview of the position to which I’ve been nominated, but I will say this, the cleanup of the of the legacy waste sites is one of the handful of the truly core missions of the department, and I have every intention of abiding by the agreement,” said Danly.

    Sen. Cantwell then questioned MacGregor on funding for wildfire preparedness, DOGE cuts, and reporting from earlier in the day that Republicans are now considering proposals to sell off public lands to help pay for Trump’s tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy.

    “The department has the responsibility to fight [fires],” said Sen. Cantwell. “How do you make sure that we have the workforce that we need as part of our incident command teams [and fight fires]? And if confirmed, will you not support a plan that includes selling off public lands that would reduce our access?”

    Cantwell continued: “The two of you are the first witnesses to come before us since all the DOGE cuts. So, I’m asking you specifically — will you stop any cuts that will affect wildland firefighting efforts?”

    “I will absolutely evaluate any proposed cuts, should they be, you know, proposed for wildland firefighting cuts, and review those very closely,” MacGregor responded. “I can’t imagine a situation where that would occur, but if it did, I would want to make sure that we’re balancing and keeping the resources we need to fight fire.”

    The Department of Interior serves a critical role in fighting wildfires fires. However, DOGE cuts have threatened wildfire preparedness by firing 3,400 USDA Forest Service employees and about 1,000 National Park Service (NPS) employees. Many Interior employees have “Red Cards” which certify them to fight wildland fires. In addition, over 140 Department of Interior employees are part of Incident Management Teams which lead wildfire fighting efforts.

    In response, Sen. Cantwell led a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz demanding details about the Washington state personnel who were fired, including how many held Red Cards, and asked for the immediate reinstatement of all fired USDA and USFS personnel. While some employees have been reinstated, many experienced employees, including fire fighters, have retired and it has been reported that federal agencies, including the Department of Interior, will be implementing an additional reduction in force.

    “I think most of us would just be able to agree today, no one here wants those cuts. We think we need more resources,” said Sen. Cantwell. “The Palisades fire is more than a wakeup call, more than a wakeup call. So, we need more resources, not less.”

    Sen. Cantwell has long championed Hanford clean-up and played a leading role in overseeing the DOE’s cleanup efforts, fighting numerous Administration proposals to cut Hanford budgets. 

    Throughout the first Trump administration, Sen. Cantwell repeatedly led the charge in opposing drastic cuts to the Hanford budget, and in 2020 she led a successful effort to defeat a provision in the annual National Defense Authorization Act that could have diverted billions in funding from ongoing clean-up projects.

    In January, Sen. Cantwell voted against Chris Wright for DOE Secretary, citing his waffling commitment to uphold the Tri-Party Agreement – a newly negotiated agreement between the State of Washington, DOE, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that directs cleanup of the Hanford nuclear site in the Tri-Cities.

    Video of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks today are available HERE, audio HERE, and a full transcript is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Introduces Bill to Fight Corruption, End Dark Money in Elections

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) has introduced new legislation to fight corruption and crack down on dark money influencing U.S. elections.

    “Dark money” campaign spending—undisclosed spending meant to influence political elections—has dramatically increased in recent elections. Roughly $1 billion in television, online advertisements, and mailers have been spent since 2010, when the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision gave rise to dark money groups.

    Congressman Crow’s End Dark Money Act would fight corruption and close loopholes that allow mega-donors to hide their political contributions through so-called “social welfare” organizations. Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA-05) joined Congressman Crow in introducing this legislation.

    “Corruption is harming the American people and making it harder for working families to achieve the American Dream. That’s why in Congress, I’m focused on fighting corruption, lowering costs, and taking on the power of special interests on our government,” said Congressman Crow. “Americans are sick and tired of special interests and billionaires like Elon Musk using campaign finance loopholes to influence our elections. My legislation would increase transparency and accountability in our elections to return power back to the voters and begin to restore the American people’s faith in our democracy.”

    “The whole world is witnessing an unelected billionaire, Elon Musk, buy his way into the Oval Office and receive unprecedented power. For every Elon in plain sight, we have millions of mega-donors who remain hidden. Under current policies, the faces behind massive political spending like this are usually kept in the dark. The End Dark Money Act stops this shady abuse of the system and, in the process, empowers voters and strengthens our democracy,” said Congresswoman Williams.

