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Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africa’s finance minister wanted to raise VAT: the pros and cons of a tricky tax

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Andrew Robert Donaldson, Senior Research Associate, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town

    South Africa’s finance minister, Enoch Godongwana, cancelled the unveiling of the country’s 2025 budget as it was due to be released. The move is unprecedented in the country’s history.

    The reason for the abrupt cancellation was the failure of the minister to get cabinet approval for the proposal to raise value added tax (VAT) from 15% to 17%. VAT is the second biggest contributor to tax collection after personal income tax, followed by corporate taxes.

    The strongest opposition to the idea came from parties that have joined the African National Congress in a government of national unity which was formed after the ruling party lost its majority in polls in June 2024.

    To understand the finance minister’s efforts to raise VAT it’s helpful to revisit the revenue proposals of a year ago.

    In the 2024 budget, all the additional revenue was to come from a “stealth tax” on personal income. Because personal income tax is levied at increasing rates as income rises, the tax burden rises as wages go up if tax thresholds are not adjusted for inflation.

    In the Treasury’s estimates, R16.3 billion (US$889 million) was raised in 2024/25 by not making inflation-related adjustments to the personal income tax brackets and rebates. This meant that another 200,000 income-earners became taxpayers, and everyone’s effective tax rate was raised.

    This has been a long-standing trend. Over the past decade, the tax threshold (for individuals under the age of 65) has declined from R115,000 (in today’s prices) to R95,750, bringing about 850,000 more people into the tax net.

    Above the threshold, tax rates were raised by one percentage point in 2015 and the 45% rate was introduced in 2017.

    As a strategy for raising personal income tax, the results have been impressive. Personal income tax has increased from 8% of GDP in 2014 to nearly 10%. In the nine months to December 2024, personal income tax increased by over 13% compared with the same period in 2023. Even after taking account of the revenue windfall from retirement fund withdrawals following recent reforms, this signals a substantial erosion of households’ disposable income.

    But that is precisely the problem. Taxes collected on goods and services (mainly VAT and excise duties) increased by just 0.4% last year by comparison with 2023. Revenue from corporate income tax declined. The implication is clear: higher taxes on personal income are at least partially offset by reduced consumption and declines in revenue from other sources.

    So the Treasury has taken the view, this year, that there should be relief given in the personal income tax and that additional revenue will have to come from taxes on consumption.

    There are good reasons for this: personal income tax has contributed a rising share of the overall tax burden over the past decade, while households also face rising costs of electricity, housing and services. However, raising VAT also has its downsides: it generates revenue by raising prices relative to the costs of production, and effectively also reduces households’ spending power.

    The Treasury’s estimate is that an increase in VAT from 15% to 17% would raise an additional R60 billion (US$3.3 billion) in revenue. To offset the impact on low-income households, the schedule of basic foods that don’t attract VAT will be extended beyond the present list of 21 items to include various specified meat cuts and tinned and bottled vegetables. In addition, above-inflation adjustments to social grants are proposed.

    The main argument against increasing the VAT rate is that it is regressive – it has a greater impact on lower-income households than on the rich. But a two percentage point VAT increase would also be a substantial shock to overall consumption spending. It would temporarily raise inflation and it would have a negative impact on business income and profitability.

    The arguments for a higher VAT rate, rather than other tax increases, are in part about its broad base and comparative ease of collection.

    There are nonetheless valid concerns from an administrative perspective. The Treasury argues that other countries have higher VAT rates than South Africa (Morocco, Turkey, Brazil and India, for example). But this is not in itself protection against the potential impact of a higher tax rate on non-compliance and tax fraud.

    The upsides

    There may be deeper economic considerations behind the Treasury’s tax proposal.

    The most compelling arguments for VAT as a revenue source are in its basic design structure: what is taxed and what is not. There are two key features. The first is that it taxes imports and zero-rates exports. The second is that the VAT base excludes investment.

    The import VAT is sometimes seen as an unfair form of trade protection. But it simply levels the consumption tax across foreign and domestic-produced goods. And it’s simpler than excise and sales taxes.

    The important consideration for domestic production is that by comparison with alternative taxes on income, the VAT encourages exports.

    The exclusion of investment from the VAT base caused some controversy when the tax was introduced in 1990. Some argued that this would bias economic development in favour of capital and against labour. But investment and employment are complements. To achieve higher rates of employment, South Africa needs far greater levels of investment. Since 2013, investment has fallen as a percentage of GDP from 19% to less than 15%: nowhere enough to generate growth sufficient to bring down South Africa’s unemployment rate.

    Because the VAT base is consumption, not investment, it supports expansion of the economy’s productive capacity.

    Managing the fallout

    But this doesn’t change the short-term impact on the cost of living that would result from a VAT rise. A higher tax burden will reduce demand and inhibit growth at first, before potentially contributing to fiscal stability and lower interest rates.

    If the tax increase is to be avoided, then the spotlight will have to fall on the expenditure side of the budget. This is a far harder discussion than tax policy – there are a thousand options to consider, and there are vested interests wherever you look.

    If Godongwana’s VAT rate increase is to be rejected, tough choices on the alternatives will have to be confronted.

    – South Africa’s finance minister wanted to raise VAT: the pros and cons of a tricky tax
    – https://theconversation.com/south-africas-finance-minister-wanted-to-raise-vat-the-pros-and-cons-of-a-tricky-tax-250460

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven: Senate Passes FY25 Budget Resolution to Advance Border Security, Defense and American Energy Dominance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

    02.21.25

    WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after the Senate approved a Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget resolution, which provides a blueprint for a reconciliation bill to secure the border, revitalize the military and bolster U.S. energy production:

    “Passing this budget is an important step as we work to provide President Trump with the resources necessary to implement his agenda for the American people. This budget will secure the border, bolster our military and help unleash U.S. energy production to make our country energy dominant. We’ll continue working with our colleagues in the House and the Trump administration to make our nation safer and more prosperous for the American people.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The Global Geopolitical Situation: Foreign Secretary’s speech at the G20 in South Africa

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    The Global Geopolitical Situation: Foreign Secretary’s speech at the G20 in South Africa

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s intervention on Discussions on the Global Geopolitical Situation at the G20 Foreign Ministerial Meeting in South Africa.

    Thank you very much Ronald [Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa] and let me say, my dear brother, what a joy is to see the G20 in Africa at long last. And we thank Brazil for its stewardship last year.

    The challenges that we face are truly global. We will not begin to tackle them unless we harness the potential of this continent, bursting with growth and opportunities and with so many young people, talented young people at its heart.

    The starkest challenge we face is escalating conflict, both between and within nations, driving vicious cycles of grievance, displacement and low growth.

    Your presidency, Ronald, calls for solidarity, and solidarity starts by recognising and naming the victims of war and injustice:

    • innocent Ukrainians enduring bombardment night after night from Odessa to Zaphorizhya
    • the hostages still cruelly held underground by Hamas, 16 months on from the trauma of October the 7th
    • the Palestinian civilians driven from their homes in Gaza and the West Bank
    • the Sudanese refugees flee their burning villages to escape across the border to Chad, the overwhelming majority of them, women and children having endured the most unimaginable and indiscriminate violence

    As I said when I visited Chad, there can be no geopolitical stability, whilst there remains a hierarchy of conflicts, with those on this continent finding themselves at the bottom of the global pile.

    And that’s why, since starting this job, I’ve made a reset with the so called Global South, a central plank of the UK foreign policy, and it’s why I doubled British aid for Sudan, and I prepared a conference in London to push for a political process which will end the fighting and protect civilians.

    And that’s why I’ve called out the Rwandan Defence Force operations in the eastern DRC as a blatant breach of the UN Charter which risks spiralling into a regional conflict, and that’s why I will again make clear to President Kagame, that further breaches of DRC’s sovereignty will have consequences.

    Because at the heart of my government’s approach to foreign policy lies the belief that regional and geopolitical stability can only be delivered through respect for international law and the principles of the UN Charter.

    And as my Canadian, Australian, Japanese colleagues have said, respect for international law must underwrite a free and open Indo Pacific, just as it must underwrite the Euro Atlantic, with the security of those 2 regions ever more closely linked.

    And as we turn to the Middle East, the ceasefire in Gaza is painfully fragile, I’m grateful that so many of us here today are working together to ensure that it holds we must continue to work together tirelessly to secure the release of the remaining hostages, to bolster the Palestinian Authority, and to boost aid into Gaza and to develop a long term plan for governance and security on the strip so that we can advance towards, a two-state solution, which remains the only long-term viable pathway to peace.

    And finally, in Ukraine, the only just and lasting peace will be a peace that is consistent with the UN Charter, and we want that as soon as possible.

    You know, mature countries learn from their colonial failures and their wars, and Europeans have had much to learn over the generations and the centuries.

    But I’m afraid to say that Russia has learned nothing. I listened carefully to Minister Lavrov intervention just now he’s, of course, left his seat, hoping to hear some readiness to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty.

    I was hoping to hear some sympathy for the innocent victims of the aggression. I was hoping to hear some readiness to seek a durable peace.

    What I heard was the logic of imperialism dressed up as a realpolitik, and I say to you all, we should not be surprised, but neither should we be fooled.

    We are at a crucial juncture in this conflict, and Russia faces a test. If Putin is serious about a lasting peace, it means finding a way forward which respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and the UN Charter which provides credible security guarantees, and which rejects Tsarist imperialism, and Britain is ready to listen.

    But we expect to hear more than the Russian gentleman’s tired fabrications.

    Updates to this page

    Published 20 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Analysis: Bolsonaro’s political persecution narrative will be Lula’s biggest problem

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Guilherme Casarões, Professor of Political Science, Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo da Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV/EAESP)

    The indictment filed by the attorney general’s office on Tuesday February 18 against Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro and 33 other people is the country’s most eagerly awaited – and most important – political event of recent months. The document doesn’t really contain any new elements: almost all of the facts presented were already included in the indictment filed by the federal police in November last year.

    There are two major developments. The first is Bolsonaro’s accountability for a process of democratic subversion, which lasted until the events of January 8, 2023. It all began in 2021, as soon as the supreme court overturned convictions against former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and paved the way for his return to the electoral game.

    The decision in favour of Lula led Bolsonaro to adopt, according to the complaint, “a growing tone of rupture with institutional normality”. Since then, the president, his allies and supporters have begun to question the legitimacy of the Supreme Court (based on the slogan “Supreme is the people”), as well as the suitability of the electronic ballot boxes.

    Anti-democratic narratives were inspired by Trump slogans

    In both cases, the anti-democratic narratives were inspired by Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign slogans, such as “stop the steal” and “big lie”. Emulating Trumpism has been an inseparable part of Bolsonaro’s political strategy since his 2018 presidential campaign.

    The second new development concerns the characterisation, as a coup attempt, of a set of decisions and plans that don’t fit the classic model of institutional rupture. Since Brazil’s republican political history has been marked by coups d’état, a common strategy in Jair Bolsonaro’s defence is based on the idea that if there was no attempt to put tanks on the streets or close down congress, there was no intention to break up democracy.

    In his 272-page report, Paulo Gonet argues that a contemporary coup can happen by other means. In the Brazilian case, the attempt was marked by the overt use of disinformation mechanisms, often by the president himself and members of the government, to promote distrust in institutions and the electoral process, produce social instability and ensure that Bolsonaro remained in power, even after being defeated at the polls.

    But the complaint goes further. It wasn’t just an attempt to undermine democracy with widely disseminated narratives and attacks on supporters on social media. In the words of the attorney general, among the objectives of the criminal organisation set up for the coup were to carry out “kidnappings, arrests and killings” in order to guarantee control of the three branches of government and the re-establishment of law and order.



    Leia mais:
    Bolsonaro’s indictment over alleged coup plot signals shift in Brazil’s approach to political accountability

    High-ranking officers were part of anti-democratic plan

    The report says according to the coup plan, called “Green and Yellow Dagger”, members of the army special forces would assassinate the supreme court justice, Alexandre de Moraes, as well as the winners of the 2022 election, Lula da Silva and his vice-president, Geraldo Alckmin. The plan had already been known for a few months, but Gonet brings elements to support the case that Jair Bolsonaro was not only aware of these steps, but that he agreed to them.

    The accusations against the former president also shed light on the role of the military in the coup plot. Officers of all ranks, starting with members of the president’s inner circle, such as Admiral Almir Garnier and Generals Augusto Heleno, Paulo Sérgio Nogueira and Walter Braga Netto, were integral parts of the anti-democratic planning.

    Not surprisingly, of the 34 people indicted, 24 are military. The coup attempt was the conclusion of an accelerated process of militarisation of Brazilian politics, which began under the presidency of Michel Temer in April 2016. In four years, the number of active military personnel serving in the executive branch rose from 1834 to 2558. At the height of this process, in 2020, eight of the Bolsonaro government’s 22 ministries were occupied by military personnel.

    Bolsonaro continues to deny all the accusations and is trying to stay alive politically. And the complaint puts Bolsonaro in the position of being politically persecuted. Victimisation is one of the far right’s most popular strategies, as it allows them to project themselves, in the name of the people, against an empty and frightening enemy (the “system”).

    Although Gonet was very careful in drafting his complaint as an exclusively legal piece, Bolsonaro – in congress and on the networks – was quick to denounce an alleged persecution against “the greatest political leader Brazil has ever seen”. In other words, the tension against political institutions is in full swing.

    Bolsonarismo remains the main opposition force

    The accusation also has the potential to inflame Bolsonaro’s supporters, with possible electoral consequences. The next national election in Brazil is a year and a half away and Bolsonaro remains the main opposition force. Figures such as former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro, congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro and the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas, are projected as candidates for the 2026 presidential race.

    Faced with a weak government, whose popularity has fallen from 35 per cent to 24 per cent since December, a Bolsonarism unified by the narrative of persecution will be a major problem for Lula. This narrative will be tested in mid-March, when national demonstrations have been called against the current government – and in favour of Bolsonaro.

    Finally, we must monitor how the White House responds to political events in Brazil. We know that pressure from the Biden administration was crucial in preventing the coup d’état from materialising in 2022. Trump and his allies, such as Elon Musk and Marco Rubio, are open critics of Lula and the decisions of the supreme court.

    It’s unlikely that the Trump administration, a month after taking office, will treat the Brazilian political situation as a priority. But the road to 2026 will be long and tortuous, and challenges to democracy can come from both inside and outside the country.

    Guilherme Casarões não presta consultoria, trabalha, possui ações ou recebe financiamento de qualquer empresa ou organização que poderia se beneficiar com a publicação deste artigo e não revelou nenhum vínculo relevante além de seu cargo acadêmico.

    – ref. Analysis: Bolsonaro’s political persecution narrative will be Lula’s biggest problem – https://theconversation.com/analysis-bolsonaros-political-persecution-narrative-will-be-lulas-biggest-problem-250378

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment of Lord-Lieutenant for Moray: 21 February 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Appointment of Lord-Lieutenant for Moray: 21 February 2025

    The King has been pleased to appoint Air Commodore Alistair Monkman CBE as His Lord-Lieutenant for Moray.

    The King has been pleased to appoint Air Commodore Alistair Monkman CBE as His Lord-Lieutenant for Moray, to succeed Major General Seymour Monro CBE LVO following his retirement on 7th May 2025.

    Background

    Alistair gained his private pilots’ licence aged 17 and joined the Royal Air Force as a Tornado pilot in 1985. During 27 years of service, Alistair flew over 500 hours of combat operations over Iraq, Serbia and Afghanistan, including with the United States Air Force, and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and the Legion of Merit by the USA. Alistair moved to Moray in 2003 and served at RAF Lossiemouth as Officer Commanding 617 Squadron and then Station Commander, during which time he was an ADC to Her Majesty the Queen.  He was awarded a CBE in the 2010 New Year’s Honours list.

    Alistair supports a number of charities and chairs the Moray Emergency Relief Fund. He is also an Assessor for the Moray Community Foundation. His interests include cycling and endurance hill walking and has undertaken annual long distance walks every year since 2012. His passion, however, is the management of wild deer and he is a Trustee Director of the British Deer Society, chairing the BDS’ Scottish Council.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: How UNECE tools help shift to more sustainable critical raw materials governance

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The global landscape of critical raw materials (CRMs) governance is undergoing a profound transformation. The United Nations Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals (CETMs) aims to catalyse a shift from extractive, short-term policies to a model prioritising equity, sustainability, and industrial transformation. The UN Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) and the UN Resource Management System (UNRMS), developed at UNECE, provide practical tools to make this a reality on the ground. 

    Discussions at the International Round Table on Materials Criticality (IRTC) 2025 Conference (19-21 February, Ljubljana) themed “From Raw Material Policies to Practice,” together with the workshop on North-South Collaboration in CRMs, highlighted trends in the transition from resource extraction to more responsible resource stewardship. 

    The CETM Panel’s guiding principles, emphasizing resource sovereignty, sustainable supply chains, and fair market access, prompt policymakers, industries, and investors to rethink outdated CRM strategies. Regional trade frameworks like the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement are beginning to reflect this new reality, embedding strong environmental, social, and economic governance standards into CRM agreements. 

    A new model for North-South collaboration 

    This policy shift is shaping a new model of North-South collaboration, moving beyond the historical raw material export model toward domestic value addition, industrialization, and technology partnerships. Discussions highlighted the shift from extraction to processing in the Lithium Triangle (Bolivia, Argentina, Chile) and the potential to integrate sustainability and social responsibility in CRM development. Over the past seven years, lithium operations in the region have significantly reduced water use while increasing investment in local communities. Indonesia’s nickel beneficiation strategy, which triggered a 20-fold increase in local investment, was highlighted as a blueprint for future CRM development. 

    The workshop on “Equity, value, and Innovation: North-South Collaboration for Sustainable CRM Development”, organized by UNECE and ESM Foundation, reinforced that North-South collaboration must be redefined not as a dependency but as a partnership. Nations in the Global South are no longer just suppliers of raw materials—they are increasingly asserting control over processing and production. The African Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS) is a step in this direction, integrating fiscal incentives, infrastructure, and investment policies to build entire mineral-based industrial value chains. 

    UNFC & UNRMS: Tools to write the future, not repeat the past 

    No longer just theoretical frameworks, UNFC and UNRMS are being actively implemented across Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, offering a transparent, standardized, and future-proofed approach to CRMs governance. These tools empower resource-rich nations to make informed decisions that balance economic benefits with environmental and social responsibilities.  

