NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mar 24, 2025 ATU Local 265 VTA Workers Overwhelmingly Reject Insulting Contract Offer, Strike Still On

    Source: US Amalgamated Transit Union

    Union Demands Mediation as Contract Proposal Does Not Address Wages, Grievance Issues, Working Conditions, and Other Issues

    San Jose, CA – In a resounding declaration of solidarity and strength, the members of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265-San Jose, CA, have voted decisively to reject the latest insulting contract put forth by the VTA yesterday. Their strike will continue and the Union demanded mediation in hopes of reaching a fair and just deal.

    The rejection of the contract comes a day after the VTA Board met and put forth a disgraceful contract offer, disrespecting their frontline workers and the riders of the VTA. Adding insult to injury, VTA Assistant General Manager Greg Richardson called VTA workers “uneducated” just days earlier.

    “This vote sends another powerful message to the VTA that our members are unified and strong. Their latest offer walking back proposals on overtime and attendance coupled with VTA Assistant GM Richardson’s derogatory comments about our members, it’s no surprise this contract offer went down in flames,” said Local 265 President/Business Agent Raj Singh. “While we don’t want this strike to go on for the sake of our riders and the community, the VTA is responsible for this with their bullying and regressive bargaining tactics. They can end this strike now with a fair and just deal for workers and passengers!” 

    The sticking points remain the same. The VTA refuses to put forth a proposal with living wages that allow their workers to live in the communities they serve. They continue to propose unfair grievance procedures and regressive overtime calculations along with no assurances that the agency will not discipline or sue workers who went on strike. Furthermore, the agency has failed to improve workplace conditions following the tragic mass shooting in May 2021 that took the lives of Local 265 members.

    “This overwhelming no vote on this VTA contract proposal shows our members are ‘educated.’ They know an appalling and demeaning contract offer when they see it,” said ATU International President John Costa. “It’s time for the VTA to stop throwing insults and put a serious offer on the table. I’ve been on the picket lines with our members, and their resolve and unity are unwavering. They will hold the line until they secure a contract that reflects and values their contributions to the City of San Jose.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Wyden, Padilla Statement on Reports the IRS Plans to Share Sensitive Taxpayer Data to DHS

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) released the following statement in response to reports the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is planning to provide sensitive taxpayer information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to locate suspected undocumented immigrants.

    This statement comes after their letter to IRS Acting Commissioner Melanie Krause, IRS Acting Chief Counsel Andrew De Mello, and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem demanding answers on reports that DHS and the “Department of Government Efficiency” have illegally requested sensitive taxpayer information from the IRS. So far, the Trump Administration has not responded to their demand for answers about their plans to require the IRS to turn over home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of over 700,000 people.

     “This weekend, it became clear that the Trump Administration is finalizing plans totarget and penalize people who are following federal law and contributing to our economy. This agreement between the IRS and DHS – if finalized – will have long-lasting and devastating implications on our economy, taxpayer privacy, immigrant communities, and the rule of law.

    “It’s past time for the Trump Administration to make their plans public. The IRS and DHS must disclose the extent of this agreement and brief Congress immediately.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey Joins Peters, Senate Committee Ranking Members in Demanding Immediate Review by Agency Inspectors General of Trump Administration’s Mass Dismissals of Federal Employees

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Senators Question Trump Administration Claims and Whether Actions Will Increase Waste and Abuse

    Washington (March 21, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee joined Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and 15 Senate Committee Ranking Members in sending a letter to the Inspectors General of 23 federal agencies, pressing for details on the impact of President Trump’s sweeping and unprecedented dismissal of tens of thousands of federal employees. The senators asked the Inspectors General to review the Trump Administration’s actions, citing potential violations of federal laws and procedures, which the senators warn could harm Americans’ access to vital government services and increase waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars.
    “The decision to terminate thousands of employees across multiple federal agencies will impose undue hardship on millions of Americans who rely on their services,” wrote the Senators. “The loss of experienced agency staff may risk causing serious disruptions to nearly 73 million Americans who rely on the Social Security Administration (SSA) to administer retiree and disability benefits and 9.1 million veterans who depend on the Department of Veteran Affairs (V.A.), many of which rely on the V.A. for life saving medical treatments and care.”  
    Highlighting the devastating consequences of these mass firings, the senators underscored the Trump Administration’s layoffs have already disrupted critical operations at agencies that millions of Americans depend on for survival. 
    “Among the 2,400 employees fired from the V.A. since Mr. Trump’s inauguration are workers who purchase medical supplies, schedule appointments and arrange rides for patients to see their doctors,” wrote the Senators, citing a NY Times report. “Additionally, taxpayers seeking in-person assistance as they navigate the 2025 filing season may find the support centers they previously relied on completely relocated or shuttered. That risk is a direct consequence of the Administration’s mass dismissals and decision to terminate over 100 IRS offices with Tax Assistance Centers (TAC) – which provide free, in-person assistance for those seeking it.”
    The senators are requesting that IGs examine whether these dismissals violated agency policies and assess the damage to agency missions, public safety, and national security, calling for an initial review to be completed within 60 days, with findings made available to the public to ensure transparency and accountability.  
    The letter was signed by U.S. Senators and Ranking Members Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Special Committee on Aging, Patty Murray (D-WA), Committee on Appropriations, Jack Reed (D-RI), Committee on Armed Services, Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Committee on Environment and Public Works, Ron Wyden (D-OR), Committee on Finance, Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Committee on Foreign Relations, Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Dick Durbin (D-IL), Committee on the Judiciary, Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Committee on the Budget.
    The full text of the letter can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Celebrates Opening of South Coast Rail

