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Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Introduces Huntsville’s Bill Roark During HELP Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL)introduced Mr. Bill Roark of Huntsville, Alabama, as a witness appearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. The hearing was about empowering workers by expanding employee ownership.
    Read excerpts from the hearing below or watch on YouTube or Rumble.
    INTRODUCTION:
    TUBERVILLE: “I’m proud to introduce an Auburn man and a constituent, Mr. Bill Roark. Mr. Roark is the Co-founder of Torch Technologies Inc., Founder and Executive Chairman of the Board of Starfish Holdings, Inc., and Founder and Chair of the Board of Freedom Real Estate and Capital LLC, so he stays pretty busy. He’s a champion for employee ownership, and he has led multiple companies to national recognition [thanks] to his core values.
    As CEO of Torch Technologies, Mr. Rourke implemented an employee-owned ownership program from the company’s inception with the goal of becoming a 100% S corp employee stock ownership plan. His company achieved that goal in just under 10 years. Torch and Mr. Roark gained national attention for being named on the inaugural list of best of America’s best small companies by Forbes. During his tenure, Torch received multiple business awards and was named the number one fastest-growing, privately-held defense contractor in the southeast region. Torch Technologies provides superior research development and engineering services to the Department of Defense. Mr. Roark recently led Torch to become a certified evergreen company, achieving its long-term commitment to 100% employee ownership and its pledge to remain privately held to ensure enduring stability and opportunity for its workforce. This milestone came as Torch celebrated its 20th anniversary. 
    A true believer in company culture and employee well-being, Mr. Rourke has prioritized top-tier benefits and working conditions throughout his career. Mr. Rourke also founded Starfish Holdings Incorporated, a holding company that provides beneficial ownerships to employees across all its portfolios through an ESOP structure. Starfish Holdings companies now include Torch Technologies Inc., Freedom Real Estate and Capital LLC, and SIMVANA [LLC]. Mr. Roark has a proven track record with a common denominator of building companies where employees can thrive, retire with dignity, and find lasting purpose in their work.
    Thank you for being here today, Mr. Roark.”
    ON THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKPLACE DIGNITY:
    TUBERVILLE: “Important topic. Mister Roark, it’s got to be pretty mind calming to know if you work in an ESOP and you have some of the owners exit the company that everybody’s not gonna lose their job. So, what kind of security does an ESOP structure have for all employees? What that you’ve seen? Some examples.”
    ROARK: “Well, you know, we work real hard to build a succession plan in that it prepares our employees as people retire to step forward. You know, that is a challenge. One of the biggest challenges we’ve had is the success of the ESOP has led to people retiring early, so we have to work that problem a little harder and be training people ready to step into the role. The departure of employees that are retiring actually creates lots of opportunities for the other employees to accelerate in their careers quicker. So, a successful ESOP actually creates a lot of successful careers.
    It also creates the ability for employees to retire with dignity. In fact, the announcement of this hearing went out on our social media last night and one of the posts this morning, I’ll quote for you. […] Jim Deal, one of our retiring employees seven or eight years ago, he says, ‘Tell them how much you helped us retire with dignity.’ That is to me the essence of why I wanted to do this. You know, some 25 years ago, a company bought the company I worked for. And a few months after it was bought, I’d had a successful career. I went from being an entry level person to an executive. I was president of an operating segment. In that time, I’d had one of the most successful careers of anyone at that company. As that acquisition evolved and I was there, I was shortly thereafter, walked to the door and asked, told as I was handed my severance check that ‘We’ll pack your office and send your stuff home.’
    When I started this company, at the core of what I wanted is I wanted people to retire with dignity. When I walked out and stood on that corner, I didn’t feel very dignified. When I meet an employee in the grocery store, I want them to come hug me, not run from me. With the ESOP, I get lots of hugs. Every year when the ESOP statements come out, I get lots of hugs.This is a different way of doing business. I never wanna see an employee walk through the door in such an undignified manner. I put my whole life into that company. Several times, I worked 24 hours straight to get a delivery out on time.Was that respected? No. My stuff showed up in boxes with a bunch of crap that I didn’t really want, was not dignified at all. I hope that answers your question, Coach.”
    TUBERVILLE: “So, how can we help on the federal level to make ESOP structure more viable for that?”
    ROARK: “No. I think there’s lots of ideas being proposed here in in several of these bills, you know, making this easier, making it clearer in what we’re supposed to do. There’s a lot of murkiness in the bills, you know, one of the things for us in the last few years, we’ve been in a position where we could contribute more than the maximum allowable to our employees, and that creates an issue with the ESOP itself. Rf the limit is at 25%, I can only give 25%. If it were higher, we in some cases would have given higher, including this year. So, there are some pieces there where we could just fine tune some things. The ESOP is a wonderful tool and it provides stability for the employees and provides a retirement path for them as well. So, I think the more that we can refine the regulations around it to encourage people to be able to do this, clear up the rules on how the evaluations are done so that it’s clear what needs to be done. I think those would be great helps.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey and Warnock Demand Answers from Secretaries Rubio and Noem on Contradictory U.S. Foreign and Immigration Policies Toward Haiti and Potential Illegal Arms Exports to Port-au-Prince