    The road ahead 

    As industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers align around these principles, the future of CRMs governance will be dictated not by short-term market fluctuations but by long-term strategic planning. Karen Hanghøj, Director of the British Geological Survey and Chair of the Expert Group on Resource Management at UNECE said, “We are not only witnessing a shift in resource governance—we are shaping a new paradigm. The challenge is ensuring these principles translate into concrete policies that empower resource-rich nations while securing stable and sustainable supply chains. UNFC and UNRMS are more than technical frameworks—they are tools for writing the future of resource management, ensuring that we do not repeat past mistakes”.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets Abe Akie, wife of late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Details
    2025-02-20
    President Lai attends opening of 2025 Halifax Taipei forum
    On the afternoon of February 20, President Lai Ching-te attended the opening of the 2025 Halifax Taipei forum. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Halifax International Security Forum for their strong support for Taiwan, and for having chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. Noting that we face a complex global landscape, the president called on the international community to take action. He said that as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity, and called on the international community to create non-red global supply chains, as well as unite to usher in peace. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan will work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and collaborate with democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and together greet a bright, new era. A transcript of President Lai’s remarks follows: To begin, I want to give a warm welcome to all the distinguished guests here at the very first Halifax Taipei forum. The Halifax International Security Forum, held every year in Canada, has been an important gathering for freedom-loving nations worldwide. I would like to thank Halifax and President [Peter] Van Praagh for their strong support for Taiwan. Every year since 2018, Taiwan has been invited to participate in the forum. Last year, former President Tsai Ing-wen was invited to speak, and this year, Halifax has chosen Taiwan as the first location outside North America to hold a forum. As President Van Praagh has said, “While the security challenges ahead are too big for any single country to solve alone, there is no challenge that can’t be met when the world’s democracies work together.” Today, we have world leaders and experts who traveled from afar to be here, showing that they value and support Taiwan. It demonstrates solidarity among democracies and the determination to take on challenges as one. I would like to express my gratitude and admiration to all of you for serving as defenders of freedom. At this very moment, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is still ongoing. Authoritarian regimes including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran continue to consolidate. China is hurting economies around the world through its dumping practices. We face grave challenges to global economic order, democracy, freedom, peace, and stability. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, directly facing an authoritarian threat. But we will not be intimidated. We will stand firm and safeguard our national sovereignty, maintain our free and democratic way of life, and uphold peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan cherishes peace, but we also have no delusions about peace. We will uphold the spirit of peace through strength, using concrete actions to build a stronger Taiwan and bolster the free and democratic community. I sincerely thank the international community for continuing to attach importance to the situation in the Taiwan Strait. Recently, US President Donald Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru issued a joint leaders’ statement expressing their firm support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and for Taiwan’s participation in international affairs. As we face a complex global landscape, I call on the international community to take the following actions: First, as authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must also come closer in solidarity. Just a few days ago, the top diplomats of the US, Japan, and South Korea held talks, underlining the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also conveyed their stance against “any effort to destabilize democratic institutions, economic independence, and global security.” On these issues, Taiwan will also continue to contribute its utmost. I recently announced that we will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP.  Soon after I assumed office last year, I formed the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office. This committee aims to combine the strengths of government and civil society to enhance our resilience in national defense, economic livelihoods, disaster prevention, and democracy. We will also deepen our strategic partnerships in the democratic community to mutually increase defense resilience, demonstrate deterrence, and achieve our goal of peace throughout the world. Second, let’s create non-red global supply chains.  For the democratic community to deter the expansion of authoritarianism, it must have strong technological capabilities. These can serve as the backbone of national defense, promote industrial development, and enhance economic resilience. So, in addressing China’s red supply chain and the impact of its dumping, Taiwan is willing and able to work with global democracies to maintain the technological strengths among our partners and build resilient non-red supply chains. As a major semiconductor manufacturing nation, Taiwan will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We will collaborate with our democratic partners to form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. The achievements of today’s semiconductor industry in Taiwan can be attributed to our collective efforts. Government, industry, academia, and research institutions had to overcome various challenges over the last 50 years for us to secure this position.  We hope Taiwan can serve as a base for linking the capabilities of our democratic partners so that each can play a suitable role in the semiconductor industry chain and develop its own strengths, deepening our mutually beneficial cooperation in technology. This benefits all of us. Moreover, it allows us to further enhance deterrence and maintain global security. Third, let’s unite to usher in peace. China has not stopped intimidating Taiwan politically and militarily. Last year, China launched several large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait. Its escalation of gray-zone aggression now poses a grave threat to the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region. As a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan will maintain the status quo. We will not seek conflict. Rather, we are willing to engage in dialogue with China, under the principles of parity and dignity, and work toward maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. As the agenda of this forum suggests, democracy and freedom create more than just opportunities; they also bring resilience, justice, partnerships, and security. Taiwan will continue working alongside its democratic partners to greet a bright, new era. Once again, a warm welcome to all of you. I wish this forum every success. Thank you. Also in attendance at the event were Mrs. Abe Akie, wife of the late former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo of Japan, and Halifax International Security Forum President Van Praagh.

    Details
    2025-02-20
    President Lai meets British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group delegation
    On the morning of February 18, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation members, the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and the UK government for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. He also stated that Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years, noting that the Taiwan-UK Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. The president said he looks forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability, and indicated that together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: This is the first UK parliamentary delegation of the current session to visit Taiwan. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend my sincerest welcome to you all. APPG Chair Sarah Champion visited Taiwan last May to attend the inauguration ceremony of myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao. In July, she also attended the annual summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), which was held in Taipei. I am delighted that we are meeting once again. Taiwan-UK relations have advanced significantly in recent years. I would especially like to thank our distinguished guests, as well as the UK Parliament and government, for continuing to demonstrate support for Taiwan through a variety of means. For example, the House of Commons held a debate on Taiwan’s international status last November. After the debate, a motion was unanimously passed affirming that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan. Responding to the motion, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Catherine West stated that the UK opposes any attempt to broaden the interpretation of the resolution to rewrite history. This highlighted concrete progress in Taiwan-UK bilateral relations. I would also like to thank the UK Parliament and government for openly opposing on multiple occasions any unilateral change to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, and for emphasizing that the security of the Indo-Pacific and transatlantic regions is closely intertwined. We look forward to continuing to deepen Taiwan-UK relations and jointly maintaining regional and global peace and stability. Together, we can create win-win developments for both Taiwan and the UK and Taiwan and European nations. For example, the Taiwan-UK ETP is the first institutionalized economic and trade framework signed between Taiwan and any European country. We hope to swiftly conclude negotiations on signing sub-arrangements on investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero transition. This will facilitate even more exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the UK. We also hope that the UK will continue to support Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Together, we can build even more resilient global supply chains and further contribute to global prosperity and development. I believe that this visit adds to a strong and solid foundation for future Taiwan-UK cooperation. Thank you once again for backing Taiwan. I wish you a fruitful and successful visit. Chair Champion then delivered remarks, thanking President Lai for his warm welcome and for the hospitality he has shown to her and the delegation, and thanking Taiwan’s excellent team of officials for their care and attention. Chair Champion expressed that she thinks the IPAC conference held in Taiwan at the end of July last year was very significant, with legislators from 23 countries coming to show support for Taiwan, adding that that is something they have built on since the conference. She stated that she is also very proud that the UK Parliament supported the motion which made very clear that UNGA Resolution 2758 is specific to China and only to China, expressing that it was important and powerful that they recognize that. The chair went on to say that after the UK’s general election, more than half of the members of parliament are now new. She said she is very proud that there are new MPs as part of the delegation, and that she hopes it gives President Lai reassurance that their commitment to Taiwan is still there.  Chair Champion emphasized that the all-party group is important because it is indeed all-party, and that they work together for their common interests, stating that the common interest for the UK and for the world is to maintain Taiwan’s sovereignty. She also noted that the United States has now come out very much in support of Taiwan, which she said she hopes encourages other countries around the world to do the same. Chair Champion said that the UK will be going into the 27th trade negotiation with Taiwan, and that they hope the partnership that develops is very fruitful. The chair closed by saying that it is wonderful for the delegation to be meeting President Lai, as well as legislators and ministers, and to be understanding more about the culture of Taiwan so that they can build a deeper, longer-lasting friendship. The delegation also included Lord Purvis of Tweed of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament Ben Spencer, Helena Dollimore, Noah Law, and David Reed. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Political and Communications Director at the British Office in Taipei Natasha Harrington.  

    Details
    2025-02-20
    President Lai meets former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger
    On the morning of February 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by former United States Deputy National Security Advisor Matthew Pottinger. In remarks, President Lai thanked the delegation for demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan through their visit. The president pointed out that increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. He emphasized that only by bolstering our defense capabilities can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. The president stated that moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. He also expressed hope of strengthening the Taiwan-US partnership and jointly building secure and resilient non-red supply chains so as to ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to welcome our good friends Mr. Pottinger and retired US Rear Admiral Mr. Mark Montgomery to Taiwan once again. Last June, Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Ivan Kanapathy came to Taiwan to launch their new book The Boiling Moat. During that visit, they also visited the Presidential Office. We held an extensive exchange of views on Taiwan-US relations and regional affairs right here in the Taiwan Heritage Room. Now, as we meet again eight months later, I am pleased to learn that Mr. Kanapathy is now serving on the White House National Security Council. The Mandarin translation of The Boiling Moat is also due to be released in Taiwan very soon. This book offers insightful observations from US experts regarding US-China-Taiwan relations and valuable advice for the strengthening of Taiwan’s national defense, security, and overall resilience. I am sure that Taiwanese readers will benefit greatly from it. I understand that this is Mr. Montgomery’s fourth visit to Taiwan and that he has long paid close attention to Taiwan-related issues. I look forward to an in-depth discussion with our two friends on the future direction of Taiwan-US relations and cooperation. Increased cooperation between authoritarian regimes is posing risks and challenges to the geopolitical landscape and regional security. One notion we all share is peace through strength. That is, only by bolstering our defense capabilities and fortifying our defenses can we demonstrate effective deterrence and maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and around the world. Moving forward, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities. We also hope to strengthen the Taiwan-US partnership in such fields as security, trade and the economy, and energy. In addition, we will advance cooperation in critical and innovative technologies and jointly build secure and resilient non-red supply chains. This will ensure that Taiwan, the US, and democratic partners around the world maintain a technological lead. We believe that closer Taiwan-US exchanges and cooperation not only benefit national security and development but also align with the common economic interests of Taiwan and the US. I want to thank Mr. Pottinger and Mr. Montgomery once again for visiting and for continuing to advance Taiwan-US exchanges, demonstrating staunch support for Taiwan. Let us continue to work together to deepen Taiwan-US relations. I wish you a smooth and fruitful visit.  Mr. Pottinger then delivered remarks, first congratulating President Lai on his one-year election anniversary and on the state of the economy, which, he added, is doing quite well. Mentioning President Lai’s recent statement pledging to increase Taiwan’s defense budget to above 3 percent of GDP, Mr. Pottinger said he thinks that the benchmark is equal to what the US spends on its defense and that it is a good starting point for both countries to build deterrence. Echoing the president’s earlier remarks, Mr. Pottinger said that peace through strength is the right path for the US and for Taiwan right now at a moment when autocratic, aggressive governments are on the march. He then paraphrased the words of former US President George Washington in his first inaugural address, saying that the best way to keep the peace is to be prepared at all times for war, which captures the meaning of peace through strength. In closing, he said he looks forward to exchanging views with President Lai.

    Details
    2025-02-20
    President Lai meets Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla of the Kingdom of Eswatini
    On the afternoon of February 11, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla of the Kingdom of Eswatini. In remarks, President Lai thanked Eswatini for continuing to support Taiwan’s international participation at international venues. The president stated that Taiwan and Eswatini work closely in such areas as agriculture, the economy and trade, education, and healthcare, and expressed hope that the two countries will continue to support each other on the international stage and strive together for the well-being of both peoples.  A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I warmly welcome our distinguished guests to the Presidential Office. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla previously visited Taiwan while serving as minister of foreign affairs. This is her first time leading a delegation here as deputy prime minister. I want to extend my sincerest welcome. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla has earned a high degree of recognition and trust from His Majesty King Mswati III. She was not only Eswatini’s first woman foreign minister, but is also the second woman to have held her current key position. She shows an active interest in people’s welfare, and has a reputation for being deeply devoted to her compatriots. I have great admiration for this. I am truly delighted to meet with Deputy Prime Minister Dladla today. I would like to take this opportunity to once again express my gratitude to His Majesty the King for leading a delegation to attend the inauguration ceremony for myself and Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao last year. This demonstrated the close diplomatic ties between our countries. I also want to thank Eswatini for continuing to support Taiwan’s international participation at international venues. I would ask that when Deputy Prime Minister Dladla returns to Eswatini, she conveys Taiwan’s greetings and gratitude to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Mother Ntombi Tfwala. Diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Eswatini have endured for over half a century. Our two nations have continued to work closely in such areas as agriculture, the economy and trade, education, and healthcare. Our largest collaboration to date has been assisting Eswatini in the construction of a strategic oil reserve facility. We will continue to push forward with this project, and look forward to achieving even greater results in all areas. I understand that Deputy Prime Minister Dladla is very concerned about issues regarding gender equality and women’s empowerment. During her term as foreign minister, she facilitated bilateral cooperation in those areas. Now, as deputy prime minister, she is actively attending to the disadvantaged and advancing social welfare. These policies are very much in line with the priorities of my administration. I look forward to strengthening cooperation with Deputy Prime Minister Dladla for the benefit of both our societies. Taiwan and Eswatini are peace-loving nations. Faced with a constantly changing international landscape and the growing threat posed by authoritarianism, we hope that our two countries will continue to support each other on the international stage and strive together for the well-being of both our peoples. In closing, I wish Deputy Prime Minister Dladla and our distinguished guests a pleasant and successful visit. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla then delivered remarks, first greeting President Lai on behalf of the King, the Queen Mother, and the people of Eswatini, and extending gratitude for the warm reception afforded to her and her delegation, which underscores the strong bonds of friendship between our two nations. The deputy prime minister stated that, in reflecting on the fruits of our partnership, the evidence of Taiwan’s commitment to Eswatini is all around us. The strategic oil reserve project launching in April, she indicated, will redefine Eswatini’s energy security, and the Central Bank complex and electrification project stand as monuments of Taiwan’s vision for Eswatini’s progress and indicate that our partnerships are very strong. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla pointed out that education is the foundation of any nation’s progress, and that Taiwan’s contribution to Eswatini’s education sector cannot be overstated. Through Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarship programs, she said, Eswatini has sent numerous students to Taiwan, where they’ve received world-class education in various disciplines, including engineering, business, and medicine. In turn, she said, these graduates are now contributing to the development of Eswatini. The deputy prime minister stated that Taiwan has also strengthened Eswatini’s industrial and technological sectors, with collaborations and partnerships that create new opportunities for employment and innovation, and that Taiwan’s technical and medical assistance has strengthened Eswatini’s healthcare systems and uplifted the expertise of its professionals. Deputy Prime Minister Dladla also congratulated President Lai once again on his presidency, which she stated will lead Taiwan to new heights, adding that His Majesty coming to Taiwan personally for the inauguration was a resounding declaration of Eswatini’s enduring support for Taiwan’s sovereignty, stability, and rightful place on the world stage. She emphasized that Eswatini stands with Taiwan always and unwaveringly. In conclusion, the deputy prime minister stated that Eswatini fully agrees with Taiwan that we must all safeguard our national sovereignty and protect the lives and property of our people. She said that our common enemy will always be poverty and natural disasters, but against all odds, we will stand united, and we shall remain united and be one. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Eswatini Ambassador Promise Sithembiso Msibi.

    Details
    2025-02-20
    Presidential Office thanks US and Japan for joint leaders’ statement
    On February 7 (US EST), President Donald Trump of the United States and Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru of Japan issued a joint leaders’ statement reiterating “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community.” In the statement, the two leaders also “encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues, and opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion” and “expressed support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations.” Presidential Office Spokesperson Karen Kuo (郭雅慧) on February 8 expressed sincere gratitude on behalf of the Presidential Office to the leaders of both countries for taking concrete action to demonstrate their firm support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and for Taiwan’s international participation. Spokesperson Kuo pointed out that there is already a strong international consensus on the importance of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The spokesperson emphasized that Taiwan, as a responsible member of the international community, is capable and willing to work together with the international community and will continue strengthening its self-defense capabilities as it deepens its trilateral security partnership with the US and Japan and works alongside like-minded countries to uphold the rules-based international order. The spokesperson said that Taiwan will work toward ensuring a free and open Taiwan Strait and Indo-Pacific region, as well as global peace, stability, and prosperity, as it continues to act as a force for good in the world.

    Details
    2025-02-14
    President Lai holds press conference following high-level national security meeting
    On the morning of February 14, President Lai Ching-te convened the first high-level national security meeting of the year, following which he held a press conference. In remarks, President Lai announced that in this new year, the government will prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that Taiwan’s defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. He stated that the government will also continue to reform national defense, reform our legal framework for national security, and advance our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally. The president also proposed clear-cut national strategies for Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. President Lai indicated that he instructed the national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches outlined. He also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. He expressed hope that as long as citizens remain steadfast in their convictions, are willing to work hand in hand, stand firm amidst uncertainty, and look for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of time yet again. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, I would like to convey my condolences for the tragic incident which occurred at the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store in Taichung, which resulted in numerous casualties. I have instructed Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) to lead the relevant central government agencies in assisting Taichung’s municipal government with actively resolving various issues regarding the incident. It is my hope that these issues can be resolved efficiently. Earlier today, I convened this year’s first high-level national security meeting. I will now report on the discussions from the meeting to all citizens. 2025 is a year full of challenges, but also a year full of hope. In today’s global landscape, the democratic world faces common threats posed by the convergence of authoritarian regimes, while dumping and unfair competition from China undermine the global economic order. A new United States administration was formed at the beginning of the year, adopting all-new strategies and policies to address challenges both domestic and from overseas. Every nation worldwide, including ours, is facing a new phase of changes and challenges. In face of such changes, ensuring national security, ensuring Taiwan’s indispensability in global supply chains, and ensuring that our nation continues to make progress amidst challenges are our top priorities this year. They are also why we convened a high-level national security meeting today. At the meeting, the national security team, the administrative team led by Premier Cho, and I held an in-depth discussion based on the overall state of affairs at home and abroad and the strategies the teams had prepared in response. We summed up the following points as an overall strategy for the next stage of advancing national security and development. First, for overall national security, so that we can ensure the freedom, democracy, and human rights of the Taiwanese people, as well as the progress and development of the nation as we face various threats from authoritarian regimes, Taiwan must resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, strengthen self-sufficiency in national defense, and consolidate national defense. Taiwan must enhance economic resilience, maintain economic autonomy, and stand firm with other democracies as we deepen our strategic partnerships with like-minded countries. As I have said, “As authoritarianism consolidates, democratic nations must come closer in solidarity!” And so, in this new year, we will focus on the following three priorities: First, to demonstrate our resolve for national defense, we will continue to reform national defense, implement whole-of-society defense resilience, and prioritize special budget allocations to ensure that our defense budget exceeds 3 percent of GDP. Second, to counter the threats to our national security from China’s united front tactics, attempts at infiltration, and cognitive warfare, we will continue with the reform of our legal framework for national security and expand the national security framework to boost societal resilience and foster unity within. Third, to seize opportunities in the restructuring of global supply chains and realignment of the economic order, we will continue advancing our economic and trade strategy of being rooted in Taiwan while expanding globally, strengthening protections for high-tech, and collaborating with our friends and allies to build supply chains for global democracies. Everyone shares concern regarding Taiwan-US relations, semiconductor industry development, and cross-strait relations. For these issues, I am proposing clear-cut national strategies. First, I will touch on Taiwan-US relations. Taiwan and the US have shared ideals and values, and are staunch partners within the democratic, free community. We are very grateful to President Donald Trump’s administration for their continued support for Taiwan after taking office. We are especially grateful for the US and Japan’s joint leaders’ statement reiterating “the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity for the international community,” as well as their high level of concern regarding China’s threat to regional security. In fact, the Democratic Progressive Party government has worked very closely with President Trump ever since his first term in office, and has remained an international partner. The procurement of numerous key advanced arms, freedom of navigation critical for security and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and many assisted breakthroughs in international diplomacy were made possible during this time. Positioned in the first island chain and on the democratic world’s frontline countering authoritarianism, Taiwan is willing and will continue to work with the US at all levels as we pursue regional stability and prosperity, helping realize our vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Although changes in policy may occur these next few years, the mutual trust and close cooperation between Taiwan and Washington will steadfastly endure. On that, our citizens can rest assured. In accordance with the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances, the US announced a total of 48 military sales to Taiwan over the past eight years amounting to US$26.265 billion. During President Trump’s first term, 22 sales were announced totaling US$18.763 billion. This greatly supported Taiwan’s defensive capabilities. On the foundation of our close cooperation with the past eight years’ two US administrations, Taiwan will continue to demonstrate our determination for self-defense, accelerate the bolstering of our national defense, and keep enhancing the depth and breadth of Taiwan-US security cooperation, along with all manner of institutional cooperation. In terms of bilateral economic cooperation, Taiwan has always been one of the US’s most reliable trade partners, as well as one of the most important cooperative partners of US companies in the global semiconductor industry. In the past few years, Taiwan has greatly increased both direct and indirect investment in the US. By 2024, investment surpassed US$100 billion, creating nearly 400,000 job opportunities. In 2023 and 2024, investment in the US accounted for over 40 percent of Taiwan’s overall foreign investment, far surpassing our investment in China. In fact, in 2023 and 2024, Taiwanese investment in China fell to 11 percent and 8 percent, respectively. The US is now Taiwan’s biggest investment target. Our government is now launching relevant plans in accordance with national development needs and the need to establish secure supply systems, and the Executive Yuan is taking comprehensive inventory of opportunities for Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation. Moving forward, close bilateral cooperation will allow us to expand US investment and procurement, facilitating balanced trade. Our government will also strengthen guidance and support for Taiwanese enterprises on increasing US investment, and promote the global expansion and growth of Taiwan’s industries. We will also boost Taiwan-US cooperation in tech development and manufacturing for AI and advanced semiconductors, and work together to maintain order in the semiconductor market, shaping a new era for our strategic economic partnership. Second, the development of our semiconductor industry. I want to emphasize that Taiwan, as one of the world’s most capable semiconductor manufacturing nations, is both willing and able to address new situations. With respect to President Trump’s concerns about our semiconductor industry, the government will act prudently, strengthen communications between Taiwan and the US, and promote greater mutual understanding. We will pay attention to the challenges arising from the situation and assist businesses in navigating them. In addition, we will introduce an initiative on semiconductor supply chain partnerships for global democracies. We are willing to collaborate with the US and our other democratic partners to develop more resilient and diversified semiconductor supply chains. Leveraging our strengths in cutting-edge semiconductors, we will form a global alliance for the AI chip industry and establish democratic supply chains for industries connected to high-end chips. Through international cooperation, we will open up an entirely new era of growth in the semiconductor industry. As we face the various new policies of the Trump administration, we will continue to uphold a spirit of mutual benefit, and we will continue to communicate and negotiate closely with the US government. This will help the new administration’s team to better understand how Taiwan is an indispensable partner in the process of rebuilding American manufacturing and consolidating its leadership in high-tech, and that Taiwan-US cooperation will benefit us both. Third, cross-strait relations. Regarding the regional and cross-strait situation, Taiwan-US relations, US-China relations, and interactions among Taiwan, the US, and China are a focus of global attention. As a member of the international democratic community and a responsible member of the region, Taiwan hopes to see Taiwan-US relations continue to strengthen and, alongside US-China relations, form a virtuous cycle rather than a zero-sum game where one side’s gain is another side’s loss. In facing China, Taiwan will always be a responsible actor. We will neither yield nor provoke. We will remain resilient and composed, maintaining our consistent position on cross-strait relations: Our determination to safeguard our national sovereignty and protect our free and democratic way of life remains unchanged. Our efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, as well as our willingness to work alongside China in the pursuit of peace and mutual prosperity across the strait, remain unchanged. Our commitment to promoting healthy and orderly exchanges across the strait, choosing dialogue over confrontation, and advancing well-being for the peoples on both sides of the strait, under the principles of parity and dignity, remains unchanged. Regarding the matters I reported to the public today, I have instructed our national security and administrative teams to take swift action and deliver results, working within a stable strategic framework and according to the various policies and approaches I just outlined. I have also instructed them to keep a close watch on changes in the international situation, seize opportunities whenever they arise, and address the concerns and hope of the citizens with concrete actions. My fellow citizens, over the past several years, Taiwan has weathered a global pandemic and faced global challenges, both political and economic, arising from the US-China trade war and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Through it all, Taiwan has persevered; we have continued to develop our economy, bolster our national strength, and raise our international profile while garnering more support – all unprecedented achievements. This is all because Taiwan’s fate has never been decided by the external environment, but by the unity of the Taiwanese people and the resolve to never give up. A one-of-a-kind global situation is creating new strategic opportunities for our one-of-a-kind Taiwanese people, bringing new hope. Taiwan’s foundation is solid; its strength is great. So as long as everyone remains steadfast in their convictions, is willing to work hand in hand, stands firm amidst uncertainty, and looks for ways to win within changing circumstances, Taiwan is certain to prevail in the test of our time yet again, for I am confident that there are no difficulties that Taiwan cannot overcome. Thank you.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Finnvera Group’s Report of the Board of Directors and Financial Statements 2024 – Level of financing reduced from previous year, expectations of future demand positive – Result EUR 228 million

