NewzIntel.com

Category: CTF

  • MIL-OSI USA: THOMPSON SLAMS CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS’ MOVE TO HIDE TRUE COST OF BUDGET BILL

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) released the following statement in response to Congressional Republicans’ decision to change the process by which Congress calculates the cost of their tax bill in order to hide trillions of dollars in spending. Congressional Republicans are using this trick to pretend that extending the President’s 2017 tax bill, which disproportionately benefit his billionaire donors, will be free. In reality, this bill will saddle Americans with trillions more in debt.

    “It’s a simple fact that this big, ugly bill is set to add $5 trillion to our national debt. It’s shameful that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are trying to hide that fact.

    “Congressional Republicans are using a budgeting gimmick to claim that the cost of extending the President’s 2017 tax bill will be zero dollars. This is as if you paid your mortgage payments for the last few years and then decided you don’t have to budget for home payments going forward. This budgeting theory would bankrupt families and businesses and will certainly bankrupt our country.

    “This is flat out irresponsible. This bill will saddle our future generations with debilitating debt in order to give handouts to people who don’t need the help. Everyday Americans will be left with pennies while the wealthy reap all the benefits. Every hardworking American, regardless of party stripe, should be outraged.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION TASK FORCE CHAIR THOMPSON LEADS AMENDMENT TO STRIKE TAX BREAK FOR SILENCERS, SHORT-BARRELED SHOTGUNS AND RIFLES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

    Washington – Today, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair Mike Thompson (CA-04) introduced an amendment with 70 co-sponsors to stop Congressional Republicans’ proposal to spend $1.7 billion to make it easier for people to buy silencers, short-barreled shotguns, and short-barreled rifles. Read the amendment here. 

    “Congressional Republicans are bowing to the whim of the gun lobby by proposing we eliminate the $200 tax on silencers and easily concealable short-barreled rifles and short-barreled shotguns,” said Thompson. “We’ve regulated silencers and these guns for over 90 years for a reason. This tax was put in place in 1934 as part of a comprehensive effort to address their illegal use by criminal gangs. 

    “Congressional Republicans’ proposal to spend $1.7 billion to flood our communities with these firearms and make it easier for mass shooters and criminals to access these weapons makes our communities less safe. I urge my Republican colleagues to help us take up this amendment and strike down this ill-advised handout to the gun lobby.” 

    “Slashing taxes on silencers, short-barreled shotguns and rifles, and similar devices is a $1.7 billion gift to boost gun industry sales that will endanger law enforcement and our communities,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “We urge every lawmaker in the House to put public safety ahead of gun industry profits and oppose this disaster of a bill.”

    “The House must take up and pass this important amendment. For 100 years, Republicans and Democrats agreed on commonsense safeguards to keep silencers and short-barreled firearms from falling into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, President Trump and today’s extreme Republicans put gun lobby CEO donors ahead of Americans’ safety and are fighting to make it easier for dangerous people to get these weapons. The gun lobby freely admits this is the first step in their plan to remove all safeguards keeping gun silencers away from criminals. Passing this provision would endanger law enforcement and the communities they risk their lives to protect—and Republicans know it,” said Emma Brown, GIFFORDS Executive Director. 

    “We know what these weapons do. We’ve lived through the lockdowns, the sirens, the funerals. We’ve seen the aftermath up close. The House has a choice: pass this amendment, or keep rewarding violence with taxpayer dollars. Anyone who votes against it should have to explain that choice to the families left behind after their children are murdered,” said Jackie Corin, Executive Director, March For Our Lives. 

    “After the assassination of a public servant in Minnesota and a heinous sniper attack on first responders in Idaho, it is outrageous that Trump’s allies in the Senate have passed a bill that puts countless lives at risk to line the pockets of gun industry executives. Making firearm silencers and other uniquely lethal weapons more accessible will increase violence and enable would-be mass shooters and assassins. Brady vigorously supports Representative Thompson’s amendment to reverse this dangerous provision and safeguard the American public,” said Kris Brown, Brady President. 

    “Stripping silencers from the National Firearms Act is not reform—it’s a reckless gift to the gun lobby that will endanger law enforcement, embolden mass shooters, and silence victims before anyone can respond. Silencers are not tools of self-defense—they are tools of assassination. Representative Thompson’s amendment to reverse this dangerous provision from the Republican funding bill is critical. The House must act immediately to keep silencers out of the hands of criminals and domestic terrorists. We cannot allow Donald Trump and his allies to dismantle 90 years of bipartisan safeguards just to appease gun manufacturers and extremist donors. Lives are on the line—and Congress must choose the people over the gun lobby,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: THOMPSON, SCHWEIKERT, MATSUI, BALDERSON INTRODUCE TELEHEALTH PERMANENCE BILL

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

    Washington – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04), David Schweikert (AZ-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07), and Troy Balderson (OH-12) announced the introduction of the bipartisan and bicameral CONNECT for Health Act, legislation that would expand telehealth access for millions of Americans on Medicare. 

    “Since my days in the California State Senate, I’ve been a big believer in telehealth’s ability to save money, time, and lives,” said Rep. Thompson. “Telehealth allows patients—especially those with low mobility or who otherwise can’t make it to the doctor’s office—to access the care they need when they need it. The CONNECT for Health Act will provide Americans on Medicare with the peace of mind that telehealth will be covered by their benefits. Proud to join Representatives Matsui, Schweikert, and Balderson to introduce this bill.”        

    “Digital health isn’t just a convenience, it’s a modern necessity. It’s how we make care more accessible, especially for rural and underserved communities, without blowing up the budget,” said Congressman Schweikert. “By permanently removing outdated restrictions, the CONNECT for Health Act helps Medicare keep pace with the real world. This is about using technology to improve outcomes, reduce costs, and meet patients where they are.” 

    “Telehealth is a proven tool to meet patients where they are and increase access to quality care throughout our communities,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “The expansion of telehealth services has been crucial to reaching our most vulnerable patients, older Americans, and the traditionally underserved. The CONNECT for Health Act permanently removes barriers to this critical resource and keeps it accessible for Medicare beneficiaries for years to come.”

    “Telehealth has become a core component for how we deliver high-quality care, especially in rural and underserved communities,” said Rep. Balderson. “The CONNECT for Health Act ensures Medicare keeps pace with modern medicine by removing outdated restrictions, expanding who can provide telehealth, and giving patients the flexibility to receive care from home. This legislation would be a big win for providers in rural Ohio, like our Federally Qualified Health Centers, who are the front line of care in many of the communities I represent.”

    “Permanently extending telehealth coverage will benefit patients and physicians far and wide, ushering in a new era of patient care. Medicare coverage of telehealth offers better access to health care not just for rural and other underserved communities; it also reduces travel time and serves as a vital tool for patients to receive seamless care with their existing physicians.  We deeply appreciate Representatives Thompson, Schweikert, Balderson, and Matsui for their leadership,” said American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala, M.D.

    The CONNECT for Health Act of 2025 would permanently expand access to telehealth services—ensuring that Medicare beneficiaries can continue to receive essential care.

    • Telehealth utilization surged in 2020 when CMS waived many statutory restrictions on telehealth to ensure continued access to health care during the public health emergency.
    • Recent reports find that older adults and individuals from underserved communities benefited the most from expanded telehealth access.
    • Since 2021, Medicare beneficiaries’ telehealth utilization has stabilized at 15 percent, while overall health care use is level, indicating that telehealth often substitutes in-person care.
    • With telehealth flexibilities set to expire in September 2025, beneficiaries will lose access to care due to statutory restrictions, including requirements that only permit beneficiaries to receive telehealth services if they are in rural areas and at certain clinical sites.
    • Permanent changes to Medicare’s coverage of telehealth services are critical in order to protect access to care and fully integrate telehealth into care delivery.

