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Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Slams Trump’s Mass Firings of VA Employees, Calls to Reverse Firings and Put Veterans First

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement in response to President Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) firing another 1,400 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees, in addition to the 1,000 employees who were fired earlier this month. Baldwin has heard from impacted employees and Veterans concerned about the quality of their care being diminished. Approximately 30% of the federal workforce are veterans themselves and it is estimated that nearly 6,000 veterans have been fired.
    “Donald Trump and Elon Musk are trying to make room in the budget for tax breaks for billionaires, paid for by ripping the rug out from our Veterans and forcing the hard-working doctors, nurses, and staff at the VA out the door,” said Senator Baldwin. “It doesn’t get much lower than this. The Department of Veterans Affairs needs to reverse this decision and live up to our responsibility to take care of those who served us.”
    Just before the VA announced the second mass firing, Senator Baldwin and a group of her colleagues called on the VA Secretary Doug Collins to immediately reinstate the more than 1,000 VA employees terminated recently who serve veterans and their families nationwide. The firing includes critical employees combatting veteran suicide working at the Veterans Crisis Line which Senator Baldwin championed in her legislation creating the three-digit 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
    The Trump Administration’s mass terminations of VA employees, which included a substantive number of veterans and military spouses, comes at a time when VA faces critical staffing shortages and increased demand for its services, such as urgently needed mental health care to combat the veteran suicide rate. In addition, many of these terminated employees had exemplary performance records and multiple years of work experience in government service.
    A full version of Baldwin’s letter is available here and below.
    Dear Secretary Collins:  
    Last week, we were outraged by the Administration’s abrupt and indiscriminate termination of tens of thousands of workers across almost every government agency, including more than 1,000 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees. We were further disturbed by the manner in which you publicly celebrated this reprehensible announcement – a clear departure from the assurances provided throughout your confirmation process to never “balance budgets on the back of veterans’ benefits” and to always “put the veteran first.” Not only will this latest action put veterans’ care and benefits at risk, but it further confuses, demoralizes, and threatens a VA workforce we need to fulfill our nation’s sacred promise to our veterans and their families who have already sacrificed so much.
    The more than 1,000 VA employees whose lives and careers you have upended included a substantial number of veterans and military spouses. Many had exemplary performance records. Because probationary employees tend to be younger, many of them represented the next generation of VA employees – talented men and women who chose a long-term career path of serving veterans. VA already invested in recruiting and training these individuals because veterans deserve the very best staff possible. And they all deserved better than to be casually discarded by an Administration that places a greater priority on political loyalty than fitness to serve.
    You have repeatedly claimed these massive, arbitrary staff terminations – done without advance consultation with service-level leadership or advisement from experienced senior leaders trained to manage VA’s health care, benefits, and memorial workforce –– “will not negatively impact VA health care, benefits or beneficiaries.” However, we have heard directly from VA employees and veterans across the country that this is absolutely not the case. In fact, we have been made aware of numerous detrimental developments as a direct result of the actions of this Administration. Openings for new clinics have been delayed because VA cannot hire the necessary staff to open their doors. Service lines at VA hospitals and clinics have been halted. Beds and operating rooms at VA facilities have been suspended. Support lines for caregivers have been reduced. Veterans Crisis Line employees have been fired, and suicide prevention training sessions have been postponed or canceled. And transportation options for disabled veterans, which help ensure veterans can attend regular health care appointments, have been cut back because volunteer drivers are now unable to get credentialed.
    The list of real-life negative impacts of this Administration’s directives is expansive and growing every day. Rather than putting the interests of veterans first, you made your priorities abundantly clear in your statement applauding the mass firings: “At VA, we are focused on saving money.” It’s clear from the slashing of services and benefits this priority is coming directly at the expense of veterans.
    With the best interests of veterans in mind, and to ensure VA is capable of carrying out its sacred obligation of behalf of veterans, we urge you to immediately reinstate all of the employees dismissed in the latest indiscriminate terminations and commit to VA employees and veterans that no additional widespread terminations will occur without advanced notification to Congress, a detailed justification, coordination with service-level leadership, and an appropriate assessment of potential impacts on veterans’ health care and benefits. Congress remains ready to collaborate with you, if you are willing to come to the table and put the needs of our veterans above all else.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy champions bill to make hospital prices clear to patients

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today reintroduced the Hospital Transparency Compliance Enforcement Act to increase penalties for hospitals that hide the true costs of their items and services from patients.
    “It’s unfair for hospitals to keep the costs of their services hidden from patients. My Hospital Transparency Compliance Enforcement Act would make sure that health care providers make their prices publicly available and understandable for Americans seeking care,” said Kennedy.
    The Trump administration’s Hospital Price Transparency Rule, which went into effect in January 2021, requires hospitals to establish and make public a list of the prices that they charge for items and services. Hospitals must also display charges in a consumer-friendly manner. A November 2024 study of 2,000 hospitals found that only 421—or 21%—were fully compliant. 
    Currently, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires non-compliant hospitals with 30 or fewer beds to pay a penalty of $300 per day, those with 31 to 550 beds to pay between $310 and $5,500 per day and those with more than 550 beds to pay $5,500 per day.
    The Hospital Transparency Compliance Enforcement Act would: 
    Double the current government penalties on non-compliant hospitals. Penalties would increase to $600 per day for hospitals with 30 or fewer beds, $620 to $11,000 per day for hospitals with 31 to 550 beds and $11,000 per day for hospitals with more than 550 beds.
    Require all hospitals to comply with the higher penalties within six months of the law’s passage.
    Prohibit hospitals from shielding information on their websites using webpage coding.
    Give non-compliant hospitals 60 days after notice of non-compliance to pay their monetary penalty.
    Require CMS to publish the names of hospitals that have not complied.
    Kennedy first introduced the bill in 2022.
    Text of the Hospital Transparency Compliance Enforcement Act is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate passes Kennedy resolution to repeal Biden admin rule targeting offshore oil and gas production

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    Watch Kennedy’s comments here.

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today led the Senate in passing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval to reverse the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) rule that targeted oil and gas production in the outer continental shelf. Kennedy’s resolution passed with bipartisan support and now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.
    Kennedy explained in a speech on the Senate floor that the Biden administration’s rule places an immense burden on small oil and natural gas producers by forcing them to map the ocean floor in search of shipwrecks before they could begin production.
    Key excerpts of the speech are below:
    “We’ve surveyed the entire Gulf of America in the 87 years since we started drilling there. We have surveyed 311,652 square nautical miles—the surface area of Texas and California put together. That’s how we found 4,000 shipwrecks, and it’s cost hundreds of hundreds of millions of dollars. So, we know what’s there.”
    “Well, in Sept. 2024, the Department of Interior—in a midnight regulation in an effort to try to further hurt fossil fuels—passed a new rule, and they said, ‘Look, we know we’ve surveyed the entire Gulf . . . but every time you drill a new well, we want you to survey again.’ Why? I mean, what’s the benefit?”
    . . .
    “So, I’m going to try to kill the regulation today under what—as you know, Mr. President—is called the Congressional Review Act. . . . I realize that common sense, as I’ve said before, is illegal in Washington. This is not a normal place, but I hope folks who still have common sense will vote to get rid of this foolish rule.”
    Background:
    On Sept. 3, 2024, the Biden administration published a rule requiring all new oil and gas leaseholders on the outer continental shelf to submit an archaeological report to the BOEM before drilling or laying pipelines. The rule burdens lessees with conducting costly surveys for marine archaeological resources, such as shipwrecks or “cultural resources.” 
    This rule replaces BOEM’s long-standing policy of requiring oil and gas operators to conduct archaeological surveys only when there was a “reason to believe” that an archaeological resource may be present. 
    The Biden administration admitted that this rule would harm small oil and gas producers most, writing, “100 percent of the increased Gulf of [America] compliance cost . . . would be borne by operators that are small entities.” Small and independent operators account for one-third of all oil production in the Gulf of America.
    On Feb. 4, 2025, Kennedy introduced his CRA joint resolution of disapproval to repeal the rule. This is one of more than 225 harmful regulations that the Biden administration levied against the oil and natural gas industry.
    Watch Kennedy’s full speech here.
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray on Government Funding, Republicans’ Plan to Cut Health Care for Kids to Give Tax Breaks to Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray: “There is simply no way to realize the trillions in cuts they are calling for without kicking kids and families off Medicaid.”
    ***VIDEO HERE***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, at Senate Democrats’ weekly press conference, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke about ongoing government funding talks and Republicans’ budget resolution that will be considered on the House floor tonight, which gives billionaires—like President Trump and Elon Musk—a tax break at the expense of working families’ health care and so many other programs they count on.
    Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:
    “On Sunday, the leader of the Republican Party, Elon Musk, tweeted that he thought a government shutdown would be, quote: ‘great.’
    “That’s one totally out-of-touch billionaire who needs a serious reality check. Elon may never depend on receiving benefits on time, but for everyone else, shutdowns are painful and costly.
    “Democrats, however, do not want a shutdown. We are at the table, negotiating in good faith to fund the government.
    “But Republicans are the majority—in the House and in the Senate. If they want our votes, they need to work with us. We are close on topline spending, but we need to know Republicans are willing to work with us to protect Congress’ power of the purse—and I welcome any and all ideas they may have on how we can work together to do just that.
    “That is the absolute bare minimum—and it is frankly not asking a whole lot. Republicans should not be so eager to let Elon Musk cut off cancer research or clean energy jobs in their districts. They should not follow Elon towards a shutdown.
    “Now, even though March 14th is just around the corner, Republicans aren’t really focused on funding the government—and that’s because their number one priority is passing more tax cuts for billionaires.
    “Here in the Senate, last Friday, just before 5 AM, Republicans rammed through their pro-billionaire, anti-middle class budget blueprint.
    “Possibly as soon as tonight in the House, Republicans are planning to do even worse. To pass their massive tax giveaways for billionaires, Republicans are going to defund Medicaid, slash veterans’ benefits, and force kids to go hungry.
    “And I want to be clear: the congressional districts with the highest enrollment for Medicaid in my state are represented by Republicans.
    “There is simply no way to realize the trillions in cuts they are calling for without kicking kids and families off Medicaid. They are cutting health care for the children they represent to cut taxes for billionaires.
    “Hurting kids—making it so a child can’t see a doctor—to give Elon Musk a tax break he doesn’t need? If that’s the path Republicans want to go down, then I am going to make sure everyone knows it.
    “To the American people, now’s the time to tune in to C-SPAN.
    “Now is the time to give your Republican Congressman an earful.
    “Now is the time to text your family group chat.
    “Now is the time to do everything we possibly can to protect health care for our kids and families.
    “Every American should understand their story and their voice will make a difference in this fight. Congress needs to hear you—so my advice is to get loud.
    “I will be using my voice and my vote to make sure kids can see a doctor and to make sure kids don’t go hungry. I’ll be voting no to give billionaires more tax cuts while kicking kids off their health care.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Ensure Veterans’ Access to High-Quality Mental Health Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) today introduced the Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act, which would require an independent organization outside of the government to conduct a study to assess the quality of care veterans receive for mental and addiction health treatment from providers within and outside the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
    “Every veteran must receive the care and services they need to address the risk of suicide and addiction,” said Dr. Cassidy. “There is no room for failure.”
    “The brave men and women who served our nation should never be denied access to the high-quality care they deserve,” said Senator Cornyn. “This legislation recognizes the unique mental health challenges our veterans face and aims to improve the VA system by providing an independent evaluation of the quality of life we’re providing for our nation’s bravest.”
    Cassidy and Cornyn were joined by U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Susan Collins (R-ME), Gary Peters (D-MI), John Fetterman (D-PA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in introducing the bill.
    The VA is home to the nation’s largest integrated health care system that provides comprehensive health services to U.S. military veterans who are enrolled. However, recent estimates indicate that as many as 70% of VA-eligible veterans received their care from external providers. Given the high rate of veteran suicide due to mental and addiction health conditions, a study is needed to better understand if current practices provide our veterans with the best mental and addiction quality of care. 
    The Veterans Mental Health and Addiction Therapy Quality of Care Act would require an independent and objective organization outside of the VA to conduct a study to:
    Analyze the results of comparable instances of addiction and mental health care between inside and outside providers using objective criteria such as symptom scores and suicide risk; 
    Ascertain to what extent outside providers are using evidence-based practices in the treatment of addiction and mental health issues;
    Identify potential gaps in coordination between internal and external providers in responding to individuals seeking addiction or mental health care;
    Evaluate the availability of coordinated care for veterans who have separate or related conditions which may be impacting their mental health;
    Assess providers’ military cultural competency;
    Gauge the ease and flexibility of sharing medical records with a veteran’s health care team;
    Consider to what extent providers are conducting outcome monitoring throughout a veteran’s treatment to track progress or lack thereof;
    And measure overall patient satisfaction.
    The legislation is supported by the Disabled American Veterans Association, the American Psychological Association, and the Veteran Health Care Policy Initiative.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Applauds Implementation of Social Security Fairness Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) applauded the announcement by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) that the over 3 million American public servants hurt by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) will immediately begin receiving  Social Security benefit increases and retroactive payments. This follows the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, which fully repeals the two unfair Social Security provisions, WEP and GPO, and was signed into law on January 5, 2024, after Cassidy successfully secured a vote on the Senate floor. Earlier this month, Cassidy urged the SSA to move quickly to implement the new law. 
    “Police officers, teachers, nurses, and other state and local public servants across Louisiana will finally receive the correct Social Security payments,” said Dr. Cassidy. “These folks have waited years for this day. The fight took too long, but let’s focus on the victory.”  
    SSA will begin depositing retroactive payments into bank accounts on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, and complete nearly all retroactive payments by the end of March. Adjustments to ongoing monthly benefits will begin in April.
    Before the passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, around 94,000 Louisianans were unfairly penalized by WEP and GPO. WEP was enacted in 1983 and reduces the Social Security benefits of workers who receive pensions from a federal, state, or local government for employment not covered by Social Security. GPO was enacted in 1977 and reduces Social Security spousal benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers whose spouses receive pensions from a federal, state, or local government. 
    Background:
    Cassidy played a pivotal role in getting the Social Security Fairness Act signed into law on January 5, 2025. Cassidy successfully demanded a vote on the Social Security Fairness Act. In July and again in December, Cassidy spoke on the U.S. Senate floor urging Congress to repeal WEP and GPO as part of his “Big Idea” to save, strengthen, and secure America’s retirement system. In June, Cassidy entered a statement into the record urging the repeal of WEP and GPO ahead of the U.S. Senate Finance Subcommittee field hearing on Social Security. 
    Cassidy is a long-time cosponsor of the Social Security Fairness Act in the Senate, being an original cosponsor since he became a Member of Congress in 2009. He led the introduction of the legislation in the 117th and 116th Congress.
    Cassidy led a bipartisan working group to preserve and protect Social Security. He released the inaugural Bill on the Hill video where he asked Capitol Hill visitors from across the country their thoughts on the looming benefit cuts to Social Security and presented his “Big Idea.”
    Last March, Cassidy grilled U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on President Biden’s plan to address Social Security, to which Secretary Yellen admitted “the president doesn’t have a plan,” to save Social Security.
    Cassidy has discussed the “Big Idea” at a public forum with AARP on the future of Social Security, outlined his Social Security plan in a fireside chat with the Bipartisan Policy Committee, and authored op-eds in the Washington Examiner in July, the Wall Street Journal in March, and State Affairs and Washington Post in May. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Blocks Democrat Attempt to Sabotage Bipartisan Effort to Address Opioid Crisis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today blocked Democrats’ efforts to undermine his Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act on the Senate floor. The HALT Fentanyl Act, supported by Republican and Democrat lawmakers, makes permanent the class-wide scheduling of deadly fentanyl-related substances, set to expire at the end of March. 
    On Thursday, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is planning to vote on the HALT Fentanyl Act. Cassidy led the bill’s introduction on a bipartisan basis with U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-NM). In an effort to undermine this legislative process, Democrats attempted to ram through a bill earlier today that would only temporarily extend the class-wide scheduling. This would create greater uncertainty for law enforcement who rely on the classification to combat the opioid crisis.  
    “For years, Congress has failed to make the Schedule I classification of fentanyl-related substances permanent. Our law enforcement cannot continue to have this uncertainty,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We must pass the HALT Fentanyl Act as soon as possible to make this classification permanent. Democrat attempts to undermine these bipartisan efforts only embolden the drug cartels exploiting our communities with deadly drugs.” 
    After blocking Democrats legislation, Cassidy asked for a Senate vote on the House companion to the Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives this month by a strong bipartisan vote of 312 to 108, with 98 House Democrats voting in favor. Senate Democrats blocked this bipartisan legislation from passing the Senate floor.  
    Click here to watch Cassidy’s full remarks objecting to Democrats’ legislation.       
    See below for the remarks as prepared for delivery. 
    Mr. President,
    For years, Congress has refused to make a definitive, a permanent decision. It has failed to make the Schedule I classification of fentanyl-related substances permanent. Law enforcement needs this permanent change to combat the opioid crisis and go after the criminals flooding our communities with deadly drugs.  
    Congress’ inaction only emboldens China, drug cartels, and other criminals who exploit our communities. That cannot happen. We need a lasting solution. 
    Mr. President, there is no reason to do a temporary extension. We have the bipartisan votes to make the Schedule I classification permanent. 
    This Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee, with the support of Judiciary Chairman Grassley and Senator Heinrich, is marking up the Halt Lethal Trafficking (HALT) Fentanyl Act. This legislation permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances.  
    Let’s be clear, the HALT Fentanyl Act is not controversial. For two consecutive Congresses, it passed the House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support. There are enough votes to pass HALT in Judiciary Committee, and on the Senate floor this Congress.  
    My Democrat colleague’s delays that permanency. Schedule I classification will once again be in jeopardy when the next deadline comes around. Our law enforcement cannot continue to have this uncertainty.  
    That is why after my objection, I will ask unanimous consent to pass the HALT Fentanyl Act. This legislation has already passed the House of Representatives and has bipartisan support in the Senate. I hope all my Democrat colleagues join me in supporting this bill. 
    We have a responsibility to provide law enforcement the tools they need to address the scourge of deadly drugs in our communities. Failure to act puts Americans in harm’s way.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: English/Español: House Republican Leadership Statement on Passage of House Budget Resolution

