NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rutherford, Neguse Introduce the PLAN for School Safety Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rutherford (4th District of Florida)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Congressmen John H. Rutherford (R-FL-05) and Joe Neguse (D-CO-02) introduced H.R. 2577, the Preparing Leaders to Assess Needs (PLAN) for School Safety Act. This bipartisan bill would provide resources to states to establish school safety development centers to help schools conduct assessments of their safety, identify evidence-based solutions to improve safety, and access state and federal grant funding.

    “Every child has a right to feel safe at school,” said Rutherford. “While I am proud of the significant federal resources Congress has made available for schools to help improve security measures across the nation, many of our schools are still struggling to find, apply, and use these important resources. That’s why I introduced the PLAN for School Safety Act with Rep. Neguse to help connect subject matter experts with school leaders to better facilitate participation in school safety programs and grants. As a former sheriff and lifelong member of law enforcement, I know firsthand that we must invest in security to prevent violence before it ever happens.”

    “In Colorado, far too many of our community members have lost a loved one to the tragic scourge of gun violence in this country,” said  Neguse. “To better protect our students and their schools, I am proud to join a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing the PLAN Act—a commonsense step to implement solutions proven to keep our kids safe.”

    “We applaud Reps. Rutherford and Neguse for leading this bipartisan work to support educators and protect children through the PLAN for School Safety Act. This is a sensible and necessary step to address some of the gaps that exist today in school safety planning. There are many proactive ways that schools can prevent violence, self-harm, and suicide, but access to these proven solutions is crucial. The PLAN Act provides that bridge and will ultimately lead to much more effective planning to keep schools safe from school shootings and other acts of violence,” said Mark Barden, co-founder and co-CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rutherford, Moody Reintroduce the Bipartisan, Bicameral HELPER Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rutherford (4th District of Florida)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives John H. Rutherford (R-FL-05), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), and Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02) reintroduced H.R. 2094, the Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act, in the House. Senators Ashley Moody (R-FL) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) also introduced companion legislation the U.S. Senate.

    This bipartisan, bicameral bill would establish a new home loan program, modeled after the successful Veterans Affairs (VA) loan program, under the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to make homeownership more accessible for teachers and first responders by eliminating some of the requirements for first-time homebuyers, like down payments and monthly mortgage insurance premiums.

    “As a former sheriff and member of law enforcement, I know how important it is to have law enforcement officers living in the communities they serve,” saidRep. Rutherford. “However, due to today’s competitive housing market, many of our nation’s first responders and educators face financial obstacles that prevent them from buying a home. That’s why I’m proud to reintroduce the bipartisan, bicameral HELPER Act with my colleagues in both the House and Senate to make homeownership a reality for law enforcement officers, teachers, paramedics, EMTs, and firefighters. We all would greatly benefit from calling these civil servants our neighbors.”

    “Our first responders, nurses, and teachers work every day to strengthen and secure our communities,” saidRep.Watson Coleman. “It’s no wonder they’re some of the most trusted professions in America. Yet many of them struggle to purchase their first homes and set down roots in the towns and cities they serve. It’s time we eliminated the barriers that make it so difficult for our teachers and frontline workers to secure housing, and the HELPER Act does just that.”

    “Our first responders and educators dedicate their lives to serving our communities, yet many struggle to afford homes in the neighborhoods they protect and teach in,” said Rep.Garbarino. “The HELPER Act would address this challenge by creating a targeted home loan program to help these essential workers achieve homeownership. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to ensure those who serve our communities can also afford to live in them.”

    “After working tirelessly to look after our families and communities, our cops, paramedics, firefighters, and teachers shouldn’t have to struggle with housing. That’s why I’m proud to help introduce the bipartisan, bicameral HELPER Act, which will help lower the barriers to homeownership for those who devote their lives and careers to service,” saidRep.Gottheimer. “I’ll always fight to lower costs and to make life more affordable for our hardworking families.”

    “Florida is the most pro law enforcement state in the nation,” saidSen.Moody. “Over the past six years, while many other states and cities disparaged and cut funding for law enforcement, I fought for raises, bonuses, relocation assistance, and other benefits to show these officers that we value their service. The HELPER Act is the next great step in ensuring these heroes know we appreciate their hard work and sacrifices. It will also help them purchase a home in the community where they serve. As the wife of a law enforcement officer, I see firsthand the sacrifices made each day. Standing up for the LEO community will always be a top priority of mine, and I am proud that my first bill in the U.S. Senate will help them make their dream of homeownership a reality.”

    “I’m working across the aisle to support Georgia’s teachers, first responders, and law enforcement officers by making homeownership more affordable for public servants who teach our kids and protect our families,” saidSen. Ossoff. 

    “The HELPER Act is a crucial step in supporting the brave men and women who serve as police officers, firefighters, EMTs, paramedics, and teachers—workers who are struggling to afford their first homes despite their dedication to our communities. This legislation helps make homeownership more accessible for these critical public servants and provides local governments with an important tool to recruit and retain them. I’m grateful for the leadership of U.S. Representatives Rutherford, Watson Coleman, Garbarino, and Gottheimer, and U.S. Senators Moody, Ossoff, Cassidy, and Warnock in advancing this vital legislation.” said SamuelP.Royer, the original champion behind the HELPER Act and founder and president of Salute Home Loans.

    The HELPER Act would:

    • Create a one-time-use home loan program through FHA for law enforcement officers, firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), paramedics, and pre-K through 12 teachers who are first-time homebuyers
    • Eliminate a down payment requirement on a mortgage
    • Remove a monthly mortgage insurance premium (MIP) requirement
    • Require an upfront mortgage insurance premium (UFMIP) to ensure the solvency of the program

    The HELPER Act has also received support from the following organizations: American Association of State Troopers (AAST), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), International Association of EMTs and Paramedics (IAEP), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Troopers Coalition (NTC), and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) among others.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Axi launches ‘Four Years’ campaign with Manchester City stars

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SYDNEY, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Leading online FX and CFD broker Axi has unveiled their new campaign, Four Years. Featuring Manchester City stars, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and John Stones, the campaign celebrates four years of partnership and shared success.

    Since 2020, Axi, the Official Online Trading Partner of Manchester City, has leveraged their access to the club’s players to create compelling content and to showcase their unique offerings. This year, the campaign celebrates four remarkable years of collaboration, reflecting on shared achievements, and ultimately, reaching new heights together, including the record setting, four consecutive Premier League titles.

    Hannah Hill, Head of Brand and Sponsorship at Axi, expressed her enthusiasm for their new campaign, stating, “Working with the City players has been a very exciting experience, year after year. When we started our collaboration with the club back in 2020, we couldn’t have anticipated just how extraordinary these four years would turn out to be. Our latest campaign, Four Years, celebrates it all. The challenges that we navigated, the shared ambition and strive for excellence, and the unprecedented success we’ve achieved together. The campaign is also a testament to our clients and partners–it’s the details that give you the edge, and it’s our pledge to continue providing the edge they need to maximise their full trading potential.”

    Further to the broker’s collaboration with Manchester City, Axi is also the Official LATAM Online Trading Partner of LaLiga club, Girona FC, the Official Online Trading Partner of Brazilian club, Esporte Clube Bahia, and have also named England international John Stones as their Brand Ambassador in 2023. Four Years follows a series of notable achievements and accolades for Axi–recently, the broker was recognised as ‘Innovator of the Year’ at the 2024 Dubai Forex Expo and was named ‘Most Innovative Proprietary Trading Firm’ by Finance Feeds, awards* that highlight the broker’s forward-thinking commitment in shaping future of the trading industry.

    Watch video https://youtu.be/AWTcHN18JBg

    *Granted to the Axi Group of Companies.

    About Axi

    Axi is a global online FX and CFD trading company, with thousands of customers in 100+ countries worldwide. Axi offers CFDs for several asset classes including Forex, Shares, Gold, Oil, Coffee, and more.

    For more information or additional comments from Axi, please contact: mediaenquiries@axi.com

    About Manchester City Football Club:

    Manchester City FC was initially founded in 1880 as St Mark’s West Gorton and officially became Manchester City FC in 1894. Situated on the wider Etihad Campus, the Club’s footprint includes the 53,500 capacity Etihad Stadium, the 7,000 capacity Joie Stadium and City Football Academy, a state-of-the-art performance, training and youth development facility home to the Club’s men’s, women’s and academy teams.

