NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Department of Education Will Release Education Formula Funding to Alaska

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski

    07.25.25

    Washington, DC – Following the news that the U.S. Department of Education will release all remaining education formula funds that they had previously frozen, Senator Murkowski released the following statement:

    “Today, we received official notification that the U.S. Department of Education will release all remaining Congressionally-approved education formula funding that was due to the states,” said Senator Murkowski. “This is a tremendous win for our students, families, and school districts across Alaska. I am grateful that OMB Director Vought agreed with me and my colleagues as we reminded the administration that local communities have the best understanding of the unique needs of their students and how best to serve them. But the anxiety, disruption, and extra work to figure out how to serve students without this funding should never have been necessary. I will continue to advocate for Alaska’s schools and educational programs and work to ensure they have the support they need.”

    Background:

    On July 16, Senator Murkowski joined her colleagues in a letter to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Russell Vought, asking him to faithfully implement the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, and release the education formula funds that states anticipated receiving on July 1, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy on Trump’s College Sports EO: A Shameless Giveaway to NCAA Bosses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    July 25, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s executive order on college athletics:

    “Trump’s executive order has nothing to do with protecting college sports. This is about protecting the profits of the NCAA bosses, shielding them from antitrust accountability, and weaponizing an NLRB that’s soon to be stuffed with Trump loyalists to block athletes from having a seat at the negotiating table. The multibillion-dollar college sports industry simply would not exist without the labor of college athletes, and it’s a self-serving lie to claim that athletes that dedicate thousands of hours every year training, traveling, and playing are amateurs without the right to unionize and collectively bargain. Trump’s shameless giveaway to the NCAA is bad news for the health, safety, and livelihoods of these athletes and further proof that the only people he’s looking out for are his billionaire buddies.”

    This week, Murphy introduced in the U.S. Senate the College Athlete Right to Organize Act (CARO), legislation to codify the right of college athletes to unionize and collectively bargain for fair compensation and better working conditions. Murphy also introduced the College Athlete Economic Freedom Act  to expand and codify the right of college athletes to be fairly compensated for the use of their Name, Image, and Likeness.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Joins Senate Colleagues in Calling On Administration to Conduct Independent, U.S.-led Investigation Into Death of American Citizen in West Bank

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today joined 28 of his Senate colleagues in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi calling on the Administration to conduct an independent investigation into the death of Saifullah Kamel Musallet, an American citizen recently killed near the West Bank town of Sinjil. The senators pointed to the repeated lack of accountability in the deaths of other American citizens killed in the West Bank since January 2022, including Shireen Abu Akleh, Omar Assad, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, and Amer Mohammad Saada Rabee. The senators also asked for an update on the status of any investigations into the killings of these six other Americans.

    “We write with grave concern regarding the brutal killing of a Palestinian-American, Saifullah Kamel Musallet, near the West Bank town of Sinjil, on July 11, 2025. The U.S. government must conduct a credible and independent investigation into his death and hold all perpetrators accountable. Protecting and supporting U.S. citizens abroad is one of the foremost responsibilities of the U.S. government. The United States Government has failed to secure accountability for the killing of respected Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, or any of the other five American citizens – Omar Assad, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, and Amer Mohammad Saada Rabee – killed in the West Bank since January 2022. Following the Trump Administration’s sudden revocation of all U.S. sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank, the first five months of 2025 have seen the highest rate of settler attacks in years and the killing of another American. We urge you to pursue a different approach,” wrote the senators.

    “Saifullah Kamal Musallet is the seventh American citizen killed in the West Bank since January 2022 — and the fifth in just the last nineteen months. The killings of these Americans in the West Bank have been met by a lack of accountability from the Netanyahu government and an inability to secure justice by the U.S. government. These failures have contributed to an unacceptable culture of impunity when it comes to incidents where civilians have been killed in the West Bank, including Americans,” they continued.

    “The Netanyahu government has failed to hold anyone accountable for any of these seven killings of Americans and the United States government has failed in its responsibility to protect American citizens overseas and demand justice for their deaths,” the senators noted.

    “It is long past time for the U.S. government to demand accountability in these killings of Americans. To that end, we urge you to immediately launch an independent investigation into the brutal killing of Saifullah Kamel Musallet, including the circumstances that blocked ambulances from reaching him. We also ask that you provide us with an update on the status of any investigations into the killings of the six other Americans who have been killed since January 2022, and provide us with a briefing on actions you are taking to ensure accountability for their deaths and to prevent future killings of Americans in the West Bank,” the senators closed.

    U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Ben Lujan (D-N.M.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) also signed the letter.

    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below.

    Dear Secretary Rubio and Attorney General Bondi,

    We write with grave concern regarding the brutal killing of a Palestinian-American, Saifullah Kamel Musallet, near the West Bank town of Sinjil, on July 11, 2025. The U.S. government must conduct a credible and independent investigation into his death and hold all perpetrators accountable. Protecting and supporting U.S. citizens abroad is one of the foremost responsibilities of the U.S. government. The United States Government has failed to secure accountability for the killing of respected Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, or any of the other five American citizens – Omar Assad, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, and Amer Mohammad Saada Rabee – killed in the West Bank since January 2022. Following the Trump Administration’s sudden revocation of all U.S. sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank, the first five months of 2025 have seen the highest rate of settler attacks in years and the killing of another American. We urge you to pursue a different approach.

    Saifullah Kamal Musallet is the seventh American citizen killed in the West Bank since January 2022 — and the fifth in just the last nineteen months. The killings of these Americans in the West Bank have been met by a lack of accountability from the Netanyahu government and an inability to secure justice by the U.S. government. These failures have contributed to an unacceptable culture of impunity when it comes to incidents where civilians have been killed in the West Bank, including Americans.

    Saifullah Kamel Musallet, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Florida, was visiting family in the West Bank when he was beaten to death by extremist Israeli settlers during a settler attack on the town of Sinjil. Reports indicate that ambulances could not reach the injured for more than two hours, with eyewitness accounts stating that settlers and Israeli forces impeded ambulance access. In April of this year, a 14-year-old boy from New Jersey, Amer Mohammad Saada Rabee, was also killed in the West Bank. Amer was reportedly shot at the entrance to Turmus Ayya by Israeli security forces. Reports suggest that Amer was shot a total of 11 times and two other Americans were also shot in the incident.

    Last year, three other U.S. citizens were killed in the West Bank, including two teenagers. Tawfic Abdel Jabbar and Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour were both 17-year-old U.S. citizens visiting their families in the West Bank when they were shot and killed in separate incidents. In both cases they were shot in the head while they were traveling in vehicles. The third U.S. citizen killed in the West Bank last year was Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American citizen raised in Seattle who, according to reports, was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier from a distance of 200 meters.

    The Netanyahu government has failed to hold anyone accountable for any of these seven killings of Americans and the United States government has failed in its responsibility to protect American citizens overseas and demand justice for their deaths.

    It is long past time for the U.S. government to demand accountability in these killings of Americans. To that end, we urge you to immediately launch an independent investigation into the brutal killing of Saifullah Kamel Musallet, including the circumstances that blocked ambulances from reaching him. We also ask that you provide us with an update on the status of any investigations into the killings of the six other Americans who have been killed since January 2022, and provide us with a briefing on actions you are taking to ensure accountability for their deaths and to prevent future killings of Americans in the West Bank.

    We respectfully ask for a response within two weeks.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Cortez Masto Successfully Push Trump Admin to Release Nearly $7 Billion in K-12 Education Funding, Including for Nevada

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) announced that, following their push, the Trump Administration has released nearly $7 billion in K-12 education funding that had been abruptly frozen by the U.S. Department of Education. This funding includes nearly $60 million for Nevada schools, which were needed to fund after-school programs, English language instruction, special education, and teacher training. 
    “Our schools depend on federal resources to support students, train teachers, and maintain critical services,” said Senator Rosen. “This critical education funding was approved by both parties and should never have been withheld by the Trump Administration. I’m proud to have successfully fought back against this harmful freeze and ensure these funds are back in our classrooms where they belong.”
    “President Trump’s decision to withhold $60 million in critical funding for Nevada’s schools was reckless and cruel,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I am glad that the administration listened to our demands to release the funds that our classrooms rely on. I will continue to work with Senator Rosen to prevent Trump chaos from wreaking havoc on our education system and hurting kids in the Silver State.”
    Senator Rosen and Cortez Masto have been staunch advocates for Nevada’s schools and students. Both Senators have called out President Trump for his attempts to destabilize public education nationwide by shuttering the Department of Education, and Senator Rosen  joined an amicus brief opposing the Trump administration’s unconstitutional effort. Senator Rosen has also helped introduce legislation, cosponsored by Senator Cortez Masto, to fully fund special education programs—ensuring Nevada’s students with disabilities receive the support and resources they need to thrive in school.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Tillis, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Increase Housing Supply, Reduce Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Tim Scott (R-South Carolina), Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Alex Padilla (D-California) recently introduced the bipartisan Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025, which would modernize the federal definition of “manufactured housing” to include modular or prefabricated homes built without a permanent chassis. By allowing off-chassis manufactured homes, the bill expands consumer access to more efficient and cost-effective designs, providing greater architectural flexibility to better integrate into existing neighborhoods.

