NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Rosen Introduce Legislation to Protect Sensitive Federal Data from DeepSeek, Adversarial AI Technologies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced the Protection Against Foreign Adversarial Artificial Intelligence Act of 2025 to prohibit federal contractors from using DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence (AI) platform with direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to fulfill contracts with federal agencies. DeepSeek poses a significant potential national security threat and is required by Chinese law to share the data it collects with the government of the People’s Republic of China and its intelligence agencies. Several U.S. states and allied nations have already moved to block DeepSeek from government devices due to critical security concerns.
    “AI is a powerful tool which can be used to enhance things like medicine and education. But in the wrong hands, it can be weaponized. By feeding sensitive data into systems like DeepSeek, we give China another weapon,” said Dr. Cassidy.
    “The U.S. must take steps to ensure Americans’ data and our government systems are protected against cyber threats from foreign adversaries,” said Senator Rosen. “This bipartisan legislation would prevent federal contractors from using Deepseek, a CCP-linked AI platform, when carrying out government work. I will continue working across party lines to bolster our national security and protect Americans’ data.”
    Specifically, the Protection Against Foreign Adversarial Artificial Intelligence Act of 2025 would:
    Prohibit federal contractors with an active federal contract from using DeepSeek, and any successor application developed by High-Flyer, for the fulfillment, assistance, execution, or otherwise support to complete, or support in part, a contract with an agency of the U.S. federal government. 
    Allow the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the U.S. Secretary of Defense, may provide a waiver, if necessary, on a case-by-case basis for national security-related or research purposes.
    Include a report to Congress from the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the U.S. Secretary of Defense, on the national security and economic espionage threats posed by AI platforms from adversarial nations, such as China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia.
    Background
    Cassidy has been a consistent champion for online privacy and user data protection. Earlier this year, he introduced legislation to protect U.S. servicemembers’ data from adversarial nations like China and has worked to ensure that Americans can delete their personal data collected by private data broker companies.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: No matter who the next pope is, US Catholics stand ‘at a crossroads’ − a sociologist explains

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Maureen K. Day, Research Fellow, Center for Religion and Civic Culture, University of Southern California

    Parishioners attend a memorial Mass in honor of Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on April 21, 2025. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

    More than 130 cardinals entered the Sistine Chapel on May 7, 2025. With the announcement “Extra omnes” – “all out” – the doors have been closed and the cardinals sequestered to elect the next leader of the Catholic Church. They will vote, confer, pray and vote again until a candidate acquires the two-thirds majority needed to become pope.

    Ten of the men voting this week are from the United States. The Conversation U.S. asked Maureen Day, a researcher at the University of Southern California who has written several books about the contemporary church, to explain what Catholicism looks like in the U.S. at this high-stakes moment.

    How is Catholic identity and practice in the U.S. changing, compared with a generation ago?

    In 1987, the year of the first American Catholic Laity survey, nearly half of American Catholics said that faith was “the most” or “among the most” important parts of their life. Now, only 37% say the same.

    Others are leaving the Catholic Church completely. The General Social Survey, a national survey conducted every year or two since the 1970s, asks people about the faith they grew up with, as well as their present religious identity. According to our analysis of its data, in 1973 only 10% of Americans who grew up Catholic had changed religions, and another 7% had left religion altogether. By 2018, each of those percentages had increased to 18%.

    A Pew Research Center study conducted in 2024 found that for every American who converts to Catholicism, another 8.4 leave. The only reason that Catholicism is able to maintain a relatively steady share of the U.S. population – about 20% – is due to the high percentage of immigrants and migrants who are Catholic.

    So my co-authors and I chose the title of our 2025 book, “Catholicism at a Crossroads,” quite intentionally. The church has been facing a variety of challenges for decades, both nationally and across the globe. It’s not just about disaffiliation, but also issues such as the sexual abuse crises and bishops’ decreasing influence on lay Catholics’ personal decisions.

    The Rev. Athanasius Abanulo celebrates Mass in Lanett, Ala., in 2021. Many international clergy, like Abanulo, are helping to ease a shortage of priests in the U.S.
    AP Photo/Jessie Wardarski

    In response, church leaders have mostly offered minor adjustments, such as encouraging parishes to become more family- or young adult-friendly. They have not yet made larger shifts that could substantially alter some of those trend lines.

    Some of your work focuses on what you call ‘cultural Catholics’ − defined as Catholics who attend Mass less than once per month. How would you describe cultural Catholicism in the U.S. today?

    A big concern of Catholic leaders right now is decreasing Mass attendance, as weekly Mass is an important precept of the Catholic Church. Sunday Mass is a place for Catholics to participate in the sacraments, strengthen their faith and build relationships with other Catholics.

    One of the things Catholic leaders tend to attribute this drop in attendance to is a broader trend of secularism. There might be some merit to this, but it can’t be the whole story. In our analysis of General Social Survey data, for example, the percentage of Protestant Christians who say they attend worship services weekly was 35% in 1950 and 40% in 2023. Among Catholics, however, weekly Mass attendance has declined from 63% to 30% in these same years.

    “Cultural Catholics” who say they attend Mass “a few times a year” or “seldom or never” account for 53% of U.S. Catholics. Many of them demonstrate strong ties to Catholic teachings in other ways. For example, around 70% to 80% of cultural Catholics say that it is “essential” or “somewhat essential” to Catholicism to help the poor, have a devotion to Mary and practice daily prayer.

    There are findings that can lend themselves to either a “glass half empty” or “glass half full” interpretation. For instance, it might be heartening to Catholic leaders to know that 62% of cultural Catholics say it is important that future generations of their family are Catholic – although this is much lower than the 89% among those who attend Mass frequently.

    Sister Maris Stella Vaughan teaches a religion class at St. John Paul II Catholic School in Phoenix, Ariz., in 2020.
    AP Photo/Dario Lopez-Mills

    And when these cultural Catholics imagine future generations of their family being Catholic, what does that mean? Perhaps it entails simply a few milestones, like receiving baptism, First Communion and possibly Confirmation – the three sacraments that initiate a person into the Catholic faith. The way many cultural Catholics are loosely tethered to the church, without much involvement in parish life, is a great concern for many Catholic leaders.

    What main challenges do you see for the American church under the next pope?

    I would argue that the American church’s biggest challenge is how to heal the factionalism within itself.

    On the one hand, there is a great deal of common ground among the most active Catholics, even with the diversity still found here. According to our analysis, 20% of Catholics are “high commitment”: those who say they attend Mass weekly, are unlikely to leave the faith, and that the church is very important to them. These Catholics are more likely to depart from their political party’s position on an issue if it does not align with Catholic teachings. For example, high-commitment Catholic Republicans are much more likely to support the bishops’ position on making the immigration process easier for families. High-commitment Catholic Democrats, meanwhile, are more likely to be against abortion than are their moderate- or low-commitment counterparts.

    In other words, these high-commitment Catholics tend to be less polarized and could find common cause with one another.

    Catholics pray during Mass at Benedictine College on Dec. 3, 2023, in Atchison, Kan.
    AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

    However, there are more extreme pockets – such as those who called into question the legitimacy of Francis’ papacy – that are more militant about their vision of Catholicism. While these Catholics are few in number, they are very vocal. There are fringe groups that mobilized to try to change the direction of the Catholic Church after Francis’ papacy, which they saw as a series of liberal reforms.

    Within more mainstream Catholicism, there are divides over styles of worship, with media attention on some young Americans flocking to more conservative or traditional parishes. However, sociologist Tim Clydesdale and religion scholar Kathleen Garces-Foley found that young adult Catholics are split: While some are attracted to churches with pastors who demonstrate “orthodoxy,” a similar number prefer “openness.”

    What do you wish more people understood about Catholicism in the U.S.?

    I think the “missing piece” for many is the incredible diversity of U.S. Catholicism, from race and ethnicity to politics and practice. Many Americans tend to associate the religion with one or two issues, such as abortion and same-sex marriage, and assume that Catholics are fairly monolithic, both in their demographics and their politics.

    Catholics themselves can also forget – or never learn – that their small slice of Catholicism is not the whole of Catholicism.

    Recognizing and elevating what unites this vast family of Catholics, both personally and collectively, is going to be critical as the church moves forward.

    The work mentioned in this article was funded largely by the Louisville Institute. Her previous research has received funding from many sources, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

    – ref. No matter who the next pope is, US Catholics stand ‘at a crossroads’ − a sociologist explains – https://theconversation.com/no-matter-who-the-next-pope-is-us-catholics-stand-at-a-crossroads-a-sociologist-explains-255177

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Vasquez and Zinke Launch Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus to Champion Conservation and Access

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) and Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01) announced the launch of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, a bipartisan congressional coalition focused on conserving America’s public lands and expanding access for all Americans. The caucus will build upon the trusted working relationship between Vasquez and Zinke, forged over the past two years, partnering on conservation legislation, along with the momentum of a new Congress and a new generation of Western lawmakers to bring a new voice to the conversation around public lands.

     

    The Public Lands Caucus is founded on the belief that public lands are “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.” It will bring lawmakers from both sides of the aisle to advance practical, consensus-driven public lands policy that conserves natural resources while supporting recreation, local economies, and public access. Caucus members are committed to bridging ideological divides and advancing pragmatic solutions to protect and manage public lands.

     

    WATCH: Public Lands Caucus Press Conference

     

    “Public lands are where I learned to fish, hunt, and connect with my family and culture—and those experiences shaped who I am,” said Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02). “These lands don’t belong to one party or one group of people; they belong to all of us. The Public Lands Caucus is about protecting that birthright—bringing Democrats and Republicans together to preserve access, defend conservation, and invest in the outdoor economy that powers rural communities like mine in southern New Mexico. This is personal for me, and I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to keep our public lands in public hands.”

     

    “I follow the Theodore Roosevelt motto that public lands are ‘for the benefit and enjoyment of the people,’ and that means making sure we both conserve and manage those lands to ensure public access for the next generation,” said Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT-02). “Public lands aren’t red or blue issues, it’s red white and blue. The bipartisan Public Lands Caucus brings together lawmakers who don’t agree on much, but we agree on and are ready to work together to promote policies that advance conservation and public access. I look forward to working with Co-Chair Vasquez, the vice chairs, and all the members of this caucus so future generations can enjoy the same opportunities to hunt, hike, fish, make a living and enjoy our uniquely American heritage.”

     

    “We should be focusing on expanding public access to federal lands, not auctioning them off. And we should be investing in our National Parks System and National Wildlife Refuges, not making it harder for Americans to visit these special places,” said Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06). I’m proud to be Vice-Chair of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus because conservation has historically been, and should continue to be, a priority regardless of party. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to protect our precious natural resources, federal lands, and beloved species.” 

     

    “Idahoans live in Idaho because we love our public lands,” said Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID-02). “This trend is common across the West, where public lands are a part of our daily lives. As a lifelong Idahoan and Chairman of the House Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, I remain committed to preserving access to our public lands and defending our way of life. Being named Vice Chair of the Public Lands Caucus is an honor, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure future generations can enjoy the same benefits that we do today. I’m thankful to Rep. Zinke for his leadership here.”

     

    “As someone born and raised in the Coachella Valley, I know how sacred our public lands are. Places like Joshua Tree and the new Chuckwalla National Monument are more than landscapes—they’re part of our identity, history, and culture,” said Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) Conserving public lands means protecting cultural heritage, preserving critical ecosystems, and expanding access to nature’s healing power, especially for underserved communities. I’ll continue fighting to ensure every family—no matter where they live—can experience the beauty, health, and enjoyment that public lands offer.”