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    For the first time in 65 years, cities and towns in southeastern Massachusetts will have passenger rail service
    Boston (March 24, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement celebrating the formal opening of South Coast Commuter Rail service. South Coast Rail will offer reliable public transit between Boston and communities in southeastern Massachusetts, including Taunton, New Bedford, Fall River, Middleborough, Freetown, and the surrounding region. It represents the first time since the late 1950s that riders on the South Coast can take a one-seat rail trip to Boston. Now, all major cities within 50 miles of Boston have Commuter Rail access.
    “We are one stop closer to transit justice with daily Commuter Rail service to southeastern Massachusetts,” said Senator Markey. “The opening of South Coast Rail represents a long-awaited celebration for Taunton, Fall River, New Bedford, and beyond. I am grateful to Governor Healey, the MBTA, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and all the leaders and advocates on the South Coast who are making this project a reality. This milestone represents a major leap in addressing a critical gap in our state’s public transit system. Together, we are expanding rail service, reducing congestion, increasing economic opportunity, and more equitably connecting our Commonwealth. I look forward to continuing to work with state and local officials, community members, and our federal delegation to expand public transit throughout the South Coast and across Massachusetts.”
    Senator Markey is a long-time advocate for expanding rail transit. He previously introduced the Building Rail Across Intercity Networks To Ride Around Interior of the Nation (BRAIN TRAIN) Act, which established a new $25 billion passenger rail grant program and required the Federal Railroad Administration to prioritize projects that connect historically under-connected areas such as the South Coast. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established a new Corridor Identification and Development Program aligned with, and that includes language from Senator Markey’s BRAIN TRAIN Act. Last Congress, he introduced the All Aboard Act, which would dedicate $200 billion over five years to build high-speed rail, expand existing passenger rail service, and electrify the most heavily polluting railyards and corridors. The legislation also includes critical labor protections for the existing union labor workforce and creates a rail personnel training grant program for rail workers. Senator Markey has also been a strong advocate to secure funding for West-East passenger train service running through Boston, Worcester, and Western Massachusetts, helping to secure a $108 million grant for the project, followed by a second $36.8 million grant.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Medicaid Cuts Would Cost Money and Endanger Lives, Say Central WA Health Care Providers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    03.21.25
    Medicaid Cuts Would Cost Money and Endanger Lives, Say Central WA Health Care Providers
    Medicaid, known in WA as Apple Health, would face significant cuts from GOP budget proposal to slash up to $880 billion from essential health care program
    RICHLAND, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, held a press conference with Central Washington health care professionals and providers to discuss the harms that would result from proposed cuts to Medicaid.
    “Our health care system today does save money when we give people the freedom to see a doctor when they need to, instead of forcing them to wait until they absolutely have to,” said Sen. Cantwell. ”These attempts aren’t about reducing costs, they are literally about destroying our health care system.”
    “It is a tsunami. And trust me, this is not a drill,” she continued. “This is a real proposal, and we have to wake up the American people, and certainly here in Central Washington, to the devastating impacts they could see if Medicaid was cut.”
    “There’s very good evidence from multiple studies that preventive care delivers better quality of life, better health outcomes, at a lower overall cost,” said Dr. Richard Meadows, Chief Medical Officer, Providence Clinical Network. “The thought that somehow saving money by not funding Medicaid would be better for our country, it just does not make any financial sense, because we know from studies that if you wait and treat things later on it is far more expensive. People miss more time from work, they’re not able to be there for their families, and ultimately it costs all of us as taxpayers more money.”
    Brenda Morgan, a Tri-Cities area home care provider, shared the story of her client, Samantha, an autistic young adult with a heart condition, who needs a feeding tube for meals and medications. “She wants me to ask you,” Morgan said, “’Why aren’t people thinking about us? Do they not know that I can’t survive without Medicaid?’”
    Medicaid is the federal program that insures many low-income adults and children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities. Washington state’s Medicaid program, Apple Health, ensures that eligible Washingtonians can afford to seek health care and see providers when they need to.  The program also ensures that hospitals receive reimbursements for the significant number of low-income people they serve. Medicaid paid for $3.36 billion in hospital care in Washington state in state fiscal year 2024. More than 1.9 million Washingtonians are enrolled in Medicaid.
    In the 4th U.S. Congressional District, 70% of children and 24% of adults are covered by Medicaid / Apple Health.
    In Washington state legislative district 16, which includes Richland, 60% of kids and 32% of the total population are covered by Medicaid / Apple Health.
    In legislative district 8, which includes Kennewick and most of Benton County, 49% of kids and 26% of the total population are covered by Medicaid / Apple Health.
    In Yakima County’s legislative district 15, 87% of kids and 51% of the population are covered by Medicaid / Apple Health. These are the highest numbers for any legislative district in the state.
    On February 25, House Republicans voted to advance President Trump’s budget resolution, which proposes up to an $880 billion cut from Medicaid.
    Last month, Sen. Cantwell released a snapshot report highlighting the impact that slashing Medicaid to fund tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy would have on Washington state’s health care system — especially in Central and Eastern Washington.
    The other participants in today’s roundtable were Reza Kaleel, Chief Executive Southeast Washington Service Area Kadlec and Providence St. Mary; Regina Ahl, Director of Pharmacy, Tri-Cities Community Health; Dr. John Matheson, Chief Medical Officer, Kadlec Regional Medical Center; and Everett Maroon, Executive Director, Blue Mountain Heart to Heart.       
    Video of today’s entire press conference is HERE; video of Sen. Cantwell’s opening statement is HERE; photos are HERE; and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s opening statement is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump says he may ‘give a lot of countries breaks’ on tariffs

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    U.S. President Donald Trump attends an event celebrating the Greek Independence Day at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on March 24, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said that he may “give a lot of countries breaks” on tariffs, as his April 2 deadline to impose “reciprocal tariffs” on U.S. trading partners draws closer.

    “I may give a lot of countries breaks, but it’s reciprocal,” Trump told reporters at the White House Monday afternoon.

    He noted that the European Union (EU) has agreed to lower car tariffs to 2.5 percent as part of a deal with the Trump administration.

    “We’ll be announcing some additional tariffs over the next few days, having to do with automobiles, cars, and having also to do a little bit with lumber down the road, lumber and chips,” Trump continued.

    “But for the most part, April 2 will be a big day, that will be reciprocal day, and we’ll be bringing some of the money back that’s been taken from us,” Trump said.

    Earlier in the day, Trump announced on social media that he’ll impose 25-percent tariff on any nation that purchases oil and/or gas from Venezuela, accusing the Latin American country of sending “tens of thousands of” criminals to the United States.

    When asked by a reporter whether the 25-percent tariff is “on top of existing tariffs,” Trump said “yes.”

    With key U.S. economic indicators showing concerning trends, economists and investors warn that the risk of a “Trumpcession” has grown due to unpredictable trade and economic policies.

    Earlier this month, Bruce Kasman, JPMorgan’s chief global economist, expressed heightened concerns about the U.S. economy. He told reporters in Singapore that the investment bank now estimates a 40 percent chance of a U.S. recession this year. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: What are they hiding? Murray, DeLauro Demand OMB Promptly Restore Access to Website Detailing Federal Spending Allocations, As Federal Law Requires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair, and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following joint statement after the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) moved to unlawfully hide how the agency directs agencies to spend taxpayer dollars. OMB hid this information by destroying a website that publicly displayed all of these decisions, known as apportionments.
    “Federal law is unequivocal: OMB must publish the agency’s legally-binding budget decisions. Congress enacted these requirements over a Democratic President’s objections on a bipartisan basis because our constituents, and all American taxpayers, deserve transparency and accountability for how their money is being spent. Taking down this website is not just illegal it is a brazen move to hide this administration’s spending from the American people and from Congress. We call on OMB to immediately restore access to the website and resume compliance with this most basic, bipartisan transparency requirement.”
    Apportionments are legally binding budget decisions issued by OMB under title 31 of the U.S. Code. These documents are final, decisional, and legally binding on agencies, and officials responsible for violating an apportionment may be subject to administrative discipline, including suspension without pay and termination, and the knowing and willful violation of an apportionment carries with it criminal penalties under the Antideficiency Act.
    The 2022 bipartisan appropriations bills instated a requirement for OMB to publicly post in an accessible format all approved apportionments within two business days, along with any footnotes, an explanation for those footnotes. The following year, Congress made those requirements permanent. Those bipartisan requirements have been carried out for the last three years without incident—allowing lawmakers and the public to track OMB’s legal-binding budget decisions.
    As of March 24, however, OMB’s apportionments database was taken down with no notice or explanation, and reporting indicates the website was destroyed in defiance of the bipartisan requirements enshrined in federal law that OMB maintain the site.
    Importantly, there have never been national security concerns associated with this statutory requirement, and the law requires OMB to make any classified documentation referenced in any apportionment available at the request of the Chair or Ranking Member of any appropriate congressional committee. Classified programs are frequently addressed in public statutory language, including in the recently passed Republican full year continuing resolution, with classified annexes available on a need-to-know basis.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Before Confirmation Hearing, Warren Slams Top Military Health Nominee on Record of “Severe and Systemic” Problems

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    March 24, 2025
    Keith Bass would be responsible for military health care system that provides care for over nine million active and retired servicemembers and their families
    “Given your checkered past involving the disbursement of controlled substances within the [White House], and your failures in managing the CIA’s health care program, I am concerned that if you are confirmed, you will not be able to effectively manage the military health care system, placing care at risk for millions.” 
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote to Mr. Keith Bass, nominee for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs (ASD[HA]), demanding an explanation for the problems that occurred under his watch at the White House Medical Unit (WHMU) and the Central Intelligence Agency’s health care program. 
    Mr. Bass is scheduled to appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his nomination hearing on Thursday, March 27, 2025. If confirmed, Mr. Bass would be in charge of the Military Health System, which provides health care to approximately 9.5 million active and retired service members and their families, would become a top advisor at DoD on “force health protection policies, programs, and activities,” and oversee budgeting across the military health program. But his record raises serious concerns about his ability to fulfill the responsibilities of the role. 
    From 2013 to 2019, Mr. Bass oversaw the WHMU, overseeing care to the President, other senior officials, and their families. During his tenure, several complaints were filed against him for overseeing “an operation that widely dispensed sedatives and stimulants, among other concerns.” An independent investigation by the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Inspector General found that, under Bass’ tenure, the WHMU pharmacy operations had “severe and systemic problems” and was found to have violated federal law by handing out “sedatives such as Ambien and stimulants such as Provigil without proper prescriptions” to ineligible staff while “us[ing] aliases in electronic health records to disguise the patients’ identities and deliver free care in cases where the recipients wouldn’t be eligible.” 
    “At best, you were oblivious to the wide distribution of sedatives and stimulants by WHMU’s pharmacy operations and, in the worst case, you were complicit. Either scenario should disqualify you from serving as the ASD(HA),” said Senator Warren. 
    After leaving the WHMU, Mr. Bass served as Director of the Office of Medical Services (OMS) at the CIA, where he was reportedly “pushed out” because of his “messy” management, poor communication, “badly handl[ing] the surge of Covid-19 cases,” and “fumbling the agency’s handling of Havana Syndrome.” 
    “Your poor performance in this position casts doubt on your ability to serve in a position requiring broader management skills,” said Senator Warren. 
    “Given your checkered past involving the disbursement of controlled substances within the WHMU, and your failures in managing the CIA’s health care program, I am concerned that if you are confirmed, you will not be able to effectively manage the military health care system, placing care at risk for millions,” concluded Senator Warren. 
    Senator Warren asked Mr. Bass to explain his involvement in the illegal distribution of controlled substances at the White House, his knowledge of the “severe and systemic” problems at the WHMU, the issues during his tenure at the CIA, and asked him to commit to not lobby DoD after his service. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Cassidy applaud Pres. Trump for supporting Louisiana energy production

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) sent a letter to President Trump to applaud his administration for restoring pro-energy policies in America and recognizing Louisiana as one of the nation’s leaders in energy production.

