Category: Americas

MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Warnock, Blunt Rochester Lead Senate Push Slamming Secretary Kennedy for Decision to Gut Nation’s Vaccine Advisory Committee and Replace Them With Vaccine Skeptics

US Senate News:

Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) led a group of 19 Senate colleagues in condemning U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s decision to gut the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and appoint several members to the committee with a documented history of anti-vaccine ideology and peddling misinformation. In the letter, the lawmakers raise the alarm on the dangers of gutting the ACIP and urge Secretary Kennedy to immediately reappoint the members of the committee he fired.

“We are deeply concerned by your decision to fire every member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This unprecedented action will strip Americans of the ability to make informed decisions about the benefits and risks of vaccinations — the complete opposite of ‘radical transparency’ and ‘good science,’” wrote the senators.

The senators raised the alarm on the recent appointment of several members to the committee, “We are troubled by your recent announcement to appoint several members to the committee who have a documented history of anti-vaccine ideology and peddling misinformation. We urge you to restore legitimacy to this historically non-partisan, science-based, and data-driven committee and immediately reinstate the members of ACIP you have baselessly fired.”

“ACIP is a longstanding, trusted national source of science- and data-backed advice and guidance on the use of vaccines to prevent and control disease. Members that serve on this committee must undergo extensive vetting and disclose any conflicts of interest. Firing every member of the committee just before their next meeting scheduled for June 25-27 eliminates the advisory board’s ability to debate and make well-informed recommendations, putting American lives at risk,” continued the senators.

“We urge you to immediately reappoint the members of the committee that you fired and remove those that you have recently appointed that have a documented history of peddling misinformation or undermining vaccine confidence,” the senators concluded.

In addition to Senators Luján, Warnock, and Blunt Rochester, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.).

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Secretary Kennedy,

We are deeply concerned by your decision to fire every member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This unprecedented action will strip Americans of the ability to make informed decisions about the benefits and risks of vaccinations — the complete opposite of “radical transparency” and “good science”. We are troubled by your recent announcement to appoint several members to the committee who have a documented history of anti-vaccine ideology and peddling misinformation. We urge you to restore legitimacy to this historically non-partisan, science-based, and data-driven committee and immediately reinstate the members of ACIP you have baselessly fired.

ACIP is a longstanding, trusted national source of science- and data-backed advice and guidance on the use of vaccines to prevent and control disease. Members that serve on this committee must undergo extensive vetting and disclose any conflicts of interest. Firing every member of the committee just before their next meeting scheduled for June 25-27 eliminates the advisory board’s ability to debate and make well-informed recommendations, putting American lives at risk. This reckless move is also happening as our nation faces the largest measles outbreak in over 30 years.

This decision appears to be a deliberate effort to repopulate the committee with anti-vaccine demagogues and continue pushing vaccine misinformation to the American people. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, over 80 percent of parents with children under age 18 report that their children receive routine immunizations; however, a divide based on political ideology is growing. The reality is that most Americans trust the science behind vaccines — but through inaccurate information and politicization, you are eroding the trust in vaccines.

This is just one action of many that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has recently taken to undermine vaccine confidence in the United States. Just over two weeks ago, HHS reversed the CDC recommendations on COVID-19 vaccination. This decision was made without the consultation of ACIP or CDC, narrowing recommendations to exclude healthy pregnant people despite pregnancy increasing the risk for severe infection. Just a day later, HHS announced the termination of a contract with Moderna to develop a bird flu vaccine despite warnings of a future pandemic from infectious disease doctors and public health professionals. These deliberate efforts to sow doubt in the safety and efficacy of vaccines have real consequences — people will die.

In addition to advising everyday Americans on their health decisions, ACIP recommendations also influence whether insurance will cover certain vaccines, making them accessible to insured Americans. Furthermore, ACIP determines the vaccine recommendations for the Vaccines for

Children program, which ensures underinsured and uninsured children across the nation can access vaccines at no cost. Without these recommendations, vaccines will become out of reach for far too many Americans. These actions contradict your written responses to questions for the record from the Senate Finance Committee, in which you said “yes” in response to a question about your commitment to ensure there are no financial barriers to accessing safe and effective vaccines.

Vaccines are safe and effective and have significantly reduced, and in some cases entirely eliminated, disease. With recent scientific advances in mRNA technology, vaccines are becoming easier and faster to produce in addressing today’s public health crises. It is critical that ACIP maintains its ability to develop science- and data-driven recommendations on vaccination without interference from anti-vaccine ideology.

Patient safety and transparency is at the heart of ACIP — Americans deserve the ability to make informed decisions about their health. You are stripping Americans of the freedom to choose by your recent appointments to the committee by centering anti-vaccine ideology. Therefore, we demand that you recuse your personal views on vaccines and restore the ACIP. We urge you to immediately reappoint the members of the committee that you fired and remove those that you have recently appointed that have a documented history of peddling misinformation or undermining vaccine confidence.

Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK voted in favour in line with our unwavering determination to end the suffering in Gaza, bring the hostages home and move towards lasting peace: UK Statement at the UN General Assembly

Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Speech

The UK voted in favour in line with our unwavering determination to end the suffering in Gaza, bring the hostages home and move towards lasting peace: UK Statement at the UN General Assembly

Explanation of vote by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, after the adoption of UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/ES-10/27 on the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The UK voted in favour of this resolution in line with our unwavering determination to end the suffering in Gaza, bring the hostages home and move towards lasting peace in the region.

Let me start by repeating our unequivocal condemnation of Hamas and their despicable actions on and since 7 October. They must be held accountable and can play no role in the future governance of Gaza. The UK’s commitment to Israel’s security is resolute.

President, the text of the resolution is clear that both Israel and Hamas need to agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire; that Hamas must immediately and unconditionally release the hostages; and that Israel, as the occupying power, must end its blocks on aid and ensure unhindered humanitarian access.

And crucially, there must be an end to any actions that stand in the way of a two-state solution and the best chance for peace for the Israeli and Palestinian people.

That is why this week, the UK, along with Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Norway, sanctioned Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir. These two men are responsible for inciting settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank with their extremist rhetoric. Attacks by violent settlers have led to the deaths of Palestinian civilians and the displacement of whole communities.

We will not stand by while Israeli actions attempt to entrench a one-state reality.

The UK is deeply concerned by ongoing Israeli operations in the West Bank, including incidents where children have been killed. This is appalling and unacceptable.

President, there can be no military solution to this conflict.

Over 55,000 Palestinians have been killed and the IPC have been clear that half a million people are facing starvation.

Israeli Government policies which have completely blocked or severely restricted humanitarian aid are unacceptable. That civilians have been killed whilst desperately trying to feed their families is inhumane. And the UK rejects any attempts at demographic or territorial change in the Gaza strip.

While the UK voted in favour of this resolution, we wish to clarify that our long-standing position remains that Common Article 1 of the Geneva Conventions does not impose a legal obligation on states to ensure respect for international law by third parties.

President, a two-state solution remains the only viable framework for a just and lasting peace. This is the fundamental principle that we must continue to strive for, to end the cycle of violence and give Palestinians and Israelis alike a better future.

We welcome the leadership of France and Saudi Arabia in convening next week’s Conference in pursuit of this.

Updates to this page

Published 12 June 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Beatty Sponsors Bill to Break Housing Barriers So Every Student Can Succeed

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03), Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE-02), and Congressman Zach Nunn (R-IA-03) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to help vulnerable students pay for college campus housing.

Congresswoman Beatty, Congressman Landsman, Congressman Lawler, Congressman Bacon, and Congressman Nunn have reintroduced the Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act – bipartisan legislation that would allow eligible students in, or formerly in, foster care as well as emancipated youth, to use the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Housing Choice Voice Program – known as Section 8 vouchers – to pay for college campus housing.

Currently, the HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program cannot be used by college students, whether they live on or off campus. The Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act would allow the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to waive requirements and provisions in the program, allowing foster care and emancipated youth to use Section 8 vouchers for college housing on college campuses.

The Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act has been endorsed by the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare, National Foster Youth Institute, and the Foster Care Alumni of America.

Congresswoman Beatty:

“Every student deserves a safe place to call home and a fair shot at pursuing higher education. That’s why I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation alongside Reps. Greg Landsman, Don Bacon, Mike Lawler, and Zach Nunn to ensure that students who are emancipated or in foster care have access to stable campus housing,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “Young Americans must overcome significant barriers to achieve the dream of higher education and economic success, and this bill helps address one of those major hurdles, giving low-income students the boost they need to thrive academically and propel their lives forward.”