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Letter Text (PDF)
    Washington (July 24, 2025) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) today led their colleagues in writing to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, requesting clarification on the contradictory U.S. foreign and immigration policies toward Haiti. The senators also demand answers on the involvement of a U.S. private military contractor (PMC)—led by Blackwater Worldwide founder Erik Prince— conducting armed operations in Haiti.
    In the letter, the lawmakers write, “According to recent reports, a U.S. private military contractor (PMC) is conducting armed operations in Haiti under a formal contract with the country’s transitional government. These reports raise urgent questions about compliance with U.S. arms export laws, the risk of U.S. complicity in gross violations of human rights, and fundamental contradictions in current U.S. foreign and immigration policy toward Haiti. In light of these concerns, and in view of the Trump administration’s recent decision to both terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti and include Haiti in its newly announced travel ban, we request that you immediately clarify how these decisions are being coordinated and justified across the Executive Branch.”
    The lawmakers continued, “Weaponized drone operations, arms shipments, and deployments of U.S. mercenaries unquestionably constitute activities requiring export licenses. If those licenses were granted, their approval would appear inconsistent with NSPM-10’s human rights criteria. If no licenses were granted, then these activities may be proceeding in violation of U.S. law. At a time when U.S. foreign policy towards Haiti is increasingly inconsistent, by undermining multilateral efforts, ignoring human rights concerns, and pursuing deportations despite escalating violence, the unchecked deployment of a U.S. private military contractor with a troubling history of human rights abuses represents an urgent threat to U.S. legal obligations, credibility, and responsibilities to protect vulnerable populations.”
    The lawmakers request the following information by August 15, 2025:
    Has any U.S. private military contractor applied for or received export licenses for defense articles or military services provided in Haiti? If so, please identify them and provide copies of the export licenses.
    Have any such licenses been reviewed under NSPM-10, Section 3(d) regarding the risks to international peace and human rights? If so, please provide the results of any such review. If not, why not?
    Has any interagency review assessed whether such U.S. private military contractor activity could undermine the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission? If so, please provide the results of any such review. If not, why not? Has the Department of State assessed whether these activities are consistent with, duplicative of, or in conflict with the UN MSS mission? If so, please provide the results of any such assessment. If not, why not?
    Have the Haitian National Police units that are reportedly receiving U.S. security assistance been vetted under the Leahy Law? If so, please provide the results of that vetting. If not, why not?
    What accounts for the contradiction between State’s support for armed stabilization operations in Haiti and DHS’s determination that TPS protections should end?
    How does the Administration reconcile the security justification for Haiti’s inclusion in the travel ban with its simultaneous assessment that Haiti’s TPS status should be terminated because it is safe for Haitians to return home?
    The letter was co-signed by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Markey, Reps. Tonko, Fitzpatrick, Bacon, Introduce Community Mental Wellness & Resilience Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Bipartisan legislation bolsters mental wellness & resilience to traumas caused by climate disasters
    Washington (July 24, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and co-Chair of the Environmental Justice Caucus, along with Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Don Bacon (R-NE), today introduced the Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act, a bipartisan bill that tackles the nation’s mental health crisis by addressing the extensive community trauma caused by climate disasters. This innovative legislation will empower communities through a new federal grant program to craft their own locally specific responses to the mental health problems caused by disasters and toxic stresses.
    “Communities are struggling to meet the current need for mental health services, and as the climate crisis worsens, unprecedented disasters will only cause more unprecedented harm to our physical and mental health,” said Senator Markey. “Heat waves, flash floods, wildfires, and droughts leave devastation and trauma in their wake. My Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act would give communities the help they need to protect residents’ mental health, especially those in rural and underserved communities that are getting hit first and worst by disasters and have the fewest resources to deal with them.”
    “Extreme weather disasters don’t just wreak havoc on our homes, economies, and infrastructure — they inflict lasting trauma and mental harm for those both directly impacted and far beyond the affected area,” Congressman Tonko said. “We need to provide compassionate, evidence-informed solutions to support our communities. That’s why I’m leading this bipartisan legislation in partnership with my colleagues. We’ll continue working to further mental wellness and equip our communities with the resources they need to meet and overcome these traumas.”
    “For too long, our disaster response has focused solely on physical recovery, while the mental and emotional toll has gone unaddressed. This bipartisan legislation corrects that imbalance by treating mental health as a core component of our public health and emergency preparedness strategy. By investing in evidence-based, community-driven solutions, we’re not just helping communities rebuild—we’re helping them heal,” said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.
    “The mental health crisis affecting our communities is one of the most serious challenges of our time. We need comprehensive, community-driven solutions that empower local leaders to develop and implement programs that work for their specific needs,”?said Congressman Don Bacon.?“The bipartisan Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act puts the power back in the hands of our communities to create meaningful, lasting change in mental health care.”
    In 2024, Mental Health America reported that nearly 23 percent of U.S. adults (~60 million people) experienced a diagnosed mental illness, with more than 5 percent facing severe conditions. Climate disasters only exacerbate the problem. Consequently, the number of people who experience a mental health problem as a result of a natural disaster often outweigh those with physical injuries by 40 to 1.
    The Community Mental Wellness and Resilience Act will:
    Establish a competitive grant program at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create, operate, or expand community-based programs that use a public health approach to build mental wellness and resilience
    Utilize these programs to enhance the capacity of all residents for mental wellness and resilience to prevent and heal mental health problems generated by disasters and toxic stresses
    Incorporating a set-aside to help address rural mental health disparities
    Help community initiatives build their own strategies to enhance and sustain population-level mental wellness and resilience, with specific attention to high-risk individuals
    More than 110 organizations support the legislation, including: Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, American Lung Association, American Psychiatric Association, American Public Health Association, International Transformational Resilience Coalition, Mental Health America, Moms Clean Air Force, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of Social Workers, National League for Nursing, Rural Opportunity Institute, The Kennedy Forum, and YMCA of the USA.
    A fact sheet on the legislation can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Introduces Legislation to Increase Wages Nationwide for Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Bill Text (PDF)
    Washington (July 24, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, today introduced the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, legislation that would set a minimum wage for school staff of $45,000 per year, or $30 per hour.
    “Paraprofessionals and education support staff make our schools safe, healthy places where all students can learn, grow, and thrive. They are a critical part of our education infrastructure, and we must invest in them the way they invest in our students, their families, and their communities,” said Senator Markey, who earlier today participated in a town hall at the U.S. Capitol with more than 100 educators and educational leaders to discuss the educator pay crisis. “As Trump and Republicans work to cut public education and attack educators across the country, I am proud to introduce this legislation, which will uplift paraprofessionals and education support staff and give them the support and resources they need to succeed.”
    Several educational leaders voiced their support for the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act. 
    “Every day, we fight for our paraprofessionals and school-related personnel who are not paid enough; they work under tough conditions, and many are subject to violence during the workday. Too many must work multiple jobs just to make ends meet. Given the crucial role that PSRPs play in classrooms and the invaluable support they give to the students they serve, securing commensurate compensation and respect is critical. We are grateful to Sen. Markey for his commitment to paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodians, school office staff, school food service workers and all the school staff who make our schools run. Do you think teachers and principals could do their jobs without PSRPs? The answer is ‘no.’ Sen. Markey’s bill, the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, would guarantee that the more than 370,000 members who make up the AFT’s PSRP division would have access to a family-sustaining wage. We look forward to moving this bill forward in Congress,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.
    “Paraprofessionals play an invaluable role in our classrooms and are at the heart of our public school — helping students learn, grow, and meet their basic needs,” said Jessica Tang, President of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts. “Outside of the classroom, they’re important members of the community, many have kids and grandkids in the schools and live in the communities they serve. For far too long, paraprofessionals have been forced to work multiple jobs, or rely on public assistance, just to make ends meet. One job should be enough. It’s time our paraprofessionals receive the fair wages, benefits, and respect that reflects the important work they do every day.”
    “Education Support Professionals strengthen our schools and communities by making sure our students are safe, healthy and ready to learn every day. But too many of these educators are forced to work two or three jobs to support their families, when one job should be enough. By passing the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, Congress will show they recognize and appreciate the invaluable contributions of our ESPs – both inside and outside the classroom. We want to thank Senator Ed Markey for introducing this legislation, and we urge Congress to act swiftly in passing it to demonstrate to our Education Support Professionals that, as a nation, we respect and value all they do for our students,” said Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association. “As the Trump administration continues to take a wrecking ball to public education and the futures of the 50 million students in rural, suburban, and urban communities across America, this legislation is more important than ever to ensure our students get the support they need.”
    “An Education Support Professional told us how one of her students had an after-school job at a fast-food restaurant that paid more per hour than this district was paying veteran ESPs. This is shameful. ESPs play an increasingly vital role in our public schools, yet in too many districts across Massachusetts they do not earn a living wage. We have heard countless stories from ESPs who love working with their students but cannot afford to keep their school jobs. Senator Markey’s bill is a sensible and responsible approach to correcting a serious injustice in our public schools. By establishing a floor upon which to build a real living wage, this legislation will improve learning conditions – especially for our most vulnerable students – by stabilizing the education workforce,” said Max Page, President, and Deb McCarthy, Vice President of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
    The bill is cosponsored by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
    The bill is endorsed by the National Education Association, SEIU, American Federation of Teachers, AFSCME, Council for Exceptional Children, EdTrust, and National Women’s Law Center.
    On July 17, 2025, Senator Markey reintroduced the Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act, legislation that would establish higher wages, career pipelines, and professional development opportunities for school paraeducators. In April 2025, Senator Markey and Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights.
    On March 20, Senator Markey slammed Trump’s Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education. On March 11, Senator Markey delivered remarks on the Senate Floor to spotlight Trump’s plan to gut the Department. On February 27, Senator Markey introduced the No Cuts to Public Schools Act, which would prevent any cuts to federal education formula funding during the Trump administration. On February 10, Senator Markey held a press conference in Boston with Massachusetts educators and teachers’ unions on Trump’s vow to dismantle the Department, and the impact on Massachusetts students, educators, and communities.
    On February 6, 2025, Senator Markey, members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, along with the Massachusetts Teachers Association, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, Massachusetts Association of School Committees, and Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, released a joint statement after President Trump vowed to dismantle the Department of Education.
    In September 2023, Senator Markey introduced the Green New Deal for Public Schools Act, legislation that would invest $1.6 trillion over the next decade in public and Bureau of Indian Education schools to upgrade every public school building in the country; reduce hazardous pollution; give schools the resources to hire hundreds of thousands of educators, paraprofessionals, and counselors; invest in schools serving low-income students; and fully fund education for students with disabilities.
    Senator Markey first introduced the Paraprofessional and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights in November 2023.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Graham Call for Special Counsel to Investigate Obama Administration’s Role in Russia Collusion Hoax