    Key excerpts of the letter are below:

    “We are writing to highlight the critical role that Louisiana plays in securing America’s position as the world’s leading liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter. LNG will play a key role in restoring American energy dominance, and our state is ready to increase supply. We appreciate your decision on Day One to reverse the pause on non-FTA [free trade agreement] LNG export permitting, and we applaud your administration’s decision for Interior Secretary [Doug] Burgum and Energy Secretary [Chris] Wright to visit a Louisiana LNG facility as one of their first energy trips.

    “Louisiana is the backbone of America’s LNG export industry, accounting for more than 60% of all U.S. LNG exports last year. . . . Under your leadership, the U.S. is positioned to achieve record-breaking LNG exports, reinforcing energy dominance and providing allies with reliable, affordable, and cleaner-burning natural gas.” 

    . . . 

    “We look forward to working with you on policies to allow the LNG sector to thrive. Ensuring consistent, predictable policies from the administration and Congress will bolster U.S. competitiveness and reinforce our nation’s energy leadership.”

    Read the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Van Hollen champion bipartisan bill to deter executives of foreign companies from insider trading at the expense of American investors

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), members of the Senate Banking Committee, today reintroduced the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act to hold executives of foreign companies that are traded on U.S. stock exchanges to the same disclosure requirements that U.S.-based firms are required to follow. 

    “Insiders at companies in Beijing and Moscow have been able to avoid billions in losses on the U.S. stock exchange by playing by a different set of rules than Americans do. This insider trading comes at a cost to American investors. The Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act will help stop opportunistic insider trading by requiring foreign executives to disclose trades immediately,” said Kennedy.

    “When corporate insiders sell their stocks, investors and the public have a right to know. U.S. firms are required to disclose these trades and provide this information to the public, but foreign companies don’t have to play by the same rules. Our legislation will ensure all corporate insiders are held to the same standard and prevent foreign executives from insider trading at the expense of American investors,” said Van Hollen.

    Currently, executives of U.S. publicly traded companies must disclose any trades they make of their own company’s stocks to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) within two business days. Meanwhile, executives of foreign firms are not required to make such timely disclosures and are required to file by paper. The lag this system creates means that foreign executives can keep trades private for a longer period of time, which promotes insider trading at the expense of everyday American investors.

    The legislation would amend Section 16 (a) of the Securities Exchange Act to require executives of public companies based outside the U.S. to make electronic disclosures of trades in their company’s stocks to the SEC within two business days. The SEC would then make that information available to the public, as they currently do with U.S.-based firms. 

    Background:

    • In April 2023, Kennedy and Van Hollen outlined their bill in the Wall Street Journal.  
    • In Aug. 2022, reports uncovered that Chinese investors of corporations listed on U.S. exchanges avoided billions of dollars in losses by making seemingly informed sock sales ahead of declines.
    • In May 2022, Kennedy first introduced the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act. 

    Text of the Holding Foreign Insiders Accountable Act is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch, Crapo Introduce Bill to Deliver Combat-Injured Veterans Full Military Benefits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo (both R-Idaho) introduced the Major Richard Star Act to provide combat-injured veteran retirees their full benefits.

    “Our veterans made significant sacrifices for our freedoms. Penalizing their retirement benefits due to injuries they incurred during their honorable service to our country is unacceptable,” said Risch. “The Major Richard Star Act protects the entirety of veterans’ earned benefits and give our nation’s heroes the respect they deserve.”

    “The Major Richard Star Act corrects a severe injustice for combat-wounded veterans,” said Crapo. “The support for this correction is clear. Though the namesake of our legislation is no longer with us, I continue to press for its passage on behalf of the more than 50,000 veterans, including hundreds in Idaho, who stand to benefit.”  

    Currently, only veterans with disability ratings above 50% and more than 20 years of service are eligible to receive the full amount of their Department of Defense (DOD) retirement and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability payments—leaving behind more than 50,000 combat-injured military retirees. The Major Richard Star Act will fix this unjust policy for retired combat veterans—providing them with their full VA disability and DOD retirement payments.

    This legislation is named in honor of Major Richard A. Star, a decorated war veteran who was forced to medically retire due to his combat-related injuries. Major Star sadly lost his battle with cancer on February 13, 2021.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Shaheen Discusses Foreign Affairs, Trump Tariffs, Her Decision to Not Seek Reelection and More on WMUR’s CloseUp

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Manchester, NH) – On Sunday, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined Adam Sexton on WMUR’s CloseUp to discuss ongoing global affairs such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, as well as pressing issues in New Hampshire including the harmful impacts of President Trump’s tariffs and Republican-led threats to federal services. The Senator also detailed her decision to not seek reelection. The first segment can be found here and the second segment can be found here.   

    Key quotes from Senator Shaheen below: 

    On threats to U.S. leadership abroad:  

    • “Both ceasefires that this President is talking about taking credit for are falling apart already. The ceasefire in Israel with Gaza has already fallen apart. The ceasefire that he’s trying to broker with Russia has already fallen apart.” 
    • “[Elon Musk] came up with this brilliant idea to get rid of USAID and so has undermined so many of our efforts that help us compete with China around the world. Our efforts that keep Americans safe because we’re tracking epidemics in places like Africa. That promote democracy efforts in countries where, if we’re not there China comes in and takes up that vacuum that we’ve left. So, I think he’s totally misguided, and he has no real understanding of what it means for the United States to be a leader in the world.”  

    On the harmful impact of President Trump’s tariffs on Granite State businesses:  

    • “I was at C&J[…] yesterday. He’s had to cancel more than half of his bus order for new busses that are made in Canada because he’s concerned about the additional cost.” 
    • “I was up north on Wednesday in the North Country, talking to Littleton town officials who were talking about visitors coming down to New Hampshire who they’re concerned are not going to be here, about small businesses that are worried they are not expanding because they’re worried about the inability to have the relationship that they have had with Canada.” 

    On Elon Musk and DOGE’s gutting of federal services: 

    • “We are in this economic mess because of the decisions that President Trump is making about tariffs, about the uncertainty that he’s created, about the chaos that he’s created in Washington, about the layoffs that he’s doing and I want to keep people focused on that.” 
    • “The fact is, Donald Trump, in his campaign said he was going to do something about grocery prices. He was going to do something about inflation. He was going to do something about high energy costs. He was going to do something about the cost of rental housing and he was going to address mortgage rates. He was going to end the war in Ukraine on the first day. He’s done none of those things.” 

    On her decision not to seek reelection: 

    • “It’s time to think about what else I might want to do. I’m not going to leave trying to make a difference in New Hampshire and [I’ll] still be engaged, but it will be nice to have a little more flexibility to do some other things.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen, Blackburn, Duckworth Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Place a WWII Women’s Memorial on National Mall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today introduced the World War II Women’s Memorial Location Act—bipartisan, bicameral legislation to place a memorial honoring women’s contributions to World War II on the National Mall in the nation’s capital. Companion legislation to designate a memorial commemorating the women who worked on the home front to support the efforts of the United States military was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and U.S. Congressman Russ Fulcher (R-ID-01). 