    The full bill text can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: THOMPSON JOINS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TO AWARD GREG LEMOND CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

    In a ceremony Wednesday, Congress awarded the highest civilian honor to world-renowned American cyclist

    Washington, D.C. – Today Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) joined the Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, former U.S. Representative Tom Graves, Stephen Whisnant, and esteemed guests to formally award cycling legend Greg LeMond with the Congressional Gold Medal. Watch Rep. Thompson’s remarks here. 

    “Greg LeMond represents the best of American sportsmanship. One of our greatest athletes, Greg is the only American man to win the Tour de France – a feat he accomplished three times. Throughout his career, Greg repeatedly exemplified the principles of healthy competition, honesty, and selflessness, putting team success ahead of his own. 

    “More than any other cyclist in our history, Greg was the epitome of the ‘Breaking Away’ culture – a young kid, on a bike, trying to do things no American had ever done.

    “In retirement, Greg has dedicated his life to serving and supporting children, veterans, medical research and other causes through his charitable work,” said Thompson. “I was honored to join the ceremony today to finally present Greg with this well-deserved recognition.” 

    “Cycling changed my life for the better and I’m a firm believer that this sport has the potential to help everyone be healthier and more active, too,” said LeMond. “I didn’t ever expect recognition when I started racing, I just really had a blast. That’s why I am truly humbled to be recognized by the U.S. Congress. I look at the list of previous medal winners and I can’t help but think that I’m in really, really good company.”

    BACKGROUND

    Greg LeMond is the only American to ever win the Tour de France. After his first win, he faced an uphill battle recovering from a near-fatal accident and later went on to win the Tour two more times. His 8-second victory over Laurent Fignon in the 1989 Tour is considered among the most thrilling moments in cycling history. Mr. LeMond was an early advocate against doping in the sport and he remains a giant in the cycling community to this day.

    In his retirement, Mr. LeMond has dedicated himself to giving back to his community. He and his wife, Kathy LeMond, support research into various childhood illnesses He is also a founding board member of 1in6, a nonprofit organization that helps men who were victims of childhood sexual abuse.

    Representative Mike Thompson, Co-Chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus, was inspired to pursue this award for Greg LeMond after reading about his incredible resiliency in Daniel De Visé’s biography, “The Comeback.” Thompson went on to lead the bipartisan effort in the U.S. House to pass the Greg LeMond Congressional Gold Medal Act.  
    The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest civilian awards in our nation and seeks to honor those who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient’s field for generations to come. 

    These medals are only awarded through Acts of Congress. Legislation must be introduced in both the House and Senate and those bills must be co-sponsored by two thirds of the membership of their respective chamber before being considered for a vote. 

    Greg LeMond is the first cyclist and only the tenth individual athlete to receive this prestigious medal. Others include Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Jesse Owens, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer.

    You can click here to read Thompson’s bill honoring Mr. LeMond and outlining his long and celebrated career as a cyclist and activist. Click here to download photos from today’s ceremony and here to watch footage of the event. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. McCollum Joins Every Senate and House Democrat in Opposing the One Big Ugly Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the House of Representatives awaits the vote on Donald Trump’s massive budget reconciliation bill (HR1), also known as the One Big Ugly Bill, Congresswoman McCollum issued the following statement: 

    “President Trump’s big shameful reconciliation bill is back on the House floor today, and it is even uglier and meaner than when House Republicans passed it in May. The Senate-amended One Big Ugly Bill strips away healthcare from more than 173,000 Minnesotans with disabilities, seniors, children, and working parents – that’s the equivalent of every resident of Woodbury, Maplewood, Stillwater, and Roseville losing their health care. 

    “The big ugly truth is that at least 32,000 Minnesotans will go hungry without the SNAP food assistance they rely on – the equivalent of everyone in New Brighton and Arden Hills going to bed hungry every day. Donald Trump and his Republican Congressional enablers are cutting healthcare and food access for the most vulnerable Minnesotans to give permanent tax breaks to billionaires like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. 

    “The One Big Ugly Bill is a handout for the wealthy. People who make over a million dollars a year, on average, will see a tax break of an additional $96,400 per year, or $264 per day. For those earning less than $50,000 per year, the average benefit is $0.68 per day. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Senate’s Big Ugly Bill raises the debt ceiling by $5 Trillion, 25% more than the $4 Trillion proposed in the House and hands out ridiculous tax breaks, like a $1.5 billion tax break on gun silencer purchases

    “As it was with the first vote on the Big Ugly Bill in May, I will vote NO! House Democrats just need four patriotic no votes from our Republican colleagues to kill this deadly bill. I will continue to lead with my Minnesota values and represent the voice of my community. I will always oppose any Republican efforts to cut Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Veterans’ benefits, and nutrition assistance for Minnesota families.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: In Urumqi, a girl from Almaty successfully underwent an operation to reconstruct the Achilles tendon

    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 12 (Xinhua) — A little patient from Almaty recently underwent successful Achilles tendon reconstruction surgery at the Children’s Hospital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Urumqi, the Xinjiang News Portal reported.

    On June 12 this year, a married couple from Almaty with their daughter came to the medical workers of this hospital. As a result of a traffic accident that happened six months ago, the girl received serious injuries to her right leg. After the tragedy, stitches were put on the wound at the local hospital. However, due to damage to the Achilles tendon, the child’s right foot gradually stopped functioning normally, and the girl could only limp.

    The reconstructive microsurgery department at this hospital developed a reconstructive surgery plan for the patient and carefully carried out a series of procedures to ensure that her foot met the requirements for surgery.

    On June 27, the head of the department, Tian Jingshun, and his colleagues performed surgery on the girl. The surgical treatment technique was autoplasty, which means using the patient’s own tissue. Under a microscope, the doctors successfully separated a piece of tendon tissue from the girl’s leg, including skin and blood vessels, and sewed it to the injured foot.

    A week after the operation, it was observed that the sutured tendon had become viable, and the blood vessels and nerve tissues were functioning normally. It is expected that the girl will be able to conduct foot rehabilitation training in a month, and will return to normal walking in about three months, Tian Jingshun said.

    Let us recall that this is the third case of admission of a foreign minor patient to the reconstructive microsurgery department of this hospital this year. Over the past few years, the hospital has admitted a total of more than 500 patients from Central Asian countries.

    “China is a leader in the field of microsurgery. My colleagues and I are trying to meet the medical treatment needs of as many patients as possible from both Xinjiang and neighboring Central Asian countries,” said Tian Jingshun. -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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tianjin to host meeting of SCO Council of Foreign Ministers

    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 12 (Xinhua) — A meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states will be held in Tianjin, north China, on July 15, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Saturday.

    The official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry noted that at the invitation of the member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, foreign ministers of other SCO member states and responsible officials of the SCO permanent bodies will take part in the meeting.

    He added that the parties will exchange views on SCO cooperation in various areas, as well as on significant issues of global and regional scale.

    According to the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, in addition to participating in the meeting, Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will also visit China. -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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 98 killed, 185 injured in Pakistan monsoon rains

    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

    ISLAMABAD, July 12 (Xinhua) — Heavy monsoon rains and flash floods have killed at least 98 people and injured 185 others in Pakistan since June 26, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Friday.

    According to the department’s statement, eight people have died and another 27 have been injured in rain-related accidents in the past 24 hours.

    Punjab province recorded the highest number of casualties, 37 people including 20 children, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with 30 fatalities.

