NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jamaican Nationals Arrested in Lottery Scam Investigation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MOBILE, AL – Four current and former residents of Baldwin County, Alabama were arrested today in Foley on criminal charges related to their alleged participation in a fraudulent lottery scam.

    According to court documents, the defendants, all Jamaican nationals, received more than $200,000 in over 100 shipments of cash from victims across the country who had falsely been told that they had won a lottery. The victims, many of them elderly, had been directed to pay “taxes” on their lottery winnings by sending cash to fictitious names at addresses controlled by the defendants in Baldwin County. The following individuals were arrested on a criminal complaint charging them with mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud:

       Peter Walcott, Malik Chambers, Romario Nembhard, and Jermaine Smith.

    If convicted, the defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    U.S. Attorney Sean P. Costello of the Southern District of Alabama; and Special Agent in Charge Paul W. Brown of the Mobile Division of the FBI made the announcement.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Mobile Division, is investigating the case, with the assistance of the agencies participating in today’s enforcement action, including the FBI Baltimore Division, the United States Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Customs and Border Patrol, the Department of Defense Office of the Inspector General, the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, the Foley Police Department, the Gulf Shores Police Department, and the Silverhill Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mike Anderson and Kasee Heisterhagen are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Honduran National Pleads Guilty To Illegally Possessing A Firearm While Intoxicated During A Domestic Incident

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Walner Josue Alvarado-Sabonje (27, Honduras) today pleaded guilty to being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. Alvarado faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

    According to court records, Alvarado illegally entered the United States near Hidalgo, Texas in April 2019, and is subject to a final order of removal. On June 16, 2024, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to multiple callers who reported hearing gunshots from the back of Alvarado’s home. The deputies received permission to search the backyard and found nine 9mm shell casings in the backyard.

    In the afternoon of September 22, 2024, sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from Alvarado’s wife, who told the dispatcher that Alvarado was intoxicated on the front porch of their home and acting recklessly with a gun. Deputies arrived approximately five minutes later, but Alvarado had left the home. A red Chevrolet Suburban sport utility vehicle registered to Alvarado was no longer parked at the house, so deputies determined that he had driven it elsewhere.

    Minutes later, a deputy located Alvarado alone in the driver’s seat of his SUV parked at a 7-Eleven approximately one mile away from Alvarado’s home.  Alvarado had two open beer cans in the center console and smelled like alcohol.  After arresting Alvarado for driving under the influence of alcohol, the deputies found a loaded Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol in the center console. The pistol and ammunition are traceable to the offense and subject to forfeiture. 

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam W. McCall.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: IMF Executive Board Concludes 2024 Article IV Consultation with Nicaragua

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    February 7, 2025

    Washington, DC: The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concluded the Article IV consultation[1] with Nicaragua.

    Nicaragua’s economic performance remains robust, underpinned by prudent macroeconomic policies and very strong remittance flows. The economy continues to be open and resilient, on a backdrop of transfers of private property to the state, international sanctions, and a reorientation of official financing. Real GDP growth accelerated to around 4½ percent in 2023 and the first half of 2024, from about 3.8 percent in 2022, on the back of robust domestic demand, while inflation declined. Twin fiscal and external account surpluses are leading to a decline in the public debt-to-GDP ratio and the accumulation of strong buffers.

    Real GDP growth is projected to moderate to 4 percent in the near term and to 3.5 percent in the medium-term, amid a slower pace of remittances growth, limited labor contribution to growth due to recent emigration, and cautious private sector investment decisions. International reserves are expected to grow at a slower pace than in the recent period, with narrowing of fiscal and current account surpluses as the authorities’ increase public investment.

    Risks to the outlook are broadly balanced in the short-term and to the downside in the medium term. Upside risks include stronger domestic demand, while downside risks include lower global growth, a deterioration in the terms of trade, natural disasters, stricter and wider international sanctions, and a change in immigration policies in the U.S. In addition, going forward, domestic and international political developments, and deterioration of the rule of law may also impact economic performance by potentially increasing the cost of doing business.

    Executive Board Assessment[2]

    Executive Directors agreed with the thrust of the staff appraisal. They welcomed Nicaragua’s robust growth, declining inflation and public debt, and fiscal sector and current account surpluses, supported by prudent macroeconomic policies and high remittances. While noting the positive outlook, Directors stressed that risks are to the downside, including from natural disasters, international sanctions, and U.S. immigration policies. They underscored the importance of continued efforts to safeguard macroeconomic stability, strengthen buffers, and support higher and more inclusive growth.

    Directors welcomed the authorities’ commitment to preserving fiscal sustainability, while supporting growth. Efforts to strengthen domestic revenue mobilization, enhance spending efficiency, and support higher capital and social spending are important. Noting the limited availability of concessional financing, Directors highlighted the importance of prudent debt management to safeguard debt sustainability. They underscored the need to mitigate fiscal risks by strengthening fiscal transparency, enhancing oversight of state owned enterprises, and reforming the pension system.

    Directors agreed that monetary policy should remain focused on supporting price stability and the exchange rate regime and highlighted the criticality of policy coordination. They recommended that the Central Bank of Nicaragua adjust monetary and exchange rate policies, as needed, enhance communication, and strengthen monetary policy transmission. Directors encouraged steadfast implementation of the 2021 safeguard assessment recommendations.

    Directors welcomed the commitment to maintaining financial stability. Noting the vulnerabilities, they encouraged proactive provisioning of distressed assets, close monitoring of consumer credit growth, enhanced foreign exchange risk monitoring, and aligning the crisis preparedness framework with international best practice. Measures to increase financial inclusion and deepening, including developing local bond and capital markets, would support medium term growth.

    Directors stressed the need for efforts to promote higher medium term growth and enhance climate resilience. Important measures include increasing human capital investment, targeted social spending, and promoting labor force participation, particularly for women. Directors also called for efforts to enhance the business climate and strengthen government institutions and frameworks to support increased private investment.

    Directors noted the steps taken to enhance governance, anti corruption, and AML/CFT frameworks, and emphasized that further efforts are needed to ensure their effective and appropriate application. They stressed the need to significantly improve the rule of law and safeguard judicial independence. Publishing asset declarations of politically exposed persons and supporting property rights are important. Directors welcomed the authorities’ commitment to enhancing the quality and consistency of statistics.

    It is expected that the next Article IV consultation with Nicaragua will be held on the standard 12 month cycle.

    Table 1. Nicaragua: Selected Social and Economic Indicators, 2023-25

    I. Social and Demographic Indicators

    GDP per capita (current US$, 2023)

    2,606

    Income share held by the richest 10 percent (2014)

    37.2

    GNI per capita (Atlas method, current US$, 2023)

    2,270

    Unemployment (percent of labor force, 2023)

    3.4

    GINI Index (2014)

    46.2

    Poverty rate ($3.65/day line, 2017 PPP, percent, World Bank, 2023)

    12.5

    Population (millions, 2023)

    6.8

    Adult literacy rate (percent, 2015)

    82.6

    Life expectancy at birth in years (2022)

    74.6

    Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births, 2022)

    14.0

    II. Economic Indicators

    2023

    2024

    2025

    Projections

    Output

    (Annual percentage change; unless otherwise specified)

    GDP growth

    4.6

    4.0

    4.0

    GDP (nominal, US$ million)

    17,843

    19,204

    20,771

    Prices

    Consumer price inflation (period average)

    8.4

    4.0

    4.0

     

    (Percent of GDP)

    Gross domestic investment

    23.0

    25.0

    26.5

    Private sector

    15.1

    15.8

    15.5

    Public sector

    7.9

    9.2

    11.0

    Gross national savings

    30.8

    31.8

    32.9

    Private sector

    21.5

    22.5

    22.9

    Public sector

    9.3

    9.3

    10.0

    Exchange rate

    Period average (Córdobas per US$)

    36.4

    36.6

    …
     

    Fiscal sector

    (Percent of GDP)

    Consolidated public sector

    balance1/

    2.8

    1.8

    1.1

    Revenue (including grants)

    32.9

    33.2

    33.1

    Expenditure

    30.1

    31.4

    32.0

    of which: Central Government overall balance2/

    2.6

    2.1

    1.3

    Revenue

    21.7

    21.6

    21.6

    Expenditure

    19.1

    19.5

    20.3

    Cash payments for operating activities

    14.6

    14.5

    13.8

    Net cash outflow: investments in NFAs

    4.5

    5.0

    6.5

    Money and financial

    (Annual percentage change)

    Broad money

    11.9

    12.2

    11.2

    Credit to the private sector

    18.1

    18.3

    11.2

    Net domestic assets of the banking system

    -8.0

    5.8

    1.3

    Non-performing loans to total loans (ratio)3/

    1.2

    1.7

    …

    Regulatory capital to risk-weighted assets (ratio)3/

    19.1

    19.2

    …

    External sector

    (Percent of GDP, unless otherwise indicated)

    Current account

    7.7

    6.7

    6.4

    Remittances

    26.1

    27.2

    26.1

    Capital and financial account

    4.1

    2.5

    3.0

    Gross international reserves (US$ million)4/

    5,190

    5,907

    6,729

    In months of imports excl. maquila

    7.0

    7.4

    7.7

    Net international reserves (US$ million)5/

    4,249

    4,979

    5,724

    In months of imports excl. maquila

    5.7

    6.3

    6.7

    Non-financial public sector debt6/

    49.6

    46.9

    44.9

    Domestic public debt

    10.3

    8.0

    6-9

    External public debt

    39.3

    38.9

    38.0

    Private sector external debt

    31.0

    28.6

    26.2

    Sources: National authorities; World Bank; and IMF staff calculations.

    1/ The consolidated public sector comprises the central government, the municipality of Managua, the state-owned enterprises, social security system (INSS) and the central bank.

    2/ Include transfers to cover the INSS deficit for 2023-25, 0.5 percent of GDP per year, and payment for historical debt (0.7 percent of GDP in 2023).

    3/ 2024 data is as of September 2024.

    4/ Excludes resources from the Deposit Guarantee Fund for Financial Institutions (FOGADE).

    5/ Excludes FOGADE and reserve requirements for FX deposits.

    6/ Assumes that HIPC-equivalent terms were applied to the outstanding debt to non-Paris Club bilaterals. Does not include SDR allocation.
             