Congressman Landsman:

“We have a real opportunity to change lives with this bipartisan bill. By covering housing, it removes so many barriers for these vulnerable students. They can live in a dorm, with their peers instead of feeling isolated off-campus, which can lead to better academic performance and greater success.”

Congressman Lawler:

“In New York, where the cost of housing is some of the highest in the country, too many students, especially those coming out of foster care and emancipated youth, are being forced to reconsider pursuing a college degree due to financial burden. This bipartisan bill helps students stay housed and in school by expanding access to HUD support. It’s a practical step that opens doors for young people who deserve a real opportunity to succeed.”

Congressman Don Bacon:

“As a foster care parent, I understand it can be challenging for foster youth students to attend college,” said Bacon. “This legislation removes restraints on college students from receiving housing assistance. With a high rate of homelessness prevalent amongst foster youth amongst youth transitioning out of foster care, this bill will help remove a barrier and ensure more foster youth can complete college. I am happy to join Rep. Landsman again on this bipartisan legislation to help foster youth.”

Congressman Zach Nunn:

“As a father and former foster parent to two wonderful girls my wife Kelly and I adopted, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges kids face aging out of the system. This bipartisan bill ensures foster youth aren’t forced to choose between safe housing and getting an education. It’s a commonsense, compassionate solution that puts our most vulnerable students on a path to success.”

Rebecca Louve Yao – CEO, National Foster Youth Institute:

“Young people with lived experience in foster care have been calling for housing solutions that reflect the realities of their lives and Representative Landsman listened. This bill is a direct response to what National Foster Youth Institute program participants and other youth across the country have shared: that the lack of safe, stable housing can derail their entire educational journey. We’re proud to see their voices reflected in this legislation and grateful for leaders in Congress who are turning those voices into action.”

April M. Curtis – Board Chair, Foster Care Alumni of America:

“At Foster Care Alumni of America, we know first-hand how unstable housing can derail college dreams. I was homeless in college in between semesters. The Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act will finally give students who’ve experienced foster care the year-round, affordable on-campus housing they need to stay enrolled, graduate, and build thriving futures.”

The full text of the Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act can be found here.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tonko Condemns Trump Recissions Package Gutting Funding for NPR, PBS, and USAID

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

Tonko Condemns Trump Recissions Package Gutting Funding for NPR, PBS, and USAID

Calls out President’s cruel, petty attempts to eliminate public broadcasting & life-saving international aid

Washington, June 12, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Paul D. Tonko released a statement following the House vote on President Trump’s recissions package, which seeks to claw back $9.4 billion in funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid, including AIDS prevention efforts such as PEPFAR.

Instead of addressing the rising cost of living or making life better for working Americans, Trump is using his power to go after Elmo and Big Bird.

Public, independent broadcasting is essential to any democracy, providing educational programming as well as news updates and emergency alerts. International aid has saved tens of millions of lives by driving AIDS prevention efforts and addressing global health crises. Yet, the President wants to claw back billions in funding for NPR, PBS, and USAID.

I’ve heard from thousands of constituents — hardworking American taxpayers — calling to demand these essential programs keep their funding.

While House Republicans once again kowtowed to the President’s demands, I won’t stop working to defend and uphold these programs that serve my constituents, our nation, and our planet.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: House Passes the HALT Fentanyl Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

House Passes the HALT Fentanyl Act

Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation Authored by Reps. Latta and Griffith

Washington, June 12, 2025

Today, the House of Representatives passed the HALT Fentanyl Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would make the temporary class-wide scheduling order for fentanyl-related substances (FRS) permanent. Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) and Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-9) led the House version of this bill.

“The HALT Fentanyl Act helps protect American communities by tackling deadly fentanyl-related substances and saving lives. We are grateful to our Republican colleagues, led by Speaker Johnson, Leader Scalise, Whip Emmer and Chairwoman McClain, for their critical support of our bill and its Senate companion. House Republicans will continue to advance policies that fight the opioid epidemic and make American communities safer,” said Congressmen Latta and Griffith.

Congressman Latta spoke on the House floor in support of the HALT Fentanyl Act, watch here.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Kelly votes to codify $9.4 billion in cuts, reduce federal spending
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted in favor of a recissions package to codify $9.4 billion in wasteful spending identified by President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency.

This includes a rescission of $8.3 billion in wasteful foreign aid spending and a $1.1 billion recission of federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

“House Republicans are committed to right-sizing government, and it starts with commonsense reforms like these,” said Rep. Kelly. “The American people have made it clear: they want Congress to get federal spending back on track. This just the first step toward getting Washington’s fiscal house in order.”

Examples of waste, fraud, and abuse that will be cut through this recissions package:

Corporation for Public Broadcasting
- NPR’s CEO, Katherine Maher, called President Trump a “fascist” and “deranged racist”
- PBS programming includes “Real Boy,” a program about a trans teen, and “Our League” about a trans woman returning to her hometown
- NPR requested and received a $1.9 million grant commitment from CPB to hire more “moderate” editors and journalists, as they recognized their complete leftist bias
Woke & Weaponized Foreign Aid
- $167,000 for free education and healthcare to Ecuadorian and Venezuelan migrants
- $889,000 for electoral reforms and voter education in Kenya
- $1 million for voter ID in Haiti
- $33,000 for “Being LGBTI in the Caribbean”
- $643,000 for LGBTQI+ programs in the Western Balkans
- $567,000 for LBGTQI+ programs in Uganda
- $8,000 for promoting vegan food in Zambia
- $500,000 for electric busses in Rwanda
- $4 million for legume systems research
- $67,000 for feeding insect powder to children in Madagascar
- $6 million for “Net Zero Cities” in Mexico
- $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street
- $4 million for “sedentary migrants” in Colombia
- $1 million for programs to strengthen the resilience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer global movements
- $6 million for supporting media organizations and civic life of Palestinians
- $2.5 million for teaching young children how to make environmentally friendly “reproductive health” decisions
- $3 million for sexual reproductive health in Venezuela
- $2.1 million for climate resilience in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and East Africa
- Programs that prop up woke climate change programs for U.S. universities
- $614,700 for climate adaptation, including to grow coral reefs in the Caribbean
- $135 million in contributions to the World Health Organization (WHO)
- $8 million for the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
- $158 million from the Lebanon Peacekeeping Mission (UNIFIL), which has been fraught with waste and abuse, as evidenced by its abject failure to contain Hezbollah
- $142 million from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
- $83 million from the UN Development Program (UNDP)
- $33 million from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
- $130 million from other IOP programs, which includes programs like UN Women, UN Panel on Climate Change, Int’l Conservation Programs, etc.
PEPFAR Recissions:
- $3 million for circumcision, vasectomies, and condoms in Zambia
- $5.1 million to strengthen the “resilience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer global movements”
- $833,000 for services for “transgender people, sex workers and their clients and sexual networks” in Nepal
The United States Institute of Peace
- The President’s Executive Order (14217) eliminated the USIP.
- $1.2 million for the “Afrobarometer public opinion survey.”
- $100,000 for Harvard to conduct research models for peace
- $77,000 for University of Denver for “Escaping the Ethnic Trap in Deeply Divided Societies.”
United States African Development Foundation
- The President’s Executive Order (14217) eliminated the USADF
- Programs such as graphic design training in Nigeria
- “African Hive Camping and Tours” to create adventure trips for backpackers
MIL OSI USA News –
June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON HOUSE STEPS ON THE ASSAULT OF SENATOR PADILLA

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined colleagues on the House Steps and delivered the following remarks:

LEADER JEFFRIES: The Trump administration is a disgrace. Secretary Noem is a disgrace. The manhandling of Senator Alex Padilla was a complete and total disgrace. Senator Padilla is a good man, a decent man, a patriotic man and a hardworking man. He’s the very embodiment of what a United States Senator should represent in this great country of ours, anchored in the principle of self-government.

He was at that press conference doing his job, asking questions about what is taking place in California, the state that he represents, and on behalf of the American people. And he was recklessly and aggressively manhandled.

That was unacceptable. It was unconscionable. It was unpatriotic. It’s un-American. And every single person who was involved in manhandling Senator Padilla should be held accountable to the full extent of the law. So this is not going to end until there is accountability and until the Trump administration changes its behavior.

This administration is not about law and order. It’s about lawlessness and disorder. And that’s what we’ve seen from day one of the Trump administration when Donald Trump pardoned hundreds of violent felons who brutally assaulted the Capitol right behind us. Day one, this administration has been about lawlessness and disorder, and we see a continuing escalation of it.