    Authorities have issued warnings of possible rainfall in the coming days and urged residents, especially those living in low-lying and vulnerable areas, to take precautions. Rescue efforts are ongoing in the worst-hit areas. –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.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI— Hagerty joins Varney & Co. on Fox Business to Discuss Iran Threat, Crypto Regulation Reform

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

    NASHVILLE, TN—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined Varney & Co. on Fox Business to discuss the national security implications of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, as well as his legislative push to create a clear regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and digital assets.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*

    Partial Transcript

    Hagerty on the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program: “One thing to keep in mind is the intent of the Iranian regime. If you go back to the agreement President [Barack] Obama signed, they promised under the JCPOA not to continue their enrichment program. The Israelis uncovered the fact that they violated that agreement, and they’ve continued to do it. Why in the world would they build deep underground facilities if they weren’t trying to hide something? They’ve clearly had the intent to weaponize nuclear material. They’ve been enriching it. We’ve known that. This absolute obliteration, which has been widely documented, has taken out these facilities. Is it possible that some material could still remain? Yes, that is a possibility. That’s what the Israeli intelligence is reporting right now. But it’s obvious this regime has intent, and certainly if they have the intent, they’d like to have the ability to weaponize it. What’s happened is that the weaponization capability has been completely destroyed. It takes months, if not years, to rebuild even parts of these facilities. At minimum, what has happened is we’ve bought multi-year protection from what the Iranians could do.”

    Hagerty on concerns about Iran using nuclear material in a terrorist attack: “In a hypothetical sense, there is the potential to create something like a dirty bomb. That’s not close to the type of weaponization they were geared toward, but again, the Iranian regime has been put on notice. President [Donald] Trump was very deliberate and very clear: They violated his timeline, they violated his red line, and they suffered the consequences. The most important thing to keep Iran in check is the resolve of America and Israel. We demonstrated that clearly the time has come now for Iran to come to the table and for us to put this completely to an end.”

    Hagerty on his cryptocurrency legislation and the need for regulatory clarity: “The problem is longstanding. Over the last four years of the Biden administration, they utilized a tool called Regulation by Enforcement. Rather than creating a legal framework for cryptocurrencies, for the technology, for the stable coin bill, the Genius Act that I just got passed out of the Senate and should come out of the House of Representatives next week, the [Securities and Exchange Commission], the [Commodity Futures Trading Commission], and all the regulatory bodies kept this industry guessing. The bad outcome of that is that if you guess wrong, you will be incarcerated. You’ll wind up being persecuted, and you’ll wind up having enforcement action launched against you that could be very expensive. The net result of that is that we pushed innovation overseas, pushing it offshore because developers did not know what the liability might be here. No one knew how to register or properly adhere to the laws because the laws weren’t made clear. Our aim right now is to make a clear regulatory framework available here in the United States so developers can thrive here and so innovation can happen here. That’s exactly what I want to see with my stablecoin legislation, The Genius Act, that will take our payment system into the 21st century. It will have an enormous economic impact on America and create greater demand for U.S. Treasury securities, because every stablecoin has to be backed up 1-1, dollar for dollar, by the U.S. Security.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: THOMPSON RELEASES STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF REPUBLICANS’ BIG, UGLY BILL: “BAD DEAL FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

    BILL SET TO RIP HEALTH CARE FROM 17 MILLION PEOPLE, FOOD ASSISTANCE FROM 11 MILLION PEOPLE

    Washington – Today, Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04), released the following statement on House Republicans’ passage of H.R.1:

    “Congressional Republicans’ big, ugly bill is a bad deal for the American people. 

    “In one bill, my Republican colleagues have managed to rip health care away from 17 million people, take food away from 11 million people, gut my green energy investments responsible for our manufacturing boom, and drive up our national debt by a whopping $5 trillion dollars. All of this just to give tax breaks to their billionaire donors who don’t need the help. 

    “In our district, 22,000 of our friends, family members, and neighbors stand to lose health care coverage. Another 14,000 could go hungry. Twenty-eight rural hospitals in California and one in four nursing homes across our state will close. This isn’t just bad policy — it’s cruelty. 

    “We have a responsibility as members of Congress to work for everyone, not just the well-off and well connected. This bill will saddle our future generations with debilitating debt in order to give handouts to people who don’t need the help. Every hardworking American, regardless of party stripe, ought to be outraged. And my colleagues on the other side of the aisle ought to be ashamed.” 

    H.R. 1 passed the House of Representatives 218-214. Every House Democrat voted “No.” 

    Watch and download Rep. Thompson’s speech on the House floor here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Robert Aderholt’s Statement on Supreme Court Ruling Upholding Tennessee’s Child Protection Law

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

    Washington, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt, Chairman of the House Values Action Committee, issued the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Skrmetti upheld Tennessee’s law protecting minors from irreversible and life-altering medical treatments:

    “I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Tennessee’s law safeguarding our most vulnerable, our children, from irreversible and unnecessary medical treatments that carry dangerous risks,” said Congressman Aderholt. “This ruling reaffirms that protecting the health and well-being of minors is not just a state’s right, but a moral imperative. We will continue to fight to ensure that states can protect children from harmful medical practices and uphold the values that define our nation.”

    After the previous administration challenged the law in federal court, the Supreme Court’s ruling confirms that states have the authority to act in the best interest of children and safeguard them from high-risk and irreversible interventions. This is a victory for America’s children and parental rights. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Aderholt Introduces DUAL Act to Expand College Credit Opportunities for Military-Dependent Students in DODEA Schools

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

    Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Robert Aderholt introduced the DUAL (Defense United Access to Learning) Act, a bill that would allow the Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) to partner with accredited colleges and universities to offer dual enrollment programs for high school students in military families, similar to what is already available to public school students in most states.

    Currently, DODEA students pay out of pocket for these opportunities and must organize these arrangements, whereas high school students nationwide have access to state-funded dual enrollment programs in which the schools establish. The DUALAct would eliminate that disparity, opening the door for thousands of students living on military bases, both in the U.S. and overseas, to earn college credit while completing high school. Importantly, the bill requires no new funding; it simply authorizes DODEA to use existing Department of Defense funds for this purpose.

    “Military families make tremendous sacrifices for our country, and their children deserve the same educational opportunities that are available to other students nationwide,” said Congressman Aderholt. “This bill removes an unnecessary barrier and allows DODEA to invest in the future of its students, without increasing federal spending.”

    The legislation would provide equitable access to advanced academic opportunities for the approximately 12,000 high school students enrolled in DODEA schools. It is designed to enhance college readiness, remove financial barriers, and strengthen the academic competitiveness of Department of Defense dependents.

    “The DUAL  Act ensures that the children of our service members are no longer placed at a disadvantage simply because of their parents’ military service,” Aderholt added. “It’s a commonsense fix that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of military families.”

    The DUAL  Act is supported by leading education and military family advocacy organizations, including the Military Child Education Coalition and the National Military Family Association.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VAT Chairman Aderholt Applauds Supreme Court Ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

    Congressman Robert Aderholt, Chairman of the House Values Action Team, released the following statement today after the Supreme Court ruled favorably in Mahmoud v. Taylor, confirming that parents have the right to make decisions about the education of their children concerning family life and human sexuality:

    “I applaud the Supreme Court for upholding the fundamental rights of parents,” said Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04). “Children are not wards of the state, and families, not government officials, should decide how curriculum related to human sexuality is introduced to their children. This is a clear victory for the rights of families and parents.”