    “We must find new, innovative ways to expand affordable housing venues so more individuals can achieve the American Dream of owning their home,” said Senator Crapo. “It is time to throw out established norms and cut bureaucratic hurdles that stand in the way of innovative designs to increasing affordable housing.”

    “I’m proud to support this commonsense legislation that expands housing options for hardworking families in North Carolina and across the country,” said Senator Tillis. “By modernizing the definition of manufactured homes, we can encourage innovative and affordable designs and help more Americans achieve the dream of homeownership.”

    “Manufactured housing plays an important role in helping more Americans access homeownership, but we need to make sure outdated regulations aren’t preventing newer, potentially more innovative models from coming to market,” said Senator Scott. “This legislation will remove red tape and lower the costs of building these types of homes, increasing access to affordable housing opportunities for Americans across the country.”

    “Manufactured homes are some of the most affordable housing solutions on the market, but outdated laws are preventing newer, safer models from becoming widely available,” said Senator Gallego. “Our bipartisan bill makes a simple update to allow for greater design flexibility and bring down the cost of manufactured homes.”

    “We need to build as many homes as we can to address our national shortage, and we can’t let outdated rules needlessly constrain supply,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bill will unlock manufactured homes in both urban and rural areas around the country, making manufactured homes and all housing more accessible and affordable.”

    “With this small adjustment, our legislation would help increase the production of affordable housing in California during a historic housing crisis,” said Senator Padilla. “Simply modifying the definition of manufactured houses would cost the government nothing and could unlock greater design flexibility while increasing the desperately needed affordable housing supply.”

    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following Capito-led Efforts, Administration Releases Education Formula Funding to States

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), announced that the U.S. Department of Education will officially release the remaining anticipated education formula funding to states—an issue she has heard about directly from impacted individuals.

    On July 16, Senator Capito led a group of her Republican colleagues in a letter to Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), advocating to release this funding. Shortly after sending that letter, OMB Director Vought notified Senator Capito that the funding to support 21st Century Community Learning Centers would be released. Today’s announcement means that all of the remaining funding requested is now unfrozen. Click here to read the full letter.

    “The education formula funding included in the FY2025 Continuing Resolution Act supports critical programs that so many rely on. The programs are ones that enjoy longstanding, bipartisan support like after-school and summer programs that provide learning and enrichment opportunities for school aged children, which also enables their parents to work and contribute to local economies, and programs to support adult learners working to gain employment skills, earn workforce certifications, or transition into postsecondary education. That’s why it’s important we continue to protect and support these programs. I made this clear to OMB Director Vought and was glad he followed through on my request to release all of the education formula dollars that states across the country are expecting to receive,” Senator Capito said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Minnesota Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Adverse Weather

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Minnesota of the Aug. 25 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by excessive rain, hail, and high winds occurring April 17-Sept. 15, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Minnesota counties of Big Stone, Grant, Stevens, Traverse and Wilkin, Richland County in North Dakota as well as Roberts County in South Dakota.

    Under this declaration SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”  

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is Aug 25, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray, Commerce Director Nguyễn, WA Clean Energy and Business Leaders Highlight How Clean Energy Cuts in Republican Law Will Raise Energy Costs, Kill Jobs in WA State

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Elimination of clean energy tax credits in Republican legislation recently signed into law could cost WA over $8.7 billion, raise household electricity costs by 12 percent; cost 21,800 jobs in Washington state

    ***WATCH FULL EVENT HERE; PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE***

    Washington, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable discussion at the Seattle City Light Denny Substation in downtown Seattle with Washington State Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn and labor, clean energy, and business leaders to discuss how cuts to critical clean energy tax credits in President Trump and Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act—which was recently signed into law—will raise energy prices for Washington state households, kill thousands of clean energy jobs, and put billions of dollars in new investments for Washington state projects at risk.

    Joining Senator Murray for the event were Joe Nguyễn, Director, Washington Department of Commerce; Dawn Lindell, CEO of Seattle City Light; Christine Reid, Political Director for IBEW 77; Gregg Small, Executive Director of Climate Solutions; and Brandon Provalenko, General Manager of Western Solar in Bellingham.

    The One Big Beautiful Bill Act rapidly phases out critical clean energy tax credits that Democrats passed in the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, and will slow the construction of solar, wind, and battery projects, which made up over 90 percent of new electricity connected to the grid last year. So far in Washington state, the clean energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act have generated at least $978 million in new private-led investment across seven energy manufacturing facilities in the state. $8.75 billion in outstanding investments to 27 facilities in Washington are at risk under the cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The U.S. Climate Alliance estimates 21,800 Washingtonians will lose their jobs by 2030 due to the reconciliation bill’s cuts to clean energy and manufacturing tax credits, and Washington households will face a $115 annual increase in their energy bills by 2029. The legislation threatens Washington’s energy security and electric grid reliability by stifling renewable energy development at a time of soaring electricity demand. A one-pager from Energy Innovation on how the energy provisions in the Republican bill will affect Washington state is HERE.

    “The fact is, we need clean and renewable energy now more than ever. It’s critical to secure our grid, tackle the climate crisis—and lower costs! That’s why I worked hard to secure clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act. Then, Trump and Republicans came in like a wrecking ball—with truly shortsighted and destructive cuts. The harm to our clean energy sector is really immense,” Senator Murray said. “It’s an uphill battle to reverse so much damage, but I am not going to stop fighting. Everyone should know, Trump and Republicans are trying to make even more cuts to clean energy right now in our government funding bills. I’m using every bit of leverage I have as Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee to fight back and reject these cuts. And I’m using my voice—and urging everyone to use theirs as well—to shine a spotlight on what these shortsighted, damaging policy changes mean for businesses and families.”

    “This is an attack on Washington’s workers, our economy, and our values. It threatens the jobs we’ve built, makes energy more expensive for families, and puts our competitiveness at risk. These tax credits have brought real investment and real savings to communities across our state. Gutting them now would do real damage — and Washington won’t stand by and let it happen,” said Joe Nguyễn, Director for the Washington Department of Commerce.

    “The passing of the Reconciliation Bill directly impacts City Light and its customers by removing critical clean energy tax credits and incentives necessary for public and private investment in new renewable energy and energy efficiency projects,” said Dawn Lindell, General Manager and CEO, Seattle City Light. “It strips away essential support needed to keep pace with load growth forecasts. Every new megawatt of generation we add will cost significantly more than our current energy portfolio. These are costs that we must now pass on to our customers in the electric rates.”

    “At a time when we have rapidly rising energy costs and increased needs for power due largely to AI and data centers, we need more energy than ever,” said Gregg Small, Executive Director of Climate Solutions. “Renewables like solar and wind and batteries are the cheapest and fastest energy that we can build. We need to double down and accelerate the building of these resilient power sources. The Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress’ policies do the exact opposite, increasing energy costs for everybody and making it much more likely we will have blackouts at critical times.”

    “IBEW 77’s highly trained workforce stands ready to meet the clean energy challenge of the future. Our members—experienced in every facet of utility work, from generation, transmission, safe delivery, and all of the critical supporting classifications—have the skills, adaptability, and drive to build and maintain the advanced energy infrastructure our communities need. But the reduction in clean energy projects threatens this progress. When projects stall, it’s not just jobs at risk—it’s the pace of innovation and the reliability of our energy system that suffers. Our union believes we need to keep building. Investing in clean energy isn’t about today’s economy alone; it’s laying the foundation for a safer, more resilient, and more sustainable future,” said Christine Reid, Political Director for IBEW 77.IBEW 77 is one of the largest outside utility locals in the country, representing about 8,800 members across 34 Washington counties, Northern Idaho, and parts of Montana. Overall, IBEW represents over 20,000 workers in WA state alone. “Our members are on the front lines of energy infrastructure, ensuring the lights stay on and our communities remain connected and safe. In short, these cuts make it harder for new workers to enter the field and for the industry. Our IBEW members are trained and ready to build. We need to build now.”

    “This bill will accelerate rising energy costs across Washington, every household and business will feel it in their utility bills,” said Brandon Provalenko, General Manager of Western Solar in Bellingham and a member of the Washington Solar Energy Industries Association (WASEIA). “Fewer families will go solar, fewer small businesses will reduce or eliminate their bills, and we’ll face a slower, more expensive path to producing the power we need to meet our state’s growing energy demand. That’s the wrong direction, especially when solar and storage remain the fastest, cleanest, and most cost-effective solution on the table.”

