NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Hawley Exposes Big Tech’s Complicity in Piracy to Train AI Models & Willfulness to Bankrupt U.S. Creative Community

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Wednesday, July 16, 2025

    Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) chaired a Judiciary subcommittee hearing revealing Big Tech’s role behind the unchecked piracy of copyrighted content to fuel companies’ artificial intelligence (AI) models. The hearing featured witness testimony from bestselling author David Baldacci as well as AI experts and law professors who lent credence to Senator Hawley’s claim: AI companies, namely Meta, have crossed the line of technological innovation into corporate crime.
    “Today’s hearing is about the largest intellectual property theft in American history. . . . AI companies are training their models on stolen material, period. . . . And we’re not talking about these companies simply scouring the internet for what’s publicly available. We’re talking about piracy,” Senator Hawley said.
    “Are we going to protect [Americans’ creative community], or are we going to allow a few mega-corporations to vacuum it all up, digest it, and make billions of dollars in profits—maybe trillions—and pay nobody for it. That’s not America,” the Senator argued, explaining that the issue at hand is a moral one as much as a legal one.
    Baldacci went on to point out the harm mass piracy poses to America’s authors, songwriters, and other creative producers, whose works are now in the crosshairs of Big Tech’s lawlessness.
    “Every single one of my books was presented to me . . . in three seconds. It really felt like I had been robbed of everything of my entire adult life that I had worked on,” Baldacci said.               
    Key revelations uncovered during the hearing include:
    AI companies being trained on over 200 terabytes of copyrighted work—or, in other words, billions of pages that would fill approximately 22 Libraries of Congress.
    Big Tech having pirated this work by illegally downloading it.
    AI companies having facilitated other actors’ piracy by illegally uploading more than 50 terabytes of copyrighted works for others’ use.
    Meta knowing it was engaging in illegal activity.
            • Employees internally warned each other that Meta’s piracy was illegal—and then brazenly made light of it.
            • Meta concealed its pirating via non-Meta servers, so its criminal acts would not be traced back to the company.

    Watch the full subcommittee hearing here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Spotlights Importance of Safeguarding Musicians and Artists from AI 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee today emphasized the importance of establishing protections to help creators—musicians, artists, writers, and others—access the courts to protect their copyrighted works if and when they are used to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) models. Senator Welch urged Congress to pass the Transparency and Responsibility for Artificial Intelligence Networks (TRAIN) Act, bipartisan legislation that would allow copyright holders to access training records used for AI models to determine if their work was used—a process currently used for internet piracy.   
    “The AI companies need content, so they don’t care where it comes from. It’s just a voracious, insatiable appetite, and they’re going to go into copyrighted material. We know that, and to suggest they won’t, I think, is naïve. And the question, and the burden here is—that is going into copyrighted material. And the artist has the right to have that copyright respected. The burden is that how do you know they used it? That’s the whole point of the TRAIN Act, where if there is copyright infringement, a reasonable assertion of that and suspicion of it is going to require disclosure on the part of the AI platform,” said Senator Welch. 
    Watch Senator Welch’s full remarks below: 
    Read key excerpts from Senator Welch’s exchange with Michael Smith, Professor of Information Technology and Marketing at Carnegie Mellon University: 
    “Music is so important. It really helps people get a sense of who they are, it helps people connect, and it’s across political divisions. That’s what’s one of the inspiring things about the incredible contributions that musicians provide to our society. Can you just explain what the dangers are of allowing AI models to freely train off of copyrighted works?” asked Senator Welch.  
    Mr. Michael Smith testified: “There are multiple dangers…When you sign a license with a generative AI company, you’re signing with a gun to your head because they can say, ‘either sign what I’m offering or I’m going to go steal it instead.’ That’s troubling.” 
    Senator Welch: “This is the concern I have about how this AI…is going to make it tougher for those folks against great odds to keep at it. So maybe you could just—from your experience—talk a little bit about how it would adversely impact any chance they have of being able to pay their bills at the end of the month while they’re trying to create inspirational music for the benefit of all of us.” 
    Mr. Smith: “I deeply share that concern, Senator, and it’s based on peer-reviewed academic research showing that creative output goes down when piracy is allowed to flourish. I worry that the future David Baldaccis of the world won’t get through that hump. And we won’t get to appreciate their creative output if we allow piracy to be used to continue to train these generative AI models.”   
    Senator Welch is focused on strengthening consumer protections and safety around emerging technologies, including AI. Last Congress, Senator Welch introduced the Artificial Intelligence Consumer Opt-In, Notification Standards, and Ethical Norms for Training (AI CONSENT) Act, legislation that would require online platforms to obtain consumers’ express informed consent before using their personal data to train AI models. Senator Welch also introduced the Digital Platform Commission Act, legislation to create an expert federal agency to provide comprehensive regulation of digital platforms to protect consumers, promote competition, and safeguard the public interest. 
    Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts, Colleagues Call for a Stable Regulatory Environment to Win the A.I. Race

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) led a group of colleagues in sending a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on shaping regulations to position the United States as the world capital of artificial intelligence (AI).  The letter calls for the administration to release a rule that creates an environment for American innovators to compete and win, while keeping frontier tech out of the hands of America’s adversaries.  This rule will be another step in the administration’s work to ensure the United States dominates the global AI ecosystem.  The letter reads:
    “We can only win the AI race with Communist China if we are wisely limiting our foreign adversary’s opportunities to develop frontier AI and enabling American companies to compete quickly in the global marketplace.  Both prongs are important and the balance between them are crucial.  America is winning the AI race, but the competition has been hard fought and will continue to be.  Steps must be taken quickly since investments happening now will create the world’s tech ecosystem for decades to come.”
    The letter follows an April letter led by Senator Ricketts, urging Secretary Lutnick to rescind the Biden Administration’s AI Diffusion Rule.  This Biden-era policy created obstacles to innovation and cooperation by applying tiers and caps on allies seeking to access American technology.  The Trump administration rescinded the AI Diffusion Rule on May 7.
    The letter was also signed by Senators Kevin Cramer (ND), John Kennedy (LA), James Lankford (OK), and Rick Scott (FL).
    Read the full letter here or below.  
    Dear Secretary Lutnick,
    Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States is shaping emerging technologies globally and positioned as the world capital of artificial intelligence (AI). The President’s cabinet is unshackling American energy, cutting burdensome red tape, and unwinding Biden’s bad policies. One important example of bolstering American prosperity was your decision to rescind and replace the Biden administration’s AI Diffusion Rule. This rule would have helped China win the AI race, and replacing this rule quickly will provide American innovators a stable environment to compete and win.
    The Biden Administration’s AI Diffusion Rule, as accurately stated on the Bureau of Industry and Security’s website, “…would have stifled American innovation and saddled companies with burdensome new regulatory requirements.” The rule undermined relationships with allies and partners around the world. It hamstrung American companies, and the rule ultimately gave friendly nations an incentive to turn to Communist China for their emerging tech needs. Repealing this rule was a step forward for the nation.
    While we are currently ahead of Communist China in the AI race, we must continue to help our nation, companies, and innovators succeed. Failure to maintain our lead in AI development means that we could be at the mercy of Communist China for many critical industries. Examples include cryptography, next-generation pharmaceuticals, and advanced defense materials. President Trump has been at the forefront of securing investment during his recent successful trip to the Middle East. He closed deals promoting U.S. technology as the global standard and secured landmark investments in frontier AI development at home. We must continue to capitalize on this momentum by ensuring allies and partners building out their AI investments see the U.S. as the superior, most reliable partner.
    One crucial next step in this competition is providing American innovators, exporters, and nations around the world a stable exporting structure. Mr. Secretary, your testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee included key elements of an AI diffusion framework that would enable American AI diffusion around the world while also limiting China’s ability to develop frontier AI. The Trump administration should not return to Biden’s tiers and caps that confused close allies and partners.
    Instead, know-your-customer and security controls should be applied to technologies designed to train frontier AI models. This approach, while allowing other American technologies to flow freely, will ensure the United States dominates the global AI ecosystem.
    We can only win the AI race with Communist China if we are wisely limiting our foreign adversary’s opportunities to develop frontier AI and enabling American companies to compete quickly in the global marketplace. Both prongs are important and the balance between them are crucial. America is winning the AI race, but the competition has been hard fought and will continue to be. Steps must be taken quickly since investments happening now will create the world’s tech ecosystem for decades to come.
    We thank you for your decisive actions so far bolstering American leadership, security, and prosperity. We look forward to working with you and President Trump to make America the AI capital of the world.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On 3rd Anniversary of 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Baldwin Blasts Trump Administration for Cutting Service