    The End Dark Money Act would repeal current prohibitions and allow the Internal Revenue Service to issue new guidelines to ensure non-profits adhere to their social welfare mission or be required to register as a PAC, disclose their donors, and risk losing their tax-exempt status.

    The End Dark Money Act is supported by the End Citizens United Action Fund and Public Citizen.

    “Dark money is one of the most corrosive and corrupting forces in our elections and government. It allows billionaires and special interests to operate in the shadows, manipulating our democracy without accountability,” said End Citizens United Action Fund President Tiffany Muller. “Congressman Crow’s End Dark Money Act is a commonsense solution that will shine a light on undisclosed money, giving the American people the ability to see who’s trying to influence election and policy outcomes. We’re incredibly grateful for Congressman Crow’s continued leadership and dedication to addressing this growing threat.

    “Many of those who fund campaigns want to remain in the shadows,” said Craig Holman, Ph.D. of Public Citizen. “These financers hiding in the shadows have been able to thwart disclosure of their political spending by exploiting inside connections in Congress, attaching riders to legislation that prohibit the IRS from even considering rules to disclose dark money donors. Congressman Crow’s End Dark Money Act is necessary legislation to remove these secretive legislative riders and open the books on wealthy influence peddlers.”

    Congressman Crow has long championed the End Dark Money Act. After he was first elected in 2018, it was his first bill he introduced as a Member of Congress. Crow has been a leader in the fight against corruption in Congress, having served as the co-chair of the End Corruption Caucus. He has also introduced other legislation, including the SHINE Act, DISCLOSE Act, and TRUST in Congress, to end the influence of special interests in our elections.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Virtual Immigration Forum in Spanish

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

    If you missed my virtual immigration forum in Spanish held on Tuesday, March 18, please visit my website or my YouTube page to watch the recording. My special guests, Marilu Moreno of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and immigration attorney Vanessa Esparza of the National Immigrant Justice Center, had the opportunity to answer many questions from the audience.

    This event was conducted in Spanish.If you know of anyone who could find the information helpful, please forward this message to them. The recording cab be accessed by going to my website or to my YouTube. If we didn’t have an opportunity to answer your questions,please call my Southwest office at (773) 475-0833 or my Western Suburbs office at  (773) 342-0774. 

     I stand with you and will not stop fighting for you!

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Congressman García Criticizes Republicans at Subcommittee Hearing on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Innovation and Competition for Their Complicity in Trump and Musk’s Dangerous Weaponization of AI

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, delivered a powerful statement and line of questioning at a hearing of the Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust. Congressman García’s remarks focused on the alarming ways in which Donald Trump and Elon Musk are exploiting AI to target Americans and their deliberate dismantling of essential AI safeguards. Congressman García criticized Republicans for their unquestioning allegiance to Trump and Musk, warning of the growing risks of the unchecked weaponization of AI. 

    During the hearing, the Congressman asked Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya about the implications of AI and what protections are needed for workers. You can watch Congressman García’s remarks and Commissioner Bedoya’s answer here. 

    Below is a transcript of Congressman Garcia’s remarks at today’s subcommittee hearing. 

    Thank you, Chairman Fitzgerald. 

    As usual, so far in this hearing it looks like my colleagues on the Republican side of this panel is here to champion corporate interests over workers and consumers. Today their obedience is making them argue against even reasonable regulation of the AI industry. 

    While not surprising, it’s still incredible to see them making these claims with a straight face given everything that’s going on. 

    Let’s start with the fact that the Trump Administration, and its billionaire overlord Elon Musk, are weaponizing AI to carry out their lawless and unpopular agenda. They are using AI to arbitrarily surveil students, expand the power of DHS and ICE, and gut federal agencies.

    In the hands of billionaires and authoritarians like Musk and Trump, AI is a loaded gun waiting to be used on immigrants, workers, and consumers. This is exactly why it’s absurd to oppose common-sense regulation of the AI industry. Let’s talk about what that common sense could be.

    It’s also absurd because we know what happens when we don’t enforce antitrust and consumer protection laws against technology companies. As my colleagues have pointed out, the failure to apply these laws to Big Tech companies at the dawn of the social media age has led to the dominance of these companies, which have routinely abused workers, exploited consumers, and deployed their technology to expand surveillance and trample on privacy rights. 