    Ranked as the Most Valuable Football Club Brand in the Premier League by Brand Finance, Manchester City FC is currently developing a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Campus. The Club is committed to operating in a sustainable and socially responsible manner and ensures that equality, diversity and inclusion is embedded into its decision-making processes, culture and practices.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carter champions bill improving health care access in rural America

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

    Headline: Carter champions bill improving health care access in rural America

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Shomari C. Figures (D-AL), Michael Rulli (R-OH), and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) today introduced the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025, a bill extending critical programs that increase access to health care services in rural communities.


    Rural residents often encounter barriers to accessing health care, including workforce shortages, distance and transportation issues, facility closures, and health insurance coverage. These roadblocks result in unmet health care needs, leading to a 43 percent higher mortality rate for rural Americans compared to those living in cities and suburbs. By reauthorizing Rural Health Services Outreach programs, this bill will lead to increased access to health care services and preventive screenings, improved chronic disease management and health outcomes, expanded telehealth services, and reduced emergency department visits for the nearly 500,000 individuals who receive direct services for these programs annually.


    “Health care outcomes should not be dependent on a patient’s zip code. We must ensure that vitally important health services are able to reach people in all communities, which is exactly what the Rural Health Care Services Outreach Programs do. Reauthorizing these programs will continue President Trump’s legacy of supporting rural communities’ chronic health care needs through flexible, community-driven solutions,”     said Rep. Carter.


    “Improving rural health care is one of my top priorities, and I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation,”     said Rep. Figures. “This bill reauthorizes critical programs that will strengthen access to quality health care in my district and other communities across the country.” 


    “Week after week, we hear ridiculous stories of taxpayer money being sent to shadowy organizations overseas. Meanwhile, rural communities here at home are left behind, struggling to access the care they deserve. That’s why I’m proud to stand with Congressman Carter today in sponsoring the Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025. This reauthorization ensures that grants supporting healthcare in our underserved communities will continue—and taxpayer dollars will go where they’re needed most: to the American people,”     said Rep. Rulli.


    “The Eighth District is nearly 10,000 square miles, with many of my constituents living in rural communities that depend on a scarce number of medical providers in their area. In Congress, I’m focused on supporting rural health care to ensure that Americans can get care close to home,”     said Rep. Schrier. “As a doctor, I understand the importance of rural clinics and hospitals. Without them, patients, including those in my district, would have to drive even farther to seek medical care. That’s dangerous in an emergency. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to extend key federal grants that strengthen rural health care.”


    In FY 2022, over 85 percent of grant recipients through these programs demonstrated improvement in one or more clinical measures, such as controlled A1cs and blood pressure.


    “Rural residents often encounter barriers to accessing healthcare including workforce shortages, distance and transportation issues, healthcare facility closures. The Rural Health Care Services Outreach programs seek to break down these barriers by supporting community-driven initiatives to promote care coordination, chronic disease prevention, and sustainable health solutions in underserved rural areas. NRHA applauds Representatives Carter, Figures, Rulli, and Schrier for their efforts to reauthorize these critical programs and for their continual support of the health of rural communities.” –     Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer, National Rural Health Association


    Background

    In 2020, President Trump signed into law legislation reauthorizing rural health outreach services programs under the 2020 CARES Act through FY 2025. The Improving Care in Rural America Reauthorization Act of 2025 will extend these critical programs through 2030. Further, bill changes will ensure that local rural needs are prioritized in grant awards. 

    Read full bill text here. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Carter Delivers Opening Statement at Subcommittee on Health Hearing on Over-the-Counter Drug Regulation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

    Headline: Chairman Carter Delivers Opening Statement at Subcommittee on Health Hearing on Over-the-Counter Drug Regulation


     Subcommittee Chairman Carter’s opening statement as prepared for delivery:


     “I want to welcome everyone to today’s hearing on the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Program, referred to as ‘OMUFA.’ I’m especially pleased that we’re talking about the reauthorization of this program as almost 5 years to the date, the initial bill – sponsored by my good friend from Ohio, Representative Latta, as well as one of Georgia’s finest, Senator Johnny Isakson – was signed into law by President Trump in March 2020.


     “The enactment of this program reformed and modernized the regulation of OTC monograph drugs and authorized the FDA to assess and collect user fees dedicated to OTC monograph drug activities. Industry and public health stakeholders supported these reforms, which have provided the FDA with additional resources and tools to streamline the monograph process to increase access to quality commonly used drugs and self-care products for the American consumer. This program is designed to improve innovation, while maintaining the FDA ‘gold-standard’ of safety.


     “The current legislative authority for OMUFA expires September 30th, 2025 – at which point, new legislation will be required to reauthorize the Over-the-Counter Monograph User Fee program for another five-year term.


     “Over-the-counter medications are widely used to treat common ailments such as colds, headaches, and seasonal allergies. In fact, nearly 9 out of every 10 Americans use OTC medications regularly and trust these affordable remedies to get well and stay healthy. Safe, reliable, and affordable OTC drugs allow consumers to treat common ailments at home, usually without visiting a health care provider, saving the health care system billions annually.


     “Of particular note is a company called Symrise. They own and operate a manufacturing plant in Georgia’s First Congressional District. Symrise manufactures aroma molecules and fragrance ingredients, which are used in various consumer products across a number of product categories. They also manufacture two of the key UV filters that are commonly used in many OTC sunscreens on the market today.


     “Sadly, Symrise’s Colonel’s Island plant experienced a serious fire in 2022. Symrise made the strategic decision to re-invest in the site and restore its capacity in my community, at a time when other companies were leaving. They successfully completed renovations and today, the plant is again fully operational, back at its pre-fire capacity. This is a real success story, and we are grateful for their commitment to Georgia.


     “We are also fortunate to have Mr. Kevin Menzel before our Committee today. Mr. Menzel is President of Focus Consumer Healthcare, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kobayashi Healthcare. Kobayashi was founded as a family company in 1886 in Japan. They established a presence in the United States in 1998, and maintain manufacturing and operations in Dalton, Georgia – employing 270 people with products ranging from OTC medicines and supplements, to recreational products like Hot Hands Hand Warmers. Georgia’s pro-business climate and infrastructure make it an ideal location for companies such as Kobayashi. In fact, just recently, Kobayashi began expanding its U.S. manufacturing footprint even further, with a significant announced investment in Georgia — doubling its capacity to support ongoing growth and expand employment.


    “Success stories such as Symrise and Kobayashi highlight why it is critical for this Subcommittee to reauthorize the Over-the-Counter Monograph Drug User Fee Program in a timely manner. This program demonstrated the ability to bring more jobs back to America, while increasing access to safe, reliable, and affordable OTC drugs.


     “I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today and working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reauthorize this program on time and through regular order.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carter statement on 3rd ID soldiers deceased in Lithuania

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

    Headline: Carter statement on 3rd ID soldiers deceased in Lithuania

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today released the following statement after the 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, GA identified the four soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team who were found deceased in Lithuania:


    “My heart breaks for the families of Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez, Jr., Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, and Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins. While none of these brave men were native to Georgia, they are forever part of our state’s, and nation’s, story thanks to their selfless, courageous service. Please join me in praying for their loved ones, the Ft. Stewart community, and all those impacted by this tragic loss of life.

    “I will be holding a moment of silence on the House floor next week and invite my colleagues to stand alongside me in honor of these four American heroes. We are forever indebted to those who lay down their lives in defense of ours.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Frankel Co-Leads Bipartisan Bill to Reimburse Local Police and Fire Departments for Presidential Security Expenses

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

    Washington, DC – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) and Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ-07) have introduced the Presidential Security Resources Reimbursement Act, a bipartisan bill to allow the Secret Service to reimburse local law enforcement and fire departments for the assistance they have provided protecting President Trump when he is at his residence in Palm Beach. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, the Town of Palm Beach Police Department, and the City of West Palm Beach Police Department anticipate a total of $45 million in expenses incurred by the end of 2025 for protection of President Trump at the direction of the U.S. Secret Service.

    “Protecting the President is a matter of national security and should be a federal responsibility to bear the costs,” said Rep. Frankel. “Diverting funds for presidential security can strain local governments’ ability to provide essential public services. That’s why I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation with Rep. Kean, Jr., to ensure that local governments are fully reimbursed for these necessary costs.”

    “The Secret Service relies on strong collaboration with local law enforcement to fulfill its mission effectively,” said Rep. Kean. “Currently, much of that responsibility falls on small-town taxpayers and local budgets. We must ensure our local law enforcement has the resources they need to do their job successfully. That is why I am reintroducing this commonsense legislation—to ensure the necessary funding is readily available to support every security operation.”