    In Mahmoud v. Taylor, a group of religiously diverse Maryland parents challenged a public-school district’s refusal to provide any opt-out option for their children from classroom activities that included explicit sexual material and ideological viewpoint advocacy about sexuality and gender.

    “The Court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor reaffirms that respecting parental rights is not only lawful, but essential to preserving both parental rights and religious freedom,” said Aderholt.

    The parents who brought the suit were simply advocating for an opt out option in the classroom, which is a very common practice; they did not ask for specific books to be excluded from the curriculum.  

    Congressman Aderholt was proud to lead an amicus brief in this case along with Senator Bill Cassidy and 60 Members of the House of Representatives and 17 Senators emphasizing that federal law does not compel the use of this curriculum and that Congress has long supported strengthened parental rights.

    “For years, parents have sounded the alarm about obscene and inappropriate content invading our schools, and today, they were heard,” said House VAT Co-Chair, Rep. Mary Miller (IL-15). “The Supreme Court has delivered a historic win for families, affirming parental rights, safeguarding religious freedom, and pushing back against the Left’s radical gender ideology targeting our children.”

    “Today’s Supreme Court decision is a huge victory for parental rights nationwide. Parents should always have the primary role in guiding their children’s upbringing, and in no world should a school be allowed to hide critical information about their child’s learning from them. Today’s ruling ensures that public schools can no longer impose controversial gender ideology curriculum on children without parental knowledge or consent. As a father of three school-aged daughters, I deeply care about what my children are taught outside of our home, and this decision offers parents across the country greater peace of mind and control over their children’s education,” said Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11).

    Rep. Brian Babin, D.D.S (TX-36) added, “No government, no school board, and no activist agenda has the right to come between a parent and their child. Today, the Supreme Court affirmed what our Constitution and our Creator make clear: children belong to families, not the state. Forcing children into radical gender ideology without parental knowledge or consent is not education, it’s indoctrination.”

    “Today’s decision affirms the fundamental truth that parents, not the government, have the right to determine the best educational curriculum for their children,” said Rep. Daniel Webster (FL-11). “Moms and Dads should not be intimidated or silenced when advocating for their children and religious convictions, and I applaud the court protecting parents’ rights and religious freedoms. I have and will continue to stand with students and parents.”

    Rep. Rick W. Allen (GA-12) added, “This decision from SCOTUS is a major win for parental rights and religious freedom in our country. No elementary-aged child should be subject to woke gender ideology curriculum without parental input or consent, especially in a taxpayer-funded school system. Parents know their children best and should be the primary decision makers when it comes to their child’s education.”

    “Today parents all over the U.S. received a Supreme Court huge victory,” said Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03). “This ruling ensures parents will be notified of any gender and sexuality-related instruction and given the opportunity to opt-out. When Montgomery County, Maryland made the choice to instruct preschoolers on ‘LGBTQ+ inclusivity’ without notifying parents and guardians, they decided to supersede the will of these parents and guardians. To have these kinds of choices stripped from the parents is an absurd overreach by the state, and I was glad to see our Supreme Court agreed with me.”

    “It should be common sense that parents have a right to protect their children from being indoctrinated by curriculum that violates their religious convictions,” said Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06). “Parents know what is best for their children. I’m glad that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the parents trying to protect their children from being indoctrinated by controversial gender ideology curriculum.”

    “I am pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to let parents make important decisions about what their children are exposed to in public schools, especially when it involves an ideology that violates their family’s religious beliefs. Public school instruction should stick to reading, writing, and arithmetic. Parents know best how to raise their children,” said Rep. Mark Messmer (IN-08).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VAT Chairman Aderholt Applauds Supreme Court Ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

    Congressman Robert Aderholt, Chairman of the House Values Action Team, released the following statement today after the Supreme Court ruled favorably in Mahmoud v. Taylor, confirming that parents have the right to make decisions about the education of their children concerning family life and human sexuality:

    “I applaud the Supreme Court for upholding the fundamental rights of parents,” said Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04). “Children are not wards of the state, and families, not government officials, should decide how curriculum related to human sexuality is introduced to their children. This is a clear victory for the rights of families and parents.”

    In Mahmoud v. Taylor, a group of religiously diverse Maryland parents challenged a public-school district’s refusal to provide any opt-out option for their children from classroom activities that included explicit sexual material and ideological viewpoint advocacy about sexuality and gender.

    “The Court’s decision in Mahmoud v. Taylor reaffirms that respecting parental rights is not only lawful, but essential to preserving both parental rights and religious freedom,” said Aderholt.

    The parents who brought the suit were simply advocating for an opt out option in the classroom, which is a very common practice; they did not ask for specific books to be excluded from the curriculum.  

    Congressman Aderholt was proud to lead an amicus brief in this case along with Senator Bill Cassidy and 60 Members of the House of Representatives and 17 Senators emphasizing that federal law does not compel the use of this curriculum and that Congress has long supported strengthened parental rights.

    “For years, parents have sounded the alarm about obscene and inappropriate content invading our schools, and today, they were heard,” said House VAT Co-Chair, Rep. Mary Miller (IL-15). “The Supreme Court has delivered a historic win for families, affirming parental rights, safeguarding religious freedom, and pushing back against the Left’s radical gender ideology targeting our children.”

    “Today’s Supreme Court decision is a huge victory for parental rights nationwide. Parents should always have the primary role in guiding their children’s upbringing, and in no world should a school be allowed to hide critical information about their child’s learning from them. Today’s ruling ensures that public schools can no longer impose controversial gender ideology curriculum on children without parental knowledge or consent. As a father of three school-aged daughters, I deeply care about what my children are taught outside of our home, and this decision offers parents across the country greater peace of mind and control over their children’s education,” said Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11).

    Rep. Brian Babin, D.D.S (TX-36) added, “No government, no school board, and no activist agenda has the right to come between a parent and their child. Today, the Supreme Court affirmed what our Constitution and our Creator make clear: children belong to families, not the state. Forcing children into radical gender ideology without parental knowledge or consent is not education, it’s indoctrination.”

    “Today’s decision affirms the fundamental truth that parents, not the government, have the right to determine the best educational curriculum for their children,” said Rep. Daniel Webster (FL-11). “Moms and Dads should not be intimidated or silenced when advocating for their children and religious convictions, and I applaud the court protecting parents’ rights and religious freedoms. I have and will continue to stand with students and parents.”

    Rep. Rick W. Allen (GA-12) added, “This decision from SCOTUS is a major win for parental rights and religious freedom in our country. No elementary-aged child should be subject to woke gender ideology curriculum without parental input or consent, especially in a taxpayer-funded school system. Parents know their children best and should be the primary decision makers when it comes to their child’s education.”

    “Today parents all over the U.S. received a Supreme Court huge victory,” said Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03). “This ruling ensures parents will be notified of any gender and sexuality-related instruction and given the opportunity to opt-out. When Montgomery County, Maryland made the choice to instruct preschoolers on ‘LGBTQ+ inclusivity’ without notifying parents and guardians, they decided to supersede the will of these parents and guardians. To have these kinds of choices stripped from the parents is an absurd overreach by the state, and I was glad to see our Supreme Court agreed with me.”

    “It should be common sense that parents have a right to protect their children from being indoctrinated by curriculum that violates their religious convictions,” said Rep. Gary Palmer (AL-06). “Parents know what is best for their children. I’m glad that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the parents trying to protect their children from being indoctrinated by controversial gender ideology curriculum.”