    [1] Under Article IV of the IMF’s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country’s economic developments and policies. On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board.

    [2] At the conclusion of the discussion, the Managing Director, as Chairman of the Board, summarizes the views of Executive Directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country’s authorities. An explanation of any qualifiers used in summings up can be found here: http://www.IMF.org/external/np/sec/misc/qualifiers.htm.

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Brian Walker

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Risch Support Legislation to Stop Practice of Debanking

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), a senior member of the Senate Banking Committee, and U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) have co-sponsored the Fair Access to Banking Act, which would prevent discrimination by banks and financial services providers against constitutionally-protected industries and law-abiding businesses, such as firearms manufacturers and energy producers.  The bill, led by Senator Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), is co-sponsored by 38 additional Senate Republicans.
    “The financial services industry’s intentional discrimination of lawful businesses continues a disturbing trend established over the last few years,” said Crapo.  “Individuals and companies in compliance with federal and state law must have full access to credit services based on their creditworthiness, not social or political pressure.”
    “Financial institutions should never deny access to services due to political ideologies,” said Risch.  “The Fair Access to Banking Act prevents banks from discriminating against law-abiding Idahoans for their viewpoints and opinions.”
    The Fair Access to Banking Act would:
    Penalize banks and credit unions with over $10 billion in total consolidated assets, or their subsidiaries, if they refuse to do business with any legally-compliant person who meets certain criteria;
    Prevent payment card networks from discriminating against any qualified and legally-compliant person because of political or reputational considerations;
    Require qualified banks to provide written justification for why they are denying a person financial service; and
    Punish providers who fail to comply with the law by disqualifying them from using discount window lending programs, terminating their status as an insured depository institution or insured credit union, or imposing a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation. 
    Click here for bill text. 
    During the Obama Administration, Crapo fought against “Operation Choke Point,” an initiative in which federal agencies pressured banks to “choke-off” payment systems and banking services access to political disfavored industries, such as guns and ammunition businesses.  Crapo challenged banks issuing guidelines that would effectively cut off financial services to law-abiding firearm manufacturers, retailers and firearms purchasers if they do not comply with the bank’s firearms preferences.  Crapo and Risch also previously co-sponsored this legislation in the 117th and 118th Congresses.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Risch, Daines Introduce Bill to Unleash American Energy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Steve Daines (R-Montana) introduced legislation to unleash American energy, promote U.S. energy dominance and benefit rural communities. 

    The Supporting Made in America Energy Act would support oil and gas development by requiring:

    • Four annual onshore lease sales in top oil and gas producing states, 
    • Two annual offshore lease sales in the Gulf, and
    •  Six offshore lease sales over ten years in Alaska’s Cook Inlet.

    “We need pro-American energy proposals that help enhance U.S. energy independence and make us less reliant on our adversaries like China,” said Crapo.  “American-made energy means more jobs, more domestic energy and stronger national security.” 

    “I share President Trump’s vision of revitalizing America’s leadership in energy production and fueling a more prosperous future,” said Risch.  “The Supporting Made in America Energy Act removes barriers to achieving these goals by expanding access to America’s rich resources, strengthening our economy, and safeguarding our national security.”

    “Now that we have a President who supports our energy industry instead of pushing a radical environmental agenda, it’s time to get to work on real change to unleash American energy and ensure that we remain dominant on the world stage.  These bills will have a huge impact on creating Montana jobs, boosting our economy and protecting our national security, and I’ll work with my colleagues every step of the way to get them over the finish line,” said Daines.

    U.S. Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Bill Cassidy (R-Louisana), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), John Curtis (R-Utah), John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) and John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) joined Risch, Crapo, and Daines in introducing the legislation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Colleagues Call for Reinstatement of Inspectors General Illegally Fired by President Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    02.07.25

    Cantwell, Colleagues Call for Reinstatement of Inspectors General Illegally Fired by President Trump

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined a group of 37 senators writing to President Trump strongly condemning the President’s recent order to remove Inspectors General (IGs) from at least 18 government agencies and called on the President to immediately reinstate the officials.

    According to the Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act, which was signed into law in 2022, the President is required to provide a 30-day notice and substantive reasons for removal in writing to Congress before an Inspector General can be removed. President Trump failed to alert Congress or provide substantive reasoning.

    “These officials, which include those appointed by Presidents of both parties, including many during your first Administration, collectively conduct oversight of trillions of dollars of federal spending and the conduct of millions of federal employees,” wrote the senators. “Removing these non-partisan watchdogs without providing a substantive and non-political reason is not lawful, and undermines their independence, jeopardizing their critical mission to identify and root out waste, fraud, and abuse within federal programs.”

    The senators continued, “While the President has the authority to remove Inspectors General from office, Congress has established clear requirements to ensure such removals are transparent and are not politicized.  The law requires that the President provide a written 30-day notice to both Houses of Congress and include “the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons for any such removal or transfer.” With respect to your firings Friday night, Congress has not received either the mandatory 30-day notice or a rationale for their removal. Because your actions violated the law, these Inspectors General should be reinstated immediately.”

    IGs are responsible for providing independent oversight of federal programs and play a key role in improving government efficiency and effectiveness. IGs were removed from at least 18 departments and agencies, including Departments of Defense, State, Education, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Energy, Commerce, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the Small Business Administration, the Social Security Administration, and the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction.

    The letter was led by U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA). In addition to Sen. Cantwell, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Jack Reed (D-RI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Patty Murray (D-WA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and John Fetterman (D-PA). 

    The full text of the letter is available HERE and below.

    Dear Mr. President,  

    Your decision Friday evening to remove Inspectors General (IGs) from at least 18 offices across government—including those overseeing the Departments of Defense, State, Education, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Energy, Commerce, Agriculture, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Personnel Management, the Small Business Administration, and the Social Security Administration, as well as the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction—does not comply with current law and could do lasting harm to IG independence.  These officials, which include those appointed by Presidents of both parties, including many during your first Administration, collectively conduct oversight of trillions of dollars of federal spending and the conduct of millions of federal employees.  Removing these non-partisan watchdogs without providing a substantive and non-political reason is not lawful, and undermines their independence, jeopardizing their critical mission to identify and root out waste, fraud, and abuse within federal programs. 

    Inspectors General are responsible for providing independent oversight of federal programs by working to root out waste, fraud, and abuse and protect taxpayer dollars – oversight our federal agencies desperately need.  They play a key role in improving government efficiency and effectiveness and have helped identify and recover billions of taxpayer dollars.  IG independence is the foundation of this work, and IGs must be free of political influence so that they can carry out their important mission with integrity and credibility.  The federal government and the American people count on these officials to operate in a professional and non-partisan way to hold our government accountable—regardless of who is in power.  Without strong, qualified, and independent officials to lead these critical efforts, the Administration risks wasting taxpayer dollars, and allowing fraud and misconduct to go unchecked. For example, just this week the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued an unlawful memo directing agencies to pause nearly all federal grants and loans, which significantly disrupts the administration of over a trillion dollars of critical assistance to communities, businesses, and organizations across the country.  It is especially vital to have independent watchdogs at each of these agencies to conduct oversight of the impacts of this unconstitutional and unprecedented directive.     

    While the President has the authority to remove Inspectors General from office, Congress has established clear requirements to ensure such removals are transparent and are not politicized.  The law requires that the President provide a written 30-day notice to both Houses of Congress and include “the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons for any such removal or transfer.” With respect to your firings Friday night, Congress has not received either the mandatory 30-day notice or a rationale for their removal.  Because your actions violated the law, these Inspectors General should be reinstated immediately, until such time as you have provided in writing “the substantive rationale, including detailed and case-specific reasons” for each of the affected Inspectors General and the 30-day notice period has expired.   

    Lastly, if you believe it is necessary to place any of the affected IGs on administrative leave before the 30-day notice period has ended, the law requires that you submit a separate notification to Congress explaining how the IG presents a threat as defined in the Administrative Leave Act. 

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Wake of Trump Administration Illegally Halting Funds, Cantwell Opposes Nominee to Head Federal Budget Office

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    02.07.25

    In Wake of Trump Administration Illegally Halting Funds, Cantwell Opposes Nominee to Head Federal Budget Office

    In speech on Senate floor, Cantwell highlights real impacts not funding federal programs would have on WA constituents; Cantwell: “This is really an attempt to steal money from our constituents, just to pay for a tax bill.”; Cantwell: “It’s not a parlor game, it’s not a think tank exercise. It is their lives.”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling on her colleagues to vote against confirming Russell T. Vought, President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

    Vought – who following today’s vote will now serve as head of the federal office that helps develop the White House’s budget and priorities – was a chief architect of Project 2025. Last week, the OMB sent shockwaves across the country when President Trump issued an executive order freezing funding for vital federal programs, an order later rescinded amid legal challenges.

    In her remarks, Sen. Cantwell said that the freeze amounted to an attempt to “shortcut Congress.”

    “This administration does not have the power to wave a wand and erase legally authorized and appropriated funds. The Constitution is very clear here, Congress and the administration, together, agree on appropriations. They agree together when we pass laws and what we want to do to govern. And people should be able to rely on current laws until those laws are changed,” Sen. Cantwell said. “The havoc that has been caused by this nominee’s strategy is just absurd.”

    She continued: “My constituents, they want to know what’s going on in their lives. It’s not a parlor game, it’s not a think tank exercise. It is their lives.”