    That is the consequence of inaction. 

    We must learn from our mistakes, and we must prioritize workers and consumers over corporate profits.

    # # #

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NH Delegation Calls on President Trump to Fully Fund the Institute of Museum and Library Services 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    The New Hampshire delegation are calling on President Donald Trump, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley, and Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Director Alex Meyer to immediately reverse the President’s March 14 Executive Order dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and implement all Congressionally appropriated funds for IMLS and its entities. 

    The delegation wrote, in part: “We write with dismay at your attempt to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) ‘to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.’ We urge you to immediately reverse your March 14 Executive Order regarding IMLS and implement all Congressionally appropriated funds for IMLS and its entities. No agency authorized by Congress can be dismantled without another act of Congress. IMLS was established by an act of Congress in 1996.” 

    They continued: “The Granite State received more than $1.5 million from IMLS in FY2024 alone, with the money going to statewide initiatives including an interlibrary loan system, the creation of a digital library, and literacy projects like the Summer Reading Program. From the Museum of the White Mountains to the Currier Museum of Art, New Hampshire’s museums are educational assets that make world-class exhibits accessible to students and families. They also power our local economies: The American Alliance of Museums and Oxford Economics estimate that museums supported 3,574 jobs and contributed $265 million to our state’s economy in 2017.”

    They concluded: “American support for IMLS transcends party lines. We urge you to focus on supporting museums and libraries and reconsider your Executive Order that would strip educational, economic, and technical assistance opportunities from our constituents.”

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    New Hampshire’s federal delegation has been outspoken about the devastating impact that dismantling the IMLS will have on our libraries, communities, and economy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas Slams Trump Move to End Collective Bargaining for Federal Employees

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, released the following statement on the news that the Trump Administration has moved to end collective bargaining rights for a wide ranging group of federal employees, including staff at the Department of Veterans Affairs:

    “This latest Executive Order is a direct attack on workers’ rights to organize and collectively bargain for better wages, safe conditions, and full benefits. It will harm not only working families but also our security, defense, and the well-being of our veterans who receive benefits and care through the VA. I will fight this order and continue to do everything I can to protect workers who are under attack every day from this administration.”

    “The right to collectively bargain is foundational. That’s why I also support the PRO Act which will help strengthen our middle class by ensuring workers have the ability to stand together and use their collective power to negotiate. Unions built the middle class in this country and play a critical role in advocating for all American workers. I am proud to support legislation that will ensure those who put in a hard day’s work have a seat at the table and a say in their future.”

    Earlier this month, Congressman Pappas helped reintroduce H.R. 20, the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, a comprehensive, bipartisan proposal to protect workers’ right to come together and bargain for higher wages, better benefits, and safer workplaces.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas Leads Call to Restore Over $12 Billion in Funding to States for Public Health and Addiction Treatment

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    New Hampshire will lose $80 million in crucial public health funding from this decision by the Trump administration

    Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) led 50 of his colleagues in urging Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to reverse the cancellation of over $12 billion in federal grants for state health services from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This funding is critical for states and community health departments’ ability to strengthen public health infrastructure and provide life-saving health services, including mental health care and substance use disorder treatment.

    The members wrote, “You have dangerously framed this as a cost saving measure that pulls back funds no longer necessary, when instead this funding provides invaluable public and mental health services that keep our communities healthy and safe. A cessation of these funds, especially done so hastily, hinders the ability of states and awardees across the nation to protect and serve our fellow Americans.”

    “To this day, these funds are used for public health infrastructure like treatment and testing for respiratory diseases, like bird flu, and wastewater surveillance systems, which are helping us monitor the current measles outbreak. While the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended on May 11, 2023, the need for public health infrastructure did not,” they said, underscoring the risks that the bird flu and measles currently pose to the American public.

    The members stressed the importance of this funding for mental health services and substance use disorder treatment, saying, “In 2023, 49,316 Americans died by suicide  – nearly one death every 11 minutes. Clawing back SAMHSA funds aimed at addressing the substance use crises we are facing and supporting those living with mental illnesses will prove a death sentence for some.”