And we’re going to make sure that we push back aggressively in every way possible to hold those individuals accountable who, without justification, manhandled Senator Alex Padilla.

I’m here today as House Democratic Leader to make it clear we stand with Senator Padilla. We stand with the California delegation. We stand with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. And we stand with the American people.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Amodei Statement Following Vote on Rescissions Package

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mark Amodei issued the following statement after voting against the $9.4 billion rescissions request sent to Congress by the Trump Administration:

“If we do not have time to think about it, we sure as hell have time to talk about it before October 1st when the impacts of these rescinded funds would start to be felt,” said Rep. Mark Amodei. “This is forward funding. So, before we trigger major consequences for our local public broadcasting stations throughout the West and other rural areas, we need more discussion—rather than railroading folks over the East Coast’s editorials and indiscretions.

“I agree we must make meaningful cuts to shrink our federal deficit; however, I would be doing a disservice to the thousands of rural constituents in my district if I did not fight to keep their access to the rest of the world and news on the air.

“Having the ability to discuss real impacts, beyond just the global perspective, is a healthy and necessary step. I’m sure we will be voting on this again before the cake is fully baked, so I look forward to working with my colleagues to improve and protect this infrastructure our rural communities rely on.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Moore Votes “Yes” on White House Rescissions Package

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Earlier today, the House of Representatives passed H. 4 – the Rescissions Act of 2025. This legislation eliminates $9.4 billion in wasteful spending on partisan media organizations and U.S. foreign aid.

Congressman Riley M. Moore proudly voted in favor of the legislation, having recently been selected to lead the Republican Study Committee’s new Rescissions Task Force. The Congressman also spoke in favor of the legislation on the House floor shortly before the vote. Watch those remarks below:

Congressman Moore issued the following statement:

“I’m proud to have supported this bill to codify President Trump’s DOGE cuts, which finally ensures tax dollars aren’t used to weaponize media against the American people and puts a stop to the Democrats radical lgbtq agenda in foreign aid.

“The American people know waste, fraud, and abuse when they see it – and as the leader of the Republican Study Committee’s Task Force on Rescissions, I’ll continue to work to expose it. This is only the first step – more cuts are coming.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Statement on Congress Sending HALT Fentanyl Act to President Trump

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. House voted and passed S. 331, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act today. The bill is the companion bill to Rep. Griffith’s and Rep. Latta’s HALT Fentanyl bill, H.R. 27, which passed the House earlier this year. The bill now heads to President Trump for his executive approval.

On passage, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“American communities continue to feel the impact of the fentanyl crisis, fueled in part by lethal fentanyl-related substances. Congressional action passing the HALT Fentanyl Act is a great step to help combat the crisis and save lives. We now deliver this critical bill to President Trump to aid the Administration in their push to fight the fentanyl crisis.”

BACKGROUND

The U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Griffith’s and Rep. Latta’s H.R. 27 on February 6, 2025. Their statement is available here.

In February, the Trump Administration issued a statement of Administration policy signaling their support of the HALT Fentanyl Act.

The Senate version, S. 331, passed the Senate on March 14, 2025.

This week, Congressman Griffith managed floor debate on the HALT Fentanyl Act. His remarks can be seen here.

The HALT Fentanyl Act would permanently classify lethal fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I substances, closing a dangerous loophole traffickers are exploiting. The new temporary Schedule I designation is set to expire in September 2025.

The bill also enables a streamlined registration process for medical research into fentanyl-related substances.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Loudermilk on Passage of the Recissions Act of 2025 – U.S. Representative Barry Loudermilk

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Washington, D.C. (June 12, 2025) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) issued the following statement after of H.R. 4: Recissions Act of 2025:

“This week, my colleagues and I passed the first of possibly several rescission bills, which eliminate wasteful government spending. This level of reckless and wasteful spending has been going on for years behind the backs of the American people and Congress. Fortunately, the Trump administration is shining light on the waste of taxpayer dollars, and Congress is now acting to make these cuts permanent.

“President Trump and congressional Republicans are clear that we are committed to putting America first and rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in our federal government. This vote marks a critical step toward restoring fiscal responsibility and refocusing our government on policies that serve the American people, not political agendas. I will continue working alongside my colleagues and President Trump to ensure that every dollar spent reflects the values and priorities of the voters who demanded a change.”

Funds to be rescinded include:

– $833K for trans sex workers in Nepal
– $1.2 million for LGBTQI+ programs in Uganda and the Western Balkans

-$3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street
– $500 million for Left-wing news agencies
– $2.5 million to teach kids eco-friendly reproductive health
– $500K for electric buses in Rwanda
– $6 million for “net zero cities” in Mexico
– $1 million to promote voter ID in Haiti
– $5.1 million to strengthen the global queer movement
– $3 million for condoms and productive procedures in Zambia

Click here to read full bill text

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Carter Applauds Passage of Rescissions out of House of Representatives

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter Applauds Passage of Rescissions out of House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today released the following statement after House Republicans passed the rescissions package sent over by President Trump, codifying $9.4 billion worth of savings identified by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE):

“House Republicans were sent to Washington, D.C. with a trifecta and a mandate to restore sanity to the federal government and stand by President Trump, which is exactly what we did today by passing this rescissions package. The Senate must act quickly to save valuable taxpayer dollars so we can begin putting these funds towards America First policies and deficit reduction, not woke, fiscally irresponsible nonsense.”

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: USAID Official and Three Corporate Executives Plead Guilty to Decade-Long Bribery Scheme Involving Over $550 Million in Contracts; Two Companies Admit Criminal Liability for Bribery Scheme and Securities Fraud

Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

Headline: USAID Official and Three Corporate Executives Plead Guilty to Decade-Long Bribery Scheme Involving Over $550 Million in Contracts; Two Companies Admit Criminal Liability for Bribery Scheme and Securities Fraud

Four men, including a government contracting officer for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and three owners and presidents of companies, have pleaded guilty for their roles in a decade-long bribery scheme involving at least 14 prime contracts worth over $550 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: AG Labrador Backs Federal Response to the Violence in California

Source: US State of Idaho

Home Newsroom AG Labrador Backs Federal Response to the Violence in California

BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador and 24 other Republican Attorneys General issued a joint statement supporting President Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard in response to violent rioting in California.
“We will always defend the right to peacefully protest, but there’s nothing peaceful about arson, assault, and anarchy. If you set police cars on fire, throw Molotov cocktails at law enforcement, and loo businesses, you must be held accountable.
“In California, we’re seeing the results of leadership that excuses lawlessness and undermines law enforcement. When local and state officials won’t act, the federal government must.
“We stand with law enforcement, we support President Trump’s action, and we will not let chaos take hold in our states.”
Republican Attorneys General across the country stand united in condemning:

Violent attacks on law enforcement
The normalization of mob violence as ‘activism’
Any attempt to delegitimize efforts to restore order
Leaders who put politics above public safety

Attorney General Labrador joined the coalition which includes the Attorneys General of Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Read the letter here.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Alien from Dominican Republic Sentenced for Impersonating U.S. Citizen to Vote in Federal Election

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

MIAMI – Carlos Abreu, 36, has been sentenced to 65 months in prison followed by three years supervised release, after pleading guilty in two consolidated federal cases (24cr60155 and 25cr60015) to the following charges: (1) falsely claiming United States citizenship to register to vote; (2) using a United States citizen’s name to vote; (3) possessing firearms as an alien without lawful status; (4) making false statements in support of a passport application; and (5) aggravated identity theft. As a condition of his supervised release, he was also ordered to turn himself into immigration authorities for removal proceedings.

According to the two factual proffers, Abreu entered the United States without inspection and, in 2007, assumed the identity of the victim, “C.R.V.” Between 2007 and his August 2024 arrest, Abreu held himself out as “C.R.V.” to Federal, state, and local government agencies. The victim, “C.R.V.,” is a United States citizen living in Puerto Rico who did not know Abreu.

Abreu obtained a Florida driver’s license in 2007. He registered to vote under the name “C.R.V.” in 2016, and renewed his registration in 2020. He admitted to voting in federal elections in 2016 and 2022. Abreu also admitted to obtaining a Florida concealed carry permit in “C.R.V.’s” name and purchasing four firearms. Abreu also conceded that, in 2021, he had attempted to obtain U.S. passports for his two minor daughters as well as himself, using “C.R.V.’s” name and personal identifying information, all without lawful authorization.

United States Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael Conklin of the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Miami Field Office made the announcement.

