Category: Americas

MIL-OSI USA: In Riverhead, Gillibrand Sounds The Alarm On The Disastrous $8 Million Cut To National Estuary Program Funding Proposed In FY26 Budget That Would Endanger Americans’ Health

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

Contaminated water can lead to a plethora of health risks; cutting funding to maintain estuary water quality will endanger Americans’ well-being

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sounded the alarm on the proposed $8 million funding cut from the National Estuary Program (NEP) in the president’s FY26 budget. The NEP works to maintain and restore water quality of 28 estuaries across the United States, including the Peconic Estuary and Long Island Sound. Without sufficient funding, the NEP will not be able to monitor New York’s estuaries and keep them safe from threats such as excess nitrogen pollution, pathogens, and harmful algal blooms, which have been shown to be harmful to public health and the environment. Funding to restore and protect our estuaries also boosts coastal resilience from storms, improves tourism and recreation, and supports local jobs.

“The NEP’s work is not only necessary for the health of the environment, but more importantly, it is necessary for the health of the American people. Cutting the NEP’s funding will lead to disastrous consequences,” said U.S. Senator Gillibrand. “Protecting our estuaries is of the utmost importance, and the president’s proposed funding cut would jeopardize these critical efforts. This is unacceptable.”

Senator Gillibrand has been a longtime environmental advocate and has previously passed legislation to protect the public from environmental risks. In 2018, Senator Gillibrand’s Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act, which combined and reauthorized two complementary water quality and habitat restoration programs, was enacted as a part of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. In February 2025, Senator Gillibrand reintroduced the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act to again reauthorize the program. Senator Gillibrand is dedicated to protecting and preserving New York’s natural treasures, and she will continue to fight against any funding cuts to the NEP.

“I lead the bipartisan ESTUARIES Act in the House because I represent two of our nation’s 28 nationally recognized estuaries—and I know they’re vital to our economy, our fisheries, and the coastal way of life we cherish,” said Rep. Nick LaLota. “That’s why I’m proud to join Senator Gillibrand and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure clean water and healthy habitats remain national priorities for generations to come.”

“Reauthorization of EPA’s National Estuary Program is imperative if we want to protect the environment and economy of the East End,” said New York State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni. “The Peconic Estuary Partnership is at the forefront of a collaborative approach to improving water, restoring habitats, and ensuring the resiliency of our communities in the wake of climate change. The continued influx of federal funds is absolutely necessary, and I thank our bipartisan representatives for their unwavering support. “

“As the Suffolk County Legislator for the 1st District, I understand how vital our estuaries are to both the health of our environment and the strength of our local economy,” said Suffolk County Legislator Catherine Stark. “Fully funding the National Estuary Programs is a bipartisan imperative that is essential to safeguarding our coastal communities and preserving these critical natural resources for generations to come.”

“The Peconic Estuary, one of 28 National Estuary Programs in the United States, is a precious jewel in the crown of New York State waterways. One of two National Estuary programs on Long Island, the other being the Long Island Sound Study, Peconic Estuary Partnership relies on federal funding as a critical component for the success of their work,” said Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker. “We are grateful to Senator Gillibrand for her commitment to protect the funding for this important economic and recreational natural resource that provides so much for so many on Eastern Long Island, and throughout the region. “

“On eastern Long Island, our environment is our economy, and the National Estuary Program stands as a bi-partisan, stakeholder driven success story,” said Bob DeLuca, President of the Group for the East End. “Without question, the program’s generational investment in science-based, clean water and coastal habitat solutions holds the key to solving our most challenging ecological problems. But only through a fully funded National Estuary Program can we and so many other coastal communities hope to continue the critical progress made and meet the many challenges that lie ahead. “

“Operating from the easternmost tip of LI for 55 years, Concerned Citizens of Montauk (CCOM) has been creating awareness and advocacy around the importance of protecting our fragile ecosystems upon which the health of our marine environment depends,” said Kay Tyler, Executive Director of CCOM. “Preserving the National Estuary Program—renowned as one of the most cost-effective environmental initiatives in the nation—is essential for safeguarding the health of our estuaries, which are the seeding grounds to ensuring a harmonious equilibrium among our ecology, environment, and economy.”

“We are grateful for the support of Senator Gillibrand and her recognition of the power of the National Estuary Program to protect both ecosystems and economies. Her commitment to clean water in New York is outstanding,” said Joyce Novak, PhD, Executive Director of the Peconic Estuary Partnership and Chair of the Association of National Estuary Programs. “The National Estuary Program is one of the smartest investments Congress can make in clean water, resilient infrastructure, and local economies. Fully funding the NEP ensures that coastal communities can continue to lead with science, partner across sectors, and deliver real results where they matter most.”

“New York is blessed to have 3 waterways in the National Estuary Program. The Long Island Sound, Peconic Estuary and the NY NJ Harbor have all been designated as Estuaries of National Significance,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “They are some of our favorite places for boating, kayaking, fishing, crabbing, and swimming. A fully funded NEP program leverages private and state funding for on the ground restoration and protection projects. Thank you to Senator Gillibrand for her commitment to healthy waters in NY.”

“We are grateful to Senator Gillibrand for leading the call to fully fund the National Estuary Program for FY 2026, and to her, and Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Blumenthal, and Senator Murphy for their relentless commitment to ensuring this crucial investment in Long Island Sound and the other 27 estuaries in the program,” said Denise Stranko, Executive Vice President of Programs at Save the Sound. “This is an exciting time, as earlier this summer the Long Island Sound Partnership released its new Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, providing a blueprint to forge ahead with efforts to restore Long Island Sound. The investment in a fully funded NEP is indispensable in strengthening our Great Urban Estuary and our coastlines and communities that depend on a healthy, thriving Long Island Sound.”

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: In Elmira, As New York Police Departments Face Staffing Shortages, Gillibrand Announces Bill To Keep New Yorkers And Law Enforcement Families Safe

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act would establish a pilot program to provide child care services for police officers to accommodate their work hours and enhance officer recruitment and retention

Today, standing with law enforcement officials, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called for the passage of the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act. The bipartisan bill would provide $24 million in federal funding for each of the next 5 fiscal years to establish a pilot child care services program to support law enforcement families.

“Law enforcement is one of the most critical components of keeping communities safe, and police officers should not have to choose between taking care of their children and staying in the police force,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Providing child care options will open the professional door to aspiring police officers who do not want to worry about child care while also providing stability to current officers struggling to find child care options.”

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act would establish a grant pilot program to provide child care services for the children of police officers to accommodate the shift work and abnormal work hours of the officers, and to enhance recruitment and retention of the workforce. Specifically, the bill authorizes $24 million in funding for each of the next 5 fiscal years and allows for grants of up to $3 million to individual law enforcement agencies or consortia to establish child care programs for their police personnel. In addition, to ensure parents employed by smaller police departments receive support, 20% of the total grant funding will be set aside for law enforcement agencies employing fewer than 200 officers.

Police officers often work extended hours on a nontraditional schedule. In a recent survey, more than 70% of law enforcement agencies reported that recruitment is more difficult now than five years ago, and at one major metropolitan police department, more than half of officers reported having to leave or miss work due to child care issues. This issue disproportionately impacts women, who make up less than 14% of sworn officers and 4% of police chiefs. Senator Gillibrand’s bill would help increase public safety by reducing barriers to a career in law enforcement and by ensuring the best talent is recruited into our police departments.

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) cosponsors this bill in the Senate and Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-50) leads the bill in the House of Representatives.

“I thank Senator Gillibrand on her efforts to reintroduce this legislation,” said Mayor Dan Mandell of Elmira. “If passed, this legislation would immensely benefit those police officers with children who struggle to find child care due to their diverse work hours.”

“Funding for law enforcement child care ensures that whatever the circumstance — but especially in the most dire of circumstance — they can protect and defend without the distraction of concern for the wellness of their own children moment to moment, and fully concentrate on providing the utmost safety for all of the community, secure in the knowledge that their own family is safe and being well cared for,” said Chemung County Legislator Brent Stermer.

This legislation is supported by the following organizations: 30×30, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), International Union of Police Associations (IUPA), National Asian Peace Officers Association (NAPOA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), International Association of Chiefs of Police, Central New York Association of Chiefs of Police, New York State Association of Chief of Police, AFSCME, and Third Way.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: In Poughkeepsie, As New York Police Departments Face Staffing Shortages, Gillibrand Announces Bill To Keep New Yorkers And Law Enforcement Families Safe

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act would establish a pilot program to provide child care services for police officers to accommodate their work hours and enhance officer recruitment and retention

Today, standing with law enforcement officials,U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand called for the passage of the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act. The bipartisan bill would provide $24 million in federal funding for each of the next 5 fiscal years to establish a pilot child care services program to support law enforcement families.

“Law enforcement is one of the most critical components of keeping communities safe, and police officers should not have to choose between taking care of their children and staying in the police force,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Providing child care options will open the professional door to aspiring police officers who do not want to worry about child care while also providing stability to current officers struggling to find child care options.”

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act would establish a grant pilot program to provide child care services for the children of police officers to accommodate the shift work and abnormal work hours of the officers, and to enhance recruitment and retention of the workforce. Specifically, the bill authorizes $24 million in funding for each of the next 5 fiscal years and allows for grants of up to $3 million to individual law enforcement agencies or consortia to establish child care programs for their police personnel. In addition, to ensure parents employed by smaller police departments receive support, 20% of the total grant funding will be set aside for law enforcement agencies employing fewer than 200 officers.

Police officers often work extended hours on a nontraditional schedule. In a recent survey, more than 70% of law enforcement agencies reported that recruitment is more difficult now than five years ago, and at one major metropolitan police department, more than half of officers reported having to leave or miss work due to child care issues. This issue disproportionately impacts women, who make up less than 14% of sworn officers and 4% of police chiefs. Senator Gillibrand’s bill would help increase public safety by reducing barriers to a career in law enforcement and by ensuring the best talent is recruited into our police departments.

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) cosponsors this bill in the Senate and Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-50) leads the bill in the House of Representatives.

“Our cops are heroes, we’ve got to have their back and make sure they have all the tools they need to take care of our families as well as their own,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “My number one priority is making sure our communities are safe and that all starts with taking care of our cops. This is commonsense legislation – it’s a win for working parents, a win for law enforcement recruitment, a win for our cops and a win for public safety across the entire country. As a father and a public servant, I will push relentlessly to get this bill signed into law.”

“Finding affordable, reliable childcare is one of the biggest challenges facing families today – and for law enforcement officers working nights, weekends, and unpredictable shifts, it can feel nearly impossible,” said Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino. “This bill tackles a real barrier that keeps too many parents, especially women, from staying in the profession. I’m grateful to Senator Gillibrand for working across the aisle to bring attention to this issue and advance a practical solution that supports the people behind the badge and strengthens public safety in communities like ours.”

“Our law enforcement partners put their lives on the line to protect us every day, around the clock and under intense pressure. Senator Gillibrand’s Child Care for Police Officers Act establishes reliable childcare services for our police officers, which in turn strengthens public safety in Dutchess County,” said Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi. “This legislation is about supporting those who protect our communities and giving them the same peace of mind they provide us every day. I’m proud to support this important legislation.”

This legislation is supported by the following organizations: 30×30, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), International Union of Police Associations (IUPA), National Asian Peace Officers Association (NAPOA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA), International Association of Chiefs of Police, Central New York Association of Chiefs of Police, New York State Association of Chief of Police, AFSCME, and Third Way.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The UK is committed to achieving our shared goals for sustainable development: UK National statement at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Speech

The UK is committed to achieving our shared goals for sustainable development: UK National statement at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development

Statement by Lord Collins of Highbury, Minister for Africa and the UN, at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

As we mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, the United Kingdom is committed to working with you to achieve our shared goals for sustainable development.

With targets way off track, and five years to go, through the Pact for the Future, we have all committed to picking up the pace.

So, we must implement the shared vision we set out at the Financing for Development in Seville.

Harnessing the power of the private sector.

Raising revenue from domestic taxation and tackling illicit finance.

Making sure ODA plays a catalytic role.

With a roadmap to address unsustainable debt.

And the United Kingdom is championing innovative financing instruments, leveraging the City of London expertise.

This is part of how we renew confidence in multilateralism itself, but we also need a system that is more efficient, coherent and resilient.

That’s why, the UK is backing the Secretary General’s UN at 80 initiative, calling for the ambitious reform needed to build a development system fit for the future.

We are transforming the UK’s approach.

Prioritising climate and nature, health, humanitarian assistance, and making sure everyone feels the benefits, including women and girls.

Improving the systems every country needs to invest in public services that make a difference in people’s lives.

And protecting the health of people and economies from backing ambition on Non-Communicable Diseases, to pledging further support for the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, and co-hosting the Global Fund replenishment alongside South Africa.

The last few months alone have seen success spanning Seville to the UN Ocean Conference.

So, be it the General Assembly, or COP30 in Brazil, let us make the most of opportunities to build on that, so we get back on track towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, in the months and years ahead.

Thank you.

Updates to this page

Published 21 July 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Main Street and on-ramp closed for road resurfacing

Drivers are advised the Main Street eastbound on-ramp to Highway 1 at the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge will be closed nightly from July 23-25, 2025, to complete paving.

A section of Main Street eastbound will also be closed for resurfacing nightly from July 26-29.

The eastbound on-ramp closures will be in place from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Wednesday, July 23, until Friday, July 25. Then, from Saturday, July 26 to Wednesday, July 29, Main Street eastbound will be closed, nightly, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., between Harbour Avenue and Mountain Highway.

Vehicles headed for Highway 1 should use the Dollarton Highway on-ramp during the ramp closures. Vehicles travelling eastbound on Main Street will be directed north on Mountain Highway, then detoured to Keith Road eastbound.

While the closures are in effect, travellers should expect some delays, with the potential for heavy traffic during peak hours and during planned events along Main Street near the construction zone. Due to anticipated traffic, drivers are encouraged to plan alternative routes or avoid the area during construction windows, when possible.

Work is contingent on suitable weather for paving, and drivers are encouraged to check DriveBC before travelling for the most up-to-date traffic information: https://drivebc.ca

MIL OSI Canada News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jim Costa Honors the Life of John Harris on the Floor of the U.S. House of Representatives

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON – In a heartfelt tribute, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) honored the life and legacy of John C. Harris on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, recognizing his decades of leadership in California and San Joaquin Valley agriculture. This formal recognition is one of the highest honors a Member of Congress can bestow.John C. Harris, a farmer, horse breeder, and philanthropist who passed away at the age of 81, was a pioneering force in California agriculture. As the longtime head of Harris Ranch, he transformed a family-owned operation into one of the most respected agricultural enterprises in the nation.
Watch his full remarks here.

Read the transcript of Congressman Costa’s Floor remarks below: 
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today sadly to pay tribute to John Harris, a good friend, a giant of California agriculture, and the San Joaquin Valley.
Born on July 14th, 1943, in Fresno County, John was a proud uh graduate of the University of California, Davis, and a United States Army veteran.
For over 40 years, he was not only a pioneer in agriculture but also a good friend of mine. He was a leader. He was well respected throughout the country.
John shaped the Harris ranch into one of the nation’s largest beef producers in America. In addition, his passion was as a leader in the horse racing industry, in which his horses were successful and won on numerous occasions. But John always understood the importance of education and gave back generously. Not only was it to Fresno State and the Maddie Institute, but also on mentoring, mentoring the next generation of agricultural leaders. His impact will stretch far beyond his ranch. He helped shape the agriculture of our region and left a legacy of innovation, integrity, and service that will benefit generations to come. Thank you, John. I yield back.”

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: REP. HILL VOTES TO CUT WASTEFUL SPENDING

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today voted in favor of H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025, which passed the House by a vote of 216-213. The bill saves taxpayers $9 billion by rescinding unobligated funding for the State Department and returning the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to a normal budgeting cycle.

Rep. Hill said, “With our national debt approaching $40 trillion and annual deficits of nearly $2 trillion, it’s critical we rein in unchecked federal spending. This was one of the top issues in the last campaign, and Americans spoke loud and clear that they want Washington to stop wasting their money. This rescissions package is a modest but meaningful step that demonstrates we have the spine to keep our promises.

“These are commonsense cuts that don’t impact current operations or national security. If Congress cannot cut $9 billion from a nearly $7 trillion federal budget, then we are not serious about restoring fiscal responsibility.

“Arkansans understand the value of living within their means, and they expect the same from their government. This is what my fellow central Arkansans sent me here to do: ensure responsible spending that puts taxpayers first.”

Background

The Senate Amendment to H.R 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025, would rescind $9 billion in funding appropriated in FY24 and FY25 from programs in the State Department and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Specifically, $7.9 billion of unobligated funding is rescinded from foreign aid programs in the State Department, and $1.1 billion is rescinded from future funding for the CPB, which funds National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The rescinded funds from the State Department are unobligated spending, meaning the money was never going to be spent. The rescinded funds from CPB are for future FY26 and FY27 appropriations; it does not cut current funding.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: REP. HILL VOTES TO STRENGTHEN AMERICA’S NATIONAL SECURITY
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today voted in favor of H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026, which passed the House by a vote of 221-209. The bill strengthens America’s national security, bolsters military readiness, and delivers for Arkansas’s servicemembers and their families.

Rep. Hill said, “With aggression from foreign adversaries like China and Russia continuing, and a security environment that is increasingly dynamic and complex, it is critical for America’s military to have the capabilities necessary to confront emerging threats and challenges. This defense appropriations bill strengthens our military readiness and invests in the advanced technology and equipment our servicemembers need to protect the nation. I will always prioritize America’s security and stand firmly with the brave men and women who serve and defend our freedoms.

“I am also proud that this bill delivers for our servicemembers here in central Arkansas, including funding for the C-130J Super Hercules, along with support for next-generation defense systems and precision strike capabilities. These investments are vital so that Camp Robinson and Little Rock Air Force Base can receive the tools and funding they need to be mission-ready.”

Background:

H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2026, provides $831.5 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Defense and related agencies, matching FY25 enacted levels. It supports our servicemembers and their families by including a 3.8% pay raise. The bill invests in advanced aircraft and next-generation weapons systems, modernization of the nuclear triad, unmanned systems, missile defense, and innovation. It reinforces U.S.-Israel defense cooperation, enhances counterdrug efforts, and reaffirms a focus on military strength and mission readiness.

During the House Appropriations process, Rep. Hill wrote in support of the following programs, which were included in H.R. 4016:
- C-130J Super Hercules aircraft for the Air National Guard
- Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Research Program
- CDMRP for the Peer-Reviewed Neurotoxin Exposure Treatment Parkinson’s Research
- CDMRP Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Research Program
- CDMRP Peer-Reviewed Neurofibromatosis Research Program
- CDMRP Prostate Cancer Research Program
- CDMRP Peer-Reviewed Cancer Research Program
- CDMRP Pancreatic Cancer Research Program
- CDMRP Breast Cancer Research Program
MIL OSI USA News –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Presidential Message on the 81st Anniversary of the Liberation of Guam

US Senate News:

Source: US Whitehouse
Today, on the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Guam from Imperial Japanese control, our Nation proudly honors the strength, courage, and unbreakable resilience of every hero of liberty who gallantly fought to free the people of Guam and establish a foothold from which we would win the Second World War.
On July 21, 1944, American forces stormed the beaches of Guam to conquer tyranny and restore the righteous promise of American sovereignty in the Pacific. As Imperial Japanese forces tried to hold their ground, they struggled to withstand the full might of the U.S. Armed Forces. After three weeks of gruesome and blood-soaked warfare in jungles, caves, and rugged hills, America triumphed—regaining control of Guam and putting U.S. forces within striking distance of ending the war in the Pacific.
As we commemorate America’s hard-earned victory in Guam, our Nation also solemnly pays tribute to the more than 1,200 Service members and more than 1,000 residents of Guam who made the ultimate sacrifice to liberate the American territory.
To this day, the liberation of Guam remains etched upon our Nation’s history as a bold reassertion of American sovereignty at a time when our future and our freedom were in peril. Under my leadership, the United States remains committed to upholding a foreign policy of peace through strength—and we will never waver in defending our interests, our citizens, our territory, and our glorious way of life from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Colleagues Call for Foreign Nations to Pay Their Share in Pharmaceutical R&D

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick urging the Trump Administration to use ongoing trade negotiations to eliminate foreign price controls that leave American patients footing the cost for pharmaceutical research and development.

“We welcome President Trump’s efforts to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share toward the cost of pharmaceutical research and development. For too long, some developed nations have benefited from American-financed innovation by implementing policies that suppress prices and limit spending on new medicines in their own markets,” wrote the Senators. “These actions have contributed to American patients bearing a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical innovation costs. U.S. trade negotiations offer a valuable mechanism to address these unfair practices, which not only burden Americans, but also function as non-tariff barriers to trade.”

Sens. Tuberville and Young were joined by Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Boozman. (R-AR), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) in sending the letter.

Full text of the letter can be read below or here.

“Dear Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer,

We welcome President Trump’s efforts to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share toward the cost of pharmaceutical research and development. For too long, some developed nations have benefited from American-financed innovation by implementing policies that suppress prices and limit spending on new medicines in their own markets. These actions have contributed to American patients bearing a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical innovation costs. U.S. trade negotiations offer a valuable mechanism to address these unfair practices, which not only burden Americans, but also function as non-tariff barriers to trade.

Executive Order 14297, issued on May 12, directed the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to pursue the removal of policies and practices abroad that have “the effect of forcing American patients to pay for a disproportionate amount of global pharmaceutical research and development, including by suppressing the price of pharmaceutical products below fair market value in foreign countries.”

Consistent with this directive, it is important that Commerce and USTR engage with U.S. trading partners to negotiate binding commitments to remove these market-distorting price controls.

Currently, dozens of countries—including those with longstanding pricing policies affecting U.S. pharmaceutical products—have expressed interest or are currently undergoing tariff negotiations. Now is the time for Commerce and USTR to clarify top priorities, capitalize on opportunities, and resolve unfair foreign government policies in support of American workers and patients.

Given the complexity of the issues and their importance to the American public, we urge the Administration to immediately designate a senior political official at USTR to lead the effort to secure and enforce pharmaceutical pricing commitments through trade negotiations and also to promptly nominate a qualified individual to fill the vacant position of Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator. Congress created this important position in 2015 to “address acts, policies, and practices of foreign governments that have a significant adverse impact on the value of United States innovation.” Once filled, we recommend this role—supported by a team within USTR—be charged with leading this effort.

Appointing an experienced Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator would send a strong signal to our trading partners that the United States is committed to addressing imbalanced pharmaceutical pricing and ensuring that any commitments secured are effectively implemented and enforced over the long term.

We look forward to working with you as you confront these longstanding and unfair price controls that leave Americans disproportionately funding global health care innovation. Eliminating these egregious practices could increase investment in medical research and development by billions of dollars and lower overall health care costs for Americans. In addition, encouraging foreign governments to appropriately value medicines developed and produced in the United States would significantly bolster U.S. exports and jobs. We appreciate your continued attention to this issue and stand ready to support efforts that promote fair and sustainable trade outcomes.

Sincerely,”

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Colleagues Call for Foreign Nations to Pay Their Share in Pharmaceutical R&D

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick urging the Trump Administration to use ongoing trade negotiations to eliminate foreign price controls that leave American patients footing the cost for pharmaceutical research and development.

“We welcome President Trump’s efforts to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share toward the cost of pharmaceutical research and development. For too long, some developed nations have benefited from American-financed innovation by implementing policies that suppress prices and limit spending on new medicines in their own markets,” wrote the Senators. “These actions have contributed to American patients bearing a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical innovation costs. U.S. trade negotiations offer a valuable mechanism to address these unfair practices, which not only burden Americans, but also function as non-tariff barriers to trade.”

Sens. Tuberville and Young were joined by Sens. Jim Banks (R-IN), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Boozman. (R-AR), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Steve Daines (R-MT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Jon Husted (R-OH), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) in sending the letter.

Full text of the letter can be read below or here.

“Dear Secretary Lutnick and Ambassador Greer,

We welcome President Trump’s efforts to ensure foreign nations pay their fair share toward the cost of pharmaceutical research and development. For too long, some developed nations have benefited from American-financed innovation by implementing policies that suppress prices and limit spending on new medicines in their own markets. These actions have contributed to American patients bearing a disproportionate share of global pharmaceutical innovation costs. U.S. trade negotiations offer a valuable mechanism to address these unfair practices, which not only burden Americans, but also function as non-tariff barriers to trade.

Executive Order 14297, issued on May 12, directed the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to pursue the removal of policies and practices abroad that have “the effect of forcing American patients to pay for a disproportionate amount of global pharmaceutical research and development, including by suppressing the price of pharmaceutical products below fair market value in foreign countries.”

Consistent with this directive, it is important that Commerce and USTR engage with U.S. trading partners to negotiate binding commitments to remove these market-distorting price controls.

Currently, dozens of countries—including those with longstanding pricing policies affecting U.S. pharmaceutical products—have expressed interest or are currently undergoing tariff negotiations. Now is the time for Commerce and USTR to clarify top priorities, capitalize on opportunities, and resolve unfair foreign government policies in support of American workers and patients.

Given the complexity of the issues and their importance to the American public, we urge the Administration to immediately designate a senior political official at USTR to lead the effort to secure and enforce pharmaceutical pricing commitments through trade negotiations and also to promptly nominate a qualified individual to fill the vacant position of Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator. Congress created this important position in 2015 to “address acts, policies, and practices of foreign governments that have a significant adverse impact on the value of United States innovation.” Once filled, we recommend this role—supported by a team within USTR—be charged with leading this effort.

Appointing an experienced Chief Innovation and Intellectual Property Negotiator would send a strong signal to our trading partners that the United States is committed to addressing imbalanced pharmaceutical pricing and ensuring that any commitments secured are effectively implemented and enforced over the long term.

We look forward to working with you as you confront these longstanding and unfair price controls that leave Americans disproportionately funding global health care innovation. Eliminating these egregious practices could increase investment in medical research and development by billions of dollars and lower overall health care costs for Americans. In addition, encouraging foreign governments to appropriately value medicines developed and produced in the United States would significantly bolster U.S. exports and jobs. We appreciate your continued attention to this issue and stand ready to support efforts that promote fair and sustainable trade outcomes.

Sincerely,”

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville Exposes Left-wing Bias in NPR, PBS on Ingraham Angle

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined Ingraham Angle on Fox News to tout the Senate passing President Trump’s first rescissions package that cuts taxpayer funding for woke propaganda outlets like NPR and PBS.

Excerpts from the interview can be found below and the full interview can be viewed on YouTube or Rumble.

INGRAHAM: “Senator, when you think about what the complaints were—a lot of them were centered on the stories that NPR—let’s focus on NPR for a moment and NewsHour, but NPR especially—chose to cover. So it was the plight of transgender kids, it was the ice flows getting smaller in Antarctica, it was the various other minority interests, it was anti-Trump, but a lot of the time it was the stories they covered and not the stuff let’s say conservative parents were worried about—keeping parents out of school during COVID, etcetera, etcetera.”

TUBERVILLE: “Well Laura, we did our research on this. We don’t just vote on something and say we’re going to cut something. 90% of the product that they were putting out on NPR was left-leaning. Very little right. Anything positive about the right was never on. And so, we did our due diligence. We looked at it all. We were about 30 years too late. This should have been gone a long time ago. After the internet, after the Weather Channel all over the news for 24 hours. People can get their news [without public broadcasting]. They can get their weather [without public broadcasting]. Farmers are not going to miss this. [NPR and PBS has] been a disaster. It is a left-wing propaganda network. It is gone. And thank God.”

INGRAHAM: “Jason, of course the Democrats losing a propaganda machine—it’s not sitting too well with them. They’re mad. Watch. […]”

“Jason, they are fighting to keep funding organizations that American taxpayers partly funded and knew and understood with their very eyes—were biased. But they think they can win on saying, ‘Oh, you killed Big Bird.’ That’s gonna be their argument. ‘You killed Big Bird. Put us back into control.’”

CHAFFETZ: “Yeah, ‘people are going to die’ is just sort of the common week in and week out thing. Seriously? By not having PBS broadcasts down in Blanding, Utah? You think people are going to die because of that? I’m tired of paying it. We’re $36 trillion dollars in debt, folks. We gotta make some cuts around here. We lived high on the hog when you Democrats had all the control, just kept spending money, wasn’t responsible, and for that CEO to go before Congress and go back on television and start lecturing us about how fair and balanced she is—are you kidding me? How about looking at all the stories? Because Congress did, and she is flat-out, totally wrong, and now she doesn’t have any money—at least not from taxpayers.”

INGRAHAM: “Well Senator, last year a whistleblower actually testified—a whistleblower of sorts, he’s a former staffer of NPR—and he was like, ‘Look, there’s credence to what the conservatives are saying. The people who work there, the people who are getting paid, making salaries—they all think the same way.’ I’m summing up his point of view. So, insiders were even blowing the lid off this.”

TUBERVILLE: “Yeah, we looked at the employment of the NPR and the people that were employed there and did some background stuff. They were all DEI. They were all woke. And so, they get what they asked for. At the end of the day, they thought that Democrats were going to continue to control [the government] for years and years and years, and they stuck their foot in their mouth by spending way too much money for several years—open borders. Trump gets back in, and he was bound and determined to get rid of this. Now, it was like pulling teeth to get this thing passed. We almost didn’t get it done because of the three of four people on the Republican side. It was close, just like the [One] Big Beautiful Bill was. But, at the end of the day, we got it done.”

INGRAHAM: “Well Senator, Jason—both of you—thank you very much tonight.”

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan Recognizes “Riverboat Discovery” Co-Founder Mary Binkley as “Alaskan of the Week”

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

07.21.25

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) recognized longtime Fairbanks resident and tourism pioneer Mary Binkley on the Senate floor last week. For 75 years, Mary has been a central figure in Alaska’s visitor industry, co-founding the iconic Riverboat Discovery and helping to showcase the culture, history, and beauty of Interior Alaska to generations of travelers. She was recognized as part of Sen. Sullivan’s series, “Alaskan of the Week.”

Click here or the image above to watch Sen. Sullivan’s remarks.

Tribute to Mary Binkley

Mr. President, what I really want to do is do something that I think is probably the best highlight of Thursday speeches in the Senate—I think the pages all certainly agree; they are all nodding—for the people watching across America. It is the “Alaskan of the Week.” This is a great tradition. I have been doing it for many, many years. I try to get down here on the Senate floor on Thursday, wrapping up—not every week but a lot of weeks. And I like to talk about an Alaskan who is doing something really important for our State, community, maybe the country, maybe the world, and then talk a little bit about what is going on back home. So I am going to do that.

But we also had another neat tradition today here in the Senate: our Thursday lunch group in the Senate on the Republican side. One Senator hosts lunch for his or her colleagues and talks a little bit about their home State. Today was my opportunity to host. I am not bragging, but I do think when Senator Murkowski and I—and by the way, Senator Collins, with Maine lobster—but when Senator Murkowski and I host, we have good attendance because we have great seafood: fresh halibut, fresh salmon. We did that. I did that again today. It was great. The whole room was decorated with Alaskan perfect peonies. We have great peonies in Alaska too—holy cow. So this is a perfect time for the “Alaskan of the Week.”

First, I want to give a little snapshot of what is going on back home, what life is like in Alaska right now. The midnight sun is out. A few weeks ago, I was in Fairbanks, the home of Mary Binkley, who is our Alaskan of the Week—we are going to talk a lot about Mary—and we had our famous Midnight Sun Baseball Game. Thousands of baseball fans across the world, literally, come to see this game, which started in 1906. Some minors, some military guys came together for a baseball game in 1906. It is going strong more than 100 years later.

This year, the Fairbanks Goldpanners played the Glacier Pilots, an Anchorage baseball team that is part of the Alaska Baseball Summer League. Now, this is one of the premier collegiate summer baseball leagues in the country. It is something a lot of people don’t know about. I was talking a little bit about it at our lunch today. Great college players come to Alaska to play baseball under the midnight sun, and so many of them have gone on to do great things. So many of them have not only gone on to the majors; so many of them have gone on to the Baseball Hall of Fame and have been some of America’s greatest players. Think about it. All these guys came up to Alaska to play summer baseball: Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds, Tom Seaver, Dave Winfield, Randy Johnson, Andy Messersmith. This is hall-of-fame baseball. And we get that in Alaska. It is really a great league. So if you are a baseball fan, make sure you come up to Fairbanks for next year’s game.

We were also in Fairbanks a couple of weeks ago, and I had the opportunity to run the Midnight Sun Run 10K. It is a great run—again, people from all over the world. We had 4,000 runners this year. I do it every year. I am definitely getting slower, but it is one fun 10K. It is great. So come on up if you are a racer. You will love that one too.

So while you are in Fairbanks, if you come up for a game or the 10K, make sure you get out on Fairbanks’ beautiful rivers, the lifeblood of the community. When you do so, on a sunny summer day on the Chena River or the Tanana, chances are you will spot a vintage-style sternwheel paddleboat belonging to Riverboat Discovery gliding along the channel, carrying passengers through one of the most scenic river routes in Alaska—really, in the world. If you are one of those lucky passengers, there is a good chance you will catch sight of a familiar figure waving from the shore, and that is 99-year-old Mary Binkley, cofounder of Riverboat Discovery and our Alaskan of the Week.

So let’s dive into the Alaska institution that is Riverboat Discovery. This year, we will celebrate—the Binkley family will celebrate—the 75th anniversary of this incredible institution. Now, it is made up of three iconic paddleboats: Discovery I, Discovery II, and Discovery III. Riverboat Discovery shows off the best of Alaska’s interior landscape, including a bush plane demonstration, a visit to a recreated Athabascan Native village, and learning about traditional subsistence lifestyles. For tourists, it is a 3-hour snapshot of Alaskan history. For locals, it is a beloved institution and a summer job for many young Fairbanksans, including my sister-in-law Janine, who many, many years ago worked for Riverboat Discovery.

While Riverboat Discovery preserves the history of the interior, the Binkley family, who has owned and operated Riverboat Discovery for 75 years, has its own great history of Alaskan grit and innovation and hospitality and generosity. The center of that history and that great family, the Binkleys, is Mary Binkley, our Alaskan of the Week.

She was born in Vernonia, OR, in 1926—the youngest of six children. You know that is a tough time in our country’s history. Mary’s story began in hardship. Her mother passed away soon after her birth. Her father, a logger, couldn’t raise the children alone. Her siblings were scattered, but they were bonded for life.

Her brothers, who went on to become fishermen off the coast of rugged Kodiak, AK—rugged but beautiful Kodiak, AK—wanted something for their baby sister Mary. They scraped together a college scholarship fund, determined that Mary would be the first in the family to attend college. Isn’t that great—brothers taking care of the little sister?

So Mary, from Oregon, journeyed north to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she had a cousin who was a professor there. It was at UAF, as we call it in Alaska, that she met a young, handsome riverboat captain named Jim Binkley, a third-generation steamboater from Wrangell, AK. They married back in Mary’s home State of Oregon in 1946 but quickly returned to Fairbanks that same year.

With nothing more than a $4,000 loan and a dream, Jim and Mary purchased their first vessel, the Godspeed, and began a river cruise business that would become synonymous with Fairbanks tourism and the interior Alaska river culture. Mary greeted every guest personally, often serving as a tour guide, a deckhand, and a hospitality manager all in one. To her, they weren’t just tourists; they were her guests.

She worked alongside her husband Jim, the captain. And the popularity in Alaska—in America—of this riverboat cruise on one of Fairbanks’ great rivers grew and kept growing. By 1955, the Godspeed could no longer keep up with the demand, so Jim built the Discovery I in his backyard with Mary by his side. Jim called her his “lifeline and anchor.”

Mary did it all: first mate, deckhand, ticket taker, mother of four kids—who, by the way, have grown up to be pillars of the Alaska community in so many ways. I could do whole speeches on the Binkley kids. Later, she was a grandmother while watching three generations of Binkleys get involved in this great family business. And they have expanded into other things really important to Alaska. Taking tickets with Mary remains a rite of passage for Binkley grandchildren to this day.

As the tour company expanded, Mary remained its heart—greeting travelers on the riverbanks, hiring Alaska Native guides to share their knowledge and traditions of Native Athabascan life during Chena Village visits, and helping to craft that Alaskan hospitality that guests feel to this day. “My grandma has the ability to make meaningful connections with perfect strangers,” her granddaughter Kai recently said. “She treats them less like tourists and more like family.” That is Mary. Everybody who meets her thinks she is incredible.

So this fleet, the Binkley fleet, would grow and continue to grow to Discovery II, launched in 1971, which was a converted freighter; then Discovery III, in 1987, a grand, 900-passenger vessel, launched fittingly on the Fourth of July in Fairbanks. That day, as the boat pulled away from the dock, generations of Binkleys waved from the deck. Waving from the shore was Mary, and she still is waving from that same Fairbanks riverbank at 99 years young.

So what began in 1950 as a modest river tour on a converted missionary boat has grown into the cornerstone of Fairbanks’ tourism economy, and Mary has been at the center of it all—welcoming guests, sharing the experience, and setting a tone of genuine hospitality that endures to this day. At 99 years young, Mary is still part of the fabric of the business, waving from the riverbank as Discovery III rounds the river bend.

This weekend, the Binkley family will gather together to celebrate 75 years of operation but, more importantly, 75 years of a family legacy with Mary at the front and center. More than 500 family members and friends and guests from across America and from across Alaska will join Mary at Steamboat Landing this Saturday for a nighttime cruise on the Discovery III, which will be a fitting celebration for this incredible woman and incredible family behind an Alaskan institution.

So congratulations, Riverboat Discovery, to 75 years. And to Mary: Congratulations on one of the most prestigious awards you can ever receive—the Alaskan of the Week from the U.S. Senate.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 4070, Tren de Aragua Border Security Threat Assessment Act

Source: US Congressional Budget Office

H.R. 4070 would require the Department of Homeland Security to provide the Congress an assessment of the threat to U.S. border security posed by Tren de Aragua (a transnational criminal organization that originated in Venezuela). The bill also would require the department to submit a strategic plan to the Congress outlining the approach the United States should take to counter those threats.

On the basis of information about similar requirements, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025-2030 period. Such spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is David Rafferty. The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

Phillip L. Swagel

Director, Congressional Budget Office

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor, Newark roofing contractor reach settlement agreement affirming $155K penalty for multiple violations

Source: US Department of Labor

NEWARK, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor and a Newark roofing contractor have reached a settlement agreement resolving litigation stemming from investigations last summer that found the employer repeatedly exposed workers to fall and safety hazards at two worksites.

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initially investigated RRC Home Improvement Inc. in June 2024 at a worksite in Dover, New Jersey after receiving reports of employees working on a roof without fall protection. In July 2024, investigations began at RRC worksites in Lodi as part of the agency’s National Emphasis Program for Falls in Construction. Inspectors again observed employees working without required fall protection. OSHA also uncovered violations involving lack of hard hats, eye protection, and fire extinguishers, as well as non-compliant pump jack scaffold poles and unsafe ladder use.

The settlement agreement between OSHA and RRC Home Improvement affirms the citations issued after the 2024 inspections, which included four willful and seven serious violations. The company also agreed to pay a $155,000 penalty.

As part of the settlement, the company agreed to implement enhanced abatement measures, including reporting all jobsites to OSHA before commencing work and providing OSHA with a written site-specific fall protection plan for the worksite, including certification that all employees have completed a fall protection training course.

Learn more about OSHA.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Federal investigators cite waste management company for failure to implement confined space entry requirements resulting in worker fatality

Source: US Department of Labor

CLEVELAND – A U.S. Department of Labor investigation found that Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc., a Massachusetts-based environmental and hazardous waste management service provider, failed to properly ventilate a confined space containing organic chemical residue at a customer’s facility in Twinsburg, Ohio, resulting in a worker fatality.

The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined the employer failed to implement legally mandated permit-required space entry requirements. Specifically, OSHA found that the employer failed to ventilate, test the environment and use non-entry rescue equipment, including a tripod, mechanical winch, and full-body retrieval harness.

OSHA cited Clean Harbors Environmental Services Inc. for violations including three willful and proposed $602,938 in penalties.

Employers can visit OSHA’s website for information about confined space entry safety requirements, and contact the agency for information about OSHA’s compliance assistance resources and for free help complying with OSHA standards.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: United States Announces Successful Resolution of Rapid Response Labor Mechanism Matter at Modern Metal Alloys, S.A. de C.V.
Source: US Department of Labor

WASHINGTON – The United States today announced the successful resolution of the USMCA Rapid Response Labor Mechanism (RRM) matter at the Modern Metal Alloys, S.A. de C.V. (MMA) facility, located in Querétaro, Mexico. The United States has resumed liquidation of tariffs on goods from the MMA facility, which manufactures aluminum for the production of auto parts.

The resolution is another win for the Trump Administration, whose America First approach ensures our trade partners do not undermine worker protections to gain an unfair trade advantage or attract investment.

The Mexican government, the Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative facilitated a resolution with MMA to remediate workers’ claims.

Actions taken by the facility to address the matter include:
- Offering reinstatement with backpay and providing full severance to one worker who had been dismissed in retaliation for his union activity;
- Restoring workers to prior work assignments held before they were reassigned in retaliation for union activity;
- Granting the union holding the certificate of representation access to the company’s facility;
- Negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with the union holding the certificate of representation;
- Adopting, disseminating, and implementing a neutrality statement and company guidelines on freedom of association and collective bargaining, including a zero-tolerance policy for violations, and training all company personnel on the neutrality commitments and company guidelines; and
- Providing a complaint mechanism for workers to anonymously report any violations of their rights and breaches of company guidelines on freedom of association and collective bargaining.
Actions taken by the Government of Mexico (Mexico) to address the matter include:
- Delivering in-person trainings for all company personnel on freedom of association and collective bargaining;
- Offering an email address for workers to anonymously report any intimidation, coercion, or threats with respect to their selection of a union and union activities; non-neutrality concerning unions who represent or seek to represent workers; or interference in internal union affairs; and
- Monitoring the facility and engaging with the workers and the company throughout its review period.
Based on these measures, the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Greer, has directed the Secretary of the Treasury to resume liquidation of unliquidated entries of goods from the facility.

The RRM, developed under the first Trump Administration, is an unprecedented trade tool that helps to level the playing field for American workers and businesses, by preventing Mexican businesses from gaining a competitive advantage by violating labor laws.

The United States Trade Representative and the Secretary of Labor co-chair the Interagency Labor Committee for Monitoring and Enforcement (ILC). On March 17, 2025, the ILC received an RRM petition from the Secretary General of the Sindicato Industrial de Trabajadores de la Transformación, Construcción, Automotriz, Agropecuaria, Plásticos y de la Industria en General, del Comercio y Servicios, Similares, Anexos y Conexos del Estado de Querétaro, “Angel Castillo Resendiz” (Transformación Sindical), a Mexican labor union. The petition alleged that MMA had violated workers’ rights by failing to recognize the legitimacy of Transformación Sindical, which holds the certificate of representation; refusing to sign a collective bargaining agreement; denying Transformación Sindical access to the facility; harassing and engaging in reprisals against workers due to their union activity, including through dismissal; and promoting and pressuring workers to affiliate with a company-aligned union. The ILC reviews RRM petitions that it receives, and the accompanying information, within 30 days. Department of Labor attachés visited Querétaro to conduct interviews with the company, workers and the union, and collect additional case evidence that was used in the ILC’s analysis of the claims alleged in the petition. The ILC determined that there was sufficient, credible evidence of a denial of rights enabling the good faith invocation of enforcement mechanisms.

As a result, on April 16, 2025, the United States Trade Representative submitted a request to Mexico to review the matter. Mexico accepted the request and found that the company had taken the remedial steps necessary to address the alleged denials of rights related to freedom of association and collective bargaining. The United States subsequently engaged in further negotiation with MMA, after which MMA agreed to take additional remedial actions.

As a result of the above actions taken by the facility and Mexico to resolve the action, the United States agrees that there is no ongoing denial of rights. Ambassador Greer’s letter directing the Secretary of the Treasury to resume liquidation of unliquidated entries of goods from the facility is available here.

Learn more about the department’s work to defend American workers and end foreign labor abuse.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Two Mexican Nationals Sentenced for Roles in Black Market Peso Exchange Money Laundering Scheme

Source: United States Attorneys General 6

Two Mexican nationals were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison to 55 months each in prison for their roles in a two-year, multimillion-dollar trade-based money laundering conspiracy to move drug trafficking proceeds through Texas to Mexico.

According to court documents, Mauricio Anzures-Zarate, 53, of Mexico City, Mexico, and Beatriz Salcedo-Carreon, 63, of Guadalajara, Mexico, participated in a sophisticated, international money laundering conspiracy to transfer funds from the sale of illegal drugs in the United States to cartels in Mexico without physically transporting money across the U.S.-Mexico border. The conspirators concealed those funds through the movement of goods between the two countries.

“The defendants used an elaborate, trade-based money laundering scheme to exploit our financial system and transfer the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking from the United States to Mexico,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “These financial facilitators actively promoted cartel operations in cities across the United States, which enabled the flow of deadly narcotics into our communities. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue the total elimination of cartels and the money launderers who enable their pernicious activities.”

“The lifeblood of any drug trafficking organization is the uninterrupted flow of cash,” said U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei for the Southern District of Texas. “Here, defendants laundered drug proceeds through a sophisticated trade-based scheme. This criminal operation, and others like it, put money in the pockets of the cartels and endangered lives on both sides of the border. Taking this conspiracy out of commission is a great win, but it’s just the beginning.”

“Despite the sophisticated tactics used to conceal profits made from smuggling poison into our country by the Mexican cartels, our expertise enabled us to dismantle their thriving operations,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge William Kimbell of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Houston Division. “DEA, along with its federal counterparts, has dealt a significant blow to the finances of the Mexican cartels through the incredible investigative work of our agents. If we trace your money activities back to the cartels, you will have your day in court and will face justice.”

“Anzures-Zarate and Salcedo-Carreon thought they could escape justice, but found our reach extends past the money trail they left,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Lucy Tan of IRS Criminal Investigation’s (IRS-CI) Houston Field Office. “They conspired to use black market peso exchanges, which are one of the classic methods to launder drug dollars, and a method that leaves a traceable trail to the cartels. For businesses that get approached for a quick cash sale to transport goods into Central and South America, remember that we will find you because your greed leaves evidence.”

According to court documents, the defendants directed money couriers to collect drug proceeds in numerous U.S. cities and then transfer the funds to Laredo, Texas, to be laundered through local businesses. As part of the scheme, store owners in downtown Laredo accepted the drug proceeds as payment for merchandise to be exported to businesses in Mexico. In furtherance of the conspiracy, Salcedo-Carreon, Anzures-Zarate, and others instructed the Mexican businesses to transfer pesos to accounts or people in Mexico who were affiliated with cartels. Through this trade-based money laundering scheme, Mexican cartels disguised illicit drug proceeds as legitimate international commercial transactions and received laundered drug proceeds in Mexico without physically transporting cash across the U.S.-Mexico border. Eight other defendants were previously convicted and sentenced for their roles in the money laundering conspiracy. Anzures-Zarate was ordered to pay a money judgement of $1,176,165 and Salcedo-Carreon was ordered to pay a money judgement of $887,269.

The DEA and IRS-CI investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and the Criminal Division’s Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section’s Office of Judicial Attaché in Bogotá, Colombia provided significant assistance in this matter. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs worked with law enforcement partners in Mexico to secure the arrest and April 2024 extradition of Salcedo-Carreon.

Trial Attorneys Keith H. Liddle and Stephanie Williamson of the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lance Watt, Amanda Gould, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney José Angel Moreno for the Southern District of Texas prosecuted the case.

MIL Security OSI –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tiffany Announces Nearly $1 Million for Superior Shipyards

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tom Tiffany (WI-07)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07) announced that Fraser Shipyards in Superior will receive $817,146.23 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The funding comes through the Small Shipyard Grant Program, which Congressman Tiffany has long supported. The funding will help Fraser Shipyards purchase a Link-Belt 130-ton Telescopic Boom Rough Terrain Crane to enhance its operations.

“The Trump administration’s commitment to maritime dominance is producing real results for small shipyards across the country, including right here in Wisconsin,” said Congressman Tiffany. “This investment not only strengthens our domestic supply chain and bolsters national security, but also supports the future of shipbuilding in the Twin Ports region.”

You can read more from the DOT here.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Community-led service supports people in crisis in Kamloops
Source: Government of Canada regional news

People experiencing a mental-health or substance-use crisis in Kamloops now have access to more services to help them stabilize and connect to the support they need.

“When someone is in crisis, being met with understanding and compassion can change everything,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “This service in Kamloops brings together health-care professionals and people with lived experience to offer support that is timely and empathetic, and it’s making a meaningful difference.”

Crisis Response, Community-Led (CRCL, pronounced “circle”), formerly known as Peer Assisted Care Teams, is a mobile, community-led crisis service that serves people 13 and older who are experiencing a mental-health or substance-use crisis. This might include thoughts of suicide or self-harm, feelings of grief, distress, panic or anxiety, and/or acting in ways that are distressing.

The team is a combination of mental-health professionals and people with lived experience, who are trained in providing trauma-informed, culturally safe crisis support.

“Launching the CRCL service in another community is a crucial advancement in building a comprehensive crisis support network across B.C.,” said Jonny Morris, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA BC). “We commend the Province for recognizing the critical need for community crisis response in our communities. These highly skilled crisis response teams have proven their ability to change and save lives across B.C., and we’re confident Kamloops will experience these same vital benefits.”

The CRCL team helps de-escalate, ensures and plans for the immediate safety of the person in crisis, and connects them to services to support their longer-term needs. This service also helps free up policing resources to focus on crime and aids in preventing unnecessary demand on hospital emergency departments by supporting people in community.

The Kamloops CRCL is a partnership between CMHA BC and the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society, which delivers the service locally. The service soft-launched with a small number of community partners in February 2025. Since then, approximately 50 people have been supported. The team is available noon until 8 p.m., Monday to Friday and can be reached at 778 740-2725.

“CRCL humanizes mental health by meeting people first as human beings, and not just as cases in crisis,” said Amanda McGillvray, a CRCL Kamloops worker. “I’ve had the privilege of supporting people in some of their most vulnerable moments, and those moments of trust, respect and simple kindness have stayed with me. CRCL reminds us that dignity, empathy and safety should be at the heart of every crisis response, and no one should have to navigate that experience alone.”

In addition to Kamloops, five CRCLs are in operation in Victoria, North Vancouver and West Vancouver, New Westminster, Prince George and the Comox Valley.

Expanding CRCL is part of the Province’s Safer Communities Action Plan and supports the plan’s goal of creating safe, healthy communities for everyone. Enhancing supports for people living with mental-health and substance-use challenges is an integral part of government’s work to build a full continuum of mental-health and substance-use care.

Quotes:

Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions –

“In a mental-health or substance-use crisis, feeling supported and safe can make all the difference. In Kamloops, compassionate crisis responders will be there to listen, understand and guide people toward the care and support that can make a real difference.”

Cal Albright, executive director, Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society –

“The Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society has a mission statement that in part provides culturally and inclusive programs and services. We are honoured to provide a much-needed mental-health crisis program we call CRCL to all people of Kamloops. We know the stress of daily living – whether you’re homeless or a university student, and are available to assist everyone in their crisis.”

Quick Facts:
- CRCL launched in 2021 in North Vancouver and West Vancouver, and in January 2023, expanded to Victoria and New Westminster.
- In July 2023, government announced the expansion of CRCL to Comox Valley, Prince George and Kamloops.
- Collectively, CRCL teams have responded to more than 10,000 calls since January 2023.
- In 2024, teams responded to almost 6,000 calls, 99% of which were handled by CRCL teams and did not require police involvement.
- CRCL is creating a growing specialized workforce of crisis responders in B.C., employing more than 125 people in six communities throughout B.C.
Learn More:

Learn about CRCL: https://crcl.ca/

Learn about mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C.: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/

MIL OSI Canada News –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Community-led service supports people in crisis in Kamloops
Source: Government of Canada regional news

People experiencing a mental-health or substance-use crisis in Kamloops now have access to more services to help them stabilize and connect to the support they need.

“When someone is in crisis, being met with understanding and compassion can change everything,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “This service in Kamloops brings together health-care professionals and people with lived experience to offer support that is timely and empathetic, and it’s making a meaningful difference.”

Crisis Response, Community-Led (CRCL, pronounced “circle”), formerly known as Peer Assisted Care Teams, is a mobile, community-led crisis service that serves people 13 and older who are experiencing a mental-health or substance-use crisis. This might include thoughts of suicide or self-harm, feelings of grief, distress, panic or anxiety, and/or acting in ways that are distressing.

The team is a combination of mental-health professionals and people with lived experience, who are trained in providing trauma-informed, culturally safe crisis support.

“Launching the CRCL service in another community is a crucial advancement in building a comprehensive crisis support network across B.C.,” said Jonny Morris, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA BC). “We commend the Province for recognizing the critical need for community crisis response in our communities. These highly skilled crisis response teams have proven their ability to change and save lives across B.C., and we’re confident Kamloops will experience these same vital benefits.”

The CRCL team helps de-escalate, ensures and plans for the immediate safety of the person in crisis, and connects them to services to support their longer-term needs. This service also helps free up policing resources to focus on crime and aids in preventing unnecessary demand on hospital emergency departments by supporting people in community.

The Kamloops CRCL is a partnership between CMHA BC and the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society, which delivers the service locally. The service soft-launched with a small number of community partners in February 2025. Since then, approximately 50 people have been supported. The team is available noon until 8 p.m., Monday to Friday and can be reached at 778 740-2725.

“CRCL humanizes mental health by meeting people first as human beings, and not just as cases in crisis,” said Amanda McGillvray, a CRCL Kamloops worker. “I’ve had the privilege of supporting people in some of their most vulnerable moments, and those moments of trust, respect and simple kindness have stayed with me. CRCL reminds us that dignity, empathy and safety should be at the heart of every crisis response, and no one should have to navigate that experience alone.”

In addition to Kamloops, five CRCLs are in operation in Victoria, North Vancouver and West Vancouver, New Westminster, Prince George and the Comox Valley.

Expanding CRCL is part of the Province’s Safer Communities Action Plan and supports the plan’s goal of creating safe, healthy communities for everyone. Enhancing supports for people living with mental-health and substance-use challenges is an integral part of government’s work to build a full continuum of mental-health and substance-use care.

Quotes:

Amna Shah, parliamentary secretary for mental health and addictions –

“In a mental-health or substance-use crisis, feeling supported and safe can make all the difference. In Kamloops, compassionate crisis responders will be there to listen, understand and guide people toward the care and support that can make a real difference.”

Cal Albright, executive director, Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society –

“The Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society has a mission statement that in part provides culturally and inclusive programs and services. We are honoured to provide a much-needed mental-health crisis program we call CRCL to all people of Kamloops. We know the stress of daily living – whether you’re homeless or a university student, and are available to assist everyone in their crisis.”

Quick Facts:
- CRCL launched in 2021 in North Vancouver and West Vancouver, and in January 2023, expanded to Victoria and New Westminster.
- In July 2023, government announced the expansion of CRCL to Comox Valley, Prince George and Kamloops.
- Collectively, CRCL teams have responded to more than 10,000 calls since January 2023.
- In 2024, teams responded to almost 6,000 calls, 99% of which were handled by CRCL teams and did not require police involvement.
- CRCL is creating a growing specialized workforce of crisis responders in B.C., employing more than 125 people in six communities throughout B.C.
Learn More:

Learn about CRCL: https://crcl.ca/

Learn about mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C.: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/

MIL OSI Canada News –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Read More (Rep. Steube Partners with Sen. Banks to Protect Biological Reality at Work)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

July 21, 2025 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) joined with Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) today in introducing the Restoring Biological Truth to the Workplace Act. This bill reinforces President Trump’s E.O. 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, by protecting Americans from workplace discrimination and retaliation for affirming there are two genders. The Restoring Biological Truth to the Workplace Act is cosponsored by Representatives Barry Moore and Nancy Mace. “Americans should never be punished for saying there are only two genders: male and female,” said Rep. Steube. “Acknowledging reality is not grounds for termination. My bill protects workers from retaliation for refusing to conform with radical gender ideology. I am grateful to partner with Senator Banks to make sure that no American is fired, demoted, or silenced for standing up for truth.”The Restoring Biological Truth to the Workplace Act is the House companion to legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Jim Banks this Congress.“This bill is about protecting common sense,” said Senator Banks. “Americans shouldn’t fear losing their jobs simply for acknowledging the basic reality of biological sex.”Background: The bill strengthens employee protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by making clear that employers cannot punish or retaliate against employees who express the view that there are only two sexes or who use workplace facilities consistent with their biological sex.The legislation affirms:

The right of employees to state that individuals are biologically male or female, both on and off the job;
The right to use restrooms, changing rooms, and other sex-specific spaces based on biological sex;
That employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who refuse to affirm or participate in gender ideology policies;
That employer pretexts to discipline such employees will not be tolerated under federal civil rights law.

Rep. Steube previously introduced the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act and continues to lead on legislation defending biological reality and standing up to leftist gender extremism.Read the full bill text here.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Launches Second Investigation into George Mason University

Source: US State of North Dakota

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division announced today that it has launched an investigation into George Mason University to determine whether the University has denied equal treatment of individuals based on race or national origin, in violation of Title VI.

The compliance review investigation will examine whether George Mason University, a recipient of federal financial assistance, has engaged in discriminatory practices based on race, color, or national origin against its students. It will be conducted pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits a recipient of federal funds from discrimination based on such protected characteristics. Institutions of higher education that are governed by Title VI are to protect students’ unfettered access to the school’s educational environment and opportunities, free from discrimination. The investigation will focus on discrimination against students based on race or national origin in George Mason’s admissions practices and the awarding of student benefits and scholarships. It will also investigate the University’s response to antisemitism on campus.

“Public educational institutions are contractually obligated to follow our nation’s federal civil rights laws when receiving federal funds,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one should be denied access to opportunity or resources because of their race, color, or national origin, and the United States is committed to keeping our universities free of such invidious bias.”

Note: Review the notice letter here.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan and Manitoba Advance Interprovincial Trade
Source: Government of Canada regional news

Released on July 21, 2025

Provinces sign agreement on mutual recognition, labour mobility and direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol sales.

Today, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on enhancing interprovincial trade between the two jurisdictions.

“Saskatchewan is standing strong through the storm that is our current trade challenges,” Moe said. “Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been strong trading partners through the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. Together, we are encouraging other jurisdictions to join Canada’s most ambitious domestic trade agreement, and we are building on our economic relationship through further trade collaboration, for example, on direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol sales.”

Much like the MOUs Saskatchewan has signed with Ontario and PEI, today’s agreement includes commitments to move forward on a framework for DTC alcohol sales and facilitate mutual recognition. Improving labour mobility and trade are at the heart of this MOU, while remaining focused on strengthening public safety and maintaining the role of crown corporations.

“This agreement reflects Manitoba’s ongoing efforts to build a stronger, more unified Canadian economy, one where goods, services and workers can move more freely between provinces, while maintaining the highest standards for health and safety” said Kinew. “By working with partners across the nation, we are unlocking opportunities for people and businesses and building up this country we all love so much.”

The total value of interprovincial trade between Saskatchewan and Manitoba was over $6 billion in 2021.

This agreement comes on the heels of several new interprovincial trade announcements for the Government of Saskatchewan. This includes Moe inviting all Canadian premiers to join the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, Canada’s largest barrier-free interprovincial market.

The province continues to take part in the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT), which includes enhancing the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), reducing regulatory and administrative burdens to interprovincial trade and facilitating labour mobility.

On July 8, CIT announced significant progress, including:
- Reducing party-specific exceptions under the CFTA by a further 30 per cent.
- Concluding negotiations of the financial services chapter.
- Advancing mutual recognition through a pilot project in the trucking sector and negotiating towards a mutual recognition agreement on the sale of goods.
- Cross-Canada commitment to a 30-day service standard for processing labour mobility applications.
- An DTC MOU on DTC alcohol sales, co-led by Saskatchewan and Ontario, involving ten jurisdictions across Canada to support consumers being able to order their favourite Canadian wine, spirit, beer or other alcoholic beverage, directly from the producer, for personal consumption.
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For more information, contact:

MIL OSI Canada News –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congresswomen Norma Torres and Kat Cammack Tour D.C. 911 Dispatch Center

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

July 21, 2025

Launch Bipartisan and Bicameral NextGen 911 Caucus

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) visited the District of Columbia’s Office of Unified Communications to meet with public safety telecommunicators and officially launch the Congressional NextGen 911 Caucus for the 119th Congress.

As the only bipartisan, bicameral organization in Congress focused exclusively on 911 emergency communications, the NextGen 911 Caucus plays a critical role in educating lawmakers, constituents, and communities on the importance of modern, reliable, and responsive emergency response systems.

“Public safety telecommunicators are the unsung heroes on the frontlines of every emergency,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres “As a former 911 Dispatcher for 17 years, I know there is a lot of work needed to highlight and strengthen our 911 systems nationwide. That’s why I am proud to be the co-chair of the NextGen 911 Caucus. As we work to modernize our emergency response systems, it’s imperative that we give these professionals and the systems they rely on the support they deserve.”

“When you call 911, it’s often one of the worst moments of your life. That’s why it’s critical that our response system is fast, reliable, and built for the 21st century. The ability to text 911, send video, and deliver critical information to first responders before they arrive saves lives,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “As Co-Chair of the NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus, I’m committed to ensuring that all Americans—whether they live in a rural town or a major city—have access to a modern, responsive system.”

Public safety telecommunicators (PSTs) serve in more than 6,000 call centers nationwide. They are often the first voice a person hears in an emergency—coordinating responses from law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services. Beyond their daily lifesaving efforts, they often serve as critical witnesses in court proceedings and high-profile investigations.

However, America’s 911 systems are facing unprecedented challenges: from outdated technology and staffing shortages to increasing call volumes and evolving threats. The NextGen 911 Caucus is committed to ensuring federal support keeps pace with these demands by promoting advanced communication technologies, including text-to-911, real-time data sharing, and improved interoperability between agencies.

Members of the caucus include: Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) Richard Hudson (R-NC), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Brandon Gill (R-TX), James Comer (R-KY), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Jim Himes (D-CT), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Rick Larsen (D-WA), John B. Larson (D-CT), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Mike Rogers (R-AL), John Rutherford (R-FL), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), Joe Wilson (R-SC)

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Issues Disaster Declaration for Dawson County Following June Storms

Source: US State of Nebraska

. Pillen Issues Disaster Declaration for Dawson County Following June Storms

LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen issued a disaster declaration for Dawson County as a result of last month’s storms that hit the area. The June 29th and 30th severe thunderstorms brought exceptionally high winds and heavy rain, which caused significant damage to public property and infrastructure, including millions of dollars of damage to NPPD infrastructure.

Governor Pillen has directed the Nebraska Adjutant General, Major General Craig W. Strong – who also serves as State Disaster Coordinator – to activate appropriate State emergency plans.

The emergency disaster declaration will free up state funds and resources to assist the area as they work to address damage and other issues.

The State of Nebraska is likely to seek a Presidential Disaster Declaration to aid recovery from these storms.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Two Mexican Nationals Sentenced for Roles in Black Market Peso Exchange Money Laundering Scheme

Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

Headline: Two Mexican Nationals Sentenced for Roles in Black Market Peso Exchange Money Laundering Scheme

Two Mexican nationals were sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Keith P. Ellison to 55 months each in prison for their roles in a two-year, multimillion-dollar trade-based money laundering conspiracy to move drug trafficking proceeds through Texas to Mexico.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration for Gutting Critical Social Services
Source: US State of New York

EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in suing the federal administration to stop its unlawful attempt to gut lifesaving health, education, and social service programs for low-income families. Earlier this month, in a chaotic reversal of decades of agency policy, the administration issued sweeping new directives barring many safety net programs from serving all residents, regardless of immigration status. The changes threaten access to core services such as Head Start, Meals on Wheels, child welfare programs, domestic violence shelters, housing assistance, mental health treatment, food banks, and community health centers. Attorney General James and the coalition are asking the court to halt these policies and act quickly to prevent the collapse of some of the nation’s most vital public programs.

“For decades, states like New York have built health, education, and family support systems that serve anyone in need,” said Attorney General James. “These programs work because they are open, accessible, and grounded in compassion. Now, the federal government is pulling that foundation out from under us overnight, jeopardizing cancer screenings, early childhood education, primary care, and so much more. This is a baseless attack on some of our country’s most effective and inclusive public programs, and we will not let it stand.”

Starting on July 10, four federal agencies – the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Education (ED), Labor (DOL), and Justice (DOJ) – issued a coordinated set of rules and guidance documents reinterpreting the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), a 1996 law governing access to public benefits. For nearly three decades, under both Democratic and Republican administrations, federal agencies interpreted PRWORA to allow states to offer a wide range of essential services without regard to immigration status.

That changed abruptly with new notices issued under the president’s executive order, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.” The new policies redefine broad swaths of federally funded programs as restricted “federal public benefits,” now subject to immigration verification. These rules took effect immediately or with little notice, bypassing public input and ignoring real-world consequences. The policies apply not just to undocumented immigrants, but also to some people with legal status, including student visa holders, temporary workers, and exchange visitors. In addition, the attorneys general warn that even U.S. citizens and lawful residents could be denied services, as many low-income individuals lack government-issued identification.

Attorney General James and the coalition argue the policies are already causing significant disruption. The notices started to take effect almost immediately, and state programs face the risks of enforcement, endangering their federal funding. Providers, including those serving children, pregnant patients, refugees, and other vulnerable populations, are ill-equipped to implement the new policies under any timeline. Children in foster care, domestic violence survivors, people leaving homelessness, and many other vulnerable communities could lose access to some of their most critical supports. Although some charitable organizations remain exempt from the requirement to verify immigration status, states and their subgrantees are not. The attorneys general assert that in its rush to inflict harm on immigrant communities, the administration is poised to harm tens of thousands of low-income families, workers, and children, including U.S. citizens and lawful residents.

In New York, the consequences are especially alarming:
- Community Health Centers: New York’s 850 community health centers provide primary and preventative care to 2.4 million low-income residents, regardless of insurance or immigration status. These centers are often the only healthcare provider available in underserved communities. Without federal funding or reimbursement for treating patients whose status cannot be verified, many centers could be forced to close – leaving entire communities without access to vaccines, mammograms, wellness exams, and chronic disease care.
- Title X Family Planning Clinics: Title X clinics provide low- or no-cost reproductive care, STI testing, cancer screenings, and wellness exams to over 300,000 New Yorkers each year. In 2024, the state received more than $11 million in Title X funding – all of which may now be at risk unless clinics begin screening for verifying immigration status, a step providers call unworkable and deeply harmful.
- Anti-Poverty Programs: New York receives approximately $65 million annually through the Community Services Block Grant, which supports food, housing, utility assistance, and more. In 2023, the state’s Community Action Agencies served more than half a million New Yorkers, distributed 1.5 million boxes of food, and provided before- and after-school programs for over 200,000 students. Under the new rules, far fewer people will access these critical anti-poverty services – either because they lack ID or because they fear immigration-related repercussions.
- Early Childhood Education: Head Start provides early education to 43,000 low-income children at nearly 1,000 sites statewide and receives approximately $700 million in federal funding. New York’s Head Start providers warn that they may not have the ability or capacity to feasibly implement immigration screening. These programs are particularly fragile: when federal funding was temporarily frozen in January 2025, several centers shut down within days, forcing parents to miss work and threatening job stability.
- Behavioral Health: New York receives nearly $180 million annually in federal mental health and substance use block grant funding to support critical programs like crisis intervention teams, substance use disorder treatment, school-based mental health services, peer support networks, the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline, and jail diversion initiatives. These services are now at serious risk under the new federal rules. For many individuals with serious mental illness – including those experiencing homelessness – immigration status screening and documentation requirements may pose an insurmountable barrier to care. The New York Office of Mental Health also warns that these changes could severely undermine the state’s mental health infrastructure and further worsen the nationwide youth mental health crisis.
- Adult Education Services: More than 80,000 New Yorkers use Adult Career and Continuing Education Services (ACCES) each year to build literacy, earn high school equivalency diplomas, and gain career training. These programs are especially vital for new Americans and are essential to addressing workforce shortages. The administration’s rules would exclude thousands of learners overnight and destabilize the entire system. Providers warn they cannot implement the new requirements without gutting their mission and ability to serve.
The attorneys general argue that the federal government acted unlawfully by issuing sweeping new mandates without following the required rulemaking process, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. They also argue the administration grossly misread PRWORA, improperly applying it to entire programs rather than individual benefits, and generally failed to consider the sweeping and devastating impacts these changes would have on states. Finally, they assert the rules violate the Constitution’s Spending Clause, which requires the federal government to provide clear and fair notice of any new conditions on funding before states accept those funds.

Attorney General James and the coalition are asking the court to declare the new rules unlawful, halt their implementation through preliminary and permanent injunctions, vacate the rules and restore long-standing practice, and prevent the federal government from using PRWORA as a pretext to dismantle core safety net programs in the future.

Joining Attorney General James in filing this lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SEC Announces Roundtable on Trade-Through Prohibitions

Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that it will host a roundtable on September 18, 2025, to discuss trade-through prohibitions in the National Market System (NMS) stock and listed options markets.

“Reg NMS and its Rule 611 have not served investors or broker-dealers well, given the market distortion and resulting gamesmanship by those that seek to take advantage of the Reg NMS structure,” said Chairman Paul S. Atkins. “It is incumbent upon the Commission to give the public an opportunity to weigh in on items in our rulebook that deserve a refresh, and I look forward to the input we will receive on various aspects of the Rule 611 trade-through prohibition applicable to NMS stocks and the analogous NMS plan trade-through prohibition applicable to listed options.”

The roundtable will be open to the public and held at the SEC’s headquarters at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. The discussion will be streamed live on SEC.gov, and a recording will be posted at a later date.

Information regarding the roundtable’s agenda and speakers will be posted before the event. Please note that the number of in-person participants may be limited and visitors will be subject to security checks.

Members of the public who wish to provide their views on the current Rule 611 trade-through prohibition applicable to NMS stocks and the analogous NMS plan trade-through prohibition applicable to listed options may submit comments electronically or on paper. Please submit comments using one method only. Information that is submitted will become part of the public record of the roundtable and posted on the SEC’s website. All comments received will be posted without change. Persons submitting comments are cautioned that personal identifying information is not redacted or edited from comment submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make publicly available. All submissions should refer to File Number 4-862, and the file number should be included on the subject line if email is used.

Electronic Comments:

Use the SEC’s online submission form or send an email to rule-comments@sec.gov with “File Number 4-862” included in the subject line.

Paper Comments:

Send paper comments to Vanessa Countryman, Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-1090.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Albertsons Companies Stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas Voluntarily Recalls Select Items Containing Tuna Salad from Reser’s Fine Foods Due to an Ingredient Recall Linked to Possible Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

Summary

Company Announcement Date:
July 17, 2025
FDA Publish Date:
July 21, 2025
Product Type:
Food & BeveragesFoodborne Illness
Reason for Announcement:

Recall Reason Description
Potential Foodborne Illness – Listeria monocytogenes

Company Name:
Albertsons
Brand Name:

Brand Name(s)
Randalls, Albertsons

Product Description:

Product Description
Tuna Salad products

Company Announcement
Albertsons, Randalls and Tom Thumb stores in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas are voluntarily recalling select items containing tuna salad supplied by Reser’s Fine Foods. This action follows a recall initiated by Reser’s Fine Food due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes in breadcrumbs used as an ingredient in their tuna salad.
Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.
Consumers who have purchased these items are urged not to consume these products and to dispose of them or return the items to their local store for a full refund. The FDA recommends in these cases that anyone who purchased or received any recalled products to use extra vigilance in cleaning and sanitizing any surfaces and containers that may have come in contact with these products to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Listeria monocytogenes can survive in refrigerated temperatures and can easily spread to other foods and surfaces.
There have been no reports of injuries or adverse reactions due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
The items containing tuna salad were available for purchase at the following banner stores: Albertsons, Randalls and Tom Thumb in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas.
Consumers with questions should contact Albertsons Companies’ Customer Service Center at 1-877-723-3929 Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. PST.
Product Recall Details:

Product Name

UPC

Size

Sell Thru Dates (if applicable, Or Lot Code/Est. Number)

Store Banners

States

RM DUO TUNA SALAD W/CRACKER S

27183000000

EA

Jul 17 25 Thru Jul 19 25

Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb

AR, LA, OK, TX

RM SALAD TUNA PREMIUM SS

21425000000

EA

Jul 17 25 Thru Jul 19 25

Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb

AR, LA, OK, TX

RM SNACKER TRAY TUNA SALAD

21151300000

EA

Jul 17 25 Thru Jul 19 25

Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb

AR, LA, OK, TX

RM SNDWCH TUNA SALAD CROISSANT SS COLD

21788400000

EA

Jul 16 25 Thru Jul 18 25

Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb

AR, LA, OK, TX

RM TUNA SALAD OVER BED OF LETTUCE SS

21786400000

EA

Jul 16 25 Thru Jul 18 25

Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb

AR, LA, OK, TX

SALAD TUNA PREMIUM

21228800000

Variable Weight

Jul 17 25 Thru Jul 19 25

Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb

AR, LA, OK, TX

TRAY CROISSANT MINI SALAD 16 IN

27841300000

EA

Jul 16 25 Thru Jul 18 25

Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb

AR, LA, OK, TX

TRAY CROISSANT MINI SALAD 18 IN

27841200000

EA

Jul 16 25 Thru Jul 18 25

Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb

AR, LA, OK, TX

TRAY SALAD SANDWICH 12 IN

27841500000

EA

Jul 16 25 Thru Jul 18 25

Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb

AR, LA, OK, TX

TRAY SALAD SANDWICH 16 IN

27841400000

EA

Jul 16 25 Thru Jul 18 25

Albertsons, Randalls, Tom Thumb

AR, LA, OK, TX

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Albertsons Companies’ Customer Service Center
1-877-723-3929

Product Photos

Content current as of:
07/21/2025

Regulated Product(s)

Topic(s)

Follow FDA

MIL OSI USA News –

July 22, 2025