Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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Source: US GOIAM Union
IAM Union workers at Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico (LTPR), standing shoulder to shoulder with union allies and community supporters, rallied outside the company’s Aguadilla facility this week to demand what they have earned: a fair contract that values their labor, safety, and dignity.
For nearly three years, the skilled aviation workers at LTPR have been at the bargaining table – yet the company continues to stall, refusing to act in the best interests of its workers. While Lufthansa Technik profits off the professionalism and dedication of these workers, it has failed to offer a contract that reflects their worth or improves the lives of those who make its operations possible.
“These workers have waited long enough,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “LTPR’s refusal to move on a fair contract is a blatant disregard for the very people who keep this company running. This fight is about respect, safety, and securing a better future for these families in Puerto Rico.”
The rally brought together union members, community leaders, and allies who echoed the same message: enough is enough. The workers are demanding basic human needs that the company continues to neglect.
“Lufthansa Technik has a choice: invest in the people who power your success or continue this pattern of delay and disrespect,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “Our members in Puerto Rico are standing strong – and the IAM stands with them. We will not back down until justice is delivered at the bargaining table.”
In May 2022, over 200 aircraft mechanics and related workers at LTPR voted overwhelmingly to join the IAM Union, seeking a voice on the job and a fair deal. Since then, progress at the bargaining table has been stonewalled by the company’s refusal to come forward with meaningful proposals. The IAM requested federal mediation from the National Mediation Board in 2023 in response to the company’s continued inaction.
This struggle has now drawn international solidarity. Verdi, a major German union representing Lufthansa workers across Europe, has called on Lufthansa AG – LTPR’s parent company – to step in and help end the contract dispute.
“LTPR can’t hide from its responsibilities – this fight is global now, and the world is watching,” added Martin. “IAM Union members in Puerto Rico are not alone. The entire IAM Union family stands behind them.”
The IAM Union is urging LTPR leadership to return to the table with real solutions that honor the value and professionalism of its workforce – not more empty promises.
SEE PHOTOS
The post Lufthansa Technik Puerto Rico Workers and Allies Hold Solidarity Rally Demanding a Fair Contract appeared first on IAM Union.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
Click Here to View the Original U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Press Release
A former Oklahoma man with business ties in Florida was sentenced today after pleading guilty to four counts of bank fraud, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.
U.S. District Judge Sara E. Hill sentenced Shawn Ray Murnan, 57, of Windemere, Florida, to 33 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release. Judge Hill further ordered Murnan to pay $1,641,796.47 in restitution to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
“In 2020, the CARES Act funding was established to provide emergency financial assistance to help businesses that were disrupted,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Investigators and prosecutors are committed to finding those like Murnan who steal government funding and prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law.”
From April 2020 through October 2021, Murnan admitted to falsifying several CARES Act applications to the SBA. Murnan was the owner of numerous business ventures in Oklahoma, Florida, and other states. He submitted 14 applications on behalf of his businesses, including Blujett, LLC, which was based in Broken Arrow. He submitted applications claiming to have several employees and falsified his payroll expenses. Murnan requested more than two million and successfully received $1,641,796.47 from seven Paycheck Protection Program loans and two Economic Injury Disaster Loans. After receiving the funds, Murnan applied for the loans to be forgiven.
Previously released on bond, Murnan was taken into custody following the sentencing today, where he will remain pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.
The Office of Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Office of Inspector General for the Small Business Administration, and the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Whipple prosecuted the case.
The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s prosecution of fraud schemes that exploit the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Since the inception of the CARES Act, the Fraud Section has prosecuted over 150 defendants in more than 95 criminal cases and has seized over $75 million in cash proceeds derived from fraudulently obtained PPP funds, as well as numerous real estate properties and luxury items purchased with such proceeds. More information can be found at Justice.gov/OPA/pr/justice-department-takes-action-against-covid-19-fraud.
Related programs: COVID EIDL, Disaster, Pandemic Oversight, PPP
Source: US GOIAM Union
IAM leadership was on hand to join IAM Local 2471 (District 19) members as Alstom opened its newest operation, Car Body Shell Plant 4, in Hornell, New York. The $75 million manufacturing and testing facility brings railcar body manufacturing from Brazil back to Alstom’s facilities in the southern tier of western New York state. Alstom has pledged to retain union jobs and create more union jobs for IAM Union members working at this Hornell location.
The funding was made possible in part by up to $7 million being made available through New York State, led by Gov. Kathy Hochul, as well as past state investments totalling up to $30 million.
“This is telling our members that Alstom is making the investment so that they’re going to be here in Hornell, New York for future generations,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “I was honored to come here today to celebrate the grand opening of this facility, and we look forward to the day that this facility is at full capacity.”
The first large order for the new facility is to manufacture 200 multilevel rail cars for Chicago’s Metra commuter rail lines. The newer cars will be equipped with modern internet features, greater capacity, and smoother rides.
The new plant features state-of-the-art, welding robots along an integrated assembly line. The robots will make tens of thousands of welds on each car shell making its way down the line, but human workers are needed to finish and check the automation process.
“The company has told us that there is a high demand for welders here in Hornell that is hard to keep up with, and the IAM hopes to secure the wages, benefits, and compensation for these in demand crafts,” said IAM Union Resident General Vice President Jody Bennett.
Current IAM members at the existing plants in Hornell are completing the order for the newest Amtrak trainsets named the “Aveila Liberty.” These high speed trains will reach speeds of 160 miles per hour on Amtrak’s northeast corridor from Washington, D.C. to Boston. Twenty-eight “tilting” trains provide a smoother ride for customers, with updated modern conveniences, and one third more capacity over the existing Acela trainsets that are over a quarter century old. Aveila Liberty trainsets are expected to be in operation before fall of this year.
“We make the train bodies in plant 1, plant 2 we build the traction motors, plant 3 is basically our warehouse,” said Alstom IAM Local 2741 Secretary/Treasurer Armin Bishop-Miller. “Hopefully, when Plant 4 gets up and running the right way, we can get people in here and help this company grow.”
Hornell has a long history with the railroad industry, with the Erie Station headend connecting four different rail lines dating back to the 1860’s. Rail carriers have changed names over the years, but the tracks and legacy of this town’s roots in railroading are strong.
The Hornell plant has delivered over 8,000 new or refurbished rail vehicles to customers across North America, including 1,000 subway cars to New York City Transit. Now with this fully integrated facility in the southern tier of New York State, and the fine craftsmanship of the IAM members, railcars will continue to roll out of the city of Hornell.
Alstom Plant 4 Video
The post IP Bryant, GVP Bennett Join IAM Local 2471 Members for Grand Opening of New Alstom Rail Manufacturing Facility appeared first on IAM Union.
Source: US State of California
The Justice Department announced today that Teleguam Holdings, LLC (GTA) has agreed to pay $500,000 to resolve allegations that it violated the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) by imposing fees on over 1,300 military servicemembers who terminated their cell phone service contracts because they had received military relocation orders.
“Servicemembers will not be penalized because of their patriotic service to our country,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “We will vigorously prosecute companies that refuse to abide by federal law that protects our great men and women in uniform who actively serve to protect our Nation.”
GTA will pay $450,000 in compensation to servicemembers, including double damages to servicemembers who paid GTA’s early termination charges, and a $50,000 civil penalty; and GTA will revise its policies to ensure that eligible military servicemembers can end their cell phone service contracts without illegal early termination charges.
The Department’s enforcement of the SCRA is conducted by the Civil Rights Division’s Housing and Civil Enforcement Section in partnership with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Since 2011, the Department has obtained over $482 million in monetary relief for over 148,000 servicemembers through its enforcement of the SCRA. For more information about the department’s SCRA enforcement efforts, please visit www.servicemembers.gov.
Servicemembers and their dependents who believe that their rights under the SCRA may have been violated should contact the nearest Armed Forces Legal Assistance Program Office. Office locations can be found at legalassistance.law.af.mil.
Source: US Congressional Budget Office
S. 1433 would authorize the appropriation of $3 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2031 for the Northwest Straits Advisory Commission. Under the bill, that commission would coordinate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and state, local, and tribal governments to design projects to restore marine waters and habitats of the Northwest Straits region in the State of Washington. In 2024, the Congress provided $1 million for those activities.
CBO assumes that the bill will be enacted in 2025 and that the authorized amounts will be provided in each year. On that basis and using historical spending patterns, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $13 million over the 2025-2030 period and $5 million after 2030.
In addition, the bill would authorize the commission to accept donations and spend them without further appropriation to carry out its responsibilities. The receipt and spending of those donations are recorded as direct spending. Because the receipt and spending would offset each other, CBO estimates that enacting S. 1433 would have an insignificant effect on net direct spending over the 2025-2035 period.
The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).
|
Table 1. Estimated Budgetary Effects of S. 1433 |
|||||||
|
By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars |
|||||||
|
2025 |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
2025-2030 |
|
|
Authorization |
0 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
15 |
|
Estimated Outlays |
0 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
13 |
|
Enacting the bill would have an insignificant effect on net direct spending over the 2025-2035 period for the receipt and spending of donations. |
|||||||
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aurora Swanson. The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel
Director, Congressional Budget Office
Source: US State of Vermont
An Oregon business owner pleaded guilty yesterday to not paying over employment taxes to the IRS.
According to court documents and statements made in court, Joyce Leard owned and operated Mr. Tree Inc., a Happy Valley-based company that provided tree removal and landscaping services to customers. Mr. Tree advertised itself as being in business for thirty years, and the company employed approximately 50 to 75 employees each year. From 2017 through 2024, Leard also owned and operated Wall 2 Wall Hardwood Floors Inc, another Happy Valley-based company.