     

    “Public land access is integral to Montana,” said Rep. Troy Downing (R-MT-02). “Montanans rely on the Treasure State’s more than 30 million acres of public lands to hunt, fish, recreate, graze their livestock, and so much more. I applaud Co-Chairs Zinke and Vasquez for their efforts and look forward to working with my colleagues to find common sense solutions that preserve my constituents’ access to this fundamentally American resource.”

     

    “As a representative of Coastal Virginia, I know how vital our public lands and waters are to our economy, our culture, and our quality of life – from supporting tourism and outdoor recreation to sustaining jobs and protecting natural habitats,” said Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02). “I’m proud to join the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus to bring a balanced, commonsense approach to protecting these resources. From our shorelines to our forests, we must ensure that future generations can enjoy and benefit from healthy and accessible public lands across the country for years to come.”

     

    Caucus Leadership

    Co-Chairs

    • Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02)
    • Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT-01)

     

    Vice Chairs

    • Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06)
    • Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID-02)

     

    Members Include

    • Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25)
    • Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11)
    • Rep Joe Neguse (D-CO-02)
    • Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02)
    • Rep. Emily Randall (D-WA-06)
    • Rep. Troy Downing (R-MT-01)
    • Rep. Steven Horsford (D-NV-04)
    • Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04)
    • Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV-03)
    • Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-06)

     

    Organizational Support

     

    “On both sides of the aisle, Americans cherish our public lands,” said Joel Pedersen, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “From the Northern Rockies of Montana to the Gila Mountains of New Mexico, these lands and waters provide invaluable opportunities to millions of hunters and anglers. We join our nation’s sportsmen and women in thanking Representatives Zinke and Vasquez for their leadership in forming the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus which will continue to advance America’s outdoor legacy.”

     

    Whitney Potter Schwartz, Senior Vice President, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable: “The creation of the Public Lands Caucus is a significant and welcome step forward in protecting and expanding access to our public lands and waters that power America’s $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy and enrich the lives of millions of Americans. Keeping public lands public is a business imperative. There couldn’t be a more important time to stand up for America’s best return on investment and keep public land selloff out of reconciliation. ORR thanks Representatives Gabe Vasquez and Ryan Zinke for their leadership and all the bipartisan members of the Caucus who have come together to champion public lands access, stewardship, and infrastructure investments. We look forward to working with the Caucus to ensure that public lands remain public and continue to be a foundation for outdoor experiences, local economies, and healthy communities for generations to come.” 

     

    Phil Ingrassia, President of the national RV Dealers Association (RVDA): “Public lands are essential to the emotional and economic well-being of our nation. RVDA applauds the creation of the Public Lands Caucus and its commitment to enhancing access and expanding the infrastructure that supports millions of Americans who enjoy these shared spaces.” 

     

    Julie Sutton, Senior Director Government Affairs, VF Corporation: VF Corporationand our portfolio of iconic outdoor brands applaud Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-MT) and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) for their bipartisan leadership in establishing the Public Lands Caucus. This caucus has an opportunity to improve management of public lands, protect and conserve our natural resources and maintain access for everyone to enjoy the outdoors. We thank you for your commitment to our public lands. 

     

    Myke Bybee, Senior Director of Federal Relations, Trust for Public Land: “Trust for Public Land strongly commends Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-MT) and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM) for their bipartisan leadership in launching the Public Lands Caucus and introducing legislation — The Public Lands in Public Hands Act — which affirms the importance of our shared national landscapes. With Congress and the Administration considering proposals to sell off federal land, and as Americans visit public lands in record numbers—to hike, hunt, and connect with nature—their leadership could not come at a more critical time.” 

     

    Jenn Dice, President & CEO, PeopleForBikes: “Public lands are an important part of the American experience and critical to the outdoor recreation economy, including the bicycle industry. We applaud the leaders of the Public Lands Caucus who are committed to protecting, managing, and staffing our most treasured natural spaces that are a source of our national pride.” 

     

    Caryn Short, America Outdoors: “America Outdoors applauds Representatives Vasquez and Zinke for their leadership in launching the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus. Continued access to our public lands is vital to the health of the outfitting industry, rural economies, and the millions of Americans who rely on these landscapes for connection, livelihood, and adventure.” 

     

    Rachel Franchina, Executive Director, Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals: “Public lands are part of the shared national identify of Americans. They are treasured places – both close to home and in iconic protected areas – for people to spend time with family and friends, recharge themselves and reconnect with nature. The Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals supports Representatives Ryan Zinke (R-MT) and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM)’s Bipartisan Public Lands Caucus. High-quality experiences on public lands are something the vast majority of American value and their commitment to ensuring access to our shared heritage is more important now than ever.” 

     

    Mary Ellen Sprenkel, President & CEO, The Corps Network: “Americans love our public lands. Hundreds of millions of people visit our national parks, forests, and grasslands every year, helping drive local economies. The Corps Network proudly represents 150 Corps programs across the country that work with resource management agencies on critical maintenance projects that keep our public lands safe and open for all to enjoy. Through service on public lands, thousands of Corps participants every year gain invaluable work experience for the modern workforce. We appreciate the goal of the Public Lands Caucus to ensure Americans have access to the Great Outdoors.” 

     

    Julie M. Broadway, President, American Horse Council & American Horse Council Foundation: “According to American Horse Council’s latest economic impact study, 39 million U.S. households include a horse enthusiast, with recreational trail riders representing the largest segment of the equine industry — underscoring the critical need for access to public lands. Federal data supports this: the Bureau of Land Management estimates three million annual horseback riding visitors, along with 46,000 participating in pack use; the U.S. Forest Service cites 206,000 horseback riders, and the National Park Service reports 1.6 million. Conserving public lands, supporting local economies, and ensuring access for all Americans is essential to the equine community, and we strongly applaud the creation of this congressional caucus as a step toward protecting these shared resources.” 

     

    Dan Mahoney, Government Affairs Manager, American Prairie: “American Prairie applauds Representatives Ryan Zinke and Gabe Vasquez for launching this bipartisan caucus to protect our country’s public lands. These lands are a cherished piece of America’s heritage, and one that American Prairie is committed to conserving and expanding access to in Montana. This new caucus’s dedication to the same is worth celebrating and so are the members of Congress leading the way to do so.” 

     

    Jordan Schreiber, Director of Government Relations, The Wilderness Society: “The Wilderness Society celebrates this bipartisan caucus’s commitment to protecting public lands and access to them, which starts with keeping them in public hands. We look forward to working with members to ensure that any future efforts to sell off these national treasures to the highest bidder are defeated.” 

     

    Tom Cors, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs, The Nature Conservancy: “Public lands need to be kept in public hands. They are not just picturesque selfie backdrops. People across America depend on them for jobs, to recharge their internal batteries, and to clean our water and air. Also, wildlife depend on them for food and shelter. Through this caucus, Representatives Ryan Zinke and Gabe Vasquez are ensuring our public lands will last forever, giving life to us all.” 
     

    David Feinman, Vice President of Government Affairs, Conservation Lands Foundation: “Conservation Lands Foundation applauds Representatives Gabe Vasquez and Ryan Zinke for working across the aisle to launch the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, which will hold Congress accountable to protect access to America’s public lands and ensure they remain in public hands. Our nation’s public lands contain remarkable and irreplaceable ecological, historical and cultural resources that reflect thousands of years of human connection to lands and waters, and we look forward to the Public Lands Caucus reflecting the overwhelming bipartisan support across America for keeping public lands in public hands.” 

     

    Maite Arce, President and CEO, Hispanic Access Foundation: “Hispanic Access Foundation applauds the launch of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus and the leadership of Representatives Vasquez and Zinke. Public lands are essential to our way of life—they support local economies, provide space for recreation and reflection, and contribute to the health and well-being of communities across the country. This caucus is an important step toward protecting these treasured places and ensuring they remain accessible and well-managed for future generations.” 

     

    Chris Wood, President and CEO, Trout Unlimited: “Public lands are the backyard of the little guy, demonstrating our commitment to leaving the world a better place for our children than the one we inherited from our parents. On behalf of Trout Unlimited members across the nation, I thank Congressmen Zinke and Vasquez and the members of the newly minted bipartisan Public Lands Caucus for their leadership upholding our legacy of public lands. Preventing large-scale transfer or sale of federal public lands helps to maintain access to some of the best places to fish and hunt on the planet. We look forward to working with the caucus to keep it that way.” 

     

    Athan Manuel, Director of Sierra Club’s Lands Protection Program: “Our public lands are part of what makes this country great. They preserve critical habitat, provide our communities with clean air and water, and exploring these places has been a rite of passage for countless generations of Americans. It is more critical than ever that these treasured landscapes remain in the hands of we the people. The Public Lands Caucus will play an important – and bipartisan – role in ensuring Congress does its part to keep it that way.” 

     

    Tom Kiernan, CEO, American Rivers: Public lands are the source of clean drinking water for millions of Americans. The rivers that flow across our national parks, forests, and rangelands provide recreation and awesome scenic beauty to our country.  We are excited to continue working with Congress to support the protection of these lands and rivers on behalf of all Americans. Thank you to Representatives Vasquez and Zinke for launching this caucus. 

     

    Joel Pedersen, President and CEO, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership: “On both sides of the aisle, Americans cherish our public lands. From the Northern Rockies of Montana to the Gila Mountains of New Mexico, these lands and waters provide invaluable opportunities to millions of hunters and anglers. We join our nation’s sportsmen and women in thanking Representatives Zinke and Vasquez for their leadership in forming the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus which will continue to advance America’s outdoor legacy.” 

     

    Lesli Allison, Chief Executive Officer, Western Landowners Alliance: “The Western Landowners Alliance applauds the formation of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus to protect our public lands and thanks Representatives Vazquez and Zinke for their leadership on this issue. Care for our public lands is a priority across party lines and fence lines in the West. Western Landowners Alliance members steward tens of millions of acres of private and public land, and recognize the challenges facing federal land management and budgets. We are also acutely aware of the nation’s real housing deficit. But disposal of federal land is not a practical solution to either problem.”  

     

    Paul Hendricks, Executive Director, The Conservation Alliance: “Conservation has been supported by folks from both political parties and nearly all demographics for generations – America’s best and most durable public lands protections have come from members of Congress working together across party lines. Yet many of those places are now at risk of losing those protections, which would be detrimental to our nation’s economy. Safeguarding nature creates jobs, supports local economies as well as the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation economy, and ensures these benefits exist for future generations. The Conservation Alliance and our 200 business members are excited to see the launch of the Public Lands Caucus and thank Representative Vasquez and Representative Zinke for taking the lead.” 

     

    Devin O’Dea, Western Policy & Conservation Manager, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: “Backcountry Hunters & Anglers strongly supports the creation of the Public Lands Caucus and thanks Representatives Vasquez and Zinke for bringing together a bipartisan force to defend against ongoing threats to sell or transfer our wild public lands. Our public lands define who we are as Americans — places where anyone, regardless of background, can hunt, fish, camp or explore. The Public Lands Caucus is a crucial step in ensuring our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife endure.” 

     

    Ariel Wiegard, Vice President of Government Affairs, Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever: “America’s upland hunters and grassland advocates applaud today’s launch of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus, and we stand ready to work with Reps. Vasquez, Zinke, and the other Caucus members to advance public land conservation policies, increase and improve habitat and access, and energize and engage the upland conservation community. America’s grassland and sagebrush shrub-steppe ecosystems are among the most at-risk environments in the world, resulting in the decline of our most cherished grassland species and fewer places to hunt on high-quality habitat—we are confident this Caucus will help ensure our treasured public lands deliver the promise of more wildlife and more hunters, alongside other natural resource and quality of life benefits, to the American people.” 

     

    Jason Burckhalter, Co-CEO, National Wild Turkey Federation: “The NWTF extends deep gratitude to Congressmen Vasquez and Zinke for their leadership in founding the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus. This crucial effort bolsters the unique American public trust, ensuring our public lands—vital habitats for wildlife, cornerstones of our hunting heritage, and cherished spaces for outdoor recreation—remain a shared resource, held in trust for all citizens, preserving their accessibility and stewardship for future generations.”  

     

    Louis Geltman, Vice President for Policy and Government Relations, Outdoor Alliance: “Outdoor Alliance is grateful to Representatives Gabe Vasquez and Ryan Zinke for their leadership in creating the Public Lands Caucus. Public lands need champions, and we look forward to working with members of the caucus to protect public lands and waters and outdoor recreation experiences. Outdoor recreation is a bipartisan value and benefits the millions of Americans who get outside each year. We look forward to building momentum for the caucus’s work to support outdoor recreation, public lands and waters, and conservation.” 

     

    Caroline Gleich, professional athlete, advocate and former candidate for U.S. in Utah: “As someone who has spent my life exploring and advocating for public lands, I’m thrilled to support the launch of the Public Lands Caucus. These lands are more than lines on a map—they’re where we connect with nature, with each other, and with something larger than ourselves. I applaud Representative Vasquez for his leadership in creating a space in Congress to prioritize conservation, recreation, and access for all. At a time when public lands are under threat from extractive industries and political indifference, this caucus sends a clear message: our lands are not for sale. They belong to the people—and we’re here to protect them.” 

     

    America Fitzpatrick, Conservation Program Director, League of Conservation Voters: “We applaud the establishment of the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus led by Representatives Vasquez and Zinke. The bipartisan nature of this caucus underscores how public lands unite us. Public lands across the country provide countless recreational, cultural, health, and economic opportunities. Proposals like the dark-of-night amendment to sell-off public lands in Utah and Nevada during last night’s House Natural Resources Committee markup have no place in the Budget Reconciliation process and we look forward to working with the caucus to ensure our lands and waters are protected for generations to come.” 

     

    Kellis Moss, Managing Director of Federal Affairs for Ducks Unlimited: “Public lands make hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreation activities accessible for millions of Americans. Some of our most critical conservation programs, such as NAWCA, invest in habitat on public lands. We’re glad to see Congress prioritize conserving America’s natural places for the next generation of outdoorsmen and women, and we’re happy to support the Public Lands Caucus in this effort.” 

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve AI Testing and Evaluation Systems, Safeguard Americans Against Risks

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Testing and Evaluation Systems for Trusted Artificial Intelligence (TEST) AI Act of 2025, legislation to improve the federal government’s capacity to test and evaluate Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems to drive innovation, protect national security, and build trust and confidence for Americans utilizing AI systems.

    The TEST AI Act aims to ensure that AI systems used by federal agencies are trustworthy, secure, and objective, and lays the groundwork for broader national AI evaluation standards through a transparent and collaborative approach. The TEST AI Act would direct the collaboration between the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a testbed pilot program to develop and refine measurement standards for evaluating AI systems.

    “AI has reached every sector in our country and driven innovation, but we cannot ignore the vulnerabilities and risks that come with it. While these systems have the power to change lives, they can also fall short – providing inaccurate or biased data – and are at risk of malicious attacks or misuse by our adversaries,” said Senator Luján. “The TEST AI Act addresses these shortcomings by creating government testbeds to better evaluate AI systems. This will help leverage the talent of our National Laboratories and strengthen the federal government’s ability to implement responsible guardrails that protect our national security and the American people.”

    “Innovation at the Department of Energy, our National Laboratories, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology has significantly advanced the boundaries of scientific discovery, but we need to ensure there are safeguards in place to prevent the misuse of AI,” said Senator Blackburn. “The TEST AI Act would direct these teams to establish safeguards, enabling AI to evolve while lowering the risk of manipulating this technology.”

    “While AI holds enormous positive potential, this new technology must be tested thoroughly to ensure that it is used responsibly,” said Senator Durbin. “With the TEST AI Act, we can direct the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop AI testbeds, allowing us to safely explore the boundaries of AI, establish necessary guardrails, and protect against misuses.”

    “While AI offers an opportunity to revolutionize American research and innovation, we must be cognizant of bad actors and potential threats to privacy and national security,” said Senator Risch. “The Idaho National Laboratory is already a leader in AI, national security, and cybersecurity, and the TEST AI Act will use the National Labs’ capabilities to establish safeguards to prevent misuse of this growing technology.”

    “Artificial Intelligence brings limitless potential to every industry, from agriculture to green energy and small businesses. To harness the full power of AI, we need to develop tools and safeguards that manage its risks. That includes supporting federal research at our nation’s higher education institutions that give us a better understanding of AI’s full potential,” said Senator Welch. “The bipartisan TEST AI Act will ensure everyone can reap the full benefits of new and emerging AI technologies safely and responsibly.”

    “The TEST AI Act is a step towards transparency and accountability in artificial intelligence,” said Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) President Brad Carson. “Right now, AI systems are being deployed in high-stakes environments without independent oversight or clear standards. By building federal capacity for rigorous AI evaluations, this bill helps ensure AI tools are secure, effective, and ready for deployment.”

    Specifically, the TEST AI Act would:

    • Codify the ongoing collaboration between NIST and DOE to evaluate AI models;
    • Improve public-private partnerships through an AI Testing Working Group to guide standard development related to performance, reliability, security, privacy, and bias; and 
    • Direct the development of a public strategy for testing, construction of testbeds, and compilation of a report to Congress on the results and recommendations for future standards development.

    Senators Luján, Durbin, Blackburn, and Risch are co-leads of the Senate National Labs Caucus. The caucus works to identify legislative opportunities that elevate the National Labs’ visibility and meet national energy and security objectives. This caucus also helps identify bipartisan initiatives to maintain and extend U.S. leadership in critical scientific sectors.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wicker, Merkley Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Celebrating National Nurses Week

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., introduced a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing National Nurses Week from May 6 through May 12, 2025. U.S. Representatives Dave Joyce, R-Ohio-14, Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore.-01, Lauren Underwood, D-Ill.-14, and Jen Kiggans, R-Va.-02, introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives. 

    The National Nurses Week resolution honors and celebrates the important contributions of America’s nurses to safe, high-quality care and the invaluable role that nurses have. The resolution also highlights the extra care nurses provide in treating injured and sick patients during wartime, natural disasters, and public health emergencies. 

    “Nurses are essential to our nation’s health care system,” said Senator Wicker, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus. “They ensure patients receive timely and quality care, and their dedication is unmatched. Our country needs more of these heroes, and I hope more young people will consider joining the nursing profession. This resolution is a small token of our gratitude for their service.”

    “As the husband of a nurse, I’ve seen up-close how difficult nurses’ jobs are and how important they are to patients,” said Senator Merkley, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus. “In every corner of Oregon, nurses offer vital care, support, and advocacy to patients and their families during challenging times. Let’s pause this week to express gratitude and honor the nurses in our communities for their unwavering commitment and compassion. We must remain dedicated to providing them with the support necessary to continue their life-saving work.” 

    As of 2025, there are nearly 4.9 million registered nurses in the United States. However, despite this substantial number, the nursing sector faces pressing challenges, including a continuing shortage of nurses, mental health struggles, and the need for safer working conditions. According to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Study released by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, more than 138,000 nurses left the workforce since 2022 due to stress, burnout, and retirement. This same study also outlined that by 2029, almost 40 percent of nurses intend to leave the workforce. 

    This week’s resolution is a timely acknowledgment of the indispensable role nurses play in delivering quality care, advancing medical research, providing services to all communities and individuals, increasing access to nursing care, promoting healthy behaviors, and much more. The lawmakers’ bipartisan resolution encourages Americans to recognize and celebrate National Nurses Week this year and to support our nursing workforce today and every day. 

    Full text of the resolution can be found here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Warren, Markey, Merkley Blast Trump Plan to Cut 988 Suicide and Crisis Line For LGBTQ+ Youth

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led their colleagues in slamming the Trump Administration’s plan to take away lifesaving mental health services at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline from LGBTQ+ youth, who face a higher risk of mental health challenges than their peers. Last week, reports surfaced that President Trump intends to slash 988’s LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program, which has received over 1.2 million crisis contacts since 2022, with a spike over the last several months.

    “Given the Administration has claimed addressing youth mental health as a priority, elimination of specialized services specifically designed for at-risk youth is irresponsible,” wrote the Senators in a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We urge you to reconsider and support continued funding for the program.”

    The proposed cuts come at a time when LGBTQ+ youth continue to experience higher risk for depression, suicidal ideation, and attempted suicide compared to other youths. A 2024 survey by The Trevor Project reported that nearly 40 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous year, and 12 percent of LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide – rates much higher than those present among non-LGBTQ+ youth.

    After a successful pilot program, both Republicans and Democrats in Congress expanded the LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program to 24/7 operation in fiscal year 2023 before increasing funding from $7.2 million for the pilot to $33.1 million in fiscal year 2024 on a bipartisan basis. Like specialized services available to veterans, the line connects LGBTQ+ youth with specially trained crisis counselors. Since its inception in 2022, the Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth hotline has received over 1.2 million crisis contacts, spiking in use over the last several months.

    “While we strongly disagree with the many actions taken by the Trump Administration targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, we believe that suicide prevention should be a nonpartisan issue. Elimination of services that help keep youth alive is reckless, and we urge you to reconsider your proposal to eliminate this lifeline,” concluded the Senators.

    In addition to Senators Baldwin, Warren, Markey, and Merkley, the letter is also co-signed by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Jack Reed (D-RI). A full version of this letter is available here and below.

    Dear Secretary Kennedy:

    We write with grave concerns regarding reports that the draft FY26 Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) budget proposes defunding the LGBTQ+ youth suicide and crisis hotline. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s (the Lifeline) LGBTQ+ Youth Specialized Services program provides lifesaving services to LGBTQ+ youth, who face a higher risk of significant mental health challenges and barriers to receiving care than their peers. Given the Administration has claimed addressing youth mental health as a priority, elimination of specialized services specifically designed for at-risk youth is irresponsible. We urge you to reconsider and support continued funding for the program.

    As you know, the LGBTQ+ youth specialized services pilot program was created in fiscal year 2022 to provide services to LGBTQ+ youth, who are at a disproportionately high risk for depression, suicidal ideation, and attempted suicide compared to other youths. A 2024 survey by The Trevor Project reported that nearly 40 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the previous year, and 12 percent of LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide – rates much higher than those present among non-LGBTQ+ youth.

    After a successful initial phase, Congress recognized the importance of providing specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth and directed the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to expand beyond the pilot to 24/7 operation in fiscal year 2023. To ensure that youth would be able to access the Lifeline by phone, text, or chat whenever they needed it, Congress also increased the program’s funding from $7.2 million for the pilot to $33.1 million in fiscal year 2024 on a bipartisan basis. These specialized services are similar to other dedicated programs for veterans and service members, disaster survivors, individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, and people with neurodivergence. This specialized intervention connects LGBTQ+ youth with specially trained crisis counselors, who can provide understanding, empathetic, and confidential support. Despite the requirement for an operating plan for fiscal year 2025, HHS has provided no information about how or whether it plans to use funds for specialized services or the 988 Suicide Lifeline in general.

    Since its inception in 2022, the Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth hotline has received over 1.2 million crisis contacts and utilization of the Lifeline’s LGBTQ+ Youth program has spiked over the last several months. While we strongly disagree with the many actions taken by the Trump Administration targeting LGBTQ+ individuals, we believe that suicide prevention should be a nonpartisan issue. Elimination of services that help keep youth alive is reckless, and we urge you to reconsider your proposal to eliminate this lifeline.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur, Bell, Quigley, Johnson Send Letter Opposing Ed Martin Nomination Over Russian Media Ties

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Washington, DC — Representatives Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Mike Quigley (IL-05), and Hank Johnson (GA-04), led a letter to President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi raising serious concerns over the potential nomination of Ed Martin to serve as US Attorney for the District of Columbia. Congresswoman Kaptur is the Co-Founder and Co-Chair and Congressman Quigley serves as Democratic Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, and Congressman Bell is a new member of the Caucus. Additionally, Congressman Johnson is a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Congressman Bell previously served as St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, leading Missouri’s largest prosecutor’s office.

    The letter cites Martin’s extensive history of appearances on Russian state-funded media outlets RT and Sputnik — over 150 times in recent years — as cause for alarm given the sensitive nature of the role. The lawmakers argue that Martin’s public statements on these platforms, many of which were not disclosed,  have often echoed Kremlin propaganda and undermined US national security interests, particularly regarding Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

    “Mr. Martin’s public contributions to Russian-backed platforms are deeply troubling to consider when considering how these views may reflect his stance toward critical issues related to Ukraine and national security. The downplaying of Russian aggression and interference in Ukraine he has espoused on Russian media raises concerns about his ability to uphold U.S. interests, particularly at a time when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has escalated tensions globally. Additionally, his denying evidence of a Russian military buildup near Ukraine’s borders and suggesting that it was the US, not the Assad Regime, who ‘engineered’ the deadly 2017 Syrian chemical weapons attack. His appearances have included promoting narratives that align with Russian propaganda over US policy positions and our national interests,” said the lawmakers.

    “Crucially, Mr. Martin did not fully disclose his extensive involvement with RT and Sputnik as required on his Senate Judiciary Committee questionnaire. This failure in transparency regarding his associations with Russian-backed media outlets calls into question his judgment and commitment to serving the interests of the United States. The US government has consistently recognized RT and Sputnik as propaganda and intelligence tools of the Russian state, and his refusal to disclose his participation raises serious doubts about his loyalty to American values,” continued the lawmakers.

    “Given the gravity of these concerns, we urge you to conduct a thorough review of Mr. Martin’s past statements, associations, and overall fitness for the role of US Attorney for the District of Columbia. The appointment of an individual with such questionable allegiances could have serious repercussions for both US foreign policy and the integrity of our legal system,” concluded the lawmakers.

    Read the full text of the letter here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Huizenga Introduces “Made in America Motors Act” to Make Car Interest Tax Deductible

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

    Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the introduction of H.R. 3191, the Made in America Motors Act. This bill establishes a new federal tax deduction on auto loan interest for American-made cars. The Made in America Motors Act is based on a major policy priority proposed by President Trump in the run up to the 2024 election. Car ownership is essential for many American families, especially those living in rural or suburban areas. The Made in America Motors Act directly lowers the cost of financing a vehicle—often a household’s second-biggest expense after housing. This tax deduction can save taxpayers hundreds of dollars each year, regardless of whether they use the standard deduction or itemize.

    “The Made in America Motors Act is a win for American taxpayers, autoworkers, and Michigan,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “Making interest on car loans tax deductible was a key campaign promise made by President Trump. The Made in America Motors Act delivers on this promise by giving individuals and families a financial incentive to buy American, which in turn supports good-paying automotive jobs in Michigan and across the nation.”

    “As America’s top auto producer, we’re grateful to work with Congressman Huizenga on policies that grow the American auto industry. The Made in America Motors Act will help Americans purchase a car and gain the freedom to move, while supporting American auto workers, “ said Ford Motor Company.

    Specifically, the Made in America Motors Act would:

    • Create a new above-the-line tax deduction of up to $2500 annually for interest paid on auto loans
    • Make the deduction available to taxpayers, including those who take the standard deduction
    • Apply only to vehicles with final assembly in the United States

    The full text of the Made in America Motors Act is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Bera, Democratic Doctors Caucus Hold Press Conference Slamming Republican Efforts to Gut Medicaid

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ami Bera (D-CA)

    Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) joined fellow members of the Democratic Doctors Caucus to call out Republican efforts to gut Medicaid funding and rip health care coverage away from millions of Americans.

    The Republican budget framework passed earlier this year instructs the House Energy and Commerce Committee to cut $880 billion—a number impossible to reach without gutting Medicaid, which provides health care coverage to approximately 80 million Americans, including 37 million children.

    “I’m proud to stand with my fellow Democratic Doctors in the fight to save Medicaid,” said Representative Ami Bera, M.D. “Republicans need to understand that Medicaid is more than a health care program—it’s a lifeline for working families, seniors and children across this country. We’re going to fight tooth and nail to protect this care—not gut it just to hand out tax breaks to Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.”

    New analysis conducted by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) finds that millions of Americans stand to lose coverage under Republican proposals to cut Medicaid. The report concludes that states would be forced to reduce enrollment, scale back benefits or cut provider payments in response to deep federal funding cuts—jeopardizing access to care for families, seniors and children across the country.

    Background on the Democratic Doctors Caucus

    All six Democratic physicians serving in the U.S. House of Representatives joined together this year to launch the first-ever Democratic Doctors Caucus. The caucus is dedicated to promoting the health and well-being of Americans, advancing pragmatic health care policy and providing fellow Members with insights on critical health issues.

    Members of the Democratic Doctors Caucus include:

    • Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06) – Internal Medicine

    • Herb Conaway Jr., M.D. (NJ-03) – Internal Medicine

    • Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) – Pulmonary & Critical Care 

    • Kelly Morrison, M.D. (MN-03) – Obstetrics & Gynecology

    • Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-25) – Emergency Medicine 

    • Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) – Pediatrics

    Recently, the caucus urged Senators to oppose the nomination of RFK Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services and condemned his proposed mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services, the FDA and the CDC, warning of devastating consequences for public health and safety.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reconciliation Recommendations of the House Committee on Financial Services

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    Legislation Summary

    H. Con. Res. 14, the Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for Fiscal Year 2025, instructed the House Committee on Financial Services to recommend legislative changes that would decrease deficits by at least $1 billion over the 2025-2034 period. As part of the reconciliation process, the House Committee on Financial Services approved legislation on April 30, 2025, that would reduce deficits.

    Estimated Federal Cost

    The reconciliation recommendations of the House Committee on Financial Services would, on net, decrease deficits by $5.2 billion over the 2025-2034 period. The estimated budgetary effects of the legislation are shown in Table 1. The costs of the legislation fall within budget functions 370 (commerce and housing credit) and 600 (income security).

    Table 1.

    Estimated Budgetary Effects of Reconciliation Recommendations Title V, House Committee on Financial Services, as Ordered Reported on April 30, 2025
     

    By Fiscal Year, Millions of Dollars

    		    
     

    2025

    2026

    2027

    2028

    2029

    2030

    2031

    2032

    2033

    2034

    2025-2029

    2025-2034
     

    Decreases in Direct Spending

    		    

    Budget Authority

    -138

    -527

    -863

    -889

    -933

    -978

    -1,026

    -1,109

    -1,178

    -1,219

    -3,350

    -8,860

    Estimated Outlays

    -16

    -352

    -800

    -926

    -948

    -973

    -1,013

    -1,090

    -1,160

    -1,200

    -3,042

    -8,478
     

    Increases or Decreases (-) in Revenues

    		    

    Estimated Revenues

    0

    -473

    -724

    -720

    -752

    1,081

    -410

    -427

    -443

    -455

    -2,669

    -3,323
     

    Net Increase or Decrease (-) in the Deficit

    From Changes in Direct Spending and Revenues

    		    

    Effect on the Deficit

    -16

    121

    -76

    -206

    -196

    -2,054

    -603

    -663

    -717

    -745

    -373

    -5,155

    Basis of Estimate

    For this estimate, CBO assumes that the legislation will be enacted in summer 2025. CBO’s estimates are relative to its January 2025 baseline and cover the period from 2025 through 2034.

    Direct Spending and Revenues

    CBO estimates that enacting the bill would decrease direct spending by $8.5 billion and decrease revenues by $3.3 billion; the deficit would decrease by $5.2 billion over the 2025‑2034 period (see Table 2).

    Green and Resilient Retrofit Program for Multifamily Family Housing

    Section 50001 would rescind the unobligated balances of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Green and Resilient Retrofit Program. Using information from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, CBO estimates that enacting the rescission would decrease direct spending by $138 million over the 2025-2034 period.

    Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

    Section 50002 would transfer the authorities of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) no later than one year after enactment. At the time of that transfer, the SEC would not be permitted to collect and spend accounting support fees authorized under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that the PCAOB currently collects. Those fees, which fund the board’s activities, are treated as revenues and are available to be spent without further appropriation.

    CBO expects that the board’s authorities would be transferred to the SEC around the end of fiscal year 2026 and that, starting in 2027, accounting support fees would no longer be collected and spent. CBO estimates that eliminating the authority to collect the fees would decrease direct spending by $3.2 billion over the 2027-2034 period.

    Eliminating the fee authority also would reduce collections of fees by $3.3 billion. However, reducing such fees tends to increase taxable income for workers and businesses, leading to increased collections of income and payroll taxes. As a result, CBO expects that the reduction in fee collections would be partially offset by increases in tax receipts of about 25 percent of the gross fee reduction each year. CBO estimates that, on net, revenues would decrease by $2.4 billion over the 2027-2034 period.

    Although CBO anticipates that the SEC would collect fees of similar magnitude to fund those activities, the collection and spending of fees imposed by the SEC are contingent on annual appropriations providing that authority to the agency. CBO has not reviewed this legislation for effects on spending subject to appropriation, so any costs for the SEC to implement the legislation are not included in this estimate.

    Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection

    Section 50003 would decrease the maximum amount that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) may request from the Federal Reserve each year to cover operating expenses. Under current law, the CFPB may request a transfer of up to 12 percent of the Federal Reserve’s operating expenses from 2009, adjusted for inflation each year beginning in 2013. The provision would reduce the cap to 5 percent of the Federal Reserve’s operating expenses in 2009, adjusted for inflation each year beginning in 2025.

    CBO expects that the new cap would take effect at the beginning of 2026 and that the CFPB will have already received its final quarterly funding from the Federal Reserve for 2025. CBO estimates that enacting the provision would reduce transfers from the Federal Reserve by about $4.2 billion and reduce direct spending by $3.9 billion over the 2026-2034 period.

    The Federal Reserve System transmits its net income to the Treasury as remittances, which are recorded as revenues. Transfers to the CFPB reduce those remittances but are recorded as other miscellaneous receipts in the budget; those two revenue streams net to zero over the 2025-2034 period. Changes in costs for the Federal Reserve banks have historically resulted in changes to remittances during the same year. However, since fiscal year 2023, the central bank has recorded a deferred asset to account for accrued net losses from expenses in excess of income. As a result, remittances have been largely suspended. In CBO’s projections, remittances from the Federal Reserve will generally be suspended until 2030, and most of the changes in costs incurred by the system during that time will not be recorded as a change in remittances until they resume.

    Consumer Financial Civil Penalty Fund

    Section 50004 would prohibit the CFPB from spending amounts in the Civil Penalty Fund for any purpose other than to pay victims of violations of consumer financial law for which penalties have been imposed. Under current law, the CFPB deposits penalties collected from judicial or administrative actions into the Civil Penalty Fund; in addition to paying victims of violations, the CFPB uses those amounts for consumer education and financial literacy programs.

    Under current rules, the CFPB may use amounts associated with one penalty to pay victims associated with another penalty. This provision would effectively prohibit that practice and also would bar the CFPB from spending amounts on consumer education or financial literacy programs. Based on an analysis of the amounts returned to the fund in recent years and using other information from the CFPB, CBO expects that enacting this provision would reduce direct spending by $9 million over the 2025-2034 period.

    Financial Research Fund

    Section 50005 wouldcap assessments collected by the Office of Financial Research (OFR) and deposited into the Financial Research Fund at a three-year moving average of the expenses of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC). Under current law, the OFR collects assessments from large financial institutions to fund its operations and the operations of the FSOC. Those assessments are recorded as revenues and are available to be spent without future appropriation. CBO estimates that enacting the provision would decrease direct spending on OFR and FSOC activities by $1.2 billion.

    Capping assessments also would reduce revenues by $1.2 billion. However, reducing such fees tends to increase taxable income for workers and businesses, leading to increased collections of income and payroll taxes. As a result, CBO expects that the reduction in fee collections would be partially offset by increases in tax receipts of about 25 percent of the gross fee reduction each year. On net, CBO estimates that revenues would decrease by $906 million under this provision.

    Pay-As-You-Go Considerations

    The Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 establishes budget-reporting and enforcement procedures for legislation affecting direct spending or revenues. The net changes in outlays and revenues that are subject to those pay-as-you-go procedures are shown in Chief, Finance, Housing, and Education Cost Estimates Unit

    Joshua Shakin
    Chief, Revenue Estimating Unit

    Kathleen FitzGerald
    Chief, Public and Private Mandates Unit

    Christina Hawley Anthony
    Deputy Director of Budget Analysis

    H. Samuel Papenfuss 
    Deputy Director of Budget Analysis

    Chad Chirico 
    Director of Budget Analysis

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    [Table 2 is on the next page.]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Health Disparities Institute is Breaking the Silence Around Menopause

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    On May 3 , the UConn Health Disparities Institute (HDI), in partnership with the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity (CWCSOEO); the Farmington

    May 3, 2025 menopause awareness event at Legislative Office Building.

    Valley (CT) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; the Aurora Foundation for Women and Girls; and the UConn Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy, kicked off Women’s Health Month by welcoming over 100 women to the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Attendees gathered to learn, share, and connect around a natural life transition that impacts all women but is rarely discussed: menopause.

    The event began with a screening of The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause, a PBS documentary that explores menopause through personal stories, expert insights, and powerful truths. A lively and candid panel discussion followed, moderated by Melvette Hill, executive director of CWCSOEO. Panelists included:

    • Ivy M. Alexander, UConn School of Nursing, expert in midlife women’s health
    • Jessica Kluewer-D’Amico, UConn Health psychiatrist and geriatric mental health specialist
    • Feier Liu, UConn Health psychiatrist with expertise in women’s mental and holistic health
    • Carla Rae-Gunn Samson, OB-GYN and Director of Women’s Health at Community Health Services

    Together with the audience, the panel explored the medical, psychological, and cultural dimensions of menopause, emphasizing the racial and ethnic disparities in care, symptoms, and treatment access.

    In addition to the film screening and panel, resource tables from local organizations and our partners were present. These tables offered valuable information, support, and tools related to menopause and women’s health, giving attendees access to practical resources and care pathways.

    “We weren’t just talking. We were learning, laughing, and loving ourselves and our bodies,” said Dr. Linda Sprague Martinez, director of UConn Health Disparities Institute. “Menopause is a natural part of women’s development that has been both overlooked and pathologized for far too long. If we don’t talk about it, we can’t address it and certainly won’t understand it. All women experience menopause, and it has implications for family and community health. Yet despite its widespread impact, it remains under-researched, underfunded, and widely misunderstood.”

    Each year, approximately two million women enter menopause. This natural transition brings physical and emotional changes that can profoundly affect a woman’s well-being, relationships, and quality of life. Yet many women go through it alone, suffering in silence without access to the health information, care, or support they need.

    Research shows that racial and ethnic disparities affect both the experience of menopause, and the quality of care received. For example, the early onset of menopause—more common among Black and Hispanic women—has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease later in life. Additionally, hot flashes and night sweats tend to last longer than expected, especially for women of color:

    • Black women: 10.1 years
    • Latinas: 8.9 years
    • Non-Hispanic white women: 6.5 years
    • Chinese American women: 5.4 years
    • Japanese American women: 4.8 years
      (Source: Pausitive Health)
    Yukiyo Iida, associate director of Parent Leadership and Family Engagement with the Connecticut General Assembly’s CWCSOEO with UConn Health Disparities Institute’s Trisha Pitter and Dr. Linda Sprague Martinez.

    “We know health care inequities are pervasive and that women’s health has not been a priority,” said Trisha Pitter, director of Community Learning and Engagement at HDI. “Providers aren’t getting the training they need to understand and support women fully across the life course. This is a problem. We’re prioritizing menopause and menopause education to break the silence and address health care inequities.”

    Real Stories, Real Support

    The heart of the event came from the attendees themselves. Many women bravely shared personal stories about managing symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disruptions, mood swings, and joint pain, experiences that have often been both physically and emotionally overwhelming.

    Audience members expressed deep gratitude for having a space to finally speak openly.

    Notably, men also attended to support their partners. One participant shared: “This event helped me understand what my wife is going through, and how I can support her instead of standing on the sidelines.”

    What Comes Next

    As the event came to a close, a collective call to action was clear: “Carry what you’ve learned back into your communities. Let’s keep the conversation going, so no one has to face this natural transition alone.”

    HDI and its partners are committed to expanding their efforts through:

    • Raising awareness and education about menopause across Connecticut
    • Advocating for inclusive, research-informed policies that prioritize women’s health based on their lived experiences
    • Hosting a statewide Menopause Celebration in October to honor and empower women in this life stage

    “We’re committed to breaking the silence and ending the disparities,” said Dr. Sprague Martinez. “This is just the beginning.”

    About the UConn Health Disparities Institute
     HDI was formed in 2011 through a legislative mandate.

    Our vision is equitable health, education, and economic opportunity for all in Connecticut.

    Our mission is to advance systemic change by tackling root causes of health inequities and implementing sustainable solutions through interdisciplinary community-based participatory research partnerships, data-driven community action, and workforce development efforts with communities disproportionately impacted by inequities.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Announces Results Of Operation Restore Justice: 205 Child Sex Abuse Offenders Arrested in FBI-Led Nationwide Crackdown, Including 4 in the Western District of New York

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, NY – Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators.  The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.

    “The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims — especially child victims — and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest, and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”

    “Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”

    “These arrests should send a clear message that, together with our law enforcement partners at all levels, we will track down and prosecute those who target our children,” stated U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo. “Our office will never stop doing all that we can to protect children from these harmful predators.”

    “Operation Restore Justice’ sends a powerful message: the FBI is unwavering and united in its fight to protect our children,” said Matthew Miraglia, the Special Agent-in- Charge of the FBI’s Buffalo Field Office. “These arrests demonstrate the unwavering dedication of the FBI and our law enforcement partners. Our work does not stop here. The FBI is committed to holding predators accountable and pursuing justice for victims.”

    Arrested in the Western District of New York and charged with possession of child pornography are:

    Brian Keith, 68, of Niagara Falls, NY. During the execution of a search warrant on March 13, 2025, at Keith’s residence, Niagara Falls Police officers seized a DVR, laptop, five hard drives and two tablets. A review of the electronic devices recovered images of child pornography. Keith is a registered Level 3 sex offender.

    Matthew Kowalski, 25, of Kenmore, NY. In October 2024, he was sentenced to 10 years’ probation for Possessing a Sexual Performance of a Minor, a New York State Penal Law violation. On April 11, 2025, during an unannounced home visit by Erie County Probation Officers, a cellular phone with an SD card was found, which Kowalski was not permitted to possess. A search of the phone and SD card recovered multiple images and videos of suspected child pornography.

    Samari Thompson, 20, of Buffalo, NY. On November 4, 2024, investigators executed a search warrant at Thompson’s residence, seizing electronic devices, including a cellular telephone. A search of the cell phone recovered 48 images and 16 videos of suspected child pornography. Some of the images and videos depicted infants.

    Jamie R. Anderson, 25, of Buffalo, NY. In January 2022, Anderson was sentenced to 10 years’ probation for Possessing a Sexual Performance of a Minor, a New York State Penal Law violation. On July 3, 2024, the social media application Kik reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that 13 video and image files of apparent child pornography were uploaded to their server. Subsequent investigation traced the uploaded files to Anderson. The investigation also determined that Anderson was the subject of two other tipline reports.

    Others arrested around the country are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors, and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.

    In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested about eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents after an online safety presentation at a school near Albany, N.Y.

    This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims, and raising awareness through community education.

    The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.

    The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

    Other online resources:

    Electronic Press Kit

    Violent Crimes Against Children

    How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids

    Arrests in the Western District of New York are the result of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, the New York State Police, the Town of Tonawanda Police Department, the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, the Erie County Probation Department, and the Niagara Falls Police Department.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Mexican men arrested for illegal re-entry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Israel De La Cruz San Juan, 29, and Candido De La Cruz San Juan, 34, both citizens of Mexico, were arrested and charged in separate criminal complaints with illegal re-entry of a removed alien, which carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Sasha Mascarenhas, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on April 27, 2025, Buffalo Border Patrol Station agents were conducting plain clothes surveillance, when they spotted an out-of-state work truck with construction equipment inside in Tonawanda, NY. It was determined that the registration on the truck had expired in September of 2024 and a traffic stop was conducted. Records checks determined that all three occupants, including Israel De La Cruz San Juan and Candido De La Cruz San Juan, were illegally present in the United States. Israel De La Cruz San Juan and Candido De La Cruz San Juan were taken into custody. Israel De La Cruz San Juan was previously removed from the United States in November 2017, and Candido De La Cruz San Juan was removed from the United States in May 2012, and July 2013.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

    The defendants made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroder, Jr. and were detained.

    The complaint is a result of an investigation by U.S. Border Patrol, under the direction of Patrol Agent in Charge Juan Ramirez.

    The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.     

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Ensuring access to justice for Albertans

    Albertans deserve to have access to a fair, accessible and transparent justice system. To strengthen the judiciary and improve access to justice for those involved in civil, criminal and family matters, Alberta’s government has appointed a new assistant chief justice and justice.

    “Alberta’s government is keeping its commitment to filling vacancies at the Alberta Court of Justice. We will continue to strengthen the capacity of our courts to ensure Albertans can get timely access to justice. I congratulate Justice Hancock and Clarissa Pearce, and I am confident they will excel in their new roles.”

    Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

    The Honourable Justice David G. Hancock, ECA, is appointed assistant chief justice of the Alberta Court of Justice, Edmonton Family and Youth Division, effective today, and Clarissa V. Pearce, KC, will be appointed as a justice of the Alberta Court of Justice, Calgary Criminal Division and Calgary Region, effective May 14.

    “Congratulations to Justice Hancock on his appointment to assistant chief justice of Edmonton Family and Youth. His experiences and abilities will serve him well in maintaining access to justice for families in the Edmonton area. Further congratulations to Ms. Pearce on her appointment to the Alberta Court of Justice. She brings a wealth of experience and ability to the court.”

    James Hunter, chief justice, Alberta Court of Justice

    Since June 2023, Alberta’s government has made 23 judicial appointments including three assistant chief justices and nine new justices in 2024, and one assistant chief justice and two new justices in early 2025. These latest appointments bring that total to 25 appointments in less than two years.

    The Honourable Justice David G. Hancock, ECA received his bachelor of laws degree from the University of Alberta in 1979. Justice Hancock has been serving in the Edmonton Family and Youth Division since 2017. He began his career at Matheson & Company and became a partner. A former Premier, deputy premier, government house leader and cabinet minister, Justice Hancock was an elected representative in the Alberta legislature for more than 17 years. Currently, he is a committee board member for the Alberta Law Reform Institute, and – at the Alberta Court of Justice – is a member of the Edmonton Family and Youth Child Protection Committee, the Indigenous Strategies Committee, the Reforming Family Justice Advisory Committee and co-convener of the Reforming Family Justice System.

    Clarissa V. Pearce, KC received her bachelor of laws degree from Dalhousie University in 2007 and her master of laws degree from Harvard University in 2010. She started her career as an articled clerk at the Court of Queen’s Bench in Calgary (now Court of King’s Bench), practiced law at Norton Rose Fulbright (formerly Macleod Dixon LLP) until 2016, then was legal counsel at the Provincial Court of Alberta (now Alberta Court of Justice) and is presently executive legal counsel to the chief justice of the Alberta Court of Justice. In 2024, she was a member of the Indigenous Justice System – Knowledge Sharing Symposium Planning Committee for the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice and acted as a facilitator and co-master of ceremonies at the symposium when it took place on Tsuut’ina Nation. Currently, she is a board member of the Canadian Child Abuse Association.

    Quick facts

    • Lawyers with at least 10 years at the bar can apply to become a justice with the Alberta Court of Justice. 
    • Lawyers with at least five years at the bar can apply to become a justice of the peace. Justice of the peace appointments are for 10 years.
    • Applications are reviewed by the Alberta Judicial Council and Alberta Judicial Nominating Committee, and then recommended to the minister of justice and cabinet for appointment.

    Related information

    • Alberta’s government is actively recruiting justices and justices of the peace and encourages qualified lawyers to apply. Qualified lawyers who wish to be considered for appointment can access the application form online.

     Related news

    • Judicial appointments increase Albertans access to justice (April 9, 2025)
    • Increasing court capacity (Jan. 15, 2025)
    • Strengthening Alberta’s courts (Dec. 4, 2024)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Announces Fifth Edition of Disability Rights Handbook

    Source: US State of California Department of Justice

    Tuesday, May 6, 2025

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

    Releases updated chapters on access to buildings, telecommunications, benefits and services, service animals, and more

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, through the California Department of Justice’s Disability Rights Bureau, announced the release of the fifth edition of “Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities,” a publication that provides information regarding the rights of people with disabilities in California. This handbook summarizes state and federal laws that protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in many arenas, including in the workplace and in accessing facilities open to the public. The handbook covers disability rights and obligations in a variety of contexts including businesses and places of public accommodation, employment, housing, K-12 education, healthcare, voting, and telecommunications, with chapters released on an ongoing basis since January 2024.

    “At California DOJ, we are committed to ensuring that all individuals have access to inclusive and respectful environments free from discrimination, including discrimination based on disability,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Nearly one quarter of adults in California have a disability, and with the latest edition of this handbook, we aim to provide valuable information on disability rights to support accessibility and full participation for all Californians in every aspect of daily life.”

    Californians with disabilities face widespread discrimination, segregation, and exclusion in many aspects of everyday life. California’s disability rights laws are designed to provide protection from these harmful practices, but Californians are often unaware of the nature and scope of these complex laws. All chapters of the “Legal Rights of Persons with Disabilities” handbook are available at https://oag.ca.gov/civil/disability-rights including new and updated chapters on:

    1. Introduction to State and Federal Disability Rights Laws: This chapter provides an overview of major California state and federal laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities.
    1. Access to Businesses and Other Public Accommodations for People with Disabilities: This chapter discusses California and federal laws that prohibit disability-based discrimination in business establishments and other public accommodations. It also describes an individual’s options when they have experienced disability-based discrimination in business establishments and other public accommodations.
    2. Access to Healthcare for People with Disabilities: This chapter describes the state and federal laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities to access healthcare services, including hospitals and other facilities, services, insurance plans, and information offered by doctors’ offices and other medical providers. It also describes an individual’s options when they have experienced disability-based discrimination in healthcare services.
    3. Disability Rights in Employment: This chapter discusses major California and federal laws that protect people with disabilities from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in employment. It also describes an individual’s options when they have experienced discrimination in employment because of their disability.
    4. Disability Rights in Housing: This chapter discusses California and federal laws that protect persons with disabilities from public and private housing discrimination. It also describes options when persons with disabilities have experienced discrimination in housing because of their disability.
    5. Disability Rights in K-12 Education: This chapter discusses the rights of students with disabilities in pre-school, primary, and secondary education under California state and federal law.
    6. Access to Voting for People with Disabilities: This chapter discusses access to polling places and the voting process under federal and state election laws. Additionally, this chapter describes an individual’s options when they have experienced dis­crimination because of their disability while registering to vote or voting.
    7. Access to Public and Private Buildings and Facilities for People with Disabilities: This chapter provides an overview of state and federal laws that set requirements for physical accessibility of both public and private buildings and facilities. In addition, this chapter provides information regarding options for individuals who have experienced discrimination regarding physical accessibility.
    8. Access to Telecommunications for People with Disabilities: Telecommunications services are services that allow people to communicate through cable, radio, television, satellite, or wire equipment and include a variety of services like telephone and text message services. This chapter details state and federal laws regarding telecommunication services ensuring that people with disabilities have equal access to said service. It also provides information if there are concerns about accessibility of a product or service.
    9. Benefits and Services for People with Disabilities: This chapter highlights state and federal benefits, programs, and services that are designed to assist people with disabilities.
    10. Service Animals: This chapter discusses the rights of people with disabilities to use service animals and emotional support animals under both federal and California laws. This chapter also provides the various complaint options people have when their rights regarding service or emotional support animals have been violated.

    Attorney General Bonta is committed to supporting the rights of Californians with disabilities and enforcing state laws that protect people from discrimination. He has supported an update to the Americans with Disabilities Act’s (ADA) Title II regulations concerning accessibility of web information and services of state and local government entities, defended access to housing for persons with disabilities, and recommended revisions to strengthen and protect the rights of students with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This handbook demonstrates the Attorney General’s ongoing commitment to enforcing these laws and ensuring that all Californians are protected from discrimination.

    For more information about the Disability Rights Bureau, visit our webpage at https://oag.ca.gov/civil/disability-rights.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Membership Updates for May 2025

    Source: International Association of Drilling Contractors – IADC

    Headline: Membership Updates for May 2025

    IADC welcomes 9 new Members:

    • HOWACADEMY – Basra, Basra, Iraq

    • JOE M. LIPARI CONSULTING LLC – Cypress, Texas, US 

    • OCEAN SUPERIOR ENERGY CO. LTD. – Dammam, Saudi Arabia

    • RED BOX CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED – Harrogate, North Yorkshire, UK 

    • ROGII INC. – Houston, Texas, US

    • SCORPIONS DE MEXICO SA DE CV – Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico 

    • SMTC GLOBAL – Singapore

    • TOMAHAWK DOWNHOLE LLC – Broussard, Louisiana, US 

    • TRUE STANDARD, LLC – McLean, Texas, US

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Stefanik Statement on Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats’ Disgraceful Slush Fund for Letitia James’ Legal Defense

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (21st District of New York)

    Stefanik Statement on Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats’ Disgraceful Slush Fund for Letitia James’ Legal Defense | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Extended SR 11 closure continues as crews begin slope stabilization and clearing following April rockslide

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Road remains closed about 5 miles south of Larrabee State Park; local businesses, trails and state park remain open

    BOW – Work begins this week to stabilize and clear a significant rockslide that sent thousands of cubic yards of debris across both directions of State Route 11/Chuckanut Drive, closing the road on April 22 just south of milepost 10 near Blanchard Road.

    Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will work six days a week on this emergency project to clear the highway, stabilize the slope, assess the road’s condition and make any needed repairs.

    SR 11 remains closed in both directions between the Oyster Dome trail head and Chuckanut Manor. This closure is expected to continue through June.

    Accessing businesses and recreation

    People can detour around the closure to access businesses and recreation.

    • From Bellingham and points north, use I-5 exit for SR 11/Old Fairhaven Parkway/Chuckanut Drive (exit 250).
    • From Burlington and points south, use I-5 exit for SR 11N/Chuckanut Drive and Bow-Edison (exit 231).

    Stabilizing the hill, clearing the road

    Stabilization efforts are underway and WSDOT is coordinating with BNSF Railway to ensure continued safety of the tracks below the slide area.

    Crews will begin by breaking down and removing the largest boulders. After some of the debris is removed, crews will blanket the road surface to protect the pavement from further damage while they work on the rock face.

    Crews who specialize in this type of work will use hand tools and compressed air to safely remove loose rock from the steep slope, working from top to bottom to reduce hazards. Once loose debris is cleared, rock bolts will be installed to anchor and secure any remaining material. These anchors require drilling deep into the rock face, followed by grouting and tightening bolts for stability.

    Once the slope is stabilized, crews will remove any remaining debris and assess damage to the roadway surface, repair the pavement and restore the guardrail before finally reopening the road.

    Other work on SR 11

    In addition to the work at this location, crews will also complete some repairs in the vicinity of milepost 13, about 1 mile south of the Whatcom-Skagit county line, where a separate rockfall occurred in November 2024. Once the scaling work at the current slide is complete, crews will move north and repair work will be underway at both locations. During the rock removal near milepost 13, flaggers will control traffic with intermittent traffic holds. This will allow people to continue to travel on SR 11 and access businesses, trails and Larrabee State Park.

    Real-time traffic information is available on the WSDOT app and WSDOT’s statewide travel map and social media channels.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Defends Maine’s Three-Day Waiting Period for Firearms Purchases

    Source: US State of California

    Wednesday, May 7, 2025

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

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, as part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, joined an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit in support of Maine’s law requiring a three-day waiting period for firearm purchases. Attorney General Bonta filed the brief in Beckwith v. Frey, supporting Maine’s appeal to reverse the district court’s preliminary injunction halting enforcement of the law. States across the nation protect their citizens through the application of similar waiting period laws because such laws have been proven to promote public safety and curb gun violence. 

    “Reasonable waiting period laws for firearm purchases allow states to implement background checks and create a buffer between gun purchases and gun acquisition, which have been proven to help prevent senseless and impulsive acts of gun violence in our communities,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Gun violence is an urgent public health issue we must continue defending upstream interventions that work; and waiting periods simply work. In California, we are committed to passing and defending commonsense, constitutional gun laws that save lives.”

    In today’s brief, the states argue that Maine’s waiting period law is consistent with the long-standing practice of regulating gun safety and shielding communities from gun violence by ensuring that only law-abiding and responsible persons acquire guns. Maine’s waiting period resembles measures taken by other states that explicitly impose waiting periods or the laws of states that functionally impose waiting periods through their licensing and background check schemes. The immediate purchase and acquisition of a gun allows people to act on temporary emotions and impulses, which can increase the risk of both gun suicide and gun homicide. 

    In filing the brief, Attorney General Bonta joins the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia. 

    A copy of the brief can be found here. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lawler, Garbarino, LaLota, and Malliotakis Release Joint Statement on Status of World Trade Center Health Program

    Source: US Congressman Mike Lawler (R, NY-17)

    Lawler, Garbarino, LaLota, and Malliotakis Release Joint Statement on Status of World Trade Center Health Program

    Washington, D.C. , May 7, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – 5/7/2025… Today, Representatives Mike Lawler (NY-17), Andrew R. Garbarino (NY-02), Nick LaLota (NY-01), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) released the following joint statement regarding the status of the World Trade Center Health Program:
     
    “After extensive conversations with the Administration, HHS has said that it is reinstating all 15 WTCHP workers and that Dr. Howard is fully empowered as program Administrator. While we appreciate this development, their employment should have never been in question. We remain in constant contact with advocates to ensure the program remains fully functional in service to our 9/11 responders and survivors, and we stand ready to take immediate and decisive action at the first sign that this is not the case.”
     
    Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Garbarino, Lawler, LaLota, and Malliotakis Release Joint Statement on Status of World Trade Center Health Program

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Andrew Garbarino (R-NY)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Andrew R. Garbarino (R-NY-02), Mike Lawler (R-NY-17), Nick LaLota (R-NY-01), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11) released the following joint statement regarding the status of the World Trade Center Health Program:

    “After extensive conversations with the Administration, HHS has said that it is reinstating all 15 WTCHP workers and that Dr. Howard is fully empowered as program Administrator. While we appreciate this development, their employment should have never been in question. We remain in constant contact with advocates to ensure the program remains fully functional in service to our 9/11 responders and survivors, and we stand ready to take immediate and decisive action at the first sign that this is not the case.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amo Slams Republican Proposals to Tarnish Fiscal State of the Nation

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    Congressman exposes hypocrisy of Trump’s budget bill that would explode national debt by $14 trillion

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, in a House Committee on the Budget hearing, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01) called out the cynical Republican proposal that would slash Medicaid by $880 billion and cut the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $230 billion just to give more tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans. The Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that the Republican plan to slash Medicaid would lead to millions of Americans losing health coverage — hurting children, people with disabilities, seniors, new moms, and working families — while increasing the national debt by $14 trillion.

    “Republicans are convinced they have to hurt vulnerable Americans to offset tax breaks for the richest one percent of Americans… [they] think it’s right to cut health care and nutrition assistance for the vulnerable in order to make the rich even richer,” said Congressman Amo. “It doesn’t pass the smell test. The Republican plan will add $14 trillion to the national debt. That’s fiscal insanity.”

    WATCH CONGRESSMAN AMO’S REMARKS HERE

     

    BACKGROUND

    According to estimates prepared by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, a gross decrease of $860 billion in federal Medicaid spending would kick 2.4 million people off their health insurance by 2034.

    The extreme Republican budget is just the latest chapter in decades of Republican fiscal recklessness. Tax cuts by Presidents Bush and Trump, and their extensions, have added an astronomical $10 trillion to the national debt.

     

    REMARKS AS PREPARED FOR DELIVERY

    Thank you, Chair Arrington, for holding today’s hearing on the fiscal state of the nation.

    Republicans claim our nation is in poor fiscal health but refuse to look into the mirror to see the real problem.

    Republicans are the ones pursuing a reckless plan that adds $14 trillion to the national debt!

    Why are you hell-bent on making our nation’s fiscal state even worse?

    I’m reminded of the budget resolution markup three months ago. It’s not fiscal responsibility to slash Medicaid by $880 billion and cut SNAP by $230 billion to shovel tax breaks into the pockets of the wealthiest in our country.

    Medicaid delivers health care to a third of America and SNAP helps feed 1 in 5 Americans. But this is what Republicans are tripping over themselves to cut.

    No messaging will cover up this scheme. Republicans claim they don’t want to rip away health care from vulnerable Americans.

    Yet, the Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that the only way to find $880 billion in spending cuts is to cut Medicaid to the bone.

    This will hurt children, people with disabilities, seniors, new moms, and working-class families struggling to make ends meet.

    If you really want to protect Medicaid, sign onto Ranking Member Boyle’s discharge petition — let’s prevent draconian cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.

    Republicans are convinced they have to hurt vulnerable Americans to offset tax breaks for the richest one percent of Americans.

    You heard that right, Republicans think it’s right to cut health care and nutrition assistance for the vulnerable in order to make the rich even richer.

    It doesn’t pass the smell test. The Republican plan will add $14 trillion to the national debt.

    I’ll say that again — $14 trillion to the national debt.

    That’s fiscal insanity.

    Thank you, I yield back.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven, Cramer: Trump Administration Nominates Nicholas Chase to be U.S. Attorney for the District of North Dakota Senators Recommended Chase for the Position

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

    05.07.25

    Senators Recommended Chase for the Position

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer today announced the Trump administration nominated Nicholas W. Chase to serve as United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota. Earlier this year, the senators recommended that President Trump nominate Chase for the position. Currently, Chase serves as a North Dakota District Court Judge for the East Central Judicial District appointed by Governor Doug Burgum. He previously served for 20 years in the U.S. Attorney’s office for the District of North Dakota, including as Acting U.S. Attorney and First Assistant U.S. Attorney. A North Dakota native, Chase has also worked in private practice and as a federal judicial law clerk.   

    “We appreciate the Trump administration nominating Nick to be the U.S. Attorney for North Dakota, and will work to advance his confirmation as quickly as possible. Nick has dedicated his career to public service and the pursuit of justice in North Dakota and has a proven record of building cooperation among federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies. From dismantling drug smuggling networks to prosecuting major fraud and trafficking cases, Nick has built a reputation rooted in integrity and a deep commitment to public safety. We look forward to working with him in this position to help make communities across our state safer and more secure,” said Senators Hoeven and Cramer. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Introduces Bills to Help Protect Lifesaving Veterans Crisis Line and Restore Collective Bargaining Rights for VA Health Care Professionals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    May 07, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (SVAC)—is introducing two bills that would help protect our nation’s devoted VA workers, including nurses, physicians, Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) workers as well as the Veterans they serve against the Trump Administration’s ongoing attacks and harmful cuts. A day after she made it clear to VA Secretary Collins that his work to rehire VCL workers is not complete, Senator Duckworth is introducing the Protecting Veterans in Crisis Act to help safeguard this lifeline for the brave Veterans who depend on it by increasing transparency and strengthening Congress’s oversight of it. Duckworth is also introducing the VA Employee Fairness Act to empower VA health care professionals with the protections needed to speak out about disruptions and advocate for the Veterans they serve as Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s VA cuts continue to jeopardize care.

    “Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s indiscriminate mass layoffs and funding cuts have hollowed out our VA workforce—needlessly hurting nurses, physicians and Veterans Crisis Line workers without thinking twice about the harmful impact on our Veterans,” said Senator Duckworth. “Whether VA Secretary Collins continues to weaken the Veterans Crisis Line program—or follows through on his promise to fix his mistake of firing of Veterans Crisis Line staff—the bottom line is this: Secretary Collins should transparently report VCL personnel and performance data to Congress. The American people deserve to judge for themselves whether Secretary Collins is actually fulfilling his claims to restore VCL resources—and Congress must be able to hold the Trump Administration accountable if it fails to do so.”

    “This Administration cannot continue to slash and burn the VA in the dark. As DOGE cuts continue, it’s as urgent as ever that Congress empowers VA health care professionals with the same bargaining rights and protections as other federal employees so they can speak out freely against any problems or challenges they’re enduring at this critical time for the VA.”

    The Protecting Veterans in Crisis Act would expand congressional oversight of the Veterans Crisis Line, improve workforce protections for all VCL personnel and help ensure the best performance standards are maintained in order to fulfill the VCL’s mission in serving Veterans in crisis. Specifically, the legislation would require:

      • A 48-Hour Notification of Pending Termination: Ensuring the VA Secretary notifies Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees 48 hours prior to the termination of any VCL employee, including whether the employee is a Veteran or military spouse.
      • A Report on VCL Personnel: Ensuring the VA Secretary submits a report to the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committees and Appropriations Committees on personnel data and specifics about the role that the terminated worker served at the VCL.
      • A Report on VCL Operations and Performance: Ensuring the VA Secretary submits a monthly report to Congress assessing the VCL’s performance. This includes average wait times for callers and the volume of unanswered calls, caller-to-operator ratios, in-person to remote, resources used, staffing report broken down by job category and more.
      • A GAO Report on Improvements to the VCL: Ensuring a GAO investigation on operations and performance of the VCL. This would allow GAO to recommend improvements due no later than 180 days after enactment of the bill.

    The VA Employee Fairness Act—co-led by U.S. Representative and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Mark Takano (D-CA-39)—would restore collective bargaining rights to VA health care professionals, including registered nurses, physicians, optometrists, chiropractors and others. Currently, Section 7422 of Title 38 USC restricts the ability of these workers to speak freely about poor working conditions and resolve disputes with management. As a result, the quality of patient care has often deteriorated as problems in VA facilities go unaddressed.

    “VA healthcare employees work tirelessly to provide high-quality care to our nation’s veterans and their families. The VA Employee Fairness Act would grant these indispensable workers the collective bargaining rights they deserve and have been fighting for while improving VA employee retention. Passing this bill is the right thing to do. This legislation is more critical than ever, given the Administration’s efforts to fire VA employees and make cuts that continue to diminish VA employee morale,” said Ranking Member Takano. 

    Along with Duckworth, the legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA). The legislation was previously led by U.S. Senator Brown of Ohio.

    Along with Takano, the legislation is cosponsored in the House by U.S. Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Linda Sanchez (D-CA-39), Maxine Waters (D-CA-35), Scott Peters (D-CA-52), Juan Vargas (D-CA-51), Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), John Larson (D-CT-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Max Frost (D-FL-10), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Lucy McBath (D-GA-07), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Frank Mrvan (D-IN-01), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), William Keating (D-MA-09), Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05), Rashia Tlaib (D-MI-12), Herb Conaway (D-NJ-03), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Tim Kennedy (D-NY-26), Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Jennifer Mccellan (D-VA-04), Adam Smith (D-WA-09), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03), Rick Larsen (D-WA-02), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), Suhas Subramayan (D-VA-10), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25), Jared Golden (D-ME-02), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-09), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Judy Chu (D-CA-32), Steven Horsford (D-CA-32), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Val Hoyle (D-OR-04), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Julie Johnson (D-TX-32), Sri Thaneder (D-MI-13), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Sarah McBride (D-DE-AL), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Chris Pappas (D-NH-01) and Grace Meng (D-NY-06).

    The legislation is endorsed by National Nurses United (NNU), the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Federation of Labor (AFL), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), National Association of Government Employees (NAGE), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), VoteVets and Union Veterans Council of AFL-CIO.

    “By granting VA nurses the ability to bargain collectively on issues related to patient care, the VA Employee Fairness Act would make the VA a safer place both for nurses and our veterans,” said Irma Westmoreland, RN, and chair of Veterans Affairs for National Nurses United. “VA nurses are fierce advocates for veterans, and restoring their full union rights empowers them as they fulfill this most sacred duty. Nurses will never abandon their patients, and they will continue to fight for the best care for our nation’s veterans.”

    The bill text of the Protecting Veterans in Crisis Act and the VA Employee Fairness Act is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

    Duckworth has been a fierce leader and advocate for VA staff and Veteran Crisis Line (VCL) workers in the wake of the disastrous Trump-Musk layoffs at the VA. Last week, Duckworth slammed a senior official from the VA after he failed to publicly commit to rehiring VCL workers who were wrongfully fired in Trump-Musk layoffs. After the first VA purge laid off workers with the VCL—including several Veterans—Duckworth successfully pushed the Trump Administration to reinstate these devoted public servants that work to support our Veterans in their darkest moments.

    Additionally, Duckworth and U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) are leading the push for the Protect Veteran Jobs Act, legislation that would reinstate the thousands of Veterans who were fired in the Trump-Musk layoffs. Duckworth and Kim subsequently introduced their legislation as an amendment to Republicans’ slush fund continuing resolution. Republicans shamefully blocked it from passing.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Morgan McGarvey Defends Medicaid in Congressional Hearing, Shares Story of 10-Year-Old Louisvillian

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan McGarvey (Kentucky-03)

    May 07, 2025

    Today, Congressman Morgan McGarvey delivered passionate remarks in defense of Medicaid during a House Budget Committee hearing, sharing the story of a 10-year-old Louisvillian named June who has Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and receives health insurance and treatment through Medicaid. 

    As a member of the House Budget Committee, Congressman McGarvey has been fighting tooth and nail against the Republican budget that will cut Medicaid by up to $880 billion, which would be devastating to Louisville. Over 200,000 Louisvillians rely on Medicaid for health care coverage, including 103,000 children under the age of 19 and 17,000 seniors over 65.