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Finnvera Group, Stock Exchange Release, 21 February 2025

    Finnvera Group’s Report of the Board of Directors and Financial Statements 2024

    Level of financing reduced from previous year, expectations of future demand positive – Result EUR 228 million

    Finnvera Group, summary 2024 (vs. 2023)

    • Result 228 MEUR (433) – The result for the period under review was strong for all business operations. Net interest income grew by 20% and net fee and commission income by 12%. During the period under review, Finnvera was able to partially reverse loss provisions for export credit guarantees and special guarantees, which have had a significant impact on the company’s result in recent years, especially those relating to cruise shipping companies. The reference period saw larger reversals of loss provisions than the period under review.
    • Result by business operations: Result of parent company Finnvera plc’s SME and midcap business stood at 23 MEUR (55) and that of Large Corporates business at 173 MEUR (351). The impact of Finnvera’s subsidiary, Finnish Export Credit Ltd, on the Group’s result was 32 MEUR (27).
    • The cumulative self-sustainability target set for Finnvera’s operations was achieved.
    • The balance sheet total EUR 14.8 bn (14.3) increased by 3%.
    • Contingent liabilities decreased by 9% and stood at EUR 14.9 bn (16.4).
    • Non-restricted equity and the assets of the State Guarantee Fund, which provide the Group’s reserves for covering potential future losses, increased by 12% and totalled EUR 2.1 bn (1.9).
    • Expected credit losses on the balance sheet were reduced by 4% to EUR 1.1 bn (1.2).
    • The NPS index (Net Promoter Score) used to measure client satisfaction improved by 15 points to 79 (64).
    • Outlook for 2025: The business outlook for cruise shipping companies continued to improve in 2024. The credit loss risk of export financing liabilities remains high, however, which causes uncertainty concerning the Finnvera Group’s financial performance in 2025.
    Finnvera Group, year 2024 (vs. 2023)
    Result
    228 MEUR
    (433), change -47%    		 Balance sheet total
    EUR 14.8 bn
    (14.3), change 3%
    Contingent liabilities
    EUR 14.9 bn
    (16.4), change -9%    		 Non-restricted equity and
    the assets of The State Guarantee Fund
    EUR 2.1 bn (1.9), change 12%
    Expense-income ratio
    17.3%
    (19.4), change -2,1 pp    		 NPS index
    (net promoter score)
    79
    (64), change 15 points

    Comments from CEO Juuso Heinilä: 

    “Year 2024 was challenging for the Finnish economy, even if a cautious improvement could be observed in the early part of the year. Finland’s key export markets were also affected by a downturn, which dampened Finnish export companies’ prospects. While interest rates dropped and inflation decreased, geopolitical uncertainty persisted.

    Finnvera granted EUR 0.9 billion (1.8) in domestic loans and guarantees in 2024. The significant decrease in financing from the previous year is due to a major individual amount of working capital financing granted to a large corporate in the reference period. The level of SME and midcap financing was similar to the reference period. The largest share of funding by sector was granted to industry, and the regional drivers were the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and Lapland. Financing for investments did not reach the previous year’s level. The level of financing for corporate acquisitions and transfers of ownership was also lower than in previous years.

    A total of EUR 73 million (36) was granted in climate and digitalisation loans intended for green transition and digitalisation projects under the InvestEU guarantee programme. These loans were first granted in June 2023. To ensure that companies of all sizes have access to financing, we launched loans for micro-enterprises’ growth as a pilot project at the beginning of October 2024. Over three months, EUR 6 million in these loans was granted to micro-enterprises. The pilot project will continue until the end of March 2025, after which we will reassess the availability of financing for small companies.

    In accordance with Finnvera’s strategy, 92% of domestic financing was allocated to start-ups, SMEs seeking growth and internationalisation, investments, transfers of ownership, export and delivery projects, and SME guarantee projects. The long period of economic uncertainty eroded SMEs’ liquidity and increased the number of applications for corporate restructuring and bankruptcy.

    Finnvera granted export credit guarantees, export guarantees and special guarantees amounting to EUR 2.9 billion (5.4). The lower amount of export financing reflected the post-cyclical nature of Finnish exports and reduced demand for exports. Annual fluctuations are also always influenced by the timing of large individual export transactions. In particular, financing was granted to companies in the telecommunications, cruise shipping and mining sectors.

    Largest export credit guarantee agreement related to telecommunications sector in Finnvera’s history was signed in April concerning Nokia’s deliveries for the Indian 5G network worth USD 1.5 billion. In the mining sector, we financed Sibanye-Stillwater’s Keliber lithium project with a Finance Guarantee, which can be granted for domestic investments that support exports. In the energy sector, we financed Wärtsilä’s deliveries of energy storage systems for solar and wind power projects in the United States and Chile. These mining and energy projects, whose total value was approx. EUR 500 million, were the first export financing projects compliant with Finnvera’s climate criteria. Towards the end of the year, Finnvera participated in Meyer Turku’s construction financing that amounted to around EUR 1 billion for the Icon 3 ship.

    Finnish Export Credit Ltd, which is Finnvera’s subsidiary, granted EUR 0.6 billion in export credits (0.5) in 2024. While the demand for export credits increased slightly, it remains significantly lower than in pre-pandemic years. An increasing number of export transactions are financed by a bank to which Finnvera grants a guarantee.

    2024 was a successful year for Finnvera. The Finnvera Group’s result was EUR 228 million (433). The SME and midcap business, export credit guarantee and special guarantee operations, and subsidiary Finnish Export Credit Ltd turned a profit. Finnvera also built up its reserves for possible future losses. The business outlook for the cruise shipping sector, which is important for Finnvera’s export credit guarantee exposure, has continued to improve. Repayments have also helped to reduce exposure relating to Russia. In recent years, Finnvera has been able to partially reverse loss provisions for export financing, which have had a significant impact on the Group’s financial performance since 2020. The reversal of loss provisions has especially impacted the good results for the last two financial periods.

    As a result of crises affecting the global economy, the difficulties faced by some companies around the world and in various sectors have built up to form an insurmountable obstacle. During the period under review, Finnvera incurred major export credit guarantee losses in two cases. Our mission is to bear the risks of export companies. Our core business enjoys a high level of profitability, building up our reserves and creating preconditions for enabling companies’ growth and exports. However, the credit loss risks of exposure relating to export financing remain high, which may affect Finnvera’s future financial performance and reserves.

    We continued to develop our operations and services in line with our strategy in 2024. The ongoing upgrade of our basic information systems supports the digitalisation of services and a good client experience. Our client satisfaction reached an exceptionally high level, as did our personnel satisfaction. We invested in accelerating the growth of midcap enterprises in close cooperation with the European Investment Bank and the Tesi Group, and worked together with the Team Finland network and Business Finland to promote exports. We maintained export financing expertise, especially in SMEs and midcap enterprises, and we brought out new export financing instruments to ensure the availability of financing. The overhaul of the legislation applicable to Finnvera, which is included in the Government Programme and which is extremely important in terms of developing Finnvera’s operations and the competitiveness of export financing, was circulated for comments.

    We advanced our sustainability measures based on our goals in 2024. We joined the Net-Zero ECA Alliance of export credit agencies, which enables us to focus on the sustainability theme and enhance our impact through international cooperation. We developed Finnvera’s sustainability reporting as planned.

    In 2025–2028, our new strategy adopted by the company’s Board of Directors at the end of the year will emphasise increasing the volume of Finnish exports and the number of exporters as well as enabling growth and new business. The achievement of these goals will be supported by our competent personnel and management as well as client-oriented digitalisation. Finnvera contributes to ensuring that Finnish companies are able to invest, develop their products and get their products out around the world. This is a prerequisite for ensuring that we can continue to look after our welfare in Finland in the future.”

    Finnvera Group Financing granted, EUR bn 2024 2023 Change, %
    Domestic loans and guarantees 0.9 1.8 -51%
    Export credit guarantees, export guarantees and special guarantees 2.9 5.4 -47%
    Export credits 0.6 0.5 15%
    The fluctuation in the amount of granted financing is influenced by the timing of individual major financing cases.

    The credit risk for the subsidiary Finnish Export Credit Ltd’s export credits is covered by the parent company Finnvera plc’s export credit guarantee.
    Exposure, EUR bn 31 Dec 2024 31 Dec 2023 Change, %
    Domestic loans and guarantees 2.9 3.0 -4%
    Export credit guarantees, export guarantees and special guarantees 21.1 23.4 -10%
    – Drawn exposure 14.3 14.2 1%
    – Undrawn exposure 4.4 4.5 -2%
    – Binding offers 2.4 4.7 -49%
    Parent company’s total exposure 24.0 26.4 -9%
    Contract portfolio of export credits 10.2 11.0 -8%
    – Drawn exposure 6.5 7.3 -11%
    – Undrawn exposure 3.7 3.7 -2%
    The exposure includes binding credit commitments as well as recovery and guarantee receivables.

    Financial performance 

    The Finnvera Group’s result for 2024 was EUR 228 million (433). Finnvera’s result was strong for all business operations. EUR 46 million of the total result was generated in the last quarter of the year, and EUR 182 million between January and September. Compared to the year before, the result was most significantly affected by the changes in the amount of expected losses, or loss provisions. Loss provisions have had a significant impact on the Group’s result in recent years. Finnvera was able to partially reverse its loss provisions for export credit guarantees and special guarantees in 2024, especially those relating to cruise shipping companies. In the reference period, Finnvera was able to reverse more loss provisions than in the review period, which led to an exceptionally good result in 2023. The result for the review period was also significantly affected by higher net interest income and fee and commission income as well as changes in the value of items recognised at fair value through profit or loss.

    The Group’s realised credit losses and change in expected losses totalled EUR 49 million during the review period, whereas the corresponding item was positive with a value of EUR 210 million during the reference period. The realised credit losses of EUR 121 million (128) were slightly lower than in the reference period. During the period under review, two larger individual export credit guarantee compensations were paid. Expected losses, or loss provisions, decreased by EUR 51 million (320), of which the reversal of loss provisions for export credit guarantee and special guarantee operations accounted for EUR 74 million (376). Credit loss compensation from the State covering losses in domestic financing totalled EUR 20 million (18).

    Compared to the year before, the Group’s net interest income increased by 20% to EUR 139 million (115) and net fee and commission income by 12% to EUR 198 million (177). The higher level of market interest rates was a particularly important factor affecting the increased net interest income. The most significant factors increasing the net fee and commission income were recognition of guarantee premiums for reimbursed export and special guarantees and prepayments of individual liabilities as well as the reimbursement of insurance premiums received as a result of the cancellation of reinsurance contracts. The changes in the Group’s value of items recognised at fair value through profit or loss and net income from foreign currency operations amounted to EUR 8 million (-9).

    After the result of the period under review, the parent company’s reserves for domestic operations as well as export credit guarantee and special guarantee operations for covering potential future losses amounted to a total of EUR 1,878 million (1,676) at the end of December. These reserves, which also cover the credit risk of export credits granted by the subsidiary, consisted of the following: the reserve for domestic operations, EUR 432 million (405) as well as the reserve for export credit guarantees and special guarantees and the assets of the State Guarantee Fund for covering losses, totalling EUR 1,446 million (1,272). The State Guarantee Fund is an off-budget fund whose assets include the assets accumulated from the activities of Finnvera’s predecessor organisations. Under the Act on the State Guarantee Fund, the Fund covers the result showing a loss in the export credit guarantee and special guarantee operations if the reserve funds in the company’s balance sheet are not sufficient. The non-restricted equity of the subsidiary, Finnish Export Credit Ltd, amounted to EUR 230 million (198) at the end of December.

    Finnvera Group
    Financial performance    		 2024
    MEUR    		 2023
    MEUR    		 Change
    %    		 Q4/2024
    MEUR    		 Q4/2023
    MEUR    		 Change
    %
    Net interest income 139 115 20% 37 33 10%
    Net fee and commission income 198 177 12% 50 40 24%
    Gains and losses from financial instruments carried at fair value through P&L and foreign exchange gains and losses 8 -9 – -2 -5 -54%
    Net income from investments and other operating income 0 1 -95% 0 0 -23%
    Operational expenses -53 -50 6% -16 -14 12%
    Other operating expenses, depreciation and amortisation -7 -5 35% -3 -1 118%
    Realised credit losses and change in expected credit losses, net -49 210 – -19 209 –
    Operating result 236 439 -46% 47 262 -82%
    Income tax -8 -6 45% -1 -1 4%
    Result 228 433 -47% 46 261 -82%

    Outlook for financing 

    The worst of the recession is behind us, and the Finnish economy is forecast to start growing in 2025. Great expectations are currently placed on the improved outlook for exports as well as the growth and renewal of the entire business sector.

    We expect that the demand for Finnvera’s domestic financing will increase, including more and more financing for investments, as the economic upturn drives a need for more production capacity. Due to the long-standing uncertainty, the economic position of many companies is weak. Finnvera’s role is stressed in arranging financing and sharing the risk with other providers of financing.

    We encourage companies to grasp the growth opportunities created by the green transition with the help of our climate and digitalisation loans and other incentives for sustainable financing. We will continue piloting loans for micro-enterprises’ growth projects until the end of March 2025. While we expect the high demand for the loans to continue, we will reassess small companies’ access to financing after the conclusion of the pilot. Finnvera strives to be active wherever our input is needed to arrange access to financing.

    We expect that the demand for export credit guarantees will start growing in 2025 and that this growth will continue in 2026. Exportation of investment goods, which is vital for Finland’s exports, is post-cyclical and the increase in demand will be reflected in export credit guarantees granted by Finnvera with a delay. Positive signs can already be seen in several sectors, however. Finnvera plays an important role in granting guarantees for long-term trade. We encourage export companies to seek growth in emerging and new markets and to rely on Finnvera for financing export transactions and risk hedging. We will continue to grant export credit guarantees to Ukraine as part of Finland’s national reconstruction programme for the country.

    Finnvera, the Tesi Group and Business Finland will step up their cooperation with the goal of boosting companies’ growth, exports, and the impact of financing. We will continue to work actively together with Team Finland and promote the growth and internationalisation of companies, also while the renewal of public export functions is underway. Finnvera’s Trade Facilitators strive to bring together foreign buyers and Finnish exporters and to promote trade using Finnvera’s export financing together with Business Finland. The aims also include increasing the number of midcap enterprises in Finland.

    Outlook for 2025

    The business outlook for cruise shipping companies continued to improve in 2024. The credit loss risk of export financing liabilities remains high, however, which causes uncertainty concerning the Finnvera Group’s financial performance in 2025.

    Further information:

    Juuso Heinilä, CEO, tel. +358 29 460 2576

    Ulla Hagman, CFO, tel. +358 29 460 2458

    Finnvera publishes the Report of the Board of Directors and its financial statements as an XHTML file compliant with the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) requirements. Auditor Ernst & Young Ltd has issued an independent assurance report that provides reasonable assurance concerning Finnvera’s ESEF financial statements. The XHTML file is available in Finnish and English. Finnvera additionally publishes the report and financial statements in PDF format.

    ESEF Report 2024 (ZIP)

    Finnvera Group’s Report of the Board of Directors and Financial Statements 1 January – 31 December 2024 (PDF)

    Distribution: NASDAQ Helsinki Ltd, London Stock Exchange, key media, www.finnvera.fi

    The report is available in Finnish and English at www.finnvera.fi/financial_reports

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 83 Measurement System Basics: SI & U.S. Customary Units for Regulatory Officials

    Source: US Government research organizations

    This 1.5-hour webinar will introduce the measurement systems commonly used in the United States, including the International System of Units (SI) and U.S. Customary systems (e.g., Avoirdupois, Apothecary, and Troy units).

    This session is ideal for participants who would like to become more familiar with measurement systems used in field, laboratory, and manufacturing activities.  Accurately expressing measurement quantities in written communications is critical. Writing style best practices, unit symbols and prefixes usage, and error recognition will be addressed.

    Learning Objectives

    At the end of this session, using your notes, you will be able to:

    • DEFINE the terms legal unit of measurement and legal metrology.
    • IDENTIFY systems of measurement units used in the United States.
    • LIST official sources of measurement system information.
    • DISCOVER common unit symbol writing errors.

    Materials & Supplies

    None.

    Prerequisites

    None.

    Pre-Work/Post-Work

    None.

    Minimum Requirements

    Successful Completion includes full attendance and participation in all session activities and discussions.  Session participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance (which does not include participant names or CEUs) delivered by email after the session.  Attendance is recorded in the unofficial transcript, which is available in the OWM Contacts System.

    Audience

    Weights and Measures field and program officials, state laboratory metrologists, and others who have responsibilities for conducting regulatory and enforcement activities.

    Registration Fee

    There is currently no registration fee for this webinar.

    Instructor

    Elizabeth Benham
    Phone: (301) 975-3690
    Email: elizabeth.benham [at] nist.gov (elizabeth[dot]benham[at]nist[dot]gov)

    Technology Requirements

    The webinar will be a live stream, so participants must have a constant connection during the webinar (hard-wired is preferred).  Review these system requirements to verify that MS Teams may be used on your computer, mobile device, or web browser. The performance of MS Teams may be influenced by other factors, such as network connectivity or other device applications. 

    Operating System (browsing) configurations:

    • Windows
      • Windows 8.1 and later, 64-bit;
        • Google Chrome;
        • Mozilla Firefox; and
        • Microsoft Edge.
    • macOS
      • One of the three latest MacOS versions;
        • Mozilla Firefox;
        • Apple Safari (no calls via Teams possible); and
        • Google Chrome.
    • Linux
      • Operating system: DEB or RPM;
      • Desktop environment: GNOME, KDE;
        • Mozilla Firefox; and
        • Opera.