Leard was responsible for withholding Social Security, Medicare and federal income taxes from the wages of her employees and then paying those funds over to the IRS each quarter. The timely payment of these taxes is critical to the functioning of the U.S. government, because, for example, they are the primary source of funding for Social Security and Medicare. The federal income taxes that are withheld from employees’ wages also account for a significant portion of all federal income taxes collected each year.
From the fourth quarter of 2018 through the fourth quarter of 2020, Leard collected and withheld taxes from her employees’ wages but did not pay the funds over to the IRS or file quarterly payroll tax returns as required by law. Instead of paying over these payroll taxes, Leard used funds in her business bank account to purchase approximately $3.5 million of real estate, which was titled in her name.
In total, Leard caused a tax loss to the United States of more than $1.5 million.
Leard is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 6. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.
IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.
Trial Attorneys J. Parker Gochenour and Megan E. Wessel of the Tax Division are prosecuting the case.
Source: Government of Canada regional news
Released on June 17, 2025
Two Community Safety Officers (CSOs), Keenan Gill from Flying Dust First Nation and Cathie Rosen from Prince Albert, were formally recognized last week at the 2025 Community Safety Officer Conference for their exceptional contributions and commitment to public safety, community engagement and collaborative partnerships.
“The CSO program was created to enhance local policing in municipalities and First Nations communities, and it is great to see these dedicated officers being recognized for the differences they are making in their communities,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod, K.C. said. “CSOs address bylaw infractions and less severe criminal offences, such as property damage, that if left unresolved, have a negative impact on their communities. We are proud to support programs that continue to build strong relationships between law enforcement and the people they serve.”
In summer 2024, CSO Gill received critical information from the Meadow Lake RCMP about an individual potentially posing a threat to attendees of the Flying Dust First Nation Pow Wow. CSO Gill was instrumental in identifying the individual, notified the RCMP and provided continuous updates while maintaining a visual on the suspect until the RCMP arrived. His efforts contributed to the RCMP’s apprehension of the individual without incident. CSO Gill played a vital role in preserving public safety through his collaborative approach, adherence to established protocol and procedures and professionalism during the incident.”
“Community Safety Officer Gill is a great partner and the CSO program an invaluable resource to the Meadow Lake Detachment,” Meadow Lake RCMP Detachment Commander Staff Sergeant Carl Dinsdale said. “CSO Gill is known by the local community and our detachment as a positive contributor to many aspects of public safety and is dedicated to service. This incident is an example of how his local knowledge and relationships with the community only enhance our ability to effectively serve and keep Flying Dust First Nation safe.”
In spring 2025, CSO Rosen conducted a routine patrol of the Prince Albert downtown area when she observed three individuals that were familiar to her through years of compassionate community engagement in her role. Upon approaching, CSO Rosen identified one individual as unresponsive and quickly requested Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and police assistance. CSO Rosen remained on scene, providing important information to the police and EMS, which contributed to a prepared and coordinated response. CSO Rosen offered support to those involved and ensured a caring and professional resolution.
“The Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) recognizes the strength of the CSO program in the province of Saskatchewan,” PAPS Chief Patrick Nogier said. “Locally, our policing model depends on multiple levels of response and public engagement, which includes the successful integration of CSOs in our community. We have been fortunate to attract and retain exceptional individuals within our organization, as demonstrated by the recognition of CSO Rosen’s contributions in Prince Albert. CSO Rosen has clearly embraced the vision, mission, and values of our Service and exemplifies these principles in her daily work. As Chief, I could not be prouder.”
The Government of Saskatchewan continues to promote and support the CSO program, offering municipalities and First Nations communities the opportunity to enhance existing community safety services. The program is designed to supplement local police services with uniformed presence ready to address high priority, low risk of harm issues and provide police services more time to investigate serious and emergent crimes.
In 2025-26, the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are investing over $3 million in the First Nations CSO pilot project to enhance public safety in First Nations communities and ensure Saskatchewan is a safe place to live, work and raise a family.
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For more information, contact:
Source: Government of Canada News
June 17, 2025
Ottawa, Ontario – Safe and reliable navigation of waterways is necessary for global trade and transportation, making accurate and accessible marine data essential. That’s why the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS), under Fisheries and Oceans Canada, is taking a leading role in validating new digital hydrographic standards.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, announced the launch of the S-100 Sea Trials on the St. Lawrence River. The S-100 data model is a new global standard created by the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), which offers a new way of visualizing the marine environment using layered, interactive digital data that can be added to navigational charts. Unlike traditional paper or electronic charts, the new standard integrates real-time information – like depths, landmarks, tides, and currents into a single, dynamic format.
Until November 2025, Canada is offering S-100 digital navigation products and services free of charge to mariners, stakeholders, developers and other interested parties to test performance in real-life scenarios. The complex conditions of the St. Lawrence River, such as varying water depths, changing currents and navigational aids, position it as an ideal testing ground, and will provide invaluable insights for S-100’s future adoption across global waters.
Canada’s leadership in hosting the S-100 Sea Trials will advance the global transition toward consistent and reliable digital hydrographic standards. International adoption of these standards will allow mariners to enhance maritime safety, better route navigation and planning, and transportation efficiency which will reduce costs and contribute to a cleaner environment and ocean.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)
Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Andy Harris, M.D., (MD-01), Scott Perry (PA-10), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), and Chris Smith (NJ-04), sent a letter to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health concerning the tragic death of a mariner that, at the time of his death, was working on the Empire Wind construction project.
Specifically, the lawmakers wrote to request that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issue a notice of imminent danger, as authorized under section 13(a) of the OSH Act, and seek a temporary restraining order to halt all construction operations for Empire Wind immediately.
The industrialization of offshore wind adversely affects each district represented in the letter.
Statement From the Congressmen:
“We are saddened by the tragic death of a mariner who lost his life from the dangerous conditions on the Empire Wind construction project. All work on the Empire Wind project must immediately be halted until OSHA can conduct a thorough investigation to ensure the safety of all involved workers is guaranteed. Furthermore, this pause must remain in place until all construction-related safety hazards are remedied by Equinor,” said the lawmakers.
“We have been sounding the alarm on the harmful effects of these projects for many years. They are a hazard to the environment, to our national security, to local coastal economies, and now they have proven to be a hazard to those tasked with their construction. A stop work order must go into effect to ensure this tragedy does not repeat itself.”
The letter can be read HERE.
For media inquiries, please contact Anna Adamian at Anna.A@mail.house.gov
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)
Washington, D.C., June 6, 2025
Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released the following statement on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 jobs report:
“The warning signs are here: revisions quietly wiped out 95,000 jobs from the past two months and participation in the labor force shrunk. The President is sowing cracks underneath the resilient economy he inherited—his irresponsible flip-flopping tariff agenda, his careless weaponization of government, and a White House filled with chaos undermines our economic strength with more seriousness each day. While workers and families brace for what’s next, the Administration, enabled by Republicans in Congress, is trying to speed up the damage with a cruel and destructive tax bill that will rip health care from 16 million people, shutter hospitals across the country, and deliver another windfall to the wealthy. Even Elon Musk is warning of a recession ahead. Trump’s reckless economic agenda is inching us closer to the full weight of his mismanagement— where the economy will buckle and millions of Americans will get socked with the consequences.”
###
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)
Today, Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (D-CT) released the following statement after the Supreme Court stepped in to allow Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’ access to Social Security beneficiaries’ personal data.
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court should alarm every American. Common sense suggests that Elon Musk’s ‘DOGE’ minions should not have unfettered access to the personal records of over 70 million Americans. Overturning two lower courts’ decisions to put their access on pause while the facts of this case are sorted, something rational minds could all agree to, only further creates suspicion and mistrust on the real intentions of ‘DOGE.’ Why do they need this access? What is the sense of urgency? In addition to the fears surrounding artificial intelligence, it only fuels the fire that ‘DOGE’ wants to dismantle Social Security from within. They have cut more than 7,000 workers, closed regional offices, slashed phone services, and fired inspectors general. They have their sights set on the $2.7 trillion in Social Security’s Trust Funds. This is the people’s money that American citizens have paid for. Elon Musk and his twenty-four-year-old proteges have not been vetted, gone through hearings, or any Senate confirmation. They have continued to dodge our inquiries and will not appear before the Ways and Means Committee, even after we filed a Resolution of Inquiry demanding answers from the Administration. They operate as if they are above the law, hiding behind President Trump’s designation of their ‘special’ status. For the Supreme Court to allow them to access Social Security numbers, income history, and medical records, is outrageous. We have been in contact with Ranking Member Jamie Raskin and are in full agreement with Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s opinion that there is no reason for this. We introduced legislation to deny political appointees this type of unfettered access to sensitive beneficiary data at the Social Security Administration. Congress must act.”
Ranking Members Larson and Neal’s Protecting Americans’ Social Security Data Act would block political appointees, like Elon Musk and his ‘DOGE,’ from accessing sensitive data systems at the Social Security Administration. It would also establish privacy requirements in law for beneficiary data and strengthen oversight and civil penalties for any privacy and disclosure violations of Social Security beneficiaries’ personal information.
###
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)
WATCH HERE
(As prepared for delivery)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Since Republicans reclaimed the power of a trifecta in Washington, we have seen nothing but an onslaught of unprecedented and irresponsible abuses of power. Whether it’s been the Elon Musk led DOGE shadow operation rifling through Americans’ confidential data or the blatant weaponization of the IRS to target critics of the President, this Administration has trampled legality and dodged transparency at every turn. They operate in deception—circumventing oversight, misleading the public, and bending the levers of power to benefit those in the President’s ear. And Republicans in Congress and on this committee are rubberstamping all of it. Blocking resolutions to get answers for the American people as the Administration ducks accountability and refusing to assert their own power as an oversight and legislative body. They’ve written a blank check for the Trump Administration to taint the system in favor of wealthy tax cheats and against everyone else.
Now, hand in hand they’re attempting to ram through an abomination of a bill that adds at least $3 trillion to the debt and kicks 16 million from their health care. The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are about to make history. They will be responsible for the biggest theft of health care we’ve ever seen. And they’re racing to do it on rushed timelines and in the dead of night before their own members, let alone the public, can catch on. They’re gutting the IRS, shredding enforcement, and handing the ultra-rich billions while everyone else gets scraps. The Administration is robbing states of manufacturing and energy projects that have already proved effective in creating jobs and spurring investments. Cancelling these projects will cost Americans thousands of jobs and hand innovations to our global competitors. How does taking jobs away from American workers and ceding innovation to China square with what this Administration claims to stand for?
Mr. Secretary, when you were named Treasury Secretary, you had a reputation for steady, sound, fact-based decision-making, which set you apart from others in the President’s orbit. That’s why it’s so disappointing to see you attack nonpartisan scorekeepers like CBO and JCT, who just call balls and strikes, and rely instead on fantasy math to defend a bill that I believe you know clearly explodes the deficit. Mr. Secretary, if the math you project is to be true, why don’t the bond markets believe you? You claim CBO and JCT are providing partisan numbers, but it’s the markets who are reacting. Are they partisan, too?
When the President took office, we warned the consequences would be swift. Over four months in, they’re undeniable. Markets have been rattled. Confidence is crashing. GDP is shrinking. Power has been turned over to unelected and unqualified loyalists and lackeys, and the President has ignited a reckless trade war he has no plan for and is over his head with. And it’s all while he guts services millions rely on so he can enrich himself and his friends.
Under Trump and Republicans’ watch, the American people are being left with a system rigged against them. Their privacy is under threat. Their basic needs are on the chopping block. And their government is being twisted into a tool for political retribution and personal gain.
We cannot let this stand. Oversight is a sacred obligation of Congress. When Republicans refuse to ask real questions, Democrats will. We will fight to protect taxpayers and their privacy, defend the integrity of our institutions, and ensure no one, no matter how wealthy or well-connected, is above the law.
I yield back.
###
(As prepared for delivery)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Since Republicans reclaimed the power of a trifecta in Washington, we have seen nothing but an onslaught of unprecedented and irresponsible abuses of power. Whether it’s been the Elon Musk led DOGE shadow operation rifling through Americans’ confidential data or the blatant weaponization of the IRS to target critics of the President, this Administration has trampled legality and dodged transparency at every turn. They operate in deception—circumventing oversight, misleading the public, and bending the levers of power to benefit those in the President’s ear. And Republicans in Congress and on this committee are rubberstamping all of it. Blocking resolutions to get answers for the American people as the Administration ducks accountability and refusing to assert their own power as an oversight and legislative body. They’ve written a blank check for the Trump Administration to taint the system in favor of wealthy tax cheats and against everyone else.
Now, hand in hand they’re attempting to ram through an abomination of a bill that adds at least $3 trillion to the debt and kicks 16 million from their health care. The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are about to make history. They will be responsible for the biggest theft of health care we’ve ever seen. And they’re racing to do it on rushed timelines and in the dead of night before their own members, let alone the public, can catch on. They’re gutting the IRS, shredding enforcement, and handing the ultra-rich billions while everyone else gets scraps. The Administration is robbing states of manufacturing and energy projects that have already proved effective in creating jobs and spurring investments. Cancelling these projects will cost Americans thousands of jobs and hand innovations to our global competitors. How does taking jobs away from American workers and ceding innovation to China square with what this Administration claims to stand for?
Mr. Secretary, when you were named Treasury Secretary, you had a reputation for steady, sound, fact-based decision-making, which set you apart from others in the President’s orbit. That’s why it’s so disappointing to see you attack nonpartisan scorekeepers like CBO and JCT, who just call balls and strikes, and rely instead on fantasy math to defend a bill that I believe you know clearly explodes the deficit. Mr. Secretary, if the math you project is to be true, why don’t the bond markets believe you? You claim CBO and JCT are providing partisan numbers, but it’s the markets who are reacting. Are they partisan, too?
When the President took office, we warned the consequences would be swift. Over four months in, they’re undeniable. Markets have been rattled. Confidence is crashing. GDP is shrinking. Power has been turned over to unelected and unqualified loyalists and lackeys, and the President has ignited a reckless trade war he has no plan for and is over his head with. And it’s all while he guts services millions rely on so he can enrich himself and his friends.
Under Trump and Republicans’ watch, the American people are being left with a system rigged against them. Their privacy is under threat. Their basic needs are on the chopping block. And their government is being twisted into a tool for political retribution and personal gain.
We cannot let this stand. Oversight is a sacred obligation of Congress. When Republicans refuse to ask real questions, Democrats will. We will fight to protect taxpayers and their privacy, defend the integrity of our institutions, and ensure no one, no matter how wealthy or well-connected, is above the law.
I yield back.
###
(As prepared for delivery)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Since Republicans reclaimed the power of a trifecta in Washington, we have seen nothing but an onslaught of unprecedented and irresponsible abuses of power. Whether it’s been the Elon Musk led DOGE shadow operation rifling through Americans’ confidential data or the blatant weaponization of the IRS to target critics of the President, this Administration has trampled legality and dodged transparency at every turn. They operate in deception—circumventing oversight, misleading the public, and bending the levers of power to benefit those in the President’s ear. And Republicans in Congress and on this committee are rubberstamping all of it. Blocking resolutions to get answers for the American people as the Administration ducks accountability and refusing to assert their own power as an oversight and legislative body. They’ve written a blank check for the Trump Administration to taint the system in favor of wealthy tax cheats and against everyone else.
Now, hand in hand they’re attempting to ram through an abomination of a bill that adds at least $3 trillion to the debt and kicks 16 million from their health care. The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are about to make history. They will be responsible for the biggest theft of health care we’ve ever seen. And they’re racing to do it on rushed timelines and in the dead of night before their own members, let alone the public, can catch on. They’re gutting the IRS, shredding enforcement, and handing the ultra-rich billions while everyone else gets scraps. The Administration is robbing states of manufacturing and energy projects that have already proved effective in creating jobs and spurring investments. Cancelling these projects will cost Americans thousands of jobs and hand innovations to our global competitors. How does taking jobs away from American workers and ceding innovation to China square with what this Administration claims to stand for?
Mr. Secretary, when you were named Treasury Secretary, you had a reputation for steady, sound, fact-based decision-making, which set you apart from others in the President’s orbit. That’s why it’s so disappointing to see you attack nonpartisan scorekeepers like CBO and JCT, who just call balls and strikes, and rely instead on fantasy math to defend a bill that I believe you know clearly explodes the deficit. Mr. Secretary, if the math you project is to be true, why don’t the bond markets believe you? You claim CBO and JCT are providing partisan numbers, but it’s the markets who are reacting. Are they partisan, too?
When the President took office, we warned the consequences would be swift. Over four months in, they’re undeniable. Markets have been rattled. Confidence is crashing. GDP is shrinking. Power has been turned over to unelected and unqualified loyalists and lackeys, and the President has ignited a reckless trade war he has no plan for and is over his head with. And it’s all while he guts services millions rely on so he can enrich himself and his friends.
Under Trump and Republicans’ watch, the American people are being left with a system rigged against them. Their privacy is under threat. Their basic needs are on the chopping block. And their government is being twisted into a tool for political retribution and personal gain.
We cannot let this stand. Oversight is a sacred obligation of Congress. When Republicans refuse to ask real questions, Democrats will. We will fight to protect taxpayers and their privacy, defend the integrity of our institutions, and ensure no one, no matter how wealthy or well-connected, is above the law.
I yield back.
###
(As prepared for delivery)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Since Republicans reclaimed the power of a trifecta in Washington, we have seen nothing but an onslaught of unprecedented and irresponsible abuses of power. Whether it’s been the Elon Musk led DOGE shadow operation rifling through Americans’ confidential data or the blatant weaponization of the IRS to target critics of the President, this Administration has trampled legality and dodged transparency at every turn. They operate in deception—circumventing oversight, misleading the public, and bending the levers of power to benefit those in the President’s ear. And Republicans in Congress and on this committee are rubberstamping all of it. Blocking resolutions to get answers for the American people as the Administration ducks accountability and refusing to assert their own power as an oversight and legislative body. They’ve written a blank check for the Trump Administration to taint the system in favor of wealthy tax cheats and against everyone else.
Now, hand in hand they’re attempting to ram through an abomination of a bill that adds at least $3 trillion to the debt and kicks 16 million from their health care. The Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans are about to make history. They will be responsible for the biggest theft of health care we’ve ever seen. And they’re racing to do it on rushed timelines and in the dead of night before their own members, let alone the public, can catch on. They’re gutting the IRS, shredding enforcement, and handing the ultra-rich billions while everyone else gets scraps. The Administration is robbing states of manufacturing and energy projects that have already proved effective in creating jobs and spurring investments. Cancelling these projects will cost Americans thousands of jobs and hand innovations to our global competitors. How does taking jobs away from American workers and ceding innovation to China square with what this Administration claims to stand for?
Mr. Secretary, when you were named Treasury Secretary, you had a reputation for steady, sound, fact-based decision-making, which set you apart from others in the President’s orbit. That’s why it’s so disappointing to see you attack nonpartisan scorekeepers like CBO and JCT, who just call balls and strikes, and rely instead on fantasy math to defend a bill that I believe you know clearly explodes the deficit. Mr. Secretary, if the math you project is to be true, why don’t the bond markets believe you? You claim CBO and JCT are providing partisan numbers, but it’s the markets who are reacting. Are they partisan, too?
When the President took office, we warned the consequences would be swift. Over four months in, they’re undeniable. Markets have been rattled. Confidence is crashing. GDP is shrinking. Power has been turned over to unelected and unqualified loyalists and lackeys, and the President has ignited a reckless trade war he has no plan for and is over his head with. And it’s all while he guts services millions rely on so he can enrich himself and his friends.
Under Trump and Republicans’ watch, the American people are being left with a system rigged against them. Their privacy is under threat. Their basic needs are on the chopping block. And their government is being twisted into a tool for political retribution and personal gain.
We cannot let this stand. Oversight is a sacred obligation of Congress. When Republicans refuse to ask real questions, Democrats will. We will fight to protect taxpayers and their privacy, defend the integrity of our institutions, and ensure no one, no matter how wealthy or well-connected, is above the law.
I yield back.
###
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Richard Neal (D-MA)
Congressman Richard E. Neal released the following statement after the Trump Administration terminated $3.7 billion in grants issued by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. This includes an $87 million grant issued to Sublime Systems, whose low-carbon cement manufacturing plant is scheduled to open in Holyoke in 2027.
“The Trump Administration’s decision to kill critical clean energy projects is deeply irresponsible and is a betrayal of American innovation, workers, and the fight against climate change. Scrapping funding for projects for innovators like Sublime Systems in Holyoke undercuts years of progress in decarbonizing heavy industry, and it jeopardizes good-paying jobs and economic development in communities that need it most.
“The Inflation Reduction Act was written in the Ways and Means Committee during my time as chairman, representing the largest investment in combatting climate change in our nation’s history. I can say unequivocally that this was not the intention of the bill; it was designed to accelerate the clean energy transition through innovation, not stall it.
“This isn’t just about climate— it’s about global competitiveness and leadership. Turning away from American-made clean technologies in favor of outdated fossil fuel priorities is shortsighted and will be disastrous for our economy and environment, all while giving the upper hand to our competitors around the world. I urge the Trump Administration to reverse course and recommit to a forward-looking energy strategy that supports innovators and benefits our communities, economy, and planet.”
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Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3
For Immediate Release:
June 17, 2025
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced its Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program to enhance the health interests of Americans. The new voucher may be redeemed by drug developers to participate in a novel priority program by the FDA that shortens its review time from approximately 10-12 months to 1-2 months following a sponsor’s final drug application submission.
The new CNPV process convenes experts from FDA offices for a team-based review rather than using the standard review system of a drug application being sent to numerous FDA offices. Clinical information will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians and scientists who will pre-review the submitted information and convene for a 1-day “tumor board style” meeting.
“Using a common-sense approach, the national priority review program will allow companies to submit the lion’s share of the drug application before a clinical trial is complete so that we can reduce inefficiencies. The ultimate goal is to bring more cures and meaningful treatments to the American public,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary M.D., M.P.H. “As a surgical oncologist, we often made multidisciplinary decisions with a team of doctors on major life-and-death questions for patients, incorporating the latest medical studies in a 1-day tumor board-style discussion. This voucher harnesses that model to deliver timely decisions for drug developers.”
The FDA plans in the first year of the program to give a limited number of vouchers to companies aligned with U.S. national priorities. In addition to receiving the benefits of this program, the agency may also grant an accelerated approval, if the product for which the voucher is used meets the applicable legal requirements for accelerated approval. The new review program will also include enhanced communication with the sponsor throughout the process. The FDA Commissioner will use specific criteria to make the vouchers available to companies that are aligned with the national health priorities of:
Addressing a health crisis in the U.S.
Delivering more innovative cures for the American people.
Addressing unmet public health needs.
Increasing domestic drug manufacturing as a national security issue.
To qualify, sponsors must submit the chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) portion of the application and the draft labeling at least 60 days before submitting the final application. Sponsors must also be available for ongoing communication with prompt responses to FDA inquiries during the CNPV review. The FDA reserves the right to extend the review window if the data or application components submitted are insufficient or incomplete, if the results of pivotal trial(s) are ambiguous, or if the review is particularly complex.
Vouchers can be directed by the FDA towards a specific investigational new drug of a company or be granted to a company as an undesignated voucher, allowing a company to use the voucher for a new drug at the company’s discretion and consistent with the program’s objectives.
This program aims to accelerate the drug review process for companies aligned with U.S. national priorities while maintaining the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety, efficacy, and quality.
“This approach capitalizes on frequent communication with sponsors, which can be a powerful tool in reducing wasted time. We are confident this more efficient process can be achieved without cutting any corners on safety or scientific evaluation,” said Principal Deputy Commissioner Sara Brenner, M.D., M.P.H.
The CNPV program reflects the FDA’s commitment to create more efficient approval processes and modernize regulatory frameworks for greater agility to meet emerging public health needs.
Related Information
Related Information
Consumer:888-INFO-FDA
###
Boilerplate
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.
Content current as of:
06/17/2025
Follow FDA
Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3
For Immediate Release:
June 17, 2025
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced its Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program to enhance the health interests of Americans. The new voucher may be redeemed by drug developers to participate in a novel priority program by the FDA that shortens its review time from approximately 10-12 months to 1-2 months following a sponsor’s final drug application submission.
The new CNPV process convenes experts from FDA offices for a team-based review rather than using the standard review system of a drug application being sent to numerous FDA offices. Clinical information will be reviewed by a multidisciplinary team of physicians and scientists who will pre-review the submitted information and convene for a 1-day “tumor board style” meeting.
“Using a common-sense approach, the national priority review program will allow companies to submit the lion’s share of the drug application before a clinical trial is complete so that we can reduce inefficiencies. The ultimate goal is to bring more cures and meaningful treatments to the American public,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary M.D., M.P.H. “As a surgical oncologist, we often made multidisciplinary decisions with a team of doctors on major life-and-death questions for patients, incorporating the latest medical studies in a 1-day tumor board-style discussion. This voucher harnesses that model to deliver timely decisions for drug developers.”
The FDA plans in the first year of the program to give a limited number of vouchers to companies aligned with U.S. national priorities. In addition to receiving the benefits of this program, the agency may also grant an accelerated approval, if the product for which the voucher is used meets the applicable legal requirements for accelerated approval. The new review program will also include enhanced communication with the sponsor throughout the process. The FDA Commissioner will use specific criteria to make the vouchers available to companies that are aligned with the national health priorities of:
Addressing a health crisis in the U.S.
Delivering more innovative cures for the American people.
Addressing unmet public health needs.
Increasing domestic drug manufacturing as a national security issue.
To qualify, sponsors must submit the chemistry, manufacturing, and controls (CMC) portion of the application and the draft labeling at least 60 days before submitting the final application. Sponsors must also be available for ongoing communication with prompt responses to FDA inquiries during the CNPV review. The FDA reserves the right to extend the review window if the data or application components submitted are insufficient or incomplete, if the results of pivotal trial(s) are ambiguous, or if the review is particularly complex.
Vouchers can be directed by the FDA towards a specific investigational new drug of a company or be granted to a company as an undesignated voucher, allowing a company to use the voucher for a new drug at the company’s discretion and consistent with the program’s objectives.
This program aims to accelerate the drug review process for companies aligned with U.S. national priorities while maintaining the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety, efficacy, and quality.
“This approach capitalizes on frequent communication with sponsors, which can be a powerful tool in reducing wasted time. We are confident this more efficient process can be achieved without cutting any corners on safety or scientific evaluation,” said Principal Deputy Commissioner Sara Brenner, M.D., M.P.H.
The CNPV program reflects the FDA’s commitment to create more efficient approval processes and modernize regulatory frameworks for greater agility to meet emerging public health needs.
Related Information
Related Information
Consumer:888-INFO-FDA
###
Boilerplate
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.
Content current as of:
06/17/2025
Follow FDA
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
TORONTO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Dialbox, Canada’s first fully bilingual AI voice receptionist, launches today to help Canadian businesses instantly turn incoming calls into booked appointments and captured leads. Dialbox ensures no call goes unanswered, answering on the first ring, capturing leads, booking appointments, and increasing sales, all while maintaining PIPEDA compliance and local data residency.
Key Highlights:
Designed for Different Industries from Trades to Tech
Dialbox works for a range of sectors, from trades like plumbing and HVAC to IT, wellness, and professional services. It intelligently captures industry-specific caller details and escalates high-priority calls when needed. Each deployment is tailored to meet the communication needs of that specific industry.
Why Now? Why Dialbox?
Up to 80% of callers hang up on voicemail, costing businesses leads and revenue. Human receptionists are costly and inconsistent. Dialbox offers a cost-effective, always-on solution, with some users seeing ROI within their first month.
Available Now Launch Offers
Businesses across Canada can start today—no credit card required. Get:
With affordable pricing tiers and enterprise-grade options, including advanced integrations, dedicated support, Dialbox caters to businesses of all sizes.
Founder & CEO Mike Dawson says:
“Dialbox is transforming how Canadian small businesses manage phone calls. Instead of losing valuable leads to voicemail, businesses can now leverage AI to engage every caller instantly and professionally. It’s efficient, affordable, and delivers immediate value for both businesses and their customers.”
About Dialbox
Founded in 2025, Dialbox is headquartered in Toronto and is the first AI voice receptionist specifically engineered for the Canadian market. Offering bilingual support, 24/7 availability, PIPEDA-compliant privacy, and seamless integrations, Dialbox transforms missed calls into business opportunities.
Website: https://dialbox.ca
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy, Paul Huggins, visited Sololá on June 16 as part of a project supporting indigenous communities.
Residents in Quetzaltenango, Sololá, and Chimaltenango are implementing a project that improves their capacities for inclusive governance and the sustainable use of biodiversity in the so-called Zunil-Atitlán-Balam Juyu´ biocultural and sustainable development corridor.
The UK Government, through the Darwin Initiative, and with the support of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) Guatemala, is supporting this initiative, which seeks to improve integrated landscape management to reduce poverty and social inequality in rural indigenous communities. The investment amounts to more than Q4.5 million and is being implemented between June 2023 and March 2026.
Representatives of the Vivamos Mejor Association, the project’s implementing partner in Sololá, explained to Deputy Chief Huggins that during the second year of activities, their efforts have focused on planning measures to benefit conservation areas, establishing new protected zones, and coordinating integrated fire management efforts.
They highlighted that, thanks to the project, the Integrated Fire Management Strategy (EIMF) was developed in conjunction with the National Forest Institute (INAB), the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), and the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (CONRED).
Another important component in this phase of the project is the updating of four management plans for the Municipal Regional Parks located in the Lake Atitlán Basin Multiple Use Reserve (RUMCLA) in Sololá. Some had not been revised in more than ten years. The update was conducted with the participation of municipalities and local stakeholders and includes geographic, social, economic, and environmental information.
The project continues to provide tools to strengthen indigenous cooperatives by providing improved livelihoods for rural poverty reduction through best practices in shade-grown coffee cultivation, beekeeping, and sustainable forest management for local industries.
These activities have also been carried out in coordination with government and municipal authorities and conservation area managers in Sololá, Quiché, and Chimaltenango.
Paul Huggins, Deputy Chief of Mission, said:
We recognize the challenges that remain, such as the effects of climate change, forest fires, and the need to open sustainable markets for local products. But we also see opportunities to continue building capacity, sharing good practices, and scaling up these efforts. The UK will remain a steadfast partner in biodiversity protection, climate action, and sustainable development in Guatemala.
Juan Carlos Godoy, Director of TNC Guatemala, said:
All these efforts to strengthen inclusive participation and governance of natural resources by its inhabitants will enable sustainable management over time to protect remaining forests, restore the area’s biological connectivity, and improve the local economy through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Eduardo Secaira, General Director of Asociación Vivamos Mejor Guatemala, said:
At Vivamos Mejor, we firmly believe that conservation must go hand in hand with the well-being of communities. This project demonstrates that it is possible to strengthen governance and conserve biodiversity when working together and with respect for ancestral knowledge.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)
Washington, June 17, 2025
Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear program and military leadership:
“The U.S. has been clear: Iran cannot and will not obtain a nuclear weapon. President Trump has given Iran every opportunity to dismantle their nuclear program and make a deal in good faith. Iran has failed to come to the table. Iran has also been the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world. Iran backed Hamas’ horrific October 7th attack that murdered nearly 1,200 Israelis and 46 Americans and took hundreds of innocent people hostage. Iran has long sought the destruction of Israel and used proxies to attack our greatest ally in the Middle East. Israel has the right to take action to defend itself. I will continue to monitor the situation as it unfolds, and I stand with our ally Israel in its fight for its very existence.”
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Source: Government of Canada regional news
The Dr. Maria Angwin Memorial – Wyse Road Health Clinic in Dartmouth offers a range of health services including primary care, gynecology, obstetrics, urology and midwifery. Dr. Maria Angwin became the first woman licensed to practice medicine in Nova Scotia in 1884, and she dedicated her career to women’s health and preventive medicine. (Province of Nova Scotia)
Source: Government of Canada regional news
“We’re proud to open the doors to a clinic that is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care in Dartmouth North. Our health home model for primary care, integrated in a space with Nova Scotia Brotherhood and Sisterhood, will allow us to better support the community of Dartmouth North by making care more connected, consistent and responsive to their needs.”
— Ashley Harnish, Director, Primary Health Care, Central Zone, Nova Scotia Health
“We are excited to enhance IWK Health’s dedication to providing accessible, inclusive care of specialty women’s health services at the new Dr. Maria Angwin Memorial – Wyse Road Health Clinic. This new facility enables us to effectively support the health and well-being of women and families in the community, where they live and work.”
— LeeAnn Larocque, acting Vice-President, Clinical Care, IWK Health
“As a family doctor who has had a rewarding career in Dartmouth North for more than 40 years, I am proud of the strong sense of community and committed leaders that have developed here. I am thrilled to see this community receive the resources they need to thrive. The government’s investments in collaborative primary healthcare in our province are greatly benefiting how we deliver care to Nova Scotians. We are proud to collaborate with our colleagues in this new clinic, and we are confident the Dartmouth North community will feel the positive impact.”
— Dr. Janet Howard, family physician, Albro Lake Medical Clinic
Nova Scotia Sisterhood: https://www.nshealth.ca/nova-scotia-sisterhood
Nova Scotia Brotherhood: https://www.nshealth.ca/nova-scotia-brotherhood
Health homes in Nova Scotia: https://www.nshealth.ca/primary-care-and-family-medicine/health-homes-nova-scotia
Source: The Conversation – USA – By Justin Randolph, Assistant Professor of U.S. History, Texas A&M University
President Donald Trump activated 4,000 National Guard troops on June 10, 2025, to quell protests in Los Angeles over immigration raids – without the normal request from the state. He has also sent to Los Angeles hundreds of U.S. Marines, with the goal of protecting the unprecedented deportation operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
If this all feels exceptional, it should. Governors typically activate their own state troops, as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said he would do on June 11 ahead of expected immigration protests.
California quickly sued the president. A federal court has sided with the state, but an appeals court will weigh the Trump administration’s use of the U.S. code on armed services to activate the National Guard, which relies on protesters constituting either an “invasion” or “rebellion.”
“What we’re witnessing is not law enforcement – it’s authoritarianism,”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said on June 10.
Protesters report violent responses from Los Angeles police, too. Nonetheless, Newsom’s invocation of authoritarianism is apt.
The last example of a president federalizing troops over the objection of a state government dates to Jim Crow segregation, a period marked by legal practices that routinely denied due process and citizenship rights to Black Americans in the South. In the 1960s, numerous Black freedom struggles took stands against this authoritarianism backed by militarized law enforcement.
As a scholar of U.S. history, I’ve just completed a book on Jim Crow policing and the ways Black Americans fought back against racist law and order. I think the militarization of policing in Los Angeles opens important questions about democracy and state violence.
During the Civil Rights Movement, the federal government activated National Guard troops over Southern state objections when those states would neither enforce court orders nor protect protesters.
In those cases, presidents protected people with the help of troops. In Trump’s case, he’s using troops to protect the government from protesters.
The Trump administration’s vision of law enforcement aims for the type of militarized authority that state governments institutionalized under Jim Crow policing. If your political enemy is perceived more like an enemy combatant, the rules of legal procedure, especially due process, might not apply. Policing becomes war.
When you see the words “Jim Crow,” your mind may jump to photos of racially segregated water fountains. But Jim Crow was far more than that. It was homegrown racial authoritarianism, or the repression of freedom of thought and action.
Before troops enforced civil rights, Black Southerners saw the National Guard as an enemy rather than a friend.
In the words of Ida B. Wells-Barnett after a white riot against Black residents in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1917, “The police were either indifferent or encouraged the barbarities. … The major part of the National Guard was indifferent or inactive. No organized effort was made to protect the Negroes or disperse the murdering groups.”
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education changed things. It overturned the 1896 Plessy v. Ferguson decision that legalized racial segregation and ruled that segregated public school education was unconstitutional. This significantly altered the federal government’s responsibility in the South’s legal system of white supremacy.
The first test came in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. Though numerous school districts across the South quietly desegregated, Southern governors such as Arkansas’ Orville Faubus resisted the planned desegregation of Little Rock Central High School.
Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard to stop Black children at the door. For nearly three weeks, Guardsmen blocked the small group of Black students – known as the “Little Rock Nine” – who were supposed to attend the school before President Dwight Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard and ordered them to stand down.
Eisenhower deployed U.S. Army riot troops to Little Rock under the Insurrection Act. In the end, the Little Rock Nine began their studies at Central High despite the much-photographed spitting from the white mob that surrounded the school.
Next came the desegregation of interstate transportation.
In spring 1961, the Congress of Racial Equality, a civil rights advocacy group, sent buses of integrated passengers through the Deep South. White terrorists attacked Freedom Riders, as these activists became known, three times in Alabama.
But state authorities had learned from the Little Rock experience. Southern governors in Alabama and Mississippi deployed the National Guard themselves. This time they intended to only minimally protect Freedom Riders to block federal law enforcement. In Mississippi, police arrested and prison guards tortured Freedom Riders in the state penitentiary. Mob violence killed no one.
The same was not true during the desegregation of public universities.
When U.S. marshals arrived to enforce the court order enrolling James Meredith at the University of Mississippi in September 1962, a white riot erupted. State law enforcement withdrew from the scene. Two men died, and many more were injured.
President John F. Kennedy federalized the Mississippi National Guard and sent them in to restore order. The next summer, he did the same in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to preemptively halt a riot at the University of Alabama.
The occasion became a publicity stunt for Alabama Gov. George C. Wallace. He temporarily blocked the entrance to Foster Auditorium, intent on stopping the court-ordered registration of three Black students.
“I stand before you here today in place of thousands of other Alabamians whose presence would have confronted you,” Wallace said to federal authorities. A National Guard general said, “Sir, it is my sad duty to ask you to step aside under the orders of the President of the United States.”
Wallace also triggered the last federal use – until now – of the National Guard. Alabama’s Selma-to-Montgomery march began as a memorial to Jimmie Lee Jackson, a young Black civil rights activist who was killed by police on Feb. 26, 1965. The march became primarily a symbol for the year’s Voting Rights Act.
In an important change, President Lyndon B. Johnson federalized the National Guard to protect marchers. State troopers and sheriff’s deputies had terrorized marchers, including John Lewis, who was almost beaten to death on Bloody Sunday, March 7, 1965.
The history of the National Guard in the South is an important part of what’s unfolding in Los Angeles and across the nation.
For most of the National Guard’s history in the South, political leaders used domestic military power to preserve the interests of racial authoritarians, not racial egalitarians. Little Rock, Tuscaloosa, Selma: Those moments when troops protected racial justice protesters at home stand out as some of America’s most hopeful moments.
Recent statements by Trump administration officials help illustrate how it envisions using military power in domestic law enforcement. On June 8, 2025, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “to arrest rioters” – a request beyond the original order to protect ICE agents.
And on June 12, Noem said that “the military people that are working on this operation … are staying here to liberate the city from the socialist and burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor have placed on this country.”
The National Guard and Marines are reportedly protecting immigration enforcement. But what might happen if they directly interact with protests?
With diverse tactics, protesters are halting business as usual because they see a mass-deportation regime terrorizing and disappearing people in their communities. U.S. courts tend to agree with their analysis but seem powerless to enforce even basic due process rights for those detained by ICE.
These activists show the messy work of American social change. Their work may look like “anarchy” to even some Democrats. It may be maligned as “invasion” and “rebellion” by the Trump administration.
But the calls to constrain ICE follow an American tradition of fighting authoritarianism.
Justin Randolph does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. The use of federal troops to quell Los Angeles protests recalls militarized law enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement – https://theconversation.com/the-use-of-federal-troops-to-quell-los-angeles-protests-recalls-militarized-law-enforcement-during-the-civil-rights-movement-258866
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Joint statement for the Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the OPTs. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.
Mr President, this statement is on behalf of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway and the UK.
We regret that the Commission of Inquiry was established on an open-ended basis, against usual practice. Nevertheless, we remain committed to upholding human rights, and we support the Commission in undertaking proportionate scrutiny of the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
We oppose the Israeli Government’s escalating military action in Gaza, and reject its intention to take control of the Gaza strip. 55,000 Palestinians have been killed, including many women and children. The Israeli hostages held by Hamas continue to suffer an unimaginable ordeal.
The human suffering in Gaza is intolerable; all of Gaza is at risk of famine. We strongly urge Israel to enable food and other critical supplies to reach people safely, and at scale, to address increasing urgent needs. Attacks on UN and other aid workers are outrageous and must be investigated.
In the West Bank, violent settlers assault and abuse Palestinians. We have announced further sanctions on individuals and entities promoting violence against these communities and will continue to take appropriate action.
We continue to call on all parties to urgently agree to a ceasefire/hostage deal; the best hope of ending the agony of the hostages and their families, alleviating civilian suffering in Gaza, ending Hamas control and supporting a two-state solution.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)
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(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis introduced the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act alongside Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Michael Bennet (D-CO). This bicameral and bipartisan legislation would authorize the United States to negotiate Trusted Trade Partner Agreements, aimed at reducing barriers that discourage manufacturing in the U.S. and partner countries. These agreements would also promote regulatory cooperation and other key trade provisions.
To qualify as a Trusted Trade Partner, countries must demonstrate a commitment to global health security, uphold trade agreement compliance, protect U.S. intellectual property, and take steps to reduce trade barriers while promoting sound regulatory practices. Some potential candidates include Singapore, Indonesia, Ireland, Poland, and Switzerland.
The legislation aims to strengthen global medical supply chains, enhancing U.S. national security and public health while ensuring preparedness for future pandemics. It empowers the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate Trusted Trade Partner Agreements, reducing barriers like tariffs and quotas that discourage manufacturing in the U.S. and allied nations. Additionally, it promotes regulatory cooperation and expands access to government procurement opportunities.
“If COVID taught us anything it is that it’s crucial that we reduce our reliance on foreign nations, especially adversaries like Communist China, for essential lifesaving supplies such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Strengthening domestic production will enhance national security, ensure a stable supply of critical medications and medical equipment, and protect Americans from future disruptions,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is a critical step toward ensuring that America’s healthcare providers have reliable access to the essential supplies they need, by strengthening trade partnerships with our allies and expanding domestic manufacturing, we can enhance our nation’s preparedness for future health challenges. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to reinforce our medical supply chains and protect public health,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “During the pandemic, the U.S. faced severe shortages of medical supplies due to overreliance on foreign adversaries like China, this legislation would allow the U.S. to engage in trade negotiations with trusted allies for medical goods and services, helping ensure we’re better prepared to respond to future global health crises,” said Senator John Cornyn. “Life-threatening shortages of testing kits, drugs, and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how fragile our medical supply chains are. If we are caught off-guard like we were during COVID once again, more Americans will die, working with our most trusted trading partners to make our supply chains more resilient will strengthen our response to future public health emergencies while ensuring health care providers have access to essential medical products and patients have access to life-saving care,” said Senator Chris Coons.
“The Chamber strongly supports the Medical Supply Chain Resilience Act, which will strengthen supply chains for medical goods and services while bolstering manufacturing in the U.S. and among our close allies and partners. Enhancing the resilience of medical supply chains is important to both our public health and our national security,” said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for International Policy John Murphy.
“The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is the type of positive approach to trade America must embrace to deepen its economic partnerships with key allies. By empowering the United States Trade Representative to negotiate new agreements with trusted trade partners, the United States has the opportunity to strengthen supply chain security, support U.S. innovation and jobs, and, ultimately, improve health outcomes. It is critically important that the United States collaborate with its allies to support the public health demands of our populations and prepare to meet the challenges of the next global health emergency. NFTC applauds Senators Tillis, Coons, Cornyn, and Bennet for championing this legislation, and urges Congress to support its swift passage,” said National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC).
Earlier this year, Malliotakis reintroduced the Supply Chain Security and Growth Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that would leverage Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) to facilitate a rapid movement of critical U.S. supply chains to Puerto Rico from less desirable and unreliable locations such as China with Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernandez (PR-AL). |
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)
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(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis introduced the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act alongside Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Michael Bennet (D-CO). This bicameral and bipartisan legislation would authorize the United States to negotiate Trusted Trade Partner Agreements, aimed at reducing barriers that discourage manufacturing in the U.S. and partner countries. These agreements would also promote regulatory cooperation and other key trade provisions.
To qualify as a Trusted Trade Partner, countries must demonstrate a commitment to global health security, uphold trade agreement compliance, protect U.S. intellectual property, and take steps to reduce trade barriers while promoting sound regulatory practices. Some potential candidates include Singapore, Indonesia, Ireland, Poland, and Switzerland.
The legislation aims to strengthen global medical supply chains, enhancing U.S. national security and public health while ensuring preparedness for future pandemics. It empowers the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate Trusted Trade Partner Agreements, reducing barriers like tariffs and quotas that discourage manufacturing in the U.S. and allied nations. Additionally, it promotes regulatory cooperation and expands access to government procurement opportunities.
“If COVID taught us anything it is that it’s crucial that we reduce our reliance on foreign nations, especially adversaries like Communist China, for essential lifesaving supplies such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Strengthening domestic production will enhance national security, ensure a stable supply of critical medications and medical equipment, and protect Americans from future disruptions,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is a critical step toward ensuring that America’s healthcare providers have reliable access to the essential supplies they need, by strengthening trade partnerships with our allies and expanding domestic manufacturing, we can enhance our nation’s preparedness for future health challenges. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to reinforce our medical supply chains and protect public health,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “During the pandemic, the U.S. faced severe shortages of medical supplies due to overreliance on foreign adversaries like China, this legislation would allow the U.S. to engage in trade negotiations with trusted allies for medical goods and services, helping ensure we’re better prepared to respond to future global health crises,” said Senator John Cornyn. “Life-threatening shortages of testing kits, drugs, and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how fragile our medical supply chains are. If we are caught off-guard like we were during COVID once again, more Americans will die, working with our most trusted trading partners to make our supply chains more resilient will strengthen our response to future public health emergencies while ensuring health care providers have access to essential medical products and patients have access to life-saving care,” said Senator Chris Coons.
“The Chamber strongly supports the Medical Supply Chain Resilience Act, which will strengthen supply chains for medical goods and services while bolstering manufacturing in the U.S. and among our close allies and partners. Enhancing the resilience of medical supply chains is important to both our public health and our national security,” said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for International Policy John Murphy.
“The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is the type of positive approach to trade America must embrace to deepen its economic partnerships with key allies. By empowering the United States Trade Representative to negotiate new agreements with trusted trade partners, the United States has the opportunity to strengthen supply chain security, support U.S. innovation and jobs, and, ultimately, improve health outcomes. It is critically important that the United States collaborate with its allies to support the public health demands of our populations and prepare to meet the challenges of the next global health emergency. NFTC applauds Senators Tillis, Coons, Cornyn, and Bennet for championing this legislation, and urges Congress to support its swift passage,” said National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC).