    “We must put politics aside and invest, rather than divest, in evidence-based solutions. Supporting our communities’ mental health needs and services requires a sustained, long-term strategy. It requires a multi-pronged approach that includes robust funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts… We urge you to reverse this decision and resume the flow of funds that help save lives,” they concluded.

    Read the letter below or here:

    Dear Secretary Kennedy, 

    We write to you regarding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) abrupt cancellation of $11.4 billion in federal grants that our states have been using for public health services and the cancellation of $1 billion in funds from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

    You have dangerously framed this as a cost saving measure that pulls back funds no longer necessary, when instead this funding provides invaluable public and mental health services that keep our communities healthy and safe. A cessation of these funds, especially done so hastily, hinders the ability of states and awardees across the nation to protect and serve our fellow Americans.

    The CDC funds, originally allocated during the COVID-19 pandemic for use toward testing, vaccination, and monitoring programs – among other uses – remain in use for important public health initiatives across the country. To this day, these funds are used for public health infrastructure like treatment and testing for respiratory diseases, like bird flu, and wastewater surveillance systems, which are helping us monitor the current measles outbreak. While the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency ended on May 11, 2023, the need for public health infrastructure did not. 

    In 2023, 49,316 Americans died by suicide  – nearly one death every 11 minutes. Clawing back SAMHSA funds aimed at addressing the substance use crises we are facing and supporting those living with mental illnesses will prove a death sentence for some. These funds were allocated, and states were rightfully depending on them to support the mental health services and supports available to their residents.

    On February 25, 2025, the CDC released its prediction that there was a “nearly 24% decline in drug overdose deaths in the United States for the 12 months ending in September 2024, compared to the previous year.”  One month later, the careless decision to revoke $1 billion in SAMHSA funding that goes toward reducing overdose deaths and other mental health services was announced. The predicted decrease in overdose deaths is promising and shows that now is the time to build on that momentum and continue investments in mental health services, not pull the rug out from underneath our communities.

    For all too many American families, the addiction epidemic and support for mental health services are deeply personal. We must put politics aside and invest, rather than divest, in evidence-based solutions. Supporting our communities’ mental health needs and services requires a sustained, long-term strategy. It requires a multi-pronged approach that includes robust funding for prevention, treatment, and recovery efforts. 

    This administration’s callous actions to reduce government spending are once again reckless and done without regard to the communities they will harm. We urge you to reverse this decision and resume the flow of funds that help save lives.

    Sincerely,

    XXX

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas Urges Rollback of Acer Grant Freeze, Raises Alarm over Negative Impact of Trump Administration on NH Maple Industry

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Funding freeze comes as Trump’s tariffs are significantly increasing costs for the more than 350 maple producers in New Hampshire, most of whom source production equipment from Canada.

    This week Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Maple Caucus, called on Secretary Rollins and the Department of Agriculture to reinstate grants delivered by the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer). 

    Acer provides essential support to the maple syrup industry in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, and freezing these grants as the administration places tariffs on Canada, one of the U.S.’s closest allies, is putting the livelihoods of maple producers at risk. Much of the equipment used to produce syrup and other maple products is manufactured in Canada, and tariffs will raise prices in an unsustainable manner for New Hampshire’s maple producers. 

    In the letter, Congressman Pappas wrote, “Since the Trump Administration’s January 2025 memo demanding the freezing of funds for thousands of federal programs, Acer recipients have not been able to access their grants. This uncertainty threatens the stability of maple producers across the industry.”

    He continued to say, “Continued investments for farmers as they look to further improve yields in the 2025 tapping season are imperative. Unfortunately, grantees are now stuck deciding if they should risk moving forward with projects despite the uncertainty of reimbursement, leaving them in a financially vulnerable position… I urge you to roll back these funding pauses and immediately disperse funds to Acer grant awardees.”

    Congressman Pappas is a small business owner and a former member of the House Small Business Committee.

    Read the full text of the letter here and below:

    Dear Secretary Rollins,

    I write to express my concern about the freeze of the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer) and its impact on the maple syrup industry. Since the Trump Administration’s January 2025 memo demanding the freezing of funds for thousands of federal programs, Acer recipients have not been able to access their grants. This uncertainty threatens the stability of maple producers across the industry. 