    “The monuments and memorials displayed in Washington tell America’s story,” said Senator Shaheen. “The invaluable contributions of ‘Rosie the Riveters’ during World War II are measured not only by the countless American lives they helped save, but also by the generations of women they inspired to serve our nation. Our bipartisan legislation designates a permanent home to memorialize the brave women who worked on the home front during the second world war.” 

     “Over 18 million women served on the home front during World War II, playing a key role in American history. They helped support their country while inspiring future generations of women to join the workforce,” said Senator Blackburn. “A memorial honoring the sacrifice and service of these women should be placed on the National Mall as a powerful reminder of their legacy in fighting for freedom and building the equipment needed by America’s troops during World War II.” 

    “It’s long past time we memorialize the contributions hardworking women made during World War II beside all the other historic memorials on the National Mall,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud our legislation was signed into law to establish a memorial in D.C. to honor the millions of women who rolled up their sleeves and took whatever job was necessary to help move our country forward during World War II. Now, Congress must pass this bipartisan legislation to ensure this memorial is rightfully placed on the National Mall where their legacy can be remembered and preserved prominently for generations to come.” 

    More than 18 million women answered the call to hold down the home front by working as pilots, engineers, electricians, mechanics, code breakers and more during World War II.   

    In 2022, Congress passed bipartisan legislation authorizing the Women Who Worked on the Home Front Foundation to establish a memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC to commemorate the service and sacrifice of these women to the United States. The legislation introduced by Shaheen, Blackburn and Duckworth would authorize the location of the memorial to be on the National Mall so that it can be built within walking distance of the World War II Memorial.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Brown joins 20 other AGs to petition a federal judge to prevent shutdown of the Department of Education

    Source: Washington State News

    OLYMPIA — Attorney General Nick Brown today joined a coalition of 21 state attorneys general in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction as part of their lawsuit to stop President Donald Trump’s unlawful attempt to dismantle the Department of Education.

    On March 13, the attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after it announced plans to eliminate half of the Department’s workforce. Following a March 20 executive order directing the closure and President Trump’s March 21 announcement that the Department must “immediately” transfer student loan management and special education services outside of the Department, the attorneys general now seek a court order to immediately stop the mass layoffs and transfer of services not approved by Congress.

    “The devastating cuts and layoffs at the Department of Education will directly harm Washington’s youth and their families,” Brown said. “Our office will fight to defend the education and health of our students from President Trump’s illegal order.” 

    The attorneys general assert the Trump administration’s attacks on the Department have already had serious consequences for families and students throughout the country, including in Washington state. Mass staff layoffs led to the closure of its Office of Civil Rights outreach throughout the country, which protects students from discrimination and sexual assault. Federal approval of state programs is already delayed, and critical funding for state school systems will likely be delayed.

    States rely on billions of dollars every year in funding for elementary and secondary education, services for children with disabilities, vocational education, adult education and other crucial services. All of these programs will be severely disrupted if the administration’s cuts are not stopped.

    Brown and the other attorneys general assert that the Trump administration’s attacks on the Department are illegal and unconstitutional. It is an executive branch agency authorized by Congress, with laws that guide its various programs and funding streams. The coalition’s lawsuit asserts that the executive branch does not have the legal authority to unilaterally dismantle the Department without an act of Congress. In addition, the attorneys general argue that Department’s mass layoffs violate the Administrative Procedures Act.

    Joining Attorney General Brown in filing today’s motion are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia.

    The motion can be found here.

    -30-

    Washington’s Attorney General serves the people and the state of Washington. As the state’s largest law firm, the Attorney General’s Office provides legal representation to every state agency, board, and commission in Washington. Additionally, the Office serves the people directly by enforcing consumer protection, civil rights, and environmental protection laws. The Office also prosecutes elder abuse, Medicaid fraud, and handles sexually violent predator cases in 38 of Washington’s 39 counties. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

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    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee Introduces the Restraining Judicial Insurrectionists Act of 2025

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee

    Bill would stop blanket injunctions from sabotaging President Trump’s legitimate constitutional authority as Commander in Chief

     

    WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today introduced the Restraining Judicial Insurrectionists Act of 2025, which establishes a three-judge panel to swiftly review injunctions or declaratory relief against the President of the United States and the Executive Branch, with quick appeal to the Supreme Court. This legislation comes in the wake of several decisions by district court judges usurping the role of the Chief Executive from President Donald Trump and attempting to thwart the will of the American people who elected him. 

    “America’s government cannot function if the legitimate orders of our Commander in Chief can be overridden at the whim of a single district court judge,” said Senator Lee. “They have presumed to run the military, the civil service, foreign aid, and HR departments across the Executive Branch—blatantly unconstitutional overreach. This legislation will create a judicial panel to expedite Supreme Court review of these blanket injunctions, preventing unelected radicals in robes from sabotaging the separation of powers.”

      

    BACKGROUND ON THE RESTRAINING JUDICIAL INSURRECTIONISTS ACT OF 2025

    • The bill amends 28 USC 2284 to state that any action commenced against the executive seeking injunctive or declaratory relief against the Executive will go to a three-judge district court.
    • Next, it requires that upon filing any covered action, the district judge who received the complaint and/or motion for preliminary injunction will refer the matter to the Chief Justice. The Chief Justice will then be required to select three judges in active service to preside over the case.
    • Additionally, the bill requires that a majority of the judges must agree to issue any form of relief, preliminary or permanent.
    • Finally, because this is a three-judge district court, all orders are directly appealable to the Supreme Court without discretion—so they must take up the case. 

    You can read the bill text HERE.

    You can read the Washington Examiner’s exclusive coverage HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Recaps Events in Texas on Trump Tax Cuts, Unleashing American Energy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) recapped his travel in Texas during the state work period, including visits to Corpus Christi, Houston, Midland, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin to discuss the importance of unleashing Texas’ energy industry with oil and gas workers and renewing the Trump tax cuts with small business owners. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

    “From Corpus Christi, which is on the Gulf Coast of Texas, [and] Houston, also along the Gulf Coast, now the Gulf of America, to Midland to Dallas to San Antonio, Austin, and I had great conversations with folks that are praising the work that we’re doing here in Congress.”

    “I went down to Corpus Christi, which is on the Gulf Coast of the Coastal Bend region of Texas, and met with energy businesses located there.”

    “We had a great discussion about the importance of the Port of Corpus Christi and the product that passes through that port that helps America’s energy independence and helps our friends and allies around the world.”

    “Another important opportunity I had during the state work period was to meet with my constituents to talk about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and how it has helped their small businesses and their employees thrive.”

    “I met with the good folks at Southland Hardware in Houston, Texas… We also had representatives from Empire Tools and Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen and Tejas Office Products—all thriving small business owners who shared their support for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and explained why it needed to be extended.”

    “I heard the same thing from business owners all across the state, including Austin, where I live. We went to Wally’s Burger Express in Austin.”

    “I went there in 2018, and I went back, and Robert Mayfield, who employs a single franchise there in Austin, seven years later reported that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act had been very, very helpful, allowing him to provide better benefits and bonuses to his employees.”

    “I would encourage the naysayers and our Democratic colleagues to actually talk to real people about what their experience has been.” 

    “I’m sure they would find that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act did not, contrary to our Democratic colleagues, just help a bunch of rich people.”

    “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act has, in fact, allowed people in communities from Austin to Houston and everywhere across the country to provide more of what they’ve earned to their families, provide employment opportunities to their neighbors, and contribute to their communities, which is just another way of saying helped them help contribute to the American dream.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Mullin joins President Trump at NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    ICYMI: Senator Mullin joins President Trump at NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships

    Washington, D.C. – Saturday night, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined President Trump in Philadelphia, PA at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships alongside his wife Christie, and sons Jim, Jayce, and Andrew. President Trump is the first President of the United States to attend the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The Mullin family also proudly cheered on two Oklahoma State wrestlers to victory: Wyatt Hendrickson and Dean Hamiti Jr.

    “President Trump walked in there, they were chanting USA because every single day they know that he’s up there fighting for him.”

    Sen. Mullin’s full recap on Fox & Friends Sunday can be found here.

    On President Trump attending the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships:

    “It was a huge moment. Just the fact that President Trump took the time to walk into that arena and just share the love of the sport that he truly cares about. Remember Rachel, in 2023 he was in Tulsa with me as well. My boys now, in 2023 they were wrestling in high school, today they wrestle at Oklahoma State and OU. I got three boys all wrestling in college. And it’s just something that we truly love the sport, and President Trump seems to share our same passion for it.” 