Earlier this year, Malliotakis reintroduced the Supply Chain Security and Growth Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that would leverage Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) to facilitate a rapid movement of critical U.S. supply chains to Puerto Rico from less desirable and unreliable locations such as China with Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernandez (PR-AL). |
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)
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(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis introduced the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act alongside Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Michael Bennet (D-CO). This bicameral and bipartisan legislation would authorize the United States to negotiate Trusted Trade Partner Agreements, aimed at reducing barriers that discourage manufacturing in the U.S. and partner countries. These agreements would also promote regulatory cooperation and other key trade provisions.
To qualify as a Trusted Trade Partner, countries must demonstrate a commitment to global health security, uphold trade agreement compliance, protect U.S. intellectual property, and take steps to reduce trade barriers while promoting sound regulatory practices. Some potential candidates include Singapore, Indonesia, Ireland, Poland, and Switzerland.
The legislation aims to strengthen global medical supply chains, enhancing U.S. national security and public health while ensuring preparedness for future pandemics. It empowers the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate Trusted Trade Partner Agreements, reducing barriers like tariffs and quotas that discourage manufacturing in the U.S. and allied nations. Additionally, it promotes regulatory cooperation and expands access to government procurement opportunities.
“If COVID taught us anything it is that it’s crucial that we reduce our reliance on foreign nations, especially adversaries like Communist China, for essential lifesaving supplies such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Strengthening domestic production will enhance national security, ensure a stable supply of critical medications and medical equipment, and protect Americans from future disruptions,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is a critical step toward ensuring that America’s healthcare providers have reliable access to the essential supplies they need, by strengthening trade partnerships with our allies and expanding domestic manufacturing, we can enhance our nation’s preparedness for future health challenges. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to reinforce our medical supply chains and protect public health,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “During the pandemic, the U.S. faced severe shortages of medical supplies due to overreliance on foreign adversaries like China, this legislation would allow the U.S. to engage in trade negotiations with trusted allies for medical goods and services, helping ensure we’re better prepared to respond to future global health crises,” said Senator John Cornyn. “Life-threatening shortages of testing kits, drugs, and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how fragile our medical supply chains are. If we are caught off-guard like we were during COVID once again, more Americans will die, working with our most trusted trading partners to make our supply chains more resilient will strengthen our response to future public health emergencies while ensuring health care providers have access to essential medical products and patients have access to life-saving care,” said Senator Chris Coons.
“The Chamber strongly supports the Medical Supply Chain Resilience Act, which will strengthen supply chains for medical goods and services while bolstering manufacturing in the U.S. and among our close allies and partners. Enhancing the resilience of medical supply chains is important to both our public health and our national security,” said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for International Policy John Murphy.
“The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is the type of positive approach to trade America must embrace to deepen its economic partnerships with key allies. By empowering the United States Trade Representative to negotiate new agreements with trusted trade partners, the United States has the opportunity to strengthen supply chain security, support U.S. innovation and jobs, and, ultimately, improve health outcomes. It is critically important that the United States collaborate with its allies to support the public health demands of our populations and prepare to meet the challenges of the next global health emergency. NFTC applauds Senators Tillis, Coons, Cornyn, and Bennet for championing this legislation, and urges Congress to support its swift passage,” said National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC).
Earlier this year, Malliotakis reintroduced the Supply Chain Security and Growth Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that would leverage Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) to facilitate a rapid movement of critical U.S. supply chains to Puerto Rico from less desirable and unreliable locations such as China with Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernandez (PR-AL). |
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)
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(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis introduced the Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act alongside Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Michael Bennet (D-CO). This bicameral and bipartisan legislation would authorize the United States to negotiate Trusted Trade Partner Agreements, aimed at reducing barriers that discourage manufacturing in the U.S. and partner countries. These agreements would also promote regulatory cooperation and other key trade provisions.
To qualify as a Trusted Trade Partner, countries must demonstrate a commitment to global health security, uphold trade agreement compliance, protect U.S. intellectual property, and take steps to reduce trade barriers while promoting sound regulatory practices. Some potential candidates include Singapore, Indonesia, Ireland, Poland, and Switzerland.
The legislation aims to strengthen global medical supply chains, enhancing U.S. national security and public health while ensuring preparedness for future pandemics. It empowers the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate Trusted Trade Partner Agreements, reducing barriers like tariffs and quotas that discourage manufacturing in the U.S. and allied nations. Additionally, it promotes regulatory cooperation and expands access to government procurement opportunities.
“If COVID taught us anything it is that it’s crucial that we reduce our reliance on foreign nations, especially adversaries like Communist China, for essential lifesaving supplies such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Strengthening domestic production will enhance national security, ensure a stable supply of critical medications and medical equipment, and protect Americans from future disruptions,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is a critical step toward ensuring that America’s healthcare providers have reliable access to the essential supplies they need, by strengthening trade partnerships with our allies and expanding domestic manufacturing, we can enhance our nation’s preparedness for future health challenges. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to reinforce our medical supply chains and protect public health,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “During the pandemic, the U.S. faced severe shortages of medical supplies due to overreliance on foreign adversaries like China, this legislation would allow the U.S. to engage in trade negotiations with trusted allies for medical goods and services, helping ensure we’re better prepared to respond to future global health crises,” said Senator John Cornyn. “Life-threatening shortages of testing kits, drugs, and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic showed us just how fragile our medical supply chains are. If we are caught off-guard like we were during COVID once again, more Americans will die, working with our most trusted trading partners to make our supply chains more resilient will strengthen our response to future public health emergencies while ensuring health care providers have access to essential medical products and patients have access to life-saving care,” said Senator Chris Coons.
“The Chamber strongly supports the Medical Supply Chain Resilience Act, which will strengthen supply chains for medical goods and services while bolstering manufacturing in the U.S. and among our close allies and partners. Enhancing the resilience of medical supply chains is important to both our public health and our national security,” said the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President for International Policy John Murphy.
“The Medical Supply Chain Resiliency Act is the type of positive approach to trade America must embrace to deepen its economic partnerships with key allies. By empowering the United States Trade Representative to negotiate new agreements with trusted trade partners, the United States has the opportunity to strengthen supply chain security, support U.S. innovation and jobs, and, ultimately, improve health outcomes. It is critically important that the United States collaborate with its allies to support the public health demands of our populations and prepare to meet the challenges of the next global health emergency. NFTC applauds Senators Tillis, Coons, Cornyn, and Bennet for championing this legislation, and urges Congress to support its swift passage,” said National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC).
Earlier this year, Malliotakis reintroduced the Supply Chain Security and Growth Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation that would leverage Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) to facilitate a rapid movement of critical U.S. supply chains to Puerto Rico from less desirable and unreliable locations such as China with Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernandez (PR-AL). |
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following Israel’s military strikes against Iran, which threaten to further destabilize the Middle East and draw the United States into yet another military conflict, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in introducing the No War Against Iran Act to prohibit the use of federal funds for any use of military force in or against Iran absent specific Congressional authorization. The bill contains an exception for self-defense as enshrined in the War Powers Act and applicable U.S. law.
Joining Senators Welch and Sanders on this legislation are Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.).
“Our taxpayer dollars should not be used to fund another reckless, open-ended conflict instigated by Prime Minister Netanyahu,” said Senator Welch. “War has badly damaged this region. Millions of civilians face acute hunger and need lifesaving aid in Gaza right now. Netanyahu just upended U.S.-led negotiations to limit Iran’s nuclear program in favor of recklessly escalating tensions. Congress needs to listen to the American people, as our founders intended, before getting involved.”
“Netanyahu’s reckless and illegal attacks violate international law and risk igniting a regional war. Congress must make it clear that the United States will not be dragged into Netanyahu’s war of choice,” said Senator Sanders. “Our Founding Fathers entrusted the power of war and peace exclusively to the people’s elected representatives in Congress, and it is imperative that we make clear that the President has no authority to embark on another costly war without explicit authorization by Congress. Another war in the Middle East could cost countless lives, waste trillions more dollars and lead to even more deaths, more conflict, and more displacement. I will do everything that I can as a Senator to defend the Constitution and prevent the U.S. from being drawn into another war.”
“The Constitution is clear: Congress decides when our country goes to war, not the President or the Netanyahu government,” said Senator Warren. “The Trump administration must prioritize de-escalation to prevent this spiraling into a war that jeopardizes U.S. troops and destabilizes the Middle East.”
“As strikes between Israel and Iran continue, we need de-escalation and restraint from all sides. Trump’s reckless decision to abandon the JCPOA nuclear agreement, cheered on by Netanyahu, helped bring us to this dangerous moment. This bill makes clear: the President cannot launch another war in the Middle East without Congressional authorization. It’s long past time for Congress to reassert its constitutional role and prevent another disastrous conflict,” said Senator Merkley.
“Instead of bringing wars to an end, Trump is facilitating them — leading to civilian deaths and threatening American lives in the region. Only the Congress has the constitutional power to declare war, and President Trump must not drag us further into this conflict without Congressional approval,” said Senator Van Hollen.
“Our Constitution and laws give Congress, not the President, the exclusive powers to authorize military force and declare war. Congress must reassert that authority so that we are not drawn into a catastrophic regional war that would further imperil the safety of American citizens and forces, the stability of Middle East, and the lives of innocent civilians,” said Senator Markey.
Read and download the full text of the bill.
Source: Government of Canada News
Check against delivery. This speech has been translated in accordance with the Government of Canada’s official languages policy and edited for posting and distribution in accordance with its communications policy.