    The cuts to clean energy tax credits in the legislation come at the same time as Trump and the Department of Energy’s decision to illegally cut investments provided by Congress to support the research and development of wind and solar energy, in defiance of legislation President Trump himself signed into law in March. In fiscal year 2024, Congress provided $137 million for the Department of Energy to support wind energy initiatives and provided $318 million to support solar energy. The fiscal year 2025 full-year CR that House Republicans wrote, and President Trump signed into law continued these fiscal year 2024 funding levels. But in a spend plan made public by DOE, the Trump administration revealed it is steering hundreds of millions of dollars designated by Congress to support wind and solar energy to other, favored industries—jeopardizing critical progress and ceding ground on key energy solutions of the future—among other harmful cuts. Instead of funding wind energy initiatives at $137 million, the administration is funding them at $29.8 million (a 78 percent cut), and instead of funding solar initiatives at $318 million, it is funding them at $41.9 million (an 87 percent cut).

    Senator Murray has held constant recent events—including multiple events in Washington state—to sound the alarm on Republicans’ devastating reconciliation bill and encourage constituents to raise their voices and call on their Members of Congress to oppose the legislation. Senator Murray and Democrats forced Republicans to take dozens of tough votes over a nonstop 30-hour “vote-a-rama,” which came after Democrats forced a full reading of every word of Republicans’ 940-page bill. Senator Murray spoke repeatedly on the Senate floor during debate over the bill, laying out in detail the harm the legislation would cause. Senator Murray also spoke out repeatedly on the Senate floor against Republicans’ use of a depictive so-called “current policy baseline” to hide the true cost of their deficit-busting tax cuts for billionaires.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Air Force Extending KC-46A Tanker Contract Award to Acquire Up to 75 Additional Aircraft Produced in Everett, WA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Last month, Murray pressed Air Force Secretary Troy Meink on when the Air Force would award the next tanker production contract

    Senator Murray has long supported production of KC-46As in Everett and pushed for contract extension

    Washington, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the Air Force’s recent decision to extend their contract with Boeing to buy up to 75 additional KC-46A aircraft. Senator Murray has been a longtime champion of KC-46A aircraft, which are produced in Everett, Washington. Last month, at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing to review the Air Force budget request, Senator Murray questioned Air Force Secretary Troy Meink on the timeline for the Air Force awarding the next tanker production contract, and the possibility of Fairchild Air Force Base receiving KC-46As.

    “The decision by the Air Force to extend their contract with Boeing to purchase up to 75 additional KC-46As is a huge deal for Everett and the thousands of skilled aerospace workers in Washington state who are working hard every day to deliver world-class aircraft for our women and men in uniform. This announcement means billions of dollars in new investment in Washington state, and job security for talented aerospace workers in Washington state.

    “I’ve worked for years to make the case to administration officials and anyone who would listen that these next-generation air refueling tankers are critical for keeping up with China and ensuring the success of high-stakes Air Force missions across the globe—and they should continue to be produced in Washington state. Air Force Secretary Meink told me in June that the decision on the next tanker production contract would come ‘within months,’ so I’m glad to see the Air Force roll out their final decision less than a month after our conversation.

    “Extending the existing contract is not only the most cost-effective and well-considered decision for our Air Force, it’s also a boon to Washington state’s entire economy and our expert aerospace workforce.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Smith Calls for Humanitarian Aid into Gaza

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

    “Israel must take immediate action and work with all possible humanitarian aid organizations to rush critically needed food and other supplies to the people in Gaza. The level of the crisis there demands emergency action. Israel’s new arrangement on delivering aid simply is not working. Israel must take all possible steps to facilitate a surge of aid into Gaza. Additionally, the United Nations and other international aid organizations must work with Israel to resolve their differences and work together so all parties can maximize the capacity of humanitarian efforts. 

    “It is unconscionable that Hamas continues to block a negotiated ceasefire, refusing both to surrender their illegitimate power in Gaza and to release the hostages that should never have been taken in the first place. It is also unconscionable that Hamas siphons off critically needed food and supplies intended for the people of Gaza and uses it instead to prop up their terrorist organization, while at the same time fighting their war against Israel by embedding themselves into the civilian population.

    “But given all of this, right now it falls to Israel to take the steps necessary to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe facing the civilian population in Gaza. I urge President Trump and his administration to work with Israel to implement a ceasefire and dramatically increase the flow of aid into Gaza. I believe we can both continue to support Israel in their effort to defend themselves against Hamas, Iran and others in the region who continue in their efforts to attack and destroy Israel, and work immediately to relieve the suffering of the people in Gaza.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 170 overseas companies have participated in all 8 editions of CIIE

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    SHANGHAI, July 25 — A total of 170 overseas companies and 27 institutions have participated in all eight editions of the China International Import Expo (CIIE), according to a Friday press conference held by the expo’s organizer.

    More than 50 countries and international organizations have confirmed their presence in the comprehensive national exhibition area of this year’s expo, with Sweden and the United Arab Emirates serving as guest countries of honor, and with Kyrgyzstan participating for the first time, the expo’s organizer has said.

    This year, the contracted exhibition area for corporate businesses exceeds 330,000 square meters, the organizer noted.

    Notably, the scale of participating enterprises from Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Peru and other countries has reached a record high, fully reflecting the confidence of all parties in China’s economy and their enthusiasm for the CIIE, Wu Zhengping, deputy director general of the CIIE Bureau, said at the press conference.

    Wu added that this year’s CIIE will for the first time include a special area for products from the least-developed participating countries. It will also include an expanded and upgraded area showcasing African products, as well as a cross-border e-commerce selection platform to help small and medium-sized foreign enterprises enter the Chinese market smoothly.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to California Small Businesses Economically Affected by the Vehicle Explosion Terrorism Incident

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced low interest federal disaster loans are now available to small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in California who sustained economic losses caused by the Vehicle Explosion Terrorism Incident occurring May 17-23. The SBA issued a disaster declaration in response to a request received from California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Director Nancy Ward on July 18.

    The disaster declaration covers the California counties of Imperial, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego as well as the Arizona county of La Paz.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs including faith‑based with financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred.

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.625% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return economic injury applications to the SBA is April 23, 2026.

    ###

    Abot the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Minnesota Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Excessive Rain

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Minnesota of the Aug. 25 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by excessive rain occurring June 15-22, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Minnesota counties of Blue Earth, Faribault, Freeborn, Martin and Waseca as well as the counties of Kossuth and Winnebago in Iowa.  

    Under this declaration SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “Through a declaration by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, SBA provides critical financial assistance to help communities recover,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “We’re pleased to offer loans to small businesses and private nonprofits impacted by these disasters.”  

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is Aug 25, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Faircourt Asset Management Inc. Announces July Distribution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Toronto, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Faircourt Asset Management Inc., as Manager of the Faircourt Fund (CBOE:FGX), is pleased to announce the monthly distribution payable on the Shares of the below listed Fund.

    Faircourt Funds Trading Symbol Distribution Amount (per share/unit) Ex-Dividend Date Record Date Payable Date
    Faircourt Gold Income Corp. FGX $0.024 July 31, 2025 July 31, 2025 August 15, 2025

    Faircourt Asset Management Inc. is the Investment Advisor for Faircourt Gold Income Corp.

    This press release is not for distribution in the United States or over United States wire services.

    For further information on the Faircourt Funds, please visit www.faircourtassetmgt.com or
    please contact 1-800-831-0304.

    You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell Shares of the Fund on the CBOE Canada Exchange or other alternative Canadian trading system (an “exchange”). If the Shares are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying Shares of the Fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them.

    There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning units of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about the fund in the public filings available at www.sedar.com. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Pressley Makes Powerful Call to Center Survivors After Successful Subpoena of Epstein Files

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Pressley Was Involved in Successful Subpoena, Demands Transparency, Accountability, and Healing

    “These powerful abusers have been protected by institutions that are more concerned with protecting predators than centering survivors.”

    “When you are violated, when you are groomed, when you are exploited, when you are preyed upon, when you are violated as a child—it changes you at your core, on a cellular level. It is a life sentence.”

    Video (YouTube)

    WASHINGTON – In an MSNBC interview, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) described why her work to subpoena the Epstein files is deeply personal to her. Congresswoman Pressley, who is a survivor of sexual assault, demanded healing, transparency, and accountability for those harmed by Epstein and his co-conspirators.

    As a member of the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Pressley successfully helped pass a motion to subpoena the Epstein files and is calling for the Department of Justice to release the full, complete files without delay, with the privacy of survivors respected.