    “I am pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to let parents make important decisions about what their children are exposed to in public schools, especially when it involves an ideology that violates their family’s religious beliefs. Public school instruction should stick to reading, writing, and arithmetic. Parents know best how to raise their children,” said Rep. Mark Messmer (IN-08).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Aderholt to Host Two Vietnam Veteran Pinning Ceremonies in August

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

    Washington, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) announced today that he will host two Vietnam Veteran Pinning Ceremonies this August to honor and thank Vietnam veterans living in Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District for their service and sacrifice.

    The ceremonies will take place in Tuscumbia and Cleveland, Alabama. These events are part of the ongoing United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration effort to give long-overdue recognition to those who served during the Vietnam War era. Family members and the public are welcome to attend.

    “These men and women served our nation with courage during a difficult chapter in our history, and many never received the recognition they so rightfully deserved when they returned home,” said Congressman Aderholt. “These ceremonies are a small but heartfelt way to say ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation.”

    Event Details:

    📍Tuscumbia Ceremony
    Date: Friday, August 22, 2025
    Time: 10:30 AM
    Location:Alabama Music Hall of Fame
    617 U.S. Hwy 72 W, Tuscumbia, AL 35674

    📍Cleveland Ceremony
    Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
    Time: 10:30 AM
    Location:Blount County Multi Purpose Center
    6700 Co Hwy 1, Cleveland, AL 35049

    Each Vietnam veteran in attendance who resides in the Fourth Congressional District will receive a commemorative lapel pin from Congressman Aderholt as a symbol of the nation’s gratitude.

    Vietnam veterans who live in the district and wish to be honored are asked to sign up in advance by visiting:
    👉https://aderholt.house.gov/services/vietnam-veterans-50th-anniversary-pin-program

    Or call (256) 546-0201

    Please register by August 18th.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Aderholt Applauds House Passage of President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

    Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Donald J. Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” sending the landmark legislation to the President’s desk for his signature:

    “The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers the America First agenda in a fiscally responsible way. Getting this bill to the President’s desk to deliver his mandate for an economy that is pro-growth, pro-family, pro-business, and pro-worker. It also continues to support the most vulnerable in our society while helping able-bodied individuals get back to work.”

    In addition to the bill’s broad economic and social reforms, Congressman Aderholt successfully fought for the inclusion of a key pro-family provision — a refundable Adoption Tax Credit. This critical measure will help make adoption more accessible for lower- and middle-income families by ensuring they can fully benefit from the tax credit, regardless of their federal tax liability.

    “As someone who has long championed pro-life and pro-family policies, I was proud to lead the charge to make the Adoption Tax Credit refundable once again,” Aderholt said. “No family should be denied the opportunity to adopt a child simply because they can’t afford the upfront cost. This provision ensures that families of modest means receive the same support as wealthier households when they open their hearts and homes to a child in need.”

    The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is a sweeping legislative package aimed at restoring American prosperity, securing the border, promoting work, and uplifting families. With its passage, Congress takes a bold step forward in delivering on the America First vision and strengthening the nation from the ground up.

    “Despite what many of my Democrat colleagues and the national news media have claimed, this bill does not remove children or veterans from Medicaid or food assistance. What it does do is restore these vital programs to their original purpose — providing a safety net for the poor, pregnant women, children, and individuals with disabilities. The reforms we’ve made will help ensure that Medicaid remains focused on its core mission and continues to serve those who truly need it most. Not for able bodied people who just don’t want to work.”

    Having now cleared both chambers, the bill awaits the President’s signature and is expected to be signed into law in the coming days.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Underwood Introduces Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act to Strengthen Health Care in Rural America

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

    WASHINGTON – Representative Lauren Underwood introduced the Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act, bipartisan legislation co-led by Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS). The Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act would address the pressing health care disparities that rural communities face by prioritizing funding for rural health care facilities applying for Rural Development funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

    “Republicans just passed the largest cut to health care in American history, and now hundreds of rural health care facilities are projected to close. We must act immediately to address the significant challenges that people in our rural communities are facing in accessing quality health care,” said Congresswoman Underwood. “The Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act is a crucial step towards addressing these disparities, providing essential resources to improve health care infrastructure, and support the dedicated professionals who serve these areas.”

    Nearly 1 in 5 Americans live in rural areas and they face significant health care disparities compared to Americans living in urban areas. The shortage of physicians, longer wait times, and need to travel long distances to access medical care are just a few of the challenges rural residents endure.

    This bill will provide much-needed support to these communities by prioritizing funding for health facilities and ensuring USDA resources can be used to renovate, remodel, and equip closed facilities.

    Rural hospital closures result in inadequate preventive health care for rural residents, increasing the need for emergency treatments that are becoming increasingly unavailable. By prioritizing funding and resources for rural health care facilities, the Prioritizing Rural Hospitals Act will help ensure that residents in rural areas receive the essential care they need.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Underwood Secures More Than $1.6 Million in Federal Funding for Affordable Housing, Environmental Cleanup, and Research

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

    WASHINGTON — This week, Representative Lauren Underwood announced a new round of federal funding she has secured for affordable housing, environmental cleanup, and research in the 14th District.

    As a member of the Appropriations Committee, Underwood has made securing federal resources for northern Illinois a top priority. The following funds will support programs in the 14th District with federal resources:

    The Neighbor Project, Aurora, Illinois – $57,000

    The Neighbor Project will receive $57,000 in federal funding from NeighborWorks America through the NeighborWorks Flexible Impact Grant program.

    This grant will support efforts to lower housing costs, expand housing supply, spark economic opportunity, revitalize neighborhoods, and strengthen communities across Illinois’s 14th Congressional District. NeighborWorks America, a public nonprofit established by Congress in 1978, provides financial and technical support to nearly 250 local and regional partner organizations nationwide.

    Rep. Underwood helped secure this funding through her work on the Appropriations Committee.

    City of Ottawa, Ottawa, Illinois – $1,243,270

    The City of Ottawa will receive $1,243,270 in federal funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Cleanup Grant Program.

    The grant will fund the cleanup of the former Beer Depot site at 429 W. Lafayette Street, which was previously used for oil and coal distribution from 1891 until the 1970s. The site, vacant since the 1970s and contaminated with semi-volatile organic compounds, metals, and pesticides, will be remediated to support community revitalization and economic redevelopment.

    Rep. Underwood helped secure this funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and her work on the Appropriations Committee.

    A Cubed Design LLC, Aurora, Illinois – $305,000

    A Cubed Design LLC has been awarded federal funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant to develop an affordable, durable, and user-repairable refreshable braille display.

    This project aims to address the high cost and limited accessibility of current refreshable braille technology, which hinders braille literacy and digital access for blind and low-vision individuals. The innovation has strong commercial potential in a rapidly growing market and is expected to benefit thousands of users within three years of launch, expanding access to education, employment, and digital tools for the blind and low-vision community.

    Rep. Underwood helped secure this funding through her work on the Appropriations Committee.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Harder Demands Restoration of Flood-Control Funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

    Administration budget proposal includes 53% cut to construction project funding

    1,100 miles of levees need repairs along the Delta 
     

    WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) demanded a reversal of proposed cuts to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) flood protection projects, including the San Joaquin River Basin Project in Stockton. The Administration’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) is 53% lower than previously enacted levels, and excludes funding for vital flood prevention projects in the Valley and across California.

    Proposed cuts come at a crisis moment in Valley flood mitigation:

    “Yanking flood protection funding at the last-minute makes no sense and puts our Valley communities at risk,” said Rep. Harder. “We face flood threats every year because of aging infrastructure and we worked across the aisle to finally get the flood protection we need. Now, Washington is trying to steal back funding for our levees, and I refuse to let them get away with it.”

    In his letter Harder urged Washington to:

    • Reject the 53% cuts to USACE projects.
    • Fully fund USACE flood risk mitigation efforts.
    • Protect projects like the San Joaquin River Basin project.