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), both senior members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today called on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to appoint a special counsel to investigate the Obama administration’s involvement in the Russia collusion hoax:
    “For the good of the country, we urge Attorney General Bondi to appoint a special counsel to investigate the extent to which former President Obama, his staff, and administration officials manipulated the U.S. national security apparatus for a political outcome.
    “As we have supported in the past, appointing an independent special counsel would do the country a tremendous service in this case. 
    “With every piece of information that gets released, it becomes more evident that the entire Russia collusion hoax was created by the Obama Administration to subvert the will of the American people.
    “Democrats and the liberal media have been out to get President Trump since 2016. There must be an immediate investigation of what we believe to be an unprecedented and clear abuse of power by a U.S. presidential administration.”
    Background:
    Last week, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard released evidence demonstrating that former President Barack Obama and his national security staff manipulated information from the intelligence community in order to insinuate that Russia was attempting to help then-candidate Donald Trump win the 2016 presidential election, including:
    In the months leading up to the November 2016 election, the Intelligence Community (IC) assessed that Russia is “probably not trying … to influence the election by using cyber means.”
    On December 7, 2016, after the election, talking points were prepared for DNI James Clapper stating, “Foreign adversaries did not use cyberattacks on election infrastructure to alter the US Presidential election outcome.”
    A declassified copy of the Presidential Daily Brief, which was prepared using intelligence from the CIA, Defense Intelligence Agency, FBI, National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, State Department, and open sources, for Obama on December 8, 2016, assessed that “Russian and criminal actors did not impact recent US election results by conducting malicious cyber activities against election infrastructure.”
    That Presidential Daily Brief was scheduled to be published on December 9, 2016, but communications revealed that DNI Clapper’s office stopped its publication “based on some new guidance.”
    On December 9, 2016, Obama gathered top National Security Council Principals for a meeting in the Situation Room that included James Clapper, John Brennan, Susan Rice, John Kerry, Loretta Lynch, Andrew McCabe and others, to discuss Russia.
    After the meeting, DNI Clapper’s Executive Assistant sent an email to IC leaders tasking them with creating a new IC assessment “per the President’s request” that details the “tools Moscow used and actions it took to influence the 2016 election.” It went on to say, “ODNI will lead this effort with participation from CIA, FBI, NSA, and DHS.”
    Obama officials leaked false statements to media outlets, including The Washington Post and The New York Times, claiming, “Russia has attempted through cyber means to interfere in, if not actively influence, the outcome of an election.”
    On January 6, 2017, a new Intelligence Community Assessment was released.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Mullin Calls for Immediate Release of all Information Related to Epstein Case, Blasts Dem Absence Last Four Years

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Mullin Calls for Immediate Release of all Information Related to Epstein Case, Blasts Dem Absence Last Four Years

    Washington, D.C. – Today,U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), introduced a resolution calling on federal and state courts to immediately unseal all materials related to any criminal investigation or prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein or Ms. Ghislaine Maxwell—subject only to redactions to protect victims.
    In his remarks, Senator Mullin previewed his resolution, addressed the Democrats’ absence on this issue for the last four years, and the need for transparency. Highlights below.

    Sen. Mullin’s full remarks can be found here.
    On the Democrats’ political theater performance:
    “As we hear my colleague from Arizona use very liberal truths to what he was saying by not giving all the facts. I’d also propose a question, where was all this outrage over the last four years when Director Wray was over the FBI and Attorney General Garland was over the DOJ? He knows, I know, and all the Democrats know that if there was anything to do with President Trump, they would have happily released it.”
    “My Lord, you went after him for everything else you could possibly think of, why wouldn’t you possibly go after this? Well, it’s because this is nothing but political theater. We know that… All of us want transparency… Why now? Is it because of their hatred towards President Trump? Because they want to do anything they can possibly do to distract what they might be hiding. Why wasn’t this done the previous four years? What happened? They had the same files. This case wasn’t new.”
    On Sen. Mullin’s resolution calling for the immediate release of the Epstein files:
    “We all want transparency and for credible information on the Epstein case to be made public so that the American people can decide. The Trump administration has already said they are committed to releasing all available files. Last week, President Trump directed AG Bondi to produce any and all pertinent grand jury testimony in the Epstein case.
    “My resolution would echo the seriousness of the directive from the President and the DOJ to the courts and calls to immediately unseal all materials. When combined with what our House colleagues have done, this resolution moves forward providing justice to the victims and transparency to the American people. Mr. President, as I said before, we want transparency.”
    On Sen. Gallego objecting to Sen. Mullin’s Resolution:
    “It’s interesting that my colleague wants to continue talking about the elites, but the elites were the ones that actually covered up the last four years of the Biden administration. I mean, think about what happened during the Biden administration. They covered up one, for his cognitive behavior. Two, they covered up the Hunter Biden laptop. Three, they covered up the Russian gate, and continue to cover up the Russian gate. And four, they covered up the fact that an autopen signed every, well, every one of his papers except one.”
    On the silence from the Democrats the last four years:
    “But yet, my colleague from Arizona is saying that we’re covering up for the elites? Let’s be honest. We know these files have been out there forever. I don’t remember a single time the Biden Administration called on these things to be released. And I definitely don’t remember my colleague from Arizona calling on these files to be released.
    Full text of Senator Mullin’s resolution can be found here.
    To read more about Senator Mullin’s resolution in Fox News, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins The Bottom Line on Fox Business to Discuss Trump’s Policy Agenda, Nominee Confirmations, Market Structure Legislation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    WASHINGTON—Yesterday, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations and Banking Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined The Bottom Line on Fox Businessto discuss the Senate’s work on President Donald Trump’s legislative priorities, efforts to confirm key nominees, and the next phase of cryptocurrency market structure legislation following the passage of the GENIUS Act.
    *Click the photo above or here to watch*Partial Transcript
    Hagerty on the August recess and public support for the Big Beautiful Bill: “I’m certainly here ready to work through the weekends, ready to work into the recess that we have scheduled. We do have a communication challenge ahead because the Democrats and their liberal media partisan allies have been out telling a story that’s not true about this bill. The elements of this bill are very popular with the United States of America– extending the tax cuts, no tax on tips, and no tax on overtime. If you think about beefing up the military and securing our border, these are all things that the American public not only wants, but they voted for. There’s a lot of good to talk about, and we need to get back to talk about it. But I appreciate the opportunity to do that here. And right now, the American public is already seeing the benefit. The stock market is at an all-time high. We’re seeing great concessions being made by countries all over the world to do more business with America, more investments taking place in America, and blue-collar wages are back on the rise again. On a real and inflation-adjusted basis, blue-collar wages are up again, like they were back when President Trump was in office before. That certainly was not the case when Joe Biden was in office. We have a lot of good news to sell.”
    Hagerty on staying in Washington to work on nominee confirmations: “I think we’re going to stay here and work. That’s what the President wants us to do. This would not be necessary— and I want to be clear about this— were it not for the maximum resistance campaign that the Democrats have put in place. This is unprecedented in terms of the number of procedural hoops they have forced us to step through, because their overarching objective is to keep President Trump from seeding his cabinet, from putting his team on the ground. Despite all of their efforts, President Trump keeps winning time and time again. Our border is secure, our economy is moving in the right direction, trade deals are coming in— we’re still winning. It would be even better if we could get our team on the ground. The Democrats are trying to stop us, and we’re just going to have to keep plowing right through. So I’m here to work, through the weekends, whatever it takes to get the team on the field.”
    Hagerty on his market structure bill: “I take a great deal of pride in my legislation, the GENIUS Act. The stablecoin bill will actually open the market for digital currencies here in the United States. It puts us and our payment system into the 21st century. It brings dollar dominance into the digital arena, so that the dollar will dominate. That’s what we have to do to make certain that we stay ahead as a nation. That opens the door then for market structure, which broadens the web and allows us to reach into this innovative market. Innovation needs to take place here in the United States, and additional market structure legislation is necessary. We put a discussion draft out this week that gives a broad outline of how we want to approach it, how we’re going to define the various types of cryptocurrencies, and whether securities and or commodities should be regulated by banks, the SEC [Securities and Exchange Commission], or the CFTC [Commodity Futures Trading Commission].”
    Hagerty on efficiency and market benefits of blockchain: “We’re requesting more input from the industry, and I expect to get a tremendous amount of input here. We’re looking to move this along as quickly as possible. I’m looking at the end of September as a target deadline to get this done. This creates the opportunity to drive down costs and improve efficiency. When thinking about the speed of transactions on the blockchain, the efficiency here is enormous. It takes out counterparty risk, reduces float in the system, removes friction, and delivers great economies of scale as it unfolds.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Lee, McIver Introduce Bill to Expand Legal Representation for Tenants Facing Eviction