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the third anniversary of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is slamming the Trump Administration’s dangerous decision to cut services for at-risk children. Baldwin, who first created the three-digit hotline in 2020 with her Republican colleague, has worked to successfully fund the lifeline in annual appropriations bills and expand its reach to serve more people in crisis. Despite the hotline’s enormous success, including receiving more than 16.5 million contacts via calls, texts, and chats, the Trump Administration is working to dismantle one of its key programs that provides specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth. The program has received over 1.2 million crisis contacts since 2022, with an increasing number of contacts each year. 
    “Three years later, I am just filled with so much pride to have passed legislation and made getting help that much easier. More and more people are facing tough times, and more and more people are turning to this three-digit lifeline. I have no doubt that the people answering these calls, texts, and chats are saving lives,” said Senator Tammy Baldwin. “And just one day after the anniversary, the Trump Administration is dismantling a key part of it and cutting off specialized services for gay, lesbian, bi, and trans children. This outrageous and cruel attack on LGBTQ+ youth comes at a time when we should be building on the success of this lifesaving service, not turning suicide prevention into a partisan issue. I’ll fight tooth and nail to stop this administration from taking away this precious lifeline, and I call on my Republican colleagues who have long supported this program to fight for these kids, too.”
    In May, reports surfaced that President Trump’s proposed budget would eliminate 988’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program, prompting Senator Baldwin to call on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to reconsider the proposal and support continued funding for the program.
    Senator Baldwin wrote the legislation to create the three-digit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and fought to stand up a pilot program for LGBTQ+ youth to address higher rates of suicide and mental health challenges among this population. As chair of the appropriations subcommittee that funds 988, Senator Baldwin led the effort to ensure 988 was adequately funded, including providing funding for specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth. That funding has ultimately been included in appropriations bills that have passed with overwhelmingly bipartisan support. Recognizing the overwhelming need for these services, Congress expanded the program beyond a pilot in fiscal year 2023.
    Since the lifeline launched, it has received nearly 16.5 million contacts, including 11.1 million calls, 2.9 million texts, and 2.4 million chats. In 2025, the answer rate hit its highest point since inception, 92 percent, but cutting funding for specialized services puts that in jeopardy.
    The Trevor Project found that nearly 40 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous year, and 12 percent of LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide, rates much higher than those present among non-LGBTQ+ youth. These specialized services connect LGBTQ+ youth with specially trained crisis counselors, similar to other dedicated programs for veterans and service members.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Banks Urge Administration to Strengthen Oversight on Buy America Rules in Defense Industry

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jim Banks (R-IN) called on the Trump Administration to strengthen enforcement and oversight of important defense trade agreements to ensure they support U.S. businesses, workers, and our industrial base. Currently, the Department of Defense has 28 of these trade agreements, known as Reciprocal Defense Procurement agreements, with partner countries like Japan, Germany, and the U.K. These agreements waive both the U.S.’s Buy America requirements and similar laws in partner countries, opening up the opportunity for foreign companies to sell products and services to the Department of Defense. However, a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that entities within the Department of Defense (DoD) skipped important steps in creating and renewing these agreements, sometimes skirting or undermining important Buy America requirements that are meant to put American businesses and workers first.
    “A robust defense industrial base is essential for national security and economic resilience, as it underpins the development, maintenance, and deployment of U.S. military assets. While RDPs can have positive impacts in facilitating integration with our partners and allies and enable positive exchanges, the significant impact of RDP agreements on our domestic industrial base necessitates rigorous scrutiny in their review, approval, and renewal,” wrote the Senators. “With the growing number of RDP agreements, we expect that your Agency Secretaries will thoroughly review and refine the process for entering into and renewing these agreements, ensuring they bolster U.S. industry while fortifying our defense partnerships.”
    In the letter, the Senators expressed concerns that RDP agreements have been used to waive “Buy American” requirements that are designed to ensure that taxpayer dollars support American businesses and workers to help bolster the U.S. economy, ensure a skilled domestic workforce, and strengthen our industrial base. Current Department of Defense rules provide a blanket “public interest” waiver of all Buy American requirements for defense materiel from any trading partner with an RDP agreement. Given these waivers, the Senators urged the Trump Administration to ensure that any RDP agreement has thoroughly assessed the implications on American businesses, workers, and the defense industrial base before they are finalized or renewed.
    As outlined in the GAO report, the Senators also expressed concerns that the DoD is making these trade agreements without sufficient input from domestic industry. While the Department of Commerce is authorized to initiate a review of existing RDP agreements if they believe they could have adverse impacts on domestic industry, they have never completed such a review, even for RDPs that have been renewed several times. The Senators requested that the International Trade Commission review RDPs, allowing U.S. companies to have clear opportunities to alert the administration when a proposed trade agreement may harm them.
    A recent GAO report also reviewed all existing RDP agreements, showing on several occasions the administration failed to properly scrutinize these agreements. According to GAO, since 2018, DoD has skipped important due diligence steps for entering into and renewing RDP agreements. For three agreements, DoD did not solicit U.S. industry input, and for another agreement, DoD did not seek analysis from Commerce, as required by law. The GAO also found that DoD waives Buy America requirements for partner countries even if their RDP agreement has expired. The GAO further found there was insufficient compliance with a 2021 requirement that the Made in America Office review RDP agreements to ensure domestic producers will have equal and proportional access to partner defense markets.
    “We must ensure that any RDP agreements undergo rigorous scrutiny with transparent decision-making processes and input from industry stakeholders. The decision to enter or renew such agreements should be guided by strategic imperatives, not expediency. Our domestic industrial base should be able to take priority when that goal clashes with other priorities,” the Senators concluded. “Given the results of the GAO report, we urge the administration to review the RDP agreements process to ensure that such agreements fulfill their intended purpose of supporting U.S. industry and manufacturers while still bolstering our defense relationships with allies and partners.”
    A full version of this letter is available here and below.
    Dear Mr. President,
    We write to raise concerns that shortcomings in the Reciprocal Defense Procurement (RDP) agreements process may be negatively impacting our defense industrial base. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report shows that there needs to be a more robust review process for establishing and renewing RDP agreements, and your America First Trade Policy report similarly identified these agreements as a point of concern. We urge the administration to review and update the RDP agreement process to ensure that such agreements support the U.S. industrial base, to include establishing an interagency review process to oversee such agreements.
    A robust defense industrial base is essential for national security and economic resilience, as it underpins the development, maintenance, and deployment of U.S. military assets. While RDPs can have positive impacts in facilitating integration with our partners and allies and enable positive exchanges, the significant impact of RDP agreements on our domestic industrial base necessitates rigorous scrutiny in their review, approval, and renewal. With the growing number of RDP agreements, we expect that your Agency Secretaries will thoroughly review and refine the process for entering into and renewing these agreements, ensuring they bolster U.S. industry while fortifying our defense partnerships.
    RDP agreements are trade agreements for direct government procurement negotiated solely by the Department of Defense (DoD) with foreign counterparts, without Congressional ratification. Since first authorized by Congress in 1988, the DoD has entered into 28 RDP agreements and 6 related agreements with both North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member-states, major non-NATO allies, and other partner countries. Most agreements include automatic extension provisions. We understand that the DoD is currently negotiating new agreements.
    We are concerned that RDP agreements have been used to waive or otherwise undermine “Buy American” requirements and similar domestic preferences that are in place to ensure that taxpayer dollars support American businesses and workers by prioritizing domestically produced goods and materiel when federal agencies make procurement decisions. This helps to bolster the U.S. economy, ensure a skilled domestic workforce, and strengthen our industrial base. Current DoD regulations (DFARS 225.872- 1) provide a blanket “public interest” waiver of all Buy American requirements for defense materiel for any foreign supplier from a country with an active reciprocal defense procurement agreement. The RDP agreement process should ensure that the administration has thoroughly assessed the implications on our industrial base before they are finalized or renewed.
    We are also concerned that the DoD may be making decisions about RDP agreements without sufficient input from domestic industry. Federal law authorizes the Department of Commerce to initiate an interagency review of existing RDP agreements if Commerce has reason to believe an agreement either has or could have “a significant adverse effect on the international competitive position of the U.S. industry.” To date, Commerce has never completed such a review, even for RDPs that have been renewed several times. The administration can address this shortcoming by ensuring that Commerce and the International Trade Commission review RDPs and that the process includes mechanisms and transparency to allow for domestic industry input. U.S. companies should have clear opportunities to alert the administration when a proposed trade agreement may harm them.
    At Congress’ request, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently completed a review of all existing RDP agreements, and their findings verify our concerns. According to GAO, since 2018, DoD has skipped important due diligence steps for entering into and renewing RDP agreements. For three agreements, DoD did not solicit U.S. industry input, and for another agreement, DoD did not seek analysis from Commerce, as required by law. Additionally, GAO found that Commerce’s methodology to assess RDP agreements has several weaknesses, including that it does not analyze the impact of RDP agreements on services. In Fiscal Year 2022, services comprised 49 percent of the value of DoD procurement. The GAO also found that DoD waives Buy America requirements for partner countries even if their RDP agreement has expired. The GAO further found there was insufficient compliance with a 2021 requirement that the Made in America Office review RDP agreements to ensure domestic producers will have equal and proportional access to partner defense markets.
    We must ensure that any RDP agreements undergo rigorous scrutiny with transparent decision-making processes and input from industry stakeholders. The decision to enter or renew such agreements should be guided by strategic imperatives, not expediency. Our domestic industrial base should be able to take priority when that goal clashes with other priorities.
    Given the results of the GAO report, we urge the administration to review the RDP agreements process to ensure that such agreements fulfill their intended purpose of supporting U.S. industry and manufacturers while still bolstering our defense relationships with allies and partners. We encourage you to implement GAO’s recommendations and ensure all RDPs undergo robust interagency review.
    Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. We look forward to your response.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Hoyle Announces Tele-Town Hall for Wednesday, July 23rd

    Source: US Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04)

    July 16, 2025

    For Immediate Release: July 16, 2025 

    WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04) announced she will host a telephone town hall on Wednesday, July 23rd at 5:30 PM Pacific Standard Time (PST). Rep. Hoyle will share updates about what’s going on in Congress and how it’s impacting communities in the district. It is also an opportunity to ask Rep. Hoyle questions and get answers directly from her. 