    On the crowd’s reaction to President Trump:

    “When the sound of, they say the sound of God, came on the place went absolutely nuts. President Trump came walking in, they’re chanting, USA, USA, USA. You can tell the wrestlers that had already wrestled… were standing up cheering. The President walked over to me, and he says, ‘They absolutely love me here, don’t they?’ I said, ‘Sir, they certainly do.’ And he says, ‘Why do you think that?’ And I said, ‘Sir, every male in this building, and I’d say a lot of females in this building, has been punched in the face. We’re wrestling fans. We do this.’ And I said, ‘They respect a fighter, and they respect you.’

    On the event attendees respecting the fighter that President Trump is:

    “[President Trump] shows every single day that he’s for the people, and from the people. What I mean by that is, tell me if Joe Biden could walk in that room and get a chant like that? They would have been chanting, let’s go Brandon. But when President Trump walked in there, they were chanting USA because every single day they know that he’s up there fighting for him. And the iconic part was… when the assassin’s bullet, missed him, and yet he stood up and put his hand in the air and said, fight, fight, fight. That resonated through everybody. And it resonated through the patriotism through our country too. And then you walk into a wrestling arena like that, where people just love America, they respect a fighter. That’s right at President Trump’s base, and he couldn’t have been more at home in that crowd than, let’s say, myself, or any other wrestler that was participating there.”

    On Oklahoma State wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson:

    “One thing I want to add too is Wyatt Hendrickson is the heavyweight that you guys are talking about that pulled maybe the largest upset of the NCAA, he’s also a graduate from the Air Force Academy. And when President Trump met him three years ago and Wyatt walked up to him, and I was with him, and said, ‘Can I get a waiver to fly jets?’ And the President looked at him and said, ‘Sir, I don’t think they make cockpits that big.’ I mean, just a huge individual. And they actually developed a friendship. And so, President Trump was supposed to leave two matches before Wyatt wrestled, and he looked at me, he says, I can’t leave, I’ve got to watch my big guy. That’s what he called him he said, ‘I got to watch my big guy.’”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Statement on Juliana Case

    Source: US State Government of Utah

    Today, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a petition for certiorari by plaintiffs in Juliana v. United States, a case the Justice Department has consistently defended across three presidential administrations.

    The case, filed in 2015, sought to have courts force the government to implement more stringent, remedial measures related to climate change. The U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon agreed to hear the case. The Justice Department moved to dismiss and sought an interlocutory appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Ninth Circuit remanded the case to the district court with instructions to dismiss. The district court accepted an amended complaint, and the circuit court again instructed for the case to be dismissed. The plaintiffs then filed a petition for certiorari in the Supreme Court.

    “For nearly a decade, lawyers for the plaintiffs in the Juliana case have tied up the United States in litigation, persisting even after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals twice instructed the case to be dismissed because the plaintiffs lack Article III standing,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “The U.S. Supreme Court’s cert denial brings this long saga to a conclusion. Through ENRD’s work, the Justice Department is enforcing our nation’s environmental laws and safeguarding America’s air, water, and natural resources. Cases like Juliana distract from those enforcement efforts.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Seeks Court Order to Block Mass Firings, Transfer of Core Functions from Department of Education

    Source: US State of California

    Cites immediate and potentially devastating harms to California schools and students 

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today led a multistate coalition in filing a motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent the Trump Administration’s mass firing of U.S. Department of Education employees and the transfer of core statutory functions to other departments. These actions will devastate the Department of Education’s ability to meet its statutory obligations across numerous programs — direct funding for K-12 education, student aid, services for students with disabilities, civil rights enforcement, vocational training, and more. California schools alone receive $7.9 billion annually from the Department of Education, and these schools have already reported impacts and disruptions to their ability to provide public education to California’s children as a result of these actions. As such, Attorney General Bonta and the coalition argue that the actions violate the Administrative Procedures Act, are unconstitutional, and should be enjoined while litigation continues.

    “California receives billions of dollars each year from the U.S. Department of Education. The programs and initiatives these funds support help ensure all our children have access to a high-quality public education and are able to learn in a safe, healthy environment,” said Attorney General Bonta. “All of this is at risk with the Trump Administration’s mass firing of Department employees and outsourcing of core statutory functions like the administration of federal student loans. President Trump has made no secret of his desire to shut down the Department of Education for good – and we know that these actions are just a step toward that end goal. But as his own administration has acknowledged, he lacks the authority to unilaterally do so. I respectfully ask the court to block the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education from within while our litigation continues.”

    On March 11, the Department of Education initiated a mass termination impacting nearly 50% of the Department’s employees, as part of the Trump Administration’s “final mission” to dismantle the Department. The mass firings were not accompanied by any reasoning to explain why these employees — and indeed, some whole teams — were targeted. The rationale is nevertheless clear — the Trump Administration believes the Department should not exist and is using these firings as a tool in furtherance of that goal. President Trump’s directive last week for Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take all necessary steps to dismantle the Department is further evidence that the firings are part of a broader effort to undermine the Department’s ability to carry out its most vital, congressionally-mandated functions. These steps including transferring the administration of federal student loans to the Small Business Administration, which recently fired 40% of its workers, and of special needs and nutritional programs to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

    The U.S. Department of Education provides $7.9 billion annually in federal funding to more than 9,000 public schools across California – serving 5.8 million students. This includes funding for Title I to support low-income families, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds and support for students with disabilities, school lunch programs, services to families living on military bases and Indian reservations, and post-secondary financial aid. Already, the mass firings have led to the closure of seven regional offices of the Office for Civil Rights, including the one in San Francisco, leaving 1,500 pending cases, including open investigations, cases in mediation, resolved cases under monitoring, and complaints under research by staff, in limbo. 

    It is clear that the mass firing of nearly 50% of all Department of Education employees will make it impossible for the Department to meet its current obligations under federal law, violating the separation of powers and the Executive Branch’s obligation to take care that the law is faithfully executed, and exceeding the Department’s authority under the law in violation of the Administrative Procedures Act. Given the immediate and potentially devastating harm that these firings and subsequent transfer of core programs could cause to California’s schools and children, Attorney General Bonta, along with the coalition, respectfully asks the court to grant a preliminary injunction while the states’ litigation continues.  

    Attorney General Bonta is leading this lawsuit with Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and New York Attorney General Letitia James. They are joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.