    An excerpt of her remarks is available below, and the full video is available here.

    Transcript: Pressley Makes Emotional Call to Center Survivors After Successful Subpoena of Epstein Files

    MSNBC

    July 24, 2025

    JEN PSAKI: Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat from Massachusetts, she’s also a member of the House Oversight Committee. There’s so many things I want to ask you about.

    Let me just ask you about some of these developments, the birthday book. What is the latest on the subpoena and trying to get access to that birthday book from the committee?

    REP PRESSLEY: Well, you know, in real time, we’re having to move with a nimble strategy, to follow up any new leads as they emerge.

    The fact of the matter is, Jen, that for decades, there has been a dereliction of duty here in getting accountability, truth, transparency, and justice for these survivors.

    These powerful abusers have been protected by institutions that are more concerned with protecting predators than centering survivors, and that’s what I want to really focus on here.

    Because I think — I fear — that we’ve lost the plot, that people have gotten so caught up in what they perceive to be the political gamesmanship and sport of this that they are losing sight of the survivors. 

    And I do want to take a moment just to thank Maria Farmer for her courage and her bravery. And I am — it is infuriating that for this many decades, she has been failed by so many because of these ongoing efforts to obstruct the truth.

    So it is really essential that we have the full Epstein files released. I joined Ranking Member Garcia and Congresswoman Summer Lee, Ranker for our Subcommittee, in a decisive vote to motion for the subpoena for the Epstein files, a full redacting of the victims’ names.

    Today, Ranking Member Garcia sent a letter to Chairman Comer saying, without delay, transmit this subpoena to the Department of Justice.

    And then, you know, the role — we’re doing our job in Oversight. You know this is our obligation, but it is the Department of Justice’s responsibility to ensure full compliance, and we’re giving them 30 calendar days to do that. 

    JEN: It certainly is and, and I want, you mentioned Maria Farmer, and for people who are just tuning in later in the show, she is a survivor, and one of the first people who came forward almost 30 years ago.

    And we had her on earlier in the show to talk to her about her story, for exactly the reason you mentioned, which is that there’s not enough light that is being shined — 

    REP. PRESSLEY: Almost 30 years.

    JEN: — on the survivors and the people who are so courageously speaking out. Let me ask you, because you are a survivor yourself, and you have been speaking out, and you’ve been involved in speaking out for survivors.

    You’ve, you’ve definitely, this is, this is a line people are not all walking perfectly, even people who are well-intentioned. What do you want people to understand about what people who have survived, who have been victimized, whether through this or any other scenario, as they’re reading these newspaper articles, how they’re consuming it, how it’s impacting them?

    REP. PRESSLEY: First, I think it’s important to contextualize that this smart, effective strategy by Ranking Member Garcia and Congresswoman Summer Lee yesterday was happening within the context of a Subcommittee hearing on the trafficking of children.

    And so this hearing was chosen specifically to call out the hypocrisy of Republicans in shielding abusers instead of protecting and centering survivors. 

    I’ve been doing the advocacy for survivors’ justice for all my life.

    I’m a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and sexual violence, and it is a life sentence. I think about what I experienced every single day. 

    And I know that’s true for every survivor. When you are violated, when you are groomed, when you are exploited, when you are preyed upon, when you are violated as a child — it changes you at your core, on a cellular level.

    It is a life sentence. 

    And so for those cynics or political watchers who see this as political gamesmanship or sport, it is certainly not that for me. Or those who would say that this is a distraction and don’t we have better things that we could be working on — no.

    This healing, transparency, accountability for these survivors is important, and they deserve it, and it is long overdue. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove Statement on Dire Humanitarian Situation in Gaza

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove released the following statement on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza:

    “I am horrified by the escalating food and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the civilian population is facing starvation and over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed trying to access aid in recent months. 

    “Following the Netanyahu government’s decision to lift its aid blockade on Gaza in late May, it quickly became evident that the new Trump-backed aid distribution model is costing innocent lives, not saving them. While the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation may have been established to address concerns about aid diversion, reducing the number of aid distribution sites from 400 to four—and restricting essential assistance like medicine and malnutrition treatment—has only exacerbated the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 

    “Let me be clear: food must never be weaponized. The current aid distribution model cannot meet the growing needs of Palestinian civilians. The U.S. must support a humanitarian aid delivery system that adheres to international standards and ensures Palestinian civilians receive the lifesaving assistance they need. 

    “Trump cannot claim to be the ‘President of Peace’ if this humanitarian catastrophe only continues to worsen on his watch. For the sake of both the U.S. and Israel’s national security—and our collective humanity—Trump must prioritize securing a ceasefire to end this horrific war, return the hostages, stop the suffering of the Palestinian people, and establish a pathway to lasting peace in the region.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Schatz Introduce New Legislation to Improve Wages, Operations Transparency for Rideshare Drivers, Delivery App Workers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    July 25, 2025

    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, on Thursday joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) in introducing the Empowering App-Based Workers Act, new legislation to improve transparency on how app companies operate and help boost wages for rideshare drivers and delivery app workers.

    “App-based companies purposely keep gig workers in the dark so they can grossly underpay them while also price gouging consumers,” said Murphy. “Our bill forces these companies to be transparent with workers about what they will be paid and establishes wage minimums so they can’t exploit loopholes to mislead and steal from their workers.”

    “Every day rideshare drivers and delivery app workers work long hours and travel many miles to make a living, often without knowing how much money they’ll make. Our bill would shed some light on how apps determine work assignments and pay, ensuring workers are treated and paid fairly,” said Schatz.

    Millions of workers across multiple industries, report to work by turning on an app. These platforms collect data from both workers and consumers to shape working conditions, evaluate workers, and make work-related decisions, including decisions on how much to pay a worker, which workers get which assignments, and whether, when, or for how long a worker will be suspended or ‘deactivated.’ All this is done with systems that are not transparent to workers, consumers, or regulators, creating information imbalances that mask wage theft, discrimination, and price-gouging.

    The Empowering App-Based Workers Act would create a level playing field for workers managed by digital labor platforms by:

    • Requiring disclosure of electronic monitoring and automated decision systems uses, including how they are used to determine pay and other work decisions;
    • Providing itemized receipts to workers and consumers after every work assignment;
    • Providing workers receive weekly pay statements with relevant information on their compensation;
    • Ensuring rideshare workers receive at least 75 percent of the amount paid by consumers; and
    • Stopping platforms from using interfaces that contain unfair or deceptive information on compensation.

    The bill is supported by the ACE Collaborative of New Virginia Majority, Action Center on Race and Economy, AFL-CIO, Athena, Center for Law and Social Policy, Color Of Change, Colorado Independent Drivers United, Connecticut Drivers United, Coworker, Data & Society, Drivers Union Washington/Teamsters Local 117, Economic Policy Institute, Fair Work Center, Groundwork Collaborative, Hawai‘i Workers Center, Los Deliveristas Unidos, Minnesota Uber/Lyft Drivers Association, Make the Road New Jersey, National Women’s Law Center, National Employment Law Project (NELP), New York Taxi Workers Alliance, New School Center for NYC Public Affairs, NLAN/GLOW, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Open Markets Institute, Portland Drivers United, Rideshare Drivers United, PowerSwitch Action, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Tech Equity Collaborative, Tennessee Drivers Union, The People’s Lobby, Towards Justice, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, and Working Washington.

    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley to Introduce Legislation Sending Rebate Check to Every Working American

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Friday, July 25, 2025

    Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced he will introduce legislation to send a rebate check to every working American. President Trump voiced support for this policy as recently as this morning when he discussed record-breaking tariff revenue.

    “Working people need relief now,” Senator Hawley tweeted. “They’ve earned it. Let’s return their money to them asap.”

    Senator Hawley has long advocated for working Americans and has introduced legislation to protect unionized blue-collar workers. Senator Hawley also successfully fought to include direct payments in COVID-19 relief packages during the pandemic. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Van Hollen, 28 Senators Call on Administration to Conduct Independent, U.S.-Led Investigation into Death of American Citizen in West Bank

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    The Senators wrote, “We write with grave concern regarding the brutal killing of a Palestinian-American, Saifullah Kamel Musallet, near the West Bank town of Sinjil, on July 11, 2025. The U.S. government must conduct a credible and independent investigation into his death and hold all perpetrators accountable. Protecting and supporting U.S. citizens abroad is one of the foremost responsibilities of the U.S. government. The United States Government has failed to secure accountability for the killing of respected Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, or any of the other five American citizens – Omar Assad, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, and Amer Mohammad Saada Rabee – killed in the West Bank since January 2022. Following the Trump Administration’s sudden revocation of all U.S. sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank, the first five months of 2025 have seen the highest rate of settler attacks in years and the killing of another American. We urge you to pursue a different approach.”