    Read the full letter here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DELTA TUNNEL NEWS: Harder Calls for Approval of Audit into $20 Billion Boondoggle

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

    In the last year alone, the cost of the Delta Tunnel has ballooned by 25%

    Harder leading federal legislation to kill disastrous boondoggle
     

    STOCKTON – Today, ahead of the hearing to consider auditing the ballooning cost of the Delta Tunnel, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) released the following statement urging approval of this critical investigation:

    “Sacramento politicians have tried to backdoor the Delta Tunnel for years because they know this budgetary monstrosity won’t create a single drop of water for anyone. Worse still, the price tag to build it and the cost to Valley communities keeps going up. We need a full investigation into this $20 billion boondoggle. It’s time Sacramento admits what we already know – the Delta Tunnel is a direct attack on Valley communities and our way of life.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Harder Demands Release of Frozen Education Funding for San Joaquin County Ahead of New School Year

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

    $18 million for hiring teachers, STEM education, and after-school programs locked up

    Clock running out with first day of school just weeks away

    STOCKTON – Today, in response to unacceptable education funding freezes just weeks away from the first day of school, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) demanded the immediate release of these funds to ensure Valley students heading into the new school year aren’t affected. More than $18 million in federal funding promised to San Joaquin County is currently locked up.

    Here’s what’s on Washington’s chopping block:

    • Funding for homework assistance and after-school clubs.
    • Investments in STEM education and digital learning services.
    • Hiring and training more teachers — one local school district has a 100+ shortage.

    “Make no mistake — this is an attack on our kids and their futures, and I’m furious that Washington is trying to pull the rug out from under our schools just weeks away from the first day of school,” said Rep. Harder. “Working families deserve to know that their tax dollars are going to invest in our schools, not sit locked up in the hands of politicians. I’m calling on Washington to immediately reverse this mindless decision before it’s too late.”

    In his letter, Harder urged Washington to:

    • Immediately release the $18 million promised to San Joaquin County.
    • Restore funding for hiring teachers and providing education programs.
    • Prioritizekids’ education and career futures.

    Read the full letter here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MEGABILL: Harder Condemns Largest Health Care Cut in American History

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

    Rips health care away from nearly 50,000 San Joaquin County residents, lays off 3,000 health care workers 

    Finances trillions in handouts for billionaires like Elon Musk

    WASHINGTON – Today, following the U.S. House of Representatives’ passage of the largest health care cut in American history, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09), who voted no, released the following statement condemning the bill:

    “I’m heartbroken for our community. This bill is cruel beyond words. It rips health care away from 50,000 people in San Joaquin County, shutters clinics, lays off thousands of health care workers, and sends premiums through the roof – all so billionaires like Elon Musk can get another handout. 

    “Thousands of working families will lose access to in-home care for aging parents. They’ll be forced to skip doctor’s appointments for their kids. They won’t be able to afford an emergency room visit if there’s an accident. This isn’t just politics, this is life and death.

    “Our families were already stretched thin – now they’re being kicked off their health care so the rich can get even richer. I’m heartbroken. I’m furious. I voted no, and I’ll do everything in my power to fight back against this heartless betrayal.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WORLD DRUG DAY: Harder Announces Bipartisan Bills to Crack Down on Deadly Fentanyl

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

    New report: U.S. drug overdose deaths on the rise again

    Nearly 200,000 fentanyl pills seized in the Valley since September, enough to kill 26 million people

    WASHINGTON – Today, on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced two bipartisan bills to crack down on fentanyl drug dealers and expand overdose training for first responders. The Disrupt Fentanyl Pill Production Act, led with Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), helps local law enforcement track down drug dealers manufacturing counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, and the Safer Response Act, led with Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17), funds a grant training program to expand overdose training to local first responders.

    Valley communities are on the front lines of the drug epidemic:

    “This is about stopping criminals who are poisoning our families,” said Rep. Harder. “Fentanyl is flooding into our communities and we have to do something about it. These bipartisan bills give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on traffickers and make sure more people are trained to save lives when every second counts. This is life or death – we need to pass these bills.”

    Stopping drug dealers with the Disrupt Fentanyl Pill Production Act:

    • Tracking down dealers by requiring traceable serial numbers on all machines used to mass-produce counterfeit pills.
    • Tougher penalties for dealers caught with pill press machines.
    • Better coordination between local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

    “For the safety of our communities, it’s imperative that we give law enforcement the ability to trace these illicit pill presses moving across borders. This legislation will allow officers to better understand the criminal supply chain,” said Rep. Crenshaw. “Serializing pill presses will also give them better tools to effectively catch and prosecute cartels who use this equipment to disguise deadly drugs and exploit our children for profit.”

    Preventing overdose deaths with the Safer Response Act:

    • New training for local first responders to address and reverse overdoses.
    • Outreach coordination teams to bridge gaps between public and private medical and emergency response partnerships.

    “Over 80,000 lives were lost last year to overdoses and opioids like fentanyl continue to proliferate in our communities,” said Rep. Lawler. “I’m proud to co-lead the reintroduction of the Safer Response Act with Congressman Josh Harder to equip our first responders with the training and tools necessary to fight the opioid epidemic and save lives.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Neguse and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Introduce Legislation to Impose Lifetime Ban on Members of Congress from Lobbying

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02) and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) introduced the Close the Revolving Door Act of 2025, legislation that would impose a lifetime ban on former Members of Congress from becoming lobbyists. The legislation also strengthens lobbying transparency laws, including significantly increasing penalties for violations of the Lobbying Disclosure Act. Reps. Neguse and Ocasio-Cortez have previously partnered on efforts to enact legislation to prohibit Members of Congress from trading stocks.

    “The American people deserve far better from their government and elected leaders — and that includes an end to the corruption that has become pervasive in Washington D.C. It is why I’ve led an effort for years to ban stock trading by Members of Congress, and why I’m proud to join my colleague Rep. Ocasio-Cortez in introducing the Revolving Door Act — common-sense legislation that would ban former Members of Congress from becoming lobbyists after they leave elected office. We must clean up government for future generations and ensure our government is serving the American people, not special interests, which is exactly what our legislation is designed to do,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. 

    “The revolving door of public service to lobbying is a major reason why everyday Americans struggle to trust our institutions. It erodes the faith and integrity of our lawmaking and cuts against the principle that our service here puts Americans first ahead of our own careers and ambitions. Lobbying by members of Congress should be banned, and I am happy to support Rep. Neguse’s bill,” said Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

    The Close the Revolving Door Act of 2025 would: 

    • Impose a lifetime ban on former Members of Congress from engaging in any lobbying activities aimed at influencing Congress after they leave office;
    • Prohibit senior congressional staff from lobbying Congress for six years following their departure from service; 
    • Require the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate to create and maintain a public database website called lobbyists.gov;
    • Create a six-year restriction on hiring lobbyists or foreign agents into congressional offices if they had substantial prior lobbying contact with the office in question; 
    • Increase civil penalties for violations of the Lobbying Disclosure Act from $200,000 to $500,000.

    Read the bill text HERE. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Neguse Leads Coalition of Lawmakers Opposing Proposed Cuts to NOAA

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

    In letters to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik and Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers, lawmakers urge the rejection of proposed funding cuts and facility closures at NOAA. 

    Washington, DC— Following the release of the White House’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02) led a coalition of 23 lawmakers urging both the Department of Commerce and their colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to reject devastating proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by the Trump administration. The budget proposal would decimate funding for NOAA’s critical programs, including the Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), and terminate several Weather Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes, including several in Colorado’s Second Congressional District.   