Delivered June 17, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario
Thank you for the invitation to speak at Open Banking Expo. It is a pleasure to be here.
I’ll be speaking in English today, but if any of our francophone colleagues have questions or would like me to clarify anything, please don’t hesitate to come chat with me afterwards. / Je vais m’exprimer en anglais aujourd’hui, mais si les participants francophones ont des questions ou souhaitent des précisions, n’hésitez surtout pas à venir me voir par la suite.
As you have heard, I am Commissioner of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, the organization responsible for implementing Canada’s Consumer-Driven Banking Framework.
This is a new role for us. In taking it on, we build on a foundation of:
I want to update you on progress we and our partners have made in developing a secure framework for consumer-driven banking, which will protect Canadians, foster innovation, and build consumer trust.
I will also highlight how our approach is grounded in research and data. I want to emphasize that evidence is shaping every step we take.
Consumer-driven banking — or “open banking” — is already part of the lives of Canadians.
A growing number of us share our financial data online with various service providers, including the many fintechs here today.
Canadians appreciate the growing array of products and services offered by fintechs. Thanks to these, the financial industry is more inclusive and efficient than ever.
But …. in this generally positive picture, there is an important blemish.
It won’t surprise you to hear that I am referring to screen-scraping. I know that for many of you, screen-scraping only touches a subset of your business.
But we can all agree that there is a better way to share data, given the host of security, liability, and privacy risks posed by screen-scraping—both for consumers and for the financial system.
FCAC’s research on public awareness and understanding of open banking indicates a significant preference against the use of screen-scraping.
When Canadians were introduced to the concept of screen-scraping and given an explanation of how it works—because most were unfamiliar with it—86% stated they would rather not use it.
This finding highlights the public’s preference for trustworthy, transparent, well-regulated methods for participating in financial transactions online, that ensure privacy, security, and control over their financial data.
Consumer trust
Our international research tells us that trust not only strongly influences consumers’ willingness to engage with open banking products and services, but that it’s also key to increasing financial inclusion—because consumers are more willing to share financial data when they trust the system.
We also know from the open banking experience in the UK and Australia that good design—which emphasizes transparency, control, and ease of use—significantly increases consumers’ comfort with data sharing.
And consumer trust is not just essential for individuals—it’s a driving force for business growth and innovation.
A Bank of England study found that even a modest increase in consumer trust made fintechs nearly 4 times more likely to invest and participate in open banking.
This shows that when consumers feel secure about financial innovations, businesses are more willing to invest, expand, and develop solutions that drive the future of finance.
As for consumer protection, our research confirms that most Canadians would not trust sharing their financial data without the safeguards they are used to when dealing with regulated entities like banks, such as:
The same way we no longer think twice about tapping a screen to connect with loved ones, navigate a city, or take a photo.
We envision a future—not too far off—where consumers can securely share their financial data with trusted providers at the tap of a button, receive personalized insights in real time, and switch between services with the same ease as switching between apps.
So, how do we build consumer trust?
We do it by getting the foundation right.
Foundational elements
The foundational elements are set out in the Consumer-Driven Banking Act that came into force last year. It was an important step in reshaping the financial landscape.
Among other things:
Since the Act was adopted, my team has been working closely with the Department of Finance, with industry, and with other stakeholders.
Along the way, we have drawn important lessons from the experience of other jurisdictions, which we aim to capitalize on.
Technical standards and common rules
Under the new Act, FCAC will be responsible for supervising the technical standards body, the external complaints body, and the financial service providers participating in open banking, to ensure they meet their respective obligations.
We are also developing common rules with the Department of Finance. These will address consumer protection interests, as well as privacy, liability, security, national security, and integrity obligations.
The common rules will ensure a consistent application of safeguards and uniformity of practice by financial service providers.
Accreditation
We are also working on developing an accreditation process to ensure only trusted entities can access financial data when requested by a consumer.
Accredited entities will display a common visual identifier. Upon seeing this logo, consumers will be able to trust that they are dealing with a provider that has been authorized to participate in the open-banking ecosystem.
We want to design a process that allows for as many participants as possible, to foster innovation, encourage competition, and promote a more inclusive financial system.
Key desired elements of the eventual accreditation scheme have already been outlined in public policy statements.
They include the need for participants to:
Together, these elements form the foundation of a robust accreditation framework that prioritizes national security, regulatory transparency, and consumer trust.
Consumer awareness
FCAC is also developing a consumer awareness strategy.
To inform the strategy, we are conducting public opinion research and collaborating with international jurisdictions that have implemented open banking, to learn from their experiences.
One lesson we have already learned is that timely communications—about how open banking works and how it will add value—are vital.
By timely, I mean that wide-spread promotion should ideally take place as soon as there are concrete and compelling applications by participants in the Framework.
The awareness strategy will also be driven by the reality that most consumers have never heard of open banking.
Our research shows that only 9% of Canadians know what it is, and awareness is especially low among seniors, lower income respondents, and women.
Moreover, of the Canadians who have heard of open banking, few understand how it works or how it can benefit them.
We’ll have to demystify open banking and demonstrate through real-life examples how open banking can give them more control, more choice, and more confidence in their financial lives.
Next steps
Today, I have discussed how the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada is moving with partners to establish the necessary foundational elements of Canada’s Consumer-Driven Banking Framework—all based on best practices and evidence-based research.
As for the next steps, we look forward to the next round of legislative amendments being tabled in Parliament by the Minister of Finance. These will be followed by regulations.
And to make sure that industry players understand what’s expected of them, our Agency will issue supervisory guidance.
This guidance will reflect the Agency’s commitment to promoting understanding and compliance within the consumer-driven banking ecosystem.
And to facilitate collaboration, we will establish an advisory committee including members from Federal, provincial, and territorial governments.
Our goal is to deliver a modern financial ecosystem that fosters innovation, enhances Canada’s global competitiveness, protects consumers, and maintains their trust.
Specifically, consumers must trust that they can control, edit, manage, and delete their financial information, and that they can decide when, how, and to what extent their data are shared with others.
Together, we can develop a framework that doesn’t just open doors to innovation but opens possibilities for every Canadian to take control of their financial journey.
My team at the Agency and I are committed and excited about what the future will bring.
We look forward to continuing our collaboration with all of you on developing a framework that will benefit both Canadians and Canada’s financial system
Thank you
Source: Government of Canada News
L’Isle-Verte, Quebec, June 17, 2025 – The Member for Rivière-du-Loup–Témiscouata–Les Basques, Amélie Dionne, on behalf of the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy and Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development, Christine Fréchette, the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), the Honourable Mélanie Joly, as well as Investissement Québec announce that a total of $8,440,000 in investments have been made in Cotech, a manufacturer specializing in agricultural, snow removal and excavation equipment. This funding has enabled the business to expand its plant in L’Isle-Verte and acquire automated equipment to increase its productivity.
In addition to creating jobs, this project, valued at approximately $18 million, will help Cotech increase its efficiency and continue to thrive. In the current geopolitical context, it is more necessary than ever to invest in the growth and productivity of businesses to make them more attractive and competitive in strategic sectors such as manufacturing.
“Thanks to its innovative products, Cotech has been recognized as a leader in its field for over 25 years. I am proud it set up shop in L’Isle-Verte, right here in our riding of Rivière‑du-Loup–Témiscouata–Les Basques, thereby creating wealth and jobs to the benefit of our community. Congratulations to the team on this visionary project to expand, which will help to further dynamize our region!”
Amélie Dionne, Member for Rivière-du-Loup–Témiscouata–Les Basques
“A priority of the Government of Canada is to ensure our communities prosper and, with this in mind, SMEs are essential to the country’s economic growth. That is why CED is proud to invest in this project, which will help increase Cotech’s productivity and production capacity and have positive spin-offs for the entire Bas-Saint-Laurent region.”
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for CED
“Fostering productivity is an effective way to protect our SMEs and our economy. These investments will enable Cotech to accelerate its shift to automation to enhance its performance even further in its line of business. With these kinds of forward-looking projects, we can consolidate the presence of our SMEs and Quebec as a whole on the North American market.”
Christine Fréchette, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy and Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development
“By placing automation at the heart of its strategic priorities, Cotech is able to pursue growth and deepen its roots in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. Investissement Québec, as a frontline player in supporting this kind of initiative, salutes this new milestone, which will enable the business to increase its production capacity while remaining at the cutting edge of technology.”
Bicha Ngo, President and CEO, Investissement Québec
“This project is a direct response to the sustained increase in the demand for our products and reflects our willingness to better serve our clients, while also maintaining the highest quality standards. This investment ensures our competitiveness on the North American market. It is also a strong gesture that demonstrates our long-term commitment to our region, our employees and the future of our sector.”
Etienne Côté, President, Cotech
Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie on social media:
Investissement Québec on social media:
Follow CED on social media
Consult CED’s news
Amélie Martineau
Press Secretary
Riding Office of the Member for Rivière-du-Loup–Témiscouata–Les Basques
Tel.: 418-551-0975
Catherine Pelletier
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister Responsible for Regional Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region
Cell: 450-204-5158
Véronique Simard
Director of Operations and Acting Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Email: veronique.simard2@ised-isde.gc.ca
Jean-Pierre D’Auteuil
Head of Media Relations
Communications Branch
Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie
Cell: 418-559-0710
Email: relationsmedias@economie.gouv.qc.ca
Samuel Bergeron
Advisor – Media and Government Affairs
Investissement Québec
Tel.: 263-999-8144
Email: samuel.bergeron@invest-quebec.com
Media Relations
Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Email: media@dec-ced.gc.ca