    A copy of the motion is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Applauds $5.8 Billion Hyundai Investment in Louisiana Jobs, American Manufacturing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) applauded today’s announcement that Hyundai Steel, a subsidiary of the Hyundai-Kia Motor Group, will invest $5.8 billion to build a new, next-generation steel production facility in Ascension Parish. The project will bring around 1,300 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs to Louisiana.
    “Made in America is good, but made in Louisiana is even better! My team has advocated to Hyundai that Louisiana is the best state to invest in. I’m glad they agree!” said Dr. Cassidy. “Thank you to President Trump and Governor Landry for their support for American manufacturing and Louisiana jobs.”
    This project will help expand and strengthen the U.S. automotive steel supply to Hyundai production facilities in the U.S. The facility will produce 2.7 million tons of advanced, high quality automotive steel a year and is expected to generate $4.1 billion in annual revenue. The facility will produce steel for Hyundai, Kia, and other automakers manufacturing in the U.S.
    Construction on the project is expected to begin in 2026.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Kennedy Applaud President Trump’s Actions Supporting Louisiana Energy, Restoring U.S. Energy Dominance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and John Kennedy (R-LA) applauded President Trump’s policies allowing Louisiana’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector to thrive. Louisiana plays a critical role in America’s position as a leading LNG exporter, and President Trump’s measures bolstering domestic energy production are reinforcing the United States’ energy dominance.
    “Louisiana is the backbone of America’s LNG export industry, accounting for more than 60 percent of all U.S. LNG exports last year,” wrote the senators. “Under your leadership, the U.S. is positioned to achieve record-breaking LNG exports, reinforcing energy dominance and providing allies with reliable, affordable, and cleaner-burning natural gas.”
    “We look forward to working with you on policies to allow the LNG sector to thrive. Ensuring consistent, predictable policies from the administration and congress will enhance U.S. competitiveness and reinforce our nation’s energy leadership,” concluded the senators.
    Read the full letter here or below:
    Dear President Trump,
    We are writing to highlight the critical role that Louisiana plays in securing America’s position as the world’s leading liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter. LNG will play a key role in restoring American energy dominance, and our state is ready to increase supply. We appreciate your decision on Day One to reverse the pause on non-FTA LNG export permitting, and we applaud your administration’s decision for Interior Secretary Burgum and Energy Secretary Wright to visit a Louisiana LNG facility as one of their first energy trips.
    Louisiana is the backbone of America’s LNG export industry, accounting for more than 60 percent of all U.S. LNG exports last year. Our state hosts the largest and most advanced liquefaction and export terminals with strategic proximity to prolific natural gas basins such as the Permian, Eagle Ford, and Haynesville, as well as direct access to the Gulf of America for export to our allies. Deep-draft ports, robust pipeline infrastructure, and skilled workforce across Louisiana makes the Gulf Coast irreplaceable in delivering U.S. energy to the world. Under your leadership, the U.S. is positioned to achieve record-breaking LNG exports, reinforcing energy dominance and providing allies with reliable, affordable, and cleaner-burning natural gas.
    We are proud that our existing LNG export facilities including Cheniere’s Sabine Pass facility, Cameron LNG, and Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass and Plaquemines facilities call our state home. We also look forward to welcoming additional LNG facilities in various stages of construction and permitting. One example of a key project in the pipeline is Argent LNG, a facility planned for the strategically located Port Fourchon in Louisiana. In addition to increasing U.S. LNG exports, the facility will support thousands of high-paying jobs in construction and operation. Through long-term contracts and stable supply, facilities like Argent LNG bolster energy security for our country and our allies.
    We look forward to working with you on policies to allow the LNG sector to thrive. Ensuring consistent, predictable policies from the administration and congress will enhance U.S. competitiveness and reinforce our nation’s energy leadership.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY: A NATIONAL DAY OF CELEBRATION OF GREEK AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY, 2025

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-center”>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
    A PROCLAMATION

    On March 25, 1821, fueled by the rallying cry, “Freedom or Death,” Greek revolutionaries began a war for independence against the Ottoman Empire.  The hard-fought victory established a sovereign Greek state and a national homeland for Greece.  On the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence Day, we honor this heroic fight for freedom, and the enduring democratic ideals that continue to inspire the world.

     America is inextricably tied to both ancient and modern Greece.  We are tethered by history and tradition, the struggle for self-governance, emancipation, and rebirth.  Our Founding Fathers drew inspiration from Greek philosophers and statesmen to form the tenets of our new Republic, now enshrined in our Constitution.  Our national character has been shaped, in part, by the indelible impact of Greek influence in the arts and architecture, language and literature, and academia and military tradition.  Today, across the United States, generations of Greek Americans infuse our neighborhoods and communities with a rich legacy of cultural traditions, and a heritage of family, faith, hospitality, and civic responsibility.

    Greece is one of our Nation’s oldest friends, strategic partners, and a valued NATO ally.  We appreciate the support of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in our economic and diplomatic partnership as we forge opportunities for collaboration in key sectors including energy, science, technology, shipping, logistics, and defense.  The permanent presence of naval forces in Souda Bay and bilateral training events enhance warfighting capabilities and reflect our mutual commitment to joint military cooperation as a cornerstone of security and stability in Europe.

    On this day, we pause to celebrate Hellenic independence, people of Greek heritage worldwide, and the abiding kinship of likeminded nations who cherish democracy, patriotism, prosperity, and peace.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2025, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.  I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

                                  DONALD J. TRUMP

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: IMPOSING TARIFFS ON COUNTRIES IMPORTING VENEZUELAN OIL

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and in view of the national emergency declared with respect to Venezuela in Executive Order 13692 of March 8, 2015 (Blocking Property and Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Venezuela), as continued most recently in the notice of February 27, 2025 (Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Venezuela), I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, find that the actions and policies of the regime of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  The activities of the Tren de Aragua gang, a transnational criminal organization originating in Venezuela and designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization, have intensified this threat, as highlighted in Proclamation 10903 of March 14, 2025 (Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act Regarding the Invasion of the United States by Tren De Aragua).  Furthermore, Venezuela’s ongoing destabilizing actions, including its support for illicit activities, necessitate further economic measures to protect United States interests.

    In light of these circumstances, and to address the continued national emergency with respect to Venezuela that forms the basis for Executive Order 13692 and subsequent orders, I hereby order:

    Section 1.  Findings.  (a)  The Tren de Aragua gang, a transnational criminal organization with origins in Venezuela, has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States due to its extensive involvement in terrorist activities such as kidnapping and violent attacks, including the assassination of a Venezuelan opposition figure, that destabilize communities across the Western Hemisphere.  The prior administration’s open-borders policies facilitated the infiltration of the United States by members of Tren de Aragua, allowing these dangerous criminals to establish a foothold within United States cities and prey upon American citizens. The Maduro regime aided and facilitated the influx of Tren de Aragua members into the United States during the prior administration by failing to control its borders, permitting the gang’s operations to flourish within Venezuela, and refusing to take action against its members, thereby exacerbating the illegal immigration crisis.

    (b)  Existing sanctions on Venezuela, including those imposed in Executive Order 13692, Executive Order 13808 of August 24, 2017 (Imposing Additional Sanctions with Respect to the Situation in Venezuela), Executive Order 13850 of November 1, 2018 (Blocking Property of Additional Persons Contributing to the Situation in Venezuela), and Executive Order 13884 of August 5, 2019 (Blocking Property of the Government of Venezuela), remain in effect.  The actions and policies of the Maduro regime that were the basis for those orders continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  These actions include:

    (i)    The systematic undermining of democratic institutions through the suppression of free and fair elections and the illegitimate consolidation of power by the regime of Nicolás Maduro;

    (ii)   Endemic economic mismanagement and public corruption at the expense of the Venezuelan people and their prosperity;

    (iii)  The regime’s responsibility for the deepening humanitarian and public health crisis in Venezuela; and

    (iv)   The destabilization of the Western Hemisphere through the forced migration of millions of Venezuelans, imposing significant burdens on neighboring countries.

    Sec. 2.  Imposition of Tariffs.  (a)  On or after April 2, 2025, a tariff of 25 percent may be imposed on all goods imported into the United States from any country that imports Venezuelan oil, whether directly from Venezuela or indirectly through third parties.  Duties imposed by this order will be supplemental to duties on imports already imposed pursuant to IEEPA, section 232 of the Trade Expansion of 1962, section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, or any other authority.

    (b)  The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the United States Trade Representative, is hereby authorized to determine in his discretion whether the tariff of 25 percent will be imposed on goods from any country that imports Venezuelan oil, directly or indirectly, on or after April 2, 2025.

    (c)  Once imposed on a country at the Secretary of State’s discretion, the tariff of 25 percent shall expire 1 year after the last date on which the country imported Venezuelan oil, or at an earlier date if the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the United States Trade Representative, so determines at his discretion.  

    Sec. 3.  Administration and Enforcement.  (a)  The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the United States Trade Representative, is hereby authorized to impose the tariffs established by this order.

    (b)  The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, is hereby authorized to:

    (i)    Determine whether a country has imported Venezuelan oil, directly or indirectly;

    (ii)   Issue regulations, guidance, and determinations as necessary to implement this order;

    (iii)  Coordinate with the heads of other executive departments and agencies to ensure compliance; and

    (iv)   Take any additional actions consistent with applicable law to carry out the purposes of this order.

    (c)  Any prior Presidential Proclamation, Executive Order, or other Presidential directive or guidance that is inconsistent with the direction in this order is hereby terminated, suspended, or modified to the extent necessary to give full effect to this order.

    (d)  Any other Presidential Proclamation, Executive Order, or other Presidential directive or guidance that applies to Venezuela or a country subject to a tariff under section 2 of this order remains in full effect, except to the extent specified in subsection (c) of this section.

    (e)  If the Secretary of State, at his discretion, decides to impose a tariff under section 2 of this order on China, that tariff shall also apply to both the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macau Special Administrative Region, as a measure to reduce the risk of transshipment and evasion.