    “At the request of the federal government, Palm Beach County has consistently stepped up to ensure that President Trump has the best security protection available anytime he is in residence in our community,” said Palm Beach County Mayor Maria Marino. “We consider it an honor to serve and protect our President; however, our tax paying community cannot continue to foot the bill for this very costly service. We need help and relief from this significant local financial impact that is projected to cost over $45 million by fiscal year end.”

    Full bill text can be found here. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Frankel Joins Congressional Colleagues to Defend Congress’s Article I Powers, Slam Unlawful and Dangerous Shuttering of USAID

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

    Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Lois Frankel, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP); Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee and Co-Chair of the Litigation and Rapid Response Task Force; and Gregory Meeks, Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, in conjunction with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Assistant Leader Joe Neguse, and the Litigation and Rapid Response Task Force, led an amicus brief joined by 202 House Democrats standing up to the blatant executive overreach and illegal dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) by the Trump Administration in the matter of American Foreign Service Association, et al. v. Trump, et al.

    As the House Leaders argued in their brief, the President’s directive blatantly violated Congress’s lawmaking and spending powers as explicitly outlined in Article I of the United States Constitution, by dismantling a federal agency authorized and repeatedly funded by acts of Congress. The unlawful shuttering of USAID undermines national security and causes irreparable harm to America’s global competitiveness.

    “At less than one percent of our federal budget, U.S. foreign assistance strengthens national security, prevents pandemics, expands markets for American businesses and farmers, and promotes democracy worldwide,” said Ranking Member Frankel. “The Trump Administration’s reckless, secretive dismantling of USAID—without Congressional review or a public hearing, is dangerous and a violation of federal law that requires the involvement of Congress before any such moves.”

    “Elon Musk didn’t establish USAID and he doesn’t have the power to destroy it,” said Ranking Member Raskin. “Trump and Musk’s lawless attempt to dismantle USAID is seriously dangerous. It would give free rein to authoritarian powers, like China and Russia, to spread their influence over the globe. For more than 40 years, USAID has stopped crises and epidemics from spreading to our shores by promoting stability and strong democracy around the world with humanitarian assistance, health programs and vaccines, water projects and economic development. House Democrats are joining the fight now to ensure Trump and Elon don’t plunge the world into more chaos and misery while trampling our Constitution.”

    “Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s destruction and dismantling of USAID is not only disastrous foreign policy and counter to our national security interests; it is plainly illegal. Congress wrote a law establishing USAID as an independent agency with its own appropriation, and only Congress can eliminate it. I have met with USAID workers around the globe and they are patriotic, hardworking Americans promoting our interests abroad while aiding some of the most vulnerable people on this planet. I am honored to lead this brief and to stand with USAID workers,” said Ranking Member Meeks.

    “Donald Trump and Elon Musk are unlawfully dismantling the United States Agency for International Development. Decimating this critical agency is morally corrupt, weakens our national security and is wildly inconsistent with the United States Constitution. USAID was authorized by Congress, and only Congress has the power to close it. I am grateful to Rep. Greg Meeks, Rep. Lois Frankel and the Litigation Working Group for their leadership intervening in this urgent matter. House Democrats will continue to forcefully and successfully push back against the illegal actions of the Trump administration,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

    “House Democrats and the Litigation Task Force are working to vindicate the Constitution, and will not turn our heads to the Trump Administration’s illegal directives to gut agencies and programs proven to keep Americans safe. We will continue to ensure this president and this administration are held accountable to the rule of law,” said Assistant Leader Neguse.

    The amici curiae are lawmakers well-versed in the drafting of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998—which established USAID as an independent agency—and the recent Appropriations Acts. Their brief asserts that USAID is required to be funded as provided by statute and states that any unilateral attempts to dismantle the agency, such as efforts to “feed[]USAID to the wood chipper” and “[c]lose it down,” are prohibited by Article I of the Constitution, as recently reaffirmed by the Continuing Resolution enacted by Congressional Republicans on March 15, 2025.

    The shuttering of USAID, including placing thousands of workers on leave and halting nearly all congressionally approved foreign aid, undermines a critical component of the federal government responsible for global stability and American security. For nearly 40 years, USAID has played a central role in preventing crises, fostering economic opportunities abroad, and mitigating the conditions that contribute to violent extremism and instability. Scaling back its work not only weakens these efforts but also creates a vacuum for global competitors like China, Russia, and Iran to expand their influence.

    For full text of the amicus brief, click here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Frankel Joins Sen. Schatz, Congressional Colleagues Urging Trump Administration to Reverse Illegal Gutting of U.S. Agency for Global Media

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

    Lawmakers: “These Actions Are Not Just Illegal and Wasteful, They Run Counter To Our Interests of Promoting Free Expression, Combating Censorship”

    Washington, DC – Representative Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security and Department of State (NSRP) and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, led a bicameral letter urging United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) Acting CEO Victor Morales and Special Advisor Kari Lake to rescind the Trump administration’s illegal actions to dismantle the agency, terminate grants for several government-funded outlets worldwide, and place Voice of America and other federal staff on administrative leave.

    “Congress reaffirmed its commitment to your agency, its mission, and its personnel by funding the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) at $866.9 million in the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extension Act, 2025, and expects that each of the entities will continue their unique mission of broadcasting content to audiences around the world,” the lawmakers wrote. “Your decisions to terminate the grants to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia (RFA) (in addition to withholding funds for the BenarNews service), Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and Open Technology Fund; place on administrative leave Voice of America (VOA), Office of Cuba Broadcasting, Technology, Services, and Innovation, and other federal staff; cancel hundreds of contracts; and pull transmissions from the air violate several provisions in the appropriations bill.”

    The lawmakers continued, “These actions are not just illegal and wasteful, they run counter to our interests. America’s authoritarian adversaries are investing billions in state-backed media, targeting the same countries USAGM entities reach. With an audience of 427 million people speaking more than 60 languages, USAGM networks are a trusted and reliable source of information in the face of state censorship, including in the People’s Republic of China, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Cuba, and Afghanistan, and across Eastern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. The technology developed by the Open Technology Fund and used across grantees will leave users who are dependent on their tools to circumvent censorship stranded. Once America loses the trust of these audiences, it will be difficult to get it back.”

    “We respectfully request that you rescind the actions you have taken to date and refrain from any further downsizing or terminations, and that you ensure you are in compliance with your legal requirements, including to consult and notify Congress of any proposed changes and to meet congressional spending directives,” the lawmakers concluded.

    In addition to Frankel and Schatz, the letter was signed by Democratic members of the their respective committees including U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), as well as U.S. Representatives Grace Meng (D-N.Y.), Norma Torres (D-Calif.), and Mike Quigley (D-Ill.).The full text of the letter is available here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Frankel, DeLauro, Williams (GA), Leger Fernández Introduce Resolution Recognizing Equal Pay Day

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

    Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Lois Frankel (FL-22), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Nikema Williams (GA-5), and Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-3) introduced a resolution recognizing March 25th, 2025, as Equal Pay Day to underscore the disparity between wages paid to men and women. The resolution raises awareness of the gender wage gap and its impact on women, families, and the nation, while reaffirming Congress’ commitment to supporting equal pay for equal work.

    “Equal pay is not only a matter of fairness and justice—it’s essential for creating a more equitable and prosperous world,” said Rep. Frankel. “For the first time in over two decades, the gender wage gap widened this past year, setting women back instead of continuing to push forward. For generations, women have received unequal pay for equal work, disproportionately occupied jobs in low-paying industries, and been forced to leave the workforce altogether due to lack of affordable child care. It’s long past time Congress took the necessary steps to close the wage gap.”

    “Equal Pay Day marks how far into the current year a woman must work to catch up to what her male counterpart earned in the previous year,” said Rep. DeLauro. “Six decades after passage of the Equal Pay Act of 1963, women working full-time or part-time still earn 75 cents for every dollar earned by men. We are in a cost-of-living crisis – this must end. Equal pay for equal work is a simple concept – men and women in the same job deserve the same pay. It is time we make it real for the millions of American women who are being unfairly undervalued in the workplace. Let’s enact the Paycheck Fairness Act and empower working women by giving them the tools to ensure their contributions to the workplace are properly respected and reflected in their pay.”

    “For the first time in more than two decades, the gender wage gap has widened, hitting Black women and women of color the hardest. Equal pay is more than a women’s issue, it is a matter of economic justice and racial justice,” said Rep. Williams. “When women are paid less for the same work, families suffer, communities struggle, and our economy falls short. I’m proud to co-lead this resolution to reaffirm our commitment to closing the gender wage gap and fully realizing the promise of the Equal Pay Act of 1963.”