    “Saifullah Kamal Musallet is the seventh American citizen killed in the West Bank since January 2022 — and the fifth in just the last nineteen months. The killings of these Americans in the West Bank have been met by a lack of accountability from the Netanyahu government and an inability to secure justice by the U.S. government. These failures have contributed to an unacceptable culture of impunity when it comes to incidents where civilians have been killed in the West Bank, including Americans,” they continue.

    The Senators note, “The Netanyahu government has failed to hold anyone accountable for any of these seven killings of Americans and the United States government has failed in its responsibility to protect American citizens overseas and demand justice for their deaths.”

    “It is long past time for the U.S. government to demand accountability in these killings of Americans. To that end, we urge you to immediately launch an independent investigation into the brutal killing of Saifullah Kamel Musallet, including the circumstances that blocked ambulances from reaching him. We also ask that you provide us with an update on the status of any investigations into the killings of the six other Americans who have been killed since January 2022, and provide us with a briefing on actions you are taking to ensure accountability for their deaths and to prevent future killings of Americans in the West Bank,” the Senators close.

    In addition to Senators Booker and Van Hollen, the letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elzabeth Warren (D-MA), Marie Cantwell (D-WA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), and Chris Murphy (D-CT).

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Statement on Catastrophic Hunger in Gaza

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement:

    “Witnessing the catastrophic hunger and suffering of civilians, especially children, women, the sick and elderly, in Gaza has been heartbreaking. The crisis in Gaza must be met with an immediate and drastic surge in life-saving resources, such as desperately needed food, water, and medicine–including therapeutic foods for those suffering from severe malnutrition. It is our collective moral duty to ensure that humanitarian relief reaches those who need it most urgently.

    “The strategy of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has not worked. Proven methods to get humanitarian aid to those in need while preventing diversion to Hamas must be used to flood the zone now. Every moment of delay will cost lives and cause irreparable harm to the health of children, pregnant women, and other civilians.

    “We must do all we can to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as part of the strategy to save lives, decrease Hamas’s influence and capabilities, release all remaining hostages, strengthen Israel’s security, and ultimately end this war. These goals are not mutually exclusive, rather they go hand-in-hand.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Secures District Court Decision Reaffirming Nationwide Injunction in Birthright Citizenship Lawsuit

    Source: US State of California

    Friday, July 25, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    Ruling follows SCOTUS decision sending consideration of nationwide injunction back to lower courts 

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a statement on the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts’s decision confirming the nationwide scope of its preliminary injunction in the multistate lawsuit challenging President Trump’s unconstitutional executive order seeking to end the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. The court concluded that “no workable, narrower alternative to the injunction issued originally would provide complete relief to the plaintiffs in this case.”

    “Today’s decision leaves in place a nationwide injunction in our lawsuit challenging the President’s executive order attempting to end the constitutional right to birthright citizenship while litigation continues,” said Attorney General Bonta. “It also reaffirms what we’ve argued from the start: Our states are harmed if those born in the United States are deprived of the right to citizenship. And it is unrealistic and infeasible to recognize the citizenship of those born in some states, but not others. We are pleased that the district court agreed. We will continue to fight to make sure this unconstitutional, anti-American executive order is blocked for good.”

    A copy of the court’s decision is available here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lawmakers Across Political Spectrum Warn Trump’s K-12 Funding Freeze is Already Harming Students and Schools Nationwide

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – Lawmakers, school districts, state leaders, and attorneys general are all sounding the alarm that President Trump’s unconstitutional withholding of $6.8 billion – including about $30 million for Rhode Island — in federal funds that Congress appropriated for K-12 education programs is harming students, teachers, and public schools nationwide.

    Despite a July 1 disbursement date enshrined in federal law, President Trump is withholding key federal K-12 funds for states and local school districts under the auspicious guise of an “ongoing programmatic review.” Trump’s abrupt freeze of this critical public school funding and adult education investment came just ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court’s six Republican-appointed justices clearing the way for the downsizing of the U.S. Department of Education at President Trump’s behest.

    U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) recently called on Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to release the $6.8 billion in funds for K-12 schools that the Trump Administration is withholding. Yesterday, ten Senate Republicans backed that call by sending a letter urging the Trump Administration to change course to avoid disrupting essential school services, such as summer instruction, teacher training, and after-school programs, as well as adult education programs that are critical to success in the workplace.

    Attorneys General from 24 states — including Rhode Island — are also pushing back against President Trump’s efforts to undermine public schools by filing a lawsuit describing the freeze on funds as both unconstitutional and “debilitating” to states just weeks ahead of a new school year.

    Due to the budget uncertainty caused by President Trump’s war on public education, officials have noted that some statewide education programs have already been forced to close their doors completely due to the loss of funds. Both Democratic and Republican Governors and state education chiefs in Arizona, Alabama, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Oregon and more have rebuked Trump’s education funding freeze.

    “President Trump is needlessly causing budgetary chaos and making it harder for public schools to budget for the coming academic year. Furthermore, he taking away opportunities for working class people to build their skills, advance economically, and meet employers’ needs. I appreciate my ten Republican colleagues speaking up, but frankly, more Republicans should actively oppose this unconstitutional impoundment. School districts responsibly budgeted months in advance and now President Trump is needlessly making it harder for them to hire, support, and retain good teachers. Schools are now left scrambling through no fault of their own and forced into difficult staffing and programmatic cuts,” said Senator Reed.

    Reed also noted: “In addition to freezing these funds and dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, Trump’s 2026 budget proposal would cut federal education funding by 15 percent. It would cut off opportunities for students and set back America’s future workforce. President Trump allocated so much money to tax windfalls for billionaires that he is now trying to shortchange K-12 students.”

    According to an analysis from New America: “The 100 school districts that would see the worst losses per pupil are heavily concentrated in Republican-represented Congressional districts (91, compared with nine in Democrat-represented Congressional districts).”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Senators Call on Netanyahu to Immediately Change Course in Gaza

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA), Ranking Defense Appropriator Chris Coons (D-DE), and Ranking State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriator Brian Schatz (D-HI) released the following joint statement urging the Trump Administration to press Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to immediately change course in its war in Gaza:

    “Humanitarian conditions in Gaza are appalling and unconscionable. This week, more than 100 NGOs—including Mercy Corps, Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, and Oxfam—warned of mass starvation spreading across Gaza. Following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s nearly 3-month blockade of humanitarian assistance, three-quarters of the population is facing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger.

    “The handful of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites are wholly inadequate to meet the needs of this starving population. Widespread problems have made GHF aid delivery chaotic and dangerous, leading to the deaths of an estimated 700 people. Yet the Trump Administration recently approved $30 million for GHF, overriding established procedures and waiving consultation with Congress.

    “While some established humanitarian organizations have been allowed to resume very limited operations, a number of restrictions and security challenges prevent them from fully functioning. To make matters worse, this week’s expansion of Israel’s military operation into central Gaza for the first time in the conflict has put at risk these few remaining operations. Moreover, the UN estimates that nearly 88 percent of Gaza is no longer accessible to civilians, leaving approximately two million people confined to a troublingly small remaining area.

    “Meanwhile, hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, including American citizens, and three out of four Israelis are calling for an end to this war. Last September, the IDF assessed that Hamas had been largely defeated militarily from its peak strength when it heinously attacked Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023 and is now effectively a “guerilla terror group.” As we know from our own experience following the attacks of September 11, 2001, there is no solely military solution to defeating a terrorist group. Continuing this war with no discernable end is not in Israel’s national security interest, and the lack of a viable “day after” plan has been a glaring mistake.

    “We call on the Trump Administration to use its considerable leverage to press Prime Minister Netanyahu to:

    • Reach a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that releases the hostages as soon as possible.
    • Support a surge in humanitarian assistance that provides both a sufficient amount of humanitarian aid and credible mechanisms for effective distribution, including the verification and monitoring of assistance to ensure equitable distribution and to prevent Hamas from diverting assistance. Established humanitarian organizations like the World Food Programme have the experience and ability to renew their delivery of assistance without civil unrest. We must allow them to do their jobs.
    • Dramatically reform or shut down the Gaza Humanitarian Fund and resume support for the existing UN-led aid coordination mechanisms in Gaza with enhanced oversight to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches civilians in need.
    • Establish a “day after” plan for Gaza where Hamas does not retain power, Israel disavows annexation of the West Bank and further integrates into the region, a reformed Palestinian Authority is fostered and empowered, and regional partners are included in rebuilding.
    • Create a framework for a viable path back to a two-state solution that will allow the Israeli and Palestinian people to live side by side in security, dignity, and prosperity.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 25th, 2025 After Republicans’ Cuts Threaten Rural Healthcare, Heinrich & Luján Demand Transparency on Trump Administration’s Inadequate Rural Health Slush Fund & Backroom Deals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with 12 of their Democratic colleagues, to demand accountability from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on how the rural health slush fund will be distributed to states and what guidance will be considered in this decision:

    In a letter to Mehmet Oz, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Senators demanded clarity on how the rural health slush fund will be distributed across the country. Earlier this month, Senate Republicans passed their “Big, Ugly Betrayal,” which delivered devastating cuts to the U.S. health care system – slashing funding by over $1 trillion dollars, the largest cut to healthcare in history. To try and cover up the damage of these cuts, they included a $50 billion rural health slush fund. However, this temporary fund only accounts for 5 percent of the cuts, which will have devastating, irreversible impacts. Perhaps even more alarming is the potentially blatant political distribution of this fund, underscoring the importance of accountability as to how CMS plans to award this money to states.