    Video of today’s speech is available HERE; audio is HERE; and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trump-Ordered Hiring Freeze Threatens Peak Season Access to Washington’s National Parks

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    02.07.25
    Trump-Ordered Hiring Freeze Threatens Peak Season Access to Washington’s National Parks
    National Park Service revoked employment offers for seasonal staff in response to freeze; In letter to Interior Sec Burgum, Cantwell calls for immediate reissue of seasonal employment offers to ensure park campgrounds & visitor centers remain open during the busy summer season
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, joined a letter with 21 other senators calling on Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to immediately reissue seasonal employment offers for the National Park Service, including offers to seasonal employees at Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks.  These three iconic parks host over five million visitors a year with visitation levels concentrated during the summer months. Combined these three parks generate over $350 million in economic benefits to gateway communities, supporting thousands of local jobs.
    “We are alarmed that the National Park Service revoked employment offers for seasonal staff for the upcoming summer season,” wrote the Senators. “Incoming seasonal staff – whose work is critical to managing the influx of visitors during the summer ‘peak season’ – had offers in their hands that were yanked away just days after the inauguration.”
    “National park units experience a summer surge in visitation that peaks in July, and the Service hires more than 6,000 seasonal employees to manage that extra work.  Without seasonal staff during this peak season, visitor centers may close, bathrooms will be filthy, campgrounds may close, guided tours will be cut back or altogether cancelled, emergency response times will drop, and visitor services like safety advice, trail recommendations, and interpretation will be unavailable,” the Senators added.
    The outdoor recreation economy contributes $22.5 billion in value added annually to the State of Washington and supports over 121,000 direct jobs.
    Mount Rainier National Park typically hires about 175 seasonal employees and Olympic National Park usually doubles the number of employees during this time. Temporary positions include laborers, maintenance workers, biological technicians, visitor use assistants who handle fees at entrance station and campgrounds, and park rangers. There are also a limited number of openings for clerical staff and trades and crafts professionals. 
    National Park units in Washington state regularly struggle to hire the number of employees needed to keep National Parks clean and safe. Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks have experienced permanent staff losses since 2013 while park visitation has increased. Delays in hiring seasonal employees could result in National Parks being understaffed at the busiest time of year, making it difficult to maintain park operations and keep visitors safe.
    If the parks are not able to hire seasonal employees soon, it will be difficult to recruit employees later.
    Sen. Cantwell is a longtime advocate for the economic and health benefits of outdoor recreation. In January, President Biden signed the EXPLORE Act, which contains several provisions to increase outdoor recreation secured by Sen. Cantwell. She is also the leading Senate supporter of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which provides grants to improve local community parks. Cantwell successfully led the fight to reauthorize the fund when authorization expired, and ultimately make LWCF funding permanent.
    The full text of the letter is HERE and below.
    Dear Secretary Burgum:  
    We urge you to immediately reissue seasonal employment offers for the National Park Service, to rescind damaging and short-sighted deferred resignation and early retirement offers, and to instead work to safeguard, grow, and shape the National Park Service workforce to meet the needs of our national parks and their visitors.
    We are alarmed that the National Park Service revoked employment offers for seasonal staff for the upcoming summer season.  Incoming seasonal staff – whose work is critical to managing the influx of visitors during the summer “peak season” – had offers in their hands that were yanked away just days after the inauguration.
    National Park Service rangers carry out a wide array of functions critical to protecting natural resources, keeping visitors safe, providing for recreation, and creating an inspiring and educational experience for visitors.  National park units experience a summer surge in visitation that peaks in July, and the Service hires more than 6,000 seasonal employees to manage that extra work.  Without seasonal staff during this peak season, visitor centers may close, bathrooms will be filthy, campgrounds may close, guided tours will be cut back or altogether cancelled, emergency response times will drop, and visitor services like safety advice, trail recommendations, and interpretation will be unavailable. 
    We are also alarmed that the administration’s offer of deferred resignation and voluntary early retirement, made without clear legal authority, as well as open threats about future terminations will lead to a damaging loss of full-time staff at the National Park Service, which is already operating well below prior staffing levels despite significant increases in visitation.  As a result of onerous budget caps during the 2010s, the National Park Service lost 15% of its staff while park visitation also increased by 15%.  If a significant number of National Park Service employees take one of the offers – or further terminations are made – park staffing will be in chaos.  Not only does this threaten the full suite of visitor services, but could close entire parks altogether. 
    Gutting staffing at national park units will devastate local “gateway” communities where parks generate significant economic activity – from hotels to restaurants to stores to outfitters.  In 2023, an estimated 325 million park visitors spent an estimated $26.4 billion in local gateway regions, supporting an estimated 415,000 jobs and $55.6 billion in total economic output in the national economy.
    Americans showing up to national parks this summer and for years to come don’t deserve to have their vacations ruined by a completely preventable – and completely irresponsible – staffing shortage.  And local economies don’t deserve to have their livelihoods destroyed for political gain.  We urge your cooperation in protecting national parks for the enjoyment of everyone by ensuring National Park Service staffing meets the needs of the 433 national park units in all 50 states. 
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cotton, Boozman, Crapo Introduce Hearing Protection Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
    February 7, 2025

    Cotton, Boozman, Crapo Introduce Hearing Protection Act 

    Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator John Boozman (R-Arkansas) joined Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) to introduce the Hearing Protection Act, legislation to help law-abiding gun owners better access suppressors to preserve hearing and safety. The bill would reclassify suppressors and treat them like traditional firearms for the purpose of regulation. 

    The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-Louisiana), Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Roger Wicker (R- Mississippi), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) and Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin).

    “Burdensome regulations on firearm suppressors are doing more harm than good to sportsmen and women. Our legislation will ensure law-abiding gun owners can easily access hearing protection without having to navigate bureaucratic red tape or exorbitant taxes,” said Senator Cotton.

    “Increasing access to hearing protection for sportsmen and hunters is common sense, law-abiding, responsible gun owners should not have to fight burdensome regulations to enjoy their hobbies safely and with the accessories that can protect their hearing. I am proud to join my colleagues to update unreasonable limitations on suppressors and stand with shooting sports enthusiasts,” said Senator Boozman.  

    “Federal red tape continues to follow the false Hollywood narrative that suppressors are silent and ignores the reality that they serve a genuine purpose in protecting the hearing of law-abiding American citizens exercising their Second Amendment rights. It is past time Congress removes the burdensome barriers to accessing this equipment for the safety of Idaho’s hunters and sportsmen,” said Senator Crapo. 

    Text of the bill may be found here.  

    The Hearing Protection Act would:

    • Remove suppressors from regulation under the National Firearms Act (NFA);
    • Replace the burdensome federal transfer process with an instantaneous National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check, making the purchase and transfer process for suppressors equal to the process for a rifle or shotgun; and  
    • Increase funding into state wildlife conservation agencies by taxing suppressors under the Pittman-Robertson Act instead of the NFA.

    On average, suppressors diminish the noise of a gunshot by 20-35 decibels, roughly the same sound reduction provided by earplugs or earmuffs.  The most effective suppressors on the market can only reduce the peak sound level of a gunshot to around 110-120 decibels, which is roughly equivalent to a jackhammer.

    The Hearing Protection Act is endorsed by the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the American Suppressor Association (ASA), Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the National Rifle Association (NRA).

    “The Hearing Protection Act will increase access to important hearing protection for millions of Americans,” said President of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology Amyn Amlani, Ph.D. “While the use of conventional hearing protection tools, such as earplugs and earmuffs are fundamental for preventing noise induced hearing loss in firearm users, conventional hearing protection alone does not always offer adequate protection from noise exposure. Firearm noise suppressors can be an effective supplement to traditional hearing protection.”

    “These safety devices reduce the report of a firearm to a level that won’t cause instant and permanent hearing damage,” said NSSF Senior Vice President and General Counsel Lawrence G. Keane. “Despite Hollywood’s depictions, they do not silence the sound of a firearm. The focus should be on removing barriers to safe and responsible use of firearms and dedicating resources to ensuring firearms are safeguarded from those who should never possess them. Strict regulatory control of firearm accessories, and the parts of those accessories that have no bearing on the function of a firearm, is unnecessary and not the wisest use of federal resources.”

    “It’s absurd that our unrestrained federal bureaucracy requires Americans to jump through hoops to buy simple hearing protection devices. Momentum continues to grow for common sense reforms that would end the stranglehold of government on the rights of her people,” said President and Executive Director of the American Suppressor Association Knox Williams.

    “Gun owners around the world are using suppressors to reduce the impact of noise and hearing loss while using their firearms. Even in countries with the strictest firearms laws, suppressors are often unregulated products that anyone can buy over the counter. However, outdated federal law makes it difficult for Americans to access these useful safety devices,” said Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action John Commerford. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister announces the appointment of senators

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, appointed the following individuals as independent senators to fill vacancies in the Senate:

    • Baltej Dhillon, for British Columbia
    • Martine Hébert, for Quebec
    • Todd Lewis, for Saskatchewan

    Baltej Dhillon is a retired career police officer, a community leader, and a lifelong advocate for diversity and inclusion. In 1991, Mr. Dhillon made history as the first Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer to wear a turban. He went on to have a successful 30-year career with the RCMP, playing a key role in several high-profile investigations. Since 2019, he has worked with British Columbia’s anti-gang agency, while remaining active in his community as a youth leader.

    Martine Hébert is a renowned economist, former Quebec diplomat, and public figure with over 25 years of experience in economic relations, governance, and public affairs. She has made significant contributions to the economic development of Quebec and Canada, notably during her time as Quebec’s Delegate to Chicago and later to New York City. She is also the former Senior Vice-President and National French Spokesperson for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

    Todd Lewis is a fourth-generation farmer and a dedicated champion for Saskatchewan’s agricultural community. He is the former President of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and currently serves as the first Vice-President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. A lifelong volunteer, he has been a strong voice for his community on numerous boards and working groups, and he continues to give back through his work as  a municipal councillor.

    These new senators were recommended by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments and chosen using a merit-based process open to all Canadians. Introduced in 2016, this process ensures senators are independent and able to tackle the broad range of challenges and opportunities facing the country.

    Quote

    “Congratulations to Mr. Dhillon, Ms. Hébert, and Mr. Lewis on their appointment as Parliament’s newest independent senators. Their broad range of experience will be a great benefit to the Senate, and I am confident they will continue to be strong voices for their communities.”

    Quick Facts

    • The Senate is the Upper House in Canada’s parliamentary democracy.
    • Candidate submissions were reviewed by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, which provided recommendations to the Prime Minister. The Board is guided in its work by public, transparent, non-partisan, and merit-based criteria to identify highly qualified candidates for the Senate.
    • With today’s announcement, there have been 93 independent appointments to the Senate made on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. All of them were recommended by the Board.
    • Under the Canadian Constitution, the Governor General appoints individuals to the Senate. By convention, senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
    • Once appointed by the Governor General, new senators join their peers to examine and revise legislation, investigate national issues, and represent regional, provincial and territorial, and minority interests – important functions in a modern democracy.