    How to Join

    To join the tele-town hall, constituents of Oregon’s 4th district should fill out the form linked here. The form will close on Wednesday, July 23rd at 10:00 AM PST.

    What’s a telephone town hall?

    A tele-town hall is a town hall meeting done over the telephone with Rep. Hoyle and other constituents in the district. It’s a way for her to be in conversation with as many people as possible and provide direct updates while she is in Washington, D.C. for votes. After filling out the form above, you will receive a call from her at the designated start time and be invited to stay on the line to join. After joining the call, attendees will receive instructions on how to ask a question.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Sara Jacobs, James Moylan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Effectiveness of U.S. Security Assistance

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

    July 16, 2025

    Washington, D.C. — Reps. Sara Jacobs and James Moylan introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the effectiveness and streamline the coordination of U.S. security assistance.

    The U.S. spends billions of dollars on military assistance for partners and allies around the world, and yet the payoffs are often limited, inconsistent, and not strategic. The bifurcation and bureaucracy of U.S. security assistance between the State Department and the Defense Department often result in inconsistent communication, collaboration, or evaluation of the effectiveness of U.S. security assistance. The bipartisan United States Security Assistance Effectiveness Act would address these challenges, strengthen the State Department’s capacity,  and make security assistance more strategic, accountable, and effective in advancing U.S. values and priorities.

    Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Security assistance is a critical part of our national security toolbox, but bottlenecks in bureaucracy, poor communication, and insufficient evaluation can mean that we’re not advancing – and at times, we’re undermining – our foreign policy goals. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan United States Security Assistance Effectiveness Act to enhance the State Department’s capacity to track, approve, coordinate, and evaluate U.S. security assistance. Every year, the U.S. transfers billions of dollars of military training, support, and equipment, and we should feel confident that it’s being spent wisely, ethically, and effectively.”

    “This bill strengthens our national interests by streamlining how we deliver security assistance to our global partners, especially in the Indo-Pacific,” said Congressman Moylan. “This coordinated strategy enhances international defense cooperation while advancing regional stability in today’s rapidly evolving security environment. I’m proud to work with Congresswoman Jacobs on this bipartisan legislation to establish a needs-based, partner-specific, and transparent approach to security assistance.”

    The U.S. Security Assistance Effectiveness Act would:

    • Streamline organizational structure for security assistance, including by elevating the Office of Security Assistance to be led by a Coordinator to guide and support security assistance; maintain a common database on security assistance and security cooperation; coordinate the Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation (AME) program; and establish a security assistance framework to guide regional and country-specific planning
    • Establish curriculum at the Foreign Service Institute to provide specialized training on security assistance, including on coordination requirements, relevant laws and practices, and effectiveness of security assistance
    • Require a GAO report on coordination between the State Department and the Defense Department on security assistance and security cooperation programs
    • Require the State Department and Defense Department to establish a common database of all security assistance and security cooperation programs and activities 
    • Require the establishment of an assessment, monitoring, and evaluation (AME) program for any country receiving security assistance to define goals and measure outcomes
    • Mandate a framework to guide regional and country-specific planning on security assistance and the Coordinator to annually submit to Congress a list of priority recipient countries for security assistance

    The text of the bill can be found here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strickland Delivers for Servicemembers, their Families, and the Future of the Services 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

    Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA10), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the House Armed Services Committee passed H.R. 3838, the Streamlining Procurement for Effective Execution and Delivery and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (NDAA).  

    “I am proud to lead innovative and impactful provisions in the current version of this year’s defense policy bill that will improve readiness, and enhance the quality of life for servicemembers and their families. From housing, food access and healthcare, to direct funds for JBLM — this bill reflects our bipartisan commitment to supporting those who defend and serve our nation,” said Strickland.    

    Under Strickland’s leadership, the bill includes key provisions to boost the quality of life for servicemembers and their families:  

    Naming Commission for Military Assets  

    • Prohibits the use of federal funds to revert recommendations from the Congressionally established Confederate Naming Commission for military bases and honor Confederate leaders. 

    Housing  

    • Mandates methods to ensure that Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates are accurate reflections of regional market trends.  
    • Allows the use of cost-effective materials in housing renovations, and delays historic preservation requirements until the housing structure is 100 years old.   
    • Requires a detailed report on the acquisition and the implementation of the Global Household Goods contract following the cancellation of HomeSafe Alliance LLC.  

    Nutrition  

    • Removes BAH from total household income calculations used to determine Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) eligibility.  
    • Requires an annual report, for five years, on how subsistence allowances and food programs are utilized.  

    Healthcare  

    • Includes Strickland’s bipartisan MIDWIVES bill.   
    • Creates a pilot program, allowing beneficiaries to select an OB/GYN provider and receive care without a referral.  
    • Extends free TRICARE dental coverage to Reserve Component servicemembers.  
    • Secures a report on the TRICARE contract acquisition and implementation, healthcare delivery, and learned lessons that can be applied to the East and West regions. 

    Historically Black Colleges and Universities  

    • Allocates nearly $125 million — $25 million more than the President’s request — for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  

    Joint Base Lewis-McChord  

    • Authorizes $68 million for an Airfield Fire & Rescue Station, replacing the over 70-year-old Fire Station 105.   
    • Authorizes $70 million for a Command & Control Facility.   
    • Mandates a report studying the creation of a public database on non-combat military plane crashes, including details in response to Strickland’s Flight 293 bill.   

    Army Museums  

    • Establishes closure criteria for the Secretary of the Army’s management of the museum system, preventing the Secretary from closing local museums – including the Lewis Army Museum — without Congressional input.  

    Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Trump Signs HALT Fentanyl Act into Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Whitehouse
    Today, surrounded by families who have lost loved ones to the scourge of fentanyl, President Donald J. Trump officially signed the HALT Fentanyl Act into law — permanently classifying fentanyl-related substances as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
    As President Trump said, the legislation is “delivering another defeat for the savage drug smugglers and criminals and the cartels” — and is just one of the many historic actions the Trump Administration has taken to end the carnage wrought by foreign drug cartels in our communities.
    President Trump was joined by a few of the millions of Americans whose lives have been permanently changed by the fentanyl epidemic:
    Greg Swan, who lost his son to fentanyl: “I would just like to say, thank you, Mr. President, for stopping the border crossings — full stop, mic drop … It was amazing what you did. We were being gaslit — and you came and lit a fire to that story, and we’re a lot safer for of it.” Watch
    Anne Fundner, who lost her son to fentanyl: “In the last four years, fentanyl became the number one killer to Americans ages 15 to 48 … President Trump, for four years we felt ignored, but you’ve changed that … It is a lifeline for families across America in keeping our families safe … Thank you for keeping America safe for our children. This is what we voted for.” Watch
    Jackie Siegel, who lost her daughter and sister to drug overdoses: “Mr. President, it’s an honor to be here today on behalf of our family … for this important signing.” Watch

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Business – Hellmann expands footprint in Americas region with launch of fully-owned operations in Colombia

    Source: Hellmann Worldwide Logistics

    Osnabrueck / Bogotá, July 16, 2025. Hellmann Worldwide Logistics today announced the opening of its new fully-owned subsidiary in Colombia. The launch represents a strategic milestone in the company’s network expansion across the Americas and underscores its commitment to sustainable, long-term growth.

    Hellmann has been active in Colombia for almost 30 years through local partner companies, establishing a strong market presence, in-depth local expertise, and a reliable network. Earlier this year Hellmann acquired its perishables partner HPL Apollo, including the HPL entity in Colombia. Following this acquisition, the company has further strengthened its footprint in the country by formally establishing its own subsidiary specializing in end-to-end logistics for general cargo and other verticals including airfreight, seafreight, customs brokerage, and contract logistics supported by an experienced team of supply chain professionals. Customers and partners can leverage Colombia as a new strategic hub for both inbound and outbound flows, enhancing connectivity to North and South American markets as well as global trade lanes supported by the extensive Hellmann network.

    “Following the takeover of HPL Apollo in the United States and the inclusion of its Colombian operations, establishing a fully integrated own country organization in Colombia marks another milestone in our global expansion strategy. The Americas is a key market for us, and this development strengthens our presence and enhances our ability to serve customers across this strategically important region,” says Jens Drewes, CEO Hellmann Worldwide Logistics.

    “After seven successful years of collaboration with our local partner ABC Cargo Logistics S.A.S., we are proud to take the next step by establishing our own Hellmann operations in Colombia,” said Peter Huwel, Regional Chief Executive Officer, Americas. “This launch strengthens our ability to deliver the high-quality, integrated logistics solutions our customers expect from Hellmann, while positioning us to drive continued growth across the region.”

    The Colombian opening further consolidates Hellmann’s presence in Latin America and aligns with the company’s ambition to connect the Americas’ markets, people, and opportunities with efficiency, innovation, and commitment.

    Über Hellmann
    Hellmann Worldwide Logistics ist ein globaler Logistikdienstleister mit einem umfassenden Dienstleistungsportfolio, das Luft- und Seefracht, Straßen- und Schienentransport sowie Kontraktlogistik umfasst. Mit einem Jahresumsatz von EUR 3,8 Mrd. und rund 12.000 Mitarbeiter*innen in 61 Ländern bewegt Hellmann jährlich über 20 Mio. Sendungen. Auf Basis dieser breiten Produktpalette und langjährigen Erfahrung bietet Hellmann innovative Logistiklösungen für die komplexen Anforderungen jedes einzelnen Kunden und setzt auf visionäre technische Produkte, um maximale Kundentransparenz zu gewährleisten und gleichzeitig eine effizientere Lieferkette zu schaffen.