    The maple syrup industry is a large part of the Northeast and Upper Midwest agriculture landscape. As producers work tirelessly to achieve high yields this season, it is crucial that they have access to the Acer funds they were promised. Through supporting research and education in the industry, the sustainability of maple syrup production, the marketing of maple-sap products, and the expansion of maple-sugaring activities for the public, Acer provides important resources for strengthening the domestic maple syrup industry. 

    In 2024, the United States produced 5.86 million gallons of maple syrup, a 17% increase from 2023 production. Continued investments for farmers as they look to further improve yields in the 2025 tapping season are imperative. Unfortunately, grantees are now stuck deciding if they should risk moving forward with projects despite the uncertainty of reimbursement, leaving them in a financially vulnerable position. Further, the typical maple sugaring season runs from January through early April, making it a priority to restore funds to farmers immediately. 

    I am seeking guidance on the Department of Agriculture’s plans to restore duly allocated Acer funds to grantees and request clear guidelines to grantees so that they can continue working during the height of the maple producing season. I urge you to roll back these funding pauses and immediately disperse funds to Acer grant awardees. 

    Thank you for your attention to this request.

    Sincerely,

    Chris Pappas

    Member of Congress

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas, LaMalfa Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Repeal Federal Excise Tax on Heavy Trucks

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Congressmen Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) reintroduced the Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act which would repeal the 12% federal excise tax on heavy trucks. Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-16), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), and Max Miller (OH-07) joined in introducing this bipartisan legislation.

    The 12% excise tax on heavy trucks is the highest excise tax levied on any product in the country and could add $15,000 to $30,000 to the cost of new heavy trucks, trailers, semitrailer chassis, and tractors for highway use. Off-highway equipment such as agriculture, earthmoving, forestry, and mining machinery is exempt from the tax. This tax is paid at the time of sale and is not levied on used truck sales, consequentially encouraging the purchase of older, less safe, and less fuel efficient vehicles.

    “Every potential saving we can deliver to businesses makes a difference to help them operate and lower costs for families,” said Congressman Pappas. “Cutting the federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks and trailers will help America’s Main Street economy grow and strengthen our supply chains, while also supporting the adoption of newer, safer, and cleaner trucks. This legislation is bipartisan and commonsense, and I’ll keep fighting for Congress to take it up to provide immediate relief to small businesses and consumers alike.”

    “For over a century, the federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks has gone from a temporary wartime measure to fund World War I, to an outdated tax that punishes truck buyers,” said Congressman LaMalfa. “This is the highest percentage-based tax Congress imposes on any product, yet it fails to be a reliable source of funding for the Highway Trust Fund. This tax forces buyers to stick with older, less efficient models and makes it harder for truckers to modernize their rigs, holding back the trucking industry from updating. Let’s repeal this outdated tax and support the men and women who keep America moving.”

    This bipartisan legislation has the support of leaders across the industry. 

    “First implemented over a century ago to help finance America’s effort in World War I, the FET has become the largest excise tax on any product, adding $24,000 to the cost of each new clean-diesel tractor-trailer,” said American Trucking Associations President & CEO Chris Spear.  “Keeping this antiquated tax on the books imposes an enormous hardship, particularly for the small fleets, family businesses, and independent truckers who make up the overwhelming majority of trucking.  Removing this burden will allow motor carriers to replace their trucks with modern, safer, and cleaner equipment, which will in turn provide a boost to manufacturing jobs.  Our industry is grateful to Reps. LaMalfa, Pappas, LaHood, Carbajal, and Miller for their leadership on this issue to improve highway safety, reduce emissions, and strengthen our economy.”

    “The Clean Freight Coalition (CFC) is grateful to Reps. LaMalfa, Pappas, LaHood, Carbajal, and Miller for their leadership on repealing the FET, which will incentivize motor carriers to refresh their fleets with cleaner and safer trucks,” said CFC’s Executive Director Jim Mullen. “There are many pathways to reducing truck emissions, and replacing old equipment with trucks equipped with the most advanced technology provides immediate benefits for the environment, and at the same time protects the resiliency of the supply chain and guards against rising freight costs which are ultimately paid by consumers. The stakeholders represented by the CFC applaud the Sponsors of this bill for their efforts to improve the environment and support the trucking industry.”

    “The burdensome 12 percent Federal Excise Tax on the sale of new heavy-duty trucks and trailers is an outdated levy which drives up costs and slows the adoption of safer, more fuel-efficient vehicles,” said Scott Pearson, ATD Chairman and President of Peterbilt of Atlanta. “This onerous tax adds approximately $20,000 to the price of a new diesel truck, and $50,000 to the cost of a new electric truck. America’s truck dealers commend Reps. LaMalfa and Pappas for their leadership on this important issue, which will help motor carriers modernize their fleets and improve road safety.”

    “The U.S. tank truck industry needs relief from the outdated Federal Excise Tax—originally imposed more than a century ago to fund World War I,” said Ryan Streblow, President and CEO of National Tank Truck Carriers. “Repealing this 12% tax would empower our industry to reinvest in the specialized equipment we need—equipment that features critical safety enhancements and cleaner-emission power units to serve the U.S. bulk segment. As costs continue to rise, this tax remains a significant barrier to upgrading our fleets and supporting a safer, more sustainable supply chain.”

    Background: 

    For more than a century, the Federal government has levied excise taxes on heavy duty trucks to raise money for wartime mobilization in WW1 and WW2, fund Great Depression-era programs, and for the Highway Trust Fund. The Senate previously attempted to repeal the tax in 1975, but the House failed to include it in their version of a broad tax bill. It was last increased in 1982 to twelve percent, and although it was set to expire in 1987 it was extended in 1987, 1991, 1998, 2005, 2012, and 2015.

    Representatives Pappas and LaMalfa introduced similar legislation in the 117th Congress and the 118th Congress following a renewed appeal from the National Automobile Dealers Association. This legislation has received praise from New Hampshire small business leaders.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casten, Stauber Introduce Bipartisan Bills to Improve Access to Health Care for Aviators

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

    April 03, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressmen Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Pete Stauber (R-MN-08) introduced two bipartisan bills to improve access to health care for pilots and air traffic controllers.

    “Pilots and air traffic controllers should not be unfairly penalized for seeking health care by a system that perpetuates a culture of silence,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I’m proud to introduce these bipartisan bills to help bolster the availability of mental health care for aviators, require the FAA to eliminate significant barriers to care, and ensure everyone is given full information about what medications they may take. These commonsense changes will enable pilots and air traffic controllers to access help, should they need it.”

    “Our aviators help our friends and families conduct business, visit loved ones, and explore the world, and they do so with safety as their top priority,” said Rep. Stauber. “Mental health care is an important part of the safety mission, and we must not create barriers that deter aviators from seeking treatment. I am proud to introduce these two bills with Congressman Casten to ensure our aviators get the care they need while keeping our skies safe.”

    The first bill, the Mental Health in Aviation Act, is co-sponsored by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA-02) and Representative Tracey Mann (R-KS-01). The legislation would eliminate barriers to mental health care for aviators and require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement recommendations of the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee within two years. 

    “At such a trying time for U.S. aviation, we must support the mental health of the dedicated aviation workforce who, every day, help ensure the traveling public reach their destination safely,” Ranking Member Larsen said. “That’s why I’m so proud to support the Mental Health in Aviation Act, legislation from Representatives Casten, Stauber and Mann to modernize the FAA’s mental health policies and remove barriers in access to critical care.”

    “Our nation’s pilots, air traffic controllers, and flight crews carry an overwhelming weight of responsibility in upholding the Gold Standard of American aviation while simultaneously keeping passengers safe,” said Rep. Mann, a co-sponsor of the Mental Health in Aviation Act. “As these talented professionals work tirelessly to maintain American aviation as the standard for the world, it’s important that they have access to resources and information to help care for their mental health and manage stressors appropriately. When the country is already facing an imminent pilot shortage, this legislation encourages more individuals to pursue careers in aviation by providing them with the tools they need to be successful.” 

    The second bill, the Aviation Medication Transparency Act, would require the FAA to publish and regularly update a list of approved medications for aviators.

    For a list of quotes from organizations who support the Reps. Casten and Stauber’s legislation, please click here.

    If you or someone you know is struggling, there are resources to help you. Call or text 988 to connect with a trained professional and receive support 24/7.