    “It’s been 61 years since we passed the Equal Pay Act. And we still don’t have equal pay?! It keeps getting worse because there isn’t a mechanism to fight this discrimination. Every member of the DWC is a proud cosponsor of Rep. DeLauro’s Paycheck Fairness Act so women can challenge pay discrimination and hold employers accountable,” said Rep. Leger Fernández. “We are fighting for legislation to guarantee wage transparency so women know when they’re being paid less for the same work. We are fighting for paid leave for all so that no woman has to choose between their paycheck and caring for their loved ones. This is not just a matter of fairness—it’s a matter of dignity. We believe in a world where you can balance your work and your family without losing the job that sustains you.”

    “Women today continue to face too many obstacles in the workplace, and the wage gap is just one of those barriers. When you look at all workers, both those who are full-time and part-time, women being paid just 75 cents for every dollar a man is paid is simply unacceptable and has a significant impact on the economic stability of women and their families,” said Jocelyn C. Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women & Families. “The ability to support a family and earn a good living should be accessible for every worker.  Closing the wage gap would help women workers make huge strides towards getting there. Thank you to Congresswoman Lois Frankel and all of our champions in Congress for drawing needed attention to the need for pay equity on this year’s Equal Pay Day.”

    More than six decades after passage of the Equal Pay Act, women working full-time, year-round, still earn on average 83 cents for every dollar made by men, while women overall—including part-time and seasonal workers—are paid just 75 cents for every dollar paid to men, averaging much less for women of color. Black women only earn 66 cents, American Indian and Alaska Native women 58 cents, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders 65 cents, and Latinas 58 cents for every dollar earned by men. For a woman working full-time, year-round, the current wage gap represents a loss of more than $462,000 over the course of her career, a gap that widens dramatically for women of color. The wage gap impacts women’s ability to save for retirement and their total Social Security and pension benefits, contributing to more older women living in poverty.

    Since taking office, President Donald Trump has rolled back critical workplace protections, opening the door for greater wage disparities and weakening longstanding safeguards for women seeking fair pay. This includes rescinding a nearly 60-year-old executive order that prohibited government contractors from discriminating in their hiring, firing, promotion, or pay practices—further disadvantaging women, particularly women of color, who already face barriers to equal wages. He also illegally dismissed two commissioners from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), tasked with preventing and addressing employment discrimination based on sex, gender, and other factors.

    The resolution currently has 126 original cosponsors. It is supported by several advocacy groups, including the National Partnership for Women & Families, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), Equal Rights Advocates, the American Association of University Women (AAUW), the National Organization for Women, the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), the National Employment Law Project, One Fair Wage, Justice for Migrant Women, the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), and Family Values @ Work.

    For full text of the resolution, click here.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Frankel, Kean, Jr. Urge FAA to Reimburse Businesses Affected by Presidential Flight Restrictions

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

    Washington, DC – This week, Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL-22) and Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ-07) urged Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau to provide reimbursement to airports and businesses affected by Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) during President Trump’s visits to his residences in Palm Beach, Florida, and Bedminster, New Jersey. Impacted facilities include Palm Beach County Park Airport (Lantana Airport) and airports in the Bedminster area.

    These recurring airspace restrictions significantly disrupt airport operations, resulting in major revenue losses for small, local businesses operating at these airports—such as flight schools, maintenance services, and propeller shops.

    “Protecting the President is a responsibility we all share, regardless of political affiliation,” said Rep. Frankel. “But it’s the federal government—not local businesses or airports—that should bear the cost of these necessary security measures.”

    “Protecting national security and supporting small businesses should not be mutually exclusive,” said Rep. Kean, Jr. “I am proud to represent a district with small, family-run airports that play a vital role in our community—and one that the President calls home part-time. While Temporary Flight Restrictions are critical for the President’s safety, they can also impose significant financial hardships on local airports and aviation businesses. That’s why Rep. Frankel and I are urging the FAA to use money that Congress has already provided to reimburse businesses for lost revenue and disrupted operations.”

    According to the Florida Aviation Economic Impact Study conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation, businesses at Lantana Airport employ more than 750 workers and contribute over $144 million annually to the local economy.

    For full text of the letter Reps. Frankel and Kean, Jr. sent, click here.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Vice Chair Allen, Matsui, Walberg Reintroduce the FUTURE Networks Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

    Congressman Rick W. Allen (R-GA-12), Vice Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Ranking Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, and Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI-05), reintroduced the Future Uses of Technology Upholding Reliable and Enhanced (FUTURE) Networks Act, legislation that directs the FCC to bring together industry leaders, public interest groups and government experts to establish a 6G Task Force.

    “6G is the future of telecommunications and we must ensure the United States is a global leader in this emerging technology,” said Congressman Allen. “Just like in the business world, we want the best, most qualified individuals to have a seat at the table. By establishing a 6G Task Force, we can bring together America’s brightest industry leaders, stakeholders, and innovators to collaborate on the future deployment of 6G and strengthening our wireless networks. As Vice Chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I am proud to co-lead the FUTURE Networks Act this Congress.”

    “To keep America at the vanguard of wireless communications technology, we need to be proactive in our preparations for the next generation of networks,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “6G holds the potential to revolutionize connectivity, support smart transport, and supercharge augmented reality applications for education, healthcare, and manufacturing. The race to 6G isn’t just about faster phones – it’s about national security, economic security, and America’s standing on the international stage. The FUTURE Networks Act will bring together experts within the communications industry, academia, public interest organizations, and government to accelerate U.S. leadership in next-generation communications.”

    “Our economic and national security depend on the United States remaining the leader in wireless technology,” said Congressman Walberg. “I am proud to partner with Representatives Matsui and Allen to introduce this vital legislation which brings stakeholders together to continue to strengthen our networks to protect them from cyberattacks, improve wireless security, and promote innovation. The FUTURE Networks Act will better prepare us for the future deployment of next-generation 6G networks.”

    Specifically, the FUTURE Networks Act:

    • Requires the FCC to establish a 6G Task Force comprised of industry, government, and public interest representatives to issue a report on:
      • The role of standards setting bodies in 6G
      • Possible use cases for 6G technology
      • Potential threats such as supply chain or cybersecurity, and;
      • Interagency coordination and promoting deployment

    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Austin Scott Recognizes Congressional App Challenge Winners

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08)

    WARNER ROBINS, Ga.– U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) recently announced the Eighth District’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge Winners at a ceremony at Houston County High School.

    Houston County High School students Micheal Do and Hieu Tran won first place with their app Signify, which generates a real-time translation of American Sign Language (ASL) to English.

    “I am always blown away by the creativity and talent of our young constituents, and I congratulate our App Challenge winners on their amazing accomplishment,” Rep. Scott said. “I encourage all students to participate in the upcoming app challenge this year!”

    Signify collects images through a video recording using a mobile phone camera. It then utilizes a machine learning model that has been trained using hundreds of images to track a person’s finger and hand movements using sign language. It then compares these new gestures with the gestures it was trained on to classify and output the translation of the sign in English.

    Signify will be featured on the U.S. House of Representatives website and displayed in an exhibit in the U.S. Capitol Building alongside winners from other participating Congressional Districts across the country.

    The first runner-ups were Lowndes High School students Aarin Dave and Aarav Dave with their app Redove, which utilizes extended reality (XR) technology to immerse long-term or isolated hospital patients into a world that provides a sense of freedom or familiarity. 

    The Congressional App Challenge is an annual, nationwide event intended to engage students’ creativity and encourage their participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This competition allows students to compete with peers throughout their own Congressional District by creating and exhibiting their software application, or “app,” for web, PC, tablet, mobile, or other platforms.

    All current middle and high school students (6-12th grade) residing in or attending school in the Eighth Congressional District are encouraged to start planning for the 2025 Congressional App Challenge. Students may compete as individuals or in teams of up to four as long as two of the teammates are eligible to participate in the district. More details will be announced this Spring.

    Additional details can be found on Rep. Scott’s website or by contacting Rep. Scott’s Warner Robins office at (478) 971-1776.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Austin Scott Announces 2025 Congressional Art Competition

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08)

    TIFTON, Ga.—U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) today announced that his office is taking submissions for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition.

    All high school students (9-12th grade) who reside in or attend school in the Eighth Congressional District are encouraged to participate.