    “We are alarmed by reports suggesting these taxpayer funds are already promised to Republican members of Congress in exchange for their votes in support of the Big, Ugly Betrayal. In addition, the vague legislative language creating this fund will seemingly function as your personal fund to be distributed according to your political whims. As states, patients, hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers brace for devastating cuts, we urge you to provide straightforward, detailed answers on how you plan to administer these funds,” the Senators wrote. “Republicans in Congress hastily developed the rural health slush fund to buy their members’ votes and give their caucus political cover for voting for the Big, Ugly Betrayal. Several Members of Congress have already touted your promises about the funding their states and districts will receive from the rural health slush fund.”

    Moreover, there are many questions about how the funds will be distributed. Shortly after the passage of the “Big, Ugly Betrayal,” Republican Senators took to “X” (formerly known as Twitter) to celebrate specific money for their states to support rural hospitals. Senator Britt (R-AL) tweeted: “the Senate just amended the Big Beautiful Bill to invest over $500M in Alabama’s rural hospitals.” Senator Husted (R-OH) said: “I’m proud to have secured $1.3 billion in funding for rural hospitals across Ohio—because every Ohioan deserves access to quality care close to home.” Senator Cassidy (R-LA) even noted an inequity, tweeting: “We secured a $50 billion fund to support rural hospitals. Louisiana is set to receive about 2% of that money, despite having only 1% of the U.S. population—a double share.” Since CMS has yet to release the criteria for how the funding will be awarded, there are questions about if this slush fund constituted a political pay-off.

    Additionally, the Senators noted the hasty and ill-conceived wording of the fund, which leaves it open to abuse, fraud, and re-appropriation.

    “Not only does the Republican rural health slush fund provide a meager amount of funding that fails to plug the $1 trillion hole caused by the Big, Ugly Betrayal, the fund is drafted in such a vague and open-ended manner that it is not even guaranteed to support rural health care. States are not required to use this funding to support rural hospitals or other rural health care providers. In fact, states can use funds to pay any health care providers, support technology-driven efforts like wearable devices, or fund unproven models of care that have nothing to do with rural health,” the Senators continued. “Further, there are no parameters outlined in the legislative language for how CMS should award, distribute, or rescind funding from the rural health slush fund, making it even more susceptible to abuse.”

    To combat this apparent political giveaway, the Senators demanded answers on several questions, including:

    • When will CMS provide guidance to states on criteria for an application?
    • Will they commit to clear defined criteria before distributing these funds, and an appeals process related to funding award decisions?
    • Will CMS prioritize rural providers receiving these funding awards?
    • How will CMS define proper vs improper use of funds and accountability for how CMS will hold states accountable for improper use?
    • What states/districts has the Trump administration already promised funding to?

    In addition to Heinrich, Luján, Schumer, and Wyden, other Senators who signed on to the letter include Senators Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Durbin (D-Ill.), Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kim (D-N.J.), Markey (D-Mass.), Merkley (D-Ore.), Padilla (D-Calif.), Sanders (I-Vt.), Smith (D-Minn.), Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Warren (D-Mass.).

    The full text of the letter can be seen here and below.

    Dear Administrator Oz:

    As you know, the Republican reconciliation bill cuts funding to the U.S. health care system by over $1 trillion, and will devastate communities nationwide, with disproportionate, negative impacts on health care access in rural America. To cover up the harms of these catastrophic cuts, Trump and Republicans stood up a temporary $50 billion rural health slush fund. This meager investment amounts to just five percent of the Big, Ugly Betrayal’s largest health care cuts in history.

    We are alarmed by reports suggesting these taxpayer funds are already promised to Republican members of Congress in exchange for their votes in support of the Big, Ugly Betrayal. In addition, the vague legislative language creating this fund will seemingly function as your personal fund to be distributed according to your political whims. As states, patients, hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers brace for devastating cuts, we urge you to provide straightforward, detailed answers on how you plan to administer these funds.

    Republicans in Congress hastily developed the rural health slush fund to buy their members’ votes and give their caucus political cover for voting for the reconciliation bill. Several Members of Congress have already touted your promises about the funding their states and districts will receive from the rural health slush fund. Before the Big, Ugly Betrayal was even signed into law, Senator Husted celebrated the $1.3 billion he claims is promised to rural hospitals in Ohio, and Senator Hawley said the bill will give $1 billion to rural hospitals in Missouri.

    Other reports suggest you promised to send funding from the rural health slush fund to districts in Pennsylvania that are not even rural. The Trump Administration’s explanation that this fund can and will be used for more than rural areas was a key fact that swayed Republicans to vote for the bill. The rural health slush fund appears to be nothing more than a political parachute to pay off members of Congress for their unpopular votes.

    Rural communities will suffer greatly because of the health care cuts enacted in the Republican reconciliation bill. One-third of all rural hospitals are already at risk of closing, and the bill will force over 330 rural hospitals to reduce service lines, convert to other types of hospitals with fewer services, or close altogether. The Big, Ugly Betrayal makes no meaningful investments in rural hospitals, rural health centers, and other rural health care providers, which have some of the most fragile operating margins in the nation, and often are the largest employers and economic engines of their communities.

    Not only does the Republican rural health slush fund provide a meager amount of funding that fails to plug the $1 trillion hole caused by the reconciliation bill, the fund is drafted in such a vague and open-ended manner that it is not even guaranteed to support rural health care. States are not required to use this funding to support rural hospitals or other rural health care providers. In fact, states can use funds to pay any health care providers, support technology-driven efforts like wearable devices, or fund unproven models of care that have nothing to do with rural health.

    Further, there are no parameters outlined in the legislative language for how CMS should award, distribute, or rescind funding from the rural health slush fund, making it even more susceptible to abuse. There is no clear definition of an appropriate state application for the rural health slush fund, CMS is not required to follow a clear formula for distribution of funds, and there are no guardrails on how CMS should claw back funding from states in cases of inappropriate use. Without more clarity, this rural health slush fund is vulnerable to the very abuse of taxpayer spending that Republicans purport to care about.

    To provide states, rural hospitals, and other health care providers clarity on the available use of funding from the rural health slush fund in advance of the December 31, 2025 deadline for CMS to approve or deny state applications, we request that you provide a staff-level briefing on the parameters of this fund as well as detailed, written responses to the following questions by August 15, 2025:

    1. When will CMS provide states with guidance on the components that should be included in an appropriate state application for funding from the fund?

    a) Will CMS provide guidance to states on applications for use of funds that are required to be distributed equally among states with an approved application?

    b) Will CMS provide guidance to states on applications for use of funds that are not required to be distributed equally among states?

    2. What percentage of program funding will CMS allocate to rural health care providers?

    a) How will CMS ensure that states use this federal funding to benefit rural hospitals and other health care facilities, providers, and patients?

    b) What is the breakdown of funding that CMS anticipates allocating across the different categories of eligible providers?

    c) How will CMS make sure that states use the funds for purposes that support the financial viability of rural hospitals and other health care providers, including by providing funding to address high fixed costs and low volumes, improve health care workforce retention and recruitment in rural areas, and replace aging infrastructure?

    3. The Big, Ugly Betrayal outlines several metrics that CMS may consider when distributing funding to states. How will CMS apply these metrics—the number of people who live in rural communities, the number of rural health facilities in a state, and the number of Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) in a state—when distributing funding to states?

    4. Will CMS commit to make the formula for awarding and distributing funds to states public before making any commitments to states and before formally distributing funding?

    5. Will CMS commit to creating a public website outlining state applicants for funding, the funding formula and criteria for distributing funds, and approved state applications?

    6. How will CMS define and determine improper uses of funding? How will CMS monitor funds to ensure appropriate spending and use?

    7. Will CMS commit to establishing an appeals process for states to provide an opportunity to contest decisions made on award, distribution and/or clawback of funding?