    Mental Health in Aviation Act

    Currently, pilots and air traffic controllers who seek mental health care are unfairly penalized by a system that perpetuates a culture of silence. While aviation professionals are mandated to report if they seek mental health care, once they take that step, they are faced with delays, confusion, and overbroad regulation in the process of returning to work. This often means that relatively minor mental health concerns result in long wait times and derailed careers for safe and well-trained pilots and air traffic controllers, which exacerbate the culture of silence that is rooted in fear for their livelihoods.

    In December 2023, the FAA recognized the need to reform its current policies and established the ARC to identify barriers to mental health care for aviators and present recommendations to the FAA to address these challenges. 

    To address these barriers, the ARC coalesced around a list of 24 recommendations to eliminate some of the main barriers to care. The Mental Health in Aviation Act requires the FAA to take the following steps:

    Regulations for Individuals Carrying Out Aviation Activities

    • In consultation with stakeholders, implement the recommendations of the ARC within two years
    • Report to Congress on its plans to implement recommendations to improve pilot mental health care from the National Transportation Safety Board, and a description of relevant clinical studies, manuals, and other protocols.

    Annual Review of Mental Health Special Issuance Process

    • Annually review and update process related to mental health-related special issuance for pilots and air traffic controllers to: reclassify and approve the use of additional medications, improve mental health knowledge and training to Aviation Medical Examiners, as appropriate defer additional authority to Aviation Medical Examiners, and improve the special issuance process; and report to congress. 

    Authorization of Appropriation for Additional Medical Examiners

    • Authorizes $13.74 M for each of the next three years to recruit, and train additional Aviation Medical Examiners and fund and expand capacity in the Flight Surgeon’s Office.

    Public Information Campaign

    • Authorizes $1.5M for each of the next three years to destigmatize mental health care among aviators, and make pilots and air traffic controllers aware of available services to help.
    • Report to Congress.

    Text of the Mental Health in Aviation Act can be found here.

    The legislation is endorsed by the Pilot Mental Health Campaign,  Air Line Pilots Association, Airlines for America, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, National Flight Training Alliance, the National Business Aviation Association, and NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP).

    Aviation Medication Transparency Act

    Currently, the FAA provides Aviation Medical Examiners with specific guidance on medications that are safe for aviators and those that necessitate grounding for various periods. However, this crucial information is not made accessible to pilots, non-aeromedical physicians, or air traffic Controllers.

    As a result, an aviator may unknowingly take prescription medications that could potentially jeopardize their career. If both the aviator and their physician had access to information regarding permissible medications, they could opt for similar medications that would not pose such risks. To make sure pilots and air traffic controllers have full information, the Aviation Medication Transparency Act requires the publication of a list of approved medications. Further, this bill requires that the FAA:

    • Publish and maintain this list of medications that are safe for pilots and air traffic controllers to take while working within one year of enactment.
    • Maintain this list in consultation with various stakeholders
    • Ensure that this list is comprehensive and drafted in a user-friendly and accessible manner.
    • Indicate what, if any, period of time aviators must have limited duties while taking this medication
    • Indicate a list of medications that the FAA has designated as “Do Not Issue”
    • Include any other clarifications it deems necessary
    • Update this list annually
    • Include a mechanism for doctors to seek information from the FAA should they have any questions

    Text of the Aviation Medication Transparency Act can be found here.

    The legislation is endorsed by the Pilot Mental Health Campaign, Airlines for America, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the National Business Aviation Association, and the National Flight Training Alliance.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Underwood’s Bipartisan Baby Changing on Board Act Passes Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

    WASHINGTON – Today, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed Rep. Lauren Underwood’s Baby Changing on Board Act (H.R. 248). The legislation is co-led by Rep. Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and would require new Amtrak trains to be equipped with baby changing stations in all restrooms, providing essential amenities for families traveling across the country.

    Amtrak serves millions of families as a reliable and affordable transportation option, but many trains still lack basic facilities such as baby changing stations, creating unnecessary challenges for parents and caregivers. Under the Baby Changing on Board Act, Amtrak would utilize existing funds to install baby changing stations in new train cars, ensuring all trains meet a minimum service standard for family amenities.

    “Parents and caregivers shouldn’t have to worry about whether there’s a safe and clean place to care for their kids while traveling,” said Rep. Underwood. “This legislation is a practical, necessary step to make sure families have access to the amenities they need on Amtrak. This is common-sense, bipartisan legislation to support families, and I look forward to it passing the House.”