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) along with U.S. Representatives Summer L. Lee (D-PA-12) and LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), reintroduced the Eviction Right to Counsel Act, a bold effort to combat the growing eviction crisis by ensuring that low-income tenants facing eviction have access to free legal representation.
    The Eviction Right to Counsel Act would establish a federal grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support state, local, and Tribal governments that pass legislation guaranteeing a right to counsel in eviction proceedings. The bill prioritizes funding for jurisdictions that also implement additional tenant protections like just cause eviction laws, longer notice periods, emergency rental assistance, and eviction diversion programs—creating a comprehensive strategy to prevent displacement and housing instability.
    “Millions of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck while facing rapidly increasing rent prices,” said Senator Booker. “Renters facing eviction are often left defenseless without an attorney to represent them. By creating a grant program to support communities that offer a right to counsel for those facing eviction, we will make our housing system more equitable and provide substantial cost savings to both local governments and overburdened housing services across the country.”
    “Right now, in eviction courtrooms across America, 90% of landlords have lawyers while most tenants have none. And it’s no coincidence that Black families, women, and parents are bearing the brunt of it. No one should lose their home simply because they couldn’t afford a lawyer,” said Representative Lee. “In Western Pennsylvania and across PA-12, families are being crushed by rising rents, stagnant wages, and eviction threats. This bill is about supporting working people and ensuring they have a fighting chance—and that starts with legal representation. I am proud to partner with Senator Booker and Rep. McIver on this bill to help keep people in their homes.”
    “No one should lose their home because they can’t afford to hire a lawyer to take on their case,” said Representative McIver. “The Eviction Right to Counsel Act gives people a fair shot—a chance to fight their cases in court and keep families from falling into the spiral of poverty. Housing is a human right, and this bill takes a critical step toward making sure that right is a reality that people feel.”
    “Not only is housing a basic human need, but loss of housing can lead to a cascade of harms to other needs such as health, safety, and liberty. This bill would support states and cities enacting a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction, an evidence-based approach to increasing housing stability and reducing homelessness that has been adopted by cities and states across the country,” said John Pollock, Coordinator of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel.
    “For years, NLIHC has called for a national right to counsel fund to help renters stay in their homes and mitigate harm when eviction is avoidable,” said Renee Willis, NLIHC president and CEO. “I applaud Senator Booker for introducing the Eviction Right to Counsel Act to ensure low-income tenants have legal representation when their housing is most at risk. Eviction defense attorneys can make the difference between a renter staying in safe, stable housing or homelessness, and the right to counsel helps tenants know their rights and find support in navigating the complicated eviction process.”
    “We applaud Senator Booker’s leadership on this issue and very glad to see this legislation introduced today. Eviction is a policy failure and the federal government must support mechanisms that keep people safely and stably housed. We look forward to working with the Senator to see this legislation enacted,” said Arnold Cohen, Senior Policy Advisor, Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey.
    The legislation comes amid skyrocketing rents and surging eviction filings. Nearly half of all renters in America are considered cost-burdened, spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent. Since the pandemic, rents have risen over 12 percent year-over-year, while the protections that temporarily shielded tenants from eviction have largely expired. The imbalance of legal power in eviction proceedings leaves many tenants—particularly Black renters and families with children—vulnerable to homelessness, economic instability, and trauma.
    Studies show that providing tenants with legal representation dramatically improves outcomes, often preventing eviction altogether and saving local governments millions in emergency shelter, health care, and social services costs. Cities that have invested in right to counsel programs have seen estimated cost savings of more than three times their annual investment.
    The Eviction Right to Counsel Act of 2025:
    Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to create a grant program for state, local, and Tribal governments that enact right to counsel legislation.
    Defines “covered individuals” as tenants with income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line.
    Covers civil legal actions in court or administrative forums related to:
    Eviction: Forcible removal from a tenant’s primary residence.
    Termination of Housing Subsidy: Loss of subsidies that help tenants afford their homes, which often functions as a de facto eviction.
    Requires jurisdictions receiving funding to provide full legal representation at no cost to covered individuals in these proceedings.
    Prioritizes funding for jurisdictions that have enacted additional tenant protections, including just cause eviction laws, extended notice periods, and eviction diversion programs.
    Allows grantees to use funds for implementation costs such as attorney training and legal resources.
    Authorizes $100 million in federal funding annually for five years.
    The bill is endorsed by: the National Low-Income Housing Coalition, National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel, National Housing Law Project, and the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey.
    The bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).
    To read the full text of the bill, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Hosts Virtual Town Hall with African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey Members, Discusses Trump’s Disastrous Effects on Local Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    Washington, D.C.– This afternoon, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) hosted a virtual town hall event with members of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ). Among the top concerns from business leaders were the Trump administration and congressional Republicans’ damaging effects on local and Black businesses.
    “Seeking to placate the Trump administration at every turn, congressional Republicans–even those in our own delegation–have undermined New Jersey’s local businesses. That’s especially true for Black small business owners across the state,” said Senator Booker. “Throughout this afternoon’s town hall with AACCNJ members, it was made clear that the economic environment under Trump is one of great uncertainty for our state’s Black business community. It’s stifling innovation, hindering opportunities for our entrepreneurs and workers, and constricting local economies up and down New Jersey. I will continue to fight alongside AACCNJ to ensure New Jersey remains a place where Black businesses can flourish.”
    Under President Trump, local businesses have struggled to navigate the severe and unpredictable nature of the administration’s trade policy. These challenges are particularly acute for small businesses which largely rely on imports, leaving them especially vulnerable to Trump’s tariff disputes. At the same time, President Trump has completely undermined the Small Business Administration and the federal government’s efforts to foster more diverse and equitable practices, including in its contract and service procurement processes.
    “The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (AACCNJ) thanks Senator Booker for the opportunity to discuss the current landscape of Black businesses in New Jersey and the broader U.S. economy. We believe this conversation to be particularly timely given the recent policy changes and the upcoming gubernatorial election in New Jersey,” said Dr. John E. Harmon, Sr., Founder, President & CEO, AACCNJ.
    During the town hall, AACCNJ members asked the Senator about federal initiatives and legislation to support state and local businesses and outlined the issues specifically affecting Black businesses.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Praises President Trump’s Selection of Paducah as Future Home of AI Infrastructure