    Source: US House of Representatives Republicans

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Scalise, Majority Whip Emmer, and Conference Chairwoman McClain issued the following statement after the House passed its FY25 budget resolution:

    “Today, House Republicans moved Congress closer to delivering on President Trump’s full America First agenda — not just parts of it.

    “This momentum will grow as we work with our committee chairs and Senate Republicans to determine the best policies within their respective jurisdictions to meet budgetary targets. We have full confidence in their ability to chart the best path forward.

    “While there is still much more to do, we are determined to send a bill to President Trump’s desk that secures our border, keeps taxes low for families and job creators, restores American energy dominance, strengthens America’s standing on the world stage, and makes government work more effectively for all Americans.”

    Overview: 

    1. Economic Growth: Grows the economy by $2.6 trillion over 10 years from 2.6 percent average growth, compared to CBO’s estimate of 1.8 percent growth
    2. Discretionary Spending: Saves $829 billion
    3. Mandatory Savings: Provides a floor of at least $1.5 trillion with a goal of $2 trillion in mandatory savings over 10 years
    4. Debt Ceiling: Increases by $4 trillion covering two years
    5. Key Priorities: Extends President Trump’s signature tax cuts and provides funding for border security and national defense

    FY25 Budget Resolution text is available here.

    Expresiones del Liderato Republicano de la Cámara ante la Aprobación de la Resolución de Presupuesto 

    WASHINGTON – El presidente de la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos, Mike Johnson, el líder de la mayoría Steve Scalise, el líder de la mayoría Tom Emmer y la presidenta de la conferencia Lisa McClain emitieron las siguientes declaraciones luego de que la Cámara aprobara su resolución presupuestaria para el año fiscal 2025:

    “La Conferencia Republicana está avanzando en el proceso legislativo para implementar la agenda completa de América Primero del presidente Trump, no solo partes de ella.  

    “Este momentum crecerá a medida que trabajemos con los presidentes de nuestros comités y el Senado republicano para determinar las mejores políticas dentro de sus respectivas jurisdicciones para cumplir con los objetivos presupuestarios. Tenemos plena confianza en su capacidad para trazar el mejor camino a seguir.

    “Aunque todavía queda mucho más por hacer, estamos decididos a enviarle al presidente Trump un proyecto de ley que incluya seguridad para la frontera, mantenga bajas las tasas contributivas para las familias y los creadores de empleo, restablezca el dominio energético estadounidense, fortalezca la posición de Estados Unidos en el escenario mundial y haga que el gobierno funcione de manera más efectiva para todos los ciudadanos americanos”.

    Resumen:  

    1. Crecimiento Económico: $2.6 trillones en 10 años en crecimiento económico, desde un crecimiento promedio del 2.6 por ciento, en comparación con la estimación de la CBO de un crecimiento del 1.8 por ciento
    2. Gastos Discrecionales: Ahorra $829 mil millones
    3. Ahorros Obligatorios: Establece una cantidad mínima de al menos $1.5 trillones, con una meta de $2 trillones, en ahorros obligatorios durante10 años
    4. Tope de la Deuda: Aumenta $4 trillones en dos años
    5. Prioridades Clave: Extiende los recortes de impuestos del presidente Trump y proporciona fondos para la seguridad fronteriza y la defensa nacional.

    Acceda al texto completo de la resolución presupuestaria para el año fiscal 2025 aquí.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Simpson Supports House Budget Resolution

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Rep. Simpson Supports House Budget Resolution

    Washington, February 25, 2025

    WASHINGTON— Today, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson issued the following statement regarding his vote of support for the House of Representatives’ Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Resolution.  
    “I am encouraged that House Republicans have taken the first crucial step in this reconciliation process,” said Rep. Simpson. “The House Republican Budget Resolution lays out a path to advance President Trump’s full America First policy agenda by securing our border, restoring American energy independence, strengthening America’s military, and preventing tax hikes. I have long sounded the alarm that our nation’s debt is an existential threat, and change is necessary to get America’s fiscal house in order. The American people gave House Republicans a powerful mandate on all these issues, and now it’s time to deliver results and get our nation back on track.”
    The Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Resolution passed with a vote of 217-215. The full text of the congressional budget is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: SiriusPoint Announces Pricing of Secondary Offering of 4,106,631 Common Shares by Entities Associated with Daniel S. Loeb and Repurchase of 500,000 Shares by SiriusPoint

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HAMILTON, Bermuda, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SiriusPoint Ltd. (“SiriusPoint” or the “Company”) (NYSE: SPNT) today announced the pricing of its previously announced registered secondary offering by entities associated with Daniel S. Loeb (colllectively, the “Loeb Entities”) of an aggregate of 4,106,631 common shares at a price to the public of $14.00 per share. The offering is expected to close on February 27, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    SiriusPoint has agreed to repurchase an aggregate of 500,000 of the common shares being offered in the offering at the public offering price. SiriusPoint will cancel the 500,000 common shares it repurchases in the offering.

    Immediately following the completion of the offering and our previously announced repurchase of all of the common shares and warrants currently held by CM Bermuda, it is expected that the Loeb Entities will own approximately 9.54% of SiriusPoint’s issued and outstanding common shares.

    Under the terms of the transaction, the remaining shares owned by the Loeb Entities will be subject to a 90 day lock-up agreement with the sole bookrunning manager.

    Jefferies is acting as the sole bookrunning manager for the offering.

    The offering is being made only by means of an effective registration statement and a prospectus. The Company has previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement (including a prospectus) on Form S-3 (File No. 333-283827), dated December 16, 2024, and a prospectus supplement for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement, the accompanying prospectus supplement, and other documents the Company has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and this offering. When available, copies of the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may be obtained from: Jefferies LLC, Attention: Equity Syndicate Prospectus Department, 520 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022, by telephone at (877) 821-7388, or by email at prospectus_department@jefferies.com. Electronic copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus will also be available on the website of the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    Contacts
    Investor Relations
    Liam Blackledge, SiriusPoint
    Liam.Blackledge@siriuspt.com
    + 44 203 772 3082
    Media
    Sarah Hills, Rein4ce
    Sarah.Hills@rein4ce.co.uk
    + 44 7718 882011 

    About SiriusPoint

    SiriusPoint is a global underwriter of insurance and reinsurance providing solutions to clients and brokers around the world. Bermuda-headquartered with offices in New York, London, Stockholm and other locations, we are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (SPNT). We have licenses to write Property & Casualty and Accident & Health insurance and reinsurance globally. Our offering and distribution capabilities are strengthened by a portfolio of strategic partnerships with Managing General Agents and Program Administrators within our Insurance & Services segment. With over $2.6 billion total capital, SiriusPoint’s operating companies have a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) from AM Best, S&P and Fitch, and A3 from Moody’s.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

    We make statements in this press release that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. We intend these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements in the U.S. federal securities laws. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions and conditions affecting the insurance and reinsurance industry; the adequacy of our reserves; fluctuation in the results of operations; pandemic or other catastrophic event; uncertainty of success in investing in early-stage companies, such as the risk of loss of an initial investment, highly variable returns on investments, delay in receiving return on investment and difficulty in liquidating the investment; our ability to assess underwriting risk, trends in rates for property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, competition, investment market and investment income fluctuations; trends in insured and paid losses; regulatory and legal uncertainties; and other risk factors described in SiriusPoint’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024.