    Web Browsers:

    • On computers running Windows, Mac, or Linux, ensure you have the latest release of one of these browsers:
      • Google Chrome;
      • Mozilla Firefox;
      • Apple Safari; and
      • Microsoft Edge.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Workshop on Standards for Robot Absolute Accuracy and Performance Assessment

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Keynote Speaker:

    Phil Freeman, The Boeing Company

    Workshop Speakers:

    Douglas Bristow, Missouri University of Science and Technology

    Roger Christian, Yaskawa Motoman

    Russ DeVlieg, Devson Engineering

    John Dye, Spirit Aerosystems

    Alex Klinger, Titan Robotics

    James Moore and Daniela Sawyer, Advanced Manufacturing Research Center, UK

    Jeremy Marvel, National Institute of Standards and Technology

    Shreyes Melkote, Georgia Institute of Technology

    Michael Ripperger, Southwest Research Institute

    Houssaine Waled, Kuka AG

    Miguel Saez, General Motors

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Workshop on Foundational Cybersecurity Activities for IoT Device Manufacturers

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Overview of Agenda

    This workshop focuses on questions around updating Foundational Cybersecurity Activities for IoT Device Technology Manufacturers (NIST IR 8259). The planned updates incorporate a greater emphasis on

    • Taking  a product viewpoint rather than a device-centric approach
    • Incorporating risk analysis in determining needed cybersecurity capabilities in the product 
    • Greater emphasis on maintenance and end-of-support / end of life considerations 
    • Applicability of IoT guidance to industrial contexts
    • Cybersecurity considerations around data management needed to support privacy goals

    Agenda 

    • 8:30 – 9:00 AM Registration/Check-in
    • 9:00 – 9:15 AM Welcome (Katerina Megas)
    • 9:15 – 10:00 AM Morning Keynote Presentation (TBD)
    • 10:00 – 10:55 AM NIST IR 8259 Revision 1 Preliminary Update:  Session 1 (Mike Fagan) 

                       Updates to Activity 1: Identify Expected Customers and Use Cases  and Activity 2:  Research Customer Cybersecurity Needs and Goals 

                        Presentation (15 minutes) 

                        Q&A and Discussion (40 minutes) 

    • 10:55 – 11:00 AM Break
    • 11:00 – 11:55 AM NIST IR 8259 Revision 1 Preliminary Update:  Session 2 (Mike Fagan) 

                         Updates to Activity 3: Determine How to Address Customer Needs and Goals and Activity 4:  Plan for Adequate Support of Customers Needs and Goals

                         Presentation (15 minutes) 

                         Q&A and Discussion (40 minutes) 

    • 11:55 AM – 1:00 PM Lunch Break
    • 1:00 – 1:45 PM Afternoon Keynote Presentation (TBD)
    • 1:45 – 2:45 PM NIST IR 8259 Revision 1 Preliminary Update:  Session 3 (Mike Fagan) 

                      Updates to Activity 5: Define Approaches for Communicating to Customers and Activity 6: Decide What to Communicate to Customers and How to Communicate it 

                       Presentation (15 minutes) 

                      Q&A and Discussion (45 minutes) 

    • 2:45 – 3:00 Break
    • 3:00 -3:15 PM Presentation of Potential Future Updates for Next Draft of NISTIR 8259 Revision 1 (Mike Fagan)
    • 3:15 – 3:45 PM Open Q&A and Discussion
    • 3:45 – 4:00 PM Closing Remarks (Mike Fagan)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 84 Mass Metrology Seminar

    Source: US Government research organizations

    Credit: OWM/K. Dill

    Course Description

    The Mass Metrology Seminar is a two-week, “hands-on” seminar.  It incorporates approximately 30 percent lectures and 70 percent demonstrations and laboratory work in which the participant performs measurements by applying procedures and equations discussed in the classroom.  The seminar focuses on the comprehension and application of the procedures, the equations, and calculations involved.  The seminar includes the operation of the laboratory equipment, review of publications, standards, specifications, and tolerances relevant to the measurements.  Training covers mass calibration procedures published in NISTIR 6969 and NISTIR 5672 and are suitable for the calibration of mass standards to OIML R111 Class E2 through M3 tolerances, ASTM classes 1 through 7 and NIST HB 105-1 Class F.  Training is provided to enable the participant to correctly identify and implement the correct calibration process for each weight classification.  Each procedure and the entire seminar incorporates concepts covered in the Fundamentals of Metrology seminar, especially, concepts related to metrological traceability, statistical analysis, measurement assurance methods, uncertainty analyses, software validation, and generation of ISO/IEC 17025 compliant calibration certificates for all measurements made during the seminar.

    Learning Objectives

    At the end of this seminar, using Standard Operating Procedures 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 29, 30, and 34 and Good Measurement Practices 10, 11, 12, and 13 participants will be able to:

    • IDENTIFY mass artifacts and use appropriate procedures to ensure good quality, accurate, traceable mass measurement results;
    • EXPLAIN highlights and key concepts of each topic to each other and to your managers using the slides and reference materials; and
    • PERFORM mass calibration procedures, use and validate the job aids, and use reference materials to perform laboratory calibrations, including hands-on handling of mass standards and balances, calculation of measurement results, integration of measurement assurance, uncertainty analysis, and software validation to produce valid calibration results and certificates.

    Note regarding course level and expectations:  This course is conducted equivalent to a university-level course and is part of our IACET-accredited processes with requirements to demonstrate successful achievement of learning objectives within each module.  Significant time outside of the classroom and laboratory is expected and is commonly reported (1 hour to 2 hours per day) to complete homework, reading, data entry, and creation and editing of calibration certificates. Students should avoid trying to meet other obligations while attending this course as much as possible.

    Materials & Supplies

    Participants are encouraged to bring template versions of the mass calibration certificates issued by their laboratory as a starting point for the calibration certificates to be submitted during the seminar. Alternatively, participants should bring the calibration certificate they generated during the Fundamentals of Metrology seminar as a starting point. The former is recommended! Feedback and suggested changes to ensure ISO/IEC 17025 compliance will be provided during the seminar. Generation of calibration certificates will be required, so come prepared. A number of notebooks and course materials will be provided, so please ensure you have extra luggage space to carry these items.

    Prerequisites

    Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Metrology Seminar is a prerequisite for the Mass Metrology Seminar. The Mass Metrology Seminar is built on the concepts learned during the Fundamentals of Metrology Seminar, applying units, measurement uncertainty, measurement assurance, traceability, and Quality Management System concepts to the mass calibration procedures.

    Pre-Work

    It is strongly recommended that you complete the Basic Mass Metrology CD as it will give you a head start on the Mass Seminar, including exposure to the contents of NISTIR 6969, Selected Laboratory and Measurement Practices, and NISTIR 5672, Advanced Mass Calibrations and Measurements Assurance Program for the State Calibration Laboratories. Completing the NIST SP 1001 should take 16 to 40 hours. Participants are encouraged to read and comprehend as much as possible the content of NISTIR 6969 and NISTIR 5672 regardless of completing NIST SP 1001.

    NOTE:  Additional reading pre-work and Excel preparation recommendations may be sent by the instructor prior to the seminar. Extensive use of Excel is made in this course; strong familiarity with equation entry and validation is essential.

    Post-Work

    Laboratory Auditing Program (LAP) problems are assigned at the completion of the course to those metrologists who participate in the NIST OWM State Laboratory Program.  Acceptable completion of the problems is required for NIST Office of Weights and Measures Laboratory Recognition in support of mass calibrations.  (See Handbook 143, Program Handbook training requirements as updated here.

    Minimum Requirements

    To receive a Training Certificate for this course, successful completion requires participants to actively participate in the entire course (e.g., 100 % attendance, take notes, engage in discussions, ask questions), complete all classroom, homework, and application exercise assignments, successfully perform mass calibrations as evidenced by measurement results entered in course control charts and calibration certificates, and pass a written final exam.  In addition, students submit a series of calibration certificates that are graded based on SOP 1 and NIST SP 811 criteria, as evidence of completion of all application exercises conducted during the hands-on portion of class exercises.

    *Homework note: students generally report taking one to two hours for homework each night.

    Audience

    This training seminar is open to industry and government metrologists.

    Cost

    The current registration fee for this seminar is $6,200 and confirmed participants will be sent payment instructions.  This registration fee does not cover travel, lodging, or meal costs.  Registration fees for State weights and measures regulatory officials and metrologists are funded by NIST OWM.

    Instructors

    Elizabeth Koncki, Michael Stocker, and Jose Torres
    Email: elizabeth.koncki [at] nist.gov (elizabeth[dot]koncki[at]nist[dot]gov)

    Technology Requirements

    • Registered participants must provide a notebook computer for the Mass Metrology Seminar and be well trained in the development and use of spreadsheets for complex repetitive calculations.
    • Participants must have access to Microsoft Excel (versions 2010 and later are acceptable) and can open and effectively create their own spreadsheets to perform calculations, and use template Excel workbooks that will be provided on USB media.  Be aware that for networked access of Microsoft files, access to the NIST network is not ensured (e.g., it can be problematic if using a version of Office 365 that requires network access to operate properly.) 
    • Participants must have administrative rights for the computer so that that files can be transferred to and from it as required by the seminar exercises through the use of USB memory sticks:  You must also be able to save/store files to USB media devices to facilitate printing and turning in classwork.  Internet and network access is not assured during the seminar.  Students without administrative approvals or ability to use USB media are encouraged to contact the instructor before the class to discuss alternatives (e.g., using a personal laptop, using a RW/CD,  or other alternatives.)   Students need to verify the capability to run executable files to ensure successful access and use of the software needed in this course.  If not able to use USB media, participants must be able to upload files to a secure NIST Box and/or Google Drive and/or Microsoft SharePoint data transfer cloud service.
    • Availability of a scientific calculator (minimum 12 digits) may be useful as a supplement to Excel; if using a calculator, familiarity with its operation is essential.

    All visitors must be preregistered and present photo identification and vehicle registration information upon arrival. NIST can only accept a state-issued driver’s license or identification card for access to federal facilities if issued by states that are REAL ID compliant or have an extension.

    Photo I.D. Requirements for Citizens

    • Effective May 7, 2025, agencies can only accept a state-issued driver’s license or identification card from states that are compliant with or have an exemption for the REAL ID Act.  See the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) site to confirm if your ID is compliant (https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/are-you-real-id-ready). 
    • NIST currently accepts other forms of federally issued identification in lieu of a state-issued driver’s license, including an original passport, passport card, DOD Common Access Card (CAC), Veteran ID, Federal Agency HSPD-12 IDs, Military Dependent ID, Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC), and TSA Trusted Traveler ID.

    Foreign Nationals

    • Lawful Permanent Resident visitors must present their Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) upon arrival. Non-Permanent Resident visitors must present a valid passport (original only) upon arrival. 
    • All forms of ID must be original. No photocopies are permitted.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 85 Metric System Estimation

    Source: US Government research organizations

    The International System of Units (SI), commonly known as the metric system, is easy to use and learn when taught using metric tools. The ability to interpret measurement scales, magnitude, and approximate a quantity are essential Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) competencies.

    This 1.5-hour session presents The Metric Estimation Game, a fun, hands-on activity that helps middle students become familiar with SI measurements by practicing estimation skills. This session is designed to reinforce using common measurement tools, developing reference points, and building proficiency and confidence in working with metric measurements. Because many educators report that students have limited opportunities to gain experience in metric system use, this activity can increase the occasions where SI abilities can be practiced.

    Learning Objectives

    The Metric Estimation Game is presented as a model learning activity. At the end of this session, using your notes, you will be able to:

    • DEMONSTRATE metric system measurement estimation skills.
    • APPLY the metric system of measurement to quantify the length, mass, and volume of everyday household objects at multiple magnitudes.
    • SELECT and EMPLOY appropriate length measurement tools.
    • DEVELOP quantity benchmarks that facilitate the sensemaking of 1 kilogram, 1 liter, and 1 meter.
    • APPROXIMATE measurement scale using at least three metric system prefixes.

    Game participants collaborate in small groups to earn points as they become familiar with metric (SI) mass, length, and volume measurement units. Students determine a quantity estimate for each game item, which is compared to a verified value. Multiple measurement methods may be used to verify results. Some estimations are determined using basic math formulas. The SI prefixes milli, centi, and kilo are used. Measurement writing style requirements for unit symbols are applied during the game.

    Although this activity is designed for a middle school audience, it can be modified to accommodate elementary or high school learners. Extensions include updating the game board to focus on only one measurement parameter during a game session (e.g., mass, length, or volume). Products identified in this session do not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) nor imply that they are necessarily best for the purpose.

    Materials & Supplies

    Participants should bring these materials to the online session: Two 500 mL water bottles (full, remove label), one 2 L bottle (empty, from recycling), one plastic produce bag (from recycling), one U.S. nickel coin, one unused colored wax crayon, and a timer (clock or phone displaying seconds).

    Pre-Work/Post-Work

    None.

    Minimum Requirements

    Successful completion includes participation in all activities and discussions. Session participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance (which does not include participant names or CEUs) by email after the session. Attendance is recorded in the unofficial transcript, which is available in the OWM Contacts System.

    Audience

    This session is ideal for K-12 educators and Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) professionals and other outreach ambassadors responsible for instructing middle school students on measurement techniques and STEAM careers.

    Registration Fee

    There is currently no registration fee for this webinar. 

    Instructor

    Elizabeth Benham
    Phone: (301) 975-3690
    Email: elizabeth.benham [at] nist.gov (elizabeth[dot]benham[at]nist[dot]gov)

    Technology Requirements

    The webinar will be a live stream, so participants must have a constant connection during the webinar (hard-wired is preferred).  Review these system requirements to verify that MS Teams may be used on your computer, mobile device, or web browser. The performance of MS Teams may be influenced by other factors, such as network connectivity or other device applications. 

    Operating System (browsing) configurations:

    • Windows
      • Windows 8.1 and later, 64-bit;
        • Google Chrome;
        • Mozilla Firefox; and
        • Microsoft Edge.
    • macOS
      • One of the three latest MacOS versions;
        • Mozilla Firefox;
        • Apple Safari (no calls via Teams possible); and
        • Google Chrome.
    • Linux
      • Operating system: DEB or RPM;
      • Desktop environment: GNOME, KDE;
        • Mozilla Firefox; and
        • Opera.

    Web Browsers:

    • On computers running Windows, Mac, or Linux, ensure you have the latest release of one of these browsers:
      • Google Chrome;
      • Mozilla Firefox;
      • Apple Safari; and
      • Microsoft Edge.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray on Senate Republicans’ Pro-Billionaire Budget Resolution, Trump and Musk’s Devastating Funding Freeze and Mass Firings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Murray: “Republicans are going down this partisan path because they know Democrats are not going to join them in throwing Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and veterans’ benefits into the wood chipper so they can throw more tax cuts at billionaires and the biggest corporations.”

    Murray: “We should not be taking kids out of child care to give billionaires a tax break. We should not be taking food off the family table to put more fuel in private jets.”

    ICYMI: Senator Murray speaks at Budget Committee markup of resolution, offers common sense amendments rejected by Republicans

    ***VIDEO HERE***

    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Budget Committee, took to the Senate floor to forcefully speak out against Senate Republicans’ budget resolution that will help billionaires at working families’ expense—as well as the Trump administration’s lawless mass firings and ongoing funding freeze that is hurting people and jeopardizing critical services they need in every part of the country. She also underscored how a clean full-year CR is not an acceptable solution to government funding.

    Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:

    “Thank you M. President. We need to be focused on solving problems—and I think most of us here get that.

    “No matter who the President is, our constituents expect us to work for them. They expect us to fight for them. And they expect us to do the hard work of passing laws to make their lives better.

    [TRUMP LEAVING FARMILIES IN THE DUST]

    “People don’t send us here to make their lives worse. But that’s exactly what Trump and Musk are doing. They are looking at our most pressing problems—and making them so much worse. And this budget proposal will only add fuel to the fire.

    “Right now—even as egg prices hit an all time high—Trump and Musk have done nothing to lower prices.

    “They’ve done nothing to address the housing crisis, or help families get quality, affordable child care—or address other issues I hear about from folks all the time.

    “Instead, they are slashing programs that help our families make ends meet, they are gutting an agency that saves working people money and protects them from scams, and starting trade wars that will impose what is effectively a Trump sales tax entirely on the backs of American workers.

    “As China works to strengthen its global leadership, Trump and Musk have ceded the ground almost entirely—illegally cutting off investments we make to continue our country’s leadership and help allies.

    “At the most precarious moment for the Middle East in decades—Trump is casually proposing to ethnically cleanse Gaza so that Trump and his family can build waterfront property there.

    “When it comes to helping our allies in Ukraine secure a just peace—Trump is giving away countless concessions to Putin out of the gate, calling our ally a dictator and meeting with Russia without inviting Ukraine.

    “When it comes to the Bird Flu—Trump and Musk are firing the very workers who are responsible for tracking the disease and keeping it from spreading further. And now, suddenly, they are desperately trying to hire them back.

    “And as Texas deals with a serious measles outbreak, Trump’s Health Secretary can’t even confirm the obvious, and tell parents the vaccine doesn’t cause autism—which, to be clear, it does not!


    “And, almost unbelievably, just weeks after the deadliest commercial plane crash in the U.S. in over two decades—Trump and Musk are firing FAA workers who make sure flying is safe. Who does that help?

    “And now Trump is letting Musk run wild by inappropriately accessing and rifling through sensitive SSA and Treasury files, with IRS being next—your data! How does that make sense?

    “But while President Trump is busy making problems worse, and trampling our laws, and quoting dictators—what are we doing here in the Senate?

    “Are we holding President Trump accountable? Are we holding his co-President, Elon Musk—the richest man in the world, who has billions of dollars in conflicts of interest—accountable? 

    “Are we putting a stop to the catastrophic cuts and reckless firings that are hurting people and our communities, and setting our country back decades?

    “Seems to me that would be a good use of our time—after all, I’ve even heard some Republicans admit that cutting things like medical research, and firing people like VA workers are bad ideas. So you would think—maybe—we could work together from that common ground.

    “But instead—Republicans are throwing all their effort behind a partisan plan to slash and burn programs that help our families, and raise costs for everyday Americans, and shovel billions of dollars to help people who already have billions of dollars.

    “Meanwhile, I would like to remind my colleagues we are less than a month away from a deadline to pass bills to fund our government. And as we approach that deadline, the entire world is watching as President Trump and Elon Musk shut the government down bit-by-bit—whatever parts Elon doesn’t like.

    [TRUMP AND MUSK’S RECKLESS, HEARTLESS MASS FIRINGS]

    “Trump and Musk are already showing thousands of essential workers the door—despite the fact that they have no clue what these workers do, or why their jobs matter. They’re just turning off the lights and hoping for the best! 

    “I am hearing so much alarm about this back home—from fired workers and from the people who depend on them.

    “Trump and his co-president are shuttering entire agencies, they are locking workers out of their devices and out of their buildings, and demanding the work of the American people come to a screeching halt—again, for no good reason.

    “And let me really drive home just how damaging and extreme these firings are—because we are not talking about some routine changing of the guard or some thoughtful or strategic plan to make government more efficient.

    “Trump and Musk are just taking a wrecking ball through the U.S. government. They don’t care what they smash up. They don’t care who they hurt. And they don’t seem to have any idea just how painful this is for American families.

    “We are talking about tens of thousands of people—and counting—being pushed out the door without any plan, and without any justification beyond Trump and Elon want to slash and cut with reckless abandon.

    “This has nothing to do with making government more efficient—it is about breaking it beyond repair.

    “Fundamentally, this is not about cutting waste or curbing fraud. Instead, this is about putting the federal workforce into ‘trauma’—that’s how OMB Director Russ Vought callously put it. 

    “So, they are mass firing hardworking women and men—many of them veterans—whose only mistake was serving our country, serving our communities, and believing they wouldn’t get stabbed in the back by a wannabe dictator and the richest man in the world.

    “And, setting aside the fact that many were illegally fired and without real cause, it’s not just the workers who are suffering because of this.

    “These cuts undermine essential services for the American people—right down to some of the most basic functions of government.

    “Trump and Musk are firing people who help Americans find quality, affordable health insurance, people who help small businesses get a loan, people who help communities and families get back on their feet after a disaster, and people who help Americans get their tax refunds.

    “They are firing people who help our economy stay competitive—from firings that undermine energy projects and thousands of good, new jobs, to firings that undermine innovation and technology, to firings that are hurting our farmers and undermining agricultural research.

    “They are laying off National Park Rangers—which will mean longer wait times, dirtier bathrooms, delayed emergency responses, and closed parks.

    “They fired Forest Service workers who are crucial to preventing wildfires.

