NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI: Alectra advises incoming storm may cause power outages, reminds customers to ensure emergency kits are ready

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A special weather statement has been issued for parts of Alectra Utilities’ service territory due to forecasted freezing rain, ice and snow expected this afternoon and into the weekend.

    Forecasts indicate there may be a substantial accumulation of freezing rain that could potentially cause power outages as well as damage to powerlines. Areas with trees located near wires should take extra precaution as fallen limbs that contact power lines could cause extended outages in affected areas.

    In the event of downed powerlines, stay at least 10 metres away (the length of a school bus), and call 911 immediately. To report outages, Alectra Utilities’ customers should call 1-833-ALECTRA (1-833-253-2872) or use our web chat at AlectraUtilities.com/Report-Outage.

    Alectra’s System Control Centre continuously monitors weather forecasts and storm models and mitigation strategies have been made to prepare line crews and additional field and communications staff to respond in the event the situation evolves.

    If you experience a power outage, you can find frequent updates through our X (formerly Twitter) channel @AlectraNews or by visiting the outage map on our website: alectrautilities.com.

    Alectra Utilities reminds all customers of the importance of having mobile devices charged and preparing an emergency kit in the event of a sustained power outage. It is recommended that emergency kits include medicine, first aid supplies, flashlights, new batteries, a battery-operated radio, a manual can opener, canned food, bottled water, blankets, food for pets and important telephone numbers for family doctors, schools, daycare and insurance companies.

    Learn more about what to do in the event of an emergency: alectrautilities.com/emergency-preparedness.

    About Alectra Utilities

    Serving more than one million homes and businesses and approximately three million people in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe area, Alectra Utilities is the largest municipally-owned electric utility in Canada, based on the total number of customers served. We contribute to the economic growth and vibrancy of the 17 communities we serve by investing in essential energy infrastructure, delivering a safe and reliable supply of electricity, and providing innovative energy solutions. Our mission is to be an energy ally, helping our customers and the communities we serve to discover the possibilities of tomorrow’s energy future.

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/alectranews
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alectranews/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alectranews/?hl=en
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/16178435/admin/
    Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/alectranews.bsky.social
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/alectranews

    Media Contact

    Ashley Trgachef, Media Spokesperson, ashley.trgachef@alectrautilities.com
    Telephone: 416.402.5469 | 24/7 Media Line: 1-833-MEDIA-LN

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: First year of Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ law shows how autocracies are replicating Russian model − and speeding up the time frame

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Anastasiya Zavyalova, Associate Professor of Strategic Management, Rice University

    Demonstrators protest the foreign influence law in front of the Georgian Parliament building on May 28, 2024. Nicolo Vincenzo Malvestuto/Getty Images

    Autocracy is on the move worldwide and becoming more resilient.

    One of the driving forces behind this phenomenon is something scholars call “authoritarian learning,” a process by which autocratic leaders study each other and adapt tactics based on what appears to work, and how to proceed when they encounter resistance.

    Take Georgia. The ruling Georgian Dream party has steered the Caucasus nation from a path toward democracy back to autocracy – and it has done so by learning from Russia. In particular, it adopted a “foreign agent” law in May 2024 – legislation that came straight from Vladimir Putin’s playbook.

    Sold to the public as increasing transparency, the legislation has been utilized to persecute Georgia’s opposition and arrest dissidents with impunity.

    As researchers examining the structure and effects of autocratic regimes, we view Georgia’s first year of its foreign agent law as an example of how politicians are not only learning the tactics of Russian authoritarianism but improving on them in a shorter time frame.

    Bouncing from Europe to Russia

    Georgia’s current ruling party came to power after then-President Mikheil Saakashvili enacted a major series of reforms in the 2000s. Saakashvili, who was jailed in 2021 under highly contested charges, inherited a Georgia seen as a failing and corrupt state tethered to Russia.

    The reform-minded politicians of Saakashvili’s government set the country on a pro-Western path. But after Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008, a socially conservative coalition under the banner Georgian Dream won the parliamentary elections in 2012.

    Georgian Dream was buoyed by the fortune of billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, a Russian citizen until 2011. The party capitalized on the public’s fatigue after a decade of Saakashvili’s necessary but intense reforms. The new coalition married a promise for continuing the pro-Western reforms, but with a more traditional, conservative approach to social issues.

    This appeal to traditional Georgian values won support in rural communities and carried the coalition to an absolute majority in Parliament in 2016. Since then, Georgian Dream has adopted pro-Russian rhetoric, accusing a “global war party” of running the West. Increasing attacks on the European Union, in particular, have been a part of a broader strategy to bring Georgia back into Russia’s orbit.

    The Georgian Dream progression in power has mirrored that of Putin in Russia. In 2012, Putin signed a “foreign agents” law that originally targeted NGOs receiving foreign funding and alleged to be engaged in political activity.

    The Kremlin equated this law to the 1938 Foreign Agents Registration Act, or FARA, in the United States, and justified it as a means to increase transparency around foreign involvement in Russia’s internal affairs.

    Unlike FARA, however, Russia’s version of the law neither required establishing a connection between foreign funding and political activity nor provided a clear definition of political activity.

    This vagueness allowed for a wide range of NGOs deemed undesirable by the Kremlin to be labeled as “foreign agents.” The result was the suppression of NGO activities through financial, administrative and legal burdens that led to their liquidation or departure from the country.

    Over the years, this law has reduced Russian civil society’s ability to independently voice and address issues that its population faces.

    Yearlong slide into autocracy

    Georgian Dream passed a very similar foreign agent law on May 28, 2024, after overcoming a presidential veto. It forced NGOs receiving more than 20% of their funding from abroad to register with the Ministry of Justice as “serving the interests of a foreign power.”

    Activists opposing the law have been physically assaulted, and the law has been utilized against what the ruling party has described as “LGBT propaganda.”

    The law fits a wider political landscape in which the ruling party has moved to restrict freedom of the press, prosecuted political opponents and postponed Georgia’s European Union candidate status despite the overwhelming majority of Georgians being pro-EU.

    Protestors take part in a pro-European rally in Warsaw, Poland, on April 30, 2024.
    Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Improving on Russian authoritarians

    Three critical factors played a role in allowing for the foreign agent law in Russia to expand its reach: the power imbalance between the Russian government and NGOs, limited action by international authorities, and delayed media attention to the issue.

    At the time the law was passed, civil society inside Russia itself was split. Some foresaw the dangers of the law and engaged in collective action to oppose it, while others chose to wait and see.

    As it happened, the law and the accompanying repressive apparatus spread to a broader range of targets. In 2015, Putin signed a law that designated an “undesirable” status to foreign organizations “on national security grounds”; in 2017, an amendment expanded the targets of the law from NGOs to mass media outlets; and at the end of 2019, the law allowed the classification of individuals and unregistered public associations – that is, groups of individuals – as mass media acting as foreign agents. By July 2022, the foreign funding criterion was excluded and a status of a foreign agent could be designated to anyone whom the Russian authorities deemed to be “under foreign influence.”

    Russia’s experience highlights the process of early stages of authoritarian consolidation, when state power quashes independent sources of power, and political groups and citizens either rally around the government or go silent. The foreign agent law in Russia was passed only after the protests that accompanied the 2012 elections, which returned Putin to the presidency for the third term.

    In Georgia, the ruling government borrowed from Russia’s lead – after backing down from its first attempt to pass a foreign agent law in the face of massive protests, it pushed it through before the elections.

    The law was then used to raid NGOs sympathetic to the opposition days before the October 2024 parliamentary election. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said before the elections that in the event of Georgian Dream’s victory, it would look to outlaw the pro-Western opposition, naming them “criminal political forces.”

    In the wake of President Donald Trump’s suspension of USAID assistance in February 2025, Georgian Dream has seized the opportunity to expand its war on civil society, echoing Russian, Chinese and American far-right conspiracy rhetoric that foreign-funded NGOs were fomenting revolution. To combat such phantoms, Georgian Dream has passed new legislation that criminalizes assembly and protest.

    A springboard for repression

    The foreign agent law has been a springboard for repressive activities in both Russia and Georgia, but while it took Russia a decade to effectively use the law to crush any opposition, Georgian Dream is working on an expedited timetable.

    Although the EU has suspended direct assistance and closed off visa-free travel for Georgian officials as a result of the law, Trump’s turn toward pro-Russian policies has made it more difficult to obtain Western consensus in dislodging the Georgian government from its authoritarian drift.

    Georgia’s experience, following the Russian playbook, illustrates how authoritarians are learning from each other, utilizing the rule of law itself against democracy.

    Christopher A. Hartwell has received funding from the Institute for Humane Studies and the Swiss National Science Foundation.