    8. Given the ongoing hiring freeze at CMS, it appears that the agency cannot hire more people to distribute this funding. How will CMS use the $200 million in implementation funding tied to the rural health slush fund?

    a)Will CMS hire a third party to administer this fund?

    b) If yes, has CMS already committed to a hire a specific third party to administer this fund and, if so, which vendor?

    9. What other states or districts have Trump Administration officials already promised funding from the rural health slush fund to? Which states and districts have received this promised funding?

    While this taxpayer-supported rural health slush fund is wholly insufficient to plug the massive hole created by the Big, Ugly Betrayal including the 15 million people expected to lose insurance coverage, it is critical that CMS move with urgency to provide clarity to rural communities, states, hospitals, and other health care providers about the fund. We look forward to your prompt response.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 25th, 2025 After Republicans’ Cuts Threaten Rural Healthcare, Heinrich & Luján Demand Transparency on Trump Administration’s Inadequate Rural Health Slush Fund & Backroom Deals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with 12 of their Democratic colleagues, to demand accountability from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on how the rural health slush fund will be distributed to states and what guidance will be considered in this decision:
    In a letter to Mehmet Oz, the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Senators demanded clarity on how the rural health slush fund will be distributed across the country. Earlier this month, Senate Republicans passed their “Big, Ugly Betrayal,” which delivered devastating cuts to the U.S. health care system – slashing funding by over $1 trillion dollars, the largest cut to healthcare in history. To try and cover up the damage of these cuts, they included a $50 billion rural health slush fund. However, this temporary fund only accounts for 5 percent of the cuts, which will have devastating, irreversible impacts. Perhaps even more alarming is the potentially blatant political distribution of this fund, underscoring the importance of accountability as to how CMS plans to award this money to states.
    “We are alarmed by reports suggesting these taxpayer funds are already promised to Republican members of Congress in exchange for their votes in support of the Big, Ugly Betrayal. In addition, the vague legislative language creating this fund will seemingly function as your personal fund to be distributed according to your political whims. As states, patients, hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers brace for devastating cuts, we urge you to provide straightforward, detailed answers on how you plan to administer these funds,” the Senators wrote. “Republicans in Congress hastily developed the rural health slush fund to buy their members’ votes and give their caucus political cover for voting for the Big, Ugly Betrayal. Several Members of Congress have already touted your promises about the funding their states and districts will receive from the rural health slush fund.”
    Moreover, there are many questions about how the funds will be distributed. Shortly after the passage of the “Big, Ugly Betrayal,” Republican Senators took to “X” (formerly known as Twitter) to celebrate specific money for their states to support rural hospitals. Senator Britt (R-AL) tweeted: “the Senate just amended the Big Beautiful Bill to invest over $500M in Alabama’s rural hospitals.” Senator Husted (R-OH) said: “I’m proud to have secured $1.3 billion in funding for rural hospitals across Ohio—because every Ohioan deserves access to quality care close to home.” Senator Cassidy (R-LA) even noted an inequity, tweeting: “We secured a $50 billion fund to support rural hospitals. Louisiana is set to receive about 2% of that money, despite having only 1% of the U.S. population—a double share.” Since CMS has yet to release the criteria for how the funding will be awarded, there are questions about if this slush fund constituted a political pay-off.
    Additionally, the Senators noted the hasty and ill-conceived wording of the fund, which leaves it open to abuse, fraud, and re-appropriation.
    “Not only does the Republican rural health slush fund provide a meager amount of funding that fails to plug the $1 trillion hole caused by the Big, Ugly Betrayal, the fund is drafted in such a vague and open-ended manner that it is not even guaranteed to support rural health care. States are not required to use this funding to support rural hospitals or other rural health care providers. In fact, states can use funds to pay any health care providers, support technology-driven efforts like wearable devices, or fund unproven models of care that have nothing to do with rural health,” the Senators continued. “Further, there are no parameters outlined in the legislative language for how CMS should award, distribute, or rescind funding from the rural health slush fund, making it even more susceptible to abuse.”
    To combat this apparent political giveaway, the Senators demanded answers on several questions, including:
    When will CMS provide guidance to states on criteria for an application?
    Will they commit to clear defined criteria before distributing these funds, and an appeals process related to funding award decisions?
    Will CMS prioritize rural providers receiving these funding awards?
    How will CMS define proper vs improper use of funds and accountability for how CMS will hold states accountable for improper use?
    What states/districts has the Trump administration already promised funding to?
    In addition to Heinrich, Luján, Schumer, and Wyden, other Senators who signed on to the letter include Senators Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Durbin (D-Ill.), Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kim (D-N.J.), Markey (D-Mass.), Merkley (D-Ore.), Padilla (D-Calif.), Sanders (I-Vt.), Smith (D-Minn.), Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Warren (D-Mass.).
    The full text of the letter can be seen here and below.
    Dear Administrator Oz:
    As you know, the Republican reconciliation bill cuts funding to the U.S. health care system by over $1 trillion, and will devastate communities nationwide, with disproportionate, negative impacts on health care access in rural America. To cover up the harms of these catastrophic cuts, Trump and Republicans stood up a temporary $50 billion rural health slush fund. This meager investment amounts to just five percent of the Big, Ugly Betrayal’s largest health care cuts in history.
    We are alarmed by reports suggesting these taxpayer funds are already promised to Republican members of Congress in exchange for their votes in support of the Big, Ugly Betrayal. In addition, the vague legislative language creating this fund will seemingly function as your personal fund to be distributed according to your political whims. As states, patients, hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers brace for devastating cuts, we urge you to provide straightforward, detailed answers on how you plan to administer these funds.
    Republicans in Congress hastily developed the rural health slush fund to buy their members’ votes and give their caucus political cover for voting for the reconciliation bill. Several Members of Congress have already touted your promises about the funding their states and districts will receive from the rural health slush fund. Before the Big, Ugly Betrayal was even signed into law, Senator Husted celebrated the $1.3 billion he claims is promised to rural hospitals in Ohio, and Senator Hawley said the bill will give $1 billion to rural hospitals in Missouri.
    Other reports suggest you promised to send funding from the rural health slush fund to districts in Pennsylvania that are not even rural. The Trump Administration’s explanation that this fund can and will be used for more than rural areas was a key fact that swayed Republicans to vote for the bill. The rural health slush fund appears to be nothing more than a political parachute to pay off members of Congress for their unpopular votes.
    Rural communities will suffer greatly because of the health care cuts enacted in the Republican reconciliation bill. One-third of all rural hospitals are already at risk of closing, and the bill will force over 330 rural hospitals to reduce service lines, convert to other types of hospitals with fewer services, or close altogether. The Big, Ugly Betrayal makes no meaningful investments in rural hospitals, rural health centers, and other rural health care providers, which have some of the most fragile operating margins in the nation, and often are the largest employers and economic engines of their communities.
    Not only does the Republican rural health slush fund provide a meager amount of funding that fails to plug the $1 trillion hole caused by the reconciliation bill, the fund is drafted in such a vague and open-ended manner that it is not even guaranteed to support rural health care. States are not required to use this funding to support rural hospitals or other rural health care providers. In fact, states can use funds to pay any health care providers, support technology-driven efforts like wearable devices, or fund unproven models of care that have nothing to do with rural health.
    Further, there are no parameters outlined in the legislative language for how CMS should award, distribute, or rescind funding from the rural health slush fund, making it even more susceptible to abuse. There is no clear definition of an appropriate state application for the rural health slush fund, CMS is not required to follow a clear formula for distribution of funds, and there are no guardrails on how CMS should claw back funding from states in cases of inappropriate use. Without more clarity, this rural health slush fund is vulnerable to the very abuse of taxpayer spending that Republicans purport to care about.
    To provide states, rural hospitals, and other health care providers clarity on the available use of funding from the rural health slush fund in advance of the December 31, 2025 deadline for CMS to approve or deny state applications, we request that you provide a staff-level briefing on the parameters of this fund as well as detailed, written responses to the following questions by August 15, 2025:
    1. When will CMS provide states with guidance on the components that should be included in an appropriate state application for funding from the fund?
    a) Will CMS provide guidance to states on applications for use of funds that are required to be distributed equally among states with an approved application?
    b) Will CMS provide guidance to states on applications for use of funds that are not required to be distributed equally among states?
    2. What percentage of program funding will CMS allocate to rural health care providers?
    a) How will CMS ensure that states use this federal funding to benefit rural hospitals and other health care facilities, providers, and patients?
    b) What is the breakdown of funding that CMS anticipates allocating across the different categories of eligible providers?
    c) How will CMS make sure that states use the funds for purposes that support the financial viability of rural hospitals and other health care providers, including by providing funding to address high fixed costs and low volumes, improve health care workforce retention and recruitment in rural areas, and replace aging infrastructure?
    3. The Big, Ugly Betrayal outlines several metrics that CMS may consider when distributing funding to states. How will CMS apply these metrics—the number of people who live in rural communities, the number of rural health facilities in a state, and the number of Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals (DSH) in a state—when distributing funding to states?
    4. Will CMS commit to make the formula for awarding and distributing funds to states public before making any commitments to states and before formally distributing funding?
    5. Will CMS commit to creating a public website outlining state applicants for funding, the funding formula and criteria for distributing funds, and approved state applications?
    6. How will CMS define and determine improper uses of funding? How will CMS monitor funds to ensure appropriate spending and use?
    7. Will CMS commit to establishing an appeals process for states to provide an opportunity to contest decisions made on award, distribution and/or clawback of funding?
    8. Given the ongoing hiring freeze at CMS, it appears that the agency cannot hire more people to distribute this funding. How will CMS use the $200 million in implementation funding tied to the rural health slush fund?
    a)Will CMS hire a third party to administer this fund?
    b) If yes, has CMS already committed to a hire a specific third party to administer this fund and, if so, which vendor?
    9. What other states or districts have Trump Administration officials already promised funding from the rural health slush fund to? Which states and districts have received this promised funding?
    While this taxpayer-supported rural health slush fund is wholly insufficient to plug the massive hole created by the Big, Ugly Betrayal including the 15 million people expected to lose insurance coverage, it is critical that CMS move with urgency to provide clarity to rural communities, states, hospitals, and other health care providers about the fund. We look forward to your prompt response.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 25th, 2025 Heinrich, Sheehy Introduce Legislation to Study Cost of Wildfires on Homeowners