    “Again, I have to emphasize, they are firing FAA workers for crying out loud—including personnel who work on radar, landing, and other critical infrastructure that help our aircraft navigate safely.

    “They are firing these people, and pretending it is no big deal, all just weeks after the deadliest crash our nation has seen in decades.

    “Trump and Elon might not fly commercial—but the rest of us do.

    “In the Pacific Northwest, the Bonneville Power Administration is losing hundreds of highly skilled workers. This includes everyone from electricians and engineers, to dispatchers, to lineworkers, to cybersecurity experts, and so many others.

    “These are literally the people who help keep the lights on—and now they’re being fired on a whim because Trump and Elon Musk don’t have a clue about what they do and why it’s important, and you know what? They don’t care to learn.

    “They don’t even seem to understand that these are positions funded by ratepayers—by all of us who live in the Northwest—they are not from federal funding.

    “Trump and Musk have even fired over a thousand VA workers, including people who are doing lifesaving research for our veterans—research to prevent veteran suicide, build life changing prosthetics, address opioid addiction, and more.

    “These layoffs could mean longer wait times for veterans to see their health care providers. It could mean ongoing clinical trials coming to a sudden stop. It could mean delays getting your disability claims approved.

    “Because Trump and Musk went ahead and fired clinicians and claims raters—even while the current back log of disability claims is over 250,000!

    “That is not just a betrayal of these public workers—it is a betrayal of our women and men who have served us in uniform.

    “And it is also worth noting—many of the workers being fired are veterans themselves. Trump is firing veterans.

    “And let’s not forget the thousands of NIH researchers who are having their research thrown into jeopardy, and the patients who are watching President Trump carelessly toss their best hope for a cure into the shredder.

    “Or CMS experts, who were working on improving maternal health outcomes so fewer pregnant women die in this country.

    “And medical research layoffs aren’t the only ones putting American lives at risk because Trump and Musk are firing public health workers who respond to disease outbreaks, cybersecurity experts who protect our critical infrastructure, sensitive systems, and our data, scientists who make sure our water and air are clean, and that we are ready for extreme weather, workers that help communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters—not to mention, members of law enforcement who help stop violent criminals—and of course, our nuclear engineers!

    “Seriously—people who manage our nuclear weapons stockpile were being fired by the hundreds, with no real strategy. 

    “And we know there isn’t a strategy—because then Trump and Musk frantically turned around and rehired many of them.

    “And we also know they haven’t learned their lesson—because they just did the exact same thing to workers responding to bird flu.

    “Reckless layoffs—followed by ‘Wait, no! Come back!’ That is not a plan.

    “To callously fire people who help us stay ahead of deadly diseases, or who maintain a safe, secure, and reliable nuclear weapons stockpile—that is the height of dangerous incompetence.

    “And nuclear clean-up work has been hit as well. I’ve been fighting to get more resources for the Hanford clean-up in Washington state for years—it is already understaffed, and now Trump is actively making things worse.

    “I have heard directly from workers at Hanford who have been laid off—even after some were recognized just this past year for their outstanding work. And by the way: that underscores another reality of these firings—they have absolutely nothing to do with merit.

    “In fact, the way they are targeting new employees includes people who were recently promoted—so now these workers are getting fired from their newly earned jobs. Literally pushing out some of our best performers and our most committed workers.

    “Oh, and one more thing—they are even illegally firing the government watchdogs who provide accountability and prevent fraud.

    “If Trump and Musk were really committed to tackling waste, fraud, and abuse, would they fire the very people serving in nonpartisan roles whose very job is to uncover and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse?

    “If they were really interested in transparency, would they have torn down websites where the public can find information about agencies’ spending and policy?

    “The list of pointless, actively dangerous firings goes on, and on, and on. It grows by the day—as does the fallout and alarm being caused by it. My phones have been ringing off the hook—and I know I am not the only one.

    “Again, these sweeping layoffs do not address fraud or waste. These firings are totally arbitrary—pushing out high performers and the promising next generation of our federal workforce who won’t be easily replaced. Not to mention—the hiring freeze prevents them from even trying!

    “And here’s the thing that is so important to remember: these are people who have families, who work hard, who love their country. They are not being sent packing because they’ve done anything wrong or because their work is not important.

    “They are being pushed out simply because Trump and Musk are trying to break the government—trying to make it not work for the people who need it. It is wrong, and if this doesn’t stop now, it will be catastrophic.

    “The scale and scope of Trump and Elon’s purge will set our country back decades. It is not like you can fire everyone, say ‘oh wait, my bad,’ and rehire everyone with the snap of a finger.

    “If you are a VA medical researcher working for less than you could make in the private sector, and you’re fired by a billionaire who decides your research on cancer and burn pit exposure isn’t worth the investment, would you want to come back? Especially with the chaos and sheer incompetence of this administration?

    “The federal government is not Twitter. You can’t just fire everyone and break things and hope for the best—people’s lives are at stake.

    “Elon Musk has no clue what nuclear safety engineers do at Hanford. He doesn’t care that the Social Security Administration is already understaffed, and that pushing more of those federal workers out the door will make life harder for seniors.

    “This effort to push out and arbitrarily fire federal workers is going to break something, worse than it already has—and it’s going to break it irreparably.

    “When that happens, the blame will fall squarely on Trump, Musk, and Republicans.

    [TRUMP AND MUSK’S ILLEGAL FUNDING FREEZE]

    “And it is not just people being fired that is a serious problem—there are also funds still being frozen without rhyme, or reason, or any legal authority for Trump to do that.

    “So I’m not only worried about the fast-approaching funding deadline in March—I’m worried about the de facto government shutdown happening right now.

    “As we speak, Trump and Musk are still illegally blocking hundreds of billions of dollars in funding we all secured for the people we represent back home, putting good-paying jobs on the chopping block, creating incredible uncertainty for businesses, stalling funds for infrastructure and energy projects, and so much else.

    “As another week of Trump’s illegal funding blockade has come and gone, still, reports are coming in from across my state, and across the country—of the chaos and cuts this is causing.

    “And yet, little to nothing has been done by this administration to restore investments people in red and blue states are counting on. And Republicans here in Congress continue to sit by idly while our communities are robbed of hundreds of billions of dollars in bipartisan spending.

    “Meanwhile, it’s our workers, it’s our families, it’s our businesses that are feeling this consequence.

    “With each day that passes, the uncertain fate of these investments takes a toll of its own: ever-growing anxiety for workers whose jobs are in jeopardy, for farmers who are eyeing the calendar and waiting on resources that they are owed, and for business owners worried a ripped-up contract might put them under.

    “I’ve heard USDA grants have been cut off to rural businesses and farmers in my home state of Washington—and it is putting those hard-working Americans in dire straits.

    “A small laundromat ordered new machines—but Trump is now stiffing them on funds they need to make the payment.

    “A wheat farmer installed solar panels under a federal program—but Trump is going to leave them holding the bag.

    “A greenhouse has completed its end of the bargain to install upgrades—but Trump has stopped the federal government from doing the part it promises.

    “And there are so many other federal investments on hold as well: Forest Service funding to reduce wildfire risks and restore ecosystems. EPA funding for clean water infrastructure and clean-up work at superfund sites. HUD and Department of Energy investments to bring down folks’ energy costs and create new, good-paying jobs. Funding for our roads, bridges, transit, flood mapping, fisheries—and so many other things.

    “Medical research has also been completely upended at research institutions across the country—throwing lifesaving research, clinical trials, and patients into uncertainty.

    “Meanwhile they have not only illegally blocked our foreign assistance and shuttered USAID programs that bolster our global leadership and make the world safer for Americans—they are now illegally dismantling the Department of Education.

    “They have already bulldozed the independent research arm of the Department of Education—taking a wrecking ball to ongoing evidence-based research and basic collection data we need for accountability to improve student outcomes at our K-12 schools and colleges.

    “And, among the many contracts Trump cancelled with his executive orders was funding for a program that helps students with disabilities transition from high school to work and work to improve adoption of evidence-based literacy practices in Washington state. These billionaires have no idea what programs they are cutting.

    “Given the chaos of all these efforts—from Trump’s sweeping, radical, and illegal Executive Orders, to Elon Musk jumping from agency to agency and doing seemingly whatever he pleases and whatever is good for his businesses—it’s getting hard to even keep track of all the funding that is being illegally blocked.

    “Even stuff they say is not blocked, or say has been unblocked—is still frequently frozen.

    “But one thing that is clear? This is hurting our families. It is hurting our communities. And it needs to stop.

    “Remember, Musk is the richest man on earth—with deep business ties to China and a direct line to Putin.

    “Republicans have chosen to stand by and twiddle their thumbs, as he unilaterally, clandestinely, and illegally cuts our constituents off from the federal investments they are owed and badly need.

    “We have zero insight or oversight of what conflicts of interest Musk has as he chokes off government funding left and right, and as he hands over our sensitive financial data and systems to patently unqualified individuals with no accountability.

    “This multi-billionaire is operating completely in the dark, hoping his lies are loud enough to drown out any calls for truth or for transparency.


    “You can agree or disagree about federal spending—goodness knows we have debates on it here—but it is a complete lie to try and say this is all fraud, or waste, or a conspiracy.

    “As a long-time Appropriator—I can tell you—we debate these bills publicly, we post the details out in the open. We pass them in a bipartisan way.

    “Republicans overwhelmingly supported the individual bills we put together in Committee last year—many unanimously.


    “Spending is not a ‘conspiracy’ just because Elon Musk doesn’t know how to read USA-Spending.gov.

    “A program is not waste just because it doesn’t help the richest man in the world. It is not fraud just because he doesn’t like it.

    “A law is not illegal just because he disagrees with it. This guy just does not know what he is talking about—and it is frankly embarrassing, he doesn’t know how to count!

    [MUSK, DOGE LIES AND CORRUPTION]

    “The ‘DOGE’ website says it is slashing $55 billion—but it only lists $16.6 billion, and half of that is a typo.

    “They took $8 million with an M—as in ‘Musk can’t count’—and counted it as $8 billion with a B—as in ‘BS.’ That is not saving money—it is poor reading comprehension.

    “Speaking of reading comprehension—I don’t think Elon fully grasps what the concepts of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ mean.

    “When he tweeted out the names of government employees months ago—and again this month even—that was ‘accountability,’ but when reporters name people gaining illegal access to Treasury’s payment system, that is a crime?

    “Elon Musk gets to look at all of our most sensitive data but no one gets to look at what he is actually doing? That cannot be the standard.

    “It’s not ‘maximally transparent’ for Elon Musk to decide for himself what he shares publicly about his actions.

    “It is maximally concerning—especially given there are many obvious conflicts of interest—but Elon has not recused himself from a single decision.

    “How is it not a conflict—when the owner of Space X is gutting NASA while taxpayer funds to his company keep flowing?

    “How is it not blatant corruption—when the owner of Tesla is freezing grants and loans that benefit his competitors?

    “How are we supposed to just trust him, when he is probing agencies that have done—or are doing right now—investigations into his businesses?

    “Trump fired the Ag Inspector General who was investigating Elon’s company, Neuralink—and then fired the FDA officials who were reviewing it.


    “He fired the EPA Inspector General and Transportation Inspector General as they were looking at Tesla.


    “He fired the Labor Inspector General—as the Department has several investigations into Musk’s companies.

    “And Trump fired the Defense Inspector General who was looking at Space X—and notably, Musk’s connections to Putin.

    “And it’s not just Musk who is concerning—he’s brought on an army of walking red flags to pry into our government’s most sensitive data.

    “How are Americans supposed to feel, knowing someone who was previously fired for leaking sensitive information from their employer is digging through your most private financial data?

    “How are Americans supposed to feel, knowing someone who engaged with prominent white supremacists and misogynists online is helping to shutdown USAID?

    “How are they supposed to feel, knowing someone who tweeted explicitly racist statements, someone who said they were, quote, ‘racist before it was cool,’ was given control over incredibly important Treasury payment systems?

    “What sort of vetting—if any—is going on here? Are they trying to pick the least qualified, most concerning people? Hey Elon—you are supposed to filter out red flags—not select for them!

    “The American people deserve transparency—if Elon Musk really has nothing to hide, then he should leave his safe place on X and at Trump rallies and come before us at a Congressional hearing to be held accountable to the public.

    [TRUMP HURTING PEOPLE IN RED AND BLUE STATES]

    “What they are doing here is not just illegal—it is devastating for working people in every single zip code in America, red and blue states alike.

    “Right now, we need to be speaking out with a unified voice to ensure that when Congress passes a bill, the law is followed.

    [DANGERS OF A FULL-YEAR CR]

    “And we need to focus on negotiating serious funding bills on a bipartisan basis ahead of the fast-approaching March 14th deadline. That is exactly what I am trying to do right now. And, a long term CR should not be acceptable for anyone here.

    “As I have reminded my colleagues many times now: there is a world of difference between a short term CR that gives us additional time for good faith negotiations on our full-year funding bills, and a long term CR that would not only create major shortfalls for critical programs, but would also hand vast power over spending decisions to an administration that absolutely cannot and should not be trusted.

    “Passing a clean full year CR would, first of all, create major shortfalls and fail to adjust for new realities on the ground.

    “It could mean that instead of babies getting fed through WIC, moms are getting put on a waitlist for the first time in that program’s history. And instead of families getting rental assistance, they get cut off.

    “A clean full year CR means veterans are not able to get the care they need and benefits they have earned in a timely way.

    “And it means our military falling behind—from forcing cuts across DoD, to pausing promotions, station changes, and other really essential functions.

    “It also means losing opportunities to provide new resources for new challenges, and to provide a check on Trump policies—including ones it is clear members on both sides have issues with.

    “And on that note, I want to emphasize this—because this is really critical—unlike a short-term CR, a clean, full-year CR means hundreds of specific funding directives from Congress fall away, effectively creating slush funds for this administration to adjust spending priorities and potentially eliminate longstanding programs as they see fit. That is a nonstarter.


    “With a full-year CR, Congress would be turning over our power of the purse to a President who has already shown he couldn’t care less about the separation of powers.

    “A yearlong CR could be a green light for President Trump, Elon Musk, and Russell Vought to redirect funding to their own pet projects—and slash, burn, and zero out programs we have supported from Congress, that our families count on.

    “Maybe they siphon money away from public schools. Maybe they slash federal work study grants and other financial aid. Maybe they zero out money for national parks or monuments they think are too ‘Woke…’ or what would that even mean!

    “Maybe they scrap all our oversight of immigration courts, or end family reunification efforts, or dismantle the guardrails for detaining immigrants—something we are already seeing, by the way, with the use of Guantanamo Bay.

    “They could cut funding to eliminate HIV, address maternal mortality, or increase vaccination rates.

    “They could turn our constituents’ priorities into slush funds. Clean energy investments could become a payday for fossil fuels. Money meant to stop fentanyl and opioids could fuel private prison operations and mass deportations.

    [THE COMMON SENSE, BIPARTISAN PATH FORWARD]

    “Congress must detail its spending priorities—and direct President Trump to implement these programs faithfully by passing appropriations bills just as it does every year.

    “There is truly no telling just how far they will go in bending our federal budget from what our constituents need into whatever Trump and Musk want.

    “If you don’t think things could get worse—you’re wrong. A clean, yearlong CR is frankly an unacceptable outcome.


    “We cannot tell our constituents, that instead of using our authority to check a President, we give him the keys to the kingdom.

    “We cannot say, instead of fighting to get you the resources you need, we’ll let a billionaire have more say in where your tax dollars go instead.

    “So we need Republicans to get serious about bipartisan funding bills. And we have got to know that once those bills become law, Trump will actually follow them.

    “We cannot just reach an agreement, pass a bill, and then stand by while President Trump rips our laws in half.

    “There is a serious, bipartisan path forward for our country—but it is one where Congress works together to avoid a shutdown, stops the de facto shutdown that is already happening, and reasserts its authority to protect the funding our communities need.

    [REPUBLICANS’ PRO-BILLIONAIRE BUDGET RESOLUTION]

    “But unfortunately, that’s a far cry from the path Republicans are going down with this pro-billionaire, anti-middle-class budget resolution.

    “Let’s be very clear: Republicans’ budget resolution doesn’t just accept, it actually doubles down on what Trump and Musk are doing.

    “And it is not about balancing the budget—we all know that, because they don’t plan to reverse one of the biggest drivers of the debt: Republican tax cuts.

    “Despite all of the boogeymen that Republicans like to point to as driving the national debt—the reality is that the single biggest driver of our national debt since 2001 has been Republican tax cuts.

    “The Trump and Bush tax cuts have cost our nation over $10 trillion dollars and counting. And you’ll never guess what our colleagues on the other side of the aisle are focused on right now—nothing to lower the cost of eggs—it’s actually more Republican tax cuts!

    “And, no, they will not be paid-for. And, yes, they will blow up the national debt.

    “While Elon Musk hacks and chops his way through the government in the name of meager ‘savings’ and Republicans are cheering him on, they are all hoping we will ignore the elephant they brought into the room.

    “Even as this budget is a roadmap for painful cuts to programs families count on each and every day—all so they can give billionaires more tax cuts.

    “Republicans are going down this partisan path because they know Democrats are not going to join them in throwing Medicaid, nutrition assistance, and veterans’ benefits into the wood chipper, so they can throw more tax cuts at billionaires and the biggest corporations.

    “Make no mistake—this budget resolution is the DOGE resolution, as it assumes the staggering amount of $1 trillion in unspecified cuts in 2025 alone and $9 trillion over 10 years.

    “Where do we think those sort of dramatic cuts are going to come from? It’s going to come out of SNAP benefits that keep our kids from going hungry. It is going to come out of public schools and community health centers. It is going to come out of life-saving medical research.

    “It will mean costs going up for everyday Americans. 

    “It means child care costs going up when families lose access to Head Start and other quality, affordable options.

    “It means heating and cooling costs going up when families get cut off from LIHEAP.

    “It means rent going up as assistance programs get slashed.

    “It means your health care costs go up as community health centers and family planning providers are forced to close their doors.

    “It means grocery costs going up as programs like SNAP and WIC are gutted—not to mention what happens when you cut support for farmers, and for ag-research.

    “And make no mistake, if you are cutting that deeply, that painfully, you are going to start cutting things like veterans’ disability and education benefits, you are going to start cutting Medicare and Medicaid—which, for the information of all Senators, 30 million children rely on.

    “There is just no other way to make their numbers work. Especially when we know that this is just step one in their plan—and step two: tax breaks for billionaires and massive corporations.

    “So, first they are handing Elon Musk a chainsaw to cut programs families rely on with no accountability—then they are rewarding him with enormous tax breaks. And that is completely unacceptable.

    “We should not be taking kids out of child care to give billionaires a tax break.


    “We should not be taking food off the family table to put more fuel into private jets.

    “I grew up in a family that knew what it was like to fall on hard times. My dad— who was a veteran—got too sick to work. He had multiple sclerosis.

    “My mom, kept us afloat with Dad’s VA benefits, food stamps, and the new job she got thanks to a federal workforce program.

    “It wasn’t easy. Mom always said they crawled—crawled—to Social Security and Medicare. But she worked hard, and our government was there for them when those hard times came.

    “I know there are families struggling now, just like my family struggled then. I hear from them every day—in the letters we get here in Washington D.C., and in the conversations I have back home in Washington state.

    “They work hard. They play by the rules. They deserve—at the very least—the same opportunity my parents had when I was growing up.

    “And I am not going to stand by silently while Republicans try to sell that opportunity away, to pay for even more tax breaks for billionaires.

    “I get why that sounds like a good idea to billionaires like Donald Trump. I get why it’s a sweet deal for Elon Musk—the richest man in the world. It’s great for them—because they are not the ones footing the bill!

    “The bill for these tax breaks, the cost of these cuts, is going to be paid by folks like my mom and dad.

    “Everyday Americans will pay for billionaire tax breaks with their health care. They will pay for billionaire tax breaks with abandoned medical research. They will pay for billionaire tax breaks with shuttered family farms and small businesses

    “Republicans can try and spin a fairy tale about how this will pay for itself, how this will work out for everyone and nobody cares about what will be affected—but the reality is going to show through pretty darn quick, and pretty darn painfully.

    “Because spin is not going to put food on the table. It will not pay the rent. It won’t fix the roads. It won’t lower prices. It won’t lower interest rates. And it won’t put money in families’ dwindling bank accounts.

    “When it comes to the job we were all sent here to do helping people, and solving problems—families need real solutions, not tax breaks for billionaires and talking points for everyone who loses out.

    “So, M. President, I would urge all of my colleagues: hit the breaks, and not just on this devastating, partisan budget resolution. Hit the brakes on what President Trump and Elon Musk are doing right now.

    “Let’s instead come together, and work on serious, bipartisan bills to fund the government. Let’s get investments that are sorely needed out to the folks we represent. Let’s pass legislation to give folks a hand—instead of this Republican plan that gives billionaires a handout.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republicans Block Murray Amendment to Actually Address Domestic Priorities and Help Families Get Ahead Through a Bipartisan Process

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Senator Murray on Senate Republicans’ Pro-Billionaire Budget Resolution, Trump and Musk’s Devastating Funding Freeze and Mass Firings

    ICYMI: Senator Murray speaks at Budget Committee markup of resolution, offers common sense amendments rejected by Republicans

    Washington, D.C. — Tonight on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, put forward an amendment to Senate Republicans’ pro-billionaire budget resolution to address defense and nondefense funding needs equally—tackling national security concerns and pressing domestic challenges like supporting biomedical research, child care, the housing crisis, and much more.

    Rather than the $342 billion Republicans are proposing in mandatory funding through the partisan reconciliation process, Murray’s amendment would have provided $171 billion in discretionary funding for defense and $171 in discretionary funding for domestic needs. Unlike the partisan approach taken by Republicans, the funding under the Murray amendment would be available to address a range of critical needs and help hardworking families get ahead. Senator Murray has long emphatically argued that Congress must not leave funding for families and domestic priorities behind.

    Republicans blocked Murray’s amendment, #878, in a XX-XX vote.

    Senator Murray said on the Senate floor when offering her amendment, #878:

    “My amendment does two things: First, it strikes the reconciliation instructions. Secondly, it creates a reserve fund to implement a bipartisan, multi-year agreement to provide $171 billion in discretionary funding for both defense and nondefense.

    “Democrats do agree: we need more resources to invest in our national security, address challenges at the border, and counter China—but we cannot leave the rest of our budget in the dust while we do that.

    “So let’s deliver investments to do both—and make sure we also support our veterans, agriculture, disaster response, biomedical research, the FAA, child care, and more.

    “These are all big challenges; Democrats stand ready to work with our colleagues—as we have in the past, including through our bipartisan efforts on the Appropriations Committee.

    “But that can only happen if Republicans are willing to work with us. And working with us means actually working with us—not telling us to accept Elon Musk cutting a trillion dollars in fiscal year 2025 to our priorities, which is assumed in this Republican budget plan. And at the same time, spending $342 billion on their own priorities.

    “It also means not sitting on your hands while Elon and Trump rip up our bipartisan laws. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.”

    Earlier today, Murray delivered a lengthy speech on the Senate floor where she laid out in detail how Republicans’ budget resolution is a blueprint for deep, painful cuts to programs like Medicaid and SNAP that help working families—all in service of passing more tax giveaways for billionaires. Murray also underscored how the Trump administration’s lawless mass firings and funding freeze is hurting people and jeopardizing critical services in every part of the country, and why a clean full-year CR is not an acceptable solution to government funding.

    Last week at the Senate Budget Committee mark up of Senate Republicans’ Budget resolution, Senator Murray, a senior member and former chair of the committee, put forward six amendments to steer Republicans toward a bipartisan approach to spending, affirm Congress’ power of the purse, reverse cuts to NIH, deliver transparency into the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and more. Republicans unanimously opposed every amendment Murray and other Democrats offered. In her opening remarks, Murray also called for Elon Musk to come before the Committee to discuss his already in-motion efforts to decimate programs people count on.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: CMA reaches settlement with banks in competition case

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Banks agree to pay fines for past exchanges of sensitive information about UK government bonds.

    • CMA and 4 banks agree to settle separate cases related to UK government bonds, known as gilts
    • Citi, HSBC, Morgan Stanley and Royal Bank of Canada will pay fines totalling over £100 million – Deutsche Bank has immunity for reporting its conduct which began in 2009 and ended in 2013
    • Individual traders at each of the banks took part in private one-to-one Bloomberg chatrooms in which they shared sensitive information relating to buying and selling gilts on specific dates

    Gilts are an important type of UK government bond that help to finance public spending. Investors in gilts lend money to the UK government and in return receive a steady and stable stream of cash interest payments.

    Healthy competition drives investment, innovation and growth, and it is important that competitors decide their price and strategies independently in order to ensure effective competition in a market. 

    Following an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the banks have agreed to pay fines for specific instances in which traders shared competitively sensitive information about aspects of the pricing of UK bonds. The sharing of information occurred in one-to-one exchanges between traders about the buying and selling of gilts and gilt asset swaps.

    This conduct took place on various dates between 2009-2013, with the last exchanges occurring in 2010 for HSBC, 2012 for Morgan Stanley, and 2013 for each of Citi, Deutsche Bank and Royal Bank of Canada. Since then, the banks have implemented extensive compliance measures to ensure this behaviour does not happen again.

    Juliette Enser, Executive Director of Competition Enforcement at the CMA, said:

    Following constructive engagement between the banks and the CMA, we are pleased that we have been able to settle these 5 cases involving the past sharing of competitively sensitive information about pricing.

    The financial services sector is an integral part of the UK economy, contributing billions every year, and it’s essential that it functions effectively. Only through healthy and competitive markets can we ensure businesses and investors have confidence to invest and grow – for the benefit of all in the UK.

    The fines imposed today reflect the CMA’s commitment to dealing with competition law breaches and deterring anti-competitive conduct. The fines would have been substantially higher had the banks not already taken unusually extensive steps to make sure that this doesn’t happen again.

    Unlawful exchanges in one-to-one chatrooms

    Each of the exchanges took place in separate bilateral online Bloomberg chatrooms between individual traders at 2 banks [see Figure 1] and included information relevant to the pricing of UK government bonds – specifically, gilts and gilt asset swaps.

    In particular, each one-to-one exchange of information took place in relation to one or more of the following: firstly, the sale of gilts by the UK Debt Management Office via auctions on behalf of HM Treasury, secondly the subsequent buying and selling, i.e. trading, of gilts and gilt asset swaps, and thirdly the selling of gilts to the Bank of England – known as ‘buy back’. Not all banks were involved in unlawful exchanges in all 3 contexts.

    Figure 1 – Parties to the separate one-to-one exchanges

    Consequences

    Four banks – Citi, HSBC, Morgan Stanley and Royal Bank of Canada – have settled and agreed to pay fines totalling £104,460,000.

    Deutsche Bank is exempt from a financial penalty as it alerted the CMA to its participation in the chats via the authority’s leniency policy. Citi applied for leniency during the CMA’s investigation and as a result has received a reduced fine.

    In agreeing to settle with the CMA, the banks have agreed to pay these fines, bringing the investigation to a close.

    The fines for each bank are:

    • Citi: £17,160,000 – this includes a 35% leniency discount and a 20% reduction for settling in advance of the CMA issuing its Statement of Objections
    • HSBC: £23,400,000 – this includes a 10% reduction for settling after the CMA issued its Statement of Objections
    • Morgan Stanley: £29,700,000 – this includes a 10% reduction for settling after the CMA issued its Statement of Objections
    • Royal Bank of Canada: £34,200,000 – this includes a 10% reduction for settling after the CMA issued its Statement of Objections

    The fines take into account the length of time that has passed since the end of the infringements and the extensive compliance measures that the banks have implemented since then – some of which were in place before the start of the CMA’s investigation.

    The firms have until 22 April 2025 to pay their fines.

    More information on this investigation and the CMA’s update is available on the UK government bonds: suspected anti-competitive arrangements case page.

    Notes to editors

    1. A gilt is a UK government bond issued by HM Treasury through the UK Debt Management Office (‘DMO’). This case concerned conventional gilts only, i.e. gilts that pay a fixed rate of interest to the holder. Gilts are commonly issued through auction by the DMO in the UK to gilt-edged market makers (‘GEMMs’) and are actively traded in the financial market following issuance. All 5 banks investigated by the CMA are GEMMs.
    2. In 2009, in response to the financial crisis, the Bank of England adopted a quantitative easing (‘QE’) policy, which involved the Bank of England buying assets – the majority of which were gilts. The Bank of England therefore conducted regular buy-back auctions at certain points during the relevant period.
    3. The DMO, the Bank of England and HM Treasury were not under investigation. The DMO, on behalf of HM Treasury, and the Bank of England have assisted the CMA with the investigation by responding to information requests.
    4. The CMA has issued five separate bilateral infringement decisions. Decision documents are addressed to the following entities: Citigroup Global Markets Limited and its ultimate parent company Citigroup Inc. (together ‘Citi’), Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (‘Deutsche Bank’), HSBC Bank Plc and its ultimate parent company HSBC Holdings Plc (together ‘HSBC’), Morgan Stanley & Co. International Plc and its ultimate parent company Morgan Stanley (together ‘Morgan Stanley’), and RBC Europe Limited and its ultimate parent company Royal Bank of Canada (together ‘Royal Bank of Canada’).
    5. In each decision, the CMA has found a single and repeated ‘by object’ infringement (i.e. that the conduct had, as its object, the restriction or distortion of competition within the UK). The CMA has not made any finding as to whether the conduct at issue had the effect of preventing, restricting or distorting competition.
    6. The information exchanges took place between: – Citi and Deutsche Bank: on 12 specific dates between July 2012 and January 2013 – Citi and Morgan Stanley: on 3 specific dates between December 2011 and February 2012 – Deutsche Bank and HSBC: on 12 specific dates between October 2009 and June 2010 – Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley: on 8 specific dates between October 2009 and June 2011 – Deutsche Bank and Royal Bank of Canada: on 41 specific dates between November 2009 and April 2013
    7. In the case of 4 of the banks (Citi, Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Morgan Stanley) the information was exchanged by a single trader based in the UK. In the case of the Royal Bank of Canada, the information was exchanged on different occasions by 2 traders based in the UK. None of the traders remain employed by the bank they worked for at the time.
    8. Bloomberg chatrooms are a means of electronic communication through which participants can exchange messages. Although the information exchanged through certain Bloomberg chatrooms formed part of the CMA’s investigation, Bloomberg was not under investigation.
    9. All banks were involved in unlawful exchanges relating to trading. In addition, Citi, Deutsche Bank, HSBC and Morgan Stanley were involved in unlawful exchanges relating to auctions; and Deutsche Bank, Citi and Morgan Stanley were involved in unlawful exchanges relating to buy-back auctions. Deutsche Bank and RBC also coordinated their strategies for trading gilts via brokers on a limited number of occasions.
    10. Under the CMA’s leniency policy, a business that has been involved in cartel activity may be granted immunity from penalties or a reduction in penalty in return for reporting the cartel activity and assisting the CMA with its investigation.
    11. A party under investigation by the CMA may enter into a settlement agreement if it is prepared to admit that it has breached competition law, is willing to pay a fine and agree to a streamlined administrative procedure for the remainder of the investigation. Settlement can take place before or after the CMA issues a Statement of Objections, which sets out the CMA’s provisional findings of fact and its legal and economic assessment of them.
    12. The CMA and the Financial Conduct Authority have concurrent functions to enforce competition law in the financial services sector. It was agreed that the CMA would exercise those functions in relation to this investigation.
    13. For media enquiries, contact the CMA press office on 020 3738 6460 or press@cma.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 February 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Asian Development Blog: Unintended Consequences: Managing the Surprising Impacts of Conditional Cash Transfers

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Conditional cash transfers provide immediate financial relief while fostering long-term investments in education and health, helping to break the cycle of poverty. Research reveals both intended and unintended effects that policymakers and project designers should consider.

    Conditional cash transfers are direct cash payments to people in need. They are designed to reduce poverty by providing cash transfers to households that fulfill specific conditions. These criteria often revolve around education, such as school attendance, or health, such as prenatal checkups. 

    By alleviating people’s short-term budget constraints while at the same time incentivizing long-term investments in human capital, these cash payments aim to break the cycle of poverty.

    The dual approach of immediate financial relief and long-term human capital investment has made conditional cash transfers widely popular. Early programs, starting in the late 1990s, were implemented in Latin America, with PROGRESA in Mexico and Bolsa Familia in Brazil being notable examples. 

    Since then, conditional cash transfers have seen widespread adoption globally, often as flagship anti-poverty programs supported by international development finance institutions. In Asia and the Pacific, Indonesia’s Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) is a prominent example of a large-scale program.

    Conditional cash transfers are among the most closely studied anti-poverty programs due to their clear objectives, measurable goals, and widespread adoption. Large-scale programs are often informed by small-scale, rigorously measured pilots, which assess the impacts on recipients’ health and educational outcomes before being adopted at national scale. 

    Systematic reviews of existing studies generally find mixed to positive impacts on both short-term and long-term outcomes, further contributing to the popularity of conditional cash transfers.

    As new programs continue to be introduced and existing ones run for decades, the associated research grows. Beyond the intended impacts, new data sources and the realization that development policies can have multiple effects have led to a new strain of research. 

    Cash transfers, especially those with behavioral conditions, influence recipients’ actions in expected and unexpected ways, leading to both positive and negative outcomes. Research along these lines sheds light on their broader impact beyond the intended effects.

    Maximizing the benefits of conditional cash transfers requires understanding both their intended and unintended effects, ensuring that program design is evidence-based and adapted to local contexts.

    Given the expense of anti-poverty programs, findings on positive spillover effects can help to justify them, while negative impacts can inform necessary adjustments. 

    One prominent positive externality observed is the reduction in crime rates, especially in Latin America. As children are increasingly sent to school due to conditional cash transfer requirements, studies have found that gang violence decreases.

    These programs make skipping school to engage in violence more costly because recipient households risk losing their cash transfer payments if they don’t fulfill the program’s conditionalities.

    Similarly, the programs have been found to decrease child labor and reduce the prevalence of child marriages in rural areas. These are unintended effects, that is, impacts beyond the traditional theory of change of conditional cash transfer programs.

    These examples display how there are potential benefits beyond initial project design. 

    However, negative effects induced by conditional cash transfers have also been observed. One notable example is when parents pay more attention to the child that is targeted by the conditionality of the cash transfer program than their other children who are not targeted. 

    While school-aged children may feel pressured from increased attention and the need to perform well, older children can also suffer from parental neglect.  Another example is the mistargeting of conditional cash transfers, which can produce resentment and other problems in communities. 

    Although this issue is not specific to conditional cash transfers, the effect can be magnified because these are often flagship poverty programs.

    What can we make of these findings? It is crucial to acknowledge that these results can be highly context-specific. In some cases, side effects such as crime vary by region. 

    That said, awareness of potential externalities can help foster positive examples, while tweaking program design can contribute to mitigating negative ones.

    Given the importance of context-specificity, conditional cash transfer interventions should be carefully adapted to the local setting. This approach can help design interventions that avoid negative side effects and inform policy making at an earlier stage.

    Understanding a broader set of changes that a policy brings about can also inform cost-benefit analysis, helping to determine which intervention is best suited to achieve set objectives most efficiently in light of scarce resources. 

    A practical starting point is implementing pilot programs that test for both the intended and potential unintended effects of conditional cash transfers on a small scale. This ensures that scale-up decisions are evidence-based and consider outcomes beyond the primary objectives. 

    Maximizing the benefits of conditional cash transfers requires understanding both their intended and unintended effects. Evidence-based program design can enhance positive outcomes while minimizing risks, ensuring these interventions are both effective and equitable.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy reintroduces bill to establish Special IG to oversee use of American taxpayer aid to Ukraine

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today reintroduced the Independent and Objective Oversight of Ukrainian Assistance Act to establish a Special Inspector General (IG) for Ukraine. The Special IG would oversee the humanitarian, economic and security assistance funding that the U.S. Congress has provided to the country, and make sure that the funds are appropriately spent.
    “America’s military and economic aid to Ukraine isn’t charity—and it can’t go to waste. My bill would help President Trump appoint a Special Inspector General to shine a light on how Americans’ tax dollars have been spent since the war began,” said Kennedy.
    Kennedy’s bill would equip the Special IG for Ukraine with $20 million from the money that Congress has already provided in Ukraine aid. That $20 million represents less than 0.01% of the $175 billion in supplemental aid that has been set aside for Ukraine. 
    In order to prevent an indefinite expanse of the federal bureaucracy, the bill also includes a termination clause that would end the Special IG role once U.S. taxpayer spending for Ukraine drops below $250 million per year. 
    In 2023, Kennedy introduced the Independent and Objective Oversight of Ukrainian Assistance Act.
    The text of the bill is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Floor Remarks on Amendment to Block Tax Cuts for Billionaires While Food Prices Continue to Rise

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) delivered remarks on the Senate floor on her budget resolution amendment that would block any tax cuts for billionaires while food prices keep rising.
    A transcript of Klobuchar’s floor remarks is available below and a video can be downloaded here.
    Senator Klobuchar: Madam President, I rise today with a common-sense amendment, and that is: That no one should be cutting taxes for billionaires while food prices are rising.
    Democrats and Republicans alike can agree that food prices are just too high.
    The price of eggs recently hit a record high of $4.95 — that’s 53 percent higher than a year ago. And wholesale egg prices have increased 30 percent since the President took office, to more than $8.00. That means egg prices will continue to skyrocket. And as an aside, “accidentally” firing frontline avian flu workers isn’t going to change any of that.
    Prices of other groceries like beef, fish, and fresh fruit have also increased, with the most recent Consumer Price Index showing overall food prices rising.
    Instead of focusing on $2 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, we should work together to lower food prices for Americans across the country.
    That’s why I call on my colleagues to support my amendment, which will ensure that there are no tax cuts for billionaires unless food prices are lowered for regular Americans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Introduces Amendment to Block Tax Cuts for Billionaires While Food Prices Continue to Rise

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today introduced a Senate budget resolution amendment that would block any tax cuts for billionaires while food prices keep rising.

    “Instead of cutting costs, Republicans are cutting taxes for the wealthy. My amendment will ensure there are no tax cuts for billionaires unless food prices are lowered for regular Americans,” said Klobuchar.

    Text of the amendment: POINT OF ORDER.—It shall not be in order in the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, motion, amendment, amendment between the Houses, or conference report that cuts taxes for taxpayers with an adjusted gross income greater than $1,000,000,000 if the most recent change in the Consumer Price Index shows an increase in food prices.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: “Thoughtless and Dangerous” King says on Senate Floor in Response to Trump Administration Firings, Freezes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    To watch the floor speech click here or download here

    A full transcript of the speech can be found here

    WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) shared his growing concerns over the Trump Administration’s largely unconstitutional and unprecedented overreach – including the usurpation of Congressional Authority that has now reached the constitutionally-directed ‘power of the purse.’ During the floor speech, King also shared the detrimental impacts of reckless, indiscriminate government cuts on critical federal functions like management of the national parks and care for our veterans:

    “We’re not only making a mistake now, but we’re altering the essential structure of our Constitution that’s there for a reason, that’s there to protect our freedom. And the people cheering this on I fear, in a reasonably short period of time, are going to say where did this go? How did this happen? How did we make our president into a monarch? How did this happen? How it happened is we gave it up! James Madison thought we would fight for our power, but no. Right now, we’re just sitting back and watching it happen. Article 2 of the Constitution, the President said, oh, Article 2 gives me a lot of power,” King began. “No, it doesn’t. It makes the president Commander-in-Chief. That’s true. Here’s the key sentence in Article 2 of the Constitution, which defines the President’s power, the key sentence is not the power of the President. The responsibility of the President is to take care that the laws being faithfully executed. Not write the laws. Not deny the laws. Not ignore the laws. Not pick which laws he or she [likes. It is] to take care that the laws are faithfully executed. That’s the responsibility of the President. Right now, those laws are being ignored.”

    King then discussed the critical vulnerability of Congress relieving its duties to the courts – an abdication that would be hard to reverse no matter what administration is next elected into office.

    “There’s criticism in the press saying people are talking about a constitutional crisis, they’re crying wolf. This is a constitutional crisis. It’s the most serious assault on our Constitution in the history of this country. It’s the most serious assault on the very structure of our Constitution, which is designed to protect our freedoms and liberty, in the history of this country. It is a constitutional crisis, and I’ll tell you what makes it worse, the President and the Vice President are already hinting that they’re not going to obey decisions of the courts,” King continued. “Many of my friends in this body say it will be hard, we don’t want to buck the President, we’ll let the courts take care of it. Number one, that’s a cop out. It’s our responsibility to protect the Constitution. That’s what we swear to when we enter this body. To stand back and say we’re going to watch all this happen, and the courts will take care of it, that’s an abdication of our responsibility.”

    Lastly, he emphasized the profound importance of ‘protecting this institution’ that the Framers delicately created.

    King concluded, “So, Mr. President, this is a constitutional crisis, and we’ve got to respond to it. I’m just waiting for this whole body to stand up and say no, no, we don’t do it this way. We don’t do it this way. We do things constitutionally. Yes, it’s more cumbersome, it’s slower, that’s what the framers intended. They didn’t intend to have an efficient dictatorship, and that’s what we’re headed for. Mr. President, this is a very dangerous moment. We’ve got to wake up, protect this institution, but much more importantly protect the people of the United States of America. Thank you, Mr. President.”

    Senator King has been consistently sounding the alarm on President Donald Trump’s existential threat to the Constitution. He previously gave a speech on the Senate floor sharing that this administration is doing ‘exactly what the Framers [of the Constitution] most feared.” Senator King also previously declared that the proposal to halt all federal grant and loan disbursement was illegal and a direct assault on the Constitution. More recently, he joined 36 Senators in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, sharing the detrimental effects of  the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). He also joined fellow Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) colleagues in writing a letter to the White House about the risks to national security by allowing unvetted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff and representatives to access classified and sensitive government materials.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King to Senate Colleagues: “We’ve Got to Wake Up [and] Protect this Institution”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    To watch the floor speech click here
    WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) today spoke on the Senate floor to share his growing concerns over the Trump Administration’s largely unconstitutional and unprecedented overreach – sharing the usurpation of Congressional Authority that has now reached the constitutionally-directed ‘power of the purse.’  In the speech, King also shared the detrimental impacts of reckless, indiscriminate government cuts on critical federal functions like management of the national parks and care for our veterans:
    The news is coming so hard and fast these days, that it’s hard to sort it all out. Every day seems to be something new that captures our attention, our concern, our interest. And what I’d like to do today is try to put some of it in perspective and what’s going on in our governing of this country. I don’t believe what I’m going to be talking about today is partisan. It should not be partisan because what I’m really talking about is competent government and constitutional government.  Really two categories — competent government and constitutional government. That should not be a controversial issue. Neither of those are something that we should be arguing about. It’s what we have a responsibility to carry through in terms of our jobs here in the U.S. Senate. So the two categories I want to talk about — my headings are thoughtless and dangerous. 
    First I want to talk about thoughtless. The hiring freeze. A hiring freeze can be an effective tool if it’s used thoughtfully and systematically. But to do it across the board without a process for exceptions that’s built into it, you end up with all kinds of unintended and negative consequences. Firefighters, parks, losses elsewhere by attrition. There should be a systematic exemption process. Now it’s haphazard and random. Park seasonal employees first were under the hiring freeze, now they’re not. It’s sort of like, oh, oh, or, we’re going to be okay without park seasonal employees. VA frontline health workers were at first subject to the hiring freeze then people said, oh, no, we didn’t mean doctors and nurses, so that’s okay. You can hire them. My point is it’s not a rational process. It’s ready, fire, aim. Literally, ready, fire, aim is what we’re talking about and people aren’t doing this in a thoughtful and systematic way. And, by the way, the difference between frontline deliverers of care at the V.A. and the people who answer the phone who are categorized as bureaucrats, I don’t think there’s a stark difference there. If you’re a veteran and are seeking care and an appointment at a V.A. health facility and nobody answers the phone, that’s a denial of benefits. That’s a denial of benefits, just as if they close the door in your face. That’s what we’re talking about, is weakening the systems that are serving our public. 
    The hiring freeze, it’s possible to do a hiring freeze. When I was governor of Maine, I instituted a hiring freeze, but we did it in a systematic and thoughtful way. We had a process for dealing with exemptions and without destroying the morale and throwing the entire operation of government into chaos. And, by the way, why do we have the government? To serve the people. To serve the people. 
    So let’s talk about the next step: the firings. The famous fork in the road letter is a perfect example of a thoughtless way to approach a problem. The letter went to everybody. The letter wasn’t selective. It went to everybody — all civilians in the CIA, in the National Security Agency, in the Defense Department. Also, of course, all the other civilian agencies. But it wasn’t targeted in a way. If you want to leave federal service, we’ll pay you through September, but it hit everybody. Again, it’s not a rational or thoughtful way to trim the federal workforce. You should be talking about where are we do we have too many people, do we have overstock in terms of public servants and where do we need more, for example. But instead it went to everybody. By definition, that’s not a rational process. Firing — let me just put this in perspective, by the way. On the fork in the road letter, the estimate is as of today 75,000 people have taken that option and left. And I suppose the people who are behind this think that’s a great victory. The dollars saved from those 75,000 people represent one tenth of one percent of the federal budget. So people out who are seeing, we’re cutting the budget, we’re cutting, we’re saving, we’re saving the taxpayers money. One tenth of one percent. Given the chaos and the uncertainty and the deletion of services to our American people, I would argue that’s not worth it. One tenth of one percent. Everyone got these letters. People are being fired now in the CIA, FBI, the V.A., and on this letter, what if only the best people take the option to leave? Then you’ve really shot yourself in the foot. You’ve encouraged people who were going to retire anyway or who could get a better job in the private sector. So it’s an anti-intelligent way to handle this. 
    And then you got situations like at the Department of Energy, the first weekend they fired 350 people in the National Nuclear Security Administration, the people who handle nuclear materials and are responsible for our nuclear stockpile. They fired I think it was something like 20% of the personnel. Three or four days later, they realized, uh oh that was a mistake. A good, solid, thoughtful process wouldn’t have made a mistake like that. They would have realized from the outset that these are jobs that we aren’t going to be firing, we aren’t going to be eliminating. It seemed to be based on some kind of quota. I don’t know what it is. And then — okay, now we’re seeing everybody being fired who’s on probation. Probationary people, people who work for the government for less than a year or two. Okay, again that’s arbitrary — that’s arbitrary. Being on probation doesn’t mean you’re an effective or not an effective employee. You could be one of the best employees in the whole federal government and you just came on and yet you’re going to be fired. It has nothing to do with the productivity or skill of the worker. It has nothing to do with the importance of the position. It has nothing to do with the effectiveness of the agency in question, serving the people of Maine. If you’re probationary, you’re gone. Here’s another thing about probation. It turns out in the federal government, if you’re promoted, you’re on probation in the new position. You may have worked in the department for five or ten years. You’re on probation. You’re fired. Even though you have five or ten years of experience. And people did get these ridiculous letters saying your performance has not been adequate. There was no basis for those letters. It was arbitrary. And that’s remember I said my categories are thoughtless and dangerous. This is thoughtless — probation. 
    Oh, by the way, about 30% of the federal workforce are veterans. Now, we don’t know the exact figures. That’s one of the problems. We have no transparency about what’s going on here and who’s actually being let go and who isn’t, but a reasonable extrapolation is, 30% of the people being fired are veterans. People who put their lives on the line for this country. And then they went into public service and they’re being fired. That’s outrageous. Again, was no one thinking about this? A thousand people were fired at the V.A. Just a couple of days ago. We learned that people supporting the V.A. crisis line were fired. What genius thought that was a good idea? Last Friday, immigration judges were fired. We’re talking about immigration and border and control of immigration, and we’re firing immigration judges? What possible sense does that make? Here’s one. We’ve had — I think three curious aircraft incidents in the last month, and they just fired I think 300 people at the FAA. Great, including people who are in the business of maintaining the systems that keep our airplanes safe. In the wake of three serious airplane crashes, including one here in Washington that killed 67 people, we’re firing people at the FAA? Give me a break! What kind of sense does that make? What kind of service is that to the people of the United States? Here’s one that’s not life or death, but the National Park Service. 1,000 people were fired last weekend at the National Park Service. I suspect they were probationary, that means okay they’d only been there a year or to. But that doesn’t mean they weren’t in jobs that were important. The headline in this morning’s paper, chaos at the national parks. The lines are twice as long. If there’s chaos at the national parks in February, lord knows what it’s going to be in June or July. In Yosemite, in Acadia in my state of Maine. And here’s a beauty, some of these people that are be fired are people who collect fees at the park. So to save a buck, we’re going to lose $5 from fees not being collected. Genius. Come on. Five percent of the workforce at the national park service are being fired, and I can tell you, I’m the co-chair of the National Park Subcommittee, the Energy & Natural Resources Committee, we need more people at the national parks, not less. We’ve had a staffing shortage going back half a dozen or ten years where visitation is way up and staff is flat or declining. Now it’s really declining. And this is a direct hands-on experience for the American people. Gettysburg — they’ve been laying off people at the battlefield. Last night apparently something called the Presidential Management Fellowship Program, a training program that’s decades’ old that brings talented people into the federal government, eliminated. No explanation, no rational. Eliminated. 
    Okay, that’s the thoughtless part. Let me give you a little personal experience. When I was elected governor of Maine, we had a serious deficit. We were in the middle of a recession. We went through a process very similar to the impetus for what’s going on now. We looked at the entire workforce of the state of Maine. But we did it in a thoughtful and transparent way. We developed a task force that included private citizens, legislators, and members of the administration, and we took eight months, Mr. President, eight months, not eight weeks, and we looked at the entire structure of the state of Maine government and reduced our workforce by about 10%, a significant reduction. But we did it in a thoughtful way and in a way that made sense in terms of the ongoing service to the people of Maine. 
    So it can be done, and I’m not unsympathetic with the idea of making things more efficient. And even possibly downsizing the government where it’s called for and where additional people aren’t necessary. So, I’m not here to say we shouldn’t be looking for efficiency and saying everything in the federal government is perfect. I don’t believe that for a minute. But I think if we’re going to take on this exercise, it ought to be done in a sensible way by people who know what they’re doing. 
    And that brings me to DOGE. I don’t know what they’re doing. Nobody does. I don’t know who these 25-year-olds in the IRS, rummaging around in the IRS I.T. System. We learned the last couple days Social Security. What are they doing? Who are they? What are their qualifications? Do they have security clearances? Do they have conflicts of interest? All of the rules designed to protect us from people making arbitrary decisions that aren’t accountable, you talk about bureaucrats being unaccountable, these are the ultimate unaccountable people. We don’t know what their relationship is to the federal government, what authority they have, up what law they’re operating. It’s clear from mistakes like firing 350 people at the Nuclear Security Agency, they don’t know what they’re doing. They’re firing people who we need. Okay, that’s the thoughtless part. It’s inexcusable. That’s just pure efficiency of government of doing the right thing, and it can be done, but these people aren’t doing it. 
    The second part of what’s going on is the dangerous part, and this is where I call on my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who are standing by and watching our government be attacked with no response. Elimination of entire congressionally created agencies. USAID was established by statute and over a weekend these people fired everybody, closed the agency, took the name off the door, and threw the rest of the world into chaos, where these people were working on important projects all over the world, that were part of our outreach to the world. You know what? As soon as we went out of business at A.I.D., China is right in the market. It’s like walking away from engagement with the world. It couldn’t be a more self-defeating piece of work. By the way, it’s a tiny part of the federal budget. And James Mattis famously said, when he was a general, if you cut the foreign aid budget, you’re going to have to buy me more bullets. Foreign aid is part of the national security of this country, and to demolish this agency without any input from congress, without any relationship to the Foreign Affairs Committee or anybody else up here in the congress, is grossly unconstitutional. It’s grossly unconstitutional. 
    Here’s the problem, Mr. President, this isn’t just a battle between the Senate and the House and the President and they’re fighting about powers. No, the reason the framers designed our Constitution the way they did was that they were afraid of concentrated power. They had just fought a brutal eight-year war with a king. They didn’t want a king. They wanted a constitutional republic, where power was divided between the Congress and the President and the courts, and we are collapsing that structure. And the structure wasn’t there for fun. It wasn’t, hey, we’ll design this complicated system. It was there to protect our freedom. Because the people that wrote our Constitution understood human nature, and they understood a very important thousand-year-old principle — power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
    The whole idea was to divide power, and to the extent we allow this assault on our Constitution, this collapsing and excessive power being granted to the executive to ignore the laws passed by congress, and by the way, appropriations bills are laws passed by congress, which the administration is also ignoring by freezing funding for programs authorized and funded by congress, to the extent we do that, we’re not only making a mistake now, but we’re altering the essential structure of our Constitution that’s there for a reason, that’s there to protect our freedom. And the people cheering this on I fear, in a reasonably short period of time, are going to say where did this go? How did this happen? How did we make our president into a monarch? How did this happen? How it happened is we gave it up! James Madison thought we would fight for our power, but no. Right now, we’re just sitting back and watching it happen. Article 2 of the Constitution, the President said, oh, article 2 gives me a lot of power. No, it doesn’t. It makes the president commander in chief. That’s true. Here’s the key sentence in Article 2 of the constitution, which defines the president’s power, the key sentence is not the power of the president, the responsibility of the president is to take care that the laws being faithfully executed. Not write the laws. Not deny the laws. Not ignore the laws. Not pick which laws he or she To take care that the laws are faithfully executed. That’s the responsibility of the President. 
    Right now, those laws are being ignored. Impoundment. Impoundment. The President trying to say Congress appropriated this money through appropriation bill signed by president, but I’m not going to spend it because I don’t like it, I don’t like that purpose, whatever it is. I’m sorry. It’s absolutely straight up unconstitutional, and it’s illegal. President Nixon tried to do that in 1973, and the Congress, virtually unanimously, passed the impoundment control act which said no, presidents can’t do that. They can’t ignore the will of congress because Article 1 of the Constitution gives the congress the power of the purse. We’re giving it away this week. We’re standing by and watching it, watching the essential power of this body evaporate. Not evaporate, migrate down the street to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. 
    The power was divided for a reason. There’s criticism in the press saying people are talking about a constitutional crisis, they’re crying wolf. This is a constitutional crisis. It’s the most serious assault on our Constitution in the history of this country. It’s the most serious assault on the very structure of our Constitution, which is designed to protect our freedoms and liberty, in the history of this country. It is a constitutional crisis, and I’ll tell you what makes it worse, the President and the Vice President are already hinting that they’re not going to obey decisions of the courts. Many of my friends in this body say it will be hard, we don’t want to buck the President, we’ll let the courts take care of it. Number one, that’s a copout. It’s our responsibility to protect the Constitution. That’s what we swear to when we enter this body. To stand back and say we’re going to watch all this happen, and the courts will take care of it, that’s an abdication of our responsibility. 
    If you look at history, yes, it’s true, presidents have gained power. In my reading of history usually it wasn’t because presidents usurped power, but the congress abdicated it. We haven’t declared war, for example, since 1942, yet that’s a clear responsibility of congress and we sure have been in some scrapes since 1942. We’ve abdicated that power, and we’re now in the process of abdicating the power to control the appropriations process. I mention about DOGE, no authority, no accountability, no transparency, we literally don’t know what they’re doing, we can’t find out what they’re doing. Just this week, the destruction of the independent agencies, created by congress. They were created as independent agencies for a reason, because they didn’t want them to be dominated by the vicissitudes of politics. The president gets to appoint members of the board, and they’re very carefully balanced, not firing someone at the National Labor Relations Board so there’s no quorum so they can’t act. That’s a direct violation of congressionally established policy. These independent agencies were created for a reason. Again, oh, I forgot to mention, illegal firing of inspector generals. The Senator from Iowa is a champion of inspector generals. In the first few days, something like 18 inspector generals were fired, completely contrary to the law. The law is the congress must be given 30 days’ notice of the firing of an inspector general, and reasons therefore. Not done! Not a peep. 
    What’s it going to take for us to wake up, when I say us, I mean this entire body, to wake up to what’s going on here? Is it going to be too late? Is it going to be when the President has secreted all this power and the congress is an afterthought? What’s it going to take? The offenses keep piling up. As I said, leaving it to the courts, number one, is a copout, and number two, when the Vice President said something, I can’t remember exactly what he said, but ‘the courts should not have the power to do this.’ Of course, the President over the weekend famously quoted Napoleon, ‘when you’re saving your country, you don’t have to obey any law.’ Wow, a President of the United States quoting Napoleon about not having to obey the law. 
    So, I intended to talk about Ukraine, but Senator Tillis and Senator Shaheen did it so articulately, I think I’ll let that pass, except to say it’s shameful we’ve suddenly pivoted from the support of a democracy that was grossly and illegally invaded, from the support of that country to the support of a murderous dictator. I heard something about Zelenskyy is a dictator. The only dictator in this game, Mr. President, is Vladimir Putin. He’s the dictator. To argue that somehow Ukraine started the war? What universe is that — is somebody in that would say something like that? Again, I won’t pursue, but I can tell you Putin’s happy, XI Jinping is happy, Iran is happy, North Korea is happy. They love what’s going on, to see us retreating from the world, whether it’s A.I.D. or Ukraine. They love to see us retreating from the world, looking weak and looking unreliable. 
    Finally, on this point, we seem to be systematically alienating our allies. I’ve been on Armed Services for 12 years and have learned that the key asymmetric advantage this country has in the world is allies. China has customers. We have allies. Well, we’re giving that away. If I wasn’t on the floor of the U.S. Senate, I’d use a slightly different term, but we’re giving away our asymmetric advantage in the world by what looks like systematically alienating allies, whether it’s threats of tariffs or speeches in Europe telling them what their problems are, basically saying we’re going to abandon Europe. What a great idea, abandon Europe at a time there’s a murderous dictator with his eyes on the Baltics, Poland, and said he would like to reestablish the Soviet Empire. The worst possible geopolitical thing we could do would be to abandon Ukraine.
    So, Mr. President, this is a constitutional crisis, and we’ve got to respond to it. I’m just waiting for this whole body to stand up and say no, no, we don’t do it this way. We don’t do it this way. We do things constitutionally. Yes, it’s more cumbersome, it’s slower, that’s what the framers intended. They didn’t intend to have an efficient dictatorship, and that’s what we’re headed for. Mr. President, this is a very dangerous moment. We’ve got to wake up, protect this institution, but much more importantly protect the people of the United States of America. Thank you, Mr. President. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin to Trump: Hold China Accountable for Decades of Cheating American Workers and Shipbuilders

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led a group of her colleagues in calling on President Donald Trump to hold China accountable for cheating trade laws to gain an unfair advantage in the shipbuilding industry. In the final days of the Biden Administration, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) released a report Senator Baldwin pushed for that confirmed China has used unfair trade practices to undercut American shipbuilding. Now, Senator Baldwin is pushing the Trump Administration to take immediate action to level the playing field for American workers, businesses, and national security.

    “To stand up for the hardworking Americans employed in the shipbuilding industry, those who serve in the military branches that need these vessels, and those who live in communities supported by these jobs, we must act quickly to hold China accountable and reverse the decimation of our maritime strength and capacity inflicted over the last two decades,” wrote Senator Baldwin and the lawmakers in a letter to President Trump. “As we strive to grow the American economy, compete with the PRC, strengthen our ability to engage in international commerce and ensure the American military has the resources necessary to succeed, we urge your Administration to take action regarding the PRC’s actions in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors.”

    In March of 2024, Senator Baldwin called on the Biden Administration to fight China’s unfair trade practices, leading her colleagues in support of the United Steelworkers’ (USW) effort to have then-USTR Katherine Tai initiate a full investigation into China’s maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. The USTR launched an investigation last year, and the report released last month found that China targeted the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors for dominance, concluding that the PRC’s targeted dominance in these sectors is unreasonable and burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and is therefore “actionable” under Section 301. 

    The report lays out China’s efforts to target the shipbuilding and maritime industry for dominance – using state-sponsored financial support to elevate their own industry, imposing barriers for foreign firms, and stealing intellectual property to give China’s shipbuilding and maritime industry an advantage. According to the report, China also severely and artificially suppressed labor costs in the maritime, shipbuilding, and logistics sectors, undercutting American workers.

    In her letter to President Trump today, Senator Baldwin called on this administration to act on the results of the investigation that has confirmed China’s unfair trading practices are undercutting American shipbuilding and workers and undermining our economic and national security. Over the last 20 years, the United States has lost industrial shipbuilding capacity while China’s subsidized shipbuilding has only grown. State-owned enterprises and other facilities in China are now capable of producing over 1,000 ocean-going vessels a year, while the United States currently produces fewer than ten. While shipbuilding capacity, suppliers, and shipyards remain vital to the U.S. economy and national security, China’s uncompetitive trade practices have led to 25,000 domestic shipbuilding suppliers leaving the U.S. market over the past 20 years.

    Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), John Fetterman (D-PA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) also signed the letter.

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

    Dear Mr. Trump:

    We write to you about the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC)’s actions in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sector and urge you to act on the results of the investigation that has confirmed China’s unfair trading practices are undercutting American shipbuilding and workers and undermining our economic and national security.