    Anastasiya Zavyalova does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. First year of Georgia’s ‘foreign agent’ law shows how autocracies are replicating Russian model − and speeding up the time frame – https://theconversation.com/first-year-of-georgias-foreign-agent-law-shows-how-autocracies-are-replicating-russian-model-and-speeding-up-the-time-frame-250878

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Tens of millions at risk of extreme hunger and starvation as unprecedented funding crisis spirals

    Source: World Food Programme

    Photo: WFP/WFP/Jerry Ally Kahashi. WFP food distribution in Goma, DRC.

    ROME – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today that 58 million people risk losing life-saving assistance in the agency’s 28 most critical crisis response operations unless new funding is received urgently.

    Despite the generosity of many governments and individual donors, WFP is experiencing a steep decline in funding across its major donors. The severity of these cuts, combined with record levels of people in need, have led to an unprecedented crisis for tens of millions across the globe reliant on food aid.

    Right now, the organization is facing an alarming 40 percent drop in funding for 2025, as compared to last year. This is having severe repercussions for its food aid efforts globally, particularly emergency feeding programs that support the most vulnerable.

    “WFP is prioritizing countries with the greatest needs and stretching food rations at the frontlines. While we are doing everything possible to reduce operational costs, make no mistake, we are facing a funding cliff with life-threatening consequences,” said Rania Dagash-Kamara, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation. “Emergency feeding programmes not only save lives and alleviate human suffering, they bring greatly needed stability to fragile communities, which can spiral downwards when faced with extreme hunger.”

    WFP on the Frontlines 

    Today, global hunger is skyrocketing as 343 million people face severe food insecurity, driven by an unrelenting wave of global crises including conflict, economic instability, and climate-related emergencies. In 2025, WFP’s operations are focused on supporting just over one-third of those in need – roughly 123 million of the world’s hungriest people – nearly half of whom (58 million) are at imminent risk of losing access to food assistance.

    Last year, WFP teams helped feed more than 120 million people in 80 countries, delivering urgent food aid to hunger hot spots and frontline crises around the world. 

    Imminent Pipeline Breaks

    As WFP works to quickly adapt its operations to current low funding levels, it is alerting donors that its 28 most critical crisis response operations are facing severe funding constraints and dangerously low food supplies through August. 

    The 28 programs span: Lebanon, Sudan, Syria, South Sudan, Chad, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Uganda, Niger, Burkina Faso, DRC, Yemen, Mali, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Haiti, Mozambique, Nigeria, Somalia, Kenya, Ukraine, Malawi, Burundi, Ethiopia, Palestine, Central African Republic, Jordan, and Egypt. 

    Below are a few examples of these programmes.
     

    • Sudan: WFP requires nearly US$570 million to support over 7 million people per month in Sudan where a looming pipeline break will hit as early as April. Famine was first confirmed in Zamzam camp near the embattled city of El Fasher and has since spread to 10 areas across North Darfur and the Western Nuba mountains. In Sudan 24.6 million people do not have enough to eat. Delays in funding to deliver emergency food assistance, emergency nutrition and emergency logistics will cut a vital lifeline for millions with immediate and devastating consequences for vulnerable populations, who in many cases are just one step away from starvation.
    • Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): WFP requires US$399 million to feed 6.4 million as escalating violence by militia groups in the east has already displaced more than a million people. Food and nutrition assistance across the DRC is vital to stabilize the region and reach the most vulnerable who have already been displaced by conflict multiple times.
    •  Palestine: WFP emergency response requires approximately US$265 million over the next six months to provide support to nearly 1.4 million people in Gaza and the West Bank. An additional US$34 million is urgently needed for 3-month shock-responsive cash transfer assistance to support 40,000 families in the West Bank. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical with over 2 million people fully dependent on food assistance – most of them displaced, without shelter and income.
       
    • Syria: WFP requires US$140 million to provide food and nutrition assistance to 1.2 million people every month. Without new funding, WFP faces a pipeline break in August which would cut off food assistance to one million of the most severely food-insecure individuals. Any disruption in life-saving assistance threatens to erode stability and social cohesion during a critical moment when millions of Syrians try to return home.
       
    • Lebanon: WFP requires US$162 million to feed 1.4 million people as severe funding shortfalls are already disrupting food assistance to vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian refugees – fostering instability and heightened social tensions. With an ongoing economic crisis and government transition in Lebanon, food insecurity continues to rise with one in three already facing acute hunger. 
       
    • South Sudan: WFP requires US$281 million to provide food and nutrition assistance to 2.3 million people escaping war, climate extremes, and an economic disaster – plunging them into a severe hunger crisis. South Sudan has also seen more than one million people arrive, fleeing from the war in Sudan. Nearly two-thirds of the people in South Sudan are acutely food insecure. New funding for WFP’s crisis response activities in South Sudan is needed now to preposition life-saving food ahead of the rainy season.
    • Myanmar: WFP requires US$60 million to provide life-saving food assistance to 1.2 million people. Without immediate new funding a pipeline break in April will cut off one million from all support. Increased conflict, displacement and access restrictions are already sharply driving up food aid needs as the lean season is expected to begin in July when food shortages hit hardest.
    • Haiti: WFP requires US$10 million to feed 1.3 million as brutal violence by armed groups has caused record levels of hunger and displacement. Half the population is facing extreme hunger and a quarter of the children under the age of five are stunted. More than a million people have been forced from their homes, including a record 60,000 in just one month this year. WFP has been providing hot meals and cash assistance to displaced people, but without new funding, that lifesaving assistance could be suspended in the coming weeks.
    • Saheland Lake Chad Basin: WFP requires US$570 million to reach 5 million people with life-saving food and nutrition assistance. Without new funding a pipeline break is expected in April. Millions of the most vulnerable people in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Nigeria in need of emergency support also face dire consequences as the June to August lean season approaches. At current funding levels, five million people risk losing critical support from WFP in the months ahead.

    #                 #                   #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing Intl Film Festival announces star-studded jury, lineup and events

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    Organizers have announced the Tiantan Award jury panel and additional details for the 15th Beijing International Film Festival (BJIFF), set for April 18-26 in Beijing.

    Organizers reveal the jury panel for the Tiantan Award main competition of the 15th Beijing International Film Festival during a press conference in Beijing, March 27, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the BJIFF Organizing Committee] 

    Prominent Chinese filmmaker Jiang Wen will chair the seven-member jury, organizers revealed at a press conference in Beijing on March 27.

    Jiang, known for his award-winning works “In the Heat of the Sun” (1994) and “Let the Bullets Fly” (2010), also gained international recognition for his role as Baze Malbus in “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016).

    His experience includes serving as a competition juror at the Cannes International Film Festival in 2003 and the Venice International Film Festival in 2013. In 2017, Jiang became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The following year, he presided as jury president at the Shanghai International Film Festival.

    The BJIFF’s Tiantan Award main competition jury will include Chinese American director and actor Joan Chen, British director David Yates, Chinese mainland actor Ni Ni, Finnish director Teemu Nikki, Swiss director and actor Vincent Perez, and Chinese art director Tim Yip from China’s Hong Kong. The panel will select winners across 10 categories, including best feature film, best director and best screenplay. All awards will be presented at the festival’s closing ceremony and gala.

    The competition received a record 1,794 feature film submissions from 103 countries and regions, marking a 19% increase over last year’s 1,509 entries. International submissions accounted for 1,608 films, comprising nearly 90% of all entries and reflecting exceptional diversity in genre and thematic scope.

    Fifteen films have been shortlisted for the final competition, including three Chinese entries: Hao Ming and Li Peiran’s “Better Me, Better You,” Li Yongyi’s “Deep in the Mountains,” and Zhang Qi’s “Trapped.”

    International selections for the competition include Emine Yildirim’s “Apollon by Day Athena by Night” (Turkey), Sora Hokimoto’s “BAUS: The Ship’s Voyage Continues” (Japan), Maria Brendle’s “Frieda’s Case” (Switzerland), Tim Ellrich’s “In My Parents’ House” (Germany), Lilja Ingolfsdottir’s “Loveable” (Norway), Tobias Schmutzler, Kevin Schmutzler, Apuu Mourine, and Vallentine Chelluget’s “Nawi: Dear Future Me” (Kenya/Germany), Sophie Deraspe’s “Shepherds” (Canada/France), Andrea Segre’s “The Great Ambition” (Italy/Belgium/Bulgaria), Ivan Fund’s “The Message” (Argentina/Spain/Uruguay), Charlie McDowell’s “The Summer Book” (Finland/United Kingdom/United States), Noëlle Bastin and Baptiste Bogaert’s “Vitrival – The Most Beautiful Village in the World” (Belgium), and Hadi Mohaghegh’s “Vortex” (Iran/Czech Republic).

    The festival is supported by the China Film Administration and hosted by the Beijing municipal government and China Media Group. It will include star-studded opening and closing ceremonies featuring red-carpet shows.