    Biographical Notes

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Provides Regional State of the State to Boulder Chamber, Celebrates Colorado’s Schools, and Discusses Efforts to Build More Housing Coloradans Can Afford

    Source: US State of Colorado

    BOULDER/LARIMER/WELD COUNTIES – Today, Governor Polis made visits across through Boulder, Larimer, and Weld Counties. Governor Polis started the day by delivering a regional State of the State address to the Boulder Chamber of Commerce and local leaders.

    “I’m focused on the issues Coloradans care about most. From lowering costs by building more housing people can afford, expanding low-cost and convenient transit options, to investing in law enforcement to keep our communities safe, and ensuring all kids get the high-quality education needed to thrive, we are delivering real results. But in Colorado, good enough is not good enough, and we continue to climb higher to make Colorado more affordable, sustainable, and liveable for everyone,” said Governor Polis.

    Governor Polis then visited Rocky Mountain Elementary School in Longmont, a recipient of the Governor’s Math Bright Spot Award in 2023, and a Universal Preschool Provider.

    “Giving our students a strong start is important for their success in the classroom and our future workforce. As a Universal Free Preschool Provider and Bright Spot award recipient, Rocky Mountain Elementary demonstrates Colorado’s commitment to student success on a daily basis. I was thrilled to visit today to learn about the school’s success and see how their best practices can be applied to help students in all four corners of our state thrive,” said Governor Polis.

    After visiting Rocky Mountain Elementary School, Governor Polis will meet with Tracey Johnson, the General Manager of Clayton Homes to discuss how they are creating more housing that Coloradans can afford.

    “Like most Coloradans, the high cost of housing remains a top priority for me and my administration. Last year we made historic progress to break through the government barriers that prevented more housing from being built. Innovative builders like Clayton Homes are an important part of our next steps to build more housing Coloradans can afford and I was excited to learn about their work in the Fort Collins area,” said Governor Polis.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Celebrating Love In A Welcoming Colorado For All: Governor Polis Stamps Valentine’s Day Letters at Annual LOVEland Event

    Source: US State of Colorado

    LOVEland – Today, Governor Polis participated in Loveland’s, the sweetheart city, 79th annual Valentine’s Day card stamping event, stamping love letters to be sent around the country.

    “In our Colorado For All, everyone can celebrate Valentine’s Day with their loved ones. Today, in LOVEland, I joined the beloved 79-year tradition of stamping cards from Valentine’s Station for loving people everywhere to help celebrate an even more special Valentine’s Day,” said Governor Polis.

    The annual Loveland Valentine’s Re-Mailing event, the largest of its kind, receives nearly 100,000 valentines each year from all 50 states and 110 countries worldwide. This beloved event has helped Coloradans and many around the world express their love for friends, family, and that special someone for 79 years since 1946. Today, Governor Polis joined volunteers to handstamp Valentines with the collector’s stamp before these Valentines travel all across the country and globe.  

    2025 Collector’s Stamp

    The 2025 collectors stamp artwork was designed by Corry McDowell and includes the following verse written by Jeanne Perrine:

    “We can’t keep our LOVE inside, So we spread HEATS far and wide, In Loveland’s embrace they abide, To show where LOVE will always reside.” Loveland, Colorado 2025

    Coloradans who want their Valentines to be re-mailed from the “Sweetheart City” of Loveland should mail their pre-stamped and pre-addressed Valentines in a large 1st class envelope to:

    Attn: Valentine Re-mailing

    446 E. 29th Street

    Loveland, CO 80538-9998

    Through February 10, 2025, Valentines may also be dropped off at the red mailbox displayed in the lobby of the Loveland Post Office or additional dropoff locations.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Conversation with Mothers on Affordability

    Source: US State of New York

    Earlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul convened a conversation with mothers at Fox’s Deli in Rochester to highlight her 2025 State of the State affordability agenda.

    B-ROLL of the Governor meeting with mothers at Fox’s Deli can be found on YouTube and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format.

    VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

     Well, I guess you’ve already seen my lunch partners here. I want to thank Sarah Sherwood and Keana DuBoise and Sophia – hi, Sophia – and Emily Jensen for sharing with me for a few moments at Fox’s Deli. Great place.

    Just the stresses of being a mom in today’s society – trying to raise kids, trying to deal with the ever rising cost of everything you need. We’re talking about the cost of the fruits that the little kids like, the strawberries and the blueberries. I mean, you want to give your kids healthy foods, but their costs are – so we talked about the cost of eggs – unbelievably high. There’s a lot going on for families and I wanted to take some time to share with them my priorities as New York’s first mom Governor who actually had to go experiencing the same worries, not that many years – well, actually a few years ago. I’ll admit that, a few years ago.

    But it seems like it was yesterday when the cost of diapers and formula and just the clothes that they outgrew every three months – it’s a lot then and now with the cost of everything because of inflation being so much higher, and it’s been really rough since the pandemic. So it’s important for me to just get out into our communities.

    I’ve spent a lot of time in the Finger Lakes region. I used to represent parts of this area in Congress. And I’ve been to this community many, many times. And I just wanted to let them have a chance to share with me those concerns, but also the cost of child care.

    When you hear what people pay to have their children watched, and whether you have a little one or you’re expecting another little one, this is something that you’re thinking about all the time. And we also talked about the high cost of rent – how expensive it is and will I be able to stay here? I love this neighborhood, but the costs keep going up and up and up.

    I just wanted to assure them that I’ve heard their cries for help. I knew this, and that’s why my Budget, just unveiled a few weeks ago, really talks about what I want to do, which is to make your family my fight.

    And so, what does that mean? Putting more money back in your pockets. Countless ways, but starting with a child tax credit that before I became Governor was literally zero for little kids. We’re going to put $1,000 in the pockets of families for each child under the age of four. It adds up quickly, a significant amount of money. We also talked about a middle class tax cut, the largest in 70 years. So we’re excited about getting that approved by the legislature.

    The inflation rebate, what does that mean? It means that because of inflation, people spent lots more money on everything, and we collected more at the state level. We collected $3 billion more than anticipated. So what do you do with it? You give it back to the people who overpaid all those years and so that’s going to result in over $500 back in people’s pockets as well.

    And lastly, two more things. I want to point out that the cost of breakfasts and lunches for kids who are school age, we’re going to cover that cost for a number of reasons. One is it gives time back to busy parents, it also becomes a great equalizer. There are children today who are skipping lunch and meals because of the stigma associated if they’re on a subsidized plan or they’re getting support from the government because their parents don’t make enough money. We want these kids to be fed. We don’t want them to be stigmatized and feel different than the other children, and also busy parents do not have to worry about the time involved in breakfast and lunches. But also it comes out to about another $1,600 per year per child back in parents’ pockets. You add all that up, we’re talking about $5,000 more in families pockets.

    If I can get this through the legislature, I’m excited about the opportunities. Let families know we hear them, we understand what they’re going through, and anything we can do to alleviate that burden and put more money back in their pockets will always be my priority.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta in New Court Filing: Trump Administration Not Complying with Court Order to Unfreeze Certain Federal Funding

    Source: US State of California

    In light of evidence of Trump Administration continuing to block state funding under the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act, states file motion to enforce existing court order 

    Preliminary injunction motion highlights the significant threats posed by the Trump Administration’s funding freeze, affecting access to food, healthcare, and crucial services that states provide  

    More than $100 billion in Medicaid funding, tens of billions in infrastructure and climate funding, among the funding at risk in just California 

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today led a coalition of 23 attorneys general in filing a motion to enforce and a motion for preliminary injunction in NY v. Trump, the ongoing lawsuit challenging actions by President Trump, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and federal agencies attempting to pause nearly $3 trillion in federal assistance funding allocated to the states that support critical programs and services that benefit the American people. The coalition today seeks to preliminarily enjoin the Trump Administration’s actions to impose a funding freeze, emphasizing the widespread and irreparable harm to states, which rely on billions of dollars of critical federal assistance for public services that ensure access to education, clean air and water, and health care and that support essential infrastructure projects.  

    The motion further highlights the harm states face if funds under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) are not allocated as required by statute. IRA and IIJA funding strengthens domestic energy security, reduces energy costs, diversifies our domestic energy resources, rebuilds our domestic manufacturing economy, bolsters and modernizes critical infrastructure, and creates well-paying jobs while simultaneously reducing harmful pollution. Citing evidence of ongoing disruptions impacting disbursements to states, and federal funds that remain blocked under the IRA and IIJA despite the court’s Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), which remains in place, the coalition also seeks to enforce the TRO to require the Trump Administration to disperse these funds.  

    “Let’s be crystal clear: the power of the purse belongs to Congress, not the President,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The Trump Administration’s dangerous and unconstitutional actions have created chaos and confusion across this country, and caused significant harm to states across the country and the millions of Americans who rely on federal funding, from children to the elderly. In yet another unlawful move, we have evidence that despite the Temporary Restraining Order we secured, the Trump Administration has continued to block funds needed for our domestic energy security, transportation, and infrastructure provided under the IRA and IIJA. We’re asking the court to enforce its order and ensure that the Trump Administration reinstates access to this critical funding. No one is above the law, and at the California Department of Justice, we will not waver in our commitment to uphold the law and ensure that necessary funding for critical programs and services in states across our country can continue.”

    In just this fiscal year, California is expected to receive $168 billion in federal funds – 34% of the state’s budget – not including funding for the state’s public college and university system. This includes $107.5 billion in funding for California’s Medicaid programs, which serve approximately 14.5 million Californians, including 5 million children and 2.3 million seniors and people with disabilities. Additionally, over 9,000 full-time equivalent state employee positions are federally funded. As detailed in the preliminary injunction motion, without access to federal financial assistance, many states could face immediate cash shortfalls, making it difficult to administer basic programs like funding for healthcare and food for children and to address their most pressing needs.