    About Hellmann
    Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is a global logistics service provider with a comprehensive service portfolio that includes air- and seafreight, road and rail transport, and contract logistics. With annual sales of EUR 3.8 bn and around 12,000 employees in 61 countries, Hellmann moves over 20 mio shipments annually. Based on this broad product range and many years of experience, Hellmann offers innovative logistics solutions for the complex requirements of each individual customer and relies on visionary technical products to ensure maximum customer transparency while creating a more efficient supply chain.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito, Colleagues Advocate for Critical Education Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), led a group of her colleagues in sending a letter to Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), advocating to release anticipated education formula funding—an issue she has heard about directly from impacted individuals.

    Specifically, the letter requests that the administration implement the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act, which President Trump signed into law earlier this year. This legislation contains critical funding that states rely on to help students, families, and local economies.

    In addition to Senator Capito, the following senators signed the letter: John Boozman (R-Ark.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).

    Full text of the letter can be found here or below.

    Dear Director Vought, 

    We write to ask you to faithfully implement the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act, which President Trump signed into law earlier this year, including the education formula funds that states anticipated receiving on July 1, 2025.

    The Continuing Resolution contained funding for Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants; 21st Century Community Learning Centers; Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants; English Language Acquisition; Migrant Education; Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants). Withholding these funds will harm students, families, and local economies.

    The decision to withhold this funding is contrary to President Trump’s goal of returning K-12 education to the states. This funding goes directly to states and local school districts, where local leaders decide how this funding is spent, because as we know, local communities know how to best serve students and families. Withholding this funding denies states and communities the opportunity to pursue localized initiatives to support students and their families.

    We share your concern about taxpayer money going to fund radical left-wing programs. However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds. These funds go to support programs that enjoy longstanding, bipartisan support like after-school and summer programs that provide learning and enrichment opportunities for school aged children which also enables their parents to work and contribute to local economies. 

    These funds also go to support adult learners. These students are often adults seeking second chances for a myriad of reasons, for example, caregiving responsibilities or financial challenges. These are adult learners working to gain employment skills, earn workforce certifications, or transition into postsecondary education. We should be making educational opportunities easier for these students, not harder. 

    We welcome the opportunity to work with you and Secretary McMahon to ensure that all federal education funding goes towards programs that help states and school districts provide students an excellent education. We want to see students in our states and across the country thrive, whether they are adult learners, students who speak English as a second language, or students who need after-school care so that their parents can work. We believe you share the same goal.

    We encourage you to reverse your decision and release this Congressionally-approved funding to states. 

    Thank you for your attention to this request, and we look forward to your prompt reply.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Highlights Surface Transportation Priorities from Stakeholder Experiences

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    [embedded content]

    To watch Chairman Capito’s questions, click here or the image above.

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led a hearing on constructing the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill with stakeholders’ perspectives.

    During her questions, Chairman Capito asked about the role of the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill regarding economic development, and how permitting reform remains key in the efficient development of our country’s surface transportation network.  

    HIGHLIGHTS:

    IMPORTANCE OF SURFACE TRANSPORTATION REAUTHORIZATION FOR ECONOMIC GROWTH:

    Chairman Capito:

    “In each individual ways, you’ve talked about the importance of the surface transportation network and what reauthorization will mean to you, in terms of economic and job growth. I want to dig down a little bit more on that. Is it the predictability, the affordability, the flexibility? What would you point to as from your standpoint as governor, and then we’ll go down the panel, to how this will impact your economic growth and job creation abilities?”

    Governor Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), on behalf of the National Association of Governors:

    “All of the above, but I think, you know, I have the opportunity to serve here too. We spend money inefficiently, and we’re required to do that because you go a decade without any increase in funding, and then things turn to whatever. The more predictability and foresight you can push onto us, the less money we will spend to build the same project.”

    Austin Ramirez, CEO, Husco International Inc., on behalf of the National Association of Manufacturers:

    “I mentioned supply chain in my comments, and I think it’s a real issue. We’ve got rural facilities, and having surface transportation to those facilities that is efficient and well maintained is really important. But you know, another really big one is, my main facility is outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the main East-West Corridor I-94 has been caught up in litigation for years, so I’ve got employees that spend hours a day stuck in traffic because we can’t execute projects that we’ve already agreed to do.”

    PERMITTING REFORM:

    Chairman Capito:

    “I think there’s a lot of similarities, and what everybody’s saying from the different standpoints of where you are. Permitting is something that Senator Whitehouse and I, and our staffs, talk about almost daily. We know that this is at the heart of the efficiency that I think most folks – and how the dollars can go farther than they can.”

    Click HERE to watch Chairman Capito’s opening statement.

    Click HERE to watch Chairman Capito’s questions.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Cruz Provision to Bring Space Shuttle Discovery to Houston Signed Into Law in One Big Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statements on their provision to consider moving the Space Shuttle Discovery from Virginia to its rightful home near the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston getting signed into law by President Trump in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

    “Houston has long been the cornerstone of our nation’s human space exploration program, and it’s overdue for Space City to receive the recognition it deserves by bringing the Space Shuttle Discovery home,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I am glad to see this provision become law as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill and look forward to welcoming Discovery to Houston and righting this egregious wrong.”

    “Houston has long stood at the heart of America’s human spaceflight program, and this legislation rightly honors that legacy,” said Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation Chairman Cruz. “It ensures that any future transfer of a flown, crewed space vehicle will prioritize locations that have played a direct and vital role in our nation’s manned space program, making Houston, Texas, a leading candidate. Bringing such a historic space vehicle to the region would underscore the city’s indispensable contributions to our space missions, highlight the strength of America’s commercial space partnerships, and inspire future generations of engineers, scientists, and pioneers who will carry our legacy of American leadership in space.”

     Background:

    The Senators’ provision will result in consideration of the Space Shuttle Discovery moving from Virginia to its rightful home near NASA’s JSC in Houston.

    Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center led all of the space shuttle flights throughout the program’s history, and the astronauts who flew aboard the shuttles lived and trained in the area Houston. Four space shuttles were retired from NASA in 2010, and one of them was expected to go on display in the Space City. Congress stated in the NASA Authorization Act of 2010 that the four space shuttles were to be given to states with a “historical relationship with either the launch, flight operations, or processing of the Space Shuttle orbiters or the retrieval of NASA-manned space vehicles, or significant contributions to human space flight.” Unfortunately, this directive was unlawfully ignored by the Obama administration, who played politics to keep Houston from getting one of the shuttles. Notably, the administration gave one of the four shuttles to New York City, which has not made any major contributions to the nation’s history of space exploration and is not home to a NASA center—unlike Houston. The Space Shuttle Discovery should be transferred to Houston. This legislation would authorize the movement of the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Virginia to an entity near the JSC in Houston.

    Additional space-related provisions led by Sen. Cornyn, including the Mission to Modernize Astronautic Resources (MARS) for Space Act, nearly $10 billion in NASA funding for programs at JSC, funding for National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Artemis program, and resources to support the International Space Station (ISS), were also signed into law as part of this legislation on July 4, 2025. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Meets with The LIBRE Initiative

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) met yesterday with The LIBRE Initiative President Daniel Garza and LIBRE Texas leaders to discuss the benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which prevents hardworking Texans from facing the largest tax hike in American history, supports small businesses, promotes job growth, and bolsters border security. See photo below.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis Announces $24 Million for Raleigh-Durham International Airport Improvements

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis announced a $24 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to realign key sections of the roadway in front of two terminals at Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) Airport and widen the roadway from two lanes to four lanes. The funding comes from the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program for fiscal year 2025, which is partially funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), legislation that Senator Tillis helped negotiate, write, and pass into law.  

    “This funding will ensure that RDU not only meets national standards but also continues to provide an exceptional experience for passengers,” said Senator Tillis. “As the Triangle region continues to grow, it is vital that we invest in our public transportation and infrastructure, including our airports. I am proud to have worked alongside local leaders to secure this critical funding.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE New England arrests El Salvadorian national, a registered sex offender convicted of possession of child pornography

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    July 16, 2025Boston, MA, United StatesChild Exploitation

    BOSTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations New England has administratively arrested El Salvadorian national Victor Vasquez Cordova, a Level 1 registered sex offender with a past conviction for possession of child sexual abuse material.

    ICE HSI personnel, in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Service, arrested Cordova, 54, on July 10 at his residence in Everett, Massachusetts, for immigration violations.

    Cordova entered the United States on Dec. 18, 1983, as a lawful permanent resident.

    He was convicted on March 31, 2022, of possession of child pornography. Cordova was sentenced to 18 months’ probation and ordered to register as a sex offender.

    He will be held in ICE custody pending a hearing before an immigration judge.

    Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 520

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL0

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 520
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    550 PM EDT Wed Jul 16 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
    Northern Indiana
    Southwest Lower Michigan
    Lake Michigan

    * Effective this Wednesday afternoon from 550 PM until Midnight
    EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    Scattered damaging wind gusts to 65 mph possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms currently affecting northeast Illinois will
    track eastward across the watch area through the early evening.
    Locally damaging wind gusts are the primary concern.