    Sec. 4.  Reporting and Review.  The Secretary of State and the Secretary of Commerce shall submit periodic reports to the President, within 180 days of the date of this order and no less than every 180 days thereafter, assessing the effectiveness of the tariffs described in this order and the ongoing conduct of the Maduro regime.

    Sec. 5.  Definitions.  For the purposes of this order:

    (a)  The term “Venezuelan oil” means crude oil or petroleum products extracted, refined, or exported from Venezuela, regardless of the nationality of the entity involved in the production or sale of such crude oil or petroleum products.

    (b)  The term “indirectly” includes purchases of Venezuelan oil through intermediaries or third countries where the origin of the oil can reasonably be traced to Venezuela, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce.

    Sec. 6.  Effective Date.  This order is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 2, 2025.

    Sec. 7.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

    (i)   The authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

    (ii)  The functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

                                  DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE,

        March 24, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Energy Department Advances Efforts to Lower Costs and Increase Consumer Choice

    Source: US Department of Energy

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today announced the Department of Energy (DOE) has further postponed the implementation of three of the Biden-Harris administration’s restrictive mandates on home appliances. These actions, taken in accordance with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order, “Unleashing Prosperity through Deregulation,” marks a key step in lowering costs, enhancing performance, and expanding options for American consumers.

    “Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy is taking critical steps every day to help American families prosper,” said Secretary Wright. “By removing burdensome regulations put in place by the Biden administration, we are returning freedom of choice to the American people, ensuring consumers can choose the home appliances that work best for their lives and budgets. This power should not belong to the federal government.”

    The Department’s notices officially postpone the effective dates for three home appliance rules:

    • Test Procedures for Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
    • Efficiency Standards for Walk-In Coolers and Freezers
    • Efficiency Standards for Gas Instantaneous Water Heaters

    In addition, under the leadership of President Trump, the Department has officially withdrawn four conservation standards, including standards on electric motors, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, and external power supplies. This continued commitment to the American people will slash unnecessary red tape and regulations that raise prices, reduce consumer choice, and frustrate the American people.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DAUPHIN COUNTY – Governor Shapiro to Host Roundtable and Make an Announcement on the Impacts of Federal Funding Cuts on Pennsylvania Agriculture

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    March 25, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA

    ADVISORY – DAUPHIN COUNTY – Governor Shapiro to Host Roundtable and Make an Announcement on the Impacts of Federal Funding Cuts on Pennsylvania Agriculture

    Governor Josh Shapiro will host a roundtable at the Central PA Food Bank to hear about how recent federal funding cuts are impacting food banks and farmers across Pennsylvania. Following the roundtable, Governor Shapiro will hold a press conference to update the public on action his Administration is taking in response to these cuts.

    WHO:
    Governor Josh Shapiro
    Secretary Russell Redding, Department of Agriculture
    Joe Arthur, CEO of Central PA Food Bank
    Chris Hoffman, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau President
    Pennsylvania Farmers
    Representative Justin Fleming

    WHEN:
    TOMORROW, Tuesday, March 25, 2025; Media availability begins at 2:30 PM.
    Media may join the last 10 minutes of the roundtable; a full press conference will immediately follow at approximately 2:45 PM.

    WHERE:
    Central PA Food Bank
    3908 Corey Road,
    Harrisburg, PA 17109

    LIVE STREAM:
    pacast.com/live/gov
    governor.pa.gov/live/

    RSVP:
    Press who are interested in attending must RSVP with the names and phone numbers for each member of their team to ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: GAZA – MSF condemns Israeli strike on Nasser hospital in Gaza, calls for protection of health facilities – MSF

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF)

    JERUSALEM, 25 MARCH 2025 – Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) strongly condemns Israel’s strike on Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza—the largest remaining functioning hospital in the Gaza Strip, where MSF teams work. 

    On 23 March, Israeli forces targeted the hospital’s inpatient surgical department, killing two people, according to the Ministry of Health. MSF teams confirmed there were several people injured, one of which was admitted to our trauma unit, and that severe damage was done to the building. 

    This attack shows a total disregard for the protection of medical facilities, endangered patients and medical staff and the very provision of healthcare. As Israeli forces escalate their operations in Gaza once again, MSF calls for the respect and protection of healthcare facilities, patients and medical staff in Gaza, where the health system has been all but destroyed.

    “Strikes such as these are horrific for staff and patients” says Claire Nicolet, MSF head of emergencies in Gaza. “We cannot go back to repeated attacks on health care facilities when the health system in Gaza is already hanging by a thread, and no supplies have entered in weeks.”

    While Gaza’s healthcare system has collapsed, and the medical needs of people continue to skyrocket, medical workers are yet again forced to fear for their lives while providing care. At Nasser hospital, two MSF colleagues, who were working in different hospital departments, described panic among patients at the time of the attack.

    ” The distance between us and the explosion was so close that we could’ve been hit too,” explains an MSF nurse who works in another ward in Nasser hospital and was close by when the strike happened. “Our colleagues, medical staff, patients and their caretakers were all terrified.”

    During Israel’s war on Gaza, MSF has witnessed relentless attacks on health facilities, a complete disregard for patients, medical workers and International Humanitarian Law (IHL), resulting in the systematic dismantling of Gaza’s health system. Not a single hospital in the Gaza Strip is currently fully functional, and only 21 out of the enclave’s 36 hospitals are partially functioning, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

    As one of the last main hospitals in southern Gaza, Nasser hospital is providing care for people with severe burns and trauma injuries, newborns, and pregnant women.

    Since returning in mid-May 2024, MSF teams have been supporting the emergency, pediatric, and maternity departments at Nasser hospital, as well as running a burn and trauma unit. In February 2024, MSF teams were forced to flee after the hospital was shelled by Israeli forces.

    Furthermore, Nasser Hospital as other health facilities in Gaza is facing several challenges of supplies, including hygiene items, medication and surgical items, while Israeli authorities continue their siege on the Strip for over 20 days. Due to the numerous influxes of patients from recent bombings, MSF stocks are decreasing faster than expected, and the blockade is making it impossible for our teams to restock vital items such as antibiotics, painkillers and anesthetics.

    In a separate incident on May 24, MSF teams in Al-Mawasi primary health care clinic were forced to close the emergency room, evacuate the facility and suspend activities for the day due to close-by shootings and shelling. Healthcare facilities, patients and medical staff must be protected.

    MSF calls once again for the immediate restoration of the ceasefire and for the resumption of the entry of essential aid and basic supplies, which people in Gaza desperately need.

    MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Markey, Van Hollen Urge Trump to Work with Congress to Keep TikTok Online

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) wrote to President Donald Trump, requesting additional information on any efforts to keep TikTok online in the United States and urging the Administration to work with Congress on any potential resolutions to the TikTok ban.

    Under the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act, ByteDance had until January 19 to either divest TikTok or face a ban in the U.S. In an executive order, President Trump directed the Department of Justice to not enforce the law for 75 days. This nonenforcement of the TikTok ban was not only unlawful but also raised serious questions about TikTok’s future, as the law imposes liability—up to $850 billion in fines—on companies for facilitating TikTok’s continued operations in the U.S. That 75-day extension expires on April 5. With a qualified divestiture unlikely to occur by that deadline, the Senators urged the Trump administration to work with Congress to keep TikTok online.

    In the letter, the lawmakers write, “There is a better solution: Work with Congress. We have previously introduced legislation — the Extend the TikTok Deadline Act — that would extend the TikTok deadline to October 16, 2025, but Senate Republicans blocked passage of our bill. If you need additional time to complete a deal, we urge you to direct Senate Republicans to pass our legislation and provide the companies with legal certainty to keep TikTok online and in the app stores over the next few months. If you intend to proceed with the reported Oracle deal, we urge you to work with Congress to propose modifications to the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversaries Act to ensure that any Oracle deal prevents TikTok from going dark. Regardless of your approach, the path to saving TikTok should run through Capitol Hill.

    “Without any further action from Congress, the 170 million Americans that rely on TikTok will continue to face uncertainty about TikTok’s future. Creators will continue to fear that the platform could disappear at any moment. This situation is unfair and unworkable. We urge you to stand up for TikTok’s users and use your immense influence over congressional Republicans to demand a long-term solution to the TikTok ban.”