    Additionally, as of January 2025, California has been awarded $63 billion from the IIJA and nearly $5 billion from the IRA, not including funds going to California cities, air and water districts, or other political subdivisions. Due to ongoing disruptions impacting disbursements to states despite the court’s TRO, efforts that bolster clean energy investments, transportation, and infrastructure have been put at risk, including:

    • The Home Electrification and Appliances Rebates Program, for which the IRA appropriates $4.5 billion to the Department of Energy. The rebate program, administered by state energy offices under final federal grants, subsidizes low- and moderate-income households’ purchase and installation of electric heat pump water heaters, electric heat pump space heating and cooling systems, and other home electrification projects. Thousands of California homeowners have signed up for these programs, received approvals, and even started installation in reliance on these rebates, and are stuck paying their contractors an extra $8,000 if our state energy offices cannot draw down funds. As of February 5, that remained the case: the home rebate grants were being held “for agency review.”
    • The Solar for All program, administered by EPA and funded by the IRA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, awarded $7 billion to 60 grantees to install rooftop and community solar energy projects in low-income and disadvantaged communities. These awards—all subject to final grant agreements—support the construction of cheap, resilient power in underserved neighborhoods, and provide particular protection to communities in which wildfire risk regularly causes utilities to de-energize transmission lines. As of February 5, numerous states in the coalition were unable to access their Solar For All grant accounts. 
    • The Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program, administered by EPA and funded by a $5 billion IRA appropriation, supports states, tribes, and local governments in planning and implementing greenhouse-gas reduction measures. For example, the regional air district covering Los Angeles received a $500 million award, subject to a final grant agreement, to clean up the highly polluting goods movement corridor between the Imperial Valley’s logistics hubs and warehouses to the Port of Los Angeles. As of February 5, this grant and other Climate Pollution Reduction Grants remained inaccessible. 
    • The national air monitoring network and research program under Clean Air Act sections 103 to 105, which has been administered by EPA for the last sixty years to protect communities from dangerous pollution. The IRA appropriated $117.5 million to fund air monitoring grants under this program to increase states’ abilities to detect dangerous pollution like particulate matter (soot) and air toxics, especially in disadvantaged communities. These pollutants create a particular public health emergency in areas recovering from wildfires. As of February 5, air monitoring grants remained inaccessible. 

    Amid evidence that the Trump Administration has continued to block these critical funds, in violation of the court’s order, the attorneys general filed a motion to enforce to ensure that the funds are swiftly dispersed so that states can put them to use to protect for the health and well-being of their residents. 

    Attorney General Bonta, along with the attorneys general of New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Illinois, led the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin in filing the motions.  

    The motion to enforce and motion for a preliminary injunction is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Whitehorse — Police arrest several people in Shipyards Park parking lot

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On February 6, 2025 police officers from the Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) initiated a high-risk arrest of several people in Shipyards Park parking lot after spotting a person holding a handgun.

    On February 6, 2025 just before 6 pm, an on-duty CRU officer observed several people interacting at Shipyards Park around multiple vehicles. During the interaction, one of the people presented a hand gun and cycled the action.

    A high-risk arrest was conducted by CRU members with the assistance of multiple Whitehorse Detachment officers and Police Dog Services. Five males were arrested ranging in age between 17 and 21 years old. Police located and seized an air pistol that was an exact replica of a Glock 9mm pistol.

    All of the involved people were cooperative with police and were released. No charges are anticipated.

    ” This could have been a very different situation had the circumstances not evolved in the way that they did in this case. Replica firearms look exactly like a real firearm and are illegal to possess, as they are prohibited devices in Canada. Replica firearms along with airsoft guns can easily and dangerously be misidentified as a real firearm, which could put both the police and the public at risk. ” – Sergeant Ian Fraser, Supervisor of the Yukon Crime Reduction Unit

    See: Specific types of firearms | Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 02/7/2025 Blackburn, Blumenthal Probe Amazon & Google After New Report Reveals They Placed Ads on Website that Hosts Child Sexual Abuse Material

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) sent letters to several digital advertising platforms after a bombshell report revealed they placed advertisements on a website known to host and distribute Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). 

    This report was shared exclusively with the Senators before public release. Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal sent letters detailing the report to AdTech vendors Google and Amazon, ad verification firms DoubleVerify and Integral Ad Science, and industry standards bodies Media Rating Council and Trustworthy Accountability Group. Below are excerpts from their letter to Amazon.

    Blackburn & Blumenthal Sound the Alarm on Amazon Tech Being Used to Monetize Websites that Host Child Sexual Abuse Material

    “We write to express our profound concern that Amazon’s technology has been used to monetize websites that have been known to host child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Recent research indicates that Amazon has facilitated the placement of advertising on imgbb.com, a website that has been known to host CSAM since at least 2021, according to transparency reports released by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). The dissemination of CSAM is a heinous crime that inflicts irreparable harm on its victims. When digital advertising technologies place advertisements on websites that are known to host such activity, they have in effect created a funding stream that perpetuates criminal operations and irreparable harm to our children.”

    Production, Distribution, Sale, or Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material Violates Federal Law

    “Amazon’s actions here—or in best case, inaction—are problematic for several reasons. First, the instances of advertisements being served on a website known to host illegal CSAM via Amazon’s advertising technologies violates Amazon’s own policies. As you are aware, the production, distribution, sale, and possession of materials depicting CSAM violates federal law. Amazon’s own policies further prohibit ads from appearing on websites that host ‘illegal content’ and ‘adult and explicit sexual content.’ It remains unclear, however, whether Amazon has ceased its relationship with the website identified in this report, and it is deeply troubling that you have continued to monetize the website for at least three years since NCMEC first identified the website as a purveyor of CSAM.”

    Amazon Must Take Immediate Action to Ensure It Is Not Funding Heinous Crimes Against Children

    “Many advertisers reportedly cannot readily access page URL-level reports that would allow them to identify which pages their ads have appeared on, including if they had appeared on imgbb.com. Imgbb.com is an anonymous photo sharing website that hosts user-generated content. Without access to the URLs on which their ads appeared, advertisers have no ability to understand whether their ads have appeared on content that violates Amazon’s policies, their own policies, or federal law. It is imperative that your company take immediate and comprehensive action to address this issue and ensure that you are not funding these heinous crimes against children.”

    Click here to read the full letter to Amazon. 

    Click here to read the full letter to Google.

    Click here to read the full letter to DoubleVerify.

    Click here to read the full letter to Integral Ad Science.

    Click here to read the full letter to Media Rating Council.

    Click here to read the full letter to Trustworthy Accountability Group.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders Statement: Trump Claims He’s on the Side of the Working Class. Really?

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    BURLINGTON, Feb. 7 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), today released the following statement: 
    At a time of massive income and wealth inequality, when 60% of our people live paycheck to paycheck, millions of Americans understand that if they are going to make it to the middle class, they need to be in a trade union so they can negotiate for decent wages, benefits and working conditions.   
    When Trump campaigned for president, he claimed he was on the side of the working class. But that’s not what he’s delivering. Rather than standing up for average Americans, he’s protecting the interests of some of the wealthiest people in the world. 
    When Donald Trump fires the most pro-union General Counsel in the history of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and illegally removes a member of this independent board, he is not a champion of the working class. He is a champion of unfettered corporate greed and union busters.
    As a result of Trump’s unprecedented move, the NLRB no longer has a quorum and has effectively been shut down. What does this mean? It means that it will be far, far harder for workers to exercise their constitutional right to form a union and improve their standard of living. It means that during a union election, corporate bosses can illegally fire workers who vote to join a union. It means that corporate CEOs have free rein to illegally intimidate and coerce pro-union workers without recourse. It means that corporations can aggressively decide not to bargain in good faith with union workers or sign a first contract.   
    And because the NLRB is now dysfunctional, workers have no recourse.  
    Trump’s decision has already had disastrous consequences. Last week, workers at a Whole Foods grocery store in Philadelphia voted 130-100 to join the United Food and Commercial Workers union. But Whole Foods, owned by Jeff Bezos, has made it crystal clear that they will ignore this union victory and will not bargain with their union workers in good faith. Without a functioning NLRB, Whole Foods cannot be held accountable for its illegal behavior.   
    For months, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos, the two wealthiest men alive, have been working overtime to abolish the NLRB. Why is that? These notorious anti-union billionaires want the absolute power to exploit their workers and violate labor law.  The lower the wages they pay, the more money they make. Since Election Day, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have become $184 billion richer and are now worth $669 billion. But, apparently, that’s not enough.  
    As the Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee I will continue working with the trade union movement to oppose Trump’s decision and make it easier for workers to join unions, not harder.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock Presses USTR Nominee for Commitments to Protect Georgia’s Green Energy Economy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock Presses USTR Nominee for Commitments to Protect Georgia’s Green Energy Economy

    During a Thursday Finance committee hearing, Senator Reverend Warnock questioned Jamieson Greer during his nomination to be the United States Trade Representative (USTR)
    Senator Reverend Warnock highlighted the importance of Georgia’s clean energy economy and the thousands of jobs that support it 
    Greer is a partner in the International Trade team at King & Spalding, which is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “I’m excited about the investments in solar energy in Georgia. I’m also proud that Georgia, in many ways, is leading the country in building electric cars entirely in the United States, employing thousands of Georgians”