    The winning entry will be displayed in the United States Capitol for a year alongside artwork from every congressional district across the country. Artwork submitted must be original in concept, design, and execution, no larger than 26” x 26” x 4”, and can be in the form of paintings (oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.), drawings (pastels, colored pencil, pencil, charcoal, ink, markers), collage (must be two dimensional), prints (lithographs, silkscreen, block prints), mixed media, computer-generated art, or photography.

    All artwork must be framed when submitted. Artwork that is submitted on a canvas does not require framing; however, it must have hooks affixed for hanging.

    This year, all the entries from across the district will be displayed at the Syd Blackmarr Art Center in Tifton, Georgia, for an exhibit and awards ceremony on May 4, 2025, at 2:00pm.

    All artwork must be framed and submitted by April 18th at one of the following drop-off locations:

    Rep. Scott’s District Office in Warner Robins: 120 Byrd Way, Suite 100, Warner Robins, GA

    Rep. Scott’s District Office in Tifton: 127-B Central Ave N, Tifton, GA

    To learn more about the Congressional Art Competition, visit here.

    For more information or questions, please contact Charles White in the Tifton District Office at (229) 376-8061 or email charles.white@mail.house.gov.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Austin Scott, Sanford Bishop, Senators Jon Ossoff, and Rev. Warnock Reintroduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Establish Ocmulgee Mounds as Georgia’s First National Park & Preserve

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Representatives Austin Scott (GA-08) and Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), alongside U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock, reintroduced the bipartisan Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Establishment Act, which would establish the Ocmulgee Mounds and surrounding areas in Middle Georgia as Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve.

    “Establishing the Ocmulgee Mounds and surrounding areas as Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve remains a top bipartisan initiative for all lawmakers and stakeholders involved,” said Rep. Austin Scott. “The Ocmulgee Mounds are of invaluable cultural, communal, and economic significance to our state, and I am committed to keeping this initiative moving forward.”

    “I am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this bipartisan bill. By establishing the Ocmulgee Mounds as Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve, we are highlighting over 17,000 years of history and culture as well as welcoming people from across the country to enjoy Georgia’s natural beauty,” said Rep. Bishop. “Elevating the status of and expanding this site to a national park and preserve will raise awareness about it, increase public hunting and fishing grounds, encourage more visitors to our area, and boost the local economy.”

    “We made unprecedented progress last Congress toward creating Georgia’s first ever National Park,” Senator Ossoff said. “I look forward to working alongside Congressman Scott, Senator Reverend Warnock, Congressman Bishop, the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, and local leaders to successfully establish Georgia’s first national park.”

    “Ocmulgee Mounds is a living testament to our intertwined histories and a robust source of economic and cultural vitality, so I’m proud to continue supporting the bipartisan, bicameral efforts to establish Ocmulgee Mounds as Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I want to thank Congressmen Scott and Bishop for their yearslong efforts on this in the U.S. House, as well as Senator Ossoff for his leadership. Local leaders and everyday Georgians have been waiting for Congress to act and now is the time. Working together, we can prove what is possible when we put politics aside to serve the people of Georgia.”

    The House bill is cosponsored by 11 other members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation: Representatives Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01), Brian Jack (GA-03), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Rich McCormick (GA-07), Mike Collins (GA-10), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Rick Allen (GA-12), David Scott (GA-13), and Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14).

    The area is the ancestral home of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and has been inhabited continuously by humans for over 12,000 years. American Indians first arrived in the area during the Paleo-Indian Period hunting Ice Age mammals. Around 900 CE, the Mississippian Period began, and Muskogean people constructed mounds for meeting, living, burial, agricultural, and other purposes, many of which remain today and would be encompassed in the new U.S. National Park and Preserve.

    “The Muscogee (Creek) Nation remains steadfast in our support of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Park and Preserve Bill. The opportunity to make the historic Ocmulgee Mounds a national park is so important to us because we have been included, we have been shown the respect of collaboration, and because of that we can feel confident that the living history that will be told here is authentic and has the power to elevate Georgia forever. We are thrilled to continue offering our support for this legislation every step of the way,” said David Hill, Principal Chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.

    “I cannot overstate the importance of this legislation to our region, state, and country. Tens of millions of private dollars have been leveraged to conserve the precious cultural and ecological resources of the Ocmulgee Corridor and this bipartisan legislation allows us to continue to grow the middle Georgia economy, protect our national security interests at Robin Air Force Base, expand hunting and fishing access, and authentically preserve some of the most culturally significant sites in the country,” said Seth Clark, Macon Mayor Pro Tempore and Executive Director of the Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative. “We’re grateful for the continued bipartisan dedication of the Georgia delegation. And call for the swift passage of this legislation this year so that we can continue our stewardship of this landscape and our economy.” 


     “Preserving the undeveloped lands within the Ocmulgee River Corridor is critical to safeguarding Robins Air Force Base from incompatible land use, ensuring we can sustain our national security missions,” said Brig. Gen. John C. Kubinec, USAF (ret), President/CEO of 21st Century Partnership. “This park and preserve will also provide our military members and their families with valuable opportunities for outdoor recreation and leisure, enhancing their quality of life while strengthening the economic vitality of Middle Georgia.”

    “Establishing Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve at Ocmulgee Mounds will serve as a robust form of economic development for Middle Georgia while conserving the site’s important series of ecological and cultural assets. Representatives Austin Scott and Sanford Bishop with their bipartisan leadership and admirable partnership with the Muscogee (Creek) Nation have assembled a broad statewide coalition including chambers of commerce, hunters and anglers, and conservation organizations working to pass this legislation. The formal process of creating a National Monument out of the Ocmulgee Old Fields formally began in 1933, when the Macon Junior Chamber of Commerce purchased the sites and requested their protection. Today, through the leadership of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce and other local leaders, we are one step closer to making that a reality. The Georgia Chamber is proud to support Representatives Scott and Bishop’s legislation to create Georgia’s first National Park and Preserve, after almost a century of civic advocacy,” said Chris Clark, CCE, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber.
      
    “The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce has long seen the national and park and preserve designation as a top congressional priority. Getting this done this year is vital to the economic viability and stability of middle Georgia. Being home to Georgia’s first and only national park and preserve will create a better business climate, allow for lower taxes, and create thousands of good paying, sustainable jobs. Our members have marshaled tens of millions of dollars in preparing middle Georgia for the passage of this legislation and as we have for almost a century, we and the greater middle Georgia business community fully support and call for getting it done this year,”     said Jessica Walden, President and CEO of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce.

    The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Austin Scott Supports Continuing Resolution to Avoid Government Shutdown

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) today released the following statement after supporting H.R. 1968, the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act.

    “I supported the continuing resolution to keep our government open today. Our fiscal year starts October 1st, and we need to immediately start the appropriations process for the next fiscal year so we don’t end up in this situation again,” Rep. Scott said.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Austin Scott Responds to President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08) today released the following statement after attending President Donald J. Trump’s Joint Address to Congress:

    “President Trump has delivered on his promise to secure our borders and halt the flow of deadly fentanyl and cartels into our country. His administration is also exposing and eliminating tax dollar abuse. I look forward to continuing to work with the administration to advance national and global security.”

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Hank Johnson Celebrates Students of Georgia’s Fourth District at “Future of the Fourth” Event

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

    LITHONIA, GA – On February 22, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) hosted his “Future of the Fourth” reception at the Lou Walker Senior Center to honor outstanding young leaders from Georgia’s Fourth Congressional District. The event recognized students who have excelled in technology, service, and leadership including winners of the district’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge and nominees for U.S. Service Academies. 

    “This event was about celebrating the bright future of our district,” said Congressman Johnson. “These young leaders are innovators, scholars, and dedicated individuals who will shape our community and our nation in the years to come.” 

    During the ceremony, students from Chamblee High School, Arabia Mountain High School, and Rockdale Magnet School were honored as winners of the Congressional App Challenge, highlighting their achievements in technology. The event also recognized students nominated by Congressman Johnson to our nation’s military academies including – the United States Military Academy (West Point), the United States Coast Guard Academy, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the United States Air Force Academy.  

    The program featured a performance, special guests, and local leaders, creating a memorable event that underscored the importance of investing in the next generation.  

    Watch the event livestream HERE.  

    View event photos HERE. Photos available upon request.  

    About Congressman Hank Johnson: 
    Hank Johnson represents Georgia’s 4th Congressional District, where he is a staunch advocate for civil rights, public safety, and economic justice. Learn more at https://hankjohnson.house.gov/  

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Johnson Leads Re-Introduction of JUDGES Act To Create More Federal Judgeships

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

    Courts Subcommittee Ranking Member Hits Reset Button To Fill Judgeships Based on “Next Unknown President”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), ranking member of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, AI and the Internet, along with Jerry Nadler, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust (NY-12) and Judiciary Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (MD-08), re-introduced Judicial Understaffing Delays Getting Emergencies Solved Act of 2025 (JUDGES Act) to create more federal judgeships.

    It’s based on S. 4199, a formerly bipartisan bill that passed the Senate in 2024 that Democrats and Republicans in Congress negotiated to give the next unknown president 23 new life-tenured judges over the next four years in office. House Republicans reneged on that deal and refused to bring the Senate-passed bill to the House floor until after the election, once they knew Trump would get the first set of judges. They are now forcing the bill through to pack the federal courts with judges driven not by a duty to the law, but by their ultra-conservative ideologies and fealty to Trump.

    “MAGA Republicans only want to add new judgeships when they can rig the game in their favor,” said Rep. Johnson. “And that’s exactly what they are trying to do by pushing through more judges now: Make certain our third branch is so deeply loyal to one man that our system of justice cannot possibly work without him. Our 250-year experiment in self-governance will succeed only if Americans continue to believe that judicial independence means that judges are not subject to pressure and influence from an administration trying to lay waste to our democratic system of government. So I am proud to reintroduce this bill with my colleagues, which gets back our original deal and takes the politics out of judgeships by giving judges to the next unknown president. Because our independent judiciary is the backbone of our democracy, I will not just stand here and let the Trump-Musk administration try to dismantle it one branch of government at a time.”

    “Last Congress, Ranking Member Johnson and I worked together to advance the bipartisan JUDGES Act to give the next, then unknown, President additional judicial appointments to eliminate the backlog in our federal court system,” said Congressman Nadler. “We had sought a commitment from Republicans to pass this bill before the November 2024 election, but when Donald Trump wasn’t doing so well in the polls, Speaker Johnson refused to bring the bill up for a vote. Democrats refuse to reward this betrayal by letting President Trump continue to pack the courts. I’m proud to join Ranking Members Johnson and Raskin in introducing the JUDGES Act to give the next, still unknown, President additional judgeships.”

    “As Trump and his lawless Administration demand judges be impeached for the crime of upholding the Constitution against them, it would be unconscionable to reward the Republican party’s constant betrayals of the Constitution and their own agreements by giving them even more power to stack the bench,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee. “We won’t be party to another Republican court-packing scheme—that’s why we’re introducing legislation to give additional judicial appointments to the next unknown president, restoring the fair and bipartisan deal we struck last Congress, the only kind of deal that has ever worked in this field.”

    Background: S. 4199 was a bipartisan bill predicated on the agreement that Republicans and Democrats would give future unknown presidents federal judgeship appointments. In doing so, Congress could expand the number of federal judges in the United States while avoiding the trap of knowingly giving any one political party or president more power. The JUDGES Act was only going to work if Republicans and Democrats worked together to pass the bill before Election Day, on November 5, 2024. The Senate did its job and unanimously passed S. 4199 in August 2024. But Speaker Johnson refused to move this important bill before the election. Now that the central promise of the JUDGES Act is broken, MAGA Republicans are playing politics and trying to force their version of this bill through to give Trump more judges in an attempt to undermine the very backbone of our democracy: the independent judiciary.

    The last time Donald Trump was in power, he used his office to appoint individuals driven not by a duty to the law, but by their ultra-conservative ideologies and loyalty to him. 

    Here are a few examples of the federal judges he nominated during his first term:

    Judge Kyle Duncan was appointed to the Fifth Circuit by Trump in 2017, where he allowed the Texas ban on abortions to take effect during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite a district court finding that it would cause “irreparable harm”; undermined the Fair Housing Act; and blatantly sided with employers in labor cases. 

    Trump appointed Judge Aileen Cannon to the federal bench in 2020 only 12 years after she was first admitted to practice law. She has garnered widespread criticism for her conduct in the Trump documents case, including her decision to appoint a special master to review Trump’s documents, which was overturned by the 11th Circuit.

    Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk was a First Liberty attorney known for his anti-LGBTQ cases when he was appointed by Trump in 2019. As a federal judge, conservative activists have successfully sought to end up in his courtroom, where he has suspended the FDA’s approval of lifesaving abortion pills and ruled against LGBTQ protections

    Text of bill HERE.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Congressman Johnson Holds Press Conference on GOP Healthcare, Medicaid Cuts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

    STONECREST, GA – On Thursday, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) held a press conference at a senior care facility in South DeKalb to highlight the dangerous consequences of House Republicans’ Rip Off reconciliation budget legislation and its drastic cuts to Medicaid.

    WATCH HERE

    Joined by Nadine Johnson, Director of Care One Franchise, Inc. (COFI), residents and family members who receive care at COFI and Protect Our Care Georgia State Director, Joe Binns, the Congressman raised the alarm about the pending cuts to the social safety net for the poor and elderly.

    “President Trump and House Republicans promised they would lower costs for everyday Americans,” Rep. Johnson said. “They lied. Instead, they just announced a new push to cut Medicaid and take health care away from kids, parents, and seniors. The Trump-Musk-House Republican budget includes hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid and food assistance for kids, seniors, and veterans.”

    Nadine Johnson (no relation), whose residents depend on Medicaid to help receive her services, said cuts to Medicaid would deeply impact the community.

    “If we’re not able to access the supplemental funding from Medicaid that we receive now, we’d have to close our business,” she said. “And that would mean many more seniors and disabled individuals would be facing homelessness. It would wreak havoc in our communities.”

    “The consequences of cuts to Medicaid would touch nearly every household in America including people in this room today,” said Binns. “Medicaid provides health care to over 72 million people — six in 10 nursing home residents, 30 million children, 9 million adults with disabilities, and 14 million adults with mental illness. If they slash Medicaid, it will wreak havoc on state budgets and services. Rural Hospitals will close and the Americans who rely on them will be left behind. America’s skyrocketing mental health crisis will be exacerbated, and the nation’s maternal health crisis will get significantly worse.”

    From the Congressman’s full statement: 

    Co-President Trump and his MAGA Republican allies who control Congress have proposed another tax cut for Trump and his billionaire buddies. They propose $2-4 trillion in  permanent tax cuts for billionaires and corporations, and they plan to pay for it by cutting Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and SNAP benefits for women and their babies.

    This is straight up war on poor and regular working people, which  will raise the cost of everything — including healthcare and medicine. It will also drive nursing homes and personal care homes out of business. These are places and people who we depend on to take care of our elderly, many of whom are suffering from dementia. MAGA wants to gut vital programs like Medicaid that help people survive, so that they can give billionaires like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg another big fat tax cut.  

    With that, I’m pleased to be here with my constituents to highlight the human side of all these drastic cuts. It’s folks like Nadine, her residents and their families who will be impacted the most. With that, I’m pleased to introduce Nadine Johnson, the director of Care One Franchise, Inc., where we are today – Nadine.
     

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Johnson Headlines UN Atlanta Chapter Black History Month Event on Capitol Hill: Celebrating Resilience & Empowerment: The 2nd International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034)

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On December 17, 2024, the United Nations proclaimed a Second International Decade for People of African Descent 2025-2034. This Second International Decade confronts the legacies of enslavement and colonialism, delivers reparatory justice, and secures the full human rights and freedoms of people of African descent worldwide.

    In support of that effort, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) and Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) reintroduced their resolution supporting the UN resolution by reaffirming the United States’ commitment to advancing racial justice, addressing systemic inequities, and promoting the rights and dignity of people of African descent globally.

    On Monday, February 24, 2025, in celebration of Black History Month, Congressman Johnson addressed the United Nations Association Black History Month Event: Celebrating Resilience and Empowerment: The Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034) on Capitol Hill. 

    To watch the event, click HERE. To read Congressman Johnson’s speech, click HERE. 

    “The Second Decade for People of African Descent is more than a recognition, it is a call to action,” said Congressman Hank Johnson. “As we face a resurgence of challenges to racial justice and human rights, we must stand firm in our commitment to progress. Black communities have long been at the forefront of change, shaping history through resilience, advocacy, and leadership. This decade is not just about reflecting on the past — it is about advancing justice, securing equality, and building a future where dignity and opportunity are a reality for all. History will not judge us by our words alone, but by what we do today and tomorrow.”

    “I was proud to co-lead the resolution calling for a Second International Decade for People of African Descent, and I’m glad that the UN did the right thing in declaring the Second Decade as we entered a moment of severe backsliding around the world,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “With American democracy under attack, we are turning toward African-descendent communities across the globe now more than ever for their perspectives, lessons learned, best practices, and strategies for resistance and triumph. Someone has to fight for our rights and our democracy, and like always it’s going to be Black communities leading the charge against authoritarianism.”