    The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 40
    statute miles east and west of a line from 60 miles south of South
    Bend IN to 35 miles north northwest of Kalamazoo MI. For a complete
    depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
    (WOUS64 KWNS WOU0).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
    favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
    Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
    weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
    warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
    tornadoes.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 517…WW 518…WW 519…

    AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
    1 inch. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 55 knots. A few
    cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
    25025.

    …Hart

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW0
    WW 520 SEVERE TSTM IN MI LM 162150Z – 170400Z
    AXIS..40 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    60S SBN/SOUTH BEND IN/ – 35NNW AZO/KALAMAZOO MI/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 35NM E/W /38ENE BVT – 15WSW GRR/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1 INCH. WIND GUSTS..55 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25025.

    LAT…LON 40838709 42698660 42698503 40838555

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU0.

    Watch 520 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Low (

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pfluger Applauds More Counties in TX-11 Added to Major Disaster Declaration for Support from FEMA

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    SAN ANGELO, TX — Today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), alongside local leaders, applauded the decision to add more counties across Texas’s 11th Congressional District to President Trump’s Major Disaster Declaration to receive varying levels of support from FEMA. Within the 11th District, the list currently includes Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, and Menard Counties for Public Assistance, and San Saba and Tom Green Counties for Public and Individual Assistance.

    “Texas has experienced unimaginable tragedy over the past week from the devastating floods that swept through Central and West Texas on July 4th,” said Rep. Pfluger. “Several counties in my district were hit especially hard. Thanks to Governor Abbott’s advocacy and the President’s Major Disaster Declaration, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, San Saba, and Tom Green counties are all eligible for vital FEMA assistance. My team and I have worked closely with local leaders and officials to ensure accurate damage assessments, and we will continue working to secure the resources these counties, and others, need.”

    “I would like to express my thanks to everyone, including Federal, State, and in particular our county emergency management and response teams, who assisted in the disaster response from the recent flood incidents and related damages in Kimble County. I am thankful that our county has been added to President Trump’s Disaster Declaration to ensure we receive the support necessary to rebuild and provide the necessary resources to the county and individuals in a timely manner. I have been blown away by, and very thankful for, how the community has come together in such difficult times, and I remain hopeful that we will recover from this disaster as quickly as is practical,” said Kimble County Judge Hal Rose.

    “Llano County is grateful for Congressman August Pfluger’s leadership and dedicated assistance in response to the catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country that occurred during the July 4th holiday. In the face of an unprecedented natural disaster, Congressman Pfluger demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the well-being of our residents. His prompt coordination with state and federal agencies, advocacy for emergency resources, and visible presence in affected areas were instrumental in accelerating critical response efforts and facilitating the deployment of relief measures. Through his actions, Congressman Pfluger and his staff exemplified the highest standards of public service, ensuring that Llano County’s needs were heard and addressed during a time of urgent crisis. We are immensely grateful for his partnership and resolute service to our community during this time of adversity,” said Llano County Judge Ron Cunningham.

    “Mason County is grateful for the concern and support provided at the state and federal levels in response to the July 4th flooding event. To be added to the major Disaster Declaration is huge, as destruction of this magnitude challenges a small county budget and resources. Having the commitment of our state and federal leaders is crucial to the long-term recovery of destroyed infrastructure. Mason County is blessed to be in the 11th District of Texas under the leadership of Congressman Pfluger,” said Mason County Judge Sheree Hardin.

    “McCulloch County has been truly humbled by the response from our Local, State, and Federal entities as we deal with the July 4th flood-related damages. A traumatic event such as this is overwhelming, and the outpouring of support from President Trump and Congressman August Pfluger eases our citizens’ burdens and allows our local governments the ability to make necessary repairs and plan for future improvements to emergency responses,” said McCulloch County Judge Frank Trull.  

    “I’d like to thank everyone who has helped submit the damage caused by the July 4th flood that enabled our inclusion in the disaster declaration for Public Assistance. Without this support, Menard County would have been set back years as we try to repair the damaged roads and public buildings. We are especially grateful to our regional partners with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the local leaders of the Menard Mission Team and the Beautification of Menard, and the volunteers and neighbors who have lent a helping hand or encouraging word through this trying time. We sincerely appreciate the support of Congressman Pfluger and his staff as we work to document the damage inflicted on the citizens of Menard County, and are optimistic that our efforts will highlight the need for our community to be escalated into the proclamation for Individual Assistance as well,” said Menard County Judge Brandon Corbin.

    ICYMI: Last week, Congressman Pfluger announced the addition of San Saba and Tom Green counties to the Major Disaster Declaration alongside local leaders. You can read the announcement and their statements HERE.

    If you have been impacted by the floods, please visit the FEMA website to request support: www.DisasterAssistance.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pfluger Speaks on the House Floor to Honor the Lives Lost in the July 4th Floods and Share His Personal Story

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11)

    Read his remarks as delivered below:

    I thank my colleague, and I want to say that he’s done a great job of representing in a very tough time. It’s easy to lead when times are good, but when times are tough, you see character, and Mr. Roy has done a very nice job, an extraordinary job, of leading in a very challenging situation.

    It’s with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor all of the lives that were lost during this devastating, tragic series of floods that swept through Central and West Texas last week, and to recognize the bravery and the selflessness of the heroes who stepped up when they were needed most.And I’ll start by honoring the memory of the 11 lives that were lost from my district: Officer Bailey Martin, Bobby Martin, Amanda Martin and Jayda Floyd from Odessa; Shellie Crossland, Cody Crossland, Joel Ramos, Kyndall Ramos, and Tasha Ramos from Midland; Tanya Burwick from Blackwell, who worked in San Angelo for many years, and Steve Edwards from San Angelo. These lives were lost far too soon. These were selfless individuals, leaders, officers in the police force, and people that we will miss dearly. We’re going to continue to pray for the many more lives that have been lost, and for the families that are still searching for them, hoping and praying for a miracle.

    You know, I sent my young girls to Camp Mystic for a couple of reasons. Number one, because for young women, this was a place where they didn’t have access to the digital world. They had access to relationships. They were taught about faith. They were placed in cabins with other young girls, where they learned how to develop friendships. They learned things like horseback riding and archery, swimming, and camp craft. And my girls are fourth-generation campers at Camp Mystic. I learned about this when I was a kid and went to many closing ceremonies as a young child, watching my sister and her friends, and now I have had the opportunity to watch my own girls, for the last 10 years, attend this camp. I want to say that my wife, Camille, and I are eternally grateful that we are reunited with my two daughters, who were present at the camp during this tragedy. And while we rejoice their safety, and I will be forever grateful to God for sparing their lives, we are mourning and deeply grieving with the many families who are having to say goodbye to their loved ones, to their daughters, up and down the river, campers who were there for the Fourth of July to celebrate our nation’s independence, to celebrate being with families. It’s just unimaginable the grief, and it’s unimaginable the heartbreak, especially those young kids and those young girls, specifically at Camp Mystic.

    I want to honor Dick Eastland, who is the owner of Camp Mystic, a man that I’ve known my entire life. A man who gave his life trying to save campers at Camp Mystic. The Eastland family, for years, has poured their lives into young women, building these young women and these young ladies to be women of faith, to be women of character, to be citizens of this great nation, to raise families in a way that you see the character and the strength of their faith. And you know, Dick Eastland and the entire Eastland family are like many other families throughout this country that run camps, whether it be Boy Scout camps, Girl Scout camps, YMCA camps, summer camps, church camps, it doesn’t matter. But these camps are important for our nation in a way that sometimes parents can’t always do. These camps represent a place where these kids can come and they can learn how to be better citizens, how to be better friends, how to be better community members. And they’re important. Camp Mystic was important.

    The image that I’ll never forget in my mind as I walked through the camp just two days after this tragedy, is where my young daughter stood getting away from the flood that was rising very rapidly. And where she had her head bowed, praying for safety, and as they were singing songs, knowing that there was a really tragic event unfolding in front of them, praying for their friends and for their safety. My middle daughter said that this was a family. Everybody knew everybody. And this family is deeply grieving right now. I hope that this serves as a wake-up call to our nation; that it serves as a wake-up call for us to congratulate and celebrate the countless heroes, some of whom gave their lives, and we will never know their stories, and to celebrate the fact that we live in a country where we can freely worship, where we can stand firm on our faith.

    Camp Mystic was a place, like other places throughout this country, that taught these young, innocent souls. That taught them to lean on their faith. That taught them to lean on their friends and their relationships and their families. That taught them the core values of what this great country affords. And I hope that this serves as a wake-up call for all of us to get back to that foundation that we can take a lesson from this tragedy, and we can build on it in a way that we do good, that we honor the memory of almost 130 people now, and rising, that tragically lost their lives, that we won’t ever forget. This green ribbon here serves as a reminder today. Again, I want to thank my friend Chip Roy for representing during this hard time and for calling this hour to recognize that memory. And I yield back.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 07/11/2025 VIDEO: Blackburn, White House Economic Council Director Highlight One Big Beautiful Bill’s Historic Victories on ‘Unmuted with Marsha’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a new episode of ‘Unmuted with Marsha’ with White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett breaking down the economic benefits of the One Big Beautiful Bill for Tennesseans and all Americans.
    Senator Blackburn and Kevin Hassett discussed how the One Big Beautiful Bill, now the law of the land, will boost take-home pay for families by $10,000, cut taxes on overtime and tips, provide a $6,000 bonus deduction to millions of low- and middle- income seniors, save Tennesseans thousands in taxes, and bolster America’s border security.