    Except as required by applicable law or regulation, we disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or factors, or new information, data or methods, future events, or other circumstances after the date of this press release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Arctic Wolf Expands Presence in Japan with Launch of Aurora Endpoint Security

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TOKYO and EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arctic Wolf®, a global leader in security operations, today announced the launch of Aurora Endpoint Security in Japan, following its recent acquisition of Cylance from BlackBerry. Aurora Endpoint Security builds upon Cylance’s trusted pedigree in the cybersecurity marketplace, delivering AI-driven threat prevention and advanced endpoint protection to businesses of all sizes. This launch strengthens Arctic Wolf’s presence in Japan, one of the world’s most dynamic technology markets.

    Building on Cylance’s Market Presence and Cybersecurity Pedigree
    Japan’s rapid digital transformation has increased the demand for robust cybersecurity solutions. To address this need, Arctic Wolf is building on Cylance’s strong market presence in Japan through significant new investments, including growing its local team of security professionals, sales engineers, and customer success specialists. As customers seek to realize the benefits of a single platform for cybersecurity—ensuring the most effective and efficient protection—Arctic Wolf is deepening strategic partnerships within the Japanese channel community to drive innovation and accelerate the adoption of Aurora Endpoint Security across businesses of all sizes.

    “As cyber threats grow in complexity, businesses in Japan need endpoint security solutions that provide both proactive protection and real-world results,” said Nick Schneider, president and chief executive officer of Arctic Wolf. “The launch of Aurora Endpoint Security in Japan represents more than just technological advancement—it underscores our dedication to this market and our commitment to grow our presence. By advancing the AI-driven protection that organizations in Japan know and trust from Cylance, we are ensuring they receive best-in-class security while further expanding our presence in the region.”

    AI-Powered Endpoint Security to Protect Japanese Businesses
    Aurora Endpoint Security seamlessly integrates with the Arctic Wolf Aurora Platform, leveraging insights from 10,000 global customers and more than eight trillion security observations weekly to deliver AI-driven threat prevention, enhanced security visibility, and advanced endpoint protection. As Japanese organizations prioritize endpoint security, Arctic Wolf provides tailored solutions, powered by one of the largest commercial security operations centers (SOCs) in the world, to defend against modern threats. Aurora Endpoint Security includes four specialized offerings—Aurora Protect, Aurora Endpoint Defense, Aurora Managed Endpoint Defense On-Demand, and Aurora Managed Endpoint Defense—giving organizations the flexibility to choose the right level of protection for their security maturity.

    “Arctic Wolf is committed to strengthening cybersecurity in Japan by delivering advanced endpoint security solutions tailored to the region’s unique needs. Our goal is to equip organizations with the tools, expertise, and support necessary to defend against evolving cyber threats,” said Tsutomu Yoshimoto, Area Vice President, Japan, Arctic Wolf. “Our channel partners play a crucial role in bringing these solutions to market, and we are committed to building strong partnerships to support our customers. I couldn’t be more excited to expand Arctic Wolf’s presence in Japan.”

    Join Arctic Wolf’s Aurora World Tour
    To mark the launch of Aurora Endpoint Security, Arctic Wolf is launching the Aurora World Tour, a global event series making stops in 23 cities across 10 countries, including Tokyo, Japan. These exclusive events will offer customers, partners, and security leaders an in-depth look at the Arctic Wolf Aurora Platform, the integration of Aurora Endpoint Security, and strategic insights on building cyber resilience in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

    Organizations interested in learning more about Arctic Wolf Endpoint Security, the company’s launch in Japan, or details on the Aurora World Tour, can visit arcticwolf.com.

    Additional Resources:

    About Arctic Wolf
    Arctic Wolf® is a global leader in security operations, enabling customers to manage their cyber risk in the face of modern cyber-attacks via a premier cloud-native security operations platform. The Arctic Wolf Aurora Platform ingests and analyzes more than eight trillion security events a week to help enable cyber defense at an unprecedented capacity and scale, empowering customers of virtually any size across a wide range of industries to feel confident in their security posture, readiness, and long-term resilience. By delivering automated threat protection, response, and remediation capabilities, Arctic Wolf delivers world-class security operations with the push of a button so customers can defend their greatest assets at the speed of data.

    Press Contact:
    North America: pr@arcticwolf.com
    Japan: arctic-wolf@inoue-pr.com

    © 2025 Arctic Wolf Networks, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Arctic Wolf, Aurora, Alpha AI, Arctic Wolf Security Operations Cloud, Arctic Wolf Managed Detection and Response, Arctic Wolf Managed Risk, Arctic Wolf Managed Security Awareness, Arctic Wolf Incident Response, and Arctic Wolf Concierge Security Team are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Arctic Wolf Networks, Inc. or Arctic Wolf Networks Canada, Inc. and any subsidiaries in Canada, the United States, and/or other countries.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AFSCME’s Saunders: This budget proves anti-union extremists are more concerned about tax breaks for billionaires than helping working people

    Source: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after the House passed a budget plan to gut Medicaid, SNAP and essential public services nationwide:

    “This budget proves that anti-union extremists in Congress are more concerned with giving the wealthy trillions in tax cuts than helping working people. Voters across the country are packing town halls to demand no cuts to Medicaid or SNAP. They’re calling representatives asking them to save public services. They want elected leaders who will lower rising costs on everything from rent to food. But instead of listening to workers, the House moved forward on a budget plan that will cause millions to lose their health care, increase food insecurity for families, and jeopardize Medicare and Social Security in the long term. It’s shameful.

    “Public service workers will continue to organize against these billionaire attacks. From nurses to home care providers to corrections officers, AFSCME members and retirees have dedicated their lives to making our communities healthier, safer and

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing on Stephen Feinberg, Deputy Secretary of Defense Nominee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today chaired a hearing examining the nomination of Mr. Stephen A. Feinberg to be the next Deputy Secretary of Defense.
    In his opening statement, Chairman Wicker discussed the catastrophic national security environment, in which China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea are increasingly aligned. He added that Feinberg’s experience in the private sector offers an opportunity to advance an agenda prioritizing speed, accountability, and efficiency at the Department, and that Feinberg would play a key role in refocusing the Department on those values.
    Chairman Wicker also raised his landmark defense policy reports – “21st Century Peace Through Strength” and “Freedom’s Forge” as examples of the kind of work required to reform the Pentagon to restore our military and rebuild our defense industrial base.
    Stephen Feinberg is the CEO of Cerberus Capital Management, one of the nation’s top private equity firms. Feinberg also served as Chairman of President Trump’s Intelligence Oversight Board, as well as Chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board from 2018 to 2021.
    Read Senator Wicker’s opening statement as delivered below.
    I thank our guest for being here. And we are here this morning to consider the nomination of Stephen Feinberg, who’s been nominated to be Deputy Secretary of Defense.
    If confirmed, Mr. Feinberg would join the Department of Defense during the most dangerous security environment since World War II. He would oversee the operations of the Department as it faces an emerging Axis of Aggressors. This dangerous coalition, which is characterized by military cooperation between China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, presents a complex and far-reaching set of threats. Make no mistake: our enemies do not want a 21st century defined by peace and prosperity for the American people.
    Mr. Feinberg would be a crucial part of the team task with meeting those threats. Unfortunately, the defense investments we’ve made during the Cold War have long since evaporated. Defense spending is near record lows as a percentage of our gross domestic product, and all aspects of our military forces are now in dire need of repair or replacement.
    Our Navy, once the envy of all seafaring nations, is now too small and too old to meet the growing demands of our combatant commanders. Our nuclear forces used to be the most robust and effective on the planet. Now they are decades older than their intended service lives. Our Air Force continues to shrink. We have yet to figure out how to scale innovative weapons into mass production. We have a $200 billion backlog in basic maintenance that leaves our troops living and working in substandard conditions — $200 billion just dealing with living and working conditions. And I could go on.
    Clearly, there are many things that need fixing at the Department of Defense. Fortunately, Mr. Feinberg has spent his entire career fixing things. I believe he will make a very fine Deputy Secretary of Defense.
    Mr. Feinberg ran a highly successful large organization for three decades, making him eminently qualified to run the Pentagon effectively. He brings extensive experience at the intersection of international economics and national security. Mr. Feinberg is remarkably attuned to the scope and scale of the challenges we face, as well as the opportunities we might exploit. His work on National Defense is significant, and has ranged from Subic Bay acquisition to counter-Huawei efforts, and from spectrum sharing to hypersonic testing.
    Unlike the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy does not often make high-profile policy speeches or travel around the world to engage with allies and adversaries. I do not expect to see much of Mr. Feinberg in the news if he is confirmed. But make no mistake: the Pentagon cannot function without a capable Deputy.
    In many ways, the Deputy runs the day-to-day operations of the department – driving the budget process, managing the principal staff assistance, and ensuring the Secretary of Defense is provided with data-driven and thoughtful options.
    In Mr. Feinberg, President Trump has found a deputy who combines cutting-edge private sector skills with a thorough understanding of U.S. national security interests and the Department of Defense.
    Today, we will hear Mr. Feinberg’s views on issues facing the Department of Defense. I look forward to his thoughts on my proposals. Last year I released a report entitled “21st Century Peace Through Strength.” I hope this can serve as a blueprint to reinvigorate and rebuild our military.
    Additionally, I released a Pentagon reform and innovation plan called “Restoring Freedom’s Forge: American Innovation Unleashed.” I hope it brings much needed reforms and fundamentally changes the way the department does business. We must cut red tape and get better weapons to our troops faster, all while maximizing taxpayer dollars.
    So, I thank Mr. Feinberg and his family and his friends for being here today. I believe he has a lot to offer as the Department of Defense directs its focus to lethality, efficiency, speed, and accountability.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Releases Snapshot Report Showing How Proposed Medicaid Funding Cuts Could Devastate WA Health Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    02.25.25

    Cantwell Releases Snapshot Report Showing How Proposed Medicaid Funding Cuts Could Devastate WA Health Care

    Central and Eastern Washington at highest risk with Medicaid on chopping block — 70% of children in Central WA’s Congressional District 4 are on Medicaid; rural hospital leaders warn of closings

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, as House Republicans continue to debate whether they will make significant cuts to Medicaid, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) 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 snapshot report includes new data on the percentage of Medicaid patients in each of the State of Washington’s U.S. congressional districts, as well as by region. Congressional District 4 (Central Washington) and Congressional District 5 (Eastern Washington) have the highest proportions of adults and total population on Medicaid. Seventy percent of children in District 4 are on Medicaid.

    The report also includes information provided by rural Central and Eastern Washington hospitals, showing how crucial Medicaid funding is for their survival. “We’re struggling to keep our doors open … the only thing left to cut is the hospital itself,” the report quotes Astria Toppenish Hospital Administrator Cathy Bambrick as saying.

    Based on interviews and statements from more than a dozen health organizations statewide, the report details how Medicaid cuts — and the subsequent service cuts by providers — would likely affect all Washingtonians.

    Children:

    47% of WA children are on Medicaid. “Babies could die,” says Dr. Jason Deen, an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and pediatric cardiologist at the University of Washington who treats children across Washington state, as children like those he treats could lose access to life-saving specialty care without Medicaid.

    Farmers: 

    Rural hospitals in Central and Eastern Washington would be hardest hit by these cuts. “It is not uncommon for our small family farmers to be on a Medicaid program,” says Garfield County Hospital District CEO Mat Slaybaugh.

    People with chronic conditions:

    Without health care coverage, people with chronic conditions won’t get the consistent care they need. “People are going to be dying in their homes,” says Spokane-area nurse Jessica Grove. 

    Anyone with a medical emergency:

    Medicaid helps people avoid the emergency room; it also funds first responders in our state. Cuts to the program could mean overcrowded ERs and longer wait times for ambulances. “Every Washingtonian should be concerned about any funding cuts that could lead to slower response times in a life-threatening emergency,” says Dennis Lawson, President of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters. 

    Sen. Cantwell’s snapshot report on Washington state is available HERE. 

    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 — which are required to treat everyone, regardless of their ability to pay — receive reimbursements for the significant number of low-income people they serve. About 1.8 million Washingtonians are enrolled in Apple Health.

    Congressional Republicans are proposing deep cuts to Medicaid through the budget reconciliation process. President Trump has said that he opposes cuts to Medicaid, however he has also said that he supports the House Republican budget plan — which includes cuts to Medicaid. Late last week, Senate Republicans launched the budget resolution process, which would allow them to fold budget cuts and policy changes into a single package for an up-down vote. The House is expected to vote on a competing budget resolution this week, and the two chambers will eventually have to reconcile their plans and finalize the package’s details. 

    During Trump’s first term, he supported — and Sen. Cantwell opposed — an effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act that would have cut Medicaid by $800 billion.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn on Outbound Investment: It’s High Time China is Held Accountable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) underscored the importance of Congress passing legislation to prohibit investments by American entities in sensitive technologies in China, a priority he has long championed, in order to bolster America’s national security. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

    “At this very moment, American investors—some of these are businesses, some of these are individuals—the investments they’re making are fueling China’s military buildup and modernization by funneling capital into, potentially, dual-use technology and military capabilities that could eventually be used against the United States and our allies.”

    “How can we expect to outcompete or even catch up to Chinese companies if, unbeknownst to us, American dollars are continuing to fuel their rise economically and militarily?”

    “We’re simply not being serious about confronting our greatest strategic adversary if we continue to be blind to the investment of billions of dollars and the very technologies that could be potentially used to kill American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines.”

    “There are reasons for optimism that this year will be the time we get these provisions over the finish line, and we’ve worked hard to work with the House’s version and to work with the Senate version that passed overwhelmingly previously to make sure we marry those up and we establish a bill that enjoys bipartisan and bicameral support.”

    “I’ve been working with everyone from the Speaker of the House to the Chairman of the Select Committee on the CCP, John Moolenaar, to Congressman McCaul, as well as Tim Scott, Chairman of the Banking Committee here in the Senate, and we’ve all made input into a piece of legislation that will finally accomplish what we’ve been working on for these last few years.”

    “It will be a home run for all Americans, who can feel safe that American companies and investors are not helping China not only rebuild its economy, but also its military as well.”

    “The only party that stands to lose from this legislation will be the Chinese Communist Party, and it’s high time that they be held accountable.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Chinese dating simulator Love and Deepspace now has a period tracker – it signals a shift in mobile gaming

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Harkin, Lecturer, Games, School of Design, RMIT University

    Papergames

    24/7 companionship. Spend time with him whenever you want.

    This is the promise made by Love and Deepspace, a mobile romance game by the Chinese company Papergames.

    Some think video games are all guns and cars, but romance games or “dating simulators” are immensely popular, especially among young women.

    Love and Deepspace reached 50 million users across more than 170 countries and regions in January. Despite their popularity, dating sims, as they are known for short, usually fly under the radar in discussions about games.

    Meanwhile, a recent major update for Love and Deepspace has furrowed some brows by introducing an unusual new feature: a period tracker.

    Need help keeping track of tasks?

    Dating sims offer a fantasy of romantic, intimate companionship. Otome games (from the word “maiden” in Japanese) are a sub-genre of dating sims that are catered to women. They offer a suite of boyfriends to choose from – each attentive, caring and, of course, incredibly handsome.

    Ideal in every way except being fictional.

    Love and Deepspace is a science-fiction otome game that stands out with its unusual blend of combat, magic, dating and gacha (meaning random rewards) microtransactions – which are controversial for their parallels to gambling.

    Its latest update introduced a Remind Me feature, where players can ask their virtual boyfriends to remind them of daily tasks and special events, as well as their upcoming period. Players input information about their menstrual cycle and the game then generates its own predictive calendar and notifications.

    The player’s in-game boyfriend will offer to pick up some sanitary products or even reach towards the screen and provide an imaginary abdomen massage.

    The millions of users drawn to a fantasy about considerate men says a lot about the frustrations women have with modern dating and dating apps.

    Women are conscious of the conservative gender roles within otome games, but at the same time find pleasure in their focus on the female gaze and ability to explore their sexual desire privately.

    In China, where otome games are especially popular, censorship of explicit content for women has intensified. These games are able to convey sexually suggestive themes that are subtle enough to elude censorship.

    Otome games are not new

    Otome games have been around for three decades.

    Angelique, a game made by an all-women team in 1994, is considered to be the first. It helped set the stage for other boyfriend fantasy media for women as seen in the rising popularity of “boyfriend ASMR” on audio and video platforms today. These are designed to directly address the listener in both sensual and everyday scenarios.

    Video games have changed a lot since then, especially as mobile devices have evolved to be more intimate, accompanying us everywhere.

    Love and Deepspace is introducing more features including “Quality Time”, which rewards players for working or studying with the game open. The rewards come in the form of an animated man sighing and whispering into the player’s headphones.

    ‘Feel his deepening breath, rising heartbeat, and the trickle of sweat. He’s working out together with you!’
    Love and Deepspace/X

    Periods and privacy

    Love and Deepspace’s period reminders mirror existing period tracker apps, though they do not incorporate the usual fertility date predictions or ability to log symptoms and sexual activity. That’s probably a good thing.

    Period tracker apps have faced scrutiny for mishandling users’ data. Popular period tracker app Flo has faced a lawsuit in the British Columbia Supreme Court in Canada for sharing personal data to third-party tech firms, including Facebook and Google, which use the data for targeted advertising.

    Meanwhile, the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the United States has threatened many people’s bodily autonomy and made them concerned about the legal risks of sharing personal biological information.

    Love and Deepspace’s privacy policy states any menstruation data is only used for the prediction and reminder features, and that it will not be shared with any third parties without the player’s consent.

    The banning of the Chinese-owned platform TikTok in the US was driven by fears of foreign influence and data privacy. Yet our privacy may not be safer with a US company than a Chinese one.

    US-owned companies have been just as liable to sell sensitive information to third parties, such as location data to abortion clinics and gay clubs.

    Australia’s Privacy Act does not just apply to Australian companies. Papergames could be sanctioned if it breaches its privacy policy.

    That said, it is unlikely many users will be familiar with the policy or read future changes made to it. It is best to always practise caution when entering any kind of personal information in platforms, apps or video games.

    A potential shift

    Period tracking is not a core component in the game. But this new feature signals a potential shift towards more mobile games integrating popular app functions, such as health data.

    Instead of a casual time-filler, mobile games like Love and Deepspace are competing for players’ attention over other apps – which is concerning given its controversial gacha random rewards.

    It’s also possible the game’s designers are picking up on a widespread desire for men to care more about their partner’s periods.

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

    – ref. Chinese dating simulator Love and Deepspace now has a period tracker – it signals a shift in mobile gaming – https://theconversation.com/chinese-dating-simulator-love-and-deepspace-now-has-a-period-tracker-it-signals-a-shift-in-mobile-gaming-250497

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: Republic of Gamers Announces Next-Gen RTX 50 Series Laptop Lineup – Now Available for Pre-Order in Canada

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) announced the arrival of its 2025 NVIDIA® RTX™ Laptop GPU line-up of equipped devices – now available for pre-order. ROG’s cutting-edge line-up involves the latest from NVIDIA, with innovative graphics technologies like DLSS 4 and Frame Generation to enjoy ray tracing without sacrificing performance. Our line up available for pre-order includes: ROG Strix SCAR 16 & 18, ROG Strix G16, and ROG Zephyrus G14 & G16, on online retailers including Best Buy, Memory Express, CDW, Canada Computers and selected retailers.

    ROG Strix SCAR 16 & 18: Unleashing Ultimate Power and Precision

    At the heart of our line-up is the 2025 ROG Strix SCAR 16 & SCAR 18, equipped with the most powerful RTX 50 Series Laptop GPU’s NVIDIA has to offer. They’re also equipped with a built in MUX Switch and NVIDIA Advanced Optimus, these laptops are engineered handle the most demanding AAA titles, high-performance applications, and intensive multi-tasking with ease.

    Complementing this power is ROG’s Intelligent Cooling technology, which incorporates a custom vapor chamber, sandwiched heatsink, and advanced Tri-Fan Technology. Enhanced further with Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal on both the CPU and GPU, this thermal system keeps temperatures low and reduces noise levels to 45dB, allowing gamers to fully unleash their hardware’s potential in even the most extended sessions.

    With up to 64GB of DDR5-5600 RAM and a spacious up to 4TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, the Strix SCAR Series delivers exceptional speed, storage, and smooth multitasking. The tool-less access design makes it easy to upgrade both memory and storage, empowering users to stay at the cutting edge of technology. Additionally, the AniMe Vision array on the lid and full-surround Aura RGB light bar across the chassis allow gamers to customize their devices and create a distinctive, personal aesthetic.

    ROG Strix G16: Empowering Every Gamer

    Designed to unite squads and elevate gaming experiences, the ROG Strix G16 deliver fast AAA gaming performance and seamless content creation, powered by Intel’s® Core™ Ultra 9 Processor 275HX. Paired with NVIDIA RTX™ 50 Series Laptop GPUs, these devices offer unmatched performance and stunning graphics. With up to 32GB of DDR5 5600MHz RAM, they ensure smooth multitasking and efficient handling of resource-intensive applications. The advanced Tri-Fan Technology, full-width heatsink, and full-surround vents provide exceptional thermal management, allowing users to maintain peak performance during intense gaming sessions.

    The ROG Strix G16 is equipped with dual PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD slots and designed for future-proofing, with Intel models supporting PCIe Gen 5 on both slots this allows for seamless storage upgrades. With customizable hotkeys for quick access to essential functions, the Strix G16 empower gamers to rise to victory. 

    ROG Zephyrus G14 & G16: Ultra-Portable Gaming at its Best

    The ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16 are prime choices for gamers and creators seeking portability without sacrificing performance. Crafted from a CNC-milled aluminum chassis, these laptops balance lightweight design with structural durability. The G16 is powered by up to the latest Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285H, while the G14 features up to an AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 processor. They come equipped with up to an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 on the G16 and up to an RTX™ 5080 on the G14, delivering top-tier performance for gaming and multitasking on the go.

    To maintain peak performance during intense gaming sessions, the Zephyrus series incorporates an advanced cooling system that includes 2nd Gen Arc Flow Fans, and either a vapor chamber or a robust set of heat pipes depending on the configuration. With weights of just 3.46lbs for the G14 and 1.95 Kg (4.30 lbs) for the G16, alongside a thickness of 1.59cm (0.63”) for the Zephyrus G14 and 1.49cm (0.59”) for the Zephyrus G16 at their thinnest section, these ultra-thin laptops excel in portability. They also feature Slash Lighting and are available in a stylish Platinum White option, making a bold visual statement.

    AVAILABILITY AND PRICING

    The new 2025 ROG Strix SCAR 16 & 18, ROG Strix G16, and ROG Zephyrus G14 & G16 are now available for pre-order through online retailers including Best Buy, Memory Express, CDW, Canada Computers, and selected retailers.

    Additional availability will be listed on the ASUS website later in Q1, with shipments expected to start from late March.

    For more information, contact your local ASUS representative.

    SPECIFICATIONS

    ROG Strix SCAR 18 

    Config Model Name  G835LX-XS99-CA G835LX-XS97 G835LW-XS97 G835LW-BS97-CB G835LR-XS96
    Marketing Name  ROG Strix Scar 18 (2025) 
    Operating System  Windows 11 Pro 
    Color  Off Black 
    Weight  3.30 Kg (7.28 lbs)
    Dimensions  39.9 x 29.8 x 2.35 ~ 3.20 cm (15.71″ x 11.73″ x 0.93″ ~ 1.26″)
    Display  18″, ROG Nebula HDR, Mini LED, 240Hz, 2560×1600, 500 nits (SDR), 1200 nits (HDR), 100% DCI-P3, Pantone Validated, G-Sync, Dolby Vision HDR, 1200:1 contrast ratio 
    Processor  Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 275HX 2.7 GHz

    (36MB Cache, up to 5.4 GHz, 24 cores, 24 Threads); Intel AI Boost NPU up to 13TOPS
    Graphics  NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

    24GB GDDR7

    		 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU

    16GB GDDR7

    		 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU

    12GB GDDR7
    Memory  64 GB DDR5 (2 x 32 GB SO-DIMM)  32 GB DDR5 (2 x 16 GB SO-DIMM)  64 GB DDR5 (2 x 32 GB SO-DIMM)  32 GB DDR5 (2 x 16 GB SO-DIMM) 
    Storage  2TB + 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Performance SSD (RAID 0)

    (2x M.2 PCIe slots total)

    		 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Performance SSD (RAID 0)

    (2x M.2 PCIe slots total)

    		 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Performance SSD (RAID 0)

    (2x M.2 PCIe slots total)

    		 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Performance SSD (RAID 0)

    (2x M.2 PCIe slots total)

    		 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Performance SSD (RAID 0)

    (2x M.2 PCIe slots total)
    Webcam  1080p FHD IR Camera for Windows Hello
    Wi-Fi  Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 
    IO Ports  1 x 2.5G Lan Jack 
    2 x Thunderbolt 5 (PD, DP, G-Sync support) 
    3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 
    1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL 
    1 x 3.5 mm Audio Combo Jack 
    Battery  90 Whr 
    AC Adapter  Rectangle Conn, 380W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 19A, 380W, Input: 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz universal 
    MSRP  C$6,999  C$6,499 C$5,299 C$5,299 C$4,499
    Where to buy link  Best Buy

    Canada Computers

    ASUS    		 Best Buy

    Canada Computers

    Memory Express

    ASUS    		 Best Buy

    Canada Computers

    Memory Express

    ASUS    		 Best Buy

    ASUS    		 Canada Computers

    ASUS

     
    ROG Strix SCAR 16

    Config Model Name  G635LX-XS99-CA G635LX-XS97 G635LW-XS97 G635LR-XS96
    Marketing Name  ROG Strix Scar 16 (2025)
    Operating System  Windows 11 Pro
    Color  Off Black
    Weight  2.80 Kg (6.17 lbs)
    Dimensions  35.4 x 26.8 x 2.28 ~ 3.08 cm (13.94″ x 10.55″ x 0.90″ ~ 1.21″)
    Display 16″ ROG Nebula HDR, Mini LED, 240Hz, 2560×1600, 500 nits (SDR), 1200 nits (HDR), 100% DCI-P3, Pantone Validated, G-Sync, Dolby Vision HDR, 1200:1 contrast ratio 
    Processor Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 275HX 2.7 GHz

    (36MB Cache, up to 5.4 GHz, 24 cores, 24 Threads); Intel AI Boost NPU up to 13TOPS
    Graphics  NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

    24GB GDDR7

    		 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU

    16GB GDDR7

    		 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU

    12GB GDDR7
    Memory  64 GB DDR5 (2 x 32 GB SO-DIMM) 32 GB DDR5 (2 x 16 GB SO-DIMM)
    Storage  2TB + 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Performance SSD (RAID 0)

    (2x M.2 PCIe slots total)

    		 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Performance SSD (RAID 0)

    (2x M.2 PCIe slots total)

    		 2TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Performance SSD (RAID 0)

    (2x M.2 PCIe slots total)

    		 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Performance SSD (RAID 0)

    (2x M.2 PCIe slots total)
    Webcam  1080p FHD IR Camera for Windows Hello
    Wi-Fi  Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 
    IO Ports  1 x 2.5G Lan Jack 
    2 x Thunderbolt 5 (PD, DP, G-Sync support) 
    3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 
    1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL 
    1 x 3.5 mm Audio Combo Jack 
    Battery  90 Whr 
    AC Adapter  Rectangle Conn, 380W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 19A, 380W, Input: 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz universal 
    MSRP  C$6,699 C$5,999 C$4,999 C$4,499
    Where to buy link  Best Buy

    Canada Computers

    ASUS    		 Best Buy

    Canada Computers

    CDW

    ASUS    		 Best Buy

    Canada Computers

    ASUS    		 Canada Computers

    ASUS


    ROG Strix G16 (2025) 

    Config Model Name  G615LW-XS96-CA G615LR-DS96-CA
    Marketing Name  ROG Strix G16 (2025) 
    Operating System  Windows 11 Pro 
    Color  Off Black 
    Weight  2.65 Kg (5.84 lbs)
    Dimensions  35.4 x 26.8 x 2.28 ~ 3.08 cm (13.94″ x 10.55″ x 0.90″ ~ 1.21″)
    Display  16-inch, 2.5K (2560 x 1600, WQXGA), 240HZ, 3ms, G-SYNC, 16:10 aspect ratio, IPS, anti-glare display, 100% DCI-P3, Pantone Validated, Dolby Vision HDR
    Processor  Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 275HX

    2.7 GHz (36MB Cache, up to 5.4 GHz, 24 cores, 24 Threads); Intel AI Boost NPU up to 13TOPS
    Graphics  NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU

    16GB GDDR7

    		 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU

    12GB GDDR7
    Memory  32 GB DDR5 (2 x 16 GB SO-DIMM)
    Storage  1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 Performance SSD

    (2x M.2 PCIe slots total)
    Webcam  1080p FHD IR Webcam 
    Wi-Fi  Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 
    IO Ports  1 x 2.5G Lan Jack 
    2 x Thunderbolt 5 (PD, DP, G-Sync support) 
    3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 
    1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL 
    1 x 3.5 mm Audio Combo Jack 
    Battery  90 Whr 
    AC Adapter  Rectangle Conn, Up to 380W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 19A, 380W, Input: 100-240V AC, 50/60Hz universal 
    MSRP  C$4,299 C$3,599
    Where to buy link  Best Buy

    Canada Computers

    ASUS    		 Canada Computers

    ASUS


    ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) 

    Config Model Name  GA403WW-RS96-CA GA403WR-DS96-CA
    Marketing Name  ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) 
    Operating System  Windows 11 Pro  Windows 11 Home 
    Color  Platinum White
    Weight  1.57 Kg (3.46 lbs)
    Dimensions  31.1 x 22.0 x 1.59 ~ 1.83 cm (12.24″ x 8.66″ x 0.63″ ~ 0.72″)
    Display  14″, ROG Nebula, OLED, 120Hz, 2880 x 1800, 500 nits, 100% DCI-P3, Pantone Validated, G-Sync, Dolby Vision HDR 
    Processor  AMD Ryzen™ AI 9 HX 370 Processor

    2.0GHz (36MB Cache, up to 5.1GHz, 12 cores, 24 Threads); AMD XDNA™ NPU up to 50TOPS
    Graphics  NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU

    16GB GDDR7

    		 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU

    12GB GDDR7
    Memory  32 GB LPDDR5X 8000 (on board)  32 GB LPDDR5X 7500 (on board) 
    Storage  1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD included (1 x SSD PCIE 4.0) 
    Webcam  1080p FHD IR Webcam 
    Wi-Fi  Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 
    IO Ports 1 x USB 4.0 (PD, DP support) 
    1 x USB 3.2 Gen Type-C (PD, DP, G-Sync support) 
    2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 
    1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL 
    1 x 3.5 Audio Combo Jack
    1x card reader (microSD) (UHS-II)
    Battery  73 Whr 
    AC Adapter  Rectangle Conn, 200W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 12A, 240W, Input: 100~240C AC 50/60Hz universal 
    MSRP  C$4,299 C$3,699 
    Where to buy link  ASUS Best Buy

    ASUS


    ROG Zephyrus G16 

    Config Model Name  GU605CX-XS98-CA GU605CW-XS98-CA GU605CR-XS98-CA
    Marketing Name  ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) 
    Operating System  Windows 11 Pro 
    Color  Platinum White
    Weight  1.95 Kg (4.30 lbs)
    Dimensions  35.4 x 24.6 x 1.49 ~ 1.74 cm (13.94″ x 9.69″ x 0.59″ ~ 0.69″)
    Display  16″, ROG Nebula, OLED, 240Hz, 2560×1600, 500 nits, 100% DCI-P3, Pantone Validated, G-Sync, Dolby Vision HDR 
    Processor  Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor 285H

    2.9 GHz (24MB Cache, up to 5.4 GHz, 16 cores, 16 Threads); Intel AI Boost NPU up to 13TOPS
    Graphics  NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU

    24GB GDDR7

    		 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU

    16GB GDDR7

    		 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Laptop GPU

    12GB GDDR7
    Memory  64 GB LPDDR5X 7467 (on board) 
    Storage  2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD included (2 x SSD PCIE 4.0) 
    Webcam  1080p FHD IR Webcam 
    Wi-Fi  Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4 
    IO Ports  1 x Thunderbolt 4 (PD, DP support) 
    1 x USB 3.2 Gen Type-C (PD, DP, G-Sync support) 
    2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A 
    1 x HDMI 2.1 FRL 
    1 x 3.5 Audio Combo Jack
    1x card reader (SD) (UHS-II, 312MB/s
    Battery  90 Whr 
    AC Adapter  Rectangle Conn, 240W AC Adapter, Output: 20V DC, 12A, 240W, Input: 100~240C AC 50/60Hz universal 
    MSRP  C$5,499 C$4,799 C$4,299
    Where to buy link  Best Buy 

    Canada Computers

    Memory Express

    ASUS

    		 Best Buy
     
    Canada Computers

    Memory Express

    ASUS    		 Best Buy
     
    ASUS


    NOTES TO EDITORS

    Where to buy links:

    2025 ROG Gaming Laptops: https://rog.asus.com/content/2025-rog-gaming-laptops/

    ROG Strix SCAR 18 Product Page: https://rog.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/rog-strix/rog-strix-scar-18-2025/

    ROG Strix SCAR 16 Product Page: https://rog.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/rog-strix/rog-strix-scar-16-2025/

    ROG Strix G18 Product Page: https://rog.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/rog-strix/rog-strix-g18-2025/

    ROG Strix G16 Product Page: https://rog.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/rog-strix/rog-strix-g16-2025/

    ROG Zephyrus G14 Product Page: https://rog.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/rog-zephyrus/rog-zephyrus-g14-2025/

    ROG Zephyrus G16 Product Page: https://rog.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/rog-zephyrus/rog-zephyrus-g16-2025-gu605/

    ROG Flow Z13 Product Page: https://rog.asus.com/ca-en/laptops/rog-flow/rog-flow-z13-2025/

    ROG Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asusrog

    ROG X (Twitter): https://www.x.com/asus_rog

    ASUS Pressroom: http://press.asus.com

    ASUS Global Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asus

    ASUS Global Twitter: https://www.x.com/asus

    About ROG

    Republic of Gamers (ROG) is an ASUS sub-brand dedicated to creating the world’s best gaming hardware and software. Formed in 2006, ROG offers a complete line of innovative products known for performance and quality, including motherboards, graphics cards, system components, laptops, desktops, monitors, smartphones, audio equipment, routers, peripherals and accessories. ROG participates in and sponsors major international gaming events. ROG gear has been used to set hundreds of overclocking records and it continues to be the preferred choice of gamers and enthusiasts around the world. To become one of those who dare, learn more about ROG at http://rog.asus.com.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8a844e4b-61d1-4a8d-a25e-66e5fe44bbd8

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey Leads Massachusetts Delegation in Denouncing Trump Administration Move to Strip Unaccompanied Immigrant Infants and Toddlers of Legal Representation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Letter Text (PDF)

    Washington (February 25, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) led the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Representatives Richard Neal (MA-01), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Katherine Clark (MA-05), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), and Bill Keating (MA-09), in writing to Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urging the Trump administration to maintain funding for legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children. The administration generated confusion and distress when it issued—and mere days later, rescinded—an order that would jeopardize the safety and welfare of vulnerable minors, including infants and toddlers, by stripping them of critical legal representation. In Massachusetts, several hundred unaccompanied minors stood to lose their lawyers and more than 2,000 children who receive services short of full legal representation faced the loss of assistance. The lawmakers urge the administration to renew the contract that provides immigrant minors the legal help they require.  

    In the letter, the lawmakers write, “For decades, esteemed organizations across the nation have steadfastly provided indispensable legal services, social support, and foster care to these at-risk minors. The recent stop-work order egregiously undermined this longstanding commitment to child welfare and due process. Maintaining and renewing the unaccompanied child legal services program contract is critical for fulfilling our legal obligations and abiding by the foundational principles of justice and compassion that define our nation.”

    The lawmakers request responses by March 11 to questions that include:

    • What was the internal decision-making process that led to the issuance of the February 18 stop-work order? Which officials within the Department of the Interior, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Health and Human Services were involved in reviewing and approving this directive?
    • What specific legal, policy, or budgetary considerations were cited as the rationale for initially terminating legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children? Was a formal impact assessment conducted before this decision was made? If so, please provide a copy? If not, why not?
    • Prior to issuing the stop-work order, were affected organizations, legal service providers, child welfare experts, or other stakeholders consulted about the potential consequences of this decision? If so, please provide documentation of these discussions and any recommendations made. If not, why not?
    • What was the internal decision-making process that led to the rescission of the February 18 stop-work order? Which officials within the Department of the Interior, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Health and Human Services were involved in reviewing and approving this rescission?
    • Has the Department of the Interior or the Department of Health and Human Services developed a position regarding the renewal of the unaccompanied child legal services program contract?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Decries Trump Administration Cuts to National Park Service and Attacks on Massachusetts Economy, Heritage

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Washington (February 25, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and co-author of the Green New Deal resolution, released the following statement today in response to the Trump administration’s staffing cuts and funding cut-offs for the National Park Service (NPS).

    The Trump administration’s hiring freeze, combined with a five-percent NPS staffing cut, has already affected parks, public lands and historical sites both nationwide and across the Commonwealth. More than 1,000 permanent NPS employees were reportedly fired last week, along with 3,000 U.S. Forest Service workers.