DSS’ Miami Field Office investigated the case. The DSS San Juan Resident Office in Puerto Rico and ATF Miami provided invaluable assistance. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brianna Coakley and Daniel Rosenfeld are prosecuting the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nadya Z. Cheatham is handling asset forfeiture.

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case numbers 24-cr-60155 and 25-cr-60015.

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MIL Security OSI –

June 13, 2025

MIL-OSI: Descartes Announces Results of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

WATERLOO, Ontario, June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Descartes Systems Group Inc. (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG), announced the voting results from its annual meeting of shareholders held on Thursday, June 12, 2025 (the “Meeting”).

Meeting Results

The following matters, as set out in more detail in its Management Information Circular dated April 30, 2025, were considered and voted on by shareholders at the Meeting:

General
The total number of common shares of the Corporation represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting was 77,507,142 which represented 90.35% of the 85,782,830 common shares of the Corporation that were outstanding as of the record date for the Meeting, being April 25, 2025.

Election of Directors
On a vote by ballot, each of the following 10 nominees proposed by management of the Corporation was elected as a director of the Corporation:

Director Nominee	Number of Votes FOR	Percentage of Votes FOR	Number of Votes AGAINST	Percentage of Votes AGAINST
Deepak Chopra	75,876,565	98.81%	912,202	1.19%
Eric Demirian	72,960,218	95.01%	3,828,551	4.99%
Dennis Maple	73,891,505	96.23%	2,897,262	3.77%
Jane Mowat	76,767,145	99.97%	21,625	0.03%
Chris Muntwyler	75,883,997	98.82%	904,773	1.18%
Jane O’Hagan	75,033,103	97.71%	1,755,666	2.29%
Edward Ryan	76,223,399	99.26%	565,370	0.74%
John Walker	73,935,135	96.28%	2,853,635	3.72%
Laura Wilkin	76,767,158	96.28%	21,612	0.03%

Appointment of Auditors

On a vote by ballot, KPMG LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants and Licensed Public Accountants, were appointed as the auditors of the Corporation until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are appointed.

Number of Votes FOR	Percentage of Votes FOR	Number of Votes WITHHELD	Percentage of Votes WITHHELD
77,241,699	99.66%	265,443	0.34%

Say-On-Pay

On a vote by ballot, the “Say-On-Pay” resolution proposed by management of the Corporation was approved.

Number of Votes FOR	Percentage of Votes FOR	Number of Votes AGAINST	Percentage of Total Votes AGAINST
74,071,830	96.46%	2,716,938	3.54%

About Descartes
Descartes (Nasdaq:DSGX) (TSX:DSG) is the global leader in providing on-demand, software-as-a-service solutions focused on improving the productivity, security and sustainability of logistics-intensive businesses. Customers use our modular, software-as-a-service solutions to route, track and help improve the safety, performance and compliance of delivery resources; plan, allocate and execute shipments; rate, audit and pay transportation invoices; access global trade data; file customs and security documents for imports and exports; and complete numerous other logistics processes by participating in the world’s largest, collaborative multimodal logistics community. Our headquarters are in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and we have offices and partners around the world. Learn more at www.descartes.com, and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Descartes Investor Contact
Laurie McCauley
(519) 746-6114 x202358
investor@descartes.com

The MIL Network –

June 13, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: US Army’s image of power and flag-waving rings false to Gen Z weary of gun violence − and long-term recruitment numbers show it

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jacob Ware, Adjunct Professor of Domestic Terrorism, Georgetown University

A recruit participates in the Army’s future soldier prep course at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., on Sept. 25, 2024. AP Photo/Chris Carlson

The U.S. Army will celebrate its 250th birthday on Saturday, June 14, 2025, with a parade in Washington, D.C., in which about 6,600 soldiers and heavy pieces of military equipment will roll through the streets. The parade aims to display the Army’s history and power.

“It’s going to be incredible,” President Donald Trump recently said. Trump’s 79th birthday also occurs on June 14.

Despite the festivities, however, the parade will occur amid bleak times for the U.S. military, as it experiences a multiyear decline in recruitment numbers. In the face of a pandemic and a strong civilian job market, the Army, Air Force and Navy all missed their recruitment goals in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, the Army missed its quota by 25%.

In 2024, the U.S. military met its recruitment target, which supports the argument that the bump is not due to Trump, as recruitment levels began to rise again before his reelection. But in some cases, the U.S. military has met its recruitment goals by lowering target numbers.

And as a scholar of terrorism and targeted violence, I believe a close reading of available data on military recruitment suggests U.S. gun violence may be largely to blame for the lack of interest in joining the military.

Gun violence data

Regardless of one’s personal politics, the data on U.S. gun violence makes for painful reading.

Almost 47,000 Americans died from gun-related injuries in 2023. In 2022, there were 51 school shootings in which students were injured or killed by guns. And gun injuries are the leading cause of death for Americans between ages 1 and 19.

Data about the perceptions of gun violence is equally staggering, especially among American youth between ages 14 and 30.

Four out of five American youth believe gun violence to be a problem, and 25% have endured real active-shooter lockdowns, according to data compiled by Everytown for Gun Safety, where I serve as a survivor fellow, the Southern Poverty Law Center and American University’s Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab.

Moreover, these perceptions have considerable impacts on youth mental health and their sense of safety. Studies have linked concern over school shootings among adolescents with higher rates of anxiety and trauma-related disorders.

As Arne Duncan, who served as President Barack Obama’s secretary of education during the Sandy Hook tragedy, said in 2023: “Unfortunately, what’s now binding young people across the country together is not joy of music, or sports, or whatever, it’s really the shared pain of gun violence – and it cuts through race and class and geography and economics.”

National security threat

In the past couple of years, polls taken of Generation Z youth, born between 1997 and 2012, suggest mental health and mass shootings are among the most important political issues motivating this band of voters.

Gun violence, in other words, is a national security emergency, undermining the U.S. government’s ability to protect its citizens in their schools, places of worship and communities.

As former Marine Gen. John Allen wrote in 2019: “Americans today are more likely to experience gun violence at home than they might in many of the places to which I deployed in the name of defending our nation.”

U.S. Army National Guard members stand outside the Army National Guard office during training on April 21, 2022, in Washington.
AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib, File

Rewriting American culture

Accordingly, gun violence has undercut American patriotism, corroding the U.S. government’s soft power within its own borders. Generation Z, termed by some as the “lockdown generation,” is often derided as less patriotic than its predecessors.

Surprising Gen Z Research.

Also, the belief in American exceptionalism is dropping among millennials, born between 1981 and 1996. That perception is combined with less confidence in U.S. global engagement and the efficacy of military solutions.

American culture has long inspired military service, with recruits seduced by action movies and promises of heroic returns to the U.S. But American culture today is being rewired into one of suffering, pain and victimhood.

A fear of violence

Gun violence destroys youth tolerance for the violence that defines a career in the U.S. military.

Internal U.S. military surveys of young Americans show that “the top three reasons young people cite for rejecting military enlistment are the same across all the services: fear of death, worries about post-traumatic stress disorder and leaving friends and family — in that order.”

Generations already suffering a shattered sense of safety and place do not see the military as a viable option.

The explanations the U.S. Defense Department gives for dismal recruitment levels focus on the younger generation’s supposed lack of backbone or hatred of America.

D’elbrah Assamoi, from Cote d’Ivoire, signs her U.S. certificate of citizenship after a military training ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, in San Antonio, Texas, in April 2023.
Vanessa R. Adame/U.S. Air Force via AP

Republicans, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, have blamed alleged “wokeness” for low recruitment levels.

And the Trump administration’s statements about improving recruitment numbers over the past several months overlook both a late Biden-era surge after a pandemic slump as well as the reality that numbers remain depressed due to military services repeatedly lowering their recruitment goals.

Very rarely are introspective questions publicly debated today about the objective attractiveness of military service or the appetite for violence among young people. The problem, I believe, is not that young people are insufficiently patriotic – it’s that they have already been fighting a war, daily, for their entire lives.

In reversing the slide in recruitment, then, the military could improve its sensitivity to these important concerns.

Highlighting the range of careers within the services that do not involve front-line combat and physical danger could encourage more reluctant would-be recruits to volunteer.

Mental health support also could be made an essential element of military training and lifestyle − not a resource only for those bearing the hidden side-effects of life in the ranks. Encouraging those suffering from treatable mental health issues to seek meaning in service could also boost recruitment numbers.