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) today praised the Trump Administration’s selection of the Department of Energy’s Paducah Site, home of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP), as one of four locations for cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and energy generation projects: 
    “This is great news for the Paducah community, and I want to thank President Trump for selecting the Paducah Site to host new AI infrastructure. The site at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant has long held a critical role in advancing U.S. national security, and is poised, yet again, to be a national leader in an emerging and important technology. I am proud of the Paducah community and its workforce and know they are prepared to continue working closely with the Department of Energy to further instill PGDP’s role in national security while helping facilitate greater U.S. leadership in AI.” 
    NOTE: Earlier this year, Senator McConnell contacted U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright on behalf of the community in support of Paducah’s submission for the nationwide search for the highly competitive Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure on DOE Lands program. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders Introduces Legislation to Address America’s Teacher Pay Crisis, Holds Town Hall with Public School Educators

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, July 24 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), today introduced the Pay Teachers Act after hearing from more than 200 teachers and educational leaders from across the country during a town hall at the U.S. Capitol. At a time when school districts nationwide report serious staffing shortages — largely due to unprecedented levels of stress, burnout and low pay — this legislation begins to address the teacher pay crisis in America and ensure that all public school teachers earn a livable and competitive wage that is at least $60,000 a year and increases over the course of their career.
    In addition to Sanders, Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) also cosponsored this legislation. Joining Sanders at the town hall today were Markey; Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Princess Moss, vice president of the National Education Association (NEA); and educators from across the country.
    “If we are serious about the need for a bright and hopeful future for America, we must understand that there is no more important job in our country than educating our young people. And yet, public school teachers in America have one of the toughest, one of the most demanding and one of the most under-appreciated jobs in America,” Sanders said. “The situation has become so absurd that just four hedge fund managers on Wall Street make more money in a single year than every kindergarten teacher in America combined – over 120,000 teachers. Far too many of our nation’s public schools are under-funded, under-resourced and in major need of repair. Far too many of our public school teachers are under-paid, under-appreciated and overwhelmed. And, as a result of the so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ that Trump signed into law a few weeks ago, a bad situation is about to get even worse. If we are going to have the best public school system in the world, we have got to radically change our attitude toward education and make sure that every teacher in America receives the compensation that they deserve for the enormously important and difficult work that they do. No public school teacher in America should make less than $60,000 a year.”
    Today in America, nearly one in eight teaching jobs is vacant or filled by a teacher who is not fully certified. Approximately one-third of all public school teachers make less than $60,000 a year — including more than 90% of starting teachers. Hundreds of thousands of teachers have to work two or three jobs during the school year to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the average weekly wage for public school teachers has decreased by 5% over the past 30 years, adjusted for inflation. Today, 44% of public school teachers quit the profession within five years.
    The pandemic only made things worse for educators, with the historic staffing shortages disproportionately affecting schools primarily serving students of color and students from low-income backgrounds. Recent studies show that, of all workers, K-12 public school teachers were the most likely to report higher levels of anxiety, stress and burnout during the pandemic. Further, as badly as public school teachers are paid, our school custodians, food service workers and paraprofessionals earn even less. In America today, nearly 35% of paraprofessionals and school staff earn less than $25,000 a year.
    Unacceptably, the Republican reconciliation bill recently signed into law is disastrous for public education and for public school teachers. While it provides a $900 billion tax cut to large, profitable corporations and a $1 trillion tax cut to the top 1%, it cuts over $300 billion in education funding for millions of students and educators throughout America and provides over $50 billion a year for private school vouchers.
    “If we are going to attract the best and brightest young people into teaching, if we are going to encourage teachers to teach in underserved communities, if we are going to improve teacher retention and morale, and if we are going to improve student academic outcomes, then we need to pay teachers in America decent wages and decent benefits,” Sanders continued. “We need to make it clear that high-quality public education is a major priority. That is why I am introducing the Pay Teachers Act. Because if we can provide over a trillion dollars in tax breaks to the top 1% and large corporations, please don’t tell me that we cannot afford to make sure that every teacher in America is paid at least $60,000 a year. I look forward to working with teachers and schools all across the country — some of whom I had the pleasure of hearing from today — to make that happen.”
    The bill would also provide all teachers with at least $1,000 annually for classroom supply expenses and help schools create well-paid career ladders that allow teachers to advance without leaving the classroom. Additionally, it includes Markey’s Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, which would raise pay for paraprofessionals and education support personnel to at least $45,000 a year or $30 an hour. In addition to requiring that states establish a minimum teacher’s salary of $60,000 a year and pay all teachers a livable and competitive salary that increases as experience and responsibilities grow, the Pay Teachers Act would significantly increase federal investments in teachers and public schools, including tripling Title I-A funding and funding for rural education programs, diversifying and expanding the teacher pipeline, and strengthening leadership and advancement opportunities for educators.
    “Sen. Sanders’s bill, the Pay Teachers Act, will help close the pay gap by significantly increasing federal investments in public schools and raising annual teacher salaries to at least $60,000—as well as providing increases throughout teachers’ careers—to help ensure they are paid a livable and competitive salary,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “It would also invest in the teacher pipeline and leadership opportunities. This is a crucial federal investment to help sustain the teaching profession, which will directly help us provide greater opportunities to our students. At a time when others are abandoning public schools and our students, Sen. Sanders is proposing a necessary strategic remedy that will help attract teachers to the profession and retain them.”
    “Across the country, most of us across race, place and background want the same thing – strong public schools where every student can thrive and strong communities that support them. In order to attract and retain the passionate, qualified educators that inspire our students, give them the one-on-one support, and do everything in their power to help each student succeed, we need to pay teachers like the professionals they are. America’s educators applaud Sen. Bernie Sanders for introducing the Pay Teachers Act, which takes steps to ensure that our nation’s committed public school educators and educator support personnel receive professional recognition, including appropriate pay while also augmenting the current federal programs that support the educator pipeline. We urge Senators to support educators and cosponsor this common-sense legislation that invests in our students, educators, and public schools,” said NEA Vice President Princess Moss.
    The reintroduction of the Pay Teachers Act comes as the Trump administration continues to illegally withhold nearly $5.5 billion in critical funding for public education that was appropriated by Congress, including funds that states use to provide professional development for teachers and to pay teacher salaries. Sanders and his colleagues have repeatedly pushed for the administration to immediately release these funds.
    More than 30 organizations endorsed the Teacher Pay Act, including American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, National PTA and The Education Trust.
    Read the bill text here.
    Read a summary of the bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Ricketts Preserves the Good Life