    Danielle Dean, Vice Chair of Advocacy, United Nations Association said: “The Second Decade for People of African Descent offers an opportunity to bring greater awareness of what the decade is, and inspire action within our own communities. More can be done to include young voices, inspire local communities and partner with our national and international friends to deliver on the vision of the first decade.”

    Quote from Gimena Sanchez-Garzoli from WOLA:  “At a time where there is global democratic backsliding and a growing anti-rights, anti-diversity and anti-inclusion movement the Second Decade will protect the rights gained and advance the newer challenges faced by Afro-descendants including the climate crisis and racial bias in new technologies.”

    Quote from Raudemar Ofunshi Hernandez, Afro-Latino Spiritual Leader: “Our destiny has given us an opportunity to, with the leadership of Representatives Hank Johnson and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, jointly with the Black Caucus and our big ancestral army, to fulfill our overdue dreams.”

    The moderator of the event was Tracy Gray, President, United Nations Association of the United States of America, Atlanta Chapter. The panelists included: 

    Professor Justin Hansford, Director of the Howard University, Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center and Member of the UN Permanent Forum of People of African Descent.
    Rachel Bowen Pittman, Executive Director of the United Nations Association of the United States of America.
    Dr. Tonija Hope, Director, Ralph Bunche International Affairs center, Howard University. member of the US Civil Society Committee for the Joint Action Plan to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Discrimination (JAPER) and Chair of the US Civil Society Committee for the US-Colombia Action Plan to Promote Racial and Ethnic Equality (CAPREE).
    Gimena Sanchez-Garzoli, Director of Andes, Washington Office of Latin America.
    Raudemar Ofunshi Hernandez, Spiritual Leader and President, Colombia Acuerdo de Paz NGO

    Key topics of the event addressed:  

    Achievements of the First International Decade
    Contributions of African-descended communities
    Setting priorities for the Second International Decade
    Building global solidarity through the UN framework

     

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Hank Johnson Honors ‘Trailblazers’ During Annual Women’s History Month Ceremony

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

    STONECREST, GA– On Saturday, March 22, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) hosted his fifth annual Trailblazer Awards, recognizing 11 outstanding women who have made significant contributions in their respective professions and communities and have become pioneers in their careers.

    Held during Women’s History Month, the event honored leaders in business, education, public service, arts and entertainment, and beyond – those who have broken barriers, uplifted others, and paved the way for future generations.

    This year’s honorees include:

    o   Dr. Syreeta Ali McTier – Education, DeKalb County Schools
    o   Florence Battle Shafiq, MD – Healthcare & Community Advocacy, Retired Physician
    o   Mrs. Susan McGhee Crawford – Arts & Culture, Founder, Trendsetters Dance Company
    o   Mrs. Cynthia Dorsey Edwards – Higher Education & Leadership, Executive Director, Storehouse of Solutions, Inc.
    o   Ms. Jackie Davis – Arts & Entertainment, Founding Owner, UniverSoul Circus
    o   Mrs. Shelbia L. Jackson – Film & Entertainment, Director, DeKalb Entertainment Commission
    o   Mrs. Claudette Leak – Public Service, DeKalb County Government
    o   Ms. India Pullin – Nonprofit & Community Advocacy, Founder, Step Up in Georgia, Inc.
    o   Ms. Sandy Purkett – Public Service & Education Advocacy, Retired Federal Investigator
    o   Dr. Charlene Spurlock – Education, DeKalb County Schools
    o   Ms. Rachel R. Zeigler – Education, DeKalb County Schools

    Additional special guests included: GA-04 Poet Laureate Hank Stewart, nationally renowned trumpeter Melvin M. Miller, recording artist ARIA, and violinist Clarissa Walker.

    View the livestream HERE. Photos available upon request. 

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Foster Statement on the Dismantling of the Department of Education

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education:

    “Trump’s executive order dismantling the Department of Education is reckless, illegal, and destined to fail in the courts. Only an Act of Congress can abolish a federal agency that Congress itself created.

    “Gutting the Department of Education would hurt children at all levels—particularly in rural and low-income schools, as well as students with disabilities. Teachers would be laid off, class sizes would increase, and access to college and job training would disappear. Chaos would ensue for students who rely on federal student loans.

    “We also must not forget that the Department of Education was founded to ensure the protection of students’ civil rights in response to school segregation. My father wrote much of the enforcement language behind the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that desegregated southern schools. In Congress, I will keep fighting to ensure that our education system remains a tool for opportunity, not exclusion.”

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Foster Statement on Continuing Resolution Vote

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

    Washington, DC – Tonight, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement: 

    “Today, I voted against Republicans’ plan to reduce access to Social Security, reduce funding for veterans’ health care, slash infrastructure investments, and cut nutrition and rent assistance for families who need it most. Republicans had months to negotiate with Democrats to craft a bipartisan funding bill. Instead, they chose to set the stage for massive new tax cuts for Trump, Elon, and their billionaire buddies. 

    “As Congress’ only PhD physicist, I’m also deeply concerned about the $185 million in cuts to our Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation programs in this bill. A funding gap of this size would substantially affect our national security, paving the way for countries like Iran, terrorist groups, and other adversaries to more easily get their hands on nuclear material. 

    “At the end of the day, Republicans control the House, Senate, and White House. If they can’t put an end to their infighting, and still refuse to negotiate a compromise with Democrats, they alone will be responsible for a shutdown.”

     

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Foster Leads Colleagues in Demanding Answers on NSF Firings

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) announced that they led 37 Members of Congress in expressing their concern with the recent firing of 168 workers at the National Science Foundation (NSF).

    In a letter to President Trump and NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan, the Members wrote:

    “These rash decisions, alongside the Administration’s freeze on NSF grant funds and cancellation of all grant review panels, will not only cause our country to miss out on the scientific breakthroughs that cancelled research could lead to, but we could also lose a generation of scientists who cannot complete their NSF-supported graduate and postdoctoral training. A “brain drain” from the federal government, or from the STEM fields overall, would be catastrophic […]

    “If our country fails to continue to make these advancements, we fear that China and our other research-focused adversaries will fill the gap and get ahead. This poses a threat to our national security not only because of the potential improvements in defense-related technologies, but also because more and more of the free world will become dependent on their inventions and economy, giving China the upper hand in world affairs.”

    A full copy of the letter can be found here.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Foster, Obernolte Bipartisan Department of Energy Accountability Bill Passes House

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

    Washington, DC – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Cost-Share Accountability Act, introduced by Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA). This legislation would strengthen the Department of Energy’s accountability to Congress and the public when awarding funding grants.

    While many Department of Energy projects require cost-sharing by their grant recipients, these requirements can be reduced or even eliminated in certain instances. This legislation would increase accountability by requiring the department to make public and submit to Congress quarterly reports on the use of its authority to modify or bypass the statutory cost-sharing requirement.

    “For Congress to fulfill our oversight responsibilities, we must be able to access information on how our departments and agencies are operating,” said Foster. “Cost-sharing requirements help protect the use of federal funds at the Department of Energy. As the department continues their next-generation research and development, it’s critical Congress understands how cost-sharing is implemented in support of their projects.”

    “The federal government has a responsibility to be a good steward of taxpayer dollars,” said Obernolte. “The Cost-Share Accountability Act ensures greater transparency in how the Department of Energy administers cost-sharing requirements, helping Congress and the public hold our institutions accountable. I’m proud to see this commonsense, bipartisan measure pass the House.”

    A copy of the legislation can be found here.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Foster Introduces Legislation to Promote Political Spending Transparency for Investors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced the reintroduction of the Shareholder Political Transparency Act. This legislation would amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require publicly traded companies to make quarterly disclosures to their shareholders detailing the types and amounts of political spending they engage in, ensuring greater transparency for investors and the public.

    “Political contributions from publicly held companies should not be a secret, especially to people who invest their hard-earned money in them,” said Foster. ”This legislation is a commonsense measure that would provide investors with all the facts necessary to make informed decisions about where to put their money.” 

    The Shareholder Political Transparency Act is cosponsored by Reps. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Sean Casten (D-IL), Chuy García (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Jim Himes (D-CT).