Jacob Ware is a gun violence survivor and serves as a Survivor Fellow at Everytown for Gun Safety.

– ref. US Army’s image of power and flag-waving rings false to Gen Z weary of gun violence − and long-term recruitment numbers show it – https://theconversation.com/us-armys-image-of-power-and-flag-waving-rings-false-to-gen-z-weary-of-gun-violence-and-long-term-recruitment-numbers-show-it-257090

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal Fight Back Against Trump’s Hateful Anti-LGBTQ+ Policies

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

June 12, 2025

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today joined a new effort to push back against the Trump Administration’s assault on the rights and freedoms of LGBTQ+ Americans nationwide.
The No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act would ensure that President Trump’s hateful executive orders targeting LGBTQ+ Americans have no force or effect and would ensure that no federal funds are used to implement, administer, enforce, or carry out those executive orders. With anti-LGBTQ+ hate on the rise across the United States, this bill fights back against these harmful federal policies, expands freedom, and opens the doors of opportunity for all Americans.
“Trump repeatedly bullies gay and transgender people in schools, sports, and the military just because of who they are. That’s wrong, and this legislation makes it clear that everyone deserves safety and equality under the law,” said Murphy.
“Trump’s executive orders cruelly attack the LGBTQ+ community – denying them anti-discrimination protections and health care access,” said Blumenthal. “This legislation shields the community from the dangerous impact of these new federal policies. I’m proud to join the fight against Trump’s spiteful assault on LGBTQ+ Americans.”
The No Place for LGBTQ+ Hate Act takes aim at the Trump Administration’s anti-LGBTQ+ executive orders, including:
The Day One executive order to mandate discrimination against transgender, non-binary, intersex, and gender non-conforming individuals.
An executive order to reinstate and expand the transgender military ban.
An executive order to prevent medically necessary health care from being provided to transgender youth.
An executive order to prohibit transgender students from participating in school sports.
An executive order requiring schools to deny the existence of transgender people.
U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also cosponsored the bill.
U.S. Representatives Becca Balint (D-VT.-AL), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.-03), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.-05), Jasmine Crockett (D-Tex.-30), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.-10), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.-08), Sarah McBride (D-Del.-AL), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.-10), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-AL), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.-09), Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.-12), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), and Nikema Williams (D-Ga.-05) cosponsored the bill in the House of Representatives.
The bicameral bill is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, Advocates for Trans Equality, ACLU, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, Reproductive Freedom for All, and Planned Parenthood.
Full text of the legislation is available HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Young Reintroduce Legislation to Protect American Workers, Limit Non-Compete Clauses
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

June 12, 2025
WASHINGTON–U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) on Wednesday reintroduced the Workforce Mobility Act, bipartisan legislation to limit the use of non-compete clauses that negatively impact American workers. U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) co-sponsored the legislation.

About one in five American workers – 30 million people – are constrained by a non-compete clause, which blocks workers from working for a competing employer or starting a competing business. Research indicates that workers trapped by non-competes have lower wages, and their restricted mobility makes it more difficult for businesses to recruit talent. In states where non-competes are enforced, young firms are more likely to die in their first three years compared to states where they are not enforced.

“Millions of fast-food workers, security guards, janitors, and health care workers can’t leave their current job for a better one because they’re locked in non-competes. That crushes worker power, reduces wages, and stifles new businesses. The FTC should continue defending its rule to ban non-competes, but Congress should make the policy permanent and pass our legislation to protect workers and support entrepreneurs,” said Murphy.

“Non-compete agreements stifle growth, career advancement, innovation, and human freedom. Our bill aims to remove these barriers and create opportunities that help, not hinder, Hoosier workers,” said Young. “The reforms in our legislation will assist workers and entrepreneurs so they can freely apply their talents where their skills are in greatest demand.”

“Non-compete agreements make it harder for businesses to recruit and hire talent and stifle wage growth for workers,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation to promote innovation and support American workers.”

“Non-compete agreements stifle innovation and job mobility,” said Cramer. “I am glad North Dakota is a national leader in blocking these inhibitive practices. Our bipartisan bill makes non-competes virtually illegal and puts more power back into the hands of the American worker.”

The Workforce Mobility Act would:

Narrow the use of non-compete agreements to include only necessary instances of a dissolution of a partnership or the sale of a business;

Charge the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Labor with enforcement, as well as making explicit a private right of action in federal court;

Require employers to make their employees aware of the limitation on non-competes, as studies have found that non-competes are often used even when they are illegal or unenforceable. The Department of Labor would also be given the authority to make the public aware of the limitation; and

Require the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Labor to submit a report to Congress on any enforcement actions taken.

A one-pager is available HERE
MIL OSI USA News –
June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Statement on Baseless Republican Attacks on NGOs Providing Contracted Services

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

June 12, 2025

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Thursday released a statement on the targeting of non-profit organizations by House Republicans. Earlier this week, Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.-07), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-Okla.-02), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability, sent letters to more than 200 non-governmental organizations baselessly accusing them of “incentivizing and facilitating illegal immigration” and “encouraging unprecedented levels of human trafficking and smuggling.”

“It is outrageous, but completely predictable, that House Republicans are targeting non-profit and faith-based organizations Congress contracted to support communities in border states and across our country. Instead of using their authority to bully small non-profits, these members should have read the bills they voted on, which included the authorizing and appropriating language for the very contracts and programs they are targeting in this letter. Talk to any federal law enforcement officer or local leader in a border town, and they’ll tell you these services help make our immigration and asylum system safer and more orderly, while also reducing the burden on local communities. These intimidation tactics will undoubtedly have a chilling effect on NGOs’ willingness to do business with the federal government, and I urge my colleagues to abandon this baseless attack on these organizations and work with Democrats to solve the real challenges we face,” Murphy said.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Thompson Announces National Science Foundation Award to Jackson State University

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

June 12, 2025

BOLTON, MS – Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) announced that Jackson State University has been awarded a $199,755 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support cutting-edge research in traffic signal control systems. The project, entitled “ERI: Advancement of Max Pressure Traffic Signal Control in Partially Connected and Automated Transportation Systems,” is under the direction of Dr. Hao Liu and will begin on August 1, 2025.

This award, made through NSF’s Engineering Research Initiation (ERI) program, supports research that aims to enhance traffic network efficiency during the transition from human-driven vehicles (HDVs) to connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs). Research will focus on redefining Max Pressure (MP)-based traffic control systems to address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this evolving transportation environment.

The project will support the formation of a sustainable research group at JSU and provide valuable training for students pursuing careers in transportation engineering. Findings from this study are expected to contribute to national progress in transportation science and operational efficiency.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Simpson Votes to Combat Illegal Fentanyl

Source: US State of Idaho

Rep. Simpson Votes to Combat Illegal Fentanyl

Washington, June 12, 2025

WASHINGTON— Today, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson voted in favor of S. 331 – the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act. This legislation permanently extends President Trump’s 2018 Schedule I classification of fentanyl-related substances and gives law enforcement the tools they need to keep Americans safe from dangerous illicit drugs.
“We cannot afford to waste any time in the fight against the fentanyl crisis, which is devastating families and communities across the country,” said Rep. Simpson. “As President Trump takes decisive action to halt the flood of this deadly drug pouring across our southern border, Congress is also working to combat this epidemic, remove fentanyl from our streets, and give our brave law enforcement officers the tools they need to save American lives. This is an important step in combatting this crisis, and I am pleased to see this bill head to President Trump’s desk.”
The HALT Fentanyl Act passed with a vote of 321-104.
Earlier this year, the House passed similar legislation by a 312-108 vote. The Senate passed S. 331 by an 84-16 vote. This legislation will now head to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ARMSTRONG COUNTY – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis to Highlight 2025-26 Proposed Budget Investments in Child Care Workforce

Source: US State of Pennsylvania

June 13, 2025 – Apollo, PA

ADVISORY – ARMSTRONG COUNTY – Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis to Highlight 2025-26 Proposed Budget Investments in Child Care Workforce

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis will host a roundtable conversation to discuss the Shapiro-Davis Administration’s proposed 2025-26 budget and its plan to invest in and expand Pennsylvania’s child care workforce Friday, June 13, at 10 a.m. at Grandma’s House, 616 First St. Ext., Apollo.

The 2025-26 proposal builds on the Administration’s first two budgets with a $55 million investment in retention and recruitment bonuses to increase child care availability, ensuring parents are able to work and children have quality care. These grants to licensed child care centers in Pennsylvania’s Child Care Works (CCW) Program would provide up to $1,000 per employee.