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed the One Big Beautiful Bill and his work to deliver results that matter for Nebraska families.
    Watch the video here.
    “Nebraska is what America is supposed to be,” said Ricketts.  “We believe in hard work.  We provide for our families and take care of our communities.  We defend our freedom.  The One Big Beautiful Bill reflects those values and delivers results where they matter most.”
    TRANSCRIPT:
    Senator Ricketts: “Nebraska is what America is supposed to be. 
    “We believe in hard work. 
    “We provide for our families and take care of our communities. 
    “We defend our freedom. 
    “The One Big Beautiful Bill reflects those values and delivers results where they matter most.  
    “Nebraska workers were under pressure after years of inflation, overregulation, and rising costs as a result of the Biden administration. 
    “This bill fights back with historic tax relief and educational opportunities. 
    “It helps Nebraskans keep more of what they earn and protects Nebraska values.   
    “President Trump and Congressional Republicans are determined to put money back into Americans’ pockets. 
    “The most essential relief helps workers making less than $50,000 a year. 
    “The One Big Beautiful Bill eliminates federal tax on tips up to $25,000 per year. 
    “The no tax on overtime provision provides a deduction of up to $12,500. 
    “Just last week, I was flying out from Nebraska to D.C. when a TSA officer stopped me and thanked me for no tax on overtime.
    “In fact, he even asked if we could make that permanent. 
    “But the no tax on overtime isn’t just for the TSA—it’s for nurses, factory workers, police officers, and servers. 
    “It’s for all of the jobs that keep Nebraska and this country safe and running.   
    “This tax cut is for all jobs that sometimes require workers to give a little more and work a little harder.  
    “We are rewarding their sacrifice. 
    “Without this bill, the average Nebraska family would have seen a hike of $2,400 in taxes.
    “That’s $2,400 that Nebraskans can continue to spend on groceries, utilities, or saving toward a family vacation. 
    “The Biden administration punished hard-working Americans with inflation and wasted taxpayer dollars. 
    “The One Big Beautiful Bill helps Americans save taxes and lays the groundwork for decades of economic growth. 
    “It preserves the good life.  
    “The bill is a win for Nebraska families. 
    “The Child Tax Credit was increased to $2,200. 
    “The child and dependent care tax credit increases the maximum credit rate from 35% to 50%.
    “It’s combined with enhancement of the dependent care assistance program, which excludes up to $7,500 of dependent care assistance expenses from income each year.   
    “That is up from a previous limit of $5,000. 
    “Finding affordable and reliable childcare can be a challenge all across our state for working parents. 
    “With this bill, employers can now offer families more support without raising their workers’ costs. 
    “The employer-provided childcare credit was expanded from $150,000 to $500,000 and a new $600,000 childcare credit was created for small businesses. 
    “This will encourage more businesses to invest in childcare for their workers. 
    “The One Big Beautiful Bill gives families educational freedom and fixes how students are paying for higher education. 
    “American families now have the opportunity to choose the education that fits their children best. 
    “The bill creates a new tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to scholarship-granting organizations that help K through 12 students access better educational opportunities. 
    “One of my priorities in this bill is the extension of Pell Grant eligibility to short-term, high-quality job training programs. 
    “This is a proven Nebraska solution I led when I was Governor. 
    “When I was Governor, we supported programs like the Nebraska Youth Registered Apprenticeship Program. 
    “We encouraged students to join the Registered Apprenticeship program and increased participation. 
    “We also started the Developing Youth Talent Initiative to connect young Nebraskans with learning opportunities in their schools about what careers they may want to choose in the future.
    “These give young people the opportunity to combine academic and technical experience with work experience.  
    “This gave Nebraska youth the foundation to choose from several pathways—to enroll in college, begin full-time employment, or combine work with training.   
    “Now, a young Nebraskan in Scottsbluff interested in welding or mechanics can qualify for federal financial aid and go to work, for example, at Aulick Industries. 
    “The bill also provides exemptions for agriculture-related assets, like farmland and combines, from FAFSA calculations. 
    “This means that farm families across the state, from Dawson to Dawes counties, aren’t going to be penalized when seeking financial aid for higher education. 
    “The bill simplifies repayment plans and caps runaway borrowing. 
    “It holds colleges accountable for leaving students with burdensome debt. 
    “Federal loans can no longer fund programs where graduates are earning less than someone with a high school diploma. 
    “Now that is common sense education policy.    
    “The One Big Beautiful Bill defends Nebraska’s values. 
    “It supports families. 
    “It encourages hard work and smart education. 
    “These are wins we promised and wins we delivered. 
    “This is how we fight for Nebraska. 
    “This is how we preserve the good life.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Arizona Woman Sentenced for $17M Information Technology Worker Fraud Scheme that Generated Revenue for North Korea

    Source: United States Department of Justice

    An Arizona woman was sentenced today to 102 months in prison for her role in a fraudulent scheme that assisted North Korean Information Technology (IT) workers posing as U.S. citizens and residents with obtaining remote IT positions at more than 300 U.S. companies. The scheme generated more than $17 million in illicit revenue for Chapman and for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea).

    Christina Marie Chapman, 50, of Litchfield Park, Arizona, pleaded guilty on Feb. 11 in the District of Columbia to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments. In addition to the 102-month prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss ordered Chapman to serve three years of supervised release, to forfeit $284,555.92 that was to be paid to the North Koreans, and to pay a judgment of $176,850.

    “Christina Chapman perpetrated a years’ long scheme that resulted in millions of dollars raised for the DPRK regime, exploited more than 300 American companies and government agencies, and stole dozens of identities of American citizens,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Chapman made the wrong calculation: short term personal gains that inflict harm on our citizens and support a foreign adversary will have severe long term consequences.  I encourage companies to remain vigilant of these cyber threats, and warn individuals who may be tempted by similar schemes to take heed of today’s sentence.”

    “North Korea is not just a threat to the homeland from afar. It is an enemy within. It is perpetrating fraud on American citizens, American companies, and American banks. It is a threat to Main Street in every sense of the word,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro for the District of Columbia. “The call is coming from inside the house. If this happened to these big banks, to these Fortune 500, brand name, quintessential American companies, it can or is happening at your company. Corporations failing to verify virtual employees pose a security risk for all. You are the first line of defense against the North Korean threat.”

    “The North Korean regime has generated millions of dollars for its nuclear weapons program by victimizing American citizens, businesses, and financial institutions,” said Assistant Director Rozhavsky of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “However, even an adversary as sophisticated as the North Korean government can’t succeed without the assistance of willing U.S. citizens like Christina Chapman, who was sentenced today for her role in an elaborate scheme to defraud more than 300 American companies by helping North Korean IT workers gain virtual employment and launder the money they earned. Today’s sentencing demonstrates that the FBI will work tirelessly with our partners to defend the homeland and hold those accountable who aid our adversaries.”

    “The sentencing today demonstrates the great lengths to which the North Korean government will go in its efforts and resources to fund its illicit activities. The FBI continues to pursue these threat actors to disrupt their network and hold those accountable wherever they may be,” said Special Agent in Charge Heith Janke of the FBI Phoenix Field Office.