    The festival’s core forums will delve into key topics, including intellectual property development, industry innovation, audience-driven storytelling and emerging film technologies. Additionally, the event will offer masterclasses conducted by acclaimed directors Jiang Wen and Jia Zhangke, along with French cinema icon Isabelle Huppert.

    The official poster for the 15th Beijing International Film Festival, designed by the renowned art director Huo Tingxiao. [Photo courtesy of the BJIFF Organizing Committee] 

    The festival also includes the Beijing Film Panorama, a highly anticipated program showcasing nostalgic classics, new blockbusters and previously unreleased films in China. This year, it will celebrate the 120th anniversary of Chinese cinema and the 130th anniversary of world cinema.

    It will feature 18 thematic sections with nearly 300 exceptional international films across about 900 screenings at 33 premium venues in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. These venues span commercial theaters, arthouse cinemas and cultural spaces. Initial confirmed films include a Robert Altman centenary retrospective, as well as works by Jiri Menzel, Andrei Tarkovsky and the late David Lynch.

    The BJIFF will feature a diverse lineup with hundreds of events, including a film carnival, pitch sessions for emerging filmmakers and cross-industry collaborations that merge cinema with music, fashion and gastronomy.

    Additional highlights include cutting-edge tech showcases, programs focused on short films, sports films, works by female directors, and young filmmakers, plus creative markets, an AI-generated film competition unit, and a university student film festival.

    This year, Switzerland serves as the Country of Honor to commemorate 75 years of China-Switzerland diplomatic relations, with a special Swiss Film Week. The festival will also introduce its inaugural China Film Global Distribution and Promotion Awards, recognizing 10 domestic and international distributors for their outstanding work in promoting Chinese cinema globally and enhancing both its commercial reach and cultural impact.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Enerflex Ltd. Announces Approval of Normal Course Issuer Bid

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    All amounts presented are in U.S. Dollars (“USD”) unless otherwise stated.

    CALGARY, Alberta, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Enerflex Ltd. (TSX: EFX) (NYSE: EFXT) (“Enerflex” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) has approved its application to implement a normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”) for a portion of its common shares (“Common Shares”).

    Enerflex believes that: (1) the repurchase of Common Shares would be an effective use of its cash resources and in the best interests of Enerflex and its shareholders; (2) that the current market price of its Common Shares does not fully reflect their underlying value; and (3) that current market conditions provide opportunities for the Company to acquire Common Shares at attractive prices.

    Pursuant to the NCIB notice filed with and accepted by the TSX, the Company has been authorized to acquire up to a maximum of 6,159,695 Common Shares, or approximately 5% of the public float as of March 18, 2025, for cancelation. As of March 18, 2025, Enerflex had 124,150,067 Common Shares issued and outstanding and a public float of 123,193,902 Common Shares.

    The NCIB will commence on April 1, 2025 and will terminate no later than March 31, 2026. Purchases under the NCIB will be made in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements through the facilities of the TSX, the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), other designated exchanges and/or alternative trading systems in Canada or the United States or by such other means as may be permitted by the applicable securities regulator at a price per Common Share representative of the market price at the time of acquisition.

    The number of Common Shares that can be purchased pursuant to the NCIB is subject to a current daily maximum of 109,475 Common Shares (which is equal to 25% of the average daily trading volume on the TSX of 437,902 Common Shares for the six full calendar months ended January 31, 2025), subject to the Company’s ability to make one block purchase of Common Shares per calendar week that exceeds such limits. The price per Common Share will be based on the market price of such shares at the time of purchase in accordance with regulatory requirements and all Common Shares purchased under the NCIB will be canceled upon their purchase. The Company intends to fund the purchases out of its available resources.

    The Company has entered into an automatic share purchase plan (“ASPP”) with its designated broker. Such purchases will be determined by the broker at its sole discretion, based on the purchasing parameters set out by the Company in accordance with the rules of the TSX, applicable securities laws and the terms of the ASPP.

    The ASPP will terminate on the earliest of the date on which: (i) the NCIB expires; (ii) the maximum number of Common Shares have been purchased under the NCIB; and (iii) the Company terminates the ASPP in accordance with its terms. Concurrent with the establishment of the ASPP, the Company has confirmed to the broker that it was then not aware of any material undisclosed or non-public information with respect to the Company or any securities of the Company. During the term of the ASPP, the Company will not communicate any material undisclosed or non-public information to the trading staff of the broker; accordingly, the broker may make purchases regardless of whether a trading blackout period is in effect or whether there is material undisclosed or non-public information about the Company at the time that purchases are made under the ASPP. If the ASPP is materially varied, suspended or terminated, the Company will issue a news release advising of such variation, suspension or termination, as applicable.

    Advisory Regarding Forward-looking Information
    This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and “forward-looking statements” (and together with “forward-looking information”, “FLI”) within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are FLI. The use of any of the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “future”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “potential”, “predict”, “should”, “will” and similar expressions, (including negatives thereof) are intended to identify FLI. In particular, this news release includes (without limitation) forward-looking information and statements pertaining to the anticipated benefits of the NCIB. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Although the FLI contained in this news release are based upon assumptions which management believes to be reasonable, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements.

    With respect to FLI contained in this news release, Enerflex has made assumptions regarding, among other things, the ability of the Company to achieve the benefits of the NCIB. The FLI included in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and are based on the information available to the Company at such time and, other than as required by law, Enerflex disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any FLI, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. This news release and its contents should not be construed, under any circumstances, as investment, tax, or legal advice.

    ABOUT ENERFLEX
    Enerflex is a premier integrated global provider of energy infrastructure and energy transition solutions, deploying natural gas, low-carbon, and treated water solutions – from individual, modularized products and services to integrated custom solutions. With over 4,600 engineers, manufacturers, technicians, and innovators, Enerflex is bound together by a shared vision: Transforming Energy for a Sustainable Future. The Company remains committed to the future of natural gas and the critical role it plays, while focused on sustainability offerings to support the energy transition and growing decarbonization efforts.

    Enerflex’s common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “EFX” and on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “EFXT”. For more information about Enerflex, visit www.enerflex.com.

    For investor and media enquiries, contact:

    Preet S. Dhindsa
    Interim President and Chief Executive Officer
    E-mail: PDhindsa@enerflex.com

    Jeff Fetterly
    Vice President, Corporate Development and Capital Markets
    E-mail: JFetterly@enerflex.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE launches guide on virtual assets for law enforcement at INTERPOL Summit

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE launches guide on virtual assets for law enforcement at INTERPOL Summit

    Vera Strobachova-Budway, Head of OCEEA’s Economic Governance Unit, presenting an OSCE guide on n virtual assets for law enforcement at the INTERPOL Virtual Assets Summit in Lyon, France, 28 March 2025. (OSCE) Photo details

    The OSCE has presented a new resource on virtual assets, Decoding Crypto Crime: A Guide for Law Enforcement , at the Interpol Virtual Assets Summit in Lyon, France, on 27 March. The guide will support law enforcement officers, prosecutors, tax and forensic specialists and other key stakeholders in navigating the complex world of virtual assets.
    Developed in collaboration with a team of experts, the guide was reviewed by the INTERPOL Financial Crime and Anti-Corruption Centre (IFCACC) and European Cybercrime Centre (EC3). It provides clear and actionable insights on a wide range of topics, including an introduction to virtual assets, common types of crypto crime and scams, investigation techniques leveraging blockchain analytic tools, good practices in assisting victims and raising public awareness, and the role international co-operation plays in combating crypto crime.
    “The guide is written in simple, easy-to-understand language and aims to bridge the knowledge gap between law enforcement and the rapidly evolving world of virtual assets,” said Vera Strobachova-Budway, Senior Economic Officer and Head of the Economic Governance Unit at the OSCE. “It is a valuable resource for anyone involved in the investigation, prosecution, or prevention of crypto crime and those who want to better understand it.”
    The development of the guide on decoding crypto crime is part of the extrabudgetary project “Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets”. The initiative is implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities and is financially supported by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: CORRECTION: Billions in Investment Opportunities Presented by Premier Invest at Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 28, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Financial services provider Premier Invest has announced a series of investment opportunities in the African energy and oil and gas sectors. covering a range of four energy projects across Benin, Zambia and South Africa and five oil and gas projects across Nigeria and Ghana, as well as Guyana.

    The announcement was made on March 26 by Rene Awambeng, Founder and Managing Partner of Premier Invest during a dedicated deal-room session – Showcasing Upstream Oil and Gas Transactions in Africa – at the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) in Brazzaville.

    “The deal-room sessions on the sidelines of the Congo Energy & Investment Forum are an opportunity to provide a platform for sponsors, developers and project promoters to showcase significant upstream, midstream, downstream and power transactions in Africa to potential investors,” stated Awambeng.

    The first opportunity, a 43 MW clean gas project in Benin, is seeking $84 billion in project finance. Currently in the commercial close stage of development, the project will help reduce the cost of energy in the country while bolstering economic growth, job creation and improving Benin’s energy security.