During their first two years in office, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Davis have expanded the state’s Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit and created a new tax credit for businesses that want to contribute to their employees’ child care costs.

WHO:
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis, Alle Kiski Strong Chamber Executive Director Lynda Pozzuto, Trying Together Director of Public Policy Emily Neff, representatives from the Early Learning Investment Commission, Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs and Advisory Commission on Women, child care providers, teachers and parents

WHAT:
Roundtable conversation about child care in Pennsylvania and investments in the Shapiro-Davis 2025-26 proposed budget

WHEN:
Friday, June 13, at 10 a.m.

WHERE:
Grandma’s House
616 First St. Ext., Apollo

RSVP:
Members of the news media who are interested in attending must RSVP to Kirstin Alvanitakis at kirstinalv@pa.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Secretary Pete Hegseth: “What’s an AST?”

Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

Vasquez Exposes Secretary Hegseth’s Shocking Ignorance on Border Issues in House Armed Services Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a House Armed Services Committee hearing today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) confronted Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for his blatant lack of knowledge about the U.S.-Mexico border, despite the Department of Defense’s growing involvement and massive spending in the region.

WATCH: VASQUEZ PRESSES SECRETARY HEGSETH IN HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE

Vasquez’s district includes 180 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, a fact that Hegseth was unaware of. It also includes some of the country’s most remote, rugged borderlands, and Vasquez pressed Hegseth on basic geography, local conditions, and defense department spending. The result was clear: the Secretary of Defense is dangerously unprepared for the role he’s been entrusted with.

“Pete Hegseth couldn’t name how many miles of border exist in New Mexico. He couldn’t point to where the wall starts or ends. He couldn’t say whether there are roads in critical terrain. And he had no meaningful answer when I asked about surveillance technologies despite their clear value as modern, cost-effective alternatives to a border wall,” said Vasquez. “This is not just concerning—it’s disqualifying. The military doesn’t belong on our border.”

Vasquez repeatedly highlighted the disconnect between the Department of Defense’s policies and the realities of life on the border, challenging Hegseth’s cookie-cutter rhetoric and false claims about the effectiveness of the administration’s strategy.

“I have serious concerns with your fundamental lack of knowledge about the U.S.-Mexico border, considering the billions of dollars that DOD is slated to spend on this mission,” said Vasquez. “I would encourage you to do some homework on my region and learn what will actually make our border more secure and safer.”

Hegseth had no response when asked about the Bootheel, a highly remote and strategically significant stretch of southern New Mexico. When pressed on terrain features like the Animas Mountains or local infrastructure, he dodged. When confronted with data showing the DOD diverted over $1 billion from troop housing and modernization to border deployments, he deflected.

Hegseth notably admitted that a border wall is not always the most effective border security tool despite the administration’s stance on the issue, “I’m aware that there are places where walls are not as much as effective as other places, and I get that.”

Vasquez continues to advocate for modern surveillance infrastructure, expanded port-of-entry capacity, and smarter, humane approaches to immigration. He has introduced bipartisan legislation to realign border security investments with what works on the ground, not what plays best on cable news.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Moran, House Republicans Codify $9.4 Billion in DOGE Spending Cuts
Source: Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01)

Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) released the following statement after House Republicans voted to pass $9.4 billion in spending cuts targeting waste, fraud, and abuse identified by President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE):
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) released the following statement after House Republicans voted to pass $9.4 billion in spending cuts targeting waste, fraud, and abuse identified by President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE):

“As a fiscal conservative and budget hawk, I believe Congress must prioritize rooting out radical and reckless spending, and use those savings to reduce our national debt,” said Congressman Moran. “By passing this rescissions package, we can cut government spending without harming active programs or services. This is a strong step forward in restoring fiscal responsibility and complements our broader efforts through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. But this must only be the beginning—Congress must continue identifying and eliminating wasteful spending wherever it exists.”

Background:

Rescission packages allow the President and Congress to eliminate unnecessary federal spending. Under the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, rescissions must be initiated by the White House and apply only to funds previously appropriated. The White House officially sends a request to Congress which has the opportunity to approve, disapprove, or amend the request. Once passed by the House, the measure becomes privileged in the Senate—allowing it to bypass the 60-vote threshold and pass with a simple majority. The Rescissions Act of 2025 fulfills President Trump’s request to cut $9.4 billion in unobligated spending, targeting wasteful programs and bloated accounts while preserving essential services for the American people.

Yet every single Democrat in the House voted against it, choosing to protect wasteful spending on drag queen programming for children and films celebrating child gender transitions, rather than stand up for American taxpayers.

The package passed the House on a vote of 214–212 and now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Examples of waste, fraud, and abuse eliminated in the package include:
- PBS-produced documentary arguing the case for reparations.
- PBS-aired children’s program featuring drag queens.
- PBS-produced film celebrating the sex change of a child.
- NPR feature on “queer animals.”
- NPR coverage arguing that “fat-phobia” is racist.
- NPR piece lamenting that animals require pronouns.
Questionable foreign aid and international programs:
- $158 million from the UN Peacekeeping Mission.
- $83 million from the UN Development Program.
- $33 million from the UN Population Fund.
- $8 million for the UN Human Rights Council.
- $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street.
- $6 million for “Net Zero Cities” in Mexico.
- $6 million to support media organizations and civic life of Palestinians.
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MIL OSI USA News –
June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Tenney Leads Legislation Reaffirming Her Commitment to Protecting Social Security

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today reintroduced the Social Security Protection Act, reaffirming her unwavering commitment to safeguarding Social Security for current beneficiaries and future generations.

Additional cosponsors of this legislation include Representatives Rob Wittman (VA-01), Mike Flood (NE-01), Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Clay Higgins (LA-03), and Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08).

This resolution underscores the importance of maintaining the integrity of Social Security, a vital program that millions of Americans rely on for their retirement and financial security. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Congresswoman Tenney is dedicated to ensuring that Social Security remains a stable and reliable program for those who have contributed to it throughout their working lives.

“Social Security is a lifeline for many hardworking families and seniors in New York’s 24th District. By reintroducing this legislation today, it highlights my advocacy and continued focus on safeguarding, preserving, and strengthening Social Security benefits for our seniors, retirees, and future generations. I am committed to protecting this program and ensuring it remains a dependable source of income for those who have earned it,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Tenney Stands with President Trump to Defund NPR, PBS, and Wasteful Foreign Aid

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22)

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today voted in favor of H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025, which will eliminate $9.4 billion in wasteful foreign aid spending and funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which finances NPR and PBS.

This legislation passed the House by a vote of 214-212.

“H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act, is a bold step toward restoring fiscal sanity in Washington. By slashing billions in wasteful and woke spending, including $1.1 billion for left-wing propaganda outlets like NPR and PBS, $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street, and $6 million for so-called ‘Net Zero Cities’ in Mexico, we are cutting waste, fraud, and abuse to build a more efficient federal government. With our national debt soaring to nearly $37 trillion, we must get our fiscal house in order and ensure taxpayer dollars are spent in the best interest of the American people, not foreign pet projects or left-wing activism. By passing this legislation, House Republicans are delivering on President Trump’s America First mandate and returning hard-earned taxpayer dollars back to the American people,” said Congresswoman Tenney.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Slams HUD Secretary Turner on Trump Administration’s Unprecedented Attacks on Affordable Housing & Homelessness Prevention

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

Trump budget proposes halving HUD’s budget as key staff are let go in droves & funds signed into law are illegally frozen

ICYMI: In Everett, Murray Holds Roundtable on Trump Putting $16.7 Million for Snohomish County Homelessness Prevention at Risk, Hears from Affected Organizations—Vows to Fight Housing Budget Cuts

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s exchange with Secretary Turner***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner at a Senate Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on the president’s fiscal year 2026 budget request for HUD and its sweeping staff losses and funding freezes that are already hurting communities across the country. Senator Murray pressed Secretary Turner on the Trump administration’s unprecedented and illegal freezing of funding for critical HUD programs and attacks on the Continuum of Care program that is vital to homelessness prevention in Snohomish County, King County, Pierce County, and other areas across Washington state. Murray also questioned Secretary Turner about the Trump administration blocking funding provided for HUD’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program, and his refusal to answer basic Congressional oversight questions on this program.

In her opening comments, Vice Chair Murray said:

“The entire point of your Department is to help Americans keep a roof over their head. I am really afraid pretty much everything that you and President Trump have done to date appears kind of in direct opposition to that goal.