    Watch video of Senator Reverend Warnock’s questioning HERE
    Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, during a Senate Finance committee hearing on Jamieson Greer’s nomination to be the United States Trade Representative (USTR), U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) pressed Greer on his commitment to protecting and bolstering Georgia’s clean energy economy.
    During Senator Warnock’s line of questions, he also highlighted the importance of the boon to Georgia’s economy that the clean energy market provides.
    “Down near my hometown where the Kia plant opened, we’ve got about 9,000 more jobs that have been created in that area. A major economic boon,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. 
    Senator Warnock has continuously fought to deliver robust clean energy investments to communities across Georgia. Last year, heannounced over $700,000 in federal investments to help farmers, ranchers, and rural business owners upgrade their energy systems with sustainable solar and electric energy alternatives to help lower their energy costs. Additionally, the Senator played an instrumental role in securing landmark investments to expand the nation’s fleet of clean electric school buses, including delivering over $60 million for electric school buses for Georgia. In the Inflation Reeducation Act, Senator Warnock secured incentives for domestic solar manufacturing, which will help create more clean energy jobs, as well his plan to promote the creation of sustainable aviation fuel. 
    Watch the Senator’s full remarks and line of questioning HERE.
    See below a transcript of key exchanges between Senator Warnock and nominee Jamieson Greer:
    Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “In our meeting, we discussed the importance of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and its clean energy investments in Georgia. I enjoyed our conversation very much. Welcome and congratulations to you, and to your family.”
    “We talked about these provisions in the IRA. The state of Georgia has seen growth in our advanced manufacturing sector, with both domestic companies and foreign companies making significant investments, due in large measure to the IRA’s clean energy investments, bringing a lot of jobs to Georgia.”
    “One of the things I’m very proud of as a lifelong native of Georgia is that little Dalton, Georgia known as the carpet capital of the world. If you are walking on a floor anywhere, there is a good chance you are walking on something that was created in Dalton, Georgia. But who would have imagined that Dalton, Georgia would become such a leader in the manufacturing of solar panels? This is due to the Korean solar manufacturer, Qcells, bringing thousands of jobs to Georgia, creating a domestic solar industry, almost entirely free of Chinese supply chains.” 
    “However, it needs trade protections to compete against a heavily subsidized Chinese industry. If confirmed as the nation’s trade representative, how would you work to protect and grow domestic solar and clean energy manufacturing to ensure our supply chain does not depend on China?” 
    Jamieson Greer (JG): “Thank you, senator. I’m glad to hear you express concern and interest in this, these are things I am concerned about too.”
    “To the extent that there is going to be energy products manufactured and used in the United States, it would be great to have them made here. And that we’re not using panels that come from China, and in some instances might include products of subsidies or forced labor. The first Trump Administration did a safeguard tariff. The Commerce Department for many years has had other tariffs in place and I think that those can be effective tools.”
    “You have testified to this, that we have new protections in the United States. Europe did not have these protections in place and they saw their solar industry go away. I’m very interested in maintaining and exploring those possibilities to ensure we have that production here.”
    SRW: “I appreciate that, and I look forward to continuing to have that conversation. I’m excited about the investments in solar energy in Georgia. I’m also proud that Georgia, in many ways, is leading the country in building electric cars, entirely in the United States, employing thousands of Georgians. Down near my hometown where the Kia plant opened, we’ve got about 9,000 more jobs that have been created in that area. A major economic boon.” 
    “President Trump and congressional Republicans have bragged about repealing federal investments in the green economy that have created these jobs. Jobs that have bipartisan support in my state. I support what we’re doing there, the Republican Governor supports it. This is a top bipartisan economic issue in Georgia. It’s about American manufacturing.” 
    “If confirmed, how will you use your position to protect the investments and thousands of jobs, jobs that foreign car companies have brought to Georgia?” 
    JG: “My role and my jurisdiction in the administration is to negotiate trade deals where appropriate and do trade enforcement as necessary which is certainly an area where I want to make sure any manufacturing you have doesn’t have to compete unfairly with foreign product.”
    “With respect to other incentives or other legislation, that is something that I believe the Treasury Department and the Energy Department, the President and Congress will determine the path forward.” 
    SRW: “Would you agree that if we seed that space, that it is not a net positive result for American businesses?”
    JG: “We need to have advance manufacturing in the United States as much as possible whether it is traditional or electric vehicles or solar panels.” 
    SRW: “So ideology around clean energy should not stop us from doing what is necessary.”
    JG: “If we are going to have manufacturers making clean energy, that makes sense, and broader energy policy, we should be making those things here.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Walnut Ridge Man Sentenced to More Than 21 Years in Federal Prison For Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and Being A Felon in Possession of 26 Firearms

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

          JONESBORO—Terry Duane Qualls, a multi-convicted felon, will spend the next 262 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, announced the sentence, which was handed today by United States District Judge Lee P. Rudofsky.

          On September 20, 2024, Qualls, 37, of Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of firearms. Qualls was indicted on April 5, 2024, in a superseding indictment, on one count of conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine (actual), one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of being a felon in possession of 26 firearms, and one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.

          In addition to the sentence, which equals 21 years and 10 months, Judge Rudofsky also sentenced Qualls to five years supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

          In the spring of 2021, law enforcement received information that Qualls was a multi-pound distributor of methamphetamine, and also a distributor of marijuana, heroin, fentanyl, LSD, and ecstasy in the northeast Arkansas area. Law enforcement arrested Qualls twice in the following months, finding him in possession of drugs and drug proceeds. Law enforcement also conducted a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from Qualls. The investigation led to the execution of a search warrant on sprawling property off Greene 707 Road, which was occupied by Qualls. Law enforcement located several stolen vehicles and a marijuana grow on the property.

          Inside of a camper where Qualls resided, law enforcement located 26 firearms, body armor, 25 additional magazines, and five full cans of ammunition. Law enforcement also located approximately 340 grams of methamphetamine in multiple baggies, over 3,000 grams of marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, suboxone, LSD, mushrooms, alprazolam, clonazepam, THC wax, 60 sudephedrine tablets, and steroids, along with a plastic bin full of syringes, five digital scales, 13 pipes, and a marijuana grinder.

          Qualls was sentenced as a career offender on the drug conviction due to his criminal history that includes three serious drug convictions. Qualls was sentenced as an armed career criminal on the gun conviction due to his criminal history as well.

          This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

          The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Second Judicial Drug Task Force, Greene County Sheriff’s Office, Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, and Jonesboro Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary.

    # # #

    Additional information about the office of the

    United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, is available online at

    https://www.justice.gov/edar

    X (formerly known as Twitter):

    @USAO_EDAR 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Colleagues Launch Probe Into DOGE’s Interference with Department of Education, Access to Federal Student Loan Data

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    Musk’s Team May Have Obtained Access to Personal Information of Millions of Borrowers; Raises Concerns About Violations of the Law, Failure to Protect Sensitive Information

    “The millions of families who rely on the Department of Education to help them achieve the American Dream deserve answers about reports that an unelected billionaire and his team now have access to some of their most sensitive personal information.”

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and a group of their colleagues in sending a letter to Acting Secretary of the Department of Education, Denise Carter, launching a probe into recent reports that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has infiltrated the Department of Education (ED) and that “DOGE staffers have gained access to federal student loan data, which includes personal information for millions of borrowers.”

    There are over 40 million federal student loan borrowers in the United States. ED’s student loan database contains millions of borrowers’ highly sensitive information, including Social Security numbers, marital status, and income data. 

    “This deeply troubling report raises questions about potential exposures of Americans’ private data, the abuse of this data by the Trump Administration, and whether officials who have access to the data may have violated the law or the federal government’s procedures for handling sensitive information,” wrote the senators.

    According to public reporting, “a handful of 19-to-24-year-old engineers linked to Musk’s companies, with unclear titles, could be bypassing regular security protocols” during DOGE’s infiltration of federal agencies. The senators also raised concerns that the access provided to DOGE-affiliated staff by the Department may violate the Privacy Act, which generally prohibits the disclosure of such information.

    “We are especially troubled by this reporting given President Trump’s stated pledge to abolish the Department,” concluded the lawmakers. “The millions of families who rely on ED to help them achieve the American Dream deserve answers about reports that an unelected billionaire and his team now have access to some of their most sensitive personal information.”

    Additional reporting suggests that DOGE has “fed sensitive data from across the Education Department into artificial intelligence software to probe the agency’s programs and spending.” The 16 senators requested answers from Acting Secretary Carter about DOGE’s access to federal student loan data and any other sensitive databases by February 13, 2025.

    In addition to Luján, Warren, and Schumer, the letter was joined by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    The full text of the letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Heinrich, Luján Demand VA Secretary Collins Step Up and Defend Veterans’ Private Information from Elon Musk

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined 25 Senate Democrats to urge Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins to immediately secure veterans’ personal information provided by the VA or other agencies to Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE). This call follows Musk’s takeover of the U.S. Treasury’s payment system, which includes private information of veterans and their families, and reports of DOGE employees accessing VA computer systems at the Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.

    In a letter, the senators demanded that VA Secretary Collins deny and sever Musk and DOGE’s access to any VA or other government system with information about veterans, and to delete any veterans’ information in their possession.

    “Among many tasks, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is entrusted with safeguarding the private and sensitive information of millions of veterans…Veterans risked their lives to defend our country, and they deserve better than to have an unelected billionaire reviewing their medical records, targeting the benefits they have earned, or using their private information for personal gain,” the senators wrote.

    “Our nation’s veterans have entrusted their health records, including genetic samples, disability data, bank information, and other private information, to the VA. The Department also stores sensitive veteran casework, files of whistleblowers who have come forward with concerns about waste, fraud, and abuse, and sensitive investigative files with veteran and federal employee information,” the senators continued.

    “Meanwhile, the President has given unfettered access to federal databases and systems to Mr. Musk, an unelected citizen, and a team of colleagues with no formal documented employment agreement with the U.S. government. It is a group of private citizens with no experience in the federal government, who lack proper approval from legal and agency authorities, lack the appropriate security clearances, and lack the requisite background investigations or ethical conflict requirements. We are outraged these unelected, unvetted, and unaccountable individuals now have access to sensitive information that has been heavily secured for decades and by administrations of both parties,” the senators stated.

    There are millions of veterans’ medical records stored in VA’s computer systems. These confidential records include veterans’ prescriptions, diagnoses, and procedures they have undergone. Access to these medical records could give Musk and DOGE the ability to identify veterans who have received abortions or abortion counseling in the past. The Million Veteran Program, which manages the genomic data of its more than one million veteran participants for authorized research programs, also stores its data in VA data systems. In addition, the U.S. Treasury’s payment system stores private information of veterans, surviving spouses, and their families, including their monthly disability compensation amount, home address, and bank account numbers.

    “During your confirmation process, you claimed you would be focused on rooting out corruption and ensuring accountability at the VA, and committed to following the laws passed by Congress. We now call on you to respond quickly and comprehensively to these privacy violations by revoking DOGE’s access to VA systems and insisting they permanently remove all VA data collected from their files,” the senators concluded.

    The letter was led by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Alongside Heinrich and Luján, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.).

    The full text of the letter is here and below.

    Dear Secretary Collins,

    Among many tasks, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is entrusted with safeguarding the private and sensitive information of millions of veterans. Today, we call on you to immediately secure any personal and related information regarding veterans provided by VA or other agencies to Elon Musk and associates under the auspices of the “Department of Government Efficiency” established under Executive Order 14158. Further, we call on you to deny and sever their access to any VA or other government system that includes information about veterans, and to require them to immediately and permanently delete any information in their possession. Veterans risked their lives to defend our country, and they deserve better than to have an unelected billionaire reviewing their medical records, targeting the benefits they have earned, or using their private information for personal gain.