    In Massachusetts, heritage areas, museums and historical sites, watersheds, and stewardship councils have all been affected by funding freezes and upheaval driven by the Trump administration’s executive orders and unlawful attacks on congressionally appropriated funding. Last year, Massachusetts ranked 11th in the country with $1.3 billion in economic contributions from national park visitors, with $863 million in direct visitor spending. Senator Markey voted on February 20, 2025 in favor of an amendment to the Republicans’ budget resolution that would support the reinstatement of NPS and federal employees working on conservation, management, and recreation; however, this amendment was voted down by Republicans by a vote of 48-52.

    “At a time when our parks and historical sites should be getting ready to meet the high-season influx of visitors, President Trump, his billionaire-in-chief Elon Musk, and the unelected, unwanted, and unqualified DOGE minions are instead targeting both National Park Service staff and funding. 

    Without NPS staff, visitor centers will be closed during the height of the tourism season, restrooms will be left dirty, and tours will be left unfinished. Not only is this bad for park visitors, it’s bad for everyone who wants to celebrate and learn about our nation’s past and future as we near our 250th anniversary. Our Commonwealth was the site of key events during the founding of our nation — but these cultural cornerstones will not be ready for additional visitors without sufficient staffing. 

    The unconstitutional cut-off of grant programs for our parks, waterways, and public lands is wreaking havoc, causing chaos, and needs to be fully reversed. According to the National Park Service and its partners, this uncertainty means that restoration work is costing more, investments are being stranded, trails aren’t getting maintained, and too many small organizations and partners are left in the lurch. For example, the Forest Legacy Program is a popular and cost-effective program to conserve private, working forest resources—but the Trump administration’s chaos means that partners on the ground are paused and waiting to see if their work can continue.

    Outdoor recreation is a $1.2-trillion business sector where public-private partnerships create an outsized return on investment and boost local economies—every federal dollar invested in NPS generates fifteen dollars of economic activity—so there is nothing effective nor efficient about attacking our parks. Neither the staff cuts, nor the illegal funding freezes can stand, which is why I am fighting in DC to protect the National Park Service workers and programs tirelessly working to provide all Americans with spaces in which to learn about our history and enjoy our outdoors.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch: “DOGE is pretty dumb, and pretty cruel, and pretty destructive the way it’s operating under Elon Musk.” 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) tonight took to the Senate floor to speak on President Trump and Elon Musk’s unconstitutional actions to dismantle federal institutions and called on Congress to protect federal agencies, programs, services, and employees that play an indispensable role in the lives of working Americans. 
    In his remarks, Senator Welch highlighted how the so-called ‘Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) actions to dismantle the federal government have cost jobs and undercut federal programs in Vermont, including at Vermont’s Small Business Administration, for Vermont organizations that receive funding from USAID, and at the USDA office that helps towns recover from natural disasters like Vermont’s floods. 
    “We should all be outraged at the cruelty with which DOGE is operating. It’s cruel to the institutions that are important for each of our states and it’s cruel to the people who have been doing this work in good faith for so long,” said Senator Welch. “We’ve got to speak up and acknowledge that DOGE is destructive. We can embrace the effort to address waste, fraud and abuse. We can embrace the opportunity to streamline and save money, make things work better. But we can never abandon our commitment to the people of this country who work so hard.” 
    Watch Senator Welch’s speech below: 
    Read key excerpts from the Senator’s remarks: 
    “So, my first question with DOGE is why don’t you look where the money is, where the rip-offs are, instead of just sending out emails overnight telling people they’re fired, whose performance has been absolutely exemplary?” 
    “This is a situation that obviously is incredibly cruel. You’re working at the Department of Agriculture, you’re working at the NIH, you’re working on an USAID program, and life is going on and suddenly you get this email out of the blue—that it clearly is a mass email—but has a very specific impact on you, your life, your livelihood, and your hopes and dreams. I mean, that is just a savage, savage way to treat people who have been working in our various governmental agencies, and it has enormous impact on our communities.”  
    “This isn’t just about Elon Musk being a multibillionaire. No matter what happens it’s not going to really affect him. It’s about Elon Musk treating people with what I think is the utmost cruelty…Such disrespect for people who work hard at the VA, work hard in the NIH, work hard in the Department of Agriculture, work hard in the Department of Treasury. So, that element of this, we should all be shocked at.” 
    ■■■ 
    “The verdict is in—[DOGE] has been a colossal failure. It’s done immense damage to many of our institutions and inflicted immense pain on innocent people. Also, it’s not going to be successful in its stated goal of ‘reducing spending and wasteful spending’…But here’s my problem with DOGE: They’re not looking in the right places.” 
    “We have work to do on saving money, and we have places where it’s absolutely essential we act. DOGE is blind to all of those, all of those situations. And that’s disgraceful.” 
    ■■■ 
    Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Cotton Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Outdoor Sporting Events from Unauthorized Drones

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Disabling Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment (DEFENSE) Act to protect outdoor sporting events from unauthorized drones. This bipartisan bill will enhance security at major outdoor gatherings and sporting events by ensuring that state and local law enforcement have the authority and tools necessary to protect these events from aerial threats in real-time, rather than waiting for federal intervention. This bill is endorsed by the NFL, MLB, NASCAR, the NCAA, and the SEC.
    “Major events — including sports and live entertainment — play a significant role in supporting our economy in Las Vegas and across the country, and we need to ensure they are safe,” said Senator Rosen. “Our bipartisan bill would enable state and local law enforcement to better mitigate threats posed by drones to the security of these high attendance events.”
    “Stadiums and spectators at large events are vulnerable to unauthorized drone activity, which puts both public safety and national security at risk. Our bill empowers local authorities to safeguard large public gatherings from aerial threats,” said Senator Cotton.
    “The NFL thanks Senators Cotton and Rosen for introducing the DEFENSE Act.  As the threat of illicit drone use continues to rise, it is critical that our partners in local law enforcement have the tools and resources they need to keep fans safe.  The league strongly supports this legislation, which will help keep fans safe at major sporting events across the country,” said Cathy Lanier, Chief Security Officer, NFL.
    “Major League Baseball applauds Senators Tom Cotton and Jacky Rosen for introducing the Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment (DEFENSE) Act”, said David Thomas, Major League Baseball Senior Vice President of Security and Ballpark Operations. “For several years, MLB has urged Congress to address the growing and unmitigated threat which unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones) pose to major sporting venues. The Cotton-Rosen legislation would enable the employment of counter-drone technology by well-trained state and local law enforcement to protect our stadiums and sporting venues nationwide. If enacted, this legislation would dramatically increase the security of our stadiums and the safety of the 70,000,000 fans who attend our games annually. We look forward to working with Senator Cotton, Senator Rosen and other members of Congress to advance this critical piece of legislation for the benefit of our fans, players, and employees.”
    “In introducing the DEFENSE Act, NASCAR recognizes Senator Cotton and Senator Rosen for addressing a crucial issue related to event security,” said Allen Taylor, Managing Director, Security, NASCAR. “Giving qualified law enforcement partners at the state and local level the resources necessary to mitigate drone related threats is essential to helping keep events and communities across the country safe.”
    “The NCAA supports this legislation and thanks Senator Cotton and Senator Rosen for their leadership on this issue.  For several years, the NCAA has expressed concern for the threat that unauthorized drones pose at NCAA championships and college sporting events. The safety of the competitors, fans, and staff that work at NCAA events is our top priority,” said Tim Buckley, Senior Vice President of External Affairs, NCAA.
    “The safety of our teams and fans is a key priority at athletics events. The SEC commends the bipartisan leadership of Senator Tom Cotton and Senator Jacky Rosen for introducing this important legislation that is intended to provide public safety officials on campuses and in the communities they serve with enhanced measures to address unauthorized drone usage,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey.
    Senator Rosen has been working to support Nevada’s law enforcement community and ensure it has the resources needed to fight crime effectively and safely. She has also been a leader in supporting Nevada’s tourism economy, including its major events.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Highlights Threats to Election Security, Campaign Finance in First Business Meeting as Rules Committee Ranking Member

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Highlights Threats to Election Security, Campaign Finance in First Business Meeting as Rules Committee Ranking Member

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined his first business meeting as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, where he highlighted the importance of free and fair elections, campaign finance reform, and Capitol security. The meeting focused on the committee funding resolution and committee rules for the 119th Congress.

    In his remarks, Senator Padilla emphasized that he will continue working to protect the right to vote, secure our elections, safeguard election workers, and push for essential funding to state and local governments for election administration. He called out the Trump Administration for decimating critical election security efforts by disbanding the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s foreign election interference task force, removing election security specialists at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and deploying President Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to the agency.

    Senator Padilla, California’s former Secretary of State, also underscored Americans’ strong support for curbing the massive influx of dark money and corporate spending in politics, calling the Citizens United decision a “complete disaster.” He blasted President Trump for his recent illegal firing of the Federal Elections Commission Chair and his executive order claiming to bring independent regulatory agencies under the control of the executive branch.

    Last week, Senator Padilla and Representative Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.-25) pressed senior officials at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) for answers after reports indicated employees who previously worked on election misinformation and disinformation issues were placed on administrative leave. Padilla denounced the illegal firing of FEC Chair Ellen Weintraub and led 10 Democratic Senators to demand President Trump rescind this decision.

    Padilla’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available here and below:

    Thank you, Chairman McConnell. I look forward to working with you and all the Members of the Rules Committee in this new role as Ranking Member. 

    I also want to thank Senators Klobuchar and Fischer for their leadership last Congress — including making key security improvements here at the Capitol following the January 6th insurrection.

    This Committee has a long history of working across party lines in support of the Senate and the legislative branch. Today I am committed to continuing that tradition with Chairman McConnell. 

    While the Capitol and Senate buildings may be our workplaces, ultimately, they belong to the American people. Americans spend their time and money — some traveling thousands of miles — to visit and exercise their First Amendment rights. For Americans from states red, blue, and purple, this Capitol means more than politics: it’s the embodiment of our democracy. It is our responsibility to maintain and secure the Capitol for them.

    Today’s action on the committee funding resolution for the 119th Congress gives us an early opportunity to come together. And while I wish we were able to provide more funding in certain instances, I am pleased that we worked in a bipartisan fashion on this effort.

    But in addition to our responsibilities to the administration of both the buildings and rules that allow this body to run, our Committee also plays a central role in our democracy – overseeing federal elections and campaign finance.

    Election Administration

    As California’s former Secretary of State, I know the importance of defending free and fair elections. I will always work to preserve voter access, protect election workers, ensure election security, and provide critical funding to the states. 

    Over the years, Congress has invested resources to help states start to modernize their election systems, but we have failed to provide the reliable funding that is needed. I hope we can find bipartisan consensus to help states and local governments manage the growing challenges of running elections.

    Unfortunately, just a few weeks in, the current Administration is taking a blowtorch to election security. Already, the Department of Justice has disbanded the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s foreign election interference task force while the Department of Homeland Security is removing election security specialists at the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

    And now, President Trump and Elon Musk have sent DOGE’s inexperienced, unqualified staff — with a history of leaking security information and cybercrime — to CISA. Despite our inquiries and DOGE’s claims of transparency, this Committee and the public have no real information about the goals of this interference. And state and local election officials are losing the critical election security support that Congress has directed CISA to provide.

    It is my hope that moving forward, members on this committee from both parties will join me in strengthening election security — not weakening it.

    Campaign Finance

    At the same time, Americans overwhelmingly support efforts to roll back the tide of unregulated and secret money in politics. They are tired of their voices being drowned out by unlimited spending from corporations and billionaires. Yet today, an unelected billionaire who spent over 270 million dollars on the 2024 election sits in the Oval Office, issuing policy directives and accessing federal contracts and regulatory favors.

    The Citizens United decision was a complete disaster that continues to damage our democracy and must be repealed. Until then, Congress and the Federal Election Commission (FEC) should uphold the law and improve what we can.

    Unfortunately, President Trump is trying to destroy what few guardrails we have left. He illegally fired the Chair of the FEC and issued an Executive Order that gives White House operatives control over the FEC and other independent agencies. Congress created agencies like the FEC to follow the law independent of political pressure — not to be tools for handing out political favors or retribution on behalf of the White House.

    The FEC was created over 50 years ago following Watergate. Now, President Trump is opening the floodgates for a new golden age of corruption. As a committee, we must work to stop these power grabs before more damage is done.

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Nose-to-tail mining: how making sand from ore could solve a looming crisis

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Franks, Professor and Director – Global Centre for Mineral Security, The University of Queensland

    Thanagornsoisep/Shutterstock

    Every year, the world consumes around 50 billion tonnes of sand, gravel and crushed stone. The astonishing scale of this demand is hard to comprehend – 12.5 million Olympic sized swimming pools per year – making it the most-used solid material by humans.