“First off, the President’s illegal funding freezes are causing chaos across the country. I was in Everett, in my home state of Washington, a few weeks ago, I was talking to organizations that help people find housing. And if they can’t get their already-awarded funding, they will be forced to start evicting people this summer and may even have to shut down their services altogether.

“And on top of that, you’re pushing out 2,300 staff—who are dedicated public servants with decades of experience. I just don’t see how you can tell us with a straight face that forcing out over a quarter of your workforce is going to have no effect on your Department’s ability to meet its statutory responsibilities under law.

“And now, after all the damage that’s been done, you are here today requesting that Congress slash funding for your Department nearly in half! Nearly in half! That would force millions of Americans out of their homes.

“Your request would force states to make up for your draconian cuts and abdication of responsibility. I don’t know what state can afford to do that, especially when this administration is simultaneously working to shift even more costs to states for things like SNAP and health care.

“It is kind of absurd to claim that we cannot afford basic programs that keep people off the streets, but we can hand trillions of dollars in new tax cuts to billionaires and big corporations.

“Housing affordability and homelessness is a crisis in Washington state and in many places across the country, you know that—but this administration just appears to me to be trying to make it all worse.

“And I’ll tell you right now: looking at your budget request, as far as I’m concerned as Vice Chair of this committee, it’s not going anywhere.”

[ILLEGAL FUNDING FREEZES]

Senator Murray began her questioning by asking about the administration’s illegal funding freezes and attacks on critical housing and homeless prevention programs, including the Continuum of Care program: “I want to start with the funding that you are illegally freezing. The Continuum of Care program is essential to addressing homelessness in my home state of Washington. In March, HUD began issuing grant agreements with a host of new conditions that are deeply concerning and completely unrelated to HUD’s mission. HUD did that without notice, and without any explanation of what the vaguely worded conditions mean or what a grantee would be required to do. As I said earlier, organizations I have talked to in my state say that without these funds, they are going to evict people this summer. The courts, as you know, are sorting this out, I’m glad to see they’ve extended the preliminary injunction to stop HUD from enforcing these new and extreme requirements. Mr. Secretary, I want to ask you, are you going to, and I quote from the court order, ‘take every step necessary to effectuate this order, including clearing any administrative, operational, or technical hurdles to implementation’?”

Secretary Turner replied, “As you have said this is under active litigation. And so we will leave it there. Once this is through litigation, I look forward to having a conversation, but right now I won’t comment on it.”

“Not even to tell us if you’re following the court order?” pressed Senator Murray.

Secretary Turner said, “I will follow the law—”

Senator Murray reiterated her question, “Are you following the court order?”

“Our team follows the law and the court order,” answered Secretary Turner.

“Are you in full compliance with the court order?” followed up Senator Murray.

“I’m not going to speak any more on it because it’s under active litigation,” said Secretary Turner, avoiding the question.

Senator Murray continued to try and get clarification on where the funds stood with HUD, “Let me just follow up on this. When will you be in full compliance with the court order? Are funds being withheld today?”

“We will be with you as soon as we can, once it’s done with active litigation,” Secretary Turner yet again dodged.

“Are funds being withheld right now even though the court order is in place?” Senator Murray asked again.

Secretary Turner tried to change the topic, “You know you talked about the 2,300 people—”

“I just want you to know that I am talking about this Continuum of Care because I am hearing from providers in my state that funds are being withheld, meaning you are not in compliance. Are you aware of that?” Senator Murray further specified.

Secretary Turner repeated his same talking point, “I am aware of the litigation. It’s in active litigation.”

Senator Murray further explained to Secretary Turner that he was in violation of the court order and that is why she was asking, “I am hearing funds are still being withheld despite the court order. I need to know if you know that and if you’re going to make sure the funds are released.”

“I’m the Secretary, so things that go on at HUD I’m well aware of. But I also know with this active litigation, that I am not going to say very much in our hearing today but happy to talk to you as time goes on as I’m able to. I’ll commit to that,” said Secretary Turner.

Senator Murray made it clear, “Well, we are running out of time. They are going to start evicting people and they need those funds.”

Secretary Turner again tried to change the subject, “Just to clarify, the 2,300 people that left HUD, it was voluntary, they were not forced out.”

Senator Murray said, “I know, I have been hearing that from every secretary that comes before us.”

Secretary Turner interjected, “This is just me from HUD, and I’m just telling you it was 2,300 that took the DRP—”

“2,300 that were told if you don’t get out now you will be sorry in the future, so it is people that we need there,” Senator Murray pushed back.

Senator Murray then pressed Secretary Turner on the funding held up for the Green and Resilient Retrofit program: “Let me move on to another example. Your Green and Resilient Retrofit Program, that was created to help make properties more resilient to disasters and less expensive to heat and cool. On day one, you and the President deemed this commonsense program ‘woke’ somehow and have illegally attempted to terminate it. The courts have now directed HUD to process and disburse those funds, but I want you know that we are hearing from owners that HUD is doing nothing to restore the administrative contract that DOGE cancelled—which is holding up this deal from moving forward. This Committee has now asked five times for HUD to brief my staff on this, yet they’ve refused to speak to us about basic legal requirements. So let me just ask you here today, why are you preventing HUD-assisted property owners from making often overdue upgrades to low-income and senior housing?”

Secretary Turner again avoided the question he was capable of answering, “This also is under active litigation, as you know. And so, my comments on this will be zero to limited. It’s under active litigation, as soon as we get done with that I’m happy to speak with you.”

“Well, there are people waiting. And this fund [is] critical and there are court orders, and I expect them to be followed. And I am just going to say for the record, there’s nothing objectionable about this funding. It is stunning to me that we are under a court order, and you’re not giving the money out. It’s for things like replacing windows and outdated HVAC systems, and installing fire-resistant roofs. These are things badly needed for people in this country,” concluded Senator Murray.

___________________________________

President Trump’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 would slash funding for HUD by almost 50 percent—a staggering cut that would decimate the HUD housing assistance programs, kicking families out of their homes and making millions of Americans vulnerable to homelessness. Trump’s budget proposes to convert all rental assistance programs into a formula-based “State Rental Assistance Block Grant” and reduce total funding by $26.7 billion, or a 42 percent cut. His budget also proposes to consolidate the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program with the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program within the formula-based Emergency Solutions Grant and to time-limit assistance to two years, all while reducing overall funding by $532 million, or 12 percent. In addition, President Trump’s budget proposes to eliminate or reduce nearly all HUD programs, including eliminating major formula programs communities rely upon to develop new affordable housing and for community development activities. On May 29^th, Senator Murray held a roundtable in Everett to hear from local housing and homelessness prevention organizations affected by the Trump administration’s senseless decision to jeopardize CoC grant funding by placing new, potentially unlawful conditions on the grant funding.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray, Former ACIP Member from WA State Raise Alarm Over Purge of Entire CDC Vaccine Advisory Committee

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

NEW: Kennedy’s new CDC panel includes members who have criticized vaccines and spread misinformation

***WATCH FULL PRESS CONFERENCE HERE; DOWNLOAD HERE***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a virtual press conference on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s unprecedented decision on Monday to fire every single member of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Dr. Helen Chu joined Senator Murray for the press conference, a professor of Medicine and Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the University of Washington School of Medicine, who was a member of ACIP until Monday—when she was fired by Secretary Kennedy alongside the entire panel of experts. Senator Murray and Dr. Chu laid out just how unprecedented and unthinkably dangerous this move is, and what it means for the future of vaccine policy and public health.

On Wednesday, RFK Jr. announced eight new appointees to ACIP, including Dr. Robert Malone, a close adviser to RFK Jr. who downplayed the deaths related to one of the largest measles outbreaks in the U.S. in years, and Vicky Pebsworth, who is listed as a board member and volunteer director for the National Vaccine Information Center, a group that is notorious for spreading vaccine misinformation.

“RFK Jr. took a dangerous, practically unthinkable step to undermine public health and vaccine confidence—he fired every single member of CDC’s vaccine advisory panel,” said Senator Murray on today’s press call. “And he is already packing the panel with people who advocated letting COVID rip through communities, who serve as board members of vaccine disinformation groups, who promoted conspiracies and quack treatments for COVID and measles—and he is just getting started! It is really just about impossible to underscore how reckless and unprecedented this is. I mean, even some Republicans who voted for him—only did so after he convinced them he wouldn’t go this far. Of course they should have known better—I even warned them! You can’t trust this guy, he has a long history of attacking science and vaccines at every turn, he’s not going to give up that crusade when you give him tremendous power to wage it. But they ignored the obvious warnings—and now here we are. Let’s be clear, RFK Jr. is not just crossing a red line for public health, he is sprinting into dangerous, uncharted territory in support of totally deranged conspiracies, and he is dragging us all along with him. He is putting our communities—and our families—in harm’s way.”