    In their letter, the lawmakers condemned the proposed budget cuts to NOAA and underscored the importance of the agency and its Cooperative Institutes. Colorado is home to several of NOAA’s Climate Laboratories, including the Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL), the Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL), and the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML), all located in Boulder, CO. 

    Colorado is also the only state in the nation home to two Cooperative Institutes, the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) at Colorado State University and the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder, which are academic and non-profit research centers that have provided invaluable support to NOAA’s mission and work in drought, wildfire, and space weather since 1967. The lawmakers denounced the proposed cuts in their letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Subcommittee Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Meng, as well as any plans to terminate funding for these institutions, making clear the damage to our nation would be irreversible, and emphasizing the important work that is ongoing at both CIRES and CIRA.  

    “CIs are home to experienced researchers and long-standing data collection programs with major impacts on human societies. If these sweeping cuts are made, the damage will be irreversible. Even short-term interruptions in their research could threaten the safety and economies of the communities that CIs serve across the nation. These cuts would primarily leave tornado and weather research and ocean observation to be reprogrammed to other offices, effectively moving weather research and development under the National Weather Service, while getting rid of most of the people and infrastructure that do this critical work.” 

    They continued: “The value NOAA and its programs, like OAR, provide to our communities cannot be overstated. OAR operates research laboratories across the country providing the foundation for understanding and predicting changes in Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and inland waters. This work improves weather and climate forecasts, provides early warnings for natural disasters, and enhances our understanding of Earth’s systems. The work our scientists and civil servants do at NOAA is essential to U.S. national security and economic prosperity, as well as the personal safety and daily lives of Americans. Any attempt to gut these essential programs would have devastating effects on Americans.” 

     

    Read their full letter HERE and below: 

    July 8, 2025

    The Honorable Howard Lutnick 

    Secretary

    U.S. Department of Commerce 

    1401 Constitution Ave. NW 

    Washington, DC 20230

     

    The Honorable Laura Grimm

    Acting Administrator

    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    1401 Constitution Avenue NW Washington, DC 20230
     

    Dear Secretary Lutnick and Acting Administrator Grimm,

    We write to implore you to reject the proposed funding cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as laid out in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. NOAA’s programs provide essential services to all Americans, and gutting its programs and research would be gravely irresponsible.

    In NOAA’s FY26 Congressional Justification document, the agency lays out plans to effectively eliminate NOAA’s Operations, Research, and Facilities for FY26. This includes a decrease in 216 employees and complete termination of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Climate Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes. 

    This document also proposes closing down several NOAA facilities across the United States that are in our respective districts. This includes the Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in Miami, FL; the Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) in College Park, MD, Idaho Falls, ID, and Oak Ridge, TN, Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) in Boulder, CO; the Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) in Boulder, CO; the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) in Princeton, NJ; , as well as a nation-wide network of soil moisture sensors; the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) in Boulder, CO, Utqiaġvik, AK; Mauna Loa, HI; Hilo, HI; Big Island, HI; American Samoa, and the South Pole; and the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) in Seattle. Shutting down these facilities would be devastating for our communities.

    These cuts would also affect Cooperative Institutes (CIs), which are academic and non-profit research institutions that support NOAA’s goals, containing 80 universities and institutions across 33 states. CIs are home to experienced researchers and long-standing data collection programs with major impacts on human societies. If these sweeping cuts are made, the damage will be irreversible. Even short-term interruptions in their research could threaten the safety and economies of the communities that CIs serve across the nation.

    These cuts would primarily leave tornado and weather research and ocean observation to be reprogrammed to other offices, effectively moving weather research and development under the National Weather Service, while getting rid of most of the people and infrastructure that do this critical work. You cannot simply shuffle a handful of programs across NOAA offices while terminating an entire line office responsible for providing the research base for the agency and expect continued success; to maintain American excellence in this work requires continuity of OAR’s core functions as well as its skilled workforce, including at the labs and CIs.

    The value NOAA and its programs, like OAR, provide to our communities cannot be overstated. OAR operates research laboratories across the country providing the foundation for understanding and predicting changes in Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and inland waters. This work improves weather and climate forecasts, provides early warnings for natural disasters, and enhances our understanding of Earth’s systems. The work our scientists and civil servants do at NOAA is essential to U.S. national security and economic prosperity, as well as the personal safety and daily lives of Americans. Any attempt to gut these essential programs would have devastating effects on Americans. As such, we urge you to reject these proposed funding cuts and facility closures at NOAA.

    Sincerely,

     

    Read their full letter HERE and below: 

    July 8, 2025

     

    The Honorable Hal Rogers 

    Chairman

    Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

    Committee on Appropriations

    H-310 The Capitol Washington, DC 20515

     

    The Honorable Grace Meng

    Ranking Member

    Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science,

    and Related Agencies

    Committee on Appropriations

    H-310 The Capitol, Washington, DC 20515

     

    Dear Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Meng,

    As you continue crafting the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill, we write to implore you to reject the proposed funding cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as laid out in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. NOAA’s programs provide essential services to all Americans, and gutting its programs and research would be gravely irresponsible.

    In NOAA’s FY26 Congressional Justification document, the agency lays out plans to effectively eliminate NOAA’s Operations, Research, and Facilities for FY26. This includes a decrease in 216 employees and complete termination of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) Climate Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes. 

    This document also proposes closing down several NOAA facilities across the United States that are in our respective districts. This includes the Physical Sciences Laboratory (PSL) in Boulder, CO; the Chemical Sciences Laboratory (CSL) in Boulder, CO; the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) in Princeton, NJ; Atlantic Oceanographic & Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) in Miami, FL; the Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) in College Park, MD, Idaho Falls, ID, and Oak Ridge, TN, as well as a nation-wide network of soil moisture sensors; the Global Monitoring Laboratory (GML) in Boulder, CO, Utqiaġvik, AK; Mauna Loa, HI; Hilo, HI; Big Island, HI; American Samoa, and the South Pole; and the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) in Seattle. Shutting down these facilities would be devastating for our communities.

    These cuts would also affect Cooperative Institutes (CIs), which are academic and non-profit research institutions that support NOAA’s goals, containing 80 universities and institutions across 33 states. CIs are home to experienced researchers and long-standing data collection programs with major impacts on human societies. If these sweeping cuts are made, the damage will be irreversible. Even short-term interruptions in their research could threaten the safety and economies of the communities that CIs serve across the nation.

    These cuts would primarily leave tornado and weather research and ocean observation to be reprogrammed to other offices, effectively moving weather research and development under the National Weather Service, while getting rid of most of the people and infrastructure that do this critical work. You cannot simply shuffle a handful of programs across NOAA offices while terminating an entire line office responsible for providing the research base for the agency and expect continued success; to maintain American excellence in this work requires continuity of OAR’s core functions as well as its skilled workforce, including at the labs and CIs.

    The value NOAA and its programs, like OAR, provide to our communities cannot be overstated. OAR operates research laboratories across the country providing the foundation for understanding and predicting changes in Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, and inland waters. This work improves weather and climate forecasts, provides early warnings for natural disasters, and enhances our understanding of Earth’s systems. The work our scientists and civil servants do at NOAA is essential to U.S. national security and economic prosperity, as well as the personal safety and daily lives of Americans. Any attempt to gut these essential programs would have devastating effects on Americans. As such, we urge you to reject these proposed funding cuts and facility closures at NOAA, and to instead fully fund NOAA in the FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies appropriations bill.