    Last year, the United Steelworkers (USW) and other unions filed a petition under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. The United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) responded by initiating an investigation and determined “China has largely achieved its dominance goals, severely disadvantaging U.S. companies, workers, and the U.S. economy generally through lessened competition and commercial opportunities and through the creation of economic security risks from dependencies and vulnerabilities.” USTR found that China’s unfair trade practices in maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding are “actionable,” and we therefore urge your Administration to identify and implement appropriate relief measures and partner with Congress as needed. Enacting strong measures to address the PRC’s actions will be a critical step towards promoting our domestic industrial base, growing America’s economy, creating good-paying jobs in these important sectors, and protecting our national security.

    After World War II, the United States led the world in commercial shipbuilding. Over the last twenty years, the PRC has executed a comprehensive strategy to significantly diminish the shipbuilding industry in the United States and to become the dominant shipbuilding force globally. The PRC can now produce over 1,000 ships per year, while the United States only has the capacity to produce fewer than ten ocean-going vessels per year. America has lost 25,000 domestic shipbuilding suppliers over the last two decades. This drastic difference in capacity is a result of the PRC’s anti-competitive practices to gain an advantage in shipbuilding through unfair and discriminatory tactics, such as government subsidies and favorable loans from PRC-operated banks. According to USTR’s report, the non-market excess capacity in China’s steel sector significantly contributes to the price competitiveness of PRC-made vessels, and there are instances where Chinese steel intended for vessels in Chinese shipyards has been sold at a lower rate than Chinese steel intended for market economies. To give the American shipbuilding industry a more level playing field and the opportunity to grow, China’s harmful, market-distorting practices should be addressed immediately by this Administration.

    The PRC’s dominance in the shipbuilding industry has dire consequences for America’s economic security and national security. It is essential that the United States prioritizes scaling up our shipbuilding capacity, to both guard against the economic harms felt by loss of jobs at shipyards and suppliers, and because privately-owned shipyards provide essential help to build and maintain the Navy’s fleet. To allow the PRC to control the global transportation supply chain is to open the United States and our allies to immeasurable risks, from supply chain shortages to severe national security concerns. USTR’s report describes the dangers of the PRC’s Maritime Silk Road initiative, including a Chinese government-sponsored logistics platform, LOGINK. LOGINK is used in ports around the world and collects information that could easily be manipulated to disrupt supply chains, allow Chinese companies to reduce prices and undermine competitors, and provide details about the movement of sensitive equipment through commercial ports. The PRC cannot be allowed to continue to expand this intelligence network unchecked, or the United States will experience additional economic harm and threaten our  national security.

    Our states are home to companies that specialize in shipbuilding and repair for both the Navy and commercial vessels, as well as suppliers of necessary inputs to build ships. These businesses are significant employers in communities around the country and provide a pathway to the middle class. Retaining these companies and their workforce ensures the knowledge and ability to build vessels, both for military purposes and to transport goods across the world, remains made in America. A shipyard closing or reducing their number of employees, or a supplier shifting their operations overseas, means local economies lose good-paying, often union, jobs, and America takes another step back in the competition with the PRC. To stand up for the hardworking Americans employed in the shipbuilding industry, those who serve in the military branches that need these vessels, and those who live in communities supported by these jobs, we must act quickly to hold China accountable and reverse the decimation of our maritime strength and capacity inflicted over the last two decades.

    As we strive to grow the American economy, compete with the PRC, strengthen our ability to engage in international commerce and ensure the American military has the resources necessary to succeed, we urge your Administration to take action regarding the PRC’s actions in the maritime, logistics, and shipbuilding sectors. USTR’s determination concludes the PRC’s targeting is unreasonable, burdens or restricts U.S. commerce, and that “responsive action is appropriate to obtain the elimination of the acts, policies, or practices covered in the investigation.” The United States must take action expeditiously to address the PRC’s unfair, harmful, and discriminatory practices. Thank you for your attention to this most important matter.

     Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Cosponsors Bill to Block Implementation of Trump’s Blatantly Unconstitutional Attempt to Eliminate Birthright Citizenship

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Cosponsors Bill to Block Implementation of Trump’s Blatantly Unconstitutional Attempt to Eliminate Birthright Citizenship

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, joined nine of his colleagues in introducing the Born in the USA Act to effectively block the implementation of President Trump’s unconstitutional executive order attempting to end automatic citizenship for children born in the United States, or a similar subsequent executive order. This bill would prevent any government funds from being used to carry out or enforce this or any future directive, as any such order necessarily violates the birthright citizenship provisions in the Constitution.

    Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a federal judge’s temporary block on the order’s implementation. The order has been enjoined by at least four federal courts.

    “President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship is an attack on the basic rights enshrined in our Constitution,” said Senator Padilla. “His illegal executive order is nothing more than an attempt to instill fear and chaos in communities throughout America. The Constitution is clear: if you’re born in the United States, you’re a citizen of the United States.”

    Padilla cosponsored the bill, led by Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), along with Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.).

    Senator Padilla is a leading voice in Congress opposing President Trump’s anti-immigrant actions and rhetoric. He sharply criticized President Trump’s harmful executive orders targeting immigrants at the start of his Administration. Padilla also opposed advancing the nomination of Attorney General Pam Bondi after she repeatedly refused to affirm that birthright citizenship is the law. Last year, Padilla emphasized the dangers and immense economic costs of the Trump Administration’s mass deportation plans during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

    Full text of the Born in the USA Act is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As Republicans Propose Budget, Warren Fights Back With 10 Amendments to Block Cost Hikes for Families, Stop Billionaire Tax Cuts, and Hold Elon Musk, DOGE Accountable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    February 20, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – During the Senate’s consideration of the Republican budget resolution, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) fought back against Republicans’ proposed budget with amendments to block cost increases for families, prevent tax cuts for the rich, and hold Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) accountable for reckless cuts to government agencies. 

    “While Republicans charge ahead with a budget that will increase costs on families, I have plans to fight back,” said Senator Warren. “Every Republican Senator will have to answer for votes putting billionaires over families.”  

    Senator Warren led the following amendments: 

    Stopping Cost Hikes for Families 

    • Amendment that opposes any final budget legislation that increases grocery costs for American families, including through proposals to cut food assistance programs; 
    • Amendment that opposes any final budget legislation that increases health insurance premiums or out-of-pocket costs through proposals to cut Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act; 
    • Amendment that opposes final budget legislation raising costs for middle-class families while an unelected billionaire illegally directs cuts to key programs like air travel safety, services for veterans, and the integrity of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid payments;
    • Amendment against final budget legislation while Americans’ Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits are threatened by DOGE infiltrating the Social Security Agency and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services; 
    • An amendment opposing final budget legislation until funding for the National Institutes of Health for research and clinical trials on rare diseases, pediatric diseases, cancer, or other serious diseases or conditions is restored. 
    • Amendment supporting investments in child care for military families, calling out that Republican plans to increase Pentagon funding are not focused on helping military families. 

    No Tax Cuts for the Rich

    • An amendment opposing tax cuts for the rich, specifically no tax cuts for people making over $10 million annually. 

    DOGE Accountability 

    • Amendment on public financial disclosures for Special Government Employees, pushing to hold Elon Musk accountable while he pursues policies that will benefit himself but hurt hardworking Americans; 
    • Amendment on investigation or criminal prosecution of unlawful misuse of private personal and tax information by DOGE; and 
    • Amendment requiring the Congressional Budget Office to produce a cost estimate for replacing probationary national security employees, fired as a result of Elon Musk and DOGE, with contractors – calling out how Republican plans to remove skilled civil servants will be a big payday to boost defense contractor profits. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

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

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
     
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353February 20, 2025
    Cotton, Rosen Introduce Bill to Protect Outdoor Sporting Events from Unauthorized Drones
    Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Jacky Rosen (D- Nevada) today introduced the Disabling Enemy Flight Entry and Neutralizing Suspect Equipment (DEFENSE) Act, legislation that 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.
    “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.
    “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.”
    “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 Jackie 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.
    Text of the legislation may be found here.
    Background:
    The bill would give state and local law enforcement the authority to mitigate threats posed by drones and unmanned aircraft systems in places where a temporary flight restriction is in place. This includes large outdoor and sporting events. 
    It would also require DOJ, FAA, FCC, and NTIA to create a list of approved technology that local and state law enforcement officers can use to address these threats.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Volcano Watch — What happens beneath the surface doesn’t always stay beneath the surface

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates.

    Ground tilt and eruptive episodes associated with Kīlauea summit eruption December 23, 2024, until February 20, 2025. The ten eruptive episodes in Halemaʻumaʻu are highlighted in red. 

    Ten lava fountaining episodes have taken place in Halemaʻumaʻu since December 23, 2024, from two vents: the north vent and the south vent. Most fountaining episodes have been active for less than a day (16 hours on average), though a couple were longer duration (up to 8 days). 

    HVO staff rely on several key monitoring datasets to track the status of Kīlauea using a network of instruments across the volcano. A variety of seismoacoustic instruments record earthquakes and other ground vibrations, as well as low-frequency sound. Gas sensors sniff the volcanic gas emissions in areas downwind. Webcams, including the livestream camera, provide near real-time visual and thermal views. Ground deformation is documented using GPS units and tiltmeters. Together, these datasets can be used by scientists to analyze the processes occurring within Kīlauea.

    In between each lava fountaining episode, monitoring datasets, like tilt, seismicity, and gas emissions, have shown similar behaviors. This repeating nature of activity has allowed HVO scientists to identify patterns that can be used to estimate windows of probability for future eruptive episodes in Halemaʻumaʻu. 

    When lava fountains are erupting in Halemaʻumaʻu, ground deformation instruments—tiltmeters, in particular—show deflation as magma that was stored in the volcano is erupted on the surface. In between lava fountaining episodes, those sensors show inflation as magma again accumulates beneath the surface and repressurizes the magma chambers. The amount of repressurization required for a new episode to start has ranged from 2–10 microradians, taking anywhere from a day to nearly two weeks. This range of repressurization is what informs HVO’s probability estimates for when a new episode most likely will begin. The rate of inflation can vary, though, which causes the probability window for the start of the next episode to be shifted in time. 

    While deformation shows us how magma is behaving underground between episodes, we also have data telling us that surface activity continues even while fountaining is paused. During episodes of lava fountaining, the rumblings of magma making its way out of the conduit produce an intense tremor signal seen on seismic stations across Kīlauea. The tremor rumbles at lower frequencies, caused by rapid expansion and contraction of magma within the vents.  These continuous vibrations result from the formation and release of gas bubbles that drive the fountains high into the air. 

    Yet even between eruptive episodes, tremor has remained present. The intensity drops significantly between episodes but continues to exist until the next episode. This indicates that gas is continuing to be released by the vents and magma continues to stir near surface even when lava is not visibly erupting. As the weak tremor churns in the background, other seismic signals are also observable. Low frequency signals that range in size are seen on the seismic network around the summit area and suggest complex patterns of magma migration, bubble formation, and transport within the volcano. 

    The observation of continuing tremor between episodes is corroborated by volcanic gas measurements and persisting glow at the vents. When an episode of lava fountaining is occurring, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates are highly elevated, in the range of 10,000 tonnes per day (t/d). Even when lava is not actively fountaining, SO2 emission rates have remained moderately elevated, in the range of 1,000 t/d. If Kīlauea were truly quiet, we would expect only about 100 t/d of SO2. Likewise, in between eruptive episodes, glow remains visible at night at the north, and sometimes south, vent. This incandescence is another clue that magma is just beneath the surface, continuing to gurgle, glow, and degas. 

    New episodes of lava fountaining have been brief and impressive, but the build up to them is an exciting glimpse into how Kīlauea volcano works. If you happen to visit Kīlauea in between Halemaʻumaʻu lava fountaining episodes, know that the degassing and glow are evidence of the continuous activity that is happening, hidden just beneath the surface. 

    Volcano Activity Updates

    Kīlauea has been erupting intermittently within the summit caldera since December 23, 2024. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is WATCH.

    The summit eruption at Kīlauea volcano that began in Halemaʻumaʻu crater on December 23 continued over the past week, with one eruptive episode. Episode 10 was active from the night of February 19 until the morning of February 20. Kīlauea summit has been inflating since episode 10 ended, suggesting that another eruptive episode is possible. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region during active eruption episodes. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. 

    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.

    Three earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week: a M3.5 earthquake 15 km (9 mi) ESE of Nāʻālehu at 36 km (22 mi) depth on Feb. 18 at 6:10 p.m. HST, a M3.8 earthquake 18 km (11 mi) ESE of Nāʻālehu at 34 km (21 mi) depth on Feb. 14 at 5:04 a.m. HST, and a M3.1 earthquake 8 km (4 mi) S of Kapaʻau at 23 km (14 mi) depth on Feb. 13 at 6:31 a.m. HST.

    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

    Please visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, colegas presentan un proyecto de ley para bloquear los ataques de Trump contra la ciudadanía por derecho de nacimiento

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – Hoy, la senadora Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) se unió con la senadora Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) y ocho de sus colegas para presentar el proyecto de ley Nacido en los EE. UU. para efectivamente bloquear la implementación de la orden ejecutiva del presidente Trump que intenta terminar ciudadanía automática por derecho de nacimiento. Este proyecto de ley prevendría el uso de fondos gubernamentales para realizar o ejecutar este directivo inconstitucional.
    “El presidente Trump no puede cambiar la Constitución en un instante,” dijo la senadora Cortez Masto. “Cualquier niño que nace en los Estados Unidos es ciudadano de los Estados Unidos, y haremos que esta administración se haga responsable por su intento de negar ese derecho.”
    “La Constitución de los Estados Unidos es demasiada clara que si alguien nace en los Estados Unidos, él es un ciudadano,” dijo la senadora Rosen. “Estoy dirigiendo a mis colegas en el Senado en presentar este proyecto de ley para parar este esfuerzo inconstitucional del presidente Trump para terminar la ciudadanía automática para personas que nacen aquí.”
    La primera y única senadora latina, la senadora Cortez Masto ha apoyado consistentemente a las comunidades de inmigrantes en Nevada, exigiéndole a ambas administraciones que tomen medidas para proteger a los titulares de TPS y a otros inmigrantes y también ha encabezado una legislación sensata para arreglar nuestro sistema de inmigración fallido. Ella ha trabajado para aprobar una reforma migratoria que mantiene el equilibrio entre las medidas necesarias de seguridad fronteriza y un camino hacia la ciudadanía para los Dreamers, los beneficiarios de TPS y los trabajadores esenciales, y ha impulsado legislación que permitiría que los Dreamers y los beneficiarios de TPS trabajen en el Congreso.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Rosen Demand Department of Veterans Affairs Provides Answers Regarding Mass Employee Terminations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins demanding he provide answers on the mass terminations of personnel across the VA, specifically those in Nevada. The Senators expressed concern that these staff reductions would have detrimental impacts for veterans in Nevada and across the United States.
    “We are writing to express our concerns with recent terminations of employment at Nevada’s Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities, including all affected employees and the proportion of those employees who are veterans,” wrote the Senators. “The VA plays a critical role in ensuring that our nation’s veterans receive the care, benefits, and support they have earned through sacrifice. A significant reduction in staff could have serious consequences for both VA operations and our veterans in Nevada.”
    Nevada is home to nearly 220,000 veterans who depend on VA facilities in Las Vegas, Reno, and rural communities. The terminations at the VA could lead to increased wait times for medical care, delays in processing disability claims, and disruptions in the delivery of essential support services our veterans need.
    “The VA has long served as an important source of employment for those who have sacrificed for this country, offering them a structured and mission-driven career path,” the Senators continue. “Many of these employees have service-connected disabilities or other conditions that make VA employment particularly vital to their financial and personal stability. Any significant reduction in the number of veterans employed by the VA risks worsening unemployment rates among former service members and may contribute to broader issues such as homelessness and economic instability within the veteran community.”
    Specifically, the Senators requested the following information about the terminated employees:
    The total number of Veterans Affairs employees, located in Nevada, who have been terminated.
    The number of these employees who were veterans.
    The number of these employees who are veterans with service-connected disabilities.
    The number of employees who were terminated as probationary employees, but who had many years at VA in a different position.
    A description of the position and responsibilities of each terminated employee.
    A detailed explanation of the rationale behind these terminations, including any financial, policy, or strategic considerations.
    Any assessments or analyses conducted to evaluate the potential impact of these terminations on VA services.
    Any measures being taken to mitigate the consequences of these terminations, particularly concerning veteran employees and the delivery of essential services.
    The full text of the letter can be found here.
    Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen are champions for our service members and their families, as well as America’s veterans. In a previous letter to VA Secretary Collins, they demanded the Secretary take immediate action to secure veterans’ personal information provided by VA or other agencies to Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Last year, the Senators passed legislation to officially authorize construction of a new VA hospital in Reno.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Amendments to GOP’s Budget Would Lower Costs for Families, Protect Health Care, Combat DOGE, Safeguard Federal Resources 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    Welch filed more than 70 amendments to the budget resolution 
    WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee and Ranking Member of the Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, filed amendments to Senate Republicans’ budget resolution which, as proposed, will cut millions in federal funds for working families to give tax cuts to the richest Americans. 
    Senator Welch’s amendments to the Republican budget resolution focus on lowering costs for Vermonters, protecting access to health care, supporting rural care providers, combatting President Trump’s lawlessness and Elon Musk’s DOGE, and defending federal programs and disaster recovery resources Vermont communities rely on. 
    “President Trump and Congressional Republicans are busy trying to pass a massive tax cut for their billionaire friends at the expense of hardworking families, while Democrats are working to lower costs and protect the programs and services Americans depend on. The contrast couldn’t be more clear,” said Sen. Peter Welch. “It’s an absolute disgrace that Republicans are proposing to cut Medicaid funding, kick people off their health care, and are targeting the nutrition programs families need—all to pay for their tax cut.” 
    Senator Welch added: “This will be my first ‘vote-a-rama’ in the Senate, and I can already say this is the image of dysfunctional legislating. We need to return to regular order, respect the regular process, and recommit to finding common ground.”  
    Senate Republicans’ proposed budget blueprint will slash Medicaid and increase health care costs for millions of seniors, children, veterans, people with disabilities, and people with chronic diseases in order to give tax handouts to the ultra-wealthy. Their budget will cut funding for education, scientific research, nutrition programs, and more. 
    Senator Welch filed more than 70 amendments to the budget resolution, including amendments to:  
    Lower Costs for Working Families:   
    Senator Welch filed an amendment to block legislation that reduces or eliminates essential programs like Head Start, child care funding, and Meals on Wheels, which support families, children, and communities. 
    Senator Welch filed amendments to prohibit tax increases for households making less than $200,000 in taxable income and stop any legislation that will increase childhood poverty. 
    Senator Welch filed amendments to prohibit cuts to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and to improve rural access to nutrition programs. 
    Senator Welch filed amendments to protect rural broadband deployment and promote internet affordability.  
    Senator Welch filed an amendment to block tariffs on energy imports, which would raise costs for consumers.   
    Senator Welch filed amendments to ban the budget from increasing costs for American consumers by repealing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.  
    Protect Access to Affordable Health Care and Prescription Drugs:  
    Senator Welch filed amendments to prohibit the reduction or elimination of funding for rural care providers, health centers, and critical access hospitals.   
    Senator Welch filed an amendment to prohibit raising the cost of prescription drugs for seniors.  
    Senator Welch filed amendments to prohibit funding for criminal investigations, prosecutions, and surveillance of women’s reproductive health decisions, including abortion and IVF, and health care providers who provide emergency medical abortions.  
    Senator Welch filed an amendment to prohibit cuts to programs that support substance use disorder treatment and prevention.  
    Defend Federal Programs and Disaster Recovery Resources for Rural America:  
    Senator Welch filed amendments to block the budget resolution from making cuts to critical agriculture programs and ensure communities have the necessary resources for disaster response, recovery and resilience. 
    Senator Welch filed an amendment to ensure USDA’s Rural Development, Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conversation Service State offices operate at full capacity.  
    Senator Welch filed an amendment to support federal dairy programs and improve the resilience of U.S. food systems.  
    Senator Welch filed an amendment that protects Congress’ constitutionally-granted power of the purse and end the Trump Administration’s illegal federal funding freeze. 
    Combat the Influence of President Trump’s Lawlessness and Elon Musk’s DOGE:  
    Senator Welch filed an amendment to prohibit the government from entering into contracts with DOGE-associated officials.  
    Senator Welch filed an amendment to require the staff and activities of the so-called “Department on Government Efficiency” (DOGE) are vetted, have proper oversight, and access to government information is restricted to those with the appropriate security clearances.    
    Senator Welch filed an amendment to require federal agencies to fully comply with all lawfully issued court orders.  

    MIL OSI USA News –