“The means by which vaccines are recommended for use in the United States is a careful, deliberate and rigorous process that has been in place for over 60 years. ACIP is widely regarded as the international gold standard for vaccine decision-making. Other countries have, in the past, considered the United States as a model to guide their own vaccine policies because they could be sure decisions were unbiased and based on evidence. But that may no longer be the case,” said Dr. Helen Chu, a professor of Medicine and Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Until Monday, Dr. Chu was also a member of ACIP until Secretary Kennedy abruptly dismissed the entire Committee this Monday. “We cannot dismantle a system that has allowed for open, evidence-based dialogue among experts, that has supported transparent, clear decision-making. We cannot replace it with a process driven by one person’s beliefs. In the absence of an independent unbiased ACIP, we can no longer trust that safe and effective vaccines will be available to us and the people around us. I worry about the health and safety of people in our country—and the future of our public health infrastructure.”

Senator Murray forcefully opposed the nomination of notorious anti-vaccine activist RFK Jr. to be Secretary of HHS, and she has long worked to combat vaccine skepticism and highlight the importance of scientific research and vaccines. Murray was also a leading voice against the nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon to lead CDC, repeatedly speaking up about her serious concerns with the nominee immediately after their meeting. In 2019, Senator Murray co-led a bipartisan hearing in the HELP Committee on vaccine hesitancy and spoke about the importance of addressing vaccine skepticism and getting people the facts they need to keep their families and communities safe and healthy. Ahead of the 2019 hearing, as multiple states were facing measles outbreaks in under-vaccinated areas, Murray sent a bipartisan letter with former HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander pressing Trump’s CDC Director and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health on their efforts to promote vaccination and vaccine confidence.

Senator Murray has been a leading voice in Congress against RFK Jr.’s dismantling of HHS and attacks on America’s public health infrastructure, raising the alarm over HHS’ unilateral reorganization plan and slamming the closure of the HHS Region 10 office in Seattle and the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Spokane Research Laboratory. Senator Murray has sent oversight letters and hosted numerous press conferences and events to lay out how the administration’s reckless gutting of HHS is risking Americans’ health and safety and will set our country back decades, and lifting up the voices of HHS employees who were fired for no reason and through no fault of their own.

In particular, Senator Murray has been leading the charge against the Trump administration’s efforts to gut lifesaving research at NIH and pushed out nearly 5,000 NIH skilled scientists, grants administrators, and other employees at the agency. When the Trump administration attempted to illegally cap indirect cost rates at 15 percent, Senator Murray immediately and forcefully condemned the move, led the entire Senate Democratic caucus in a letter decrying the proposed change, and introduced amendments to Senate Republicans’ budget resolution to reverse it, which Republicans blocked. Murray has led Congressional efforts to boost biomedical research. Previously, over her years as Chair of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murray secured billions of dollars in increases for biomedical research at NIH, and during her time as Chair of the HELP Committee she established the new ARPA-H research agency as part of her PREVENT Pandemics Act to advance some of the most cutting-edge research in the field. Senator Murray was also the lead Democratic negotiator of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which delivered a major federal investment to boost NIH research, among many other investments.

Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered, are below and video is HERE:

“I am here today to sound the alarm for public health, and to sound it as loud as I possibly can. Because this week, RFK Jr. took a dangerous, practically unthinkable step to undermine public health and vaccine confidence. He fired every single member of CDC’s vaccine advisory panel. Every. Single. One.

“And he is already packing the panel with people who advocated letting COVID rip through communities, who serve as board members of vaccine disinformation groups, who promoted conspiracies and quack treatments for COVID and measles—and he is just getting started! It is really just about impossible to underscore how reckless and unprecedented this is.

“I mean—even some Republicans who voted for him—only did so after he convinced them he wouldn’t go this far. Of course, they should have known better—I even warned them! You can’t trust this guy. He has a long history of attacking science and vaccines at every turn—he’s not going to give up that crusade when you give him tremendous power to wage it. But they ignored the obvious warnings. And now here we are.

“Let’s be clear, RFK Jr. is not just crossing a red line for public health, he is sprinting into dangerous, uncharted territory in support of totally deranged conspiracies, and he is dragging us all along with him! He is putting our communities and our families in harm’s way.

“Here’s what everyone needs to know. The CDC’s vaccine advisory panel has a simple, important job. Look at the data. Look at the science. And make recommendations on the vaccines FDA has approved as safe and effective.

“That work has serious repercussions. These recommendations impact public confidence and trust in our vaccines. These recommendations are trusted by health care providers as they talk to patients and discuss their personal health decisions.

“And these recommendations affect whether health plans—including Medicare and Medicaid—are required to cover vaccines at zero cost to patients or insurance companies can force Americans to foot the bill for vaccines that keep them safe or parents get guidance about which vaccines their children should receive and when.

“Guess what happens when vaccines become more expensive for patients? Guess what happens when Trump’s highest-ranking health official ignores the facts and tells people our vaccine experts can’t be trusted? Guess what happens when RFK Jr. packs the CDC advisory committee wall-to-wall with his favorite anti-science grifters and conspiracy pushers?

“Fewer people are going to get vaccinated. This is not rocket science.

“Maybe they think—because of RFK’s Jr.’s disinformation—that measles isn’t a big deal. Maybe they think—incorrectly—that it’s safer to get whooping cough than the vaccine. Maybe they just can’t afford it anymore—because the vaccine they wanted to protect their family is no longer covered by insurance.

“Whatever the reason, the result is going to be the same. Diseases we can fight—diseases we can prevent—spreading like wildfire through our communities, through our schools, through our nursing homes. Kids are going to be hospitalized, even killed, all because one conspiracy theorist thinks he knows better than qualified medical experts, and centuries of research.

“We’ve already seen an historic measles outbreak on RFK Jr.’s watch. His response to it has been a complete disaster, promoting quack cures and spreading lies about vaccines, as cases skyrocket.

“And, if RFK Jr.’s flood of disinformation is allowed to drown out real science, it’s not just going to be measles—we are going to see a full parade of horrors come raging back.

“We have to speak up. And we have to make sure we are countering nonsense with reality with facts. We have to make sure parents get the message: that vaccines are safe, effective, and lifesaving.

“And so, I am using my megaphone today, to not just raise the alarm, but to raise up the voice of an expert who knows the science of vaccines and who knows the stakes of this moment.

“I’m pleased to be joined by one of the CDC advisory members RFK Jr. is trying to silence through firing: UW’s own Dr. Helen Chu. Thank you all for joining this call today.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Protests in Response to Immigration Arrests in Spokane

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on the immigration protests in Spokane last night, sparked by the detention of two immigrants seeking asylum whose work visas were abruptly revoked on Friday:

“It’s totally wrong to abruptly detain legal asylum seekers at their check-in appointments without any justification—we’re talking about people who were following the legal process, contributing to their communities, and pose no threat to public safety. As I’ve said time and again, diverting law enforcement resources away from fighting violent crime to round up immigrants who are working and going through the legal process is nothing but a cruel waste of taxpayer dollars that makes all of us less safe.

“The Trump administration is intentionally provoking chaos, terror, and disorder in our communities by bringing in federal agents to grab people off the streets. I stand with the citizens of Spokane who are peacefully speaking out against these egregious abuses of our immigration laws, and those who are mounting challenges in the courts.

“I will always support people exercising their First Amendment right to peaceful protest and I urge anyone taking part in protest activities to remain calm and never resort to violence, which only plays into the Trump administration’s hands.

“The Trump administration needs to let local law enforcement do their job—federal troops should never be deployed over the request of state and local officials to escalate situations that local police are already effectively managing.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 13, 2025

Category: Americas

The UK voted in favour in line with our unwavering determination to end the suffering in Gaza, bring the hostages home and move towards lasting peace: UK Statement at the UN General Assembly

Updates to this page

Tonko Condemns Trump Recissions Package Gutting Funding for NPR, PBS, and USAID

Calls out President’s cruel, petty attempts to eliminate public broadcasting & life-saving international aid

House Passes the HALT Fentanyl Act

Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation Authored by Reps. Latta and Griffith

Gun violence data

National security threat

Rewriting American culture

A fear of violence

Vasquez Exposes Secretary Hegseth’s Shocking Ignorance on Border Issues in House Armed Services Hearing