    Click here to watch this episode of ‘Unmuted with Marsha.’

    “I was talking with a small business owner yesterday morning, and after the 2017 cuts, they had hired two people so their business could grow, and they had been tapping the pencil on the paper, waiting to see if we were going to get this done because they wanted to keep those two employees and wanted to hire two more… People in Tennessee are so excited that the bill is now signed into law, and they’re so pleased to know that those tax cuts from 2017 are going to be made permanent,” said Senator Blackburn.

    “I was really impressed at how effective you were at driving the bill forward. I’d say that the way to think about this bill is that it’s going to give us… a whole bunch of new stuff that’s explicitly targeted at blue collar workers and middle-class workers. The people who need the help the most. And so, for example, there are about 90 million hourly workers in the US, and now, if they work overtime, then there’ll be no tax or extra tax on the overtime. Our own Council of Economic Advisers has estimated that this bill will increase the take-home pay for the typical family by about 10 to $13,000 and that’s really, really going to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Director Hassett.
    RELATED

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 07/16/2025 VIDEO: Blackburn Details Wasteful Government Spending, Highlighting Need for Senate to Pass Rescissions Package

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor detailing the need for the U.S. Senate to pass the $9 billion rescissions package to eliminate wasteful government spending.

    Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks on the Senate floor. 
    REMARKS AS PREPARED
    America’s Current Fiscal Path Is Unsustainable, and President Trump Has a Mandate to Rein in Wasteful Spending
    Mister President, when I talk to Tennesseans, one of the biggest concerns they have for our nation’s future is our national debt.
    After four years of reckless, far-left spending under the Biden administration, it now sits at $37 trillion.
    That’s $108,000 for every American citizen.
    Today, we are spending more on interest payments on the debt than what we spend to fund our entire military. 
    Tennesseans and the American people know that this path is unsustainable.
    That’s why they returned President Trump to the Oval Office with a mandate to rein in wasteful spending.
    And that’s exactly what he has done.
    Congress Must Permanently Eliminate Wasteful Spending
    Since Inauguration Day, this administration has identified more than $190 billion in potential savings across the federal government—on everything from unused office space to far-left DEI programming.
    This is a victory for the American people.
    But while President Trump can stop these funds from going out the door, it is Congress’s responsibility to claw them back and make these savings permanent.
    Otherwise, a future Democrat President could open the floodgates of wasteful spending once again.
    That’s why Republicans are moving forward with a rescissions package this week that will save American taxpayers $9 billion.
    With our national debt at unsustainable levels, we must be careful stewards of taxpayer dollars. That means eliminating obvious waste that serves no benefit for the American people.
    Rescissions Package Will Eliminate Reckless Spending on Biased Public Media
    That’s exactly what this bill accomplishes, and this is only the beginning of the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate reckless spending.
    It eliminates $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
    This is the organization that funds NPR and PBS—which have pushed left-wing ideology on the taxpayers’ dime for years.
    NPR’s CEO, Katherine Maher, has called President Trump a “fascist” and “deranged racist.”
    Ahead of the 2020 election, her outlet refused to cover the revelations about Hunter Biden’s laptop and overseas business deals—which turned out to be entirely true.
    As NPR’s leadership put it at the time: “We don’t want to waste the listeners’ and readers’ time on stories that are just pure distractions.”
    Rescissions Package Will Cut Billions in Foreign Spending That Undermines American Values
    The rescissions package also cuts billions in foreign spending that does absolutely nothing to promote American values and interests abroad:
    $4 million for “sedentary migrants” in Colombia;
    $3 million for an Iraqi version of Sesame Street;
    $1 million for voter ID efforts in Haiti;
    $500,000 for electric buses in Rwanda;
    $6 million for “Net Zero Cities” in Mexico;
    $2.1 million for “climate resilience” in Asia, Latin America, and Africa.
    And on and on.
    At the same time, the package eliminates $1 billion in funding for international organizations that work against American interests, including:
    $135 million for the corrupt World Health Organization, which covered for Communist China throughout the COVID pandemic;
    And $8 million for the UN Human Rights Council, which supports dictators and repressive regimes while demonizing our ally, Israel.
    Americans Support Fiscal Responsibility 
    All in all, these savings are just common sense.
    The American people support these cuts. They want fiscal responsibility. They want a future where their children and grandchildren do not have to bear the burden of crippling debt. And this rescissions package is an incredible first step in taking on this problem. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Haiti funding cuts bite, civilian suffering intensifies in Myanmar, Belarus deaths in custody alert

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Ongoing violence is compounding the country’s food crisis, disrupting local food production in critical areas such as the commune of Kenscoff and the Artibonite department, often considered the breadbaskets of Haiti.

    While the UN and its partners are responding “wherever and whenever possible,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said this Wednesday that humanitarians have only been able to reach 38 per cent of the population they aim to support.

    Multiple roadblocks

    “This is due to ongoing violence and insecurity, severe underfunding of the response, and the obvious access challenges,” he said.

    Over halfway through the year, Haiti is the least-funded of the many humanitarian appeals that the UN coordinates – despite shortfalls for food security in the country being at extreme levels – with just over two per cent of the $425 million needed this year received to date.

    Myanmar: Intensifying conflict impedes humanitarian aid

    Almost four months after Myanmar’s devastating earthquake, the UN is deeply concerned over the plight of civilians caught up in the country’s devastating and continuing conflict between the military regime and opposition armed groups.

    As fighting intensifies, civilians are particularly vulnerable, with increasing attacks on infrastructure.

    According to reports, an air strike hit a monastery in Sagan Township in Sagaing Region on 11 July, killing 22 people and injuring at least 50 others. The monastery had been providing shelter to displaced people who had fled nearby villages.

    A displacement camp in North Shan State was also reportedly hit by an airstrike over the weekend.

    ‘Broader pattern’

    “These incidents are part of a broader pattern of attacks affecting people across Myanmar,” said Mr. Dujarric, with frequent reports of people being killed, injured or displaced by violence.

    Such insecurity also impacts the ability of humanitarian teams to reach people in need: with one in three people now facing acute hunger, and the current monsoon season having caused flooding, “the UN urgently calls on all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law,” he said.

    Belarus: Rights experts urge probe into deaths in custody of opposition activists

    Top independent human rights experts called on Belarus on Wednesday to launch urgent investigations into the deaths of several people jailed for political dissent.

    The experts – who are known as Special Rapporteurs – highlighted the case of 61-year-old businessman Valiantsin Shtermer. He died in May 2025 while serving his sentence in a so-called “Correctional Colony” in Šklou.

    Mr. Shtermer had been jailed for making critical remarks about Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Despite his serious medical condition, he was allegedly denied adequate care in prison.

    Fifty-year-old opposition activist Vitold Ashurak meanwhile, also died shortly after being placed in an isolation in the same prison.

    According to the Special Rapporteurs, Mr. Ashurak was a member of the Belarusian National Front who was jailed for violating public order during protests related to the disputed 2020 presidential elections.

    We must not ignore these deaths

    “These deaths must not be ignored,” said the experts, who added that there were strong grounds to believe that they resulted from abuse or neglect linked to the exercise of fundamental rights.

    “It is of the utmost importance to thoroughly investigate the alleged instances of ill-treatment and neglect that resulted in the deaths of Shtermer, Ashurak, Puškin and other persons designated as political prisoners by human rights defenders,” the Human Rights Council appointed experts underscored.

    “There are strong reasons to believe that these individuals lost their lives in retaliation for exercising their civil and political rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”

    The independent experts voiced concern that some opposition figures had been stigmatised and labelled as “extremists” or even “terrorists”.

    Special Rapporteurs report regularly to the Human Rights Council. They are not UN staff and do not receive payment for their work.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Joins McCollum In Leading 45 Bicameral Colleagues In Letter Opposing Cuts To The Corporation For Public Broadcasting

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Lawmakers emphasize importance of emergency broadcasting funding to keep Americans safe amid natural disasters and emergencies

    Washington, DC — On Wednesday, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), joined Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) in leading a letter alongside 45  bicameral Congressional colleagues to President Trump urging him to reconsider his decision to defund the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The CPB supports America’s children with educational programming and ensures that emergency broadcasting keeps Americans safe amid natural disasters and emergencies. The proposed rescission to the CPB will force small stations around the country to close, leaving significant gaps in coverage for Americans who rely on these vital services for noncommercial, high-quality, localized content and telecommunications. 

    The letter comes amid Congressional Republicans’ attempt to pass President Trump’s proposal to rescind $10 Billion in federal funding that Congress approved four months ago on a bipartisan basis. Despite bipartisan opposition to the bill, the US Senate voted to move forward to debating and amending the legislation on Wednesday by the slimmest possible margin following a tie-breaking vote cast by Vice President JD Vance. 

    “We write to express our deep concern regarding the $1.1 Billion claw back of funds to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) included in the proposed recissions you sent to Congress on May 28, 2025,” said the lawmakers in their letter to the White House. “The package was passed through the House of Representatives on June 12, over the objections of all Democratic and four Republican Members. The cuts to CPB in the recission package undermine the public media that Americans rely on for unfettered access to information, educational programming for kids, cultural programming, and nationwide emergency alerting.