    Most of us don’t see the sand and gravel all around us. It’s hidden in concrete footpaths and buildings, the glass in our windows and in the microchips that drive our technology.

    Demand is set to increase further – even as the extraction of sand and gravel from rivers, lakes, beaches and oceans is triggering an environmental crisis.

    Sand does renew naturally, but in many regions, natural sand supplies are being depleted far faster than they can be replenished. Desert sand often has grains too round for use in construction and deserts are usually far from cities, while sand alternatives made by crushing rock are energy- and emissions-intensive.

    But there’s a major opportunity here, as we outline in our new research. Every year, the mining industry crushes and discards billions of tonnes of the same minerals as waste during the process of mining metals. By volume, mining waste is the single largest source of waste we make.

    There’s nothing magical about sand. It’s made up of particles of weathered rock. Gravel is larger particles. Our research has found companies mining metals can get more out of their ores, by processing the ore to produce sand as well.

    This would solve two problems at once: how to avoid mining waste and how to tackle the sand crisis. We dub this “nose-to-tail” mining, following the trend in gastronomy to use every part of an animal.

    Concrete is everywhere – but it requires a great deal of sand and gravel.
    MVolodymyr/Shutterstock

    The failings of tailings

    The metal sulphides, oxides and carbonates which can be turned into iron, copper and other metals are only a small fraction of the huge volumes of ore which have to be processed. Every year, the world produces about 13 billion tonnes of tailings – the ground-up rock left over after valuable metals are extracted – and another 72 billion tonnes of waste rock, which has been blasted but not ground up.

    For decades, scientists have dreamed of using tailings as a substitute for natural sand. Tailings are often rich in silicates, the principal component of sand.

    But to date, the reality has been disappointing. More than 18,000 research papers have been published on the topic in the last 25 years. But only a handful of mines have found ways to repurpose and sell tailings.

    Why? First, tailings rarely meet the strict specifications required for construction materials, such as the size of the particles, the mineral composition and the durability.

    Second, they come with a stigma. Tailings often contain hazardous substances liberated during mining. This makes governments and consumers understandably cautious about using mining waste in homes and our built environment.

    Neither of these problems is insurmountable. In our research, we propose a new solution: manufacture sand directly from ore.

    Converting rock into metal is a complex, multi-step process which differs by type of metal and by type of ore. After crushing, the minerals in the ore are typically separated using flotation, where the metal-containing sulphide minerals attach to tiny bubbles that float up through the slurry of rock and water.

    At this stage, leftover ore is normally separated out to be disposed of as waste. But if we continue to process the ore, such as by spinning it in a cyclone, impurities can be removed and the right particle size and shape can be achieved to meet the specifications for sand.

    We have dubbed this “ore-sand”, to distinguish it from tailings. It’s not made from waste tailings – it’s a deliberate product of the ore.

    Turning ore into metal requires intensive crushing and grinding. These methods could also make sand.
    Aussie Family Living/Shutterstock

    More from ore

    This isn’t just theory. At the iron ore mine Brucutu in Brazil, the mining company Vale is already producing one million tonnes of ore-sand annually. The sand is used in road construction, brickmaking and concrete.

    The move came from tragedy. In 2015 and 2019, the dams constructed to store tailings at two of Vale’s iron ore mines collapsed, triggering deadly mudflows. Hundreds of people died – many of them company employees – and the environmental consequences are ongoing.

    In response, the company funded researchers (such as our group) to find ways to reduce reliance on tailings dams in favour of better alternatives.

    Following our work with Vale we investigated the possibility of making ore-sand from other types of mineral ores, such as copper and gold. We have run successful trials at Newmont’s Cadia copper-gold mine in Australia. Here, using innovative methods we have produced a coarser ore-sand which doesn’t require as much blending with other sand.

    Ore-sand processing makes the most sense for mines located close to cities. This is for two reasons: to avoid the risk of tailings dams to people living nearby, and to reduce the transport costs of moving sand long distances.

    Our earlier research showed almost half the world’s sand consumption happens within 100 kilometres of a mine which could produce ore-sand as well as metals. Since metal mining already requires intensive crushing and grinding, we found ore-sand can be produced with lower energy consumption and carbon emissions than the extraction of conventional sands.

    The challenge of scale

    For any new idea or industry, the hardest part is to go from early trials to widespread adoption. It won’t be easy to make ore-sand a reality.

    Inertia is one reason. Mining companies have well-established processes. It takes time and work to introduce new methods.

    Industry buy-in and collaboration, supportive government policies and market acceptance will be needed. Major sand buyers such as the construction industry need to be able to test and trust the product.

    The upside is real, though. Ore-sand offers us a rare chance to tackle two hard environmental problems at once, by slashing the staggering volume of mining waste and reducing the need for potentially dangerous tailings dams, and offering a better alternative to destructive sand extraction.

    Daniel Franks would like to acknowledge funding and collaboration support from the Queensland Government, Australian Economic Accelerator, Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer, Newcrest Mining, Newmont, Vale, The University of Geneva, The University of Exeter, The Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, and The University of Queensland. Daniel Franks is the recipient of an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship (FT240100383) funded by the Australian Government.

    – ref. Nose-to-tail mining: how making sand from ore could solve a looming crisis – https://theconversation.com/nose-to-tail-mining-how-making-sand-from-ore-could-solve-a-looming-crisis-250284

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI: A Total Win for Rumble and Trump Media: Statement on U.S. Court’s Order on Moraes’s Directives

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONGBOAT KEY, Fla., Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rumble (NASDAQ:RUM), the video-sharing platform and cloud services provider, today celebrated a ruling from a U.S. federal court that censorship orders from Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes have no legal force in the United States.

    Rumble released the following statement:

    “Today, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida confirmed what we have argued from the very beginning: Justice Alexandre de Moraes’s censorship orders have no legal force in the United States. This ruling is a complete victory for free speech, digital sovereignty, and the right of American companies to operate without foreign judicial interference.

    “The court explicitly ruled that Moraes’s directives were never properly served under U.S. or international law, stating that they were not delivered through the Hague Convention, the U.S.-Brazil Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), or any other valid legal mechanism. This means that Rumble and Trump Media are under no obligation to comply with these unlawful censorship demands, and no U.S. entity is required to enforce them.

    “The court further made clear that if anyone attempts to enforce these illegal orders on U.S. soil, it stands ready to intervene to protect American companies and free speech. The ruling sends a strong message to foreign governments that they cannot bypass U.S. law to impose censorship on American platforms.

    “This case was never just about Rumble or Trump Media—it was about stopping foreign judges from trying to silence speech in America. Today’s ruling confirms that Moraes’s authoritarian censorship campaign has no place in the United States, and his overreach will not stand.

    “Rumble and Trump Media will continue to fight for free speech, and today’s ruling is a major victory in that battle.”

    Media Contact
    Tim Murtaugh
    tim.murtaugh@rumble.com

    *

    The following is attributable to Rumble’s U.S. counsel:

    “The court’s decision today denied the TRO for being unnecessary because it determined that Moraes’s orders are invalid and unenforceable in the United States. Therefore, there is no need to restrain invalid orders. Of course, if Moraes takes any steps to try to enforce his illegal orders on U.S. soil, we can return to the judge to grant a TRO.”

    Martin De Luca & Matthew Schwartz, Boies Schiller Flexner LLP

    Media Contact:
    Victoria Scordato
    vscordato@bsfllp.com

    ABOUT RUMBLE

    Rumble is a high-growth video platform and cloud services provider that is creating an independent infrastructure. Rumble’s mission is to restore the internet to its roots by making it free and open once again. For more information, visit: corp.rumble.com.

    Contact: press@rumble.com

    ###

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: North American Construction Group Ltd. Announces Regular Quarterly Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ACHESON, Alberta, Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On February 24, 2025, the North American Construction Group Ltd. (“NACG” or “the Company”) (TSX:NOA.TO/NYSE:NOA) Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend (the “Dividend”) of twelve Canadian cents ($0.12) per common share, payable to common shareholders of record at the close of business on March 13, 2025. The Dividend will be paid on April 9, 2025, and is an eligible dividend for Canadian income tax purposes.

    About the Company

    North American Construction Group Ltd. is a premier provider of heavy civil construction and mining services in Canada, the U.S. and Australia. For 70 years, NACG has provided services to the mining, resource and infrastructure construction markets.

    For further information, please contact:
    Jason Veenstra, CPA, CA
    Chief Financial Officer
    North American Construction Group Ltd.
    Phone: (780) 960-7171
    Email: ir@nacg.ca

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Marshall, Daines, and Bennet Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Outdoor Recreation and Expand Access to Public Lands

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), and Michael Bennet (D-Colorado) today introduced the “Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act,” which would support public access for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other outdoor wildlife-dependent activities.
    “As an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, some of my greatest memories are hunting and fishing with my kids,” said Senator Marshall. “I fully support and am proud to introduce the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act, which encourages Kansans to open their land for the public to enjoy the great outdoors. Increased access to these outdoor recreational activities is good for our children and our shared American values.”
    “Hunting, fishing, and hiking are huge parts of our Montana way of life, and as a lifelong sportsman myself, I’m glad to lead an effort to expand access to our public lands,” said Senator Daines. “Reauthorizing the Voluntary Public Access Habitat Initiative Program will give more Montanans the chance to enjoy outdoor recreation activities and support critical habitats for wildlife.”
    “For years, this program has rewarded Colorado’s family farmers and ranchers for their efforts to improve wildlife habitat, provide new opportunities for sportsmen and women, and expand recreation options for Coloradans. I fought to expand funding for this program in the last Farm Bill, and I’ll continue to work to prioritize successful, voluntary programs like this,” said Senator Bennet.
    Read the bill text HERE.
    Background:
    The “Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act of 2025” would reauthorize the Voluntary Public Access Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) for an additional five years and increase the authorization to $150 million. The VPA-HIP provides competitive grants to states and tribal governments to be used to incentivize private landowners to voluntarily open their lands for public use while upholding private property rights. Senators Marshall, Daines, and Bennet also introduced the bill in the 118th Congress.
    Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-Michigan-6) and Dusty Johnson (R-South Dakota-At-Large) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    Statements of Support:
    “State-led access programs are hurting this year without support from VPA-HIP, and including the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act in a 2025 farm bill would be a major positive development for hunters and anglers. We are thrilled to see such an influential, bipartisan group of leaders recognize the importance of increased hunting and fishing access by introducing this legislation. Thank you, Representatives Dingell and Johnson and Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall, for your leadership and support,” said Joel Pedersen, President and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
    “Hunting access is one of the most significant barriers for both new and experienced hunters. The Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act is a win-win for sportsmen and landowners, and we thank Sens. Daines, Bennet, and Marshall for leading this bipartisan effort in the Senate, as well as Reps. Dingell and Johnson for their leadership in the House,” said Kellis Moss, Ducks Unlimited Managing Director of Federal Affairs. 
    “On behalf of the nation’s recreational fishing industry, the American Sportfishing Association thanks Senators Daines, Marshall, and Bennet for their leadership of the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act. This legislation will support and enable landowners to provide fishing access on private lands, opening valuable waters to anglers. The reauthorization and expansion of VPA-HIP will strengthen a program that has allowed access to private lands since 2008, creating memorable days on the water for America’s anglers,” said Glenn Hughes, President of the American Sportfishing Association.
    “Recovering wildlife, restoring habitat, and expanding recreational access on private lands is a win-win for both wildlife and the hunters, anglers, and outdoorspeople, who power the outdoor recreation economy. This common-sense, bipartisan bill will ensure farmers, ranchers, and private land owners have the tools and resources they need through the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program to ensure our shared wildlife heritage endures for future generations. Thank you to Representatives Debbie Dingell and Dusty Johnson and Senators Steve Daines, Michel Bennet, and Roger Marshall for working to pass this important bipartisan legislation,” said Aviva Glaser, Senior Director of Agriculture Policy for the National Wildlife Federation.
    “There are dozens of state programs throughout the country that help open public hunting access on private lands, but one common thread is that VPA-HIP is the unsung hero that makes much of that access possible. The economic returns for rural communities in VPA-HIP have been shown many times over, and increasing funding for the program is one of our top priorities in the next farm bill. Access is at the core of Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s mission, and we thank Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall and Representatives Dingell and Johnson for their leadership and support for this very successful program,” said Ariel Wiegard, Vice President of Government Affairs for Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.
    “By reauthorizing and expanding the only federal program specifically designed to increase opportunities for hunters and anglers on private land, the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act addresses the number one barrier to participation in our sporting traditions, lack of public access. We applaud the bipartisan leadership of Reps. Debbie Dingell and Dusty Johnson and Sens. Roger Marshall and Michael Bennet on legislation that would expand public recreation opportunities as well as enhance fish and wildlife habitat,” said Kaden McArthur, Director of Policy and Government Relations for Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.
    “We greatly appreciate Senators Daines, Bennet, and Marshall introducing the VPA Improvement Act. As we entered discussions of the next Farm Bill, extending and expanding the impact of VPA-HIP was one of Delta’s highest priorities. As duck hunters across the country look for additional access, increased investments in VPA HIP can lead to new partnerships with private landowners to enhance habitat and also provide access. We hope that this effort will lead to a broader bi-partisan effort to include an expanded VPA-HIP in the final Farm Bill,” said John Devney, Chief Policy Officer at Delta Waterfowl.
    “We are proud to support Representative Dingell’s reintroduction of the Voluntary Public Access Improvement Act, alongside Representative Johnson, Senator Daines, Senator Marshall, and Senator Bennet. Reauthorizing and strengthening the Act will ensure that landowners and sportsmen alike can continue to benefit from sustainable wildlife management and habitat preservation for generations to come,” said Nick Pinizzotto, President and CEO of the National Deer Association.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Colleagues Urge Federal Courts to Affirm That Congress Holds the Power to Crack Down on Money Laundering