    “Today’s sentencing brings justice to the victims whose identities were stolen for this international fraud scheme,” said Special Agent in Charge Carissa Messick of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Phoenix Field Office. “The scheme was elaborate. If this sentencing proves anything, it’s that no amount of obfuscation will prevent IRS-CI and our law enforcement partners from tracking down those that wish to steal the identities of U.S. nationals, launder money, or engage in criminality that jeopardizes national security.”

    The case involved one of the largest North Korean IT worker fraud schemes charged by the Department of Justice, with 68 identities stolen from victims in the United States and 309 U.S. businesses and two international businesses defrauded.

    According to court documents, North Korea has deployed thousands of highly skilled IT workers around the world, including to the United States, to obtain remote employment using false, stolen, or borrowed identities of U.S. persons. To circumvent controls employed by U.S. companies to prevent the hiring of illicit overseas IT workers, the North Korean IT workers obtain assistance from U.S.-based collaborators.

    Chapman helped North Korean IT workers obtain jobs at 309 U.S. companies, including Fortune 500 corporations. The impacted companies included a top-five major television network, a Silicon Valley technology company, an aerospace manufacturer, an American car maker, a luxury retail store, and a U.S media and entertainment company. Some of the companies were targeted by the IT workers, who maintained a repository of postings for companies that they wanted to employ them. The IT workers also attempted to obtain employment at two different U.S. government agencies, although these efforts were generally unsuccessful.

    Chapman operated a “laptop farm” where she received and hosted computers from the U.S. companies at her home, deceiving the companies into believing that the work was being performed in the United States. Chapman also shipped 49 laptops and other devices supplied by U.S. companies to locations overseas, including multiple shipments to a city in China on the border with North Korea. More than 90 laptops were seized from Chapman’s home following the execution of a search warrant in October 2023.

    Christina Chapman organized and stored U.S. company laptops in her home, and included notes identifying the U.S. company and identity associated with each laptop.

    Much of the millions of dollars in income generated by the scheme was falsely reported to the IRS and Social Security Administration in the names of actual U.S. individuals whose identities had been stolen or borrowed. Additionally, Chapman received and forged payroll checks in the names of the stolen identities used by the IT workers and received IT workers’ wages through direct deposit from U.S. companies into her U.S. financial accounts. Chapman further transferred the proceeds from the scheme to individuals overseas.

    This case was investigated by the FBI Phoenix Field Office, and the IRS-CI Phoenix Field Office. Assistance was provided by the FBI Chicago Field Office.

    Trial Attorney Ashley R. Pungello of the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen P. Seifert for the District of Columbia prosecuted the case, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Jorge Casillas. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua Rothstein for the District of Columbia, the Victim Witness Unit, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, and the National Security Division’s National Security Cyber Section also provided assistance.

    ***

    In a coordinated effort, FBI Phoenix also issued guidance for HR professionals on detecting North Korean IT workers, and the Department of State issued guidance on the North Korean IT worker threat.

    Prior guidance was issued by the FBI, State Department, and the Department of the Treasury on this threat in a May 2022 advisory, and by the United States and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in October 2023. The FBI issued updated guidance in May 2024 regarding the use of U.S. persons acting as facilitators by providing a U.S.-based location for U.S. companies to send devices and a U.S.-based internet connection for access to U.S. company networks and in January 2025 concerning the extortion and theft of sensitive company data by North Korean IT workers, along with recommended mitigations.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: Navy Aims to Harness Innovation, Modernize Fleet Capabilities

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Years of shrinking fleet size, diminished shipbuilding capacity and on-time repair delivery are persistent challenges for the Navy and the nation, said Navy Adm. Daryl L. Caudle, who spoke at a Senate Armed Services Committee nomination hearing in Washington.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Issa, Stefanik Introduce the Modern Firearm Safety Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-50)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) and Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (NY-21) reintroduced legislation to eliminate unconstitutional handgun rosters that prevent law-abiding citizens in California and New York from freely purchasing modern handgun models.   

    “For decades, the clear Constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners have been targeted for elimination, and handgun rosters are only one of the cynical schemes used to undermine the Second Amendment through the pretense of firearm safety,” said Rep. Issa. “These rosters impose excessive and unnecessary requirements that actually restrict access to firearms equipped with the most up-to-date safety features, and that’s why I’m proud to partner with my friend Rep. Stefanik to defend sacred rights and end these unjust restrictions.”

    The Modern Firearm Safety Act prohibits all states from requiring gun manufacturers to adopt costly and unnecessary features – including loaded chamber indicators, magazine disconnect mechanisms, and microstamping – to sell firearms nationwide.  

    “I am proud to re-introduce the Modern Firearm Safety Act to end the unconstitutional gun-grabbing agenda thrust on law-abiding New York residents by Far-Left Democrats like Kathy Hochul. This legislation would ban Albany Democrats from imposing illegal handgun roster requirements meant to deter gun ownership. I will always protect American citizens’ Second Amendment rights and provide a critical check to any entity attempting to encroach on their liberties,” said Chairwoman Stefanik. 

    “Liberal states use handgun rosters to violate the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens. The Modern Firearm Safety Act will put a stop to these unconstitutional rosters and uphold Americans’ right to bear arms,” said Rep. Gooden. 

    “Gun control governors are far too ready and willing to sign into law antigun policies sent to their desks by legislatures that do not respect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans. That includes policies passed under the guise of ‘gun safety,’ that penalize responsible and lawful gun owners while doing nothing to improve community safety or hold criminals accountable,” said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President for Government and Public Affairs. “The Modern Firearm Safety Act, sponsored by Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) and House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY), would ban states from enacting laws mandating unproven and unconstitutional infringements and would instead protect the Constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens and the highly regulated, lawful businesses that provide the means necessary for citizens to exercise their right to keep and bear arms. NSSF thanks Congressman Issa and Chairwoman Stefanik for their leadership on this effort.”

    “By eliminating outdated, burdensome, and unnecessary restrictions, the Modern Firearm Safety Act ensures access to safer, more advanced firearms for law-abiding citizens,” said Brian R. Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). “We appreciate Representative Issa’s leadership on this critical legislation that upholds constitutional rights while ensuring peace officers and responsible citizens have access to modern, safe firearms essential for their duties and personal safety.”

    For too long, states like California and New York have attempted to end-run the rights of law-abiding Americans by requiring them to select from a limited, pre-approved “handgun roster,” solely designed to restrict the sale of new semi-automatic handguns. These rosters mandate unwanted and unnecessary features that go beyond the industry standard, driving up costs while limiting the ability to purchase a safe and reliable firearm best suited for that individual’s situation,” said John Commerford, Executive Director of NRA-ILA. “The NRA thanks Representatives Darrell Issa and Elise Stefanik for their leadership on this issue and applauds the introduction of this vital legislation that would ensure the ability of NRA members and lawful firearm owners everywhere to exercise their Second Amendment rights as they see fit.”

    Cosponsors include: Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Congressman Mike Collins (GA-10), Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05), Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Congressman Pat Fallon (TX-04), Congressman Cory Mills (FL-07), and Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03). 

    The bill text can be found here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Baldwin Statement on Governor Evers’ Retirement

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement on Governor Tony Evers’ announcement that he will not seek reelection in 2026:

    “Wisconsin is lucky to have had Tony Evers leading our state. He has always put Wisconsin – and Wisconsin’s children – first, and we will continue to see those benefits for generations to come. The Governor’s commitment to every kid’s education, our teachers, and public schools will undoubtedly shape our future for the better and be a cornerstone of his legacy. His steady hand led us through a once-in-a-generation pandemic, and Wisconsin came out the other side with a strong economy, record low unemployment, and a strong sense of community that bonds us all.