    “Public media has received bipartisan support for the past 50 years because Congress has continuously recognized that access to public media is in the public’s best interest. The Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS) is the backbone of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Amber Alerts and plays a critical role in keeping Americans informed and safe during emergencies. As key local news providers, public radio stations leverage their reporting resources to offer live news and information on disasters and other emergencies, providing real-time information on where local audiences can access resources and safe locations.

    “As our nation experiences increased instances of severe weather and climate shocks, this service is more important than ever. In Minnesota, Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) delivers programming and services across the state, and in some areas is the only local source for news and updates during an emergency. When the power goes out, and cell networks or the internet go down, MPR is the most reliable form of communication in an emergency and provides essential backstopping for all other emergency alerting services and activities across the public media system. This is true across all 50 states, and losing this important service in the middle of hurricane, flood, and tornado season will prove devastating nationwide.

    “Of the $1.1 Billion included in the rescission proposal, 70% of these funds will be pulled out of local stations that are independently owned and operated in our communities. For many smaller stations in rural communities across the country, these cuts will prove utterly devastating, because they provide local, state, and regional news that is no longer provided through other outlets. These small stations will not survive, resulting in news deserts for these communities and putting thousands of American lives at risk.

    “We ask your administration to withdraw this rescission proposal and protect the vital services that CPB provides. If the rescissions go ahead as planned, we will be requesting a report to Congress as to how your administration plans to fill the void left behind, particularly in the areas of emergency alerting and local news reporting.”

    The letter is co-signed by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) and 44 Democratic Representatives: Representatives Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Ami Bera (CA-06), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Shontel Brown (OH-11), André Carson (IN-07), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Danny Davis (IL-07), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), William Keating (MA-09), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), James McGovern (MA-02), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Dave Min (CA-47), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Richard Neal (MA-01), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Adam Smith (WA-09), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).

    Click here to read the letter. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Statement on Senate Bill 382 Litigation

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Statement on Senate Bill 382 Litigation

    Governor Stein Statement on Senate Bill 382 Litigation
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, Governor Josh Stein announced that he would not appeal the trial court’s ruling in litigation involving Senate Bill 382’s changes to the structure of the State Highway Patrol. Governor Stein released the following statement about his decision:  

    “I brought this lawsuit to ensure that our public safety leaders are accountable to the people of North Carolina, as required by our state’s Constitution. Making a Commander of the State Highway Patrol unremovable for any reason would threaten public safety, and I am relieved the Court did not endorse such a result. I continue to have confidence in Colonel Freddy Johnson’s ability to lead the State Highway Patrol effectively, and I look forward to continuing to work with him to keep people safe.”

    Governor Stein challenged Senate Bill 382 because the bill was ambiguous about whether it sought to overturn the Governor’s constitutional authority to remove the Commander of the State Highway Patrol in appropriate circumstances, at least until 2030. The bill could have been interpreted to prevent the Governor from removing the Commander under any circumstance, including if the Commander refused to perform his duties, abused his office, or was convicted of serious crimes.

    Last month, a three-judge panel held that Senate Bill 382 was not clearly unconstitutional. Though he disagrees with certain aspects of that decision, the Governor understands it to recognize his constitutional authority to remove a Commander and thus does not believe an appeal is necessary at this time. 

    Jul 16, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: De La Cruz Honors McAllen Police Officer Ismael Garcia, Dr. James C. Lee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Monica De La Cruz (TX-15)

    De La Cruz Honors McAllen Police Officer Ismael Garcia, Dr. James C. Lee

    WASHINGTON, July 16, 2025

    Today, Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) honored McAllen Police Officer Ismael Garcia and the life of Dr. James C. Lee of Seguin on the House floor. 

    Officer Ismael Garcia was injured during the attack on the Border Patrol annex facility in McAllen. Remarks as prepared are below, or watch the full speech here.

    “I rise today to honor the brave service of McAllen Police Officer Ismael Garcia during the horrific attack on the McAllen Border Patrol facility last week.

    When an active shooter opened fire, Officer Garcia did not hesitate to jump into action. He willingly put himself in harm’s way, to protect his brothers and sisters in blue and green.

    In the face of danger, he displayed valor, sacrifice, and selflessness.

    When I visited him in recovery, he expressed pride in taking the bullet to protect others.

    Officer Garcia served our nation for four years in the Marine Corps, earning the Combat Action Ribbon for his bravery. For nearly a decade since, he has continued to answer the call of duty as a McAllen Police Department officer.

    We wish him a speedy recovery. May God bless Officer Garcia, our law enforcement, first responders, and border patrol.”

    Additionally, De La Cruz honored the life and legacy of Dr. James C. Lee of Seguin. Remarks as prepared are below, or watch the full speech here.

    “I rise today to recognize Dr. James C. Lee of Seguin for his lifetime of service and dedication to the well-being of his fellow Texans.

    Originally born in Houston, Dr. Lee made Seguin his home in the late 70s. For nearly three decades, he cared for patients of all ages and served as a founding member, treasurer, and finance chair of the Guadalupe Regional Medical Foundation. He served on the medical center’s governing board as Chairman and on the MHMR board, helping those with disabilities and mental health needs access support.

    Beloved by both patients and staff, Dr. Lee’s presence will be dearly missed, but his work to help community members access their health care will live on. Outside of his work in the medical field, he was a devout Catholic, President of the Seguin Area Chamber of Commerce, a 50-year member of the Knights of Columbus, and 30-year member of the Rotary Club of Seguin.

    Dr. Lee’s legacy is remembered by his wife, Janice, his four daughters, Crystal, Cynthia, Catherine, Carol, and 10 grandchildren.

    Thank you and I yield back.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Votes ‘No’ on FY26 Intelligence Authorization Act for Removing Critical Oversight of Intelligence Agencies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 16, 2025

    U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced that he voted against the 2026 Intelligence Authorization Act, which removed essential oversight of government intelligence and surveillance programs and passed the Senate Intelligence Committee Tuesday evening. 

    “It’s legislative malpractice to reduce the Senate’s oversight of the federal intelligence agencies while Donald Trump and his cronies are ignoring both laws and constitutional protections for Americans rights on a daily basis,” Wyden said. “Eliminating the requirement that the general counsels of the Office of Director of National Intelligence and CIA be Senate confirmed means the people who make secret law will no longer be vetted or held accountable. The bill also excludes congressional oversight of Intelligence Community firings that was in last year’s bill, despite the Trump administration’s politicized purges. These represent a serious setback for oversight. I also have serious concerns about classified matters that are either in the classified annex, or that the annex fails to address.”

    Wyden did secure several important provisions in the bill, including whistleblower protections, a reporting requirement on the collection of commercial data, the declassification of any information on foreign governments’ actions to help their nationals flee justice in the United States, a prohibition on intelligence agencies contracting with companies that collect or sell location data associated with intelligence facilities and annual reporting on FBI national security investigations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 16th, 2025 BREAKING: Heinrich’s Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act Signed into Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich announced that his Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act to permanently classify fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as Schedule I drugs, under the Controlled Substances Act, has been signed into law. Heinrich introduced the HALT Fentanyl Act in January with U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Heinrich announced passage of his bill in the U.S. Senate in March and the U.S. House of Representatives in June.

    This permanent scheduling will give law enforcement added tools to help get extremely lethal and dangerous drugs off our streets, dismantle organized criminal trafficking operations, and keep New Mexicans safe.

    “I’m very pleased that my HALT Fentanyl Act is now law. This bill will help our law enforcement crack down on illegal trafficking and keep our communities safe, and allow prosecutors to build stronger, longer-term criminal cases,” said Heinrich, the bill’s lead Democratic sponsor. “I will never stop fighting to deliver the resources to get deadly fentanyl out of our communities and save lives.”

    The HALT Fentanyl Act is endorsed by the Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents, the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies, the National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Directors Association, the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, and the National District Attorneys Association, as well as state and local law enforcement across New Mexico.

    “Fentanyl has negatively impacted the city of Las Cruces in significant ways. In the past five years, we have experienced a substantial increase in crime, homelessness, and quality of life issues. I firmly believe fentanyl has been the biggest driver of these issues. It is time to take meaningful action to reverse the harm caused by this illicit substance,” said Jeremy Story, Chief of the Las Cruces Police Department.

    “Like any illegal substance, whether it be opioids or fentanyl use, there are no easy or quick solutions and often combatting their abuse requires a multi-layered approach. The HALT Fentanyl Act is just that, which is why I fully support it. We may be inclined to not concern ourselves with research, for example, but those trafficking in this market do concern themselves with research. Let us endorse this bigger picture approach to help combat fentanyl use in our country,” said Kim Stewart, Doña Ana County Sheriff.

    “The HALT Fentanyl Act is another tool to go after transnational gangs and help make our community safer. Legislation is key for law enforcement to do their job,” said John Allen, Bernalillo County Sheriff.

    Background:

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there were 107,543 overdose deaths in the United States in 2023. Fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances accounted for nearly 75,000 of those deaths. Since 1999, the overdose crisis has increasingly been characterized by deaths involving these illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl-related substances (FRS), which are commonly sold through illicit drug markets for their fentanyl-like effect, and are often mixed with heroin or other drugs, such as cocaine, or pressed in to counterfeit prescription pills. During this same period, overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (excluding methadone) increased 103-fold. By comparison, overdose deaths involving heroin and prescription opioids increased 2.5-fold and 4.1-fold, respectively.