    Sincerely,

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Neguse and Crank Lead Bipartisan Effort to Bolster Colorado’s Aerial Firefighting Capabilities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

     

    In a letter to Dr. Troy E. Meink, Secretary of the Air Force, the lawmakers requested upgrades to the aircraft currently stationed at the 302nd Airlift Wing. 

    Lafayette, CO — As Colorado braces for peak wildfire season, Congressmen Joe Neguse (CO-02) and Jeff Crank (CO-05) teamed up in a bipartisan effort to strengthen the state’s aerial firefighting capabilities. More specifically, the lawmakers penned a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force requesting eight upgraded C-130J aircrafts for the 302nd Airlift Wing (AW) at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs. 

    C-130Js are fitted with a firefighting unit that can assist in the rapid deployment of thousands of gallons of water or fire retardant. This makes them uniquely capable of suppressing flames and curbing the spread of wildfires over large ranges. 

    “Colorado, and states across the West, have experienced devastating wildfires in recent years and continue to face increased drought conditions and wildfire risk. It is in our nation’s best interest to ensure our communities are well-equipped to respond when disaster strikes. Without adequate tools, including the C-130Js, our country is at a disadvantage to manage these wildfires–threatening the safety of our communities. It is with that in mind that we urge the Department of Air Force to upgrade the 302nd AW with eight C-130Js,” wrote Representatives Neguse and Crank 

    Read their full letter HERE and below. 

    Congressman Neguse, founder and Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, has prioritized efforts to coordinate better wildfire preparedness, response, and recovery nationwide. Recently, he teamed up with a coalition of Western lawmakers to introduce a number of policy proposals that would implement a holistic approach to combating the wildfire crisis.

    July 1, 2025

    The Honorable Troy E. Meink

    Secretary of the Air Force

    Department of the Air Force

    1670 Air Force Pentagon

    Washington, D.C. 20330-1670

    Dear Secretary Meink:

    We write to request your consideration and assistance with upgrading and designating eight C-130Js to the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) 302nd Airlift Wing (AW) at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The 302nd AW has been among the only aerial firefighting AFRC Wings since 1993, including one of the four wings using the U.S. Forest Service Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems, and is responsible for operating an aeromedical evacuation mission. It is imperative that the U.S. Air Force equip the 302nd AW with eight upgraded C-130Js in order to carry out their tactical airlift and airdrop mission and aerial firefighting mission.

    The 302nd AW is on track to be the only remaining Department of Defense aerial firefighting wing still equipped with older C-130Hs. As wildfires continue to impact communities across the nation, maintaining an upgraded air fleet for the 302nd AW is imperative. Full capabilities for the AW and the 1,400 Reserve Citizen Airmen serving at Peterson Space Force Base are among our biggest assets to aerial firefighting and national security.

    Colorado, and states across the West, have experienced devastating wildfires in recent years and continue to face increased drought conditions and wildfire risk. It is in our nation’s best interest to ensure our communities are well-equipped to respond when disaster strikes. Without adequate tools, including the C-130Js, our country is at a disadvantage to manage these wildfires–threatening the safety of our communities. It is with that in mind that we urge the Department of Air Force to upgrade the 302nd AW with eight C-130Js.

    We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter, and we look forward to continuing to work together to maintain the necessary infrastructure and capabilities to respond adequately to the nation’s security needs, including wildfires.

    Sincerely,

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Statement on Senate Passage of Budget Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans passed President Trump’s budget bill. The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives:

    In a statement, Congressman Crow said:

    “In all my time in Congress, this is one of the worst bills I’ve ever seen. 

    “The bill is a massive wealth transfer from the working class to the rich. It would kick millions off their health care, take away food assistance for millions, and add trillions to the national deficit.

    “I cannot support this Republican bill that takes health care and food assistance from working people to give tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. This bill is bad for Colorado and America.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Honors WWII Army Rangers Awarding them the Congressional Gold Medal at Ceremony

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

    WASHINGTON — On Thursday, June 26, Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a former Army Ranger and a member of the House Armed Services Committee, honored World War II Army Rangers with the Congressional Gold Medal—the highest civilian award bestowed by Congress.

    Congressman Crow authored and passed bipartisan legislation, the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, to bestow this award on our nation’s heroes. Congressman Crow’s legislation was signed into law in 2022. Two WWII Rangers attended the ceremony to receive the award in-person.

    “These Rangers represent the best of us. During World War II, the Army formed six all-volunteer Ranger Battalions and one provisional battalion. Some of the most important battles of the war relied on their skill, sacrifice, and unending courage. They fought throughout Europe, including D-Day landings at Omaha Beach, and liberated 500 prisoners from a Japanese POW camp in the Philippines. It’s a great honor to award the Congressional Gold to those who confronted fascism face-to-face and won,” said Congressman Crow.

    The Rangers attending the ceremony were Sergeant. Joseph J. Drake and Private First Class. John Wardell. Other notable speakers in attendance were Speaker Mike Johnson, Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary Douglas Collins, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Joni Ernst, Senator Tammy Duckworth, Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, and General John D. Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

    Crow introduced the House version of the bill, the United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, on a bipartisan basis with 319 co-sponsors. The Senate version of the bill was introduced by Senator Joni Ernst. Congressman Crow’s bill was endorsed by organizations including: Veterans of Foreign Wars, Descendants of World War II Rangers, U.S. Army Ranger Association, Association of the United States Army, Arnold Community Council, 75th Ranger Regiment Association, The National Ranger Association, The Darby Project, and Valor Studios.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Statement on U.S., Iran Military Strikes

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) issued the following statement after President Trump bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities and Iran launched retaliatory strikes against a U.S. military base in Qatar:

    In a statement, Congressman Crow said:

    “I strongly condemn Iran’s attack against American servicemembers in the Middle East. The Iranian government sponsors terrorism, seeks to harm Americans, and works to undermine U.S. interests. Thankfully, Iran’s missiles were intercepted and no American servicemembers were injured in this attack. 

    “This attack on American troops is the direct consequence of President Trump’s decision to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. The President exceeded his authority when he conducted military strikes on Iran without congressional approval. The Constitution is clear–only Congress can authorize the use of military force unless there is an imminent risk to Americans or U.S. facilities. As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I have not seen any evidence that Iran posed an imminent risk to Americans or U.S. facilities.

    “Before coming to Congress, I served as an Army Ranger and paratrooper. I did three combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. I was a part of the decades-long wars in the Middle East that claimed thousands of American lives, cost trillions of dollars, and diminished U.S. credibility around the world. America cannot repeat our past mistakes. When elites in Washington make decisions, it’s young men and women from where I grew up who get sent to fight. The last thing I want to see is another generation of Americans pulled into another Middle East conflict.

    “The American people deserve an open and honest debate about the path forward. Congress must reclaim its power over the decision to send young men and women into conflict.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Statement on Final Passage of Trump’s Budget Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) issued the following statement after House Republicans passed President Trump’s budget bill. The bill now heads to the President’s desk:

    In a statement, Congressman Crow said:

    “In all my time in Congress, President Trump’s budget bill is the worst I’ve ever seen. It shamefully is one of the largest transfers of wealth from the working class to the rich in history. 

    “With his signature, President Trump will kick millions of Americans off of their health care and take away food assistance from the working class. Republicans are taking from working people in order to give massive tax breaks to the rich. Their bill is also fiscally reckless and irresponsible, adding trillions to the national debt.

    “Republicans pretend they’re for the working class, but with one bill, Donald Trump and Republicans just made life more difficult for many hardworking Americans who were already struggling to get by—all to give their billionaire friends a tax cut. 

    “It’s an awful bill that will hurt Colorado and our country. I voted NO.”

    MIL OSI USA News –