    Ahead of the April 5, 2025 deadline, the lawmakers request responses by March 28, 2025, to the following questions:

    1.     Is your administration considering further extending the TikTok divestment deadline by executive order? If so, please identify the statutory basis for such an extension.

    2.     Are news reports accurate that your administration is considering a potential deal with Oracle under which Oracle would take a stake in TikTok and provide certainty about the security of TikTok’s user data?

    3.     Does your administration believe that any further legislative action is necessary to ensure that TikTok remains online in the United States?

    On January 16, 2025, Senator Booker, along with Senators Markey and Van Hollen, sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging him to trigger the 90-day extension in the Protecting Americans’ Data from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act to allow ByteDance additional time to divest from TikTok. Senators Booker, Markey, and Van Hollen, along with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), introduced the Extend the TikTok Deadline Act, legislation that would delay the January 19 deadline by which ByteDance must sell TikTok or face a ban, by an additional 270 days.

    To read the full text of the letter, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Pens Letter to USDOT Regarding Recurring I-80 Sinkholes, Urging Federal Funding & Collaboration with New Jersey

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    NEWARK, NJ – Ahead of the weekend and Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s visit to Morris County, New Jersey, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) penned a letter urging the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) to release emergency funding to the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and the State of New Jersey to address recurring sinkholes along the Interstate 80 (I-80) corridor in Morris County, New Jersey.

    Senator Booker wrote: “I write today in support of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and the State of New Jersey, and their efforts to apply for United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Emergency Relief program funding to address sinkholes along Federal-Aid Interstate 80 (I-80) located in Morris County, New Jersey.”

    On Friday, March 21, another sinkhole opened up along the same corridor, hindering the state’s multi-agency remediation efforts.

    Senator Booker concluded, “New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy […] signed an Executive Order on March 8th declaring a State of Emergency to address the damage and qualify for Emergency Relief program funding designated for emergency repairs and permanent repairs on Federal-aid highways and roads.”

    So far, the state has not received federal aid from the FHWA’s Emergency Relief Program to address this issue.

    A full copy of the March 21 letter can be found here and below:

    Dear Secretary Duffy:

    I write today in support of the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) and the State of New Jersey, and their efforts to apply for United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Emergency Relief program funding to address sinkholes along Federal-Aid Interstate 80 (I-80) located in Morris County, New Jersey.

    I-80 spans more than 68 miles from the Pennsylvania state line to its eastern terminus in Bergen County, New Jersey. On December 26, 2024, a sinkhole on I-80 opened when an abandoned iron mine shaft collapsed under the highway’s eastbound shoulder near Exit 34. This sinkhole closed the eastbound lanes for four days, leading to slow-moving detours and diminishing throughput along a route critical to regional commerce. On February 10, 2025, NJDOT discovered a second sinkhole 75 feet west of the first, leading to another closure and weeks of detours along I-80.

    The response to this structural disaster has been a collaborative effort between NJDOT, the New Jersey State Police, and local partners. NJDOT crews began proactive drilling and grouting 24 hours a day along the 1-80 eastbound corridor between Exit 34 and the bridge over Route 15 in Wharton, New Jersey to stabilize the roadway and evaluate the subsurface conditions. Once this assessment is complete, NJDOT will be able to finalize a design for repair and calculate a cost estimate.

    According to NJDOT, 82 locations were drilled and 57 locations were filled with grout between December 26, 2024 and March 5, 2025. Construction barriers and fencing were installed between the median and 1-80 westbound to provide additional safety during the grouting process. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy then signed an Executive Order on March 8th declaring a State of Emergency to address the damage and qualify for Emergency Relief program funding designated for emergency repairs and permanent repairs on Federal-aid highways and roads.

    I thank you in advance for your attention to New Jersey’s efforts to restore the structural integrity of this vital highway that will keep drivers of commercial and personal vehicles safe. Should you have any questions, please contact me or my staff at (973) 639-8700.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Presses USDA to Reverse $1 Billion in Canceled Local Food Purchases for Farmers, Schools & Food Banks

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and a group of her colleagues are demanding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) immediately reverse the cancellation of local food purchase programs that allow states, territories, and Tribes, including Wisconsin, to purchase food from Wisconsin farmers to be used by local emergency food providers, schools, and childcare centers. Specifically, Baldwin is calling on the administration to reverse course on the cancellation of the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program and the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS). Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers announced earlier this month that the Trump Administration had reneged on contracts with the state that support Wisconsin farmers and food banks through the LFPA program.

    “We ask that you reverse the cancellation,” wrote Baldwin and the lawmakers in a letter to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. “We have grave concerns that the cancellation…poses extreme harm to producers and communities in every state across the country. At a time of uncertainty in farm country, farmers need every opportunity to be able to expand market access for their products.”

    In their letter, the lawmakers warned of the harmful impacts this move by the Trump Administration will have on American farmers and families. According to Governor Evers’ Office, as of the end of 2024, nearly 300 Wisconsin farmers had participated in the Wisconsin LFPA Program, which distributed more than $4 million in food and served all 72 of Wisconsin’s counties. More than half of the participating farmers—55 percent—were new or beginning farmers. The program was set to enter its third year in just a few weeks based on Wisconsin’s contractual agreement with the federal government. USDA also told school nutritionists that it would end a companion program that connects farmers with local schools. The loss of the two programs is estimated to cut off farmers nationwide from more than $1 billion in support and would cut Wisconsin’s promised funding by nearly $6 million.

    The letter was led by Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) and co-signed by 29 other Senate colleagues.

    A full version of this letter is available here and below.

    Dear Secretary Rollins:  

    We write to express serious concerns regarding the cancellation of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs supporting local and regional food purchases providing assistance to those in need. These successful programs, the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA) and the Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program (LFS), allow states, territories, and Tribes to purchase local foods from nearby farmers and ranchers to be used for emergency food providers, schools, and childcare centers.  

    At a time when food insecurity remains high, providing affordable, fresh food to food banks and families while supporting American farmers is critical. Notably, LFPA and LFS have benefitted producers and consumers by providing funding for purchases through all 50 states, four territories, and 84 tribal governments. Through LFPA and LFS, USDA has prioritized the procurement and distribution of healthy, nutritious, domestic food. It has also taken an important step towards igniting rural prosperity by expanding and strengthening markets among farmers and rural economies. As of December 2024, the programs had supported over 8,000 producers, providing increased marketing opportunities.  

    Most importantly, we ask that you reverse the cancellation of LFPA and LFS. We also ask that you provide a thorough and complete update on USDA’s implementation of LFPA and LFS, including answers to the following questions:  

    1. What is the status of reimbursements for entities that have agreements with USDA through LFPA and LFS? What is the last date for which states, territories, and Tribes received reimbursements for food purchases under LFPA and LFS?
    2. Has the Administration conducted any assessments of how these program cancellations will impact producers and recipient organizations (e.g., food banks, schools, child care centers)? If so, please provide a copy of any such assessments.  

    We have grave concerns that the cancellation of LFPA and LFS poses extreme harm to producers and communities in every state across the country. At a time of uncertainty in farm country, farmers need every opportunity to be able to expand market access for their products.  

    Please provide responses to the information requested in our questions no later than Friday, April 4. Thank you for your attention to this urgent and important matter.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Cortez Masto, Wyden Statement on Reported IRS Plans to Share Sensitive Taxpayer Data to DHS

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Cortez Masto, Wyden Statement on Reported IRS Plans to Share Sensitive Taxpayer Data to DHS

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) released the following joint statement in response to reports that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is planning to provide sensitive taxpayer information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to locate suspected undocumented immigrants:

    “This weekend, it became clear that the Trump Administration is finalizing plans to target and penalize people who are following federal law and contributing to our economy. This agreement between the IRS and DHS — if finalized — will have long-lasting and devastating implications on our economy, taxpayer privacy, immigrant communities, and the rule of law.

    “It’s past time for the Trump Administration to make their plans public. The IRS and DHS must disclose the extent of this agreement and brief Congress immediately.”

    Earlier this month, Padilla, Cortez Masto, and Wyden led a letter to IRS and DHS leadership raising the alarm on reports that DHS and the “Department of Government Efficiency” have illegally requested sensitive taxpayer information from the IRS. So far, the Trump Administration has not responded to their demand for answers about their plans to require the IRS to turn over the home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of over 700,000 people.

    MIL OSI USA News –