    Our nation’s veterans have entrusted their health records, including genetic samples, disability data, bank information, and other private information, to VA. The Department also stores sensitive veteran casework, files of whistleblowers who have come forward with concerns about waste, fraud, and abuse, and sensitive investigative files with veteran and federal employee information. Veterans and VA employees entrusted the Department with this information with the understanding that it would be kept private and only used to help deliver the highest quality of services to veterans, their families, and survivors.

    Meanwhile, the President has given unfettered access to federal databases and systems to Mr. Musk, an unelected citizen, and a team of colleagues with no formal documented employment agreement with the U.S. government. It is a group of private citizens with no experience in the federal government, who lack proper approval from legal and agency authorities, lack the appropriate security clearances, and lack the requisite background investigations or ethical conflict requirements. We are outraged these unelected, unvetted, and unaccountable individuals now have access to sensitive information that has been heavily secured for decades and by Administrations of both parties.

    These actions are in direct violation of federal laws meant to protect our national security and the privacy of our citizens’ personal information. This includes information on Social Security payments, Medicare, Medicaid, student loans, veterans’ disability compensation payments, GI Bill payments, federal civil servants’ personnel records, and much more. With every hour, we see DOGE further expand its efforts to create a massive private database of previously guarded data outside the federal government’s cyber and legal protections. It is an abhorrent and illegal overreach of executive powers, which conflicts with various federal statutes, including the Federal Information Security Modernization Act, the Privacy Act, the E-Government Act of 2002, and likely several other cyber and national security laws.

    During your confirmation process, you claimed you would be focused on rooting out corruption and ensuring accountability at VA, and committed to following the laws passed by Congress. We now call on you to respond quickly and comprehensively to these privacy violations by revoking DOGE’s access to VA systems and insisting they permanently remove all VA data collected from their files.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Heinrich, Luján, Colleagues Call on Trump Administration to End Harmful Freeze on Health Communications and Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    Senators emphasize the damage Trump’s freeze on funding has already inflicted on patient care and public health oversight

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined 34 Senate Democrats to call on Acting Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Dorothy Fink to end the unprecedented freeze on all external communications and funding at HHS.

    This freeze has disrupted clinical trials and prevented HHS operating divisions, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), from communicating with patient groups and scientific advisory committees without a plan for restoration. The directive prohibits agencies from issuing vital public health advisories, publishing scientific reports, updating websites, announcing regulatory decisions, and distributing federal grants. CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), considered the nation’s premier publication for disseminating public health updates, is delayed for the first time in over 60 years. This political interference is a threat to public health.

    “We write to express our deep concern over the administration’s recent decision to freeze external communications and suspend federal health funding at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS),” wrote the senators. “The abrupt order has already disrupted patient care, public health oversight, halted medical research funding, and obstructed critical regulatory processes.”

    “This political interference in public health agencies is unprecedented and unacceptable. … The American people depend on HHS agencies to provide accurate, real-time information about disease outbreaks, medical research, and regulatory decisions. We urge you to immediately reverse this harmful decision,” the senators continued.

    The letter was led by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Alongside Heinrich and Luján, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Minn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass,), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    The full text of the letter is available here and below.

    Dear Acting Secretary Fink:

    We write to express our deep concern over the Administration’s recent decision to freeze external communications and suspend federal health funding at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The abrupt order has already disrupted patient care, public health oversight, halted medical research funding, and obstructed critical regulatory processes.

    On January 22, all 13 HHS operating divisions – including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) were told to immediately “pause” all external communications and grant disbursements until at least February 1, with no clear plan for restoration. This directive prohibits agencies from issuing public health advisories, publishing scientific reports, updating websites, announcing regulatory decisions, or conducting outreach to patient groups – unless such activity is explicitly approved by politically appointed leadership.

    With the Administration’s own deadline having passed, it remains unclear when these restrictions will be lifted. While limited exceptions exist for critical health, safety, or national security concerns, the freeze has already severely impeded essential public health and biomedical research functions.

    The CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the nation’s premier publication for disseminating public health updates, was abruptly delayed for the first time in over 60 years, limiting reporting on the H5N1 bird flu outbreak and other emerging infectious disease threats. The MMWR often includes clinical recommendations for doctors, such as guidance on how to treat diseases that are currently circulating in the United States – and delaying the MMWR means that doctors may not have all the latest information they need to keep their patients healthy.

    At the NIH, new clinical trials have been delayed and external peer-review grant processes have faced disruptions. NIH study sections – which legally must review grant applications before funding can be disbursed – were initially canceled, creating uncertainty about when federal research funds will be awarded. Despite efforts by the Administration to provide clarity, it remains unclear whether the full peer-review process has resumed and how long grant funding decisions will continue to be delayed. This uncertainty has placed billions in federal research funds in limbo, directly threatening ongoing medical studies and academic research programs.

    The freeze has also blocked NIH from engaging with patient groups on ways to recruit participants into ongoing clinical trials. This means that patients with rare diseases, cancer, and other serious conditions who rely on clinical trials for treatments may be prevented from enrolling, directly jeopardizing their access to life-saving care.

    This political interference in public health agencies is unprecedented and unacceptable. While it is not unusual for a new administration to conduct brief reviews of existing programs, no past transition has implemented a blanket freeze of this magnitude.

    Accordingly, we request an immediate and detailed response to the following questions by Monday, February 10:

    Provide a full accounting of all scientific reports, disease surveillance updates, grant decisions, public health advisories, events, calls, research reviews, reports, issue briefs, inspections, surveys, and postings that have been postponed or cancelled since noon on January 20.

    Which of the postponed or cancelled items will be rescheduled or published, and by what date?

    Has the pause affected communications between HHS and other federal Departments or state agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture. If so, in what capacity?

    Can you confirm that all external communications, including those listed above in your answer to the first question, have already resumed or will resume by February 10? If not, please provide a detailed explanation for any continued delay.

    Has the communications and funding freeze affected the department’s ability to respond promptly to public health threats and ongoing outbreaks? If so, in what ways?

    Given that we are at the height of virus season, how has this pause affected the department’s ability to fulfill its core mission of protecting public health?

    The American people depend on HHS agencies to provide accurate, real-time information about disease outbreaks, medical research, and regulatory decisions. We urge you to immediately reverse this harmful decision.

    Thank you for your prompt attention to this request. We look forward to your response and to working with the Department to protect public health and ensure Americans can get the care they need.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister announces new Special Envoy for Syria

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, its rule has come to an end, starting a new chapter for Syria. The Syrian people have endured unimaginable hardship, and during this period of transition, Canada will continue to stand by them in their pursuit of a just and inclusive society.

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced the appointment of the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Member of Parliament for Mississauga Centre, as Canada’s new Special Envoy for Syria.

    In this role, Mr. Alghabra will advise the Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly, on Canadian efforts to support the Syrian people in addressing their pressing needs and transition toward an inclusive and peaceful future. To do this, he will consult with a range of stakeholders, including subject matter experts, regional actors, and international partners, to promote inclusive governance and ensure the protection of human rights.

    Mr. Alghabra was first elected to the House of Commons in 2006. He then held several parliamentary roles, including Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister as well as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade Diversification and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Minister of Transport. A Syrian Canadian with deep ties to the country, he brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the role. Throughout his career, Mr. Alghabra has been a passionate advocate for Syrian refugees, working tirelessly to support those displaced by the devastating civil war that plagued Syria for over a decade.

    Canada remains committed to supporting the immediate delivery of humanitarian assistance in Syria and the development of a stable and inclusive government in the country. By working together, we can help turn the page on this dark chapter in Syria’s history and promote peace and prosperity for generations to come.

    Quote

    “Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the people of Syria. With the appointment of Mr. Alghabra as Canada’s new Special Envoy for Syria, we are strengthening our efforts to promote dialogue, deliver critical humanitarian aid, and build a future where all Syrians can live in safety and dignity for years to come.”

    Quick Facts

    • Since 2016, Canada has committed more than $4.7 billion in funding for Syria and countries hosting refugee populations, including Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon.
    • Last month, Canada announced $17.25 million in humanitarian assistance to address the urgent needs of the Syrian people. This funding will be delivered through experienced humanitarian partners, such as United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
    • Canada remains committed to working with partners to investigate, document, and preserve all evidence of crimes committed by the Assad regime, including its use of chemical weapons.
    • Over 16 million people in Syria, approximately 70 per cent of the country’s population, urgently require humanitarian assistance. It is estimated that well over 250,000 people have died in the Syrian civil war, with hundreds of thousands more wounded.
    • Since fall 2015, Canada has helped to resettle more than 100,000 Syrian refugees.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven, Daines Introduce Bills to Unleash American Energy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    02.07.25
    WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) joined Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and a group of their Republican colleagues in introducing two bills to unleash American energy, promote America’s energy dominance and support rural communities. The “Supporting Made in America Energy Act” would support oil and gas development by requiring four annual onshore lease sales in top oil and gas producing states, two annual offshore leases sales in the Gulf and six offshore lease sales over ten years in Alaska’s Cook Inlet. The “Restoring State Mineral Revenues Act” would remove the 2 percent administration fee on federal oil and gas royalty payments to local communities.  
    “President Trump recognizes the power of American energy and innovation, especially in North Dakota, where we’ve demonstrated that it’s possible to produce more energy while upholding the highest environmental standards,” said Hoeven. “These bills help unlock American energy and encourage global leadership so that our country is not just energy independent but energy dominant.”
    “Now that we have a President who supports our energy industry instead of pushing a radical environmental agenda, it’s time to get to work on real change to unleash American energy and ensure that we remain dominant on the world stage. These bills will have a huge impact on creating Montana jobs, boosting our economy and protecting our national security, and I’ll work with my colleagues every step of the way to get them over the finish line,” said Daines.
    Joining Hoeven and Daines in introducing the Made in America Energy Act are Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Curtis (R-Utah) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.)
    Joining Hoeven and Daines in introducing the Restoring State Minerals Revenue Act are Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Curtis (R-Utah), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch, Crapo, Daines Introduce Bill to Unleash American Energy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) introduced legislation to unleash American energy, promote U.S. energy dominance and benefit rural communities.
    The Supporting Made in America Energy Act would support oil and gas development by requiring:
    Four annual onshore lease sales in top oil and gas producing states,
    Two annual offshore lease sales in the Gulf, and
    Six offshore lease sales over ten years in Alaska’s Cook Inlet.
    “I share President Trump’s vision of revitalizing America’s leadership in energy production and fueling a more prosperous future,” said Risch. “The Supporting Made in America Energy Act removes barriers to achieving these goals by expanding access to America’s rich resources, strengthening our economy, and safeguarding our national security.”
    “We need pro-American energy proposals that help enhance U.S. energy independence and make us less reliant on our adversaries like China,” said Crapo. “American-made energy means more jobs, more domestic energy and stronger national security.”
    “Now that we have a President who supports our energy industry instead of pushing a radical environmental agenda, it’s time to get to work on real change to unleash American energy and ensure that we remain dominant on the world stage. These bills will have a huge impact on creating Montana jobs, boosting our economy and protecting our national security, and I’ll work with my colleagues every step of the way to get them over the finish line,” said Daines.
    U.S. Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), John Curtis (R-Utah), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), and John Hoeven (R-N.D.) joined Risch, Crapo, and Daines in introducing the legislation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, Young reintroduce legislation to strengthen critical minerals supply chains