    “Ensuring families have access to baby changing stations in Amtrak train cars is a simple, common-sense solution that will make a world of difference,” said Congressman Van Drew. “As a parent myself, I know how important it is for families traveling with young children to feel comfortable and supported during their journeys. By tapping into existing funding to put in these stations, we are meeting a real need and making travel a lot easier for parents and their little ones. Every family deserves that kind of support on their journeys.” 

    The Baby Changing on Board Act represents a significant step forward for families, especially those undertaking long journeys on Amtrak routes. By ensuring new trains are equipped with basic, family-friendly facilities, this legislation promotes a more inclusive and accessible travel experience for parents and caregivers nationwide.

    The Baby Changing on Board Act is supported by leading organizations, including A Better Balance, MomsRising Together, and the National Women’s Law Center.

    With committee approval secured, the bill now moves to the full House for consideration.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. LaMalfa Co-Leads Legislation to Repeal California’s Extreme Vehicle Emissions Mandates

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

    Washington, D.C.— Yesterday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee along with key California Western Caucus members introduced three Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions to overturn the Biden administration’s approval of California’s vehicle emissions mandates, including the Advanced Clean Cars II regulation, the Advance Clean Trucks regulation, and the Omnibus Low-NOx Emissions rule. These rules, previously approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), allow California to impose aggressive regulations on cars and trucks that drive up costs and restrict consumer choice in California and nationwide.

    The three CRAs, co-lead by Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale), were introduced by Representatives John Joyce (R-PA), John James (R-MI), and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and would repeal these unrealistic mandates, preventing California from being able to force these costly policies on its residents and onto the rest of the country.

    “California’s sweeping and unachievable emissions mandates are a direct assault on everyone who lives, works, or does business in our state,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “These regulations drive up costs, limit consumer choice, and force trucking and automotive industries into an impossible transition timeline. Californians are already paying some of the highest fuel and energy costs in the country. These rules are causing the cost of new and used cars and trucks to increase for everyone. If you want to buy an electric vehicle, buy one, but everybody else shouldn’t be forced into this mandate. The Federal Government cannot allow one state to destroy the American car and truck market. Instead of making life even more expensive, we should focus on what consumers want. I’m pleased to support this effort to stop California’s insanity and protect drivers and consumers across my state and the country.”

    “The American people should choose what vehicle is right for them, not California bureaucrats. By submitting the three California waivers to Congress, Administrator Zeldin is ensuring that Congress has oversight of these major rules that impact every American,” said House Energy and Commerce Chairman Guthrie. “The Committee has been committed to addressing this issue since California first attempted to create a de facto EV mandate. Energy and Commerce Republicans will continue to fight against far-left policies that would harm consumers and will now work to ensure that the Congressional Review Act process finally puts these issues to rest.”

    Background

    Under the Clean Air Act, states are generally prohibited from setting their own tailpipe emission standards for cars and trucks. However, California has a unique exemption under Section 209, which allows the state to establish its own emissions regulations if it submits a waiver to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and receives approval. Once granted, these California standards can also be adopted by other states under Section 177 of the Clean Air Act. Currently, about a dozen states follow California’s emissions policies, effectively turning the state’s regulations into a nationwide mandate.

    The Biden administration approved several controversial waivers requested by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), allowing the state to impose extreme emissions rules that impact car and truck costs and availability across the country. These include:

    • Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC2) – Approved in December 2024, this regulation mandates that 35% of new car sales be zero-emission by 2026, increasing to 100% by 2035. At least 12 states have already adopted ACC2. Failure to meet this goal means a maximum penalty of $25,000 per non-compliant vehicle sold to consumers.
    • Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) – Approved in March 2023, this regulation forces truck manufacturers and retailers to meet strict zero-emission quotas by 2035, including 55% of Class 2B-3 truck sales, 75% of Class 4-8 straight truck sales, and 40% of truck tractor sales. At least 11 states have adopted ACT.
    • Omnibus Low-NOx Emissions Rule – Approved in December 2024, this regulation imposes aggressive emissions reductions on medium- and heavy-duty truck and other engines, requiring NOx emissions to be cut by 75% below current standards for Model Year 2024-2026 compared to 2010 levels and particulate matter emissions to be cut by 50%.

    Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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