    Traffickers are continually altering the chemical structure of fentanyl to evade regulation and prosecution, sometimes with tragic results. Since 2013, China has been the principal source of fentanyl, fentanyl-related substances, and the precursor chemicals from which they are produced. Chinese product is commonly shipped to Mexico and smuggled into the United States’ illicit drug market via U.S. citizens. Traffickers have favored fentanyl-related substances to skirt around committing the crime of trafficking fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. In 2023, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized nearly 12,000 pounds of illicit fentanyl, including fentanyl powder and more than 78 million pills laced with illicit fentanyl. The 2023 seizures were equivalent to more than 388.8 million lethal doses of fentanyl.

    In 2018, as an initial response to this unprecedented crisis, the DEA issued a temporary scheduling order that placed FRS in Schedule I, under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), after classifying it as an imminent hazard to public safety. Previously, Congress has only closed this loophole temporarily by designating fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. Congress has extended the FRS temporary scheduling order several times, most recently on March 15, 2025, with a measure that would have expired on September 30, 2025.

    Heinrich’s HALT Fentanyl Act will finally make permanent the scheduling of illicitly produced fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs and streamline the regulatory process for scientists seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to research Schedule I substances.

    Clear and Enforceable Criminal Penalties for Fentanyl Trafficking:

    A permanent scheduling of FRS is necessary to make penalties for criminals clear and enforceable under the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), reducing the supply and availability of illicitly manufactured FRS. The HALT Fentanyl Act places controls and penalties on FRS that have no accepted medical use and a high abuse potential.

    Specifically, the HALT Fentanyl Act will permanently impose the following quantity-based federal trafficking penalties on FRS:

    Mandatory minimum penalties: 5 years for 10 grams or more (10 years for second offense); and 10 years for 100 grams or more (20 years for second offense).

    Discretionary maximum penalties: 40 years for 10 grams or more (life for second offense); and life for 100 grams or more.

    Expanded Scientific and Medical Research:

    More closely aligning the research and registration process for Schedule I substances, including FRS, with Schedule II substances will facilitate increased FRS research. By accommodating more medical research into fentanyl-related substances, the bill will establish a new, streamlined registration process for research funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), or under an Investigative New Drug (IND) exemption from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    Specifically, the HALT Fentanyl Act will enhance our understanding of these illicitly manufactured substances by:

    • Allowing researchers in the same institution to participate in multiple scientific studies.
    • Permitting researchers with ongoing studies to examine newly added Schedule I substances.
    • Allowing researchers to manufacture small quantities of FRS without a separate registration.

    The text of the HALT Fentanyl Act is here.

    A section-by-section summary of the HALT Fentanyl Act is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski, Colleagues Advocate for Critical Education Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski

    07.16.25

    Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined her colleagues in a letter to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Russell Vought, asking him to faithfully implement the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act, and release the funds.

    The legislation included funding for Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants; 21st Century Learning Centers; Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants; English Language Acquisition; Migrant Education; Adult Basic and Literary Education State Grants (including Integrated English Language and Civics Education State Grants).

    “The decision to withhold this funding is directly contrary to President Trump’s goal of returning K-12 education to the states,” the Senators wrote. “This funding goes directly to states and local school districts, where local leaders decide how this funding is spent, because as we know, local communities know how to best serve students and families. Withholding this funding denies states and communities the opportunity to pursue localized initiatives to support students and their families.”

    The letter was also signed by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Boyd Britt (R-AL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), and M. Michael Rounds (R-SD).

    The full text of the letter can be found here, or below.

    Dear Director Vought,

    We write to ask you to faithfully implement the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act, which President Trump signed into law earlier this year, including the education formula funds that states anticipated receiving on July I, 2025.

    The Continuing Resolution contained funding for Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants; 21st Century Community Learning Centers; Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants; English Language Acquisition; Migrant Education; Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants). Withholding these funds will harm students, families, and local economies.

    The decision to withhold this funding is contrary to President Trump’s goal of returning K-12 education to the states. This funding goes directly to states and local school districts, where local leaders decide how this funding is spent, because as we know, local communities know how to best serve students and families. Withholding this funding denies states and communities the opportunity to pursue localized initiatives to support students and their families.

    We share your concern about taxpayer money going to fund radical left-wing programs.

    However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds. These funds go to support programs that enjoy longstanding, bipartisan support like after-school and summer programs that provide learning and enrichment opportunities for school aged children which also enables their parents to work and contribute to local economies.

    These funds also go to support adult learners. These students are often adults seeking second chances for a myriad of reasons, for example, caregiving responsibilities or financial challenges.

    These are adult learners working to gain employment skills, earn workforce certifications, or transition into postsecondary education. We should be making educational opportunities easier for these students, not harder.

    We welcome the opportunity to work with you and Secretary McMahon to ensure that all federal education funding goes towards programs that help states and school districts provide students an excellent education. We want to see students in our states and across the country thrive, whether they are adult learners, students who speak English as a second language, or students who need after-school care so that their parents can work. We believe you share the same goal.

    We encourage you to reverse your decision and release this Congressionally-approved funding to states.

    Thank you for your attention to this request, and we look forward to your prompt reply.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Thursday, July 17, 2025

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Note: All times local

    National Capital Region, Canada

    8:45 a.m. The Prime Minister will convene the First Nations Major Projects Summit to engage with First Nations rights holders on the Building Canada Act, and deliver opening remarks.

    Notes for media:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jayapal, Meng Introduce Housing is a Human Right Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Grace Meng (NY-06) led lawmakers today in introducing the Housing is a Human Right Act, transformative legislation to authorize more than $300 billion for housing infrastructure to reduce homelessness across America. This urgent proposal would invest more than $200 billion in necessary affordable housing and support services and provide $27 billion a year for homelessness services, $100 million a year for community-driven alternatives to criminalization of those experiencing homelessness, and make targeted investments in communities at disproportionate risk of homelessness. 

    “Homelessness is not a personal failure, it’s a policy failure,” said Jayapal. “At a moment when Trump and Republicans just enacted the largest transfer of wealth from poor and working people to billionaires, while slashing food assistance and health care for millions of Americans, it is more urgent than ever to pass this legislation to invest in our most vulnerable communities. As rents skyrocket across the country and homeownership is out of reach for millions of Americans, we can and must invest in proven solutions to build more affordable housing.  Housing is a human right – and every person deserves to have a safe place to call home.”

    “Housing is a human right, and no one should be without a safe, stable place to call home,” said Meng. “That’s why I’m proud to reintroduce this landmark legislation, which dedicates billions of dollars toward ending homelessness nationwide. Homelessness is a complex issue with many causes, and simply providing a roof is not always enough. This bill tackles the root causes by funding affordable housing, expanding supportive services, and investing in communities that face the greatest risk. Together, we can build a future where everyone has a place to belong.”

    According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, across the United States, over 750,000 people experienced homelessness in 2024, an increase of 18 percent from 2023. Additionally, as costs have skyrocketed and the minimum wage has stagnated, there are no longer any American cities where a minimum-wage earner can afford the cost to rent a one-bedroom apartment.

    This is particularly true in Washington state, which had the third-highest homeless population in the country in 2024. In 2024, on any given night in King County, there were an estimated 16,868 individuals experiencing homelessness, which is a whopping 26 percent higher than the 2022 estimate.

    A lack of housing often leads to penalization, both civil and criminal, depending on local laws. It also makes it difficult to seek or hold a job, obtain assistance with accessing resources, find safe housing, and receive regular care for health needs. In fact, the harsh conditions of unsheltered homelessness lead to a mortality rate that is at least four times higher than that of the general public. 

    Vulnerable groups already targeted by this administration are also disproportionately likely to experience homelessness — including communities of color, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, seniors, veterans, former foster youth, and formerly incarcerated people. While Black communities make up 13 percent of the general population, they comprise 40 percent of people experiencing homelessness and half of all homeless families. And up to 40 percent of the 4.2 million youth experiencing homelessness identify as LGBTQIA+, while only making up 9.5 percent of the general population.

    The Housing is a Human Right Act will address this crisis by:

    • Investing up to $100 billion for McKinney-Vento Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) and $100 billion for Continuum of Care (COC) grants.
    • Creating a new grant program to invest in humane infrastructure; providing municipalities with $6 billion a year through a flexible program that will allow them to address their most urgent housing needs to keep people in stable housing and support those experiencing homelessness. 
    • Incentivizing local investments in humane, evidence-based models to support people experiencing homelessness, including alternatives to criminalization and penalization.
    • Providing $10 billion for FEMA emergency food and shelter grants while improving grants to better represent high rates of homelessness and income inequality.
    • Authorizing $100 million in grants to public libraries to provide assistance and tailored supports to persons experiencing homelessness.

    The Housing is a Human Right Act is sponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

    The Housing is a Human Right Act is endorsed by A Way Home America; Bellwether Housing; Downtown Emergency Service Center; Homestead Community Land Trust; Lavender Rights Project; Low Income Housing Institute; Minority Veterans of America; National Alliance to End Homelessness; National Coalition for the Homeless; National Health Care for the Homeless Council; National Homelessness Law Center; National Housing Law Project; National Low Income Housing Coalition; RESULTS; Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness; The Southern Poverty Law Center; and Washington Low Income Housing Alliance.

    Issues: Housing, Transportation, & Infrastructure

    MIL OSI USA News –