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act, legislation to better understand the cost of increasingly destructive wildfires on homeowners’ insurance coverage and identify possible measures to alleviate the financial risk of wildfires.

    “I’m hearing from more and more New Mexicans who’ve seen their insurance premiums skyrocket, lost coverage entirely, or been priced out of protecting their homes. That is completely unacceptable,” said Heinrich. “Families deserve fair, transparent coverage they can count on. We need a clearer picture of how worsening wildfires and climate risks are impacting insurance companies’ decisions to raise insurance premiums. Without better data, we can’t push back when insurers jack up rates or pull the rug out from under homeowners altogether.”

    “In addition to destroying livelihoods, wildfires that burn down communities threaten homeowners’ access to insurance coverage, lead to more costly premiums, and make the American Dream of homeownership less attainable. One-third of America lives in wildfire-prone areas, and we must get our arms around this crisis, because if you can’t get or afford homeowners’ insurance, you can’t finance your home, which means hardworking families can’t achieve homeownership. As we overhaul the federal wildfire apparatus to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, which will help ease pressure on insurance markets, I’m also proud to lead the charge on this bill to ensure American families’ homes, financial futures, and communities are protected from wildfires,” said Sheehy.

    According to a 2023 report released by Heinrich as the former Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), the financial risks of wildfires are difficult to predict because fires can start for a number of reasons and because their risk to peoples’ homes at any given time is based on a complicated combination of topography, drought conditions, wind patterns, fuel amounts, and the location of houses among many other factors. This has led many insurers to either raise premium costs substantially across the board in Western and forested communities or pull out of markets entirely — with several major insurance companies declining to provide any form of coverage.

    The Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act will help gain a clearer understanding of the cost associated with living in areas with increasingly intense and longer fire seasons, regardless of the fire damages that occur over a year.

    Specifically, the Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act will require a federal study to assess the:

    • Extent and nature of growing wildfire risks in the United States;
    • The existing state of homeowners insurance coverage and commercial property insurance coverage for damage from wildfires in the United States;
    • Extent to which private insurers have refused to renew new policies because of geographical location;
    • Responses of states’ insurance regulatory agencies to increased premiums and exclusion of coverage; and
    • Need for a national wildfire risk map.

    The Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act is endorsed by Public Citizen and the National Association of Counties (NACo).

    Full text of the bill is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 25th, 2025 Heinrich, Sheehy Introduce Legislation to Study Cost of Wildfires on Homeowners

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act, legislation to better understand the cost of increasingly destructive wildfires on homeowners’ insurance coverage and identify possible measures to alleviate the financial risk of wildfires.

    “I’m hearing from more and more New Mexicans who’ve seen their insurance premiums skyrocket, lost coverage entirely, or been priced out of protecting their homes. That is completely unacceptable,” said Heinrich. “Families deserve fair, transparent coverage they can count on. We need a clearer picture of how worsening wildfires and climate risks are impacting insurance companies’ decisions to raise insurance premiums. Without better data, we can’t push back when insurers jack up rates or pull the rug out from under homeowners altogether.”

    “In addition to destroying livelihoods, wildfires that burn down communities threaten homeowners’ access to insurance coverage, lead to more costly premiums, and make the American Dream of homeownership less attainable. One-third of America lives in wildfire-prone areas, and we must get our arms around this crisis, because if you can’t get or afford homeowners’ insurance, you can’t finance your home, which means hardworking families can’t achieve homeownership. As we overhaul the federal wildfire apparatus to reduce catastrophic wildfire risk, which will help ease pressure on insurance markets, I’m also proud to lead the charge on this bill to ensure American families’ homes, financial futures, and communities are protected from wildfires,” said Sheehy.

    According to a 2023 report released by Heinrich as the former Chairman of the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC), the financial risks of wildfires are difficult to predict because fires can start for a number of reasons and because their risk to peoples’ homes at any given time is based on a complicated combination of topography, drought conditions, wind patterns, fuel amounts, and the location of houses among many other factors. This has led many insurers to either raise premium costs substantially across the board in Western and forested communities or pull out of markets entirely — with several major insurance companies declining to provide any form of coverage.

    The Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act will help gain a clearer understanding of the cost associated with living in areas with increasingly intense and longer fire seasons, regardless of the fire damages that occur over a year.

    Specifically, the Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act will require a federal study to assess the:

    • Extent and nature of growing wildfire risks in the United States;
    • The existing state of homeowners insurance coverage and commercial property insurance coverage for damage from wildfires in the United States;
    • Extent to which private insurers have refused to renew new policies because of geographical location;
    • Responses of states’ insurance regulatory agencies to increased premiums and exclusion of coverage; and
    • Need for a national wildfire risk map.

    The Wildfire Insurance Coverage Study Act is endorsed by Public Citizen and the National Association of Counties (NACo).

    Full text of the bill is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: China-European Union Commitment to Strengthen Cooperation Critical to Ensure Upcoming Climate Change Conference Represents ‘Major Turning Point’, Secretary-General Says

    Source: United Nations 4

    SG/SM/22739

    The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

    The Secretary-General welcomes the commitment of China and the European Union to strengthen cooperation on climate change and drive the global just transition.  As two of the world’s largest economies, the Secretary-General believes it is critical that China and the European Union continue to work together to ensure that the Thirtieth Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) in Brazil represents a major turning point in the global effort to address the climate crisis.

    The Secretary-General reiterates his call to all Group of Twenty (G20) countries to present 2035 NDCs that are economy-wide, cover all emissions, align with the 1.5-degree goal and define a credible pathway to transition away from fossil fuels as agreed at the First Global Stocktake.

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 9th CIIE launches exhibitor recruitment drive

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    SHANGHAI, July 25 — With just over 100 days to go until the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE), recruitment for the ninth CIIE was officially launched in Shanghai on Friday, and over 40 foreign companies have already signed up to exhibit, according to the event organizer.

    The ninth CIIE has already secured a contracted exhibition space of 30,000 square meters. Over 20 companies, including L’Oréal, GE Healthcare, Honeywell, Jaguar Land Rover and Lesaffre, were among the first to commit to a ninth consecutive year of participation.

    Vincent Boinay, president of L’Oréal North Asia Zone and chief executive officer (CEO) of L’Oréal China, said during a recruitment launch ceremony on Friday that thanks to the growing “spillover effect” of the CIIE, the company has launched more than 10 new brands, dozens of beauty tech products and hundreds of new items in China over the past seven years, accelerating the entry of international products into the Chinese market.

    The expo has not only witnessed but also boosted the development of companies, said Sheng Wenhao, CEO of Theland Asia Pacific Region. Through the CIIE, Theland has signed deals with dozens of professional buyers, covering more than 5,000 offline stores across 25 provincial-level regions in China.

    “Participating in the CIIE means embracing opportunities for us. Over the past seven years, we have signed more than 10 strategic cooperation agreements for fruit imports, with a contract value of up to 200 million U.S. dollars secured at the seventh CIIE last year,” said Guo Min, Joy Wing Mau Chile Spa’s deputy marketing director in China.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Disaster Loans Still Available for New York Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in New York of the Aug. 25 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses due to Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby that occurred on Aug. 8-10, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of  Franklin and St. Lawrence in New York.

    Under this declaration SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is Aug. 25, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –