Category: Commerce

MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Kean’s Bill to Strengthen American Technological Leadership
Source: US Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)

(July 15, 2025) WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1765, the Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act, by a voice vote.

Introduced by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05), and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), this bipartisan bill strengthens American technological leadership by bringing together key trusted partners and encouraging U.S. participation in international standards-setting for 5G and future generations of wireless communications networks.

Watch Congressman Kean speak on the House floor in support of the bill HERE.

“As the global competition for 5G and wireless technology continues, the United States must lead—not follow,” said Congressman Kean. “This bipartisan bill ensures that it is American innovation, rather than that of our adversaries abroad, which sets the standard for the future of wireless communications. I am thankful to my colleagues in the House for passing this critical legislation to keep the U.S. competitive and at the forefront of global technological leadership.”

“The policy choices of today will have lasting effects on the global wireless technology development of tomorrow—especially as we compete against China,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “We must take concrete, proactive steps to lower barriers to entry for U.S. companies and promote American competitiveness in this space for each subsequent generation of these innovative technologies. As a Co-Chair of the 5G and Beyond Caucus, I am proud this bipartisan legislation has passed the House, and will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure the United States remains at the forefront of innovation.”

“The United States has been a longtime leader in cutting-edge technologies,” said Congressman Walberg.“ As a co-chair of the 5G and Beyond Caucus, I understand how critical it is that the U.S. remains the leading voice in the worldwide development of future wireless communications networks. By establishing clear rules of the road, we can protect against influence by foreign adversaries and ensure that the next generation of connectivity is built with America’s values and economic and security interests in mind. I am pleased to see the House pass this bipartisan legislation to secure our future and strengthen our global competitiveness.”

“For America to remain a global leader in the Digital Age, ensuring the continued effectiveness and stability of our 5G networks must be the highest priority,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. “Providing standards-setting bodies with the cooperation, support, and assistance they need from the NTIA is a key step to seeing that aspiration become a reality. I am proud to be a leader of this initiative to secure our continued success in deploying 5G technologies and laying the groundwork for the innovation of future generation wireless networks.”

Additionally, this bill would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to:
- Encourage participation by trusted companies and relevant stakeholders
- Offer technical assistance to such trusted companies and relevant stakeholders.
Full bill text can be found HERE.

Congressman Kean serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, where he works on issues related to broadband access, telecommunications policy, and emerging technologies.

###

MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Kean’s Bill to Strengthen American Technological Leadership
Source: US Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)

(July 15, 2025) WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1765, the Promoting United States Wireless Leadership Act, by a voice vote.

Introduced by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05), and Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), this bipartisan bill strengthens American technological leadership by bringing together key trusted partners and encouraging U.S. participation in international standards-setting for 5G and future generations of wireless communications networks.

Watch Congressman Kean speak on the House floor in support of the bill HERE.

“As the global competition for 5G and wireless technology continues, the United States must lead—not follow,” said Congressman Kean. “This bipartisan bill ensures that it is American innovation, rather than that of our adversaries abroad, which sets the standard for the future of wireless communications. I am thankful to my colleagues in the House for passing this critical legislation to keep the U.S. competitive and at the forefront of global technological leadership.”

“The policy choices of today will have lasting effects on the global wireless technology development of tomorrow—especially as we compete against China,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “We must take concrete, proactive steps to lower barriers to entry for U.S. companies and promote American competitiveness in this space for each subsequent generation of these innovative technologies. As a Co-Chair of the 5G and Beyond Caucus, I am proud this bipartisan legislation has passed the House, and will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure the United States remains at the forefront of innovation.”

“The United States has been a longtime leader in cutting-edge technologies,” said Congressman Walberg.“ As a co-chair of the 5G and Beyond Caucus, I understand how critical it is that the U.S. remains the leading voice in the worldwide development of future wireless communications networks. By establishing clear rules of the road, we can protect against influence by foreign adversaries and ensure that the next generation of connectivity is built with America’s values and economic and security interests in mind. I am pleased to see the House pass this bipartisan legislation to secure our future and strengthen our global competitiveness.”

“For America to remain a global leader in the Digital Age, ensuring the continued effectiveness and stability of our 5G networks must be the highest priority,” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. “Providing standards-setting bodies with the cooperation, support, and assistance they need from the NTIA is a key step to seeing that aspiration become a reality. I am proud to be a leader of this initiative to secure our continued success in deploying 5G technologies and laying the groundwork for the innovation of future generation wireless networks.”

Additionally, this bill would direct the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to:
- Encourage participation by trusted companies and relevant stakeholders
- Offer technical assistance to such trusted companies and relevant stakeholders.
Full bill text can be found HERE.

Congressman Kean serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, where he works on issues related to broadband access, telecommunications policy, and emerging technologies.

###

MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Four weeks of major work on northbound I-5 Ship Canal Bridge begins with a weekend-long mainline closure July 18-21
Source: Washington State News 2

Express lanes will be northbound only during summer 2025 work

SEATTLE – The long-anticipated major work to revive the Interstate 5 Ship Canal Bridge will kick off with a weekend-long closure of northbound I-5 in Seattle Friday night, July 18 through early Monday morning, July 21. Following the closure, the freeway will be reduced to two lanes for four weeks northbound across the bridge, as Washington State Department of Transportation contractors work on one of Seattle’s busiest corridors.

”We’ve been planning and preparing for this work for over a year,” said Brian Nielsen, WSDOT’s region administrator with oversight for King County. “This is one of the most important and challenging preservation projects in the state. We know it will disrupt travel, but the repairs are essential to extend the life of one of the region’s busiest and most vital transportation links. Our team has worked closely with city, regional and transit partners to reduce the effects as much as possible and keep people moving.”

Crews will use the four-week work window to repave and repair portions of the bridge’s two left lanes and continue replacing stormwater drains. Later this year, weekend lane reductions will begin on southbound I-5 to prepare for future phases of the project.

What to expect
- Friday night, July 18 to Monday morning, July 21: Northbound I-5 closed from near the I-90 interchange to Northeast 45th Street.
- Monday, July 21 to Friday night, Aug. 15: Northbound I-5 reduced to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge.
- Friday, Aug. 15 to Monday morning, Aug. 18: Northbound I-5 closed from near the I-90 interchange to Northeast 45th Street.
- Monday morning, Aug. 18: All lanes of northbound I-5 reopen.
The express lanes will operate northbound only around the clock during summer construction.

Throughout the weekend, people traveling on northbound I-5 who are going to downtown Seattle should use the exits to Edgar Martinez Drive or to Dearborn, James or Madison streets.

The express lanes have no northbound exits to downtown Seattle; the first exit is at Northeast 42nd Street in the University District. Express lane on-ramps at Columbia, Cherry and Pine streets will be open to all vehicles throughout the weekend. Those ramps usually are reserved for high-occupancy vehicles.

When the northbound I-5 mainline reopens by 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, the freeway will be reduced to two lanes near the Ship Canal Bridge until the evening of Friday, Aug. 15, when the second weekend-long closure will occur to remove the work zone.

Regional coordination

Reducing capacity on I-5 through the heart of Seattle is a big shift. WSDOT has worked closely with the city of Seattle and SDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, emergency services and freight partners to prepare for this summer’s construction. Together, partners have adjusted signal timing, expanded bus-only lanes, modified transit routes and developed contingency plans to help people navigate to and through Seattle during construction.

WSDOT has also collaborated with organizations like the Downtown Seattle Association, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Commute Seattle. These groups play an important role in helping people who live and work in Seattle, as well as those attending events, fairs and festivals, navigate the city and continue to enjoy everything downtown has to offer while Ship Canal Bridge construction is underway.

While this level of construction brings challenges, this work is critical and planning ahead can help ease disruptions. People should allow extra travel time, utilize transit and alternate routes and adjust travel schedules when possible. Real time traffic tools and route planning can make a major difference during this work.

A glimpse ahead to 2026 and 2027

Construction this year is a preview of long-term lane reductions planned for 2026 and 2027, when one direction of the bridge each year will be reduced to two lanes for eight to nine months. Work will pause during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when all lanes of the bridge will be open in both directions.

In winter 2026, the northbound Ship Canal Bridge will be reduced to two lanes until early June, just prior to World Cup matches in Seattle and Vancouver. Contractor crews will remove the work zone and reopen all lanes throughout the tournament.

In mid-July, after the conclusion of the tournament, the contractor will close the northbound two right lanes until fall to repair and repave them.

The work will shift to southbound I-5 in 2027, with crews working on the two left lanes from winter into summer, then the right lanes through the fall.

Real-time travel information is available from the WSDOT mobile app, the WSDOT Travel Center Map or by signing up for WSDOT’s email updates.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Four weeks of major work on northbound I-5 Ship Canal Bridge begins with a weekend-long mainline closure July 18-21
Source: Washington State News 2

Express lanes will be northbound only during summer 2025 work

SEATTLE – The long-anticipated major work to revive the Interstate 5 Ship Canal Bridge will kick off with a weekend-long closure of northbound I-5 in Seattle Friday night, July 18 through early Monday morning, July 21. Following the closure, the freeway will be reduced to two lanes for four weeks northbound across the bridge, as Washington State Department of Transportation contractors work on one of Seattle’s busiest corridors.

”We’ve been planning and preparing for this work for over a year,” said Brian Nielsen, WSDOT’s region administrator with oversight for King County. “This is one of the most important and challenging preservation projects in the state. We know it will disrupt travel, but the repairs are essential to extend the life of one of the region’s busiest and most vital transportation links. Our team has worked closely with city, regional and transit partners to reduce the effects as much as possible and keep people moving.”

Crews will use the four-week work window to repave and repair portions of the bridge’s two left lanes and continue replacing stormwater drains. Later this year, weekend lane reductions will begin on southbound I-5 to prepare for future phases of the project.

What to expect
- Friday night, July 18 to Monday morning, July 21: Northbound I-5 closed from near the I-90 interchange to Northeast 45th Street.
- Monday, July 21 to Friday night, Aug. 15: Northbound I-5 reduced to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge.
- Friday, Aug. 15 to Monday morning, Aug. 18: Northbound I-5 closed from near the I-90 interchange to Northeast 45th Street.
- Monday morning, Aug. 18: All lanes of northbound I-5 reopen.
The express lanes will operate northbound only around the clock during summer construction.

Throughout the weekend, people traveling on northbound I-5 who are going to downtown Seattle should use the exits to Edgar Martinez Drive or to Dearborn, James or Madison streets.

The express lanes have no northbound exits to downtown Seattle; the first exit is at Northeast 42nd Street in the University District. Express lane on-ramps at Columbia, Cherry and Pine streets will be open to all vehicles throughout the weekend. Those ramps usually are reserved for high-occupancy vehicles.

When the northbound I-5 mainline reopens by 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, the freeway will be reduced to two lanes near the Ship Canal Bridge until the evening of Friday, Aug. 15, when the second weekend-long closure will occur to remove the work zone.

Regional coordination

Reducing capacity on I-5 through the heart of Seattle is a big shift. WSDOT has worked closely with the city of Seattle and SDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, emergency services and freight partners to prepare for this summer’s construction. Together, partners have adjusted signal timing, expanded bus-only lanes, modified transit routes and developed contingency plans to help people navigate to and through Seattle during construction.

WSDOT has also collaborated with organizations like the Downtown Seattle Association, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Commute Seattle. These groups play an important role in helping people who live and work in Seattle, as well as those attending events, fairs and festivals, navigate the city and continue to enjoy everything downtown has to offer while Ship Canal Bridge construction is underway.

While this level of construction brings challenges, this work is critical and planning ahead can help ease disruptions. People should allow extra travel time, utilize transit and alternate routes and adjust travel schedules when possible. Real time traffic tools and route planning can make a major difference during this work.

A glimpse ahead to 2026 and 2027

Construction this year is a preview of long-term lane reductions planned for 2026 and 2027, when one direction of the bridge each year will be reduced to two lanes for eight to nine months. Work will pause during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when all lanes of the bridge will be open in both directions.

In winter 2026, the northbound Ship Canal Bridge will be reduced to two lanes until early June, just prior to World Cup matches in Seattle and Vancouver. Contractor crews will remove the work zone and reopen all lanes throughout the tournament.

In mid-July, after the conclusion of the tournament, the contractor will close the northbound two right lanes until fall to repair and repave them.

The work will shift to southbound I-5 in 2027, with crews working on the two left lanes from winter into summer, then the right lanes through the fall.

Real-time travel information is available from the WSDOT mobile app, the WSDOT Travel Center Map or by signing up for WSDOT’s email updates.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Four weeks of major work on northbound I-5 Ship Canal Bridge begins with a weekend-long mainline closure July 18-21
Source: Washington State News 2

Express lanes will be northbound only during summer 2025 work

SEATTLE – The long-anticipated major work to revive the Interstate 5 Ship Canal Bridge will kick off with a weekend-long closure of northbound I-5 in Seattle Friday night, July 18 through early Monday morning, July 21. Following the closure, the freeway will be reduced to two lanes for four weeks northbound across the bridge, as Washington State Department of Transportation contractors work on one of Seattle’s busiest corridors.

”We’ve been planning and preparing for this work for over a year,” said Brian Nielsen, WSDOT’s region administrator with oversight for King County. “This is one of the most important and challenging preservation projects in the state. We know it will disrupt travel, but the repairs are essential to extend the life of one of the region’s busiest and most vital transportation links. Our team has worked closely with city, regional and transit partners to reduce the effects as much as possible and keep people moving.”

Crews will use the four-week work window to repave and repair portions of the bridge’s two left lanes and continue replacing stormwater drains. Later this year, weekend lane reductions will begin on southbound I-5 to prepare for future phases of the project.

What to expect
- Friday night, July 18 to Monday morning, July 21: Northbound I-5 closed from near the I-90 interchange to Northeast 45th Street.
- Monday, July 21 to Friday night, Aug. 15: Northbound I-5 reduced to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge.
- Friday, Aug. 15 to Monday morning, Aug. 18: Northbound I-5 closed from near the I-90 interchange to Northeast 45th Street.
- Monday morning, Aug. 18: All lanes of northbound I-5 reopen.
The express lanes will operate northbound only around the clock during summer construction.

Throughout the weekend, people traveling on northbound I-5 who are going to downtown Seattle should use the exits to Edgar Martinez Drive or to Dearborn, James or Madison streets.

The express lanes have no northbound exits to downtown Seattle; the first exit is at Northeast 42nd Street in the University District. Express lane on-ramps at Columbia, Cherry and Pine streets will be open to all vehicles throughout the weekend. Those ramps usually are reserved for high-occupancy vehicles.

When the northbound I-5 mainline reopens by 5 a.m. Monday, July 21, the freeway will be reduced to two lanes near the Ship Canal Bridge until the evening of Friday, Aug. 15, when the second weekend-long closure will occur to remove the work zone.

Regional coordination

Reducing capacity on I-5 through the heart of Seattle is a big shift. WSDOT has worked closely with the city of Seattle and SDOT, King County Metro, Sound Transit, emergency services and freight partners to prepare for this summer’s construction. Together, partners have adjusted signal timing, expanded bus-only lanes, modified transit routes and developed contingency plans to help people navigate to and through Seattle during construction.

WSDOT has also collaborated with organizations like the Downtown Seattle Association, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Commute Seattle. These groups play an important role in helping people who live and work in Seattle, as well as those attending events, fairs and festivals, navigate the city and continue to enjoy everything downtown has to offer while Ship Canal Bridge construction is underway.

While this level of construction brings challenges, this work is critical and planning ahead can help ease disruptions. People should allow extra travel time, utilize transit and alternate routes and adjust travel schedules when possible. Real time traffic tools and route planning can make a major difference during this work.

A glimpse ahead to 2026 and 2027

Construction this year is a preview of long-term lane reductions planned for 2026 and 2027, when one direction of the bridge each year will be reduced to two lanes for eight to nine months. Work will pause during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when all lanes of the bridge will be open in both directions.

In winter 2026, the northbound Ship Canal Bridge will be reduced to two lanes until early June, just prior to World Cup matches in Seattle and Vancouver. Contractor crews will remove the work zone and reopen all lanes throughout the tournament.

In mid-July, after the conclusion of the tournament, the contractor will close the northbound two right lanes until fall to repair and repave them.

The work will shift to southbound I-5 in 2027, with crews working on the two left lanes from winter into summer, then the right lanes through the fall.

Real-time travel information is available from the WSDOT mobile app, the WSDOT Travel Center Map or by signing up for WSDOT’s email updates.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Rachel Reeves Mansion House 2025 speech

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

Speech

Rachel Reeves Mansion House 2025 speech

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered her second Mansion House speech on the evening of Tuesday 15 July 2025.

Lord Mayor, Governor, Ladies and Gentlemen.

My thanks go to the City of London Corporation for hosting us here this evening…

…and to the Lord Mayor for his address…

…as well as to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury for all her hard work.

It is a year since my party was elected to office…

…and year since I was appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Recently, on a visit to a primary school, a young girl asked me –

“if you could have any job in the world, what would it be?”

Given the events of the last few weeks, I suspect many of you would have sympathised if I had said –

“anything but the Chancellor.”

But I didn’t.

Because I am proud to stand here tonight and address you for a second time at Mansion House…

…as the Chancellor of Exchequer.

This evening, I want to talk about the progress we have made over the past year:

Restoring stability;

Securing investment;

And delivering reform.

And I want to talk about the future:

The economy that we are building;

The opportunities that we are seizing;

And the prosperity that we together are creating.

In my Mais lecture last year, I talked about how a resilient economy must be built on security.

And the importance of that security has been brought into sharp focus in recent months.

As the world changes before our eyes, and global economies are becoming more uncertain.

The job of a responsible government is not just to watch this change –

We must step up, not step back.

We must build a dynamic economy on strong and secure foundations…

…where success is not limited to a handful of sectors, a few people, or certain parts of the country…

…but where the rewards of hard work are shared…

…harnessing the contribution of every part of Britain.

This is the foundation of an economy and a country that is more active and more confident…

…where people and business look to the future and talk about hope…

…talk about opportunity…

…assured of their own capability, and of the ability of our country to boldly face the challenges ahead…

…and certain in the prize when they succeed:

Of higher wages and higher living standards;

The renewal of Britain in every home and every high street.

To put it simply: a Britain that is better off.

The financial services sector is critical to my ambitions for our country.

It is one of the largest and most successful sectors in the UK…

…worth around 10% of total economic output…

…and supporting 1.2 million jobs in clusters right around the UK:

In Cardiff, and Belfast and Edinburgh where we have growing Fintechs;

In Manchester, where BNY have their new Angel Square hub;

And in London, the financial centre of the world.

And financial services is also critical in people’s everyday lives:

Whether that’s a couple looking to buy their first home;

A budding entrepreneur wanting to start their first business;

Or people getting more out of the money they’re putting aside for the future.

And that’s what these plans, that I will set out tonight, will deliver.

Growth must be built on a platform of economic stability.

When we came into office…

…it was our government, this government, that restored Britain’s reputation as a beacon of stability by putting the public finances back on a firm footing…

…getting debt on a downward path, while investing prudently alongside business.

That was – and still is – the right choice…

…because there is nothing progressive – [political redaction] – about a government that simply spends more and more each year on debt interest, instead of on the priorities of ordinary working people.

And fiscal stability is a choice that reflects economic reality.

National debt remains at its highest level since the 1960s…

…and globally, the cost of borrowing has increased in recent years.

This is not the inheritance that I would have chosen…

…but it is the reality.

And that is why the Prime Minister, and I and this government are remain committed to our non-negotiable fiscal rules.

The stability that we have restored is already delivering:

Four cuts in interest rates by the Bank of England since the General Election, reducing the cost of mortgages and business lending;

[political redaction]

And investment is returning to our economy.

At the Spending Review, I set out £120 billion of public investment over the next five years…

…and last month, the Prime Minister confirmed that the UK has attracted £120 billion of private investment – in just the last 12 months.

In a globally competitive market…

…firms all over the world are choosing to invest in Britain…

…as one of the best places to start up, to scale up and to list:

The FTSE is at an all-time high, today, for the first time ever, breaking 9000 points;

London is home to the deepest equity capital market in Europe;

It is the third biggest venture capital market globally;

And the London Stock Exchange is the most international in the world…

…with the FTSE soon to include shares listed not just in sterling but also in dollars and in euros.

Last year, to ensure the UK remains competitive, we made significant changes to the listing regime…

…for example, relaxing dual class share rules to give founders flexibility to pursue their growth ambitions.

The FCA have today published their final Prospectus Rules…

…simplifying the listing and capital raising processes for firms of all sizes.

And, as I committed to last year at Mansion House, we are delivering PISCES…

…a brand-new type of stock exchange for private company share trading…

…with the first trading events due to take place later this year.

And I am announcing a new Listings Taskforce with the Office for Investment…

…to attract the best businesses in the world to IPO here in London.

But we must do more to ensure that British savers benefit from the success of growing British businesses.

Last year at Mansion House, I set out an overhaul of our pensions system…

…and the Pension Schemes Bill, led by my colleague the Pensions Minister, will be signed into law in the next few months.

The creation of Defined Contribution and Local Government Pension Scheme megafunds…

…will mean larger and more powerful pots of funding invested productively across the country.

Pension funds, and this government, are united in our determination to deliver higher returns for savers and more investment in the economy.

That is why, since last year, funds covering the majority of the Defined Contribution market have committed to the Mansion House Accord…

…pledging to invest at least 10% of their main funds into private assets such as infrastructure and growth markets…

… with at least half of that going into UK projects.

And I would also like to congratulate the Lord Mayor on his employer pension pledge…

I am delighted, Lord Mayor, to see businesses such as Tesco, First Group and Octopus making this commitment…

…and like you Lord Mayor I look forward to seeing more companies joining up.

The UK economy is enhanced by its outward-facing approach…

…and this year we have built on that with our new trade deals:

A trade deal with the United States, where we were the first country to sign a deal so that British businesses are better protected against tariffs, and where we have worked with our G7 colleagues to avert new taxes.

I’m pleased to welcome US Securities and Exchange Commissioner Hester Peirce here tonight…

…who is driving forward proposals for greater digital collaboration between our two financial centres. Thank you for being here.

And a trade deal with the European Union, where our strategic partnership will slash red tape and reduce costs for business…

…as well as providing a platform to further deepen our relationship in future.

And I am pleased to welcome the European Union’s Financial Services Commissioner Maria Luis Albuquerque.

Maria Luis, we met earlier today to discuss our continued cooperation on financial services, and I look forward to working more closely with you.

And a trade deal with India, with whom our recent FTA agreement will give us the best trading relationship of any country in the world with India.

And we have concluded the first Economic and Financial Dialogue with China in six years.

And we are implementing the Berne Financial Services Agreement with Switzerland too.

At the G20 in South Africa later this week I will continue the call I made at the IMF Spring meetings –

…for countries to come together to tackle trade imbalances and drive growth…

…underpinned by stronger multilateral institutions.

I look forward to hearing more on this from the Governor in his address…

…and I would like to congratulate him on his recent appointment as Chair of the Financial Stability Board…

…a testament to both Andrew and this government’s commitment to international standards.

Britain is open for business;

Open for trade;

Open for investment.

And that’s why we must be willing to change how we do things to stay competitive in that global economy.

We have ripped up the planning rules;

We have swept away regulations;

We have published our industrial strategy;

And today we can go further, by announcing the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy…

…including my Leeds Reforms…

…named after one of the UK’s great hubs for financial services…

…and the city that I have been proud to represent as a Member of Parliament for fifteen years.

These are the most wide-ranging package of reforms to financial services regulation in more than a decade.

At Mansion House last year, I said we must regulate for growth and not just for risk…

…and we are delivering on that commitment…

…while continuing to protect financial stability…

…so that the benefits of a thriving and growing financial services sector can be realised for people all over Britain.

Let me set out the details of that package in four parts:

First, I am rolling back regulation that has gone too far in seeking to eliminate risk;

Second, I am delivering targeted changes in the areas where the UK already has particular strengths;

Third, I am making changes to capital requirements to unlock more productive capital;

And fourth, I am introducing measures to boost retail investment so that more savers can reap the benefits of UK economic success.

I will begin with the biggest reforms.

As I promised last year, I am delivering the most significant reform to the Financial Ombudsman Service since its inception…

…including proposing to limit for ten years for claims.

This will speed up the time it takes for consumers to get redress for their complaints…

… returning it to its original purpose as a simple, impartial arbitration service…

…and ensuring that it no longer acts as a quasi-regulator.

And I welcome the announcement today, made by the Financial Ombudsman Service that will reduce the interest rate it applies before a decision from 8% to base rate plus 1%.

I am introducing new targets for the FCA and PRA to cut times on authorisations and approvals…

…and I have tasked the FCA with assessing the impact of the Consumer Duty and whether it unduly effects wholesale activity…

…to ensure that regulators are really regulating for growth.

And I am streamlining the Senior Managers and Certification Regime…

…reducing the burdens it imposes on firms by 50%…

…and slashing approval timelines…

…so you can bring in talent to your business more quickly.

My next set of reforms provide targeted regulatory support to the areas where the UK does already have a comparative advantage.

For insurance – where Britain is the destination of choice for underwriting complex, specialised and high-value risk…

…I am introducing a new competitive framework for captive insurance.

For asset management – where the UK is the world’s second largest centre…

…I am futureproofing the regulatory regime and will publish draft legislation in early 2026.

For sustainable finance, I am determined to focus our efforts on policies that matter most to our world-leading sector and support investment in the transition…

…so, after consultation and consideration, I have decided not to pursue a green taxonomy…

…but instead work with regulators through the Transition Finance Council to capitalise on the £200 billion opportunity of the global transition to net zero.

And for Fintech – where almost half of Europe’s Fintech’s are already based here in the UK…

…the PRA and FCA are launching a scale-up unit to support innovative firms to grow in the UK, including in our world-leading payments system.

And I will drive forward developments in blockchain technology…

…including tokenised securities and stablecoins…

…and an ambitious design for a new digital gilt instrument…

…so that UK financial services can be at the forefront of digital asset innovation.

And because I believe the UK is the best place in the world for financial services…

…today I’ve announced the Office for Investment’s new concierge service.

Launching by October this year, it will provide a tailored service to companies considering setting up and expanding in the UK…

…and I am grateful to Chris Hayward from the City of London Corporation, for his work to drive this forward.

Thank you Chris.

Now, let me turn to the changes I am making to capital requirements…

…to allow UK banks to do more lending and release more capital for investment into our infrastructure and into our businesses.

First, I am supporting the Bank of England’s decision to raise the asset threshold for MREL requirements to between £25 and £40 billion.

This will benefit the challenger banks and bring increased competition and innovation to the market…

…and support those businesses to expand their footprint here in the UK.

Second, I am confirming our approach to Basel 3.1…

…implementing lower capital requirements for domestically focussed banks from January 2027…

…while preserving flexibility on our approach for international banks to ensure the UK always remains competitive while aligning with international standards.

Third, I have committed to meaningful reform of the UK’s ringfencing regime…

…recognising that now is the time to go further in tackling inefficiency and boosting growth…

…while retaining the aspects of the regime that support financial stability and protect consumer deposits.

And fourth, following the new, growth focussed remit letter I sent in November…

…I welcome the Financial Policy Committee’s announcement that it will review the overall level of bank capital needed for UK financial stability…

…reporting back to me by the end of this year.

The review will inform the work the Treasury is taking forward with the Bank…

…to ensure the prudential framework strikes the optimal balance to deliver resilience, growth and competitiveness.

And I welcome the recent changes the Financial Policy Committee has announced to the loan-to-income limit on mortgage lending…

…which the PRA and FCA are implementing immediately…

…that means tens of thousands more people could be able to get a mortgage in the next year alone…

…with Nationwide already offering its ‘Helping Hand’ mortgage to more first time-buyers…

…supporting alone an additional 10,000 each year.

And my thanks to Dame Debbie Crosbie for her leadership.

My final set of reforms are focussed on boosting savings investment.

I recognise the potential for ISA reform to improve returns for savers…

…and access capital for UK businesses.

I have confirmed that Long-Term Asset Funds can be included in stocks and shares ISAs…

…allowing long-term ISA investors to benefit from this innovative product.

And I will continue to consider further changes to ISAs…

…engaging widely in the coming months…

…and recognising that despite the differing views on the right approach…

…we are united in wanting better outcomes for both UK savers and for the UK economy.

For too long, we have presented investment in too negative a light…

…quick to warn people of the risks, without giving proper weight to the benefits…

…and our tangled system of financial advice and guidance…

…has meant people cannot get the right support to make decisions for themselves.

That is why we are working with the FCA to introduce a brand-new type of targeted support for consumers ahead of the new financial year.

And I also welcome the campaign to promote the benefits of retail investment which will launch next April…

…and the action to look at our current approach to risk warnings – and that will report back in January…

…and I’m grateful to Chris Cummings of the Investment Association for spearheading both of those initiatives.

Thank you very much Chris.

Today, I have placed financial services at the heart of this government’s growth mission…

…recognising that Britain cannot succeed and meet its growth ambitions…

…without a financial sector that is fighting fit and thriving.

The reforms I have set out this evening are the next chapter in how I intend to support this growth…

…and I thank Gwyneth Nurse and her brilliant team at the Treasury for all of their hard work on this package.

I knew that Gwyneth would get the biggest clap …

I am also pleased to have been able to work in lockstep with our regulators…

…and I want to extend my thanks both to Nikhil Rathi and Sam Woods for their innovation and the work they have done in response to my updated remit letters last year.

Thank you Nikhil and thank you Sam.

We have been bold in regulating for growth in financial services…

…and I have been clear on the benefits that that will drive…

…with a ripple effect felt right across all sectors of our economy…

…putting pounds in the pockets of working people.

Getting better deals on their mortgages…

better returns on their savings

and more jobs paying good wages across our country

As I look ahead…

…it is clear that we must do more.

In too many areas, regulation still acts as a boot on the neck of businesses…

…choking off the enterprise and innovation that is the lifeblood of economic growth.

Regulators in other sectors must take up the call I make this evening…

…not to bend to the temptation of excessive caution…

…but to boldly regulate for growth…

…in the service of prosperity for our whole country.

I’m really proud of how far we have come in the last year as government and as a country.

I know that the changes that we have made will reform and transform our economy and our country.

And I know that you will waste no time in seizing the opportunities that lie ahead:

To build a stronger economy;

To deliver the renewal of Britain;

And to make working people in all parts of Britain better off.

Thank you very much.

Updates to this page

Published 15 July 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Electricity sector changes create more ways to save

Source: New Zealand Government

Kiwi households and businesses will be able to save more on their electricity bills as a result of changes announced by the Electricity Authority (EA) today, Energy Minister Simon Watts and Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones say.

“The changes today are welcome developments for consumers who are not getting a fair deal at present from the energy market,” Mr Watts says.

“First, solar is getting another big boost – energy companies must now pay households with rooftop solar and battery who export their electricity to the grid at peak times a fair price for that electricity – this will help reduce power bills and encourage more solar installations and electricity generation.

“The large energy companies will also need to offer time of use plans by 30 June 2026 to provide better options for customers to save money by moving their electricity use from peak periods.”

Mr Watts says these simple solutions will help Kiwis with the cost-of-living impacts driven in part by rising electricity costs.

“New Zealand needs more electricity generation to power our economy, and Kiwis rightly expect abundant and affordable energy, which this government is taking action to deliver.

“The Government is working on a review of the electricity sector, with a focus on ensuring Kiwis get a fair price and aren’t hit in their pockets, and on addressing energy shortages.”

“The new rules announced today will give New Zealanders more ways to reduce their costs and will incentivise uptake of solar and battery systems, as well as drive power prices down over the long term. Ensuring energy companies pay a fair price for consumers exporting electricity to the network is one of the single best ways to help boost solar uptake to date.

“I want to see more New Zealanders benefitting from the smarter use of electricity. For this to happen, the electricity sector must appropriately reward consumers for the benefits they provide when they shift their power use away from peak times.

Mr Jones says that as our electricity market evolves, these small-scale systems will play an increasingly important role in enabling peak morning and evening demand to be met with local supply.

“With new, fairer rebates in place, there will be better opportunities for people to receive income from solar electricity they sell back to the grid.”

The Task Force was established by the Electricity Authority and Commerce Commission, with MBIE as an observer in August last year in response to the winter power crisis.

The Task Force is focused on enabling new generators and independent retailers to enter, and fairly compete, in the market as well as providing more options for consumers.

“I thank the Task Force members and the Authority for their work in reaching these decisions. There is more work to do, and I look forward to further Task Force decisions in coming weeks,” Mr Watts says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Brand Engagement Network Appoints Janine Grasso as Interim CEO

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

WILMINGTON, Del., July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Brand Engagement Network Inc. (BEN) (NASDAQ: BNAI), a global provider of AI-powered customer engagement solutions, today announced that Janine Grasso has been appointed Interim Chief Executive Officer, replacing Paul Chang in this role effective immediately. She will continue serving on the Board of Directors, where she has contributed since February 2024, most recently as Chair of the Compensation Committee. Mr. Chang will remain on the Board of Directors and continue to contribute his vision and strategic guidance as BEN advances its innovation agenda and long-term growth plans.

Ms. Grasso brings over two decades of experience leading high-growth, technology-driven organizations. She served as the Head of the Global Partner Ecosystem at DocuSign through early 2025. Previously, Ms. Grasso served as Vice President of Business Development at Verizon from 2019 to 2023, where she led a newly established business development organization. Before joining Verizon, Ms. Grasso spent 20 years at IBM, most recently as Vice President of Blockchain Ecosystem, leading the IBM Blockchain Strategy and Ecosystem Organization. Ms. Grasso received her B.B.A from the Pace University Lubin School of Business.

She has deep expertise in business development, operations, as well as in mergers and acquisitions, with a strong track record of scaling emerging technologies and go-to-market platforms. Ms. Grasso is also accomplished in building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of innovation and accountability. Her leadership in enterprise AI strategy and digital transformation makes her uniquely positioned to guide BEN’s next phase of growth.

“BEN is operating from a position of strength, with world-class talent and a deep foundation in AI innovation,” said Janine Grasso. “I’m honored to help lead the company forward as we bring to market the Agentic AI platform we’ve been building over the past several years—unlocking new value for both our customers and shareholders.”

“Janine’s leadership has earned her the trust of the Board, and she has a proven ability to scale innovation and guide complex organizations,” said Walid Khiari, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of BEN. “We are pleased to have her step into this role at a time of momentum and opportunity for BEN.”

In addition to the leadership transition, BEN announced that it reduced its total liabilities by $4.25 million in the second quarter, a milestone that reflects the company’s ongoing focus on operational discipline and long-term value creation.

The company also continues to advance its pending acquisition of Cataneo, a strategic milestone expected to enhance BEN’s platform capabilities and international presence. The transaction remains on track for completion later this summer, subject to customary approvals.

About Brand Engagement Network (BEN)
Brand Engagement Network Inc. (NASDAQ: BNAI) innovates in AI-powered customer engagement, delivering safe, intelligent, and scalable solutions. Its proprietary Engagement Language Model (ELM™) and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architecture enable highly personalized interactions supported by customers’ curated data in closed-loop environments. BEN develops AI-driven engagement solutions for the life sciences, automotive, and retail industries, featuring AI-powered avatars for outbound campaigns, inbound customer service, and real-time recommendations. With a global AI research and development team, BEN provides secure cloud-based or on-premises deployments, granting complete control of the technology stack and ensuring compliance with GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type 1 standards. The company holds 21 patents, with 28 pending, demonstrating its commitment to advancing AI-driven consumer engagement. For more information, visit www.beninc.ai.

Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this communication are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities laws. They are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements reflect, among other things, BEN’s current expectations, assumptions, plans, strategies, and anticipated results. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.
There are a number of risks, uncertainties and conditions that may cause BEN’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A of Risk Factors in BEN’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and the other risk factors identified from time to time in the BEN’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Filings with the SEC are available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

Many of these circumstances are beyond BEN’s ability to control or predict. These forward-looking statements necessarily involve assumptions on BEN’s part. These forward-looking statements may include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “may,” “will,” “might,” “could,” “would,” or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on BEN’s behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements that appear throughout this communication. Furthermore, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, which are based on the information currently available to the Company and speak only as of the date they are made. BEN disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements.

Media Contact
Amy Rouyer
P: 503-367-7596
E: amy@beninc.ai

Investor Relations
Susan Xu
P: 778-323-0959
E: sxu@allianceadvisors.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/407d3108-c617-4728-9db4-a99f721f10bf

The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Reed & Whitehouse Press Trump Admin. on Reversal of Medical Debt Rule
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

WASHINGTON, DC – Nearly 15 million Americans were poised to see their credit scores rise by an average of 20 points under a Biden Administration rule that would have removed medical bills from consumer credit reports. But the Trump Administration reversed course and joined credit reporting agencies in opposing the rule. On Friday, a Trump-appointed judge in Texas overturned the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) efforts to leave medical debt off consumer credit reports.

Now, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are teaming up with U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and 26 other senators in pressing the Trump Administration for answers regarding the CFPB’s decision to vacate the medical debt rule finalized in January 2025.

100 million people in America — including 41 percent of adults – are burdened by over $220 billion in medical debt, according to KFF Health News.

The American Medical Association contends that medical debt isn’t an accurate barometer of people’s ability to repay other loans, because most bills are a one-time or short-term expense from a hospital stay or accident.

Warnock, Warren, Reed, Whitehouse and their colleagues are demanding the CFPB share any data the agency relied on in deciding to petition a court to vacate the rule and any communications it had with entities during the process that would profit from its decision.

“On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with collection agencies that stand to profit from it,” the 30 U.S. Senators wrote.

“Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts…Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care,” they continued.

At the conclusion of the letter, the senators emphasize the need for transparency into the agency’s decision-making process.

“On April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it – lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry,” the senators closed.

Senator Reed is a member of the Senate Banking Committee and has strongly criticized the Trump Administration’s efforts to diminish and downsize the CFPB. In May, President Trump withdrew his nominee for the CFPB. Currently, OMB Director Russell Vought serves as acting director of the agency and has failed to take action to ensure the CFPB protects Americans from predatory medical debt collection practices.

In addition to Senators Warnock, Warren, Reed, and Whitehouse, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Adam Schiff (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

Full text of the letter follows:

Dear Acting Director Vought,

On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with debt collection agencies that stand to profit from it.

Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts. One major credit scoring company, VantageScore, has stopped using medical debt in its newer models entirely. Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care. People often receive collection notices for debts they did not owe, in the wrong amount, or that should have been covered by insurance—but still end up experiencing long-lasting damage to their credit scores.

Listing medical debt on a person’s credit report drives down their credit score, which hurts their ability to purchase a car, buy a home or rent an apartment, get utility service, start a business, or access other banking services. This has profound effects on families that can last generations. To make matters worse, medical debt is the most common reason debt collectors contact consumers; the debt collection industry makes one-fourth of its annual revenue from health care debt. Including medical debt on credit reports makes consumers more vulnerable to predatory debt collection practices.

Medical debt on credit reports also blocks working families from access to credit that they would be able to repay.The CFPB found that people who had all their medical debts completely removed from their credit reports experienced an average credit score increase of 20 points, in some cases elevating families into a higher credit score tier.

In response to growing data that medical debt is not a good indicator of creditworthiness, states across the country have acted to ban the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. And on January 7, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. The rule would remove an estimated $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of 15 million Americans, prohibit credit reporting companies from sharing medical debt information with lenders, and bar lenders from considering medical debt in underwriting decisions. It was designed to help the millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, by lowering costs and increasing access to affordable credit for working families without affecting the predictive value of their credit reports. The rule would also help reduce the effects of structural racism and other prejudices. People of color are disproportionately harmed by the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. Meanwhile, adults with a disability and new moms are more than twice as likely to carry medical debt.

Despite the critical importance of the medical debt rule, on April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it—lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry, by July 28, 2025. We specifically request that CFPB publicly publish all data about how medical debt relates to key economic indicators, including:
- Barriers to home and car ownership, including challenges getting loans or not being approved to rent or lease,
- Paying higher premiums for auto, homeowner’s and other types of insurance,
- Losing job opportunities as a result of credit reporting on background checks,
- Obstacles to starting small businesses because of challenges with securing loans,
- Paying more for everyday services such as household utilities or cell phone contracts
We are particularly concerned about the outsize impact that medical debt has on the credit scores of seniors, veterans, new parents, people with disabilities, cancer patients and survivors, and small business owners.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Reed & Whitehouse Press Trump Admin. on Reversal of Medical Debt Rule

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – Nearly 15 million Americans were poised to see their credit scores rise by an average of 20 points under a Biden Administration rule that would have removed medical bills from consumer credit reports. But the Trump Administration reversed course and joined credit reporting agencies in opposing the rule. On Friday, a Trump-appointed judge in Texas overturned the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) efforts to leave medical debt off consumer credit reports.
Now, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are teaming up with U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and 26 other senators in pressing the Trump Administration for answers regarding the CFPB’s decision to vacate the medical debt rule finalized in January 2025.
100 million people in America — including 41 percent of adults – are burdened by over $220 billion in medical debt, according to KFF Health News.
The American Medical Association contends that medical debt isn’t an accurate barometer of people’s ability to repay other loans, because most bills are a one-time or short-term expense from a hospital stay or accident.
Warnock, Warren, Reed, Whitehouse and their colleagues are demanding the CFPB share any data the agency relied on in deciding to petition a court to vacate the rule and any communications it had with entities during the process that would profit from its decision.
“On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with collection agencies that stand to profit from it,” the 30 U.S. Senators wrote.
“Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts…Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care,” they continued.
At the conclusion of the letter, the senators emphasize the need for transparency into the agency’s decision-making process.
“On April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it – lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry,” the senators closed.
Senator Reed is a member of the Senate Banking Committee and has strongly criticized the Trump Administration’s efforts to diminish and downsize the CFPB. In May, President Trump withdrew his nominee for the CFPB. Currently, OMB Director Russell Vought serves as acting director of the agency and has failed to take action to ensure the CFPB protects Americans from predatory medical debt collection practices.
In addition to Senators Warnock, Warren, Reed, and Whitehouse, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Adam Schiff (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).
Full text of the letter follows:
Dear Acting Director Vought,
On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with debt collection agencies that stand to profit from it.
Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts. One major credit scoring company, VantageScore, has stopped using medical debt in its newer models entirely. Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care. People often receive collection notices for debts they did not owe, in the wrong amount, or that should have been covered by insurance—but still end up experiencing long-lasting damage to their credit scores.
Listing medical debt on a person’s credit report drives down their credit score, which hurts their ability to purchase a car, buy a home or rent an apartment, get utility service, start a business, or access other banking services. This has profound effects on families that can last generations. To make matters worse, medical debt is the most common reason debt collectors contact consumers; the debt collection industry makes one-fourth of its annual revenue from health care debt. Including medical debt on credit reports makes consumers more vulnerable to predatory debt collection practices.
Medical debt on credit reports also blocks working families from access to credit that they would be able to repay.The CFPB found that people who had all their medical debts completely removed from their credit reports experienced an average credit score increase of 20 points, in some cases elevating families into a higher credit score tier.
In response to growing data that medical debt is not a good indicator of creditworthiness, states across the country have acted to ban the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. And on January 7, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. The rule would remove an estimated $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of 15 million Americans, prohibit credit reporting companies from sharing medical debt information with lenders, and bar lenders from considering medical debt in underwriting decisions. It was designed to help the millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, by lowering costs and increasing access to affordable credit for working families without affecting the predictive value of their credit reports. The rule would also help reduce the effects of structural racism and other prejudices. People of color are disproportionately harmed by the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. Meanwhile, adults with a disability and new moms are more than twice as likely to carry medical debt.
Despite the critical importance of the medical debt rule, on April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it—lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry, by July 28, 2025. We specifically request that CFPB publicly publish all data about how medical debt relates to key economic indicators, including:
Barriers to home and car ownership, including challenges getting loans or not being approved to rent or lease,
Paying higher premiums for auto, homeowner’s and other types of insurance,
Losing job opportunities as a result of credit reporting on background checks,
Obstacles to starting small businesses because of challenges with securing loans,
Paying more for everyday services such as household utilities or cell phone contracts
We are particularly concerned about the outsize impact that medical debt has on the credit scores of seniors, veterans, new parents, people with disabilities, cancer patients and survivors, and small business owners.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Reed & Whitehouse Press Trump Admin. on Reversal of Medical Debt Rule

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – Nearly 15 million Americans were poised to see their credit scores rise by an average of 20 points under a Biden Administration rule that would have removed medical bills from consumer credit reports. But the Trump Administration reversed course and joined credit reporting agencies in opposing the rule. On Friday, a Trump-appointed judge in Texas overturned the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) efforts to leave medical debt off consumer credit reports.
Now, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are teaming up with U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and 26 other senators in pressing the Trump Administration for answers regarding the CFPB’s decision to vacate the medical debt rule finalized in January 2025.
100 million people in America — including 41 percent of adults – are burdened by over $220 billion in medical debt, according to KFF Health News.
The American Medical Association contends that medical debt isn’t an accurate barometer of people’s ability to repay other loans, because most bills are a one-time or short-term expense from a hospital stay or accident.
Warnock, Warren, Reed, Whitehouse and their colleagues are demanding the CFPB share any data the agency relied on in deciding to petition a court to vacate the rule and any communications it had with entities during the process that would profit from its decision.
“On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with collection agencies that stand to profit from it,” the 30 U.S. Senators wrote.
“Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts…Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care,” they continued.
At the conclusion of the letter, the senators emphasize the need for transparency into the agency’s decision-making process.
“On April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it – lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry,” the senators closed.
Senator Reed is a member of the Senate Banking Committee and has strongly criticized the Trump Administration’s efforts to diminish and downsize the CFPB. In May, President Trump withdrew his nominee for the CFPB. Currently, OMB Director Russell Vought serves as acting director of the agency and has failed to take action to ensure the CFPB protects Americans from predatory medical debt collection practices.
In addition to Senators Warnock, Warren, Reed, and Whitehouse, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Adam Schiff (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).
Full text of the letter follows:
Dear Acting Director Vought,
On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with debt collection agencies that stand to profit from it.
Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts. One major credit scoring company, VantageScore, has stopped using medical debt in its newer models entirely. Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care. People often receive collection notices for debts they did not owe, in the wrong amount, or that should have been covered by insurance—but still end up experiencing long-lasting damage to their credit scores.
Listing medical debt on a person’s credit report drives down their credit score, which hurts their ability to purchase a car, buy a home or rent an apartment, get utility service, start a business, or access other banking services. This has profound effects on families that can last generations. To make matters worse, medical debt is the most common reason debt collectors contact consumers; the debt collection industry makes one-fourth of its annual revenue from health care debt. Including medical debt on credit reports makes consumers more vulnerable to predatory debt collection practices.
Medical debt on credit reports also blocks working families from access to credit that they would be able to repay.The CFPB found that people who had all their medical debts completely removed from their credit reports experienced an average credit score increase of 20 points, in some cases elevating families into a higher credit score tier.
In response to growing data that medical debt is not a good indicator of creditworthiness, states across the country have acted to ban the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. And on January 7, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. The rule would remove an estimated $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of 15 million Americans, prohibit credit reporting companies from sharing medical debt information with lenders, and bar lenders from considering medical debt in underwriting decisions. It was designed to help the millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, by lowering costs and increasing access to affordable credit for working families without affecting the predictive value of their credit reports. The rule would also help reduce the effects of structural racism and other prejudices. People of color are disproportionately harmed by the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. Meanwhile, adults with a disability and new moms are more than twice as likely to carry medical debt.
Despite the critical importance of the medical debt rule, on April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it—lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry, by July 28, 2025. We specifically request that CFPB publicly publish all data about how medical debt relates to key economic indicators, including:
Barriers to home and car ownership, including challenges getting loans or not being approved to rent or lease,
Paying higher premiums for auto, homeowner’s and other types of insurance,
Losing job opportunities as a result of credit reporting on background checks,
Obstacles to starting small businesses because of challenges with securing loans,
Paying more for everyday services such as household utilities or cell phone contracts
We are particularly concerned about the outsize impact that medical debt has on the credit scores of seniors, veterans, new parents, people with disabilities, cancer patients and survivors, and small business owners.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Reed & Whitehouse Press Trump Admin. on Reversal of Medical Debt Rule

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – Nearly 15 million Americans were poised to see their credit scores rise by an average of 20 points under a Biden Administration rule that would have removed medical bills from consumer credit reports. But the Trump Administration reversed course and joined credit reporting agencies in opposing the rule. On Friday, a Trump-appointed judge in Texas overturned the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) efforts to leave medical debt off consumer credit reports.
Now, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are teaming up with U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and 26 other senators in pressing the Trump Administration for answers regarding the CFPB’s decision to vacate the medical debt rule finalized in January 2025.
100 million people in America — including 41 percent of adults – are burdened by over $220 billion in medical debt, according to KFF Health News.
The American Medical Association contends that medical debt isn’t an accurate barometer of people’s ability to repay other loans, because most bills are a one-time or short-term expense from a hospital stay or accident.
Warnock, Warren, Reed, Whitehouse and their colleagues are demanding the CFPB share any data the agency relied on in deciding to petition a court to vacate the rule and any communications it had with entities during the process that would profit from its decision.
“On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with collection agencies that stand to profit from it,” the 30 U.S. Senators wrote.
“Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts…Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care,” they continued.
At the conclusion of the letter, the senators emphasize the need for transparency into the agency’s decision-making process.
“On April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it – lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry,” the senators closed.
Senator Reed is a member of the Senate Banking Committee and has strongly criticized the Trump Administration’s efforts to diminish and downsize the CFPB. In May, President Trump withdrew his nominee for the CFPB. Currently, OMB Director Russell Vought serves as acting director of the agency and has failed to take action to ensure the CFPB protects Americans from predatory medical debt collection practices.
In addition to Senators Warnock, Warren, Reed, and Whitehouse, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Adam Schiff (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).
Full text of the letter follows:
Dear Acting Director Vought,
On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with debt collection agencies that stand to profit from it.
Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts. One major credit scoring company, VantageScore, has stopped using medical debt in its newer models entirely. Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care. People often receive collection notices for debts they did not owe, in the wrong amount, or that should have been covered by insurance—but still end up experiencing long-lasting damage to their credit scores.
Listing medical debt on a person’s credit report drives down their credit score, which hurts their ability to purchase a car, buy a home or rent an apartment, get utility service, start a business, or access other banking services. This has profound effects on families that can last generations. To make matters worse, medical debt is the most common reason debt collectors contact consumers; the debt collection industry makes one-fourth of its annual revenue from health care debt. Including medical debt on credit reports makes consumers more vulnerable to predatory debt collection practices.
Medical debt on credit reports also blocks working families from access to credit that they would be able to repay.The CFPB found that people who had all their medical debts completely removed from their credit reports experienced an average credit score increase of 20 points, in some cases elevating families into a higher credit score tier.
In response to growing data that medical debt is not a good indicator of creditworthiness, states across the country have acted to ban the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. And on January 7, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. The rule would remove an estimated $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of 15 million Americans, prohibit credit reporting companies from sharing medical debt information with lenders, and bar lenders from considering medical debt in underwriting decisions. It was designed to help the millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, by lowering costs and increasing access to affordable credit for working families without affecting the predictive value of their credit reports. The rule would also help reduce the effects of structural racism and other prejudices. People of color are disproportionately harmed by the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. Meanwhile, adults with a disability and new moms are more than twice as likely to carry medical debt.
Despite the critical importance of the medical debt rule, on April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it—lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry, by July 28, 2025. We specifically request that CFPB publicly publish all data about how medical debt relates to key economic indicators, including:
Barriers to home and car ownership, including challenges getting loans or not being approved to rent or lease,
Paying higher premiums for auto, homeowner’s and other types of insurance,
Losing job opportunities as a result of credit reporting on background checks,
Obstacles to starting small businesses because of challenges with securing loans,
Paying more for everyday services such as household utilities or cell phone contracts
We are particularly concerned about the outsize impact that medical debt has on the credit scores of seniors, veterans, new parents, people with disabilities, cancer patients and survivors, and small business owners.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Reed & Whitehouse Press Trump Admin. on Reversal of Medical Debt Rule

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
WASHINGTON, DC – Nearly 15 million Americans were poised to see their credit scores rise by an average of 20 points under a Biden Administration rule that would have removed medical bills from consumer credit reports. But the Trump Administration reversed course and joined credit reporting agencies in opposing the rule. On Friday, a Trump-appointed judge in Texas overturned the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) efforts to leave medical debt off consumer credit reports.
Now, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are teaming up with U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and 26 other senators in pressing the Trump Administration for answers regarding the CFPB’s decision to vacate the medical debt rule finalized in January 2025.
100 million people in America — including 41 percent of adults – are burdened by over $220 billion in medical debt, according to KFF Health News.
The American Medical Association contends that medical debt isn’t an accurate barometer of people’s ability to repay other loans, because most bills are a one-time or short-term expense from a hospital stay or accident.
Warnock, Warren, Reed, Whitehouse and their colleagues are demanding the CFPB share any data the agency relied on in deciding to petition a court to vacate the rule and any communications it had with entities during the process that would profit from its decision.
“On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with collection agencies that stand to profit from it,” the 30 U.S. Senators wrote.
“Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts…Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care,” they continued.
At the conclusion of the letter, the senators emphasize the need for transparency into the agency’s decision-making process.
“On April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it – lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry,” the senators closed.
Senator Reed is a member of the Senate Banking Committee and has strongly criticized the Trump Administration’s efforts to diminish and downsize the CFPB. In May, President Trump withdrew his nominee for the CFPB. Currently, OMB Director Russell Vought serves as acting director of the agency and has failed to take action to ensure the CFPB protects Americans from predatory medical debt collection practices.
In addition to Senators Warnock, Warren, Reed, and Whitehouse, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Adam Schiff (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).
Full text of the letter follows:
Dear Acting Director Vought,
On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with debt collection agencies that stand to profit from it.
Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts. One major credit scoring company, VantageScore, has stopped using medical debt in its newer models entirely. Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care. People often receive collection notices for debts they did not owe, in the wrong amount, or that should have been covered by insurance—but still end up experiencing long-lasting damage to their credit scores.
Listing medical debt on a person’s credit report drives down their credit score, which hurts their ability to purchase a car, buy a home or rent an apartment, get utility service, start a business, or access other banking services. This has profound effects on families that can last generations. To make matters worse, medical debt is the most common reason debt collectors contact consumers; the debt collection industry makes one-fourth of its annual revenue from health care debt. Including medical debt on credit reports makes consumers more vulnerable to predatory debt collection practices.
Medical debt on credit reports also blocks working families from access to credit that they would be able to repay.The CFPB found that people who had all their medical debts completely removed from their credit reports experienced an average credit score increase of 20 points, in some cases elevating families into a higher credit score tier.
In response to growing data that medical debt is not a good indicator of creditworthiness, states across the country have acted to ban the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. And on January 7, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. The rule would remove an estimated $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of 15 million Americans, prohibit credit reporting companies from sharing medical debt information with lenders, and bar lenders from considering medical debt in underwriting decisions. It was designed to help the millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, by lowering costs and increasing access to affordable credit for working families without affecting the predictive value of their credit reports. The rule would also help reduce the effects of structural racism and other prejudices. People of color are disproportionately harmed by the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. Meanwhile, adults with a disability and new moms are more than twice as likely to carry medical debt.
Despite the critical importance of the medical debt rule, on April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it—lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry, by July 28, 2025. We specifically request that CFPB publicly publish all data about how medical debt relates to key economic indicators, including:
Barriers to home and car ownership, including challenges getting loans or not being approved to rent or lease,
Paying higher premiums for auto, homeowner’s and other types of insurance,
Losing job opportunities as a result of credit reporting on background checks,
Obstacles to starting small businesses because of challenges with securing loans,
Paying more for everyday services such as household utilities or cell phone contracts
We are particularly concerned about the outsize impact that medical debt has on the credit scores of seniors, veterans, new parents, people with disabilities, cancer patients and survivors, and small business owners.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Reed & Whitehouse Press Trump Admin. on Reversal of Medical Debt Rule
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

WASHINGTON, DC – Nearly 15 million Americans were poised to see their credit scores rise by an average of 20 points under a Biden Administration rule that would have removed medical bills from consumer credit reports. But the Trump Administration reversed course and joined credit reporting agencies in opposing the rule. On Friday, a Trump-appointed judge in Texas overturned the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) efforts to leave medical debt off consumer credit reports.

Now, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are teaming up with U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and 26 other senators in pressing the Trump Administration for answers regarding the CFPB’s decision to vacate the medical debt rule finalized in January 2025.

100 million people in America — including 41 percent of adults – are burdened by over $220 billion in medical debt, according to KFF Health News.

The American Medical Association contends that medical debt isn’t an accurate barometer of people’s ability to repay other loans, because most bills are a one-time or short-term expense from a hospital stay or accident.

Warnock, Warren, Reed, Whitehouse and their colleagues are demanding the CFPB share any data the agency relied on in deciding to petition a court to vacate the rule and any communications it had with entities during the process that would profit from its decision.

“On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with collection agencies that stand to profit from it,” the 30 U.S. Senators wrote.

“Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts…Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care,” they continued.

At the conclusion of the letter, the senators emphasize the need for transparency into the agency’s decision-making process.

“On April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it – lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry,” the senators closed.

Senator Reed is a member of the Senate Banking Committee and has strongly criticized the Trump Administration’s efforts to diminish and downsize the CFPB. In May, President Trump withdrew his nominee for the CFPB. Currently, OMB Director Russell Vought serves as acting director of the agency and has failed to take action to ensure the CFPB protects Americans from predatory medical debt collection practices.

In addition to Senators Warnock, Warren, Reed, and Whitehouse, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Adam Schiff (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

Full text of the letter follows:

Dear Acting Director Vought,

On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with debt collection agencies that stand to profit from it.

Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts. One major credit scoring company, VantageScore, has stopped using medical debt in its newer models entirely. Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care. People often receive collection notices for debts they did not owe, in the wrong amount, or that should have been covered by insurance—but still end up experiencing long-lasting damage to their credit scores.

Listing medical debt on a person’s credit report drives down their credit score, which hurts their ability to purchase a car, buy a home or rent an apartment, get utility service, start a business, or access other banking services. This has profound effects on families that can last generations. To make matters worse, medical debt is the most common reason debt collectors contact consumers; the debt collection industry makes one-fourth of its annual revenue from health care debt. Including medical debt on credit reports makes consumers more vulnerable to predatory debt collection practices.

Medical debt on credit reports also blocks working families from access to credit that they would be able to repay.The CFPB found that people who had all their medical debts completely removed from their credit reports experienced an average credit score increase of 20 points, in some cases elevating families into a higher credit score tier.

In response to growing data that medical debt is not a good indicator of creditworthiness, states across the country have acted to ban the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. And on January 7, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. The rule would remove an estimated $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of 15 million Americans, prohibit credit reporting companies from sharing medical debt information with lenders, and bar lenders from considering medical debt in underwriting decisions. It was designed to help the millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, by lowering costs and increasing access to affordable credit for working families without affecting the predictive value of their credit reports. The rule would also help reduce the effects of structural racism and other prejudices. People of color are disproportionately harmed by the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. Meanwhile, adults with a disability and new moms are more than twice as likely to carry medical debt.

Despite the critical importance of the medical debt rule, on April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it—lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry, by July 28, 2025. We specifically request that CFPB publicly publish all data about how medical debt relates to key economic indicators, including:
- Barriers to home and car ownership, including challenges getting loans or not being approved to rent or lease,
- Paying higher premiums for auto, homeowner’s and other types of insurance,
- Losing job opportunities as a result of credit reporting on background checks,
- Obstacles to starting small businesses because of challenges with securing loans,
- Paying more for everyday services such as household utilities or cell phone contracts
We are particularly concerned about the outsize impact that medical debt has on the credit scores of seniors, veterans, new parents, people with disabilities, cancer patients and survivors, and small business owners.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and Republic of Congo explore e-commerce solutions to strengthen agricultural value chains and combat hunger

Source: APO

.

Achieving the African Union’s goal of ending hunger by 2025 and the global target of Zero Hunger by 2030 remains a significant challenge for the continent.

In the Republic of Congo, despite continued government efforts to enhance domestic food production and distribution, only 4% of arable land is currently being cultivated. Food access remains constrained by inadequate infrastructure and stark imbalances between supply and demand, leaving an estimated 455,000 people in food and nutrition insecurity.

To address these challenges, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through its Sub-Regional Offices for Eastern and Central Africa, conducted a fact-finding mission in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade. Held from 30 June to 4 July 2025, in Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, the mission aimed to explore how e-commerce and digital tools can accelerate food trade and improve access—particularly for vulnerable populations—while strengthening national and regional agricultural value chains.

This initiative is part of ECA’s flagship program, “Innovative Digital Trade under the AfCFTA for Promoting Food Security and Agricultural Value Chains in Africa.”

Strengthening E-Commerce for Agricultural Development

During the mission, ECA engaged with nearly 200 stakeholders, including three ministers: the Minister of Trade, Supplies and Consumer Affairs; the Minister of Agriculture; and the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises, Handicrafts, and the Informal Sector. Senior officials from the Ministries of Agriculture, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy also participated, alongside representatives from MTN, Airtel, the Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications, the Congolese Agency for Quality and Standardization, commercial banks, agribusinesses, and development partners such as the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, FAO, and WFP.

The mission focused on assessing how digital trade can support national food development strategies and how food e-commerce can be scaled to enhance food security and agricultural value chains.

“If current trends continue, Africa risks missing Sustainable Development Goal 2 – Zero Hunger – by 2030,” said Simone Assah Kuete, Economic Affairs Officer at ECA’s Office for Eastern Africa.

“Food products are highly perishable and require specialized infrastructure for handling, storage, and distribution. Without reliable cold chains and efficient logistics, maintaining food quality from farm to table becomes virtually impossible.”

She highlighted that In 2023, an alarming 20% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa faced severe malnourishment—compared to 8.1% in Asia, 7.3% in Oceania, and 6.2% in Latin America. Moreover from 2019 to 2023, the number of food-insecure people in Sub-Saharan Africa rose from 258 million to 358 million—a 39% increase—while other regions saw declines. “In this context, leveraging digital tools to reduce market information asymmetries and strengthen food systems is no longer optional—it is an urgent imperative,” she added.

National Commitment to E-Commerce Reform

Lenda Sitou Milandou, Special Adviser to the Ministry of Trade, welcomed the mission and praised the strong collaboration that made it a success.

“Food security remains a top priority in our national development agenda,” she affirmed. “To achieve it, we must develop robust legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks to enable the growth of e-trade in food products.”

Key Outcomes and Next Steps

The mission identified high-demand national food products and assessed the current use of e-commerce platforms in the Republic of Congo. It also explored opportunities to enhance digital payment systems—currently limited—through partnerships with commercial banks and mobile network operators.

The dialogue revealed critical challenges in food production and trade, policy gaps, infrastructure and capacity needs, and the potential role of digital intermediaries in improving food systems.

This initiative marks a pivotal step toward aligning e-commerce strategies with agricultural transformation in the Republic of Congo. It reflects ECA’s ongoing commitment to supporting member states in leveraging innovation to foster sustainable, inclusive growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

MIL OSI Africa –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Rosen Demand Trump Administration Release Nearly $7 Billion for K-12 Education

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) joined Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) in a letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon demanding answers over the Trump administration’s decision to withhold nearly $7 billion in federal funding for K-12 public schools, including more than $60 million for schools in Nevada. The Senators urged the Department to restore the funding and provide clarity for schools and educators.

“These funds, which represent longstanding investments in K–12 education, support a wide range of priorities such as teacher recruitment, after-school programs, English learner instruction, school-based mental health services, and academic enrichment,” the Senators wrote. “Withholding funds for these important programs will disrupt essential services and undermine the support structures that students, families, and educators rely on every day.”

On July 1, schools across the country reported they were unable to access their federal funding after the Department of Education abruptly froze nearly $7 billion in grants, even though the funds were appropriated by Congress and already factored into school budgets. The lack of clarity has left schools scrambling just weeks before the new school year begins, forcing districts to delay staffing decisions, scale back programs, and reconsider essential student support services.

In Nevada, affected programs include after-school programs, English-learner services, professional development, and migrant education. At least fourteen percent of Nevada students are English-Language Learners.

“Federal education programs play a crucial role in advancing equity and expanding opportunity, especially for students from low-income and historically underserved communities,” the Senators continued. “With learning gaps widening and student needs growing more complex, limiting access to these resources risks deepening disparities and undermining progress across the education system.”

“Congress has a constitutional responsibility to appropriate federal education funds, and it is essential that those funds are administered transparently and in accordance with federal law. We urge the Department to work with school districts to provide clarity, minimize disruption, and ensure that critical educational services remain accessible to the students who need them most,” the Senators concluded.

Read the full letter here.

Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen have pushed multiple Departments under the Trump Administration for detailed, public information regarding the impacts of President Trump’s federal funding freeze, hiring freeze, and terminations on Nevada – including to the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, General Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, and Consumer Finance Protection Bureau. The Senators have also pushed back against cuts that hurt students and families in need across Nevada, including to Sierra Nevada Job Corps, mental health grant funding, and food and nutrition programs.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coming up next week at the London Assembly w/c July 7
Source: Mayor of London

PUBLICATION

Thursday 10 July

Affordable Housing Monitor

Housing Committee

The annual Affordable Housing Monitor tracks the Mayor’s progress against his affordable home delivery targets.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

Monday 7 July

Internal Audit Reports

Audit Panel – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 2pm

The Audit Panel will examine internal and external audit reports, as well as the Greater London Authority (GLA) Corporate Risk Register, the Draft Annual Governance Statement and expenses and taxable benefits. The guests are:
- Mark Woodley – Group Audit Lead, MOPAC
- Dianne Tranmer – Executive Director Corporate Resources & Business Improvement, GLA
- Fay Hammond – Chief Finance Officer, GLA
- Vicky Ridley-Pearson – Director of Digital, Digital Experience Unit, GLA
- Stephen Reid – Partner & Head of UK Government and Public Sector Audit, EY
- Jacob McHugh – Senior Manager, EY
- David Esling – Head of Audit Assurance – Risk Management, MOPAC
MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

Tuesday 8 July

Fare evasion

Transport Committee – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

The Transport Committee will ask what Transport for London (TfL) is doing to tackle fare evasion and learn more about the impact it has on staff. The guests are:

Panel 1 -10am – 11.30am
- Jared Wood – London Transport Regional Organiser, RMT
- Michael Roberts – Chief Executive, London TravelWatch
Panel 2 – 11.30am – 1pm
- Siwan Hayward OBE – Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, TfL
- Jonathan Gronow – Analysis Manager, TfL
MEDIA CONTACT: Josh Hunt on 07763 252 310 / [email protected]

Wednesday 9 July

London’s place in the Government’s Devolution Reforms

GLA Oversight Committee – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

This third meeting of the GLA Oversight Committee investigation on devolution will aim to identify priority areas for London in any new devolution settlement and assess the opportunities available to London through the English Devolution White Paper and the proposed devolution framework in the English Devolution Bill. The guests are:
- Councillor Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils
- Professor Tony Travers, Professor in Practice and Associate Dean of the LSE School of Public Policy
- Richard Watts, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor of London
MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]

Thursday 10 July

Affordable Housing Monitor

Housing Committee – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

The Housing Committee will meet with representatives from London boroughs, housing associations, and a supported housing provider to discuss the Mayor’s Affordable Homes Programme.

These discussions will follow the release of the Affordable Housing Monitor and aim to gather feedback on the existing programme and insights into what investment partners hope to see in the next one. The guests are:

Panel 1 – 10.00am-11.15am
- Tom Oliver – Development Programme Director, Peabody
- Tracey Cullen – Chief Executive & Board Member, Croydon Churches Housing Association
- Barbara Richardson – Managing Director at Square Roots
- Heather Thomas – Chief Executive at Sapphire Independent Housing
Panel 2 – 11.25am-12.40pm
- Alice Lester MBE – Director of Regeneration, Growth and Employment at the London Borough of Brent
- Osama Shoush – Housing Strategic Lead, Southwark Council
MEDIA CONTACT: Josh Hunt on 07763 252 310 / [email protected]

Friday 11 July

Mayor’s Question Time

All Assembly meeting – The Chamber, City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, 10am

The Mayor of London will face questions from London Assembly Members, in Mayor’s Question Time (MQT). Topics will include:
- Manifesto Pledges
- Counterterrorism Approach
- Contaminated land in London
- Disability Equality Champion
The guest is:
- Sir Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
MEDIA CONTACT: Alison Bell on 07887 832 918 / [email protected]
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: July 15th, 2025 Heinrich, Luján Demand Answers on Trump Admin Re-Adding Medical Debt onto Credit Reports
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Banking Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D- Mass.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and 24 other Senators in pushing the Trump administration for answers regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) decision to vacate the medical debt rule finalized in January 2025. The letter demands CFPB share any data the agency relied on in deciding to petition a court to vacate the rule and any communications it had with entities during the process that would profit from its decision.

“On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with collection agencies that stand to profit from it,” the Senators said.

“Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts…Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care,” they continued.

At the conclusion of the letter, the Senators emphasize the need for transparency into the agency’s decision-making process.

“On April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it – lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry,” the Senators closed.

In addition to Senators Heinrich, Luján, Warnock, Warren, Schumer, and Merkley, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Angus King (I-Maine), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawii), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).

Read the full letter HERE, and the text is below.

Dear Acting Director Vought,

On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with debt collection agencies that stand to profit from it.

Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts. One major credit scoring company, VantageScore, has stoppedusing medical debt in its newer models entirely. Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care. People often receive collection notices for debts they did not owe, in the wrong amount, or that should have been covered by insurance—but still end up experiencing long-lasting damage to their credit scores.

Listing medical debt on a person’s credit report drives down their credit score, which hurts their ability to purchase a car, buy a home or rent an apartment, get utility service, start a business, or access other banking services. This has profound effects on families that can last generations. To make matters worse, medical debt is the most common reason debt collectors contact consumers; the debt collection industry makes one-fourth of its annual revenue from health care debt. Including medical debt on credit reports makes consumers more vulnerable to predatory debt collection practices.

Medical debt on credit reports also blocks working families from access to credit that they would be able to repay.The CFPB found that people who had all their medical debts completely removed from their credit reports experienced an average credit score increase of 20 points, in some cases elevating families into a higher credit score tier.

In response to growing data that medical debt is not a good indicator of creditworthiness, states across the country have acted to ban the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. And on January 7, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. The rule would remove an estimated $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of 15 million Americans, prohibit credit reporting companies from sharing medical debt information with lenders, and bar lenders from considering medical debt in underwriting decisions. It was designed to help the millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, by lowering costs and increasing access to affordable credit for working families without affecting the predictive value of their credit reports. The rule would also help reduce the effects of structural racism and other prejudices. People of color are disproportionately harmed by the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. Meanwhile, adults with a disability and new moms are more than twice as likely to carry medical debt.

Despite the critical importance of the medical debt rule, on April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it—lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry, by July 28, 2025. We specifically request that CFPB publicly publish all data about how medical debt relates to key economic indicators, including:
Barriers to home and car ownership, including challenges getting loans or not being approved to rent or lease,
We are particularly concerned about the outsize impact that medical debt has on the credit scores of seniors, veterans, new parents, people with disabilities, cancer patients and survivors, and small business owners.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: July 15th, 2025 Heinrich, Luján Demand Answers on Trump Admin Re-Adding Medical Debt onto Credit Reports
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Banking Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D- Mass.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and 24 other Senators in pushing the Trump administration for answers regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) decision to vacate the medical debt rule finalized in January 2025. The letter demands CFPB share any data the agency relied on in deciding to petition a court to vacate the rule and any communications it had with entities during the process that would profit from its decision.

“On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with collection agencies that stand to profit from it,” the Senators said.

“Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts…Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care,” they continued.

At the conclusion of the letter, the Senators emphasize the need for transparency into the agency’s decision-making process.

“On April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it – lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry,” the Senators closed.

In addition to Senators Heinrich, Luján, Warnock, Warren, Schumer, and Merkley, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Angus King (I-Maine), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawii), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).

Read the full letter HERE, and the text is below.

Dear Acting Director Vought,

On April 30, 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked a court to vacate the agency’s recently released rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. We write to request the information you relied on in making that determination, including any communications with debt collection agencies that stand to profit from it.

Medical debt collections information is often inaccurate, and studies show that it is not useful in determining a consumer’s ability to repay other debts. One major credit scoring company, VantageScore, has stoppedusing medical debt in its newer models entirely. Almost half of all medical bills contain at least one error, and almost half of nonprofit hospitals have routinely and mistakenly billed patients who were eligible for free or discounted care. People often receive collection notices for debts they did not owe, in the wrong amount, or that should have been covered by insurance—but still end up experiencing long-lasting damage to their credit scores.

Listing medical debt on a person’s credit report drives down their credit score, which hurts their ability to purchase a car, buy a home or rent an apartment, get utility service, start a business, or access other banking services. This has profound effects on families that can last generations. To make matters worse, medical debt is the most common reason debt collectors contact consumers; the debt collection industry makes one-fourth of its annual revenue from health care debt. Including medical debt on credit reports makes consumers more vulnerable to predatory debt collection practices.

Medical debt on credit reports also blocks working families from access to credit that they would be able to repay.The CFPB found that people who had all their medical debts completely removed from their credit reports experienced an average credit score increase of 20 points, in some cases elevating families into a higher credit score tier.

In response to growing data that medical debt is not a good indicator of creditworthiness, states across the country have acted to ban the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. And on January 7, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a final rule to remove medical debt from consumer credit reports. The rule would remove an estimated $49 billion in medical bills from the credit reports of 15 million Americans, prohibit credit reporting companies from sharing medical debt information with lenders, and bar lenders from considering medical debt in underwriting decisions. It was designed to help the millions of Americans who are struggling to make ends meet, by lowering costs and increasing access to affordable credit for working families without affecting the predictive value of their credit reports. The rule would also help reduce the effects of structural racism and other prejudices. People of color are disproportionately harmed by the inclusion of medical debt on credit reports. Meanwhile, adults with a disability and new moms are more than twice as likely to carry medical debt.

Despite the critical importance of the medical debt rule, on April 30, the CFPB filed a joint motion with the industry groups that oppose the rule, petitioning the court to vacate it—lining the pockets of corporations off the backs of American consumers. Given the substantial evidence that the CFPB’s rule was well-considered and would help consumers without reducing the accuracy of their credit scores, we write to request that the CFPB make public all information relied on by the agency in its decision to drop the rule, including any communications with the debt collection industry, by July 28, 2025. We specifically request that CFPB publicly publish all data about how medical debt relates to key economic indicators, including:
Barriers to home and car ownership, including challenges getting loans or not being approved to rent or lease,
We are particularly concerned about the outsize impact that medical debt has on the credit scores of seniors, veterans, new parents, people with disabilities, cancer patients and survivors, and small business owners.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Premier Calls on China, Australia to Form Stronger Development Synergy

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

BEIJING, July 15 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday called on China and Australia to further strengthen cooperation ties, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, form stronger development synergy and effectively deal with environmental uncertainty.

Li Qiang made the remarks at the 8th China-Australia Business Leaders Roundtable, which he co-hosted with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Beijing.

About 30 heads of chambers of commerce and enterprises of the two countries took part in the round table.

Li Qiang recalled that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, and noted that over the past decade, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has demonstrated remarkable resilience and vitality.

As the Premier of the State Council pointed out, the economic structures of the two countries are highly complementary and have a solid foundation for linking industrial sectors and markets, making China and Australia natural partners for cooperation.

Li Qiang noted that China’s vast market will continuously unleash its huge consumer potential, creating more business opportunities for enterprises in both countries. He called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation in cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and life sciences to expand the capabilities of the Chinese and Australian industrial sectors.

With joint efforts by enterprises from the two countries to enhance cooperation in areas such as clean energy, electric vehicles and energy storage, a world-class green industrial chain with sustainability and competitiveness can be built, the premier stressed.

Li Qiang said governments and enterprises should move in the same direction to better promote development. He said China will continue to promote high-level opening-up, treat domestic and foreign enterprises equally, and protect the rights and interests of foreign companies and entrepreneurs in China in accordance with the law.

The Chinese leader also expressed hope that Australia would treat Chinese enterprises doing business in the country fairly and properly address issues related to market access and investment screening.

Li Qiang called on Chinese and Australian companies to maintain openness, seek cooperation, and further promote market convergence and industrial integration between the two countries.

E. Albanese noted in his speech that bilateral relations are currently developing steadily and the enthusiasm of business circles of both countries for cooperation is growing sharply.

The Australian side is ready to strengthen dialogue with the Chinese side, expand cooperation in various fields, including trade, agriculture, industry, energy resources and green development, jointly counter such a global challenge as climate change, and uphold international justice and free trade, added E. Albanese. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Infrastructure: IMI CIB promotes dialogue in London on the UK’s €846 billion plan
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Mauro Micillo, Chief of the IMI CIB Division at Intesa Sanpaolo

LONDON, July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division of Intesa Sanpaolo hosted the conference “Infrastructure and Growth Opportunities for Europe and the UK: Focus on the UK Infrastructure Strategy” in London, bringing together institutions, companies and investors to discuss the growth prospects linked to the United Kingdom’s new ten-year infrastructure plan.

“Intesa Sanpaolo is playing a catalytic role in supporting investments alongside institutions, corporates, funds and investors to support the key projects of the United Kingdom’s new 10-year infrastructure plan. Financing sustainable infrastructure, while supporting the so-called twin transition (green and digital), will continue to be a strategic pillar of the IMI CIB Division’s strategy.”

Mauro Micillo, Chief of the IMI CIB Division at Intesa Sanpaolo

The United Kingdom’s Plan outlines investments of more than €846 billion between 2025 and 2035, centred on three strategic pillars:
- infrastructure works
- energy transition
- enhancement of social and environmental systems.
The Conference stems from the belief that a constructive public-private dialogue is key to accelerating projects that strengthen the competitiveness of the United Kingdom and Europe.

In 2024 alone, global project finance volumes surpassed €300 billion, with transactions involving Intesa Sanpaolo’s IMI CIB Division representing around €45 billion — nearly 15% of the global total.

IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division’s Activities in the United Kingdom

The London branch of Intesa Sanpaolo’s IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division serves as the main hub for the UK & MEA Region, which also includes operations in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Istanbul.

In 2024, total financing volumes for corporate and financial institution clients in the Region amounted to approximately €8.5 billion (as of 31/12/2024).

Since 2023, the IMI CIB Division has participated in numerous international transactions originating in the United Kingdom, supporting transition and innovation, for a total value of approximately €11 billion.

Key projects supported by the IMI CIB Division include:
- CO₂ transport and storage – Liverpool Bay T&S.
- Acquisition of National Grid Transmission by Macquarie AM.
- Renewables and energy efficiency operations with TRIG and SEEIT.
These initiatives confirm the Intesa Sanpaolo Group’s ongoing commitment to enabling sustainable and digital transformation, in line with the Group’s 2022–2025 Business Plan

Contact: international.media@intesasanpaolo.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a06e75ac-8a5b-4a97-abcc-b480cb22b9de

The MIL Network –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner Say SCORE Act is Big Loser for College Sports

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
07.15.25
Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner Say SCORE Act is Big Loser for College Sports
Cantwell: “If you thought the dissolution of the Pac-12 was a heist, the SCORE Act is the National Championship of all heists. This legislation is a power grab by the two biggest conferences that will leave athletes, coaches, and small and mid-sized institutions behind.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, that oversees college sports, and Representative Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05) called on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade to delay its July 15 markup of the Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements (SCORE) Act, citing significant changes needed to strengthen the bill and meet its goal of improving the future of college athletics—for ALL colleges and ALL athletes.
“If you thought the dissolution of the Pac-12 was a heist, the SCORE Act is the National Championship of all heists,” said Sen. Cantwell. “This legislation is a power grab by the two biggest conferences that will leave athletes, coaches, and small and mid-sized institutions behind.”
“In its current form, the SCORE Act fails to protect what makes college sports special,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “It puts student-athletes at risk by empowering the wealthiest programs to poach talent and control the system. This bill accelerates the erosion of competitive balance, tradition, and opportunity—especially for smaller schools. I want to make sure that college athletics at WSU, Gonzaga, and EWU continue to have a strong future. If we truly care about student-athletes, we should be strengthening the institutions and values that support them, not stacking the deck against them.”
In a letter to subcommittee Chairman Gus Bilirakis and Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky, Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner wrote: “The bill appears to be a product of the richest conferences to cement into place the current power structure in college athletics that would leave only the wealthiest schools able to compete at the highest levels of college athletics. The SCORE Act will only cause more chaos and damage to the college athletics system. We urge you to pull this flawed bill from the mark up until the defects are fixed.”
Sen. Cantwell and Rep. Baumgartner called out big flaws with the bill’s framework and identified six areas that need to be improved:
consider policies to increase revenue for small and mid-sized schools and for women’s and Olympic sports;
give college athletes a voice in how policies are made and implemented, including those related to conference realignment;
address the inequities and limitations of the House v. NCAA settlement regarding women’s athletics;
address the budgetary concerns of small and mid-sized schools;
ensure health and safety protections; and,
establish a commission on the future of college athletics.
“College sports are important to student athletes, schools, alumni, fans, and communities across the United States,” their letter concluded. “Congress needs to get this right and not miss an opportunity to fix the college sports landscape for generations to come. We urge everyone to think long-term and big picture about the future of college athletics that we want to achieve.”
The text of the letter is below and can be found HERE.
Dear Chairman Bilirakis and Ranking Member Schakowsky,
We have significant concerns about H.R. 4312, the “Student Compensation and Opportunity through Rights and Endorsements” (SCORE) Act, slated to be marked up by the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. The bill appears to be a product of the richest conferences to cement into place the current power structure in college athletics that would leave only the wealthiest schools able to compete at the highest levels of college athletics. The SCORE Act will only cause more chaos and damage to the college athletics system. We urge you to pull this flawed bill from the mark up until the defects are fixed.
First, the bill entrenches the NCAA’s authority at a time when the NCAA’s governance structure is becoming increasingly dominated by wealthier conferences. The SCORE Act hands the NCAA unfettered ability to set rules that would make the rich schools richer, like representation on NCAA championship selection committees—and the tournament revenue that comes with it.
Second, while we are pleased that college athletes can earn a share of the revenue they generate for their schools, the SCORE Act’s formula for determining the size of revenue shared with players will make it difficult for small and mid-sized schools to compete with wealthy schools. The non-policy-based formula in the bill is at least 22 percent of the average sports revenue of the 70 highest-revenue schools—an amount currently estimated to be $20.5 million. Very few schools will be able to pay out this full amount and the situation will be exacerbated over time as the limits increase each year as average revenue increases. These schools will not be able to keep up with wealthy schools who plan to pay their athletes the full $20.5 million each year or more. This will accelerate the loss of talent from these smaller schools, turning them into mere “feeder” schools for the largest programs.
Third, the SCORE Act ignores important national policies regarding college sports. It ignores the explosive growth of women’s sports and how revenue sharing under the House v. NCAA settlement may jeopardize these gains and lead to far less money flowing to women’s sports. It ignores the importance of college athletics to the Olympic pipeline. The SCORE Act will inevitably lead to the loss of men’s and women’s Olympic sports as schools are implicitly forced to devote ever more resources to the college football arms race. The SCORE Act also fails to address how conference realignment has changed the map of college sports and the absurdity of sending college athletes coast-to-coast on a weekly basis while foreclosing any opportunity for athletes to have a voice at the table to advocate for themselves as these changes continue to play out.
The SCORE Act is a missed opportunity to deliver creative solutions that will ensure a sustainable future for college athletics beyond the wealthiest programs. Rather than rush the SCORE Act through as is, we should press pause to fix the issues facing schools of all sizes and opportunity for all athletes. The Act should: (1) consider policies to increase revenue for small and mid-sized schools and for women’s and Olympic sports; (2) give college athletes a voice in how policies are made and implemented, including those related to conference realignment; (3) address the inequities and limitations of the House v. NCAA settlement regarding women’s athletics; (4) address the budgetary concerns of small and mid-sized schools; (5) ensure health and safety protections; and (6) establish a commission on the future of college athletics.
College sports are important to student athletes, schools, alumni, fans, and communities across the United States. Congress needs to get this right and not miss an opportunity to fix the college sports landscape for generations to come. We urge everyone to think long-term and big picture about the future of college athletics that we want to achieve.
We look forward to working with you on these important issues.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Luján Presses Trump Administration to Provide Update on Status of Congressionally Appropriated Funding for Agency Dedicated to Growing Local Businesses
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, called on United States Deputy Secretary of Commerce Paul Dabbar to provide an update on the status of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which the Trump administration has tried to illegally dismantle. Specifically, Senator Luján called on Deputy Secretary Dabbar to provide a detailed assessment of the status of all funding Congress appropriated to the MBDA.

In the letter, Senator Luján highlighted previous efforts to investigate the status of the MBDA, “During your confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on May 1, 2025, I asked you to investigate and report back to the Committee on the status of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which the Trump Administration has tried to illegally dismantle.”

Seeking transparency, Senator Luján called for, “A detailed assessment of the status of all funding Congress appropriated to the MBDA. Please specify whether any such funds have been or ever were ‘repurposed’ to any program or activity outside MBDA.”

In May, during the Senate Commerce hearing on the nomination of Paul Dabbar to be U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Senator Luján pressed Mr. Dabbar on the dismantling of the MBDA by the Trump administration and highlighted the successes of the MBDA.

Senator Luján championed an amendment in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make the MBDA permanent. He also secured passage of a provision to double the funding level for the MBDA’s Rural Business Development Center Program and to expand this program’s eligibility to include all Minority-Serving Institutions, which will expand opportunities for New Mexico’s colleges and universities. Additionally, in 2021, Senator Luján championed legislation to make permanent and expand the reach of the Minority Business Development Agency.

The text of the letter can be found HERE and below:

Deputy Secretary Dabbar:

Congratulations on your recent confirmation as Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce.

During your confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on May 1, 2025, I asked you to investigate and report back to the Committee on the status of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), which the Trump Administration has tried to illegally dismantle. You testified: “I will commit to follow every dollar and report back as you request…” You reiterated this commitment in response to questions for the record regarding the MBDA, stating: “If granted the privilege of confirmation, I will promptly look into this matter.”

I appreciate your clear commitment to “promptly” investigate these matters of serious concern and report back to the Committee on your findings without delay. Accordingly, please provide the following information no later than July 28, 2025:
1. A detailed assessment of the status of all funding Congress appropriated to the MBDA. Please specify whether any such funds have been or ever were “repurposed” 4 to any program or activity outside MBDA. If so, please specify the programs or activities to which those funds were repurposed and the Department’s legal authority for doing so.
2. A detailed assessment of the status of all MBDA grants, including:
  
  All MBDA grants that have been terminated since January 20, 2025;
  
  All MBDA grants that have not been renewed since January 20, 2025;
  
  All funded activities that the Department determined are “consistent with the agency’s priorities” and that “serve the interests of the MBDA program.”
3. Based on your review and assessment, please certify whether the Department is in compliance with its statutory obligations under the MBDA Act of 2021, which was enacted as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. If you do not provide this certification, please explain why.
4. Did Mr. Nate Cavanaugh have the legal authority to issue termination notices to MBDA grantees? If yes, please provide a complete description of the authority under which Mr. Cavanaugh was operating, including whether acting Undersecretary Keith Sonderling expressly delegated authority to Mr. Cavanaugh to issue termination notices to MBDA grantees and whether such delegation was lawful.
5. What steps, if any, has the Department taken to respond to the following letters from Committee Democrats requesting documents and information regarding the MBDA. Please detail the specific steps taken to respond to each letter and specify the date on which the Department anticipates providing a full and complete response to each letter:
  
  May 28, 2025, letter to Acting Deputy Secretary of Commerce for MBDA Keith Sonderling.
  
  April 30, 2025, letter to Acting Deputy Secretary of Commerce for MBDA Keith Sonderling.
  
  April 17, 2025, letter to Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Sincerely,
MIL OSI USA News –
July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Consolation, community, national identity: what is lost when pubs close – and how they can be saved

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Thomas Thurnell-Read, Reader in Sociology, Loughborough University

William Perugini/Shutterstock

Recent figures from the British Beer and Pub Association show that pubs will close at the rate of one a day in the UK during 2025. This is just the latest chapter in a familiar story – more than a quarter of British pubs have closed since 2000.

The cost of running a pub has risen dramatically. The ingredients used to brew beer all cost more, as do the business rates, rents, duties, utilities and wages required to operate a welcoming venue in which to serve it. Some publicans have reported utility bills doubling in a matter of months.

Many pubs occupy prime locations and high-value buildings, which, coupled with larger floor space, mean business rates can be high relative to turnover and profit.

Meanwhile, food offerings which had provided many pubs with a profitable alternative to a drinks-only model have also been hit by rapid increases in costs. Supermarkets and delivery platforms now provide food and drink directly to consumers at prices few licenced venues can compete with. Even pubs that are economically viable are often more profitable converted into residential or retail space.

These economic challenges accompany wider cultural trends, such as the continued prevalence of home working, changes in drinking habits and competition from alternative forms of in person and online leisure.

We’ve researched pub closures in England and Wales to learn what the loss of pubs means for the communities who drink and gather in them.

When pubs closed temporarily during COVID-19 lockdowns, many people realised that what they missed about pubs was not alcohol but the social contact pubs provided. Pubs have a clear social value. They offer a space for people to meet and interact and have been shown to help tackling loneliness and social isolation.

Our research participants relayed stories of pub closure in relation to their own lives and communities:

I’ve been consoled in there, I’ve consoled friends in there. We’ve chopped up family issues, work issues. We’ve drunk for the sake of drinking in there.

Pubs help people feel connected to a local place. When they close, they can become sites of mourning, a painful reminder of change and decline. One resident of a former colliery village in Nottinghamshire said of the pub she had once worked in – now derelict, fire damaged and vandalised as it awaits redevelopment – that despite her wish that it had remained open it was now better to “knock it down” to “put us out of our misery”.

For many, pubs are a sort of bellwether for wider anxiety about social and generational change. The loss of pubs speaks to where “we” might be heading as a nation or as a community. Our recent analysis of how the British press has reported on pub closures since 2000 shows that a sense of national identity under threat is a recurring theme.

Both local and national newspapers have made repeated use of the word “our” in this context, warning readers of the grave threat to “our pubs” and “our heritage”, often invoking an idyllic image of rural life. However, much of this coverage has also praised the pub as a great leveller, as a place where people come together as a community to socialise despite their differences.

Can pubs be saved?

The Campaign for Real Ale, the leading consumer group for beer drinkers and pub goers, suggests changing planning and licensing laws to protect pubs at local and national levels, and more support and publicity for pubs to cater to changing markets.

Others have more directly lobbied for duty cuts that give pubs a fighting chance against supermarkets benefiting from economies of scale, VAT exemptions and convenience.

A hot meal served in a pub incurs a standard 20% rate of VAT, while a supermarket ready meal to be heated at home does not. The rationale for a tax cut to support pubs would rest on the social benefits they offer to communities, in contrast to supermarket-bought alcohol typically consumed at home.

A boarded-up pub in Bristol.
Thomas Turnell-Read

The Localism Act 2011 gave communities the right to bid to take pubs into community ownership, designating them as assets of community value. Yet while there are some terrific examples of community-owned pubs becoming both thriving businesses and a revived focal point for communities, residents in poorer areas lack the resources to sustain viable campaigns.

In one village in our study, a pub listed as a going concern at £500,000 in fact sold as a development plot for over £660,000. A viability study suggested that an investment of £225,000, plus working capital of at least £20,000, would be needed to reopen the pub. The residents we spoke to all conceded that a purchase was far beyond the modest resources of the local community.

While the loss of so many pubs is shocking, it obscures the fact that when other licensed venues, such as bars, restaurants and licensed cafes are factored in, the downward trend is flattened – and even reversed in some areas. This suggests a long-term diversification of the sector – the pub is no longer the only option when going out for a drink.

This may also reflect a feeling that other hospitality venues better cater to different people and groups who may feel less at home in traditional pubs. Some interviewees told us that they felt craft brewery taprooms were more welcoming and family friendly. Others found cafe-bars to have a more appealing mix of coffee, food and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

There’s a long history of pubs adapting to serve new needs and markets. Pub is the Hub, for example, has supported rural pubs to incorporate everything from village shops and libraries to pizza ovens and IT skills hubs. There have been promising experiments with fitting pubs for co-working and meeting space. And micropubs can continue to offer the benefits of a convivial social space, in a back-to-basics approach that reduces the costs of running bigger venues. Pubs can and must evolve.

Thomas Thurnell-Read receives funding from The Leverhulme Trust.

Robert Deakin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Consolation, community, national identity: what is lost when pubs close – and how they can be saved – https://theconversation.com/consolation-community-national-identity-what-is-lost-when-pubs-close-and-how-they-can-be-saved-260774

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Consolation, community, national identity: what is lost when pubs close – and how they can be saved

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Thomas Thurnell-Read, Reader in Sociology, Loughborough University

William Perugini/Shutterstock

Recent figures from the British Beer and Pub Association show that pubs will close at the rate of one a day in the UK during 2025. This is just the latest chapter in a familiar story – more than a quarter of British pubs have closed since 2000.

The cost of running a pub has risen dramatically. The ingredients used to brew beer all cost more, as do the business rates, rents, duties, utilities and wages required to operate a welcoming venue in which to serve it. Some publicans have reported utility bills doubling in a matter of months.

Many pubs occupy prime locations and high-value buildings, which, coupled with larger floor space, mean business rates can be high relative to turnover and profit.

Meanwhile, food offerings which had provided many pubs with a profitable alternative to a drinks-only model have also been hit by rapid increases in costs. Supermarkets and delivery platforms now provide food and drink directly to consumers at prices few licenced venues can compete with. Even pubs that are economically viable are often more profitable converted into residential or retail space.

These economic challenges accompany wider cultural trends, such as the continued prevalence of home working, changes in drinking habits and competition from alternative forms of in person and online leisure.

We’ve researched pub closures in England and Wales to learn what the loss of pubs means for the communities who drink and gather in them.

When pubs closed temporarily during COVID-19 lockdowns, many people realised that what they missed about pubs was not alcohol but the social contact pubs provided. Pubs have a clear social value. They offer a space for people to meet and interact and have been shown to help tackling loneliness and social isolation.

Our research participants relayed stories of pub closure in relation to their own lives and communities:

I’ve been consoled in there, I’ve consoled friends in there. We’ve chopped up family issues, work issues. We’ve drunk for the sake of drinking in there.

Pubs help people feel connected to a local place. When they close, they can become sites of mourning, a painful reminder of change and decline. One resident of a former colliery village in Nottinghamshire said of the pub she had once worked in – now derelict, fire damaged and vandalised as it awaits redevelopment – that despite her wish that it had remained open it was now better to “knock it down” to “put us out of our misery”.

For many, pubs are a sort of bellwether for wider anxiety about social and generational change. The loss of pubs speaks to where “we” might be heading as a nation or as a community. Our recent analysis of how the British press has reported on pub closures since 2000 shows that a sense of national identity under threat is a recurring theme.

Both local and national newspapers have made repeated use of the word “our” in this context, warning readers of the grave threat to “our pubs” and “our heritage”, often invoking an idyllic image of rural life. However, much of this coverage has also praised the pub as a great leveller, as a place where people come together as a community to socialise despite their differences.

Can pubs be saved?

The Campaign for Real Ale, the leading consumer group for beer drinkers and pub goers, suggests changing planning and licensing laws to protect pubs at local and national levels, and more support and publicity for pubs to cater to changing markets.

Others have more directly lobbied for duty cuts that give pubs a fighting chance against supermarkets benefiting from economies of scale, VAT exemptions and convenience.

A hot meal served in a pub incurs a standard 20% rate of VAT, while a supermarket ready meal to be heated at home does not. The rationale for a tax cut to support pubs would rest on the social benefits they offer to communities, in contrast to supermarket-bought alcohol typically consumed at home.

A boarded-up pub in Bristol.
Thomas Turnell-Read

The Localism Act 2011 gave communities the right to bid to take pubs into community ownership, designating them as assets of community value. Yet while there are some terrific examples of community-owned pubs becoming both thriving businesses and a revived focal point for communities, residents in poorer areas lack the resources to sustain viable campaigns.

In one village in our study, a pub listed as a going concern at £500,000 in fact sold as a development plot for over £660,000. A viability study suggested that an investment of £225,000, plus working capital of at least £20,000, would be needed to reopen the pub. The residents we spoke to all conceded that a purchase was far beyond the modest resources of the local community.

While the loss of so many pubs is shocking, it obscures the fact that when other licensed venues, such as bars, restaurants and licensed cafes are factored in, the downward trend is flattened – and even reversed in some areas. This suggests a long-term diversification of the sector – the pub is no longer the only option when going out for a drink.

This may also reflect a feeling that other hospitality venues better cater to different people and groups who may feel less at home in traditional pubs. Some interviewees told us that they felt craft brewery taprooms were more welcoming and family friendly. Others found cafe-bars to have a more appealing mix of coffee, food and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

There’s a long history of pubs adapting to serve new needs and markets. Pub is the Hub, for example, has supported rural pubs to incorporate everything from village shops and libraries to pizza ovens and IT skills hubs. There have been promising experiments with fitting pubs for co-working and meeting space. And micropubs can continue to offer the benefits of a convivial social space, in a back-to-basics approach that reduces the costs of running bigger venues. Pubs can and must evolve.

Thomas Thurnell-Read receives funding from The Leverhulme Trust.

Robert Deakin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Consolation, community, national identity: what is lost when pubs close – and how they can be saved – https://theconversation.com/consolation-community-national-identity-what-is-lost-when-pubs-close-and-how-they-can-be-saved-260774

MIL OSI –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI: Blue Navy Recovery Scales Support to Meet Increased Demand for Unclaimed Property in California

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Irvine, CA , July 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue Navy Recovery, a recognized leader in the asset recovery space, has expanded its operations in response to a rising volume of unclaimed property claims in California. As the state reports growing pools of dormant assets—including old bank accounts, refund checks, and insurance proceeds—Blue Navy Recovery is ramping up its service capacity to help more residents secure what’s rightfully theirs. The firm’s success in the region continues to solidify its position as a top choice for unclaimed property support in California.

Blue Navy Recovery logo representing a trusted leader in unclaimed property recovery across California.

With millions in unclaimed funds transferred to the state every year, the process of reclaiming those assets can often overwhelm individuals. Blue Navy Recovery simplifies this journey by managing the full recovery process on behalf of its clients. The firm handles everything: from initial eligibility checks and documentation to direct communication with state officials—ensuring accuracy and peace of mind for Californians seeking to recover assets long forgotten or unknown. The company’s results are reflected in a growing number of client reviews and reported outcomes shared by verified clients on Google and in recent coverage in Business Insider and Yahoo! Finance.

“Our California clients are seeing success not because the process got easier, but because we’ve removed the guesswork,” said David Dorfman, Managing Partner at Blue Navy Recovery. “This expansion allows us to serve more people efficiently while maintaining the one-on-one service that defines our work.”

As demand grows, so does the company’s investment in personalized support. From Google to Yelp, users continue to point to real results—not theory—as the reason they trust Blue Navy’s process. The firm has processed many successful claims in California alone, ranging from relatively small account balances to substantial fund recoveries linked to estates or inactive investments.

The company’s secure and streamlined process helps reduce paperwork and improve communication. With clear guidance throughout each claim, Blue Navy Recovery offers a solid pathway from inquiry to payout. As a performance-based service, clients incur no upfront fees, and pay only when funds are successfully recovered. The company recently celebrated their 200th successful unclaimed property recovery case alongside their 40th 5-star review, a story that was picked up by media outlets like Yahoo! Finance, Business Insider, and Globe Newswire.

To learn more about how to claim unclaimed property in California, or to explore real user studies and common case outcomes, visit Blue Navy Recovery’s website.

Blue Navy Recovery’s website provides streamlined support for unclaimed property claims in California.

About Blue Navy Recovery

Blue Navy Recovery is a professional unclaimed property recovery firm that helps individuals and families recover lost or forgotten funds held by the state. With deep experience navigating the claims process in California and Georgia, we’ve helped return millions of dollars to rightful owners. We handle the paperwork, follow-ups, and filing — so you don’t have to. Our team only collects a percentage of the recovered amount, with no upfront cost.

Press inquiries

Blue Navy Recovery
https://www.bluenavy.org
David Dorfman
david@bluenavy.org
(619) 215-1972

The MIL Network –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: 07.15.2025 Cruz-Led Bipartisan Bill to Protect Livelihoods of Texas Fishermen Passes the Senate

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Senate passed the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act, which was introduced by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). The bipartisan bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a standard methodology for identifying the country of origin of red snapper and certain species of tuna imported into the United States.
Technology exists to chemically test and find the geographic origin of many foods, but not for red snapper and tuna. The legislation supports the development of a field test kit that can be used to accurately ascertain whether fish were caught in U.S. or foreign waters, thus allowing federal and state law enforcement officers to identify the origin of the fish and confiscate illegally caught red snapper and tuna before it is imported back into the U.S.
The Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Act was reintroduced in January and advanced out of the Senate Commerce Committee the following month. The legislation was also co-sponsored by Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).
Sen. Cruz said, “Hardworking Texas fishermen in the Gulf of America are being undercut by cartel-backed entities who illegally catch and smuggle red snapper into U.S. markets, using profits to fund other illicit activities. I am proud to lead the fight on this bipartisan legislation to crack down on these corrupt operations, stand up for Texas fishermen, and protect our communities. Now, it’s time for the House to act and help us put an end to this illegality.”
Sen. Schatz said, “Seafood that’s caught illegally or intentionally mislabeled rips off consumers and makes it harder for law-abiding U.S. fishermen to compete. Our bill will help fight against anyone who tries to pass off cheap foreign tuna for high-quality ahi from local Hawai‘i fishermen.”
BACKGROUND
Mexican fishermen cross the maritime border between Texas and Mexico on small boats called “lanchas” to illegally catch red snapper in U.S. waters and return to Mexico. The fish are sold in Mexico or mixed in with legally-caught red snapper then exported back into the United States across land borders. Red snapper is one of the most well-managed and profitable fish in the Gulf, but illegal fishing by Mexican lanchas puts law-abiding U.S. fishermen and seafood producers at a competitive disadvantage.
Last year, the Coast Guard seized more than 18 tons of illegally caught fish from Mexican lanchas. As of June of this year, the Coast Guard has arrested more than 50 Mexican fishermen and seized thousands of pounds of illegally caught fish, further underscoring the need for additional measures to protect our resources.
In Hawaii, commercial fishermen have long fought to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and human trafficking in the seafood industry. IUU fishing activities violate both national and international fishing regulations.
Sens. Cruz, Britt, and Tuberville previously introduced similar legislation during the 118th Congress, which passed the Commerce Committee in July of last year.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Leads Legislation to Support Rural Behavioral Health by Fully Funding Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced the Farmers First Act, which would expand and improve behavioral health services in rural communities and connect those in times of crisis with trained medical professionals to receive the personalized care that they need.

This legislation would reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), increase funding to a total of $15,000,000 annually over the next five years, and allow FRSAN regional centers to establish referral connections with certified community behavioral health clinics, critical access hospitals, and rural health centers.

“Agriculture is the economic engine of Iowa, and our farmers and producers work long hours and make unseen sacrifices to feed and fuel our country and the world. Those sacrifices can take a toll on our farm producers, especially when commodity prices tumble or severe weather destroys crops,” said Rep. Feenstra. “It’s why I’m glad to lead legislation to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, providing farmers with real support in times of crisis. I will always stand with our producers and ensure that they have access to the high-quality healthcare they deserve.”

“Dairy farmers routinely endure volatile economic environments that are naturally cause for emotional stress. The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network provides vital resources that can support producers and their families during times of crisis. We commend Representative Randy Feenstra and Ranking Member Angie Craig for leading the bipartisan Farmers First Act to continue and strengthen FRSAN for the betterment of all farmers and rural communities,” said Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.

“On behalf of over 60,000 pork producers nationwide, we commend Congressman Feenstra and Ranking Member Craig for addressing the critical issue of mental and behavioral health in agriculture. As farmers and ranchers, we face unique stressors that are often beyond our control. By prioritizing these resources, we can strengthen the resilience of rural communities and ensure long-term support for both producers today and future generations,” said Duane Stateler, President of National Pork Producers Council.

“Farmers face incredible stressors in their day-to-day work and often feel as though the weight of the world rests on their shoulders as they navigate tough times while maintaining farms that have been passed down through multiple generations of family members,” said Kenneth Hartman Jr., Illinois farmer and President of the National Corn Growers Association. “Yet, they often find it hard to access the mental health tools they need to cope with these challenges. That’s why we are deeply appreciative for the sponsors of this legislation for working to extend mental health resources to growers through this important legislation.”

“From trade uncertainty to labor shortages and natural disasters, many stressors are weighing heavily on the minds of farmers and ranchers. Resources supported through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network are more critical now than at any time in recent memory. Farm Bureau appreciates Representatives Craig and Feenstra, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their tireless commitment to supporting farmer and rancher mental health across the country,” said Sam Kieffer, Vice President of Public Policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“U.S. soybean farmers face serious pressures, from the impacts of ongoing tariffs to looming, unscientific threats to crop protection tools and seed oils. These policy and market challenges take a toll, not just financially, but mentally. Mental health remains an often-unspoken crisis in rural communities, and ASA is committed to addressing it head-on. The Farmers First Act of 2025 would provide critical support by reauthorizing the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and strengthening mental health resources farmers can count on. We thank Representative Feenstra for championing this legislation and standing with farm families,” said Caleb Ragland, President of the American Soybean Association and soybean farmer from Magnolia, Kentucky.

“Farmers and ranchers across the United States face unique and extreme stresses in their work to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. NASDA applauds the bipartisan Farmers First Act, which bolsters access to critical mental health resources through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. State departments of agriculture play an important role in coordinating FRSAN operations and NASDA looks forward to continuing to support these invaluable activities,” said Ted McKinney, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

“When farmers struggle, ag retailers feel it too—financially, emotionally, and as part of the same rural fabric. The Farmers First Act recognizes that mental health is a shared concern in agriculture, and strengthening the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network helps support not just our customers, but our communities and our own teams as well,” said Hunter Carpenter, Senior Director of Public Policy at the Agricultural Retailers Association.

“The Farmer Veteran Coalition strongly supports the reauthorization of the Farmers First Act. Expanding and strengthening the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network is essential to ensuring farmers, ranchers have access to the mental health resources they need to thrive. We commend Representatives Feenstra and Craig, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst, for their bipartisan leadership in prioritizing the well-being of those who feed our nation. This bill will provide critical support for agricultural producers facing stress, isolation, and mental health challenges, and we urge swift passage this Congress,” said Jeanette Lombardo, Chief Executive Officer of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.

“The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) applauds Congressman Feenstra and Ranking Member Craig for their leadership on ensuring access to mental health care for rural agricultural communities. The Farmers First Act supports the continuation of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, expanding the network of rural providers to deliver critical services to farming and ranching populations. We look forward to working with Congress to continue bringing much-needed resources to our agricultural populations,” said Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Health Association.

“Farmers in rural communities face unique mental health and substance use challenges, often with limited access to care,” said Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. “The reintroduction of the Farmer’s First Act by Representatives Feenstra and Craig is a meaningful step toward expanding access to high-quality behavioral health services in agricultural communities. By supporting programs that leverage proven models like Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), this bill will help ensure that farmers and their families can access comprehensive, coordinated care no matter where they live.”

“Farming and the financial insecurity associated with farming can be very stressful. Farmers dealing with stress-related mental health challenges often feel stigmatized if they seek help, which only compounds the problem. We applaud Representatives Feenstra (R-IA) and Craig (D-MN) and Senators Baldwin (D-WI) and Ernst (R-IA) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Farmers First Act to increase resources available to farmers and rural communities to address mental health challenges,” said Steve Etka, Policy Director, Midwest Dairy Coalition.

“Farmers are daily facing the changing and unpredictable weather patterns that can devastate the best laid plans. They must deal with rising cost of inputs, uncertainty about trade, uncertainty about support services, uncertainty about the role of the USDA and managing difficult financial decisions against a backdrop of uncertainty around the domestic economy. Organic dairy farmers care for the environment, care for their livestock and for the health and welfare of their family and their customers every day. Dairy farming is many times a solitary occupation and farmers need access to all the resources possible to deal with the stress and uncertainty in their lives. We wholeheartedly support the Farmers First Act and all the assistance it can provide to care for our farm families,” said Ed Maltby, Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance.

“Ensuring sufficient access to evidence-based mental health services continues to be a challenge in many rural and agricultural communities, in many cases a challenge that has endured over generations,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. (APA Services). “The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program continues to be a lifeline to many of these communities. APA Services applauds Representatives Feenstra and Craig and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their efforts to ensure adequate mental health resources in rural communities, and we ask Congress to swiftly enact the Farmers First Act.”

“Any farmer will tell you—agriculture is an incredibly demanding and often stressful profession, especially during times of economic hardship. Tragically, suicide rates among farmers are two to five times higher than the national average. One of the biggest challenges in addressing this crisis is the persistent stigma around mental health in rural communities, which too often prevents individuals from seeking help. NAWG is deeply grateful to Congressman Feenstra for his leadership on this critical legislation and for his unwavering commitment to expanding access to mental health resources for farmers and rural communities across the country,” said Chandler Goule, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

“The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network helps provide essential support to our nation’s producers” said Doug O’Brien, President and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association. “The National Cooperative Business Association applauds the bipartisan leadership to increase access to mental health services for rural communities while providing a critical lifeline to our farmers and ranchers”

“The Organic Trade Association applauds Congressman Feenstra for recognizing that a healthy farm system begins with healthy farmers,” said Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association. “We proudly support the Farmers First Act which safeguards the well-being of farmers.”

“Farming is a stressful job, even in good times, and rural residents often face unique barriers to seeking mental health care,” said Christy Seyfert, Farm Credit Council President and CEO. “FRSAN brings valuable stress assistance services and expertise to the farm and ranch communities most in need of resources. Farm Credit commends Ranking Member Craig, Representative Feenstra, and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their leadership on the Farmers First Act.”

“Since it was funded in the 2018 Farm Bill, the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) has been an essential lifeline for farmers, ranchers and farmworkers, who face increased levels of stress and often lack access to mental health support services,” said Hannah Tremblay, Farm Aid’s Policy & Advocacy Manager. “Farm Aid enthusiastically supports the Farmers First Act of 2025 which continues the crucial work of the FRSAN to support and strengthen the agricultural workers we all depend upon. Importantly, the increased funding will allow for deeper support networks and increased outreach to underserved farmers and agricultural workers. As farmers struggle with an uncertain farm economy, FRSAN is now more critical than ever.”

“We are grateful to Representatives Randy Feenstra and Angie Craig for reaffirming the clear and present need for increased funding of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance network. Many reasons exist for ongoing farm stress and mental health challenges for farmers and farm workers. Continued FRSAN funding is essential to ensure critical support services and programming reach populations where the need is great, and resources are often limited,” said David Howard, Policy Development Director at Young Farmers.

“Farming can be incredibly stressful, and too many rural communities still don’t have the mental health support they need,” said Rob Larew, President of National Farmers Union. “The Farmers First Act will help get essential resources to farmers who are struggling. We thank Representatives Feenstra and Craig and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for leading the charge and urge Congress to reauthorize FRSAN with increased funding.”

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Feenstra Leads Legislation to Support Rural Behavioral Health by Fully Funding Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Randy Feenstra (IA-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) introduced the Farmers First Act, which would expand and improve behavioral health services in rural communities and connect those in times of crisis with trained medical professionals to receive the personalized care that they need.

This legislation would reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), increase funding to a total of $15,000,000 annually over the next five years, and allow FRSAN regional centers to establish referral connections with certified community behavioral health clinics, critical access hospitals, and rural health centers.

“Agriculture is the economic engine of Iowa, and our farmers and producers work long hours and make unseen sacrifices to feed and fuel our country and the world. Those sacrifices can take a toll on our farm producers, especially when commodity prices tumble or severe weather destroys crops,” said Rep. Feenstra. “It’s why I’m glad to lead legislation to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, providing farmers with real support in times of crisis. I will always stand with our producers and ensure that they have access to the high-quality healthcare they deserve.”

“Dairy farmers routinely endure volatile economic environments that are naturally cause for emotional stress. The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network provides vital resources that can support producers and their families during times of crisis. We commend Representative Randy Feenstra and Ranking Member Angie Craig for leading the bipartisan Farmers First Act to continue and strengthen FRSAN for the betterment of all farmers and rural communities,” said Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.

“On behalf of over 60,000 pork producers nationwide, we commend Congressman Feenstra and Ranking Member Craig for addressing the critical issue of mental and behavioral health in agriculture. As farmers and ranchers, we face unique stressors that are often beyond our control. By prioritizing these resources, we can strengthen the resilience of rural communities and ensure long-term support for both producers today and future generations,” said Duane Stateler, President of National Pork Producers Council.

“Farmers face incredible stressors in their day-to-day work and often feel as though the weight of the world rests on their shoulders as they navigate tough times while maintaining farms that have been passed down through multiple generations of family members,” said Kenneth Hartman Jr., Illinois farmer and President of the National Corn Growers Association. “Yet, they often find it hard to access the mental health tools they need to cope with these challenges. That’s why we are deeply appreciative for the sponsors of this legislation for working to extend mental health resources to growers through this important legislation.”

“From trade uncertainty to labor shortages and natural disasters, many stressors are weighing heavily on the minds of farmers and ranchers. Resources supported through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network are more critical now than at any time in recent memory. Farm Bureau appreciates Representatives Craig and Feenstra, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their tireless commitment to supporting farmer and rancher mental health across the country,” said Sam Kieffer, Vice President of Public Policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation.

“U.S. soybean farmers face serious pressures, from the impacts of ongoing tariffs to looming, unscientific threats to crop protection tools and seed oils. These policy and market challenges take a toll, not just financially, but mentally. Mental health remains an often-unspoken crisis in rural communities, and ASA is committed to addressing it head-on. The Farmers First Act of 2025 would provide critical support by reauthorizing the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and strengthening mental health resources farmers can count on. We thank Representative Feenstra for championing this legislation and standing with farm families,” said Caleb Ragland, President of the American Soybean Association and soybean farmer from Magnolia, Kentucky.

“Farmers and ranchers across the United States face unique and extreme stresses in their work to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. NASDA applauds the bipartisan Farmers First Act, which bolsters access to critical mental health resources through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network. State departments of agriculture play an important role in coordinating FRSAN operations and NASDA looks forward to continuing to support these invaluable activities,” said Ted McKinney, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture.

“When farmers struggle, ag retailers feel it too—financially, emotionally, and as part of the same rural fabric. The Farmers First Act recognizes that mental health is a shared concern in agriculture, and strengthening the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network helps support not just our customers, but our communities and our own teams as well,” said Hunter Carpenter, Senior Director of Public Policy at the Agricultural Retailers Association.

“The Farmer Veteran Coalition strongly supports the reauthorization of the Farmers First Act. Expanding and strengthening the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network is essential to ensuring farmers, ranchers have access to the mental health resources they need to thrive. We commend Representatives Feenstra and Craig, as well as Senators Baldwin and Ernst, for their bipartisan leadership in prioritizing the well-being of those who feed our nation. This bill will provide critical support for agricultural producers facing stress, isolation, and mental health challenges, and we urge swift passage this Congress,” said Jeanette Lombardo, Chief Executive Officer of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.

“The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) applauds Congressman Feenstra and Ranking Member Craig for their leadership on ensuring access to mental health care for rural agricultural communities. The Farmers First Act supports the continuation of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, expanding the network of rural providers to deliver critical services to farming and ranching populations. We look forward to working with Congress to continue bringing much-needed resources to our agricultural populations,” said Alan Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Health Association.

“Farmers in rural communities face unique mental health and substance use challenges, often with limited access to care,” said Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. “The reintroduction of the Farmer’s First Act by Representatives Feenstra and Craig is a meaningful step toward expanding access to high-quality behavioral health services in agricultural communities. By supporting programs that leverage proven models like Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), this bill will help ensure that farmers and their families can access comprehensive, coordinated care no matter where they live.”

“Farming and the financial insecurity associated with farming can be very stressful. Farmers dealing with stress-related mental health challenges often feel stigmatized if they seek help, which only compounds the problem. We applaud Representatives Feenstra (R-IA) and Craig (D-MN) and Senators Baldwin (D-WI) and Ernst (R-IA) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Farmers First Act to increase resources available to farmers and rural communities to address mental health challenges,” said Steve Etka, Policy Director, Midwest Dairy Coalition.

“Farmers are daily facing the changing and unpredictable weather patterns that can devastate the best laid plans. They must deal with rising cost of inputs, uncertainty about trade, uncertainty about support services, uncertainty about the role of the USDA and managing difficult financial decisions against a backdrop of uncertainty around the domestic economy. Organic dairy farmers care for the environment, care for their livestock and for the health and welfare of their family and their customers every day. Dairy farming is many times a solitary occupation and farmers need access to all the resources possible to deal with the stress and uncertainty in their lives. We wholeheartedly support the Farmers First Act and all the assistance it can provide to care for our farm families,” said Ed Maltby, Executive Director of the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance.

“Ensuring sufficient access to evidence-based mental health services continues to be a challenge in many rural and agricultural communities, in many cases a challenge that has endured over generations,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., CEO of the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. (APA Services). “The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program continues to be a lifeline to many of these communities. APA Services applauds Representatives Feenstra and Craig and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their efforts to ensure adequate mental health resources in rural communities, and we ask Congress to swiftly enact the Farmers First Act.”

“Any farmer will tell you—agriculture is an incredibly demanding and often stressful profession, especially during times of economic hardship. Tragically, suicide rates among farmers are two to five times higher than the national average. One of the biggest challenges in addressing this crisis is the persistent stigma around mental health in rural communities, which too often prevents individuals from seeking help. NAWG is deeply grateful to Congressman Feenstra for his leadership on this critical legislation and for his unwavering commitment to expanding access to mental health resources for farmers and rural communities across the country,” said Chandler Goule, Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

“The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network helps provide essential support to our nation’s producers” said Doug O’Brien, President and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association. “The National Cooperative Business Association applauds the bipartisan leadership to increase access to mental health services for rural communities while providing a critical lifeline to our farmers and ranchers”

“The Organic Trade Association applauds Congressman Feenstra for recognizing that a healthy farm system begins with healthy farmers,” said Matthew Dillon, Co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association. “We proudly support the Farmers First Act which safeguards the well-being of farmers.”

“Farming is a stressful job, even in good times, and rural residents often face unique barriers to seeking mental health care,” said Christy Seyfert, Farm Credit Council President and CEO. “FRSAN brings valuable stress assistance services and expertise to the farm and ranch communities most in need of resources. Farm Credit commends Ranking Member Craig, Representative Feenstra, and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for their leadership on the Farmers First Act.”

“Since it was funded in the 2018 Farm Bill, the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) has been an essential lifeline for farmers, ranchers and farmworkers, who face increased levels of stress and often lack access to mental health support services,” said Hannah Tremblay, Farm Aid’s Policy & Advocacy Manager. “Farm Aid enthusiastically supports the Farmers First Act of 2025 which continues the crucial work of the FRSAN to support and strengthen the agricultural workers we all depend upon. Importantly, the increased funding will allow for deeper support networks and increased outreach to underserved farmers and agricultural workers. As farmers struggle with an uncertain farm economy, FRSAN is now more critical than ever.”

“We are grateful to Representatives Randy Feenstra and Angie Craig for reaffirming the clear and present need for increased funding of the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance network. Many reasons exist for ongoing farm stress and mental health challenges for farmers and farm workers. Continued FRSAN funding is essential to ensure critical support services and programming reach populations where the need is great, and resources are often limited,” said David Howard, Policy Development Director at Young Farmers.

“Farming can be incredibly stressful, and too many rural communities still don’t have the mental health support they need,” said Rob Larew, President of National Farmers Union. “The Farmers First Act will help get essential resources to farmers who are struggling. We thank Representatives Feenstra and Craig and Senators Baldwin and Ernst for leading the charge and urge Congress to reauthorize FRSAN with increased funding.”

###

MIL OSI USA News –

July 16, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: 3 ways Canadians can take control of their finances in an age of economic uncertainty

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Omar H. Fares, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Business, University of New Brunswick

Canadian consumers are beginning to move from short-term economic concerns to a more persistent mindset of financial precarity, and it’s starting to affect how they live.

People are delaying major purchases and starting to show signs of subscription fatigue, according to recent findings. One recent survey found that 70 per cent of Canadians are deferring major life decisions, including home ownership and family planning, as a consequence of this sustained economic uncertainty.

This anxiety is now reflected in broader sentiment. The Bank of Canada’s latest Consumer Expectations Survey found a sharp rise in economic pessimism. About two-thirds of Canadians now anticipate a recession within the year, up from 47 per cent in late 2024.

Concerns about job security, debt repayment and access to credit are also mounting. For the first time since early 2024, more consumers report cutting back on spending. Home-buying intentions are declining, especially among those expecting a downturn, and an increasing share of mortgage holders plan to reduce expenses ahead of higher renewal payments.

Consumers are no longer just reacting to inflation or interest rates, but adjusting to the idea that financial uncertainty may be here to stay.

Why today’s economic anxiety feels different

While the link between economic uncertainty and reduced spending is well established, what makes today’s situation different is the convergence of multiple pressures facing consumers.

This includes a challenging job market — particularly for younger Canadians — concerns about the disruptive effects of AI-driven automation, the threat of tariffs from the United States, ongoing global conflicts and the growing cost of living.

With economic uncertainty now a defining feature of everyday life for many Canadians, the sense of financial precarity is shaping how people think, plan and spend.

Addressing this new reality will require equipping ourselves with tools and mental habits that can help develop financial stability, even in unpredictable times. Here are three research-backed ways to do this.

A Global News segment about how half of Canadians are living bill-to-bill.

1. Budget based on values

With many people feeling the pinch or uncertainty around money, a more deliberate, values-based approach to personal finance is needed beyond traditional budgeting methods. If you’re looking for more control over your finances, it can help to shift your focus from just tracking where your money goes to making sure it goes where you actually want it to.

Research in consumer behaviour supports this shift in mindset. Mental accounting, introduced by economist Richard Thaler, explains how people naturally divide their money into mental categories like stability, family or learning. Budgeting then becomes less about cutting back and more about making intentional choices.

Studies have found that pairing this kind of values-based budgeting with simple practices, such as setting clear goals and automating transfers, can lead to lower spending and more consistent long-term behaviour. The goal is not to manage every dollar perfectly, but to make sure your money aligns with what matters most to you.

Since values tend to guide sustainable decision-making, a practical starting point is to identify three to five core values, such as financial security, personal development or time with family. Next, review your recent transactions and group them by the value they support. This reframes budgeting as a way to assess whether your current spending aligns with what you consider most important.

From there, assign a reasonable monthly amount to each category based on your income and fixed obligations. You don’t need to track every detail, but having value-based benchmarks will improve day-to-day choices.

Renaming categories in your budgeting app or spreadsheet is another important approach. For example, changing “discretionary” to “family time” or “well-being” can reinforce the link between spending and values. Set up automated transfers that reflect your goals; this might include creating a savings buffer, funding education or contributing to a low-risk investment account. Automation helps reduce decision fatigue and supports consistency.

2. Use pessimism to your advantage

While recognizing economic risks is entirely rational, how people respond to that risk makes a significant difference. Psychologists have studied a mindset known as “defensive pessimism,” a strategy that involves anticipating potential problems in order to plan effectively, rather than being overwhelmed by uncertainty.

Unlike chronic anxiety or fear, which can impair decision-making and lead to poorer financial and consumption choices, defensive pessimism encourages people to take a more measured, thoughtful approach. It combines realism with preparation and helps individuals stay focused and responsive in uncertain conditions.

People are more resilient when they focus on what can be changed. In practical terms, this might include learning a new skill, starting a side project or strengthening personal or professional networks.

To apply defensive pessimism, start by clearly identifying what could go wrong, then outline specific actions to address those possibilities. Break big tasks into smaller, manageable steps, create a backup plan and regularly reassess progress. This approach helps maintain focus, reduce surprises and turn worry into preparation.

These small, proactive steps with detailed personal reflection can offer a sense of agency that counters feelings of helplessness. Rather than ignoring challenges, defensive pessimism coupled with consistent reflection is about figuring out how to work around them.

3. Adopt a long-term outlook

Despite ongoing uncertainty, maintaining a long-term financial perspective remains very important. Research consistently shows that people who engage in long-term planning tend to accumulate greater wealth over time.

Long-term planning involves continuing to plan for future goals such as retirement or education, even when timelines need to shift due to changing circumstances.

One of the greatest challenges with this approach is known as the “sour grape effect.” This refers to the tendency people have to downplay a future goal or reward after experiencing early setbacks or failures.

A 2020 study with 1,304 participants in Norway and the U.S. found that setbacks can lead individuals to disengage from their goals. Participants were given either positive or negative feedback on an initial task and then asked to predict how much happiness they would feel if they succeeded in a later round.

Those who experienced failure anticipated much less happiness from future success. When everyone actually did succeed, their levels of happiness were the same regardless of initial feedback. Setbacks can lead people to devalue their goals as a self-protective strategy. However, participants with high achievement motivation did not show this bias.

In other words, when short-term disappointments are interpreted as failure, there is a risk that people may give up on long-term plans altogether. In these moments, the most effective course of action is staying consistent and committed, while still remaining agile enough to adapt as needed.

Omar H. Fares does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. 3 ways Canadians can take control of their finances in an age of economic uncertainty – https://theconversation.com/3-ways-canadians-can-take-control-of-their-finances-in-an-age-of-economic-uncertainty-260785

MIL OSI –

July 16, 2025