    A copy of the legislation is available here.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHNEIDER, WAYS & MEANS DEMS SEEK TO REIN IN TRUMP’S UNILATERAL TARIFF AUTHORITIES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, along with fellow committee members Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Don Beyer (VA-08), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), today introduced the Repealing Outdated and Unilateral Tariff Authorities Act which would repeal Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, an outdated and dangerous tool that President Trump is threatening to use to destabilize global trade.

    “Since taking office, President Trump has taken a reckless, arbitrary, and punitive approach to trade policy that will only hurt American consumers, American companies, and the entire U.S. economy,” said Rep. Schneider. “Tariffs, when used strategically, can be an important tool in defending U.S. economic interests – but that’s far from the sledgehammer and whipsaw approach President Trump has so far shown to be the only way he knows. Congress must exercise its constitutional responsibilities and step in to put a check on the President’s authority to punish our small businesses, retirement accounts, and economy. That’s what the Repealing Outdated and Unilateral Tariff Authorities Act will do – it removes a dangerous, never-before-used tool, Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, from President Trump’s arsenal and reclaims Congress’s trade authority.”

    Recent media reports have suggested that President Trump may use Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose reciprocal tariffs on U.S. allies on April 2, 2025. Section 338 is a Great Depression-era provision that gives the President unilateral authority to impose up to 50 percent tariffs in response to “discriminatory behavior” by U.S. trading partners. Notably, Section 338 does not require the President to consult with Congress before imposing tariffs or publicly disclose the evidence supporting the decision. 

    “President Trump has already exploited the law to ramp up his trade war with some of our closest allies and trading partners,” said Rep. DelBene. “This legislation would prevent him from imposing sweeping tariffs on American consumers through yet another previously unused and untested law without first getting a vote in Congress.” 

    “Ensuring that our trade policies are fair and effective means removing outdated and unnecessary tariff authorities that could be misused,” said Rep. Panetta. “Our legislation would take a commonsense step to eliminate Section 338, an untested and excessive authority that is redundant to existing trade enforcement tools and potentially dangerous to our economy. I’m proud to support this effort to bring more certainty and balance to our trade policies.”

    “In a few short months, President Trump has abused multiple trade authorities as he initiates trade wars with our allies,” said Rep. Sewell. “Congress must act to draw back trade authorities from this administration in order to protect American consumers, farmers, and manufacturers from President Trump’s reckless trade agenda. I am proud to join my colleagues in this effort to strengthen our checks against this administration.”

    “The Trump administration’s economically and reputationally destructive abuse of existing trade authorities has made it plain that even as-yet unused executive authorities like Section 338 present an unacceptable risk to our economy. Repealing this authority is an important step in a necessary and overdue reassertion of Congress’ constitutional role in trade policy,” said Rep. Beyer.

    Full text of the resolution is available here.

     

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Schakowsky, Jayapal, DeLauro, Doggett Lead Effort to Protect Medicare

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

    Full Text of Letter (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) are leading 74 lawmakers in calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to enact urgent reforms to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. As the Trump administration and Elon Musk look for ways to cut fraud and wasteful spending, corporate MA plans should be a major target to save billions each year.

    Unlike Traditional Medicare, MA plans are administered by private insurers and have been found to be fraught with waste and abuse while sacrificing patient outcomes for higher corporate profit and threatening the overall solvency of Medicare. 

    “Initially promoted as a way to save taxpayer dollars and improve quality of care, the Medicare Advantage program has continuously cost more than if the same enrollees were covered by Traditional Medicare and has not improved health outcomes. We strongly urge you to rein in the wasteful and harmful practices committed by corporate health insurers in MA,” wrote the Members.

    The private insurance companies running MA plans mislead the public by claiming their plans save money and improve care. However, private insurers in MA overcharged CMS by at least $83 billion in 2024 without any improvements to the quality of care for patients. These overpayments to private insurers threaten the stability of the entire Medicare program for the 65 million Americans who rely on it. 

    “At a time when Americans are paying nearly $26,000 per family in premiums per year, while the largest US insurer made $23 billion in annual profits, reining in profiteering could not be more important,” continued the Members. 

    The Members are specifically calling on CMS and the Department of Health and Human Services to take the following actions: 

    • Eliminate waste and abuse from overpayments by improving risk adjustment calculations in the proposed 2026 Medicare Advantage Rate Notice;
    • Strictly enforce the overpayment regulations for Medicare Advantage Organizations outlined in the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule;
    • Strengthen enforcement against MA insurers that illegally deny care;
    • Address additional barriers to care, including by enforcing statutory requirements compelling insurers to disclose the methodology behind algorithms used for coverage decisions, and;
    • Enact reforms to reduce disparities in care.

    “We cannot continue to allow Medicare Advantage to be a source of profit for greedy companies and suffering for seniors and people with disabilities. Medicare Advantage has never delivered on the promise of actually lowering the cost or improving the quality of care,” said Eagan Kemp, Health Care Policy Advocate for Public Citizen. “In the short term, there must be enhanced oversight of the Medicare Advantage program to ensure enrollees get the care they need and bring down unnecessary overpayments. In the long run, we must improve and expand traditional Medicare to guarantee it is around for decades to come.”

    “Every day in my work as a gynecologic oncologist, I witness the harms inflicted on my patients by the profit-driven Medicare Advantage plans they were forced into by economic circumstances or their retirement plans. Care delays and denials decrease their chances of cancer cure and lead to needless suffering and hours of wasted healthcare provider time,” said PNHP President Dr. Diljeet K. Singh, M.D., DrPH. “I urge all members of Congress to fight for your constituents by taking the actions outlined in this letter to “Eliminate waste and abuse from overpayments, strengthen enforcement against MA insurers that illegally deny care, address additional barriers to care, and enact reforms to reduce disparities in care.”  Please support this effort to protect the health of all Medicare enrollees, extend the solvency of the Medicare Trust Fund, and curb billions in taxpayer overpayments driven by for-profit insurers.”

    The letter is cosigned by Alma Adams (NC-12), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Danny Davis (IL-07), Christopher Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Al Green (TX-09), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Robert Scott (VA-03), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Lauren Underwood (IL-04), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-05). 

    It is also endorsed by Just Care USA, Social Security Works, Families USA, Consumers Council of Missouri, Physicians for a National Health Program, People’s Action, Center for Health Progress, Center for Health and Democracy, The People’s Lobby, MoveOn, National Nurses United, Progressive Maryland, Center for Medicare Advocacy, National Health Care for the Homeless Council, Citizen Action of Wisconsin, Connecticut Citizen Action Group (CCAG), Physicians for a National Health Program of Minnesota, Public Citizen, Be A Hero, Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), PSARA (Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action), Healthcare NOW, United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE), Michigan United, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), and Citizen Action of New York. 

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Schakowsky, Markey Introduce Legislation to Protect Clean Water and Wastewater Utilities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

    Full Text of Bill (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and U.S. Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and introduced the Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act, legislation that would provide funding for clean water and wastewater utilities to become members of the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC). The WaterISAC is a critical source of information and best practices for water systems to protect against, mitigate, and respond to threats. 

    “Every person should have access to clean water to meet their basic needs. As the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events increase and cyber security threats against our infrastructure emerge, we must work together to protect our nation’s water systems,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “I am proud to join Senator Ed Markey in reintroducing the Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act. This bill will help assist local water systems in gaining access to the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC), a non-profit clearinghouse for information regarding threats to water safety. This kind of information sharing is critical to ensuring the health and safety of communities’ drinking water across the country.”

    “The essential water systems that provide us with water to drink, cook, and clean are increasingly facing threats from extreme weather, cyber attacks, and even terrorism,” said Senator Ed Markey. “The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act will secure and protect our water systems against these threats by expanding access to the critical Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center, which helps water utilities of all sizes share information, best practices, and response techniques. I thank Congresswoman Schakowsky for her partnership on this important legislation.”

    The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act is endorsed by American Water Works Association, Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies, National Association of Clean Water Agencies, National Association of Water Companies, and Water Environment Federation.

    “In recent years, our nation’s drinking water and wastewater utilities have faced mounting threats from cyber attacks and infrastructure vulnerabilities that pose national security concerns and public health hazards,” said Tom Dobbins, CEO of the Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies. “The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act will enable more utilities to prepare for, mitigate, and respond to dangerous security threats by facilitating access to WaterISAC’s critical resources. AMWA is proud to support this legislation.”

    “WaterISAC is a vital resource for public clean water utilities seeking to strengthen their preparedness and resilience against natural hazards, physical and cyber security threats,” said Adam Krantz, CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies. “The Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber (Water ISAC) Threat Protection Act will expand utility participation in WaterISAC, ensuring water systems of all sizes have access to its essential tools and resources.”

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