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) reintroduced the Securing Trade and Resources for Advanced Technology, Economic Growth, and International Commerce in (STRATEGIC) Minerals Act to strengthen America’s supply chain of critical minerals and rare earth elements (REEs).

    Critical minerals and REEs are essential for the production of many 21st century technologies, from cell phones to supercomputers to military weapons. Unfortunately, they are highly vulnerable to supply chain disruption, and China’s aggressive effort to control these resources presents a significant national and economic security risk. This bill would empower the president to negotiate and enforce sector-specific trade agreements exclusively focused on critical minerals and REEs with trusted partners and allies. Successful agreements would bolster cooperation, reduce trade barriers, and enhance the economic security of the U.S. and its partners. 

    “If America is to remain a superpower, we need resilient supply chains for critical minerals—and that means strong relationships with reliable trading partners around the world,” said Senator Coons. “The STRATEGIC Minerals Act will help us achieve that goal, and it’s one more way Congress is doing its part to position the U.S. to produce the technologies that will define the rest of the 21st century.”

    “Our nation depends on critical minerals for everything from consumer goods to defense technologies, and relying on foreign adversaries for these materials is a national security vulnerability we cannot afford,” said Senator Young. “Negotiating more trade agreements specific to critical minerals with trusted partners will help shore up our supply of these resources, protect American interests, and strengthen our national security.”

    “China dominates the critical minerals supply chain, which leaves America vulnerable to national security risks,” said Senator Cornyn. “By shoring up America’s critical minerals supply chain, this legislation would increase our competitiveness on the world stage, reduce our dependence on foreign adversaries, and foster greater trade with trusted allies.”

    “Critical minerals are key to our clean energy future and American innovation,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “China currently controls the supply chain for many of these essential resources. Our international allies will help us diversify our critical mineral supply and strengthen our national security.”

    Specifically, the STRATEGIC Minerals Act would:

    • Authorize the president, through the U.S. Trade Representative, to negotiate, enter into, and enforce specialized trade agreements focused on critical minerals and REEs, subject to congressional approval.
    • Set trade negotiation objectives to strengthen supply chains of critical minerals and REEs, aiming to reduce or eliminate trade barriers with trusted allies to ensure reliable access and reduce dependence on adversarial nations.
    • Exclude nonmarket economies like China and prevent foreign entities of concern from benefiting, allowing only trusted partners to participate in order to safeguard our national security.
    • Require the president to consult with Congress before initiating negotiations, providing details on objectives and potential impacts and ensuring legislative oversight.
    • Amend the Defense Production Act of 1950 to include certain businesses from countries party to such agreements in the definition of domestic sources under strict conditions, strengthening U.S. access to critical minerals essential for national security while prioritizing American interests.

    The STRATEGIC Minerals Act was originally introduced in the 118th Congress. This legislation builds on Senators Coons’ earlier efforts to reduce our reliance on China for critical minerals essential to national security. Last year, Senator Coons joined a group of his colleagues on the bipartisan Global Strategy for Securing Critical Minerals Act, which would ensure that the United States, its allies, and global partners can count on a diverse and secure end-to-end supply of critical minerals. In October, Senators Coons and Young introduced the Critical Minerals Future Act, which would establish a pilot program within the U.S. Department of Energy to financially support domestic critical mineral processing projects.

    The full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons, colleagues demand answers from Trump administration over plans to lay off key defense and intelligence personnel

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Acting Director of National Intelligence Lora Shiao to request answers about the Trump administration’s recent actions that have put our national security at risk by threatening and politicizing thousands of non-partisan jobs in the Department of Defense and intelligence community.
    In a new letter, the lawmakers expressed alarm that the administration’s actions are eroding the federal government’s merit-based civil service system—a system that has been in place for most of our nation’s history and has ensured positions are filled based on qualifications, not partisan political patronage. This poses significant risks to the Department of Defense and the intelligence community.
    The lawmakers wrote, “During the first week of his administration, President Trump issued several directives that appear intended to politicize and demoralize the federal workforce, and which, if implemented, will erode the federal government’s merit-based civil service system. The manner in which your departments and agencies have implemented these directives constitute a generational risk to the Department of Defense and the intelligence community. As a result, we strongly urge both of you to take immediate steps this week to insulate your national security workforce from the effects of this dangerous campaign.”
    Civilian federal employees play critical roles for our intelligence and national defense, from gathering intelligence to advancing military acquisitions. President Trump’s attempt to purge the federal workforce would result in the mass exodus of highly skilled workers, many of whom are sought after in other fields. Their swift departure will create a brain drain that would make the United States vulnerable to foreign threats.
    “More than 46,000 military spouses work for the Department of Defense, and civilians make up 80 percent of its financial management and audit staff. In testimony to Congress last year, the Department of Defense emphasized the need to increase civilian personnel in the areas of ‘cyber, data, artificial intelligence, coding, and software,’” the legislators wrote.
    They continued, “Intelligence community civilians are no less critical to protecting our nation. While much of their work is classified, these professionals provide analysis and warning on threats to the United States and its interests and risk their lives in secretive global operations that never see the light of day. In both communities, civilian personnel execute these missions cost-effectively, allowing the federal government to avoid more expensive contract personnel.”
    Last week, over 2 million civilian employees, including many in the Defense Department and intelligence community, received an email from the Office of Personnel Management presenting an offer to resign from their job by early February while keeping their pay and benefits through the end of September. As the deadline looms, questions about the program remain, including whether the program is legal, what money will be used for deferred compensation, and whether or not the Trump administration will follow through on its promise. 
    “Historically, your agencies have pursued analysis of important functions and issued decisive guidance prior to pursuing any workforce policies. In this instance, however, the Acting [Director] of National Intelligence has not promulgated any guidance to its workforce, creating anxiety and confusion among personnel looking for clarity. Meanwhile, the Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness has embraced the deferred resignation program in a memorandum to its personnel without exempting critical functions,” the lawmakers wrote.
    The Trump administration’s federal hiring freeze and buyout offer impacts 3,948 federal civilian employees in Delaware, many of whom contribute to the safety of our nation and our communities.
    You can read the full letter here.
    Senator Coons is the Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Senate Passes Resolution to Remember the Victims of DCA Plane Crash

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

    WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to honor and remember the victims of the collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and U.S. Army Aviation Brigade Priority Air Transport 25 on January 29, 2025, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

    The resolution reads:

    “The tragic collision resulted in the loss of 67 lives, including passengers, airline personnel, and members of the Armed Forces from Kansas, Virginia, North Carolina, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and several countries.

     

    “The nation, and the world mourn the loss of those on board and recognize the profound impact this tragedy has on the families, friends, and colleagues of the victims.

     

    “Be it resolved, that the Senate commemorates the 67 lives lost in the tragic collision of American Airlines Flight 5342 and United States Army Aviation Brigade Priority Air Transport 25 on January 29, 2025; offers heartfelt condolences to the families, loved ones, and friends of the victims; and expresses gratitude to the brave law enforcement and emergency medical personnel who responded to the collision.”

    The senators spoke on the Senate floor to recognize the victims of the crash. Their remarks can be found here. Read the full text of the resolution here.

    The senators were joined by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), John Thune (R-S.D.) and Jon Husted (R-Ohio).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Commerce Committee Passes Sens. Moran, Klobuchar Legislation to Address Hidden Hotel Fees

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas – Jerry Moran

    WASHINGTON – This week, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation unanimously passed the bipartisan Hotel Fees Transparency Act introduced by U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) – co-chairs of the Senate Travel and Tourism Caucus. This legislation will lower costs and improve transparency by requiring anyone advertising a hotel room or short-term rental to clearly show the final price a customer will pay to book lodging, including any fees.

    “High prices are forcing Kansans to account for all their expenses, and many cannot afford to pay hidden fees at hotels or short-term lodging,” said Sen. Moran. “This commonsense legislation requires hotels to be straightforward about all their fees so consumers aren’t burdened with unexpected costs on their check.”

    “Traveling is expensive, and hidden fees make it difficult to compare prices and understand the true cost of a reservation,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan bill will lower costs for hotel rooms and short-term rentals by increasing transparency and banning hidden fees.”

    The Hotel Fees Transparency Act is co-sponsored by Sens. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.). It is endorsed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association, Consumer Reports, the National Consumers League and the Travel Technology Association

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Statement on the Firing of Federal Election Commission Commissioner and Chair Ellen Weintraub

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the statement below following the firing of Federal Election Commission Commissioner and Chair Ellen Weintraub by the Trump Administration. 

    “A fully functioning Federal Election Commission is critical to safeguarding our democracy. At a time when we should be working to take on corruption and strengthen trust in our political institutions, President Trump is trying to illegally dismiss a Commissioner of the FEC, a body that is by law independent and bipartisan. Ellen Weintraub should continue to serve.”

    MIL OSI USA News –