    DOWNLOAD VIDEO AND PHOTOS HERE

    TRANSCRIPT:

    [2:48] They swear they aren’t touching Medicare, so that only leaves Medicaid. 

    I know, we’ve heard: “Waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicaid.” You know what? I agree. Let’s get rid of it. Let’s get rid of all of it. I will help you. Every dollar we get rid of that is waisted or is fraudulent in Medicaid can go to someone who needs it.

    So now that we’ve gotten rid of the waste, fraud, and abuse, where are you going to come up with the other hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts?

    There is only one option. It is taking health care away from people who use Medicaid. People like the 30 million children, the 8 million disabled Americans, the 7 million seniors – even 10% of our veterans participate in the Medicaid program.

    [3:35] It’s going to hurt people like my constituent, June.

    June is a 10-year-old, a 10-year-old with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, the most serious form of the disease. She’s wheelchair bound. She’s epileptic. She has visual and hearing impairments. She requires 24/7 care. 

    I met June and her mom, Meg, at a Medicaid town hall in my district just last month. Medicaid provides June with a therapist for PT, for OT, for speech therapy. It allows her to live at home and get care at home from not just trained professionals, but from a mother who loves her and is the only person who can make her smile.

    She’s medically fragile. She had three surgeries last week. Her mother’s worked four jobs, but nobody can afford care like this. She’s covered by Medicaid. Now, it’s on the chopping block.

    Republicans refuse to craft a sensible budget, but state legislators still have to, so if these cuts go through, a state like mine is going to be devastated. It’ll blow a massive hole in Kentucky’s budget, leaving people like June without insurance.

    She’s just a kid. She likes her brothers when they’re silly. She likes her dogs. She likes YouTube and Chappell Roan, just like my daughter does. 

    She deserves better than this budget.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Urges Administration to Expedite Review Process for Critical Broadband Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick asking him to expedite the review and release of updated guidance for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program and urged that West Virginia not have to redo significant portions of their application.
    The BEAD program, which was created through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) that Senator Capito helped craft, is a federal grant program that aims to get all Americans online by funding partnerships between states or territories, communities, and stakeholders to build infrastructure where we need it to and increase adoption of high-speed internet. In June 2023, Senator Capito announced that West Virginia would receive a significant portion of this funding.
    “I urge you to expedite not only the review and release of updated guidance, but the program as a whole. West Virginians have waited long enough, and I hope with your leadership they will soon have broadband access and this will be President Trump and your greatest accomplishment for rural America,” Senator Capito wrote.
    The full letter can be found HERE or below:
    Dear Secretary Lutnick,
    As we have discussed, one of my top priorities in the Senate has been to get all of West Virginia connected with quality broadband service. The opportunity to get the more than 100,000 unserved locations in West Virginia broadband access is finally here through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. The Biden Administration took years and years and burdened states and internet service providers (ISPs) with unnecessary mandates like labor requirements, climate change provisions, and some cumbersome financial requirements and did not connect a single location through BEAD. You can succeed where the previous administration failed and deliver this service quickly and efficiently to millions of Americans primarily in rural areas. 
    West Virginia has been allocated $1.2 billion to connect the state. The BEAD statute specifically says it is to be a technology neutral program. Some states may prefer fiber, others fixed wireless, and others satellite. Whatever technology or combination of technologies works best for the state and serves the most people while staying within the allocated funding amount should move forward. 
    When the BEAD program review was initiated on March 5, my state was 6 weeks away from completing the arduous application process after so many steps including a completed fair project selection process. Removing much of the red-tape from the program in a timely manner, so that my state and all others could move forward even faster, is an ideal outcome. 
    As we have discussed, I am concerned that West Virginia may be told to move back from the 1-yard line to the 40-yard line after the review concludes. Many of the changes that should be made to the program can be made quickly, but as an example, reopening the subgrantee application process for ISPs could delay connecting rural Americans for another year. I also am concerned that an arbitrary one-size-fits-all cost cap could be imposed for each connection. West Virginia is the Mountain State, so connecting us may be inherently more expensive than most every other state. In addition, certain technologies are not feasible in many areas not only due to our challenging topography but also because 78 percent of the state is forested.
    Like you, I am opposed to outlandish costs for a single connection but those decisions should be made with a more tailored approach by the states in consultation with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. My state is committed to achieving the goals of the program with the utmost efficiency. 
    I urge you to expedite not only the review and release of updated guidance but the program as a whole. West Virginians have waited long enough, and I hope with your leadership they will soon have broadband access and this will be President Trump and your greatest accomplishment for rural America. 
    Sincerely,  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Lummis, Barrasso Host Veteran’s Telephone Townhall with VA Secretary Doug Collins

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    May 7, 2025

    Washington, D.C.— Last night, U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and John Barrasso (R-WY) hosted a statewide telephone townhall for Wyoming Veterans, joined by Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins and Tim Sheppard from the Wyoming Veterans Commission.
    During the call, Secretary Collins and the Wyoming Senate delegation addressed Veterans’ concerns and discussed ongoing efforts to ensure accessible, high-quality health care through the Department of Veterans Affairs, in coordination with President Trump’s administration. 
    “Giving Secretary Collins a direct line to Servicemembers and Veterans across Wyoming was incredibly helpful,” said Lummis. “This townhall allowed us to answer important questions and ensure our Veterans are getting the care they deserve. This administration continues to be the most accessible and transparent in United States history, and I’m proud to be working with an administration that prioritizes the promises made to those who served.”
    (Photo: Senator Lummis, Senator Barrasso, and Tim Sheppard take questions from Wyoming Veterans)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren Calls on Hegseth to Protect Marine Recruits, Freeze Contract Renewal with Credit Union Under Investigation for Exploitative Overdraft Fees

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    May 07, 2025
    Frontwave Credit Union’s contract with the Marine Corps is expected to be renewed imminently
    “[DoD] does not adequately protect service members from exorbitant overdraft fees in its contracting process…In the interim, I ask that DoD refrain from renewing its contract with Frontwave”
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, wrote to Secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD) Pete Hegseth urging him to freeze the Marine Corps contract renewal with Frontwave Credit Union until the contract terms are revised to protect Marines from abusive overdraft fees. Last year, Senator Warren launched a bipartisan investigation with nine members of Congress into the California-based credit union for its history of targeting Marine recruits with excessive overdraft fees. 
    For 25 years, Frontwave Credit Union has had an exclusive agreement with the Marine Corps that funnels recruits from the Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) in San Diego and automatically enrolls them in Frontwave checking accounts to receive their paychecks by direct deposit. Approximately 99% of MCRD recruits were automatically enrolled with Frontwave.
    In March 2024, a KPBS investigation exposed Frontwave’s predatory practices, finding that every time a Marine’s account is overdrawn by more than $20, they are charged a $20 per-purchase fee – with fees that can run as much as $500 in total. Base pay for newly enlisted Marines is around $1,800 – $2,000 per month before taxes. A $500 debt to Frontwave, compounded with interest, could take years for a recruit to repay and be disastrous for their credit score.
    In 2022 alone, Frontwave made $7.8 million from overdraft and non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees. Frontwave’s entire profit came from overdraft fees, and was triple the average for state-chartered credit unions. Without the revenue from overdraft fees, Frontwave would have faced significant losses for years.
    Senator Warren’s investigation found that the average overdraft fees for the bank’s customers that were subject to these fees easily exceed $200 annually. Frontwave confirmed to Senator Warren that its contract with the Marines did not contain any terms related to overdraft fees. 
    “New information and documents I obtained as part of my investigation of Frontwave reveal that the Department of Defense does not adequately protect service members from exorbitant overdraft fees in its contracting process,” said Senator Warren. 
    “The findings [of my investigation] indicate a need for DoD to review its contract with Frontwave Credit Union…and ensure that they have adequate protections in place to prevent excessive overdraft fees and other abusive practices,” Senator Warren concluded. 
    Senator Warren urged Hegseth to begin the review process as soon as possible and provide her staff with a briefing on DoD’s efforts to protect Marines from predatory overdraft fees within 30 days. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren Announces Senate Forum on Trump’s Attacks on Education Access, Invites Secretary McMahon to Defend Actions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    May 07, 2025
    Spotlight forum entitled “Stealing the American Dream: How Trump and Republicans Are Raising Education Costs for Families.”
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – Today, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, announced that she will host a spotlight forum entitled “Stealing the American Dream: How Trump and Republicans Are Raising Education Costs for Families.” The forum is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Room G11.
    The latest action in Senator Warren’s Save Our Schools campaign, this forum will examine how both the Trump administration’s attacks on the Department of Education and Congressional Republicans’ legislative plans will increase education costs and limit access to higher education for America’s students and borrowers.
    Senator Warren invited the following witnesses to attend the forum:
    Linda McMahon, Secretary, U.S. Department of Education
    Bonnie Latreille, Former Student Loan Ombudsman, U.S. Department of Education
    Jonathan Glater, Professor of Law & Associate Dean of J.D. Curriculum and Teaching, UC Berkeley School of Law
    Gilberto Gonzalez, Truck Driver, Prime Inc. 
    Tiffany Aliche, Personal Finance Creator, @thebudgetnista
    In a letter to Secretary McMahon, Senator Warren wrote, “Your appearance will provide you with an opportunity to defend the Trump administration’s policies, offer context for your actions to dismantle the Department of Education, and share your vision for ensuring that the American Dream becomes more attainable for all.”
    This forum follows President Trump’s signing of a March 2025 executive order seeking to abolish the Department of Education, and House Republicans advancing legislation last month to slash $351 billion in education spending. 
    Senator Warren has been a leader in the coordinated effort to fight back against President Trump’s attempts to abolish the Department of Education:
    On April 24, 2025, Senator Warren launched a new investigation into the harms of President Trump’s attacks on the Department of Education, seeking information on the impact of the Trump administration’s actions from the members of twelve leading organizations representing schools, parents, teachers, students, borrowers, and researchers.
    On April 10, 2025, following a request led by Senator Warren, the Department of Education’s Acting Inspector General agreed to open an investigation into the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.
    On April 2, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Mazie Hirono, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon regarding the Department of Government Efficiency’s proposed plan to replace the Department of Education’s federal student aid call centers with generative artificial intelligence chatbots.
    On April 2, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren launched the Save Our Schools campaign to fight back against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education (ED) and highlight the consequences for every student and public school in America.
    On March 27, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led a letter to Acting Department of Education Inspector General (IG) René Rocque requesting that the IG conduct an investigation of the Trump Administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.
    On March 20, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders led a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon regarding the Trump Administration’s decision to slash the capacity of Federal Student Aid to handle student aid complaints.
    On February 24, 2025, in a response to Senator Warren, Secretary McMahon gave her first public admission that she “wholeheartedly” agreed with Trump’s plans to abolish the Department of Education.
    On February 11, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim sent Linda McMahon, Secretary-Designate for the U.S. Department of Education, a 12-page letter with 65 questions on McMahon’s policy views in advance of her nomination hearing.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Business Insider: Elizabeth Warren is challenging Trump’s top education official to defend policies that could put student-loan borrowers at risk

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    May 07, 2025
    Sen. Elizabeth Warren wants President Donald Trump’s top education chief to answer for her policies that impact millions of student-loan borrowers.
    Warren is holding a forum on May 14 to examine the Trump administration’s education policies and how Republicans’ plans for education, including a recent bill that would eliminate affordable monthly student-loan payment plans, will impact borrowers and America’s students.
    A letter exclusively viewed by Business Insider and sent on Wednesday from Warren to Education Secretary Linda McMahon outlined the issues Warren plans to examine at the forum. It included an invitation for McMahon to attend and defend her policies to students and lawmakers.
    …
    Read the full article here.
    By:  Ayelet SheffeySource: Business Insider
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