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    February 25, 2025
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., joined his colleagues in filing amicus briefs that called on two federal courts to affirm that Congress holds the power to crack down on anonymous money laundering under the bipartisan Corporate Transparency Act passed in 2021. 
    The four-year-old law is considered the most important anti-money laundering law passed in two decades. It ensures law enforcement and national security officials are able to learn the true identities of people who own or control U.S. corporations and other legal entities used as shell companies to conceal illegal activities. By identifying these under-the-radar financial criminals, the federal government can better combat terrorist financing, money laundering, sanctions evasion, proliferation financing, tax evasion, and other illicit finance carried out through shell companies. In addition to holding U.S. corporations accountable, the law plays an essential role in protecting U.S. national security and public safety. 
    “Anonymous shell corporations harm the United States’ national security, foreign affairs, foreign and interstate commerce, and tax interests. Such shell companies often operate in multiple layers to hide their true owners and violations of key sanctions, money-laundering, and tax laws. Allowing illicit money to be hidden through corporate forms also undermines public safety and law enforcement efficacy on a national and international scale,” wrote the lawmakers in their amicus briefs to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th and 5th Circuits.
    In their amicus briefs, the lawmakers argued that Congress has robust powers under Article I to legislate on national security, tax, foreign affairs, and interstate and foreign commerce matters – all of which fall under the law. As a result of enacting the law, Congress has been able to engage in careful oversight, including through testimonies, reports, and committee hearings, over anonymous actors who have used shell companies to exploit the American financial system and launder their unlawful gains. 
    In addition to Wyden, the amicus briefs were led by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Representative Maxine Waters, D-Calif.
    The lawmakers filed briefs in Texas Top Cop Shop v. Bondi, a case at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, and Community Associations Institute v. Treasury, a case for the 4th Circuit. In January 2025, the members filed a similar amicus brief in Firestone v. Yellen, a case for the 9th Circuit. In April 2024, the lawmakers filed their first amicus brief in National Small Business United v. Yellen, a case for the 11th Circuit.
    Wyden is a longtime champion of holding corporations accountable. In 2017, Wyden introduced bipartisan legislation to prevent individuals in Congress from using anonymous shell corporations to engage in illicit activities. In 2019, Wyden reintroduced legislation to combat money laundering by requiring corporations to disclose their beneficial owners. In 2024, Wyden launched an investigation into the Geneva-based multinational bank Pictet for potential ongoing tax evasion by a U.S. citizen under criminal investigation. 
    The text of the 4th Circuit brief is here.
    The text of the 5th Circuit Brief is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed, Capito Lead Bipartisan Effort to Accelerate Pediatric Rare Disease Research & Treatment Advances

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to accelerate research and treatment advances for rare diseases that affect children, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) teamed up to introduce the Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act.  This bipartisan bill would ensure drugs for rare diseases are studied in children and that drug companies are accountable for completing pediatric study requirements.  It would close research gaps created by the growth in so-called “orphan drug” approvals by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

    Children are not just small adults who can take smaller doses of adult medication: They metabolize drugs differently and in order for drugs to be safe and effective for kids, they must be studied specifically for children’s use. Yet too often, drug development still leaves children behind.  The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act would help speed therapies to children who need them, making needed changes to the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act (BPCA) and the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA), two laws that encourage and require the study of drugs in children.

    “This bill would help children battling rare diseases and their families by addressing crucial gaps in pediatric research and treatment and empower the FDA to go after companies that break the rules.  Congress must work together to help address the unmet needs of those affected by rare diseases, particularly pediatric patients.  The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act would include children in the drug development process to expand access to safe and effective treatments and therapies for children with rare ailments and appropriately meet their needs.  Our bipartisan bill would provide new paths for pediatric rare disease research and development and ensure patients with rare diseases aren’t left behind,” said Senator Reed.

    “It is essential medicines be studied specifically for children’s use, especially for rare diseases,” Senator Capito said. “The same medicines that may work well for some adults could have drastically different results for a child. Our legislation will help ensure pediatric studies are actually being done on both new and innovative drugs, as well as those older drugs now off-patent.”

    According to the National Institutes of Health, a “rare disease” is any disease affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the United States (60 cases per 100,000 individuals).

    There are more than 7,000 known rare diseases that affect about 30 million people in the U.S., according to the Orphan Drug Act.  These rare diseases can vary widely, from genetic conditions to certain types of cancers to cases that are the result of an infection or allergy or unknown causes.

    More than 90 percent of rare diseases lack a treatment approved by the FDA.  And according to rarediseases.org: Approximately two-thirds of Americans with rare diseases are children.

    The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act would help ensure children can benefit from advancements in new treatments and therapies by:

    Ensuring Drugs for Rare Diseases are Studied in Children

    There are close to 7,000 rare diseases without appropriate treatments, and the vast majority of these diseases affect children. Unfortunately, in most cases, drugs for rare diseases, also known as orphan drugs, are not required to be studied in children. Yet the majority of new drugs approved are orphan drugs, meaning that the majority of newly approved drugs are exempt from pediatric study requirements, leaving doctors, parents, and sick kids in the dark about possible treatments.

    The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act would ensure that children with rare diseases can benefit from new and innovative treatments, lifting the orphan drug exemption in PREA.

    Providing Equal Accountability for Pediatric Study Requirements

    Due dates for studies required by PREA are typically deferred by FDA until after the approval of the drug for adults. Unfortunately, FDA has no effective enforcement tools to ensure that these studies are completed on time—or at all.  Congress tried to solve this problem in 2012. It allowed FDA to send “non-compliance letters” to companies that failed to complete their pediatric studies. Disappointingly, this did not fix the problem. According to an analysis conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, as of early 2021, 123 PREA non-compliance letters had been issued, yet only one third had been resolved.  On average, studies were 4.4 years late, with some more than 15 years late.

    The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act would give FDA the authority it needs to ensure that legally required pediatric studies are completed in a timely manner.

    Investing in Pediatric Studies of Older Off-Patent Drugs

    The FDA incentives and requirements under BPCA and PREA work for many newer drugs, but unfortunately cannot help encourage studies of older drugs.  For this reason, in 2002, Congress authorized a program which funds the National Institutes of Health to conduct studies of off-patent drugs used in children that would never be completed otherwise.  Drug studies are expensive and costs have only increased since then, but the program has been flat-funded at $25 million since it was created more than 20 years ago.

    The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act would increase funding for the BPCA NIH program to ensure we have better data about older drugs to treat diseases in children.

    Reed and Capito previously teamed up to pass and fund the landmark Childhood Cancer STAR Act.

    What They Are Saying About the Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act:

    “Children are not little adults; they have unique health needs. It is essential that children’s needs are considered and prioritized during the drug development process so they do not miss out on new therapies and treatments. The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act of 2025 would make needed changes to pediatric drug laws so that children can benefit from new advancements in medicine – including children with rare diseases. Pediatricians applaud Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) for their leadership on this issue and call on Congress to swiftly pass this bipartisan legislation into law,” said American Academy of Pediatrics President Susan Kressly, MD, FAAP.

    “The biology of cancer children is different from cancer in adults. Drugs to treat children must be developed that are tailored for children. The Innovation In Pediatric Drugs Act of 2025 builds upon the promise of the Research To Accelerate Cures and Equity (RACE) Act For Children to increase pediatric studies of novel therapeutics for pediatric cancers. The new bill is an important step to ensure that required studies are completed for children as they are currently done for adults,” said Steve Wosahla, Chief Executive Officer of Children’s Cancer Cause.

    “Kids with cancer need us to put promising new therapies to the test to find the next generation of pediatric treatments. The Innovation in Pediatric Drugs Act would help by holding trial sponsors accountable and opening the door to exciting treatments that could make all the difference for kids,” said Matt Marks of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed: It’s Past Time to Pay Retirees the Social Security Benefits They Already Earned

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) is once again urging the Trump Administration to quickly implement of the Social Security Fairness Act, which will ensure retired teachers, police, firefighters, and other public service workers and their spouses get the full Social Security benefits they earned.
    More than 8,600 Rhode Islanders and a total of 3.2 million Americans stand to benefit from the change, thanks to the Social Security Fairness Act, which Senator Reed cosponsored and former President Biden signed into law on January 5.
    The new law repealed the Windfall Elimination Penalty (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), which prevented 3 million government retirees who earned pensions from those careers from collecting their full benefits earned while working outside of government.
    “The Trump Administration needs to get into gear and implement the law.  Thousands of Rhode Island retirees who served as teachers, police officers, and more have waited long enough to get the benefits they rightfully earned. Instead of focusing on firing people from the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Trump Administration should spend more time and energy getting these checks out the door,” said Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee who is working to ensure the SSA has enough employees to provide first-rate, personalized customer service to retirees who need assistance.
    Senator Reed estimates the average monthly benefit increase is about $360, but many recipients could see monthly raises of $1,000 or more this year.  The law is retroactive to January 1, 2024.  As a result, many people will eventually receive a significant lump sum for back payments as well as a monthly raise.
    Retired public employees who may be eligible can visit SSA’s Social Security Fairness Act website to learn more.
    Since the law was signed, there have been multiple and bipartisan efforts to encourage the Trump Administration to start paying Social Security recipients what they are owed.
    All Social Security recipients will see a 2.5 percent increase in their benefits this year.  The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) took effect in January, raising the average monthly retirement benefit from $1,927 to $1,976.
    Earlier this month, the acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration resigned after clashing with billionaire Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency, after Musk’s personnel attempted to access sensitive government records that included people’s personal information.
    Musk and Trump continue to actively mislead about Social Security. Musk amplified a chart showing 9 million people age 130 and over in the system and suggested “there are a lot of vampires collecting Social Security” adding, “This might be the biggest fraud in the history of humanity.”
    While there are millions of people in Social Security with no death records because they lived and died before the system was fully automated, there are only 44,000 people with birth dates in 1920 or earlier who are actually getting payments from Social Security.
    A July 2024 report from Social Security’s inspector general states that from fiscal years 2015 through 2022, the agency made less than 1 percent in improper payments. Most of the erroneous payments were overpayments to living people and some of it was clawed back. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Shaheen Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Import Lower-Cost Prescription Drugs from Canada

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – Last week, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) helped introduce the Safe and Affordable Drugs from Canada Act, led by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), which would allow Americans to safely import prescription drugs from Canada, lowering costs, increasing access for consumers and creating more competition in the pharmaceutical market. 

    “I’ve heard from far too many Granite Staters that are forced to ration life-saving medications because they’re too expensive. It’s unacceptable—high prices should never be a barrier to getting the health care you or your family needs,” said Senator Shaheen. “Americans pay the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs and allowing those same drugs to be imported at lower prices from pharmacies in Canada is a no-brainer that will increase competition and help lower costs. I’m proud to join my colleagues on this bipartisan effort.” 

    In addition to Shaheen, Klobuchar and Grassley, the bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Angus King (I-ME), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). 

    Shaheen has spearheaded efforts to combat rising drug prices and make essential medications more affordable, including by supporting key provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act that provide Medicare the ability to directly negotiate the prices of certain high-cost drugs with pharmaceutical manufacturers. As co-chair of the bipartisan U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Shaheen has consistently pressed to hold insulin manufacturers, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers accountable for the skyrocketing cost of life-saving insulin. Her bipartisan legislation with Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), the INSULIN Act, which would comprehensively address the skyrocketing costs of insulin and remove barriers to care making it more accessible to millions of Americans. 

    MIL OSI USA News –