    Meanwhile, Zambia features a $92 million investment opportunity in a 71 MW hybrid solar PV and wind project. The project will feature a power purchase agreement over a period of 25 years and is estimated to feature an annual production of 232 GWh per year.

    In South Africa, a 100 MW solar PV project has an $87 million investment opportunity. The project will feature an offtake agreement with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa and a power purchase agreement of 20 years. The project will boast an annual production rate of 195 GWh per year.

    Concluding the energy investment opportunities South Africa is also seeking $100 million in investment to finance a 100 MW clean-gas project to complement intermittent renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, while offering a cleaner solution to the country’s reliance on coal. The project features a proposed capital structure of 70:30 and is in the active implementation stage.

    Phase 1 of the project will feature a commitment of $140 million to develop inland facilities, pipelines and site works while the second phase will feature an investment of $60 million focusing on engineering, procurement and construction contracts for tanks, instrumentation and commissioning.

    Meanwhile, a state-of-the-art gas-to-liquids plant – the details of which are subject to a non-disclosure agreement – is seeking interested parties to participate in an upcoming formal investment process. The project will have a validated production capacity of 1,850 barrels of oil per day and will feature an earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization measure of approximately $50 million.

    Ghana is seeking $759 million in financing to develop four offshore production wells. Financing will be used to develop tie-back infrastructure to existing FPSO infrastructure, targeting 57.8 million standard barrels of oil. The project aims to produce 5 million barrels of oil per year, with potential investors set to receive 84% of the total project net present value.

    An indigenous oil development company in Nigeria is seeking an experienced management team to invest $18 million to drill additional wells and increase production at a field with a projected production rate of 2,300 barrels per day.  The field area covers 46km2 and is covered by 3D seismic surveys.

    Finally, Awambeng also announced a $25 million investment opportunity in Guyana. The project will be adjacent to one of the most productive offshore oil fields in the region and boasts recoverable reserves of approximately 400 million barrels. Investment will be used to support conventional offshore drilling and FPSO tie-up.

    The companies involved in the investment opportunities will be disclosed upon inquiry, with financing options subject to non-disclosure agreements.

    The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, taking place March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the highest patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo, brings together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Announces Ventura County Fire Chief as Joint Session Guest

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced that Ventura County Fire Chief Dustin Gardner will be her guest at this year’s Joint Session of Congress, taking place on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at 9:00 PM Eastern/6:00 PM Pacific. Chief Gardner leads the Ventura County Fire Department (VCFD), an all-hazards department of 658 personnel dedicated to protecting Ventura County. Chief Gardner has served with VCFD since 1998.

    “Chief Gardner has shown unwavering dedication in protecting Ventura County during some of the most devastating wildfires and emergencies we’ve faced,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “His leadership has been crucial not only in Ventura County, but also in coordinating firefighting efforts across Los Angeles County and throughout California.

    “Chief Gardner’s expertise, steady leadership, and calm under pressure embody the bravery and selflessness of our first responders. As President Trump addresses Congress tonight, I am honored to have Chief Gardner as my guest to remind us that protecting communities from wildfires and natural disasters must remain a national priority. Federal support for our firefighters and emergency responders is essential – and disaster assistance should never be politicized. When disaster strikes, our communities deserve timely and effective federal support, regardless of politics.

    “As wildfires continue to devastate our state and communities face unprecedented disasters, the bravery and commitment of firefighters like Chief Gardner are more important than ever,” Brownley continued. “Ensuring that our first responders, emergency personnel, and disaster recovery teams have the resources and support they need is essential to improving crisis response and safeguarding our communities.”

    “I am grateful for the opportunity to join Congresswoman Brownley at the Joint Session,” said Dustin Gardner, Ventura County Fire Chief. “The fires that destroyed thousands of homes in Southern California recently demonstrate the need for wildfire prevention efforts, coordinated responses and effective recovery measures. The federal government’s involvement and support in such efforts across the country is important, because no single agency is equipped to deal with disaster-level events alone.”

    Congresswoman Brownley is pleased to welcome Chief Gardner as her guest as an important way to recognize him and the heroic first responders across the nation who risk their lives every day to protect our communities.

    ###

    Issues: 119th Congress, Disaster Relief, Local Issues

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Remarks at Planned Parenthood California Central Coast’s Power of Love

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Camarillo, CA – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) was proud to join Planned Parenthood California Central Coast at its annual Power of Love Brunch to celebrate the organization’s work in Ventura County. Below are Congresswoman Brownley’s remarks as prepared.

    “After the week we’ve all had, I can say it is truly a pleasure to be among friends!

    “It’s an honor to be here today to celebrate the incredible work of Planned Parenthood – and to recognize the transformative impact all of you do everyday – especially here in Ventura County.

    “From opening the new health center in Oxnard to expanding access to primary care and mental health services, your work is fundamental to the health and well-being of people – from all walks of life – across our region.

    “Now, more than ever, we must ensure Planned Parenthood can not only continue its vital work – but continue to grow.

    “Because we are all clear – we are facing an evil, relentless, coordinated assault on our fundamental freedoms.

    “We have all lived through the Trump administration’s all-out war on reproductive rights – a campaign of utter cruelty driven by right-wing extremists who are hell-bent on turning back the clock.

    “They tried to dismantle Planned Parenthood at every turn.

    “They pushed gag rules, defunded critical programs, and used the full power of the federal government to attack our rights, our bodies, and our dignity.

    “And I think we are all clear – they are not done.

    “House Republicans are once again gearing up to try to defund Planned Parenthood – but this fight isn’t new to any of us.

    “For decades, you have stood strong in the face of these relentless threats, fighting not just for reproductive freedom, but for all vulnerable communities – immigrants, LGBTQ people including trans youth, low-income families, and communities of color.

    “When our country has failed to provide essential health care – when our federal safety net has fallen short – Planned Parenthood has always stepped up.

    “You’ve opened your doors to all who need care, no matter who they are, where they come from, or how much money they have.

    “And in doing so, you have saved lives!

    “That’s why keeping the doors to Planned Parenthood health centers open – no matter what – is not just a priority. It is an act of resistance.

    “Planned Parenthood has always been at the forefront of the fight for what is right.

    “For reproductive freedom, for bodily autonomy, for dignity and justice – not just for some, but for everyone.

    “Last Wednesday, I met with Alexis McGill Johnson to talk about how we move forward together in this fight.

    “And I want to be clear – this is not just my fight, and it’s not just Alexis’ fight.

    “This is the fight of the entire Reproductive Freedom Caucus, the Democratic Women’s Caucus, House Democrats, and every single person in this room.

    “We will stand shoulder to shoulder with Planned Parenthood on the front lines – every step of the way.

    “I had the privilege of knowing Cecile Richards, and her passing this year was a profound loss for all of us who care about reproductive rights and justice.

    “Cecile was a fearless advocate, a champion, and a visionary. As these attacks intensify, we must honor her legacy – and the legacy of all those who have stood for justice and equality – by continuing the fight for reproductive freedom and the right to access essential care.

    “This is a fight for our lives – but we are not backing down. Not now. Not ever.

    “Together, we will keep fighting at every level of government to protect and expand access to the life-saving care that millions rely on.

    “And together, we will fight for a future where everyone – no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they have – has the freedom to make the best decisions for their bodies, their lives, their families, and their futures.

    “Thank you and thank you for everything you do.”

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    Issues: 119th Congress, Healthcare, Local Issues

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Introduces Legislation to Promote Bilingual Proficiency Among Students and Strengthen U.S. Workforce Competitiveness

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced the reintroduction of the Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching (BEST) Act, a bill that establishes a federal grant program at the U.S. Department of Education to recognize high-level student proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a second language. Under this program, states would be able to establish or improve their own Biliteracy Seal programs to award seals to K-12 students.

    This recognition not only boosts students’ global workforce competitiveness but also helps employers, colleges, and universities identify candidates with valuable bilingual skills. The initiative is also vital for U.S. diplomacy, intelligence, and military readiness by ensuring a workforce proficient in critical languages.

    “Being proficient in two or more languages can be a critical advantage in today’s globalized, competitive economy. By supporting Seal of Biliteracy programs, we can better equip students with essential language skills that enhance their future opportunities and strengthen our national security,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “I have seen firsthand the benefits of this program across California, especially in my district, where bilingualism is very prominent. Preparing our students with multilingualism will open doors to success in both their academic and professional futures.”

    “Proficiency in more than one language is a skill of great importance to our nation’s economy and businesses,” said Amanda Seewald, Executive Director of the Joint National Committee for Languages and the National Council for Languages and International Studies (JNCL-NCLIS). “The BEST Act will help implement and scale Seal of Biliteracy programs that provide this credential to American students. We thank Congresswoman Brownley for her continued leadership on this legislation and for furthering language education nationwide.”

    Background

    California’s State Seal of Biliteracy program was first established in 2011 when legislation sponsored by then-Assemblywoman Brownley was signed into law. Since then, over 500,000 high school students have graduated with this seal in California. In the 2023-2024 school year, 490 districts in California participated in the program. Since then, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have established their own statewide Seal of Biliteracy programs. 

    The BEST Act is endorsed by the National Council for Languages and International Studies, National Education Association, California Language Teachers’ Association, and Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents. 

    Read the full text of the bill, here.

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    Issues: 119th Congress, Education

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Introduces Legislation to Secure Immediate Housing Assistance for Disaster Survivors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) introduced the Disaster Displacement Assistance Improvement Act, legislation to improve the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Displacement Assistance program. The bill ensures that disaster survivors can access critical housing support without delays caused by insurance determinations.

    “In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, survivors who cannot return to their homes often need urgent financial assistance to secure a safe place to stay and begin rebuilding their lives,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “While FEMA’s Displacement Assistance program provides up-front funds to help with these immediate housing needs, current rules prevent assistance from reaching individuals with insurance unless it is confirmed that their policy does not cover similar expenses. Survivors often face delays in receiving timely responses from insurance companies, leaving them without the support they need to secure temporary housing. This bill removes this unnecessary red tape, ensuring that insurance is not a barrier to receiving critical assistance when it is needed most.”

    Background

    In 2024, FEMA launched the Displacement Assistance program to address the immediate housing needs of survivors who cannot return to their homes after a disaster. The program provides eligible survivors with up-front funds to assist with immediate housing options of their choice, such as costs associated with staying with family or friends, until they can secure rental housing and focus on long-term recovery. Displacement Assistance helps survivors transition from congregate shelters to more permanent housing solutions like hotels or rentals.

    The Disaster Displacement Assistance Improvement Act seeks to improve the program by clarifying that insurance should not be considered a duplication of benefits when determining eligibility, ensuring that all those in need receive the assistance they deserve. FEMA’s current interpretation of the Stafford Act prevents the agency from offering Displacement Assistance to anyone with insurance unless they can confirm that their insurance policy does not cover the expenses typically covered by the program. However, Displacement Assistance is designed to address immediate needs after a disaster, and most survivors are unable to get a timely decision from their insurance company when they most need the assistance.

    If enacted, the Disaster Displacement Assistance Improvement Act will ensure that survivors have access to Displacement Assistance, regardless of their insurance status, allowing them to receive this support alongside resources from FEMA’s Serious Needs Assistance program.

    Read the full text of the bill, here.

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    Issues: 119th Congress, Disaster Relief

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Statement on Joint Session of Congress

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump’s address at the Joint Session of Congress.

    “Tonight, as President Trump stood before Congress, I walked out of the chamber because I could not, in good conscience, dignify a speech so detached from reality and so disrespectful to the American people. Once again, President Trump demeaned the dignity of his office and embarrassed our nation with his ignorance of real-world problems and his open contempt for the democracy he swore to protect.

    “Rather than offering a vision to unite our country or solutions to the very real challenges facing working families, President Trump instead demonstrated – yet again – that he is unfit to lead the free world. He has neither the capacity nor the desire to meet the pressing needs of families across our nation. He spent more time boasting about his self-serving agenda than addressing the crushing costs keeping families up at night – costs that are rising because of his administration’s disastrous economic policies.

    “The tariffs he announced this week threaten to ignite a devastating trade war, driving up prices on everything from groceries to gas, hurting small businesses, and leaving working families to pay the price. Meanwhile, the Republican budget passed last week handed out trillions in tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and big corporations, shifting the burden onto middle-class families – all while slashing critical programs like Medicaid and nutrition assistance that millions of families rely on just to get by. This President is dangerously out of touch with the reality of American life – and by reiterating his radical, self-serving agenda tonight, he made clear he has no intention of changing course.

    “Even more disturbing than the President’s rhetoric is his relentless assault on the truth itself. His remarks tonight were riddled with falsehoods and deliberate misinformation – part of an ongoing effort to divide Americans against one another and erode public trust in our institutions. His crass language, misleading claims, and blatant disregard for facts are not just beneath the office he holds – they are an attack on the very foundation of our democracy.

    “But this President’s reckless behavior does not exist in a vacuum. It is enabled every day by the silence and complicity of my Republican colleagues. As we stand on the brink of a government shutdown that could devastate our economy and hurt millions of Americans, House and Senate Republicans refuse to stand up to this President’s overreach and abuse of power. Instead of serving as a check on his reckless dismantling of vital government services, they applaud it – turning a blind eye to his unconstitutional schemes and the unchecked influence of an unelected, unvetted billionaire pulling the strings behind the scenes.

    “Rather than providing the steady leadership our country desperately needs, Republicans in Congress have chosen to shield this President from accountability at every turn – even as he disgraces us on the global stage, undermines our democracy, and wages war on the very values that make America strong. Their refusal to confront the dangers posed by this administration is a profound betrayal of their oath and a direct threat to the future of our nation.

    “Republicans have made their priorities clear: they are willing to sacrifice our nation’s future to cling to political power. With majorities in both chambers of Congress and control of the White House, they can no longer hide behind excuses for their failures. They own this chaos.

    “The American people deserve better. They deserve leaders who put country over party – leaders with the courage to defend our democracy and fight for the hard-working families who built this nation. I urge my Republican colleagues to reflect on their responsibilities – not to their party, but to their constituents and to the Constitution itself. I urge the President to reflect on his own duty to our nation. 

    “If and when they are ready to put the American people first, House Democrats stand ready to work together to lower costs, create good-paying jobs, and build safer, healthier communities. Until then, we will not waver in our fight to protect our democracy, defend working families, and stand up for the fundamental principles of fairness, justice, and equality for all.”

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    Issues: 119th Congress

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Trump Participates in the White House Iftar Dinner

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    The White House

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjHj4gwdv9E

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio holds a joint press availability with Surinamese President Santokhi

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio holds a joint press availability with Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi in Parimaribo, Suriname, on March 27, 2025.

    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
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    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
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    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8ipp-sAM1c

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Peters’ Statement on upcoming Senate Vote on Trump-Enabling Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) released the following statement ahead of the expected Senate vote on the Trump-enabling GOP government funding bill:

    “Last night, House Democrats stood united against a bill that would let President Trump and Elon Musk shut down whatever part of the government they want, whenever they want. Now all eyes are on the Senate, the only institution in government where Democrats have true leverage thanks to the filibuster. Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats must use that leverage to fight for Americans facing higher costs, bigger deficits, and an intentional recession. They must use their leverage to bring Republicans to the negotiating table on President Trump’s unconstitutional funding cuts that violate the separation of powers.

    “Congress is a co-equal branch of government, and we should take this opportunity to remind President Trump that he is not all-powerful. It’s time to stand up for our country and for Congress’s role as a check and balance on an overzealous President. If not now, when? If not us, then who?”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Peters Urges Colleagues to Vote NO on Trump Enabling Budget, Pass a Responsible Budget to Keep the Government Open

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

    Republican bill greenlights Trump’s inflationary, market-crashing tariffs

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) urged his colleagues to stand up to President Trump and his continued disregard for the separation of powers.

    “The Constitution explicitly gives Congress the “power of the purse” – the responsibility to decide taxes and spending. In President Trump’s first 50 days, he has repeatedly and unlawfully ordered the administration to withhold funds Congress appropriated. Imagine how Republicans would react if Barack Obama or Joe Biden withheld farm subsidies from states that did not support them in the election. Republicans would state that the President was trying to usurp their Constitutional authority. That is exactly what President Trump is doing across the federal government, with Congressional Republicans hooting and hollering in support.

    “Not only are House Republicans refusing to stand up to President Trump on his spending cuts, but they are also ceding Congress’s power to review his tariffs. At the last second, Speaker Johnson slipped in a provision to strip Congress of its ability to cancel Trump’s tariffs, which will cost consumers thousands of dollars on home products, electricity, gas, housing, and groceries. Congressional Republicans own any move Trump makes in his costly trade war against our allies.

    “President Trump and Elon Musk have cited “massive fraud,” without evidence, as their reason for stopping funds. In case after case, what they have actually “uncovered” are programs they do not support. It is their right to disagree with what we spend on, but they have no right to unilaterally cut off funding approved by Congress. If they want to cut spending, they have the opportunity to present their budget to Congress right now and negotiate. The Republican bill does not prevent a shutdown. It lets President Trump and Elon Musk shut down whichever part of the government they want, whenever they want.

    “President Trump is in the White House and Republicans control the House and Senate — if there is a shutdown, it falls squarely on their shoulders. Democrats stand ready to work with Republicans to fund the government and avoid a disastrous shutdown, but House Republicans have decided to go it alone. We do not work for the President, we work with him. We were elected independently from the President and answer to our constituents, not him.”

    You can find more information about the Republican Continuing Resolution here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representative Peters, Local Healthcare Leaders Highlight Importance of Saving Medicaid

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

    San Diego, CA – On March 21, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) and local leaders highlighted the importance of Medicaid and the harm that Republicans’ healthcare cuts and inflationary budget will have on our communities. One in five CA50 residents relies on Medicaid – cutting $880 billion in Medicaid funding would take away theirs and millions of Americans’ health care coverage and increase costs for tens of millions more.

    “In every congressional district in the country, Medicaid supports critical health care for children, Americans with disabilities, and working people who are already struggling to keep up in this economy.” said Rep. Scott Peters. “Cutting health coverage will not make America healthier, it will make us sicker. I’ve now voted twice to stop Republican efforts to slash Medicaid, and I promise to continue doing everything in my power to halt their schemes.”

    Rep. Peters brought together hospital and community health center staff, patients, long term care facility providers, labor union members, and local elected officials to emphasize how proposals to cut Medicaid funding would devastate health care in San Diego and across the country.

    “As a public safety net provider, UC San Diego Health delivers comprehensive care to all members of our community regardless of demographics, insurance coverage, or income status,” stated UC San Diego Health CEO, Patty Maysent. “Investing in Medicaid is an investment in the greatest asset we have in this nation, our people, and their health. UC San Diego’s clinicians, researchers, students and patients thank Congressman Peters for his commitment to sustaining this critical federal resource.”

    “I was diagnosed with a rare brain aneurysm and needed complex surgery. Thanks to Medi-Cal, I received life-saving neurosurgical care at UC San Diego Health,” said Karla Zimmerman, a patient at UC San Diego Health. “I still have two aneurysms that need continuous monitoring. As a mother of two, my biggest fear is not being there for my daughters. No one should have to worry about losing their health care.”

    “Don’t Cut Medicaid, you never know when you or your family member will need it,” said Sabrina Bishop, a United Domestic Worker (UDW) in-home care provider.

    “No family should have to choose between paying for a doctor’s visit or putting food on the table. No senior should worry about whether they can afford their medications. No child should go without the healthcare they need to grow up healthy and strong,” stated City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn. “We will not stand idly by while the health and well-being of our families, seniors, and children are threatened. Together, with Congressman Peters, we will defend Medicaid and ensure that every person has access to the care they deserve.”

    “San Diegans are struggling to make ends meet, and federal cuts to healthcare is the last thing we need. As a parent, I can’t imagine telling one of my kids that we can’t afford to take them to a doctor when they’re sick,” said City Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee. “But if Congress slashes these programs, one out of three people in San Diego County, including hundreds of thousands of kids, are going to have their health coverage impacted. Anyone who wants to lower the cost of living, support working families, and decrease homelessness should be against these cuts.”

    Rep. Peters has been a longtime advocate to make to protect Medicaid funding and make it easier – not harder – for Americans to access the tests, treatments, and cures they need. He has urged his Republican colleagues not to enact a budget that would increase inflation and balloon our deficit, while cutting vital healthcare, firefighters, and airline safety just to pay for tax cuts for people and corporations who don’t need them. Democrats will continue fighting to save Medicaid and protect Americans.

    A livestreamed recording of the press conference can be found here

    Additional photos from the event are available courtesy of Rep. Peters’ office here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Scott Peters’ Statement on President Trump’s Self-Dealing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Scott Peters released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s troubling self-dealing:

    “While President Trump and Elon Musk get richer, Americans will suffer from their cuts to health care, food assistance, national parks, and so much more,” said Rep. Peters. “I will continue to hold the Trump Administration accountable for any attempt to enrich themselves or give special treatment to allies not available to ordinary Americans.”

    See below for how President Trump is using the Presidency to benefit himself and his allies at the expense of the American people.

    Last week, you saw President Trump shoot a car commercial at the White House to benefit Elon Musk, his top donor and a current government employee. “Coincidentally,” Elon donated $100M to the President on the same day.

    Trump touts Musk’s cars from the White House, Musk promises $100 million contribution to Trump – on the very same day.

    President Trump continues to send the message to politicians that he will forgive corruption as serious as fraud and bribery in exchange for loyalty.

    It Pays to Be a Friend of Donald Trump

    While Americans are concerned about high prices from tariffs, loss of government services, and attacks on veterans, the people who have the President’s ear are paying $5 million for a dinner.

    People Are Paying Millions to Dine With Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago

    $TRUMP coin is a perfect vessel for this corruption. You can get away with committing fraud if you have tens of millions to invest in the President’s meme coin. Remember when Jimmy Carter had to sell his peanut farm before taking office…

    A crypto mogul who invested millions into Trump coins is getting a reprieve on civil fraud charges

    Binance founder Changpeng Zhao is learning from Justin Sun’s example. If he is willing and able to enrich the president’s family, he may be in line for a pardon from Trump.

    Trump Family Has Held Deal Talks With Binance

    President Trump is sending a clear message that he is more than willing to fire any government official who tries to prevent his corruption.

    Justice Dept. Official Says She Was Fired After Opposing Restoring Mel Gibson’s Gun Rights

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Peters Leads Invitation to EPA Head Zeldin to Visit South Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

    Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Scott Peters (CA-50) and Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) invited newly confirmed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to visit the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBITWP) to see firsthand the ongoing environmental and public health harm the cross-border sewage crisis has on our communities.

    In a letter to Administrator Zeldin, members wrote, “As you know, decades of underinvestment in cross-border wastewater infrastructure have led to the flow of untreated sewage into San Diego… EPA served as an important advocate for this issue in the last Trump Administration and we hope the agency will continue to do so once again.”

    Days after receiving a letter from Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre about the cross-border sewage San Diego has suffered, Administrator Zeldin posted about a briefing he received on the crisis. Rep. Peters wants to ensure new EPA leadership fully understands the scope of this environmental catastrophe and their role in addressing the public health and environmental harm.

    They go on to state, “Researchers have recently discovered that toxins and bacteria from the Tijuana River can be aerosolized, unveiling additional potential risks to the air quality in our communities. EPA, working with the International Boundary and Water Commission, will play a critical role in addressing these issues and helping the region recover from decades of pollution and environmental degradation.”

    Rep. Peters and his colleagues look forward to working with Administrator Zeldin to support the ongoing repairs at SBIWTP and recovery of our region. In 2021, prior EPA Administrator Michael Regan toured the Tijuana River Valley at the request of Reps. Peters and Vargas. 

    Full text of the letter can be found here and below:

    Dear Administrator Zeldin,

    We would like to invite you to visit the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) in the Tijuana River Valley and appreciate your interest in addressing the crossborder sewage crisis.

    As you know, decades of underinvestment in cross-border wastewater infrastructure have led to the flow of untreated sewage into San Diego. Since 2018, more than 100 billion gallons of toxic sewage, trash, and unmanaged stormwater have flowed across the United States-Mexico border into the Tijuana River Valley and neighboring communities, forcing long-lasting beach closures and negatively impacting the local economy, environment, and health of U.S. military and Homeland Security personnel. EPA served as an important advocate for this issue in the last Trump Administration and we hope the agency will continue to do so once again.

    While this wastewater pollution crisis is not new, it has intensified over the past two years. Researchers have recently discovered that toxins and bacteria from the Tijuana River can be aerosolized, unveiling additional potential risks to the air quality in our communities. EPA, working with the International Boundary and Water Commission, will play a critical role in addressing these issues and helping the region recover from decades of pollution and environmental degradation.

    We look forward to working with you on this important issue, and we hope to host you at SBIWTP so you can see first-hand the challenges confronting our region. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sánchez votes against Republican CR, backdoor attack on vital safety net programs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement after voting against the Republican continuing resolution:

    “This is far from a clean funding bill, no matter how much Republicans try to spin it.

    “It slashes vital programs like health care, nutritional assistance, and cuts $23 billion from veterans’ benefits. And it offers no new aid for Los Angeles’ wildfire victims.

    “Even worse, it disregards the Constitution, failing to guarantee that President Trump will honor Congress’ funding decisions and exposes Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to egregious cuts by unelected billionaire Elon Musk.

    “The Senate should reject this partisan, reckless bill and force Speaker Johnson back to the table to negotiate a clean, bipartisan bill that protects the programs Americans rely on.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sánchez, Fitzpatrick introduce bipartisan bill to create jobs, promote energy efficiency

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) today reintroduced the bipartisan Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act to create jobs and promote energy efficiency. 

    Mechanical insulation has been shown to drastically cut energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in commercial buildings. Unfortunately, it is currently cost-prohibitive for many employers. The bill provides a tax incentive for skilled-labor installation of mechanical insulation in buildings to make them more energy efficient.

    “Mechanical insulation is one of the most overlooked yet effective solutions for improving energy efficiency, and it’s time we recognize its true potential,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “Our bill will support investments in energy-efficient upgrades for buildings across our country – from schools to hospitals to manufacturing plants and office buildings – while also creating good-paying union jobs. By incentivizing the skilled-labor installation of mechanical insulation, we can lower energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable future.”

    “The Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act is a commonsense policy solution to reducing energy waste, cutting emissions, lowering operating costs for businesses, and creating well-paying, skilled jobs across the country. At a time when strengthening American energy independence and dominance is more critical than ever, this bipartisan legislation quite simply encourages investments that will bring us closer to a more sustainable, energy efficient future. I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Sánchez in advancing this pragmatic and business-friendly climate proposal,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. 

     The Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act:

    • Provides a tax credit for up to 10 percent of the labor costs incurred by a taxpayer in installing mechanical insulation property on pipes and equipment.
       
    • Saves energy, lowers energy costs, and reduces energy consumption while supporting good-paying union jobs.

    Mechanical insulation encompasses all thermal, acoustical and personal safety requirements for mechanical piping and equipment, as well as heating, ventilating and air condition (HVAC) applications. The system is used across a wide platform of commercial and industrial buildings to decrease heating and cooling costs while increasing efficiency.

    This bill is endorsed by the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and the Labor Management Cooperative Trust.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Sánchez statement on Quincy Enoch’s passing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the passing of Quincy Enoch:

    “I’m heartbroken by the passing of my friend Quincy Enoch. He was more than a respected professional in Washington – he was a source of light, warmth and wisdom to everyone around him. Quincy led with heart and purpose. He brought people together, mentored the next generation with generosity and always showed up with grace and a smile.

    “His integrity, kindness and unwavering commitment to lifting others made him truly one of a kind. I feel lucky to have known him and to have called him a friend. His legacy will live on in all of us. Rest in peace, Quincy – you will be deeply missed.”

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Ways and Means members: Don’t cut programs that protect American workers, trade

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

    WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) and 13 of her committee Democratic colleagues today called on Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemerto and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to reinstate recently canceled international labor programs that are critical to protecting American workers and defending U.S. trade.

    The members also called on the administration to block any attempts by Elon Musk and DOGE to cut the Department of Labor’s International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) staff and the programs they administer.

    “American trade policy relies on critical federal programs working overseas to challenge unfair competition from governments that commit egregious abuses in global supply chains,” the members wrote. “By eliminating these and other technical assistance projects, the Administration is surrendering an essential tool for leveling the playing field and holding our trade partners accountable. As Members of the Ways and Means Committee, with constitutional authority to oversee American trade policymaking, we strongly urge you to immediately reinstate canceled international labor programs in trade partner countries and fully fund ILAB to carry out its vital mission.

    In addition to Sánchez, the letter was signed by Representatives John B. Larson (D-Conn.), Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.), Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.).

    Full text of the letter is available here and follows:

    March 21, 2025

    Secretary Chavez-DeRemer
    Secretary
    Department of Labor
    200 Constitution Ave NW
    Washington, DC 20210

    The Honorable Jamieson Greer
    Ambassador
    United States Trade Representative
    600 17th Street, NW
    Washington, D.C. 20508

    Dear Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Ambassador Greer:

    As Members of the House Ways and Means Committee, we urge you to reinstate recently canceled international labor programs that are critical to protecting American workers and defending U.S. trade, and to also protect the U.S. Department of Labor’s International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) staff and the programs they administer from further cuts. ILAB and its programs work to ensure that U.S. trade policy does not result in the outsourcing of good-paying American jobs to countries with lax labor protections. Our committee has consistently supported funding ILAB to ensure U.S. trade agreements and policies are enforced because American workers and businesses should never have to compete with goods subsidized by unfair trade practices, including forced labor and child labor. 

    ILAB’s projects around the globe are key to achieving a level playing field for American workers and ensuring that American consumers are not complicit in buying products tainted by forced or child labor overseas. For example, a recently canceled ILAB project in Uzbekistan, supported by a broad coalition of American apparel companies, has been instrumental in eliminating the systemic use of forced and child labor in the Uzbek cotton sector. Just last year, in one of dozens of such findings, ILAB raised awareness of the use of forced labor in Indonesian nickel mines, which have flooded the global market, placing domestic producers at a significant disadvantage. ILAB also works to address China’s efforts to profit from slave labor, playing a leading role in the U.S. government’s Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force that works with Customs and Border Protection to enforce the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. 

    As we begin the six-year review under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), we do so with an acute awareness that ILAB provides essential support to USTR to enforce the rules of the USMCA, including through dozens of cases brought under the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism, ensuring that companies in Mexico can’t undercut American jobs and manufacturers by skirting the USMCA’s labor requirements. As the eyes and ears of the U.S. Department of Labor abroad, ILAB is the lynchpin in our efforts to ensure that Mexico and other trading partners are playing by the rules. 

    American trade policy relies on critical federal programs working overseas to challenge unfair competition from governments that commit egregious abuses in global supply chains. By eliminating these and other technical assistance projects, the Administration is surrendering an essential tool for leveling the playing field and holding our trade partners accountable. As Members of the Ways and Means Committee, with constitutional authority to oversee American trade policymaking, we strongly urge you to immediately reinstate canceled international labor programs in trade partner countries and fully fund ILAB to carry out its vital mission.

    Sincerely,

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Sánchez: Dismantling Ed Department robs students’ futures to pay for billionaire tax cuts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement on President Trump’s illegal executive order to dismantle the Department of Education:

    “This illegal executive order is a direct attack on our students’ futures. The president does not have the authority to dismantle a department created by Congress, making this yet another abuse of power from this White House.

    “Closing the Department of Education would have catastrophic consequences for students in every state. It would lead to massive teacher layoffs, increase class sizes and disproportionately harm students with disabilities. And it would push higher education and job training further out of reach for middle- and working-class families.

    “This is a blatant scheme to rob our students to pay for more tax cuts for billionaires like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Democrats will fight this reckless executive order to protect our students and teachers.”

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Statement on Trump’s Assault on Public Education

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s Executive Order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education:

    “A great nation is only as strong as the education of its people. The Department of Education plays a vital role in ensuring that every child – regardless of their background, where they live, or their ability – has access to a quality education. It enforces civil rights protections, provides support for students with disabilities, and helps millions of families afford higher education. Trump’s decision to dismantle the Department of Education is not just reckless – it is a direct assault on the future of our children, our economic competitiveness, and our country.

    “Trump is wholly unqualified to make this decision. He has never attended a public school, sent his children to one, relied on federal student aid, or contributed in any meaningful way to strengthening public education. He has no understanding of the challenges that students, teachers, and parents face every day, yet he is using our children’s futures as pawns in his ideological games.

    “This is not just a misguided policy choice. It is an act of deliberate sabotage. Eliminating the Department of Education will strip away critical protections for students, jeopardize funding for public schools, and leave millions of children – especially those from low-income families and marginalized communities – without the resources they need to succeed. It would unravel decades of progress in ensuring equal access to education and protections for students with disabilities.

    “This reckless move threatens the futures of 50 million K-12 students, including 6.7 million in California. It would mean larger class sizes, fewer resources for teachers, and an education system that abandons those who need it most.

    “Eliminating the Department of Education will also put 87 million students and parents at risk of losing the federal student aid they rely on to afford higher education, and it could result in many young people forgoing higher education in much needed fields, like engineering and medicine, harming our economic competitiveness, exacerbating the problems employers face finding qualified candidates.

    “Time and time again, Trump has shown his disdain for public education – whether by pushing to defund schools, undermining teachers, or disregarding the needs of working families. His decision to dismantle the very agency responsible for ensuring equal educational opportunities is not just dangerous, but a complete abdication of leadership.

    “This is not about politics. It’s about the fundamental promise of America – that every child, no matter their circumstances, deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential. I refuse to stand by while Trump, a man who has never lifted a finger to support public schools, destroys the institutions that make the American Dream possible. I will fight relentlessly to protect our public schools, defend students’ rights, and ensure that education remains a national priority – not a casualty of reckless ideology.”

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    Issues: 119th Congress, Education

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Statement on Senate Passage of Republican Continuing Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement after Senate passage of H.R. 1968, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025: 

    “I voted against the continuing resolution because it’s a blatant power grab by the White House, giving unchecked control to Donald Trump and his billionaire allies, like Elon Musk, to dismantle the federal government. The CR makes cuts across the board, devastating critical programs that American families rely on.

    “Trump and Republicans are using the threat of a shutdown to strip away benefits from seniors, veterans, and working families – all to fund tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy. They have made it harder for Americans to access Social Security. They are dismantling Medicaid and Medicare, and they have already fired over 130,000 federal employees, with plans to cut 80,000 more at the VA alone. They have laid off workers maintaining our nuclear arsenal and shut down critical medical research labs. Instead of holding Trump accountable, Republicans are ceding their power and oversight, allowing his unchecked executive overreach to continue. Worse, they are empowering him further by giving him a blank check to continue this dangerous agenda, at the expense of our democracy and the American people.

    “House Democrats put forward a responsible alternative – a short-term spending bill that would have allowed time for real negotiations while safeguarding critical programs. But instead of working toward a bipartisan solution, Republicans rammed through this extreme measure, ignoring the needs of the people they were elected to serve. By passing this CR, Republicans weakened Congress’ power of the purse and handed greater control over taxpayer dollars to Trump and his wealthy backers – with no oversight or guardrails.

    “No one wants a government shutdown, but we are headed into disastrous times. Republicans are determined to cede their power and oversight to Donald Trump, abandoning their duty to the American people and allowing these dangerous actions to go unchecked. I will continue fighting alongside House Democrats to push back against this egregious overreach of power.”

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    Issues: 119th Congress

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Statement on House Passage of the Republican Continuing Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement following House passage of H.R. 1968, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025. This government funding bill, commonly referred to as a Continuing Resolution (CR), is being used by House Republicans to appease Donald Trump and his billionaire allies by ceding Congress’ constitutional authority over government funding and paving the way for drastic cuts to essential services and programs.

    “House Republicans have once again failed to negotiate a bipartisan agreement that puts the needs of the American people first. Instead of working across the aisle to address our nation’s most pressing priorities, they passed a partisan Continuing Resolution that hands a blank check and unchecked power to the Trump administration and Elon Musk so that they can continue to gut critical public services and programs, ultimately hurting working families. House Republicans have chosen, once again, to put their loyalty to Donald Trump and Elon Musk over their responsibility to the American people.

    “I will not support a continuing resolution that undermines the constitutional responsibility entrusted to Congress. Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress – not the President or unelected officials – the power of the purse. That is because our founders understood that only the elected representatives of the American people should pass laws and decide how taxpayer funds should be spent. This power held by Congress remains an essential element of our Constitution, intentionally designed to protect us from authoritarianism. The President does not have the unilateral authority to eliminate federal programs created by Congress, nor can any President transfer such authority to an unelected, unvetted, and unaccountable billionaire. Yet, this resolution weakens Congress’ power of the purse, yielding greater control over how taxpayer dollars are spent to the President and his billionaire allies.

    “While Republicans currently hold a majority in the House and Senate, Democrats have historically worked with them to keep the government open and prevent disastrous shutdowns. In fact, Democrats have saved Republicans from their own dysfunction, helping to pass the past three CRs. However, this time, House Republicans are determined to move forward with a bill that slashes funding for critical programs, like health research, veterans’ health programs, and housing assistance, and the bill does nothing to prevent Trump and Musk from ignoring the law. House Republicans have failed to uphold their responsibility to their constituents and the nation – all in service of staying within the good graces of an erratic and despotic President.

    “What we are witnessing is a pattern of House Republicans’ lack of leadership and inability to govern. While the House Republican conference remains in disarray, the one thing they have unified around is relinquishing the co-equal power of Congress to Donald Trump and delivering wins for billionaires – at the expense of the American people.”

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    Issues: 119th Congress

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Hosts Press Conference Condemning Republicans’ Harmful Medicaid Cuts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Oxnard, CA – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined local healthcare leaders at the Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc.’s Karen R. Burham Health Center in Oxnard to denounce the Republican proposal for the largest Medicaid cuts in history – jeopardizing care for millions, including over 200,000 Ventura County residents.

    “Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are pushing through the largest Medicaid cut in history – nearly $1 trillion – to fund tax breaks for the wealthiest individuals in America,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “This egregious – and outright wrong – proposal rips health care away from tens of millions of people and raises costs for millions more, as emergency room visits will skyrocket, and uncompensated care will force providers to shift costs.

    “This tax scheme will dismantle Medicaid – as we know it – for the 80 million Americans who rely on it. Medicaid is more than just health insurance. It is a lifeline for over 200,000 people in Ventura County and the Conejo Valley, including 80,000 children and 24,000 seniors. These individuals are now at risk of losing access to the care they depend on.

    “We cannot – and we will not – stand by while Republicans in the House, Senate, and White House destroy a program that millions rely on to live with dignity,” Brownley continued. “Medicaid is a cornerstone of our commitment to providing healthcare to those who need it most. Every American deserves access to timely, affordable, high-quality care. That is why I will never stop fighting to protect Medicaid — for our children, for our seniors, and for everyone who depends on it.”

    “Community health centers serve over 32,000,000 patients across the nation. Yet, we represent only 1% of the healthcare cost and we see about 10% of Americans across the nation. We are the nation’s largest primary care clinic system,” said Dr. Gagan Pawar, CEO of Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc. “For many of our patients, it is the only means to receive lifesaving care. The expansion of Medi-Cal to more low-income individuals was a monumental step forward, and it is critical that we continue to expand and protect access to this essential program.”

    “Lawmakers want to dismantle the country’s healthcare safety net by defunding Planned Parenthood and making steep cuts to Medicaid, a program that many Planned Parenthood Health Center patients rely on. These cuts threaten life-saving access to care everywhere throughout our community,” said Jenna Tosh, CEO of Planned Parenthood California Central Coast. “80% of our patients come to us with Medicaid. Make no mistake. People’s lives are on the line with these cuts.”

    Congresswoman Brownley’s prepared remarks can be found here.

    Photos from today’s press conference can be found here.

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    Issues: 119th Congress, Healthcare

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley Hosts Roundtable with Veterans to Discuss Impact of VA Cuts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, hosted a roundtable to hear from local veterans about the impacts they’re experiencing related to workforce cuts in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

    “The Trump Administration’s plan to cut over 80,000 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs, in addition to the 2,400 VA employees who have already been terminated, is an alarming move that threatens the health and well-being of our nation’s veterans. These firings are a clear indication that this administration is not prioritizing the needs of the men and women who have bravely served our nation in uniform and is actively undermining the quality of care they receive,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “Today’s roundtable allowed me to hear firsthand from veterans and employees at the VA about the devastating impact of these cuts on their care and livelihoods.

    “With the VA already facing staffing shortages, terminating additional VA employees will inevitably worsen delays for healthcare and benefits and make it even harder for veterans to access the care they deserve. The loss of essential staff – from medical professionals to support workers – will disrupt services, increase wait times, and place even more strain on an already overwhelmed system. These terminations directly undermine the VA’s solemn mission to deliver the highest-quality care to those who have bravely served our nation in uniform.

    “I am extremely concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding these cuts,” continued Congresswoman Brownley. “The Trump Administration has failed to provide Congress with the basic information needed to understand the reasoning behind these cuts and their long-term consequences. It is unacceptable that we remain in the dark about how these decisions will affect the health, benefits, and care of our nation’s veterans.

    “Cutting resources at the VA, including staff, means cutting the care and services veterans rely on every day. These cuts aren’t just numbers on a budget sheet – they mean longer wait times for appointments, fewer doctors and nurses to provide care, and more veterans falling through the cracks. After serving our country, we shouldn’t have to fight for the healthcare and benefits we’ve earned,” said Richard Camacho, Co-Founder of the Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County.

    “Our commitment to our veterans should never be used as a bargaining chip to advance political agendas. Supporting the men and women who have served our nation must transcend partisan ideology because supporting veterans is always the right thing to do. We must do everything in our power to serve them as well as they have served us,” added Brownley.

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    Issues: 119th Congress, Healthcare, Veterans’ Affairs

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Read More (Rep. Greg Steube Reintroduces FEMA for America First Act to Restrict FEMA Benefits for Paroled Noncitizens, Asylees and Refugees)

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

    February 28, 2025 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON— U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) yesterday reintroduced the FEMA for America First Act, reaffirming his commitment to ensuring that federal disaster relief resources are reserved for American citizens. The bill seeks to amend current law by requiring that only noncitizens with lawful permanent resident status, asylees, and refugees actively working toward that status are eligible for FEMA benefits following a natural disaster.
    “American citizens must be our priority when it comes to disaster recovery,” said Rep. Steube. “For too long, FEMA benefits have been extended to paroled noncitizens and individuals who entered our country under policies that many believe have put genuine Americans at a disadvantage. The current administration’s use of humanitarian parole has enabled those without a clear path to lawful permanent residency to tap into disaster relief funds. My legislation restores accountability and ensures that FEMA’s critical resources are directed first and foremost to American taxpayers and lawful residents.”
    Under the proposed legislation, any noncitizen seeking FEMA assistance would need to hold a valid green card and meet taxpayer requirements. Similarly, asylees and refugees would be eligible only if they are actively progressing toward obtaining lawful permanent resident status.
    Presently, federal law permits any noncitizen paroled into the U.S. for at least one year for “urgent humanitarian purposes” to qualify for FEMA benefits, a provision that has been exploited. Rep. Steube’s reintroduction of this legislation is a decisive step toward realigning FEMA’s mission with the needs of American citizens during times of crisis.Read the full bill text here.

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