    “Tony embodies the best of the Wisconsin way – he knows what is right and is willing to fight for it, but is level-headed, Midwestern nice, and always willing to bridge divides if it’s right for our state. The Governor faced tough headwinds to progress, but it never stopped him. I am grateful to call Tony a friend and am ‘jazzed as hell’ to see what comes next for him and Kathy. Thank you for all you have done for Wisconsin, Tony.”
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Rejects Lifetime Judicial Appointment of Unfit Trump Loyalist Emil Bove

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement after voting against advancing the nomination of Third Circuit Court of Appeals nominee Emil Bove, one of Trump’s personal lawyers with an extensive track record of spreading misinformation and enacting political retribution:

    “With their votes today, Republicans turned a blind eye to Emil Bove’s lies, vindictiveness, and abuse of power to rubber-stamp one of President Trump’s most dangerous judicial nominees.

    “This is a man who dropped the charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams in exchange for his cooperation with the President’s cruel anti-immigrant agenda. A man who fired the investigators and prosecutors uncovering the truth about the January 6 insurrection. A man who has vowed to ignore courts’ lawful orders when they keep the President from doing what he wants.

    “President Trump’s litmus test for selecting his nominees is not experience or dedication to our country, or commitment to the truth or the rule of law — it’s only loyalty to him and his extreme agenda. Bove has made it clear that he won’t let the law prevent him from satisfying the President’s whims. My colleagues have one last chance to uphold their advice and consent responsibilities and reject Bove’s final confirmation.”

    Last week, Padilla and Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats boycotted Bove’s markup vote in response to Republicans’ flagrant violation of Committee rules to jam the nominees through without debate. Padilla also joined CNN’s “The Lead with Jake Tapper” to speak out against Bove’s extensive track record of unethical and unprofessional conduct and political retaliation.

    During Bove’s Senate Judiciary Committee nomination hearing, Padilla slammed him for his role in firing dozens of Department of Justice (DOJ) prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases and the DOJ’s decision to drop the corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams in exchange for assistance with President Trump’s mass deportations. Last week, Padilla joined Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in calling for Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to schedule a hearing to collect testimony from Mr. Erez Reuveni, former Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Immigration Litigation at the Department of Justice, who disclosed allegations of misconduct and documentation regarding Bove. Previously, Padilla joined Senate Judiciary Democrats in requesting personnel records relevant to Bove from Interim U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton. Padilla and Senate Judiciary Democrats also filed a professional misconduct complaint against Bove with the New York State Bar, citing reported misconduct in moving to dismiss charges against Mayor Adams.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Gallego, Salinas, Barragán Introduce Mental Health for Latinos Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the nation observes Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), along with Representatives Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-02) and Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), introduced the Mental Health for Latinos Act, legislation to improve mental health outcomes among Latino and Hispanic communities. 

    Barriers to mental health care within Latino communities cause far too many individuals to suffer in silence. Only 47.4 percent of Hispanic adults ages 18 or older with any mental illness received services in 2023. Between 2010 and 2020, the suicide rate among male Hispanic adults (ages 20 to 64) increased by 35.7 percent, and the rate among women specifically increased by 40.6 percent. Even those who can access services rarely receive the effective, culturally competent care they need.

    “No one should suffer in silence,” said Senator Padilla. “We need to break down the barriers that keep Latinos from getting the mental health care they need, when stigma and language access can make it even harder to ask for help. The Mental Health for Latinos Act would improve mental health outcomes by reducing stigma in the Latino community and encouraging people to reach out for help. As we tackle the rise in mental health challenges, it’s critical that we acknowledge the distinct needs of our diverse communities and develop solutions that meet people where they are.”

    “Too many Latinos, especially men, shy away from seeking help because they’re afraid of being judged, and that only makes the problem worse. This issue is personal to me. This bill would help break the stigma around mental health and make it easier to get care from people who actually understand our community. I want everyone to know that they’re not alone and that getting help is not a weakness,” said Senator Gallego.

    “As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus and a proud Latina, I know how crucial it is to end the stigma around mental health care and improve outcomes and access to care among Latino communities,” said Representative Salinas. “I’ve been on the other end of a phone call with someone who is having a mental health crisis. I see how important it is for people not only to have access to mental health care, but also to be able to get the culturally competent care that meets them where they are.”

    “This legislation is a first step to breaking down the unique barriers that prevent our Latino communities from receiving the help they need. Mental health is a challenge that many Americans bear silently — but they shouldn’t have to,” said Representative Barragán. “Ensuring that our communities in need receive specialized resources and outreach will help break down cultural stigmas and language barriers that prevent Americans from accessing mental health care that is essential to their overall health and well-being.”

    Informed and culturally competent resources, education materials, and outreach programs are vital to addressing the mental health crisis. The Mental Health for Latinos Act recognizes the unique mental health challenges of the Latino community, aiming to reduce cultural stigma and rectify health care disparities that prevent people from receiving lifesaving mental health services. As our nation confronts a worsening mental health crisis, this critical legislation reinforces the message that there is zero shame in asking for help and that seeking support is a sign of strength.

    Specifically, the bill would:

    • Require the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop and implement an outreach and education strategy to promote behavioral and mental health among the Latino and Hispanic populations that:
      • Meets diverse cultural and language needs and is developmentally and age-appropriate,
      • Increases awareness of symptoms of mental illnesses,
      • Provides information on evidence-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate adapted interventions and treatments,
      • Ensures full participation of community members, and
      • Uses a comprehensive public health approach to promoting behavioral health by focusing on the intersection between behavioral and physical health.
    • Require SAMHSA to report annually to Congress on the extent to which the strategy improved behavioral and mental health outcomes among these populations.

    The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii).

    The Mental Health for Latinos Act is endorsed by organizations including American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness, UnidosUS, American Mental Health Counselors Association, Inseparable, American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN), Global Alliance for Behavioral Health & Social Justice, American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP), American Group Psychotherapy Association, Epilepsy Foundation of America, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the International Society for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN), the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), and Fountain House.

    Senator Padilla is a leading advocate for expanding mental health care access, especially for underserved communities. In 2023, Padilla launched the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus to serve as a forum for Senators to collaborate on and promote bipartisan legislation and solutions, hold events to raise awareness of critical mental health issues, and destigmatize mental health. Earlier this year, Padilla condemned the Trump Administration’s proposed dissolution of SAMHSA as part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) restructuring plan and the White House Office of Management and Budget’s HHS budget proposal. Padilla also led 12 Democratic Senators in warning HHS Secretary Kennedy that additional staffing cuts at SAMHSA would have disastrous ramifications for millions of Americans struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges. Previously, Padilla applauded the Federal Communications Commission for making critical improvements to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by adopting the main provisions of his Local 9-8-8 Response Act of 2023. Additionally, Padilla introduced bipartisan legislation earlier this year to combat the growing youth mental health crisis in America through early intervention and prevention services. Padilla previously introduced bills to address the unique mental health needs of military children and farm workers.

    A one-pager on the bill is available here.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Takes Action to End Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets

    Source: US Whitehouse

    ENDING VAGRANCY AND RESTORING ORDER: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to restore order to American cities and remove vagrant individuals from our streets, redirecting federal resources toward programs that tackle substance abuse and returning to the acute necessity of civil commitment.

    • The Order directs the Attorney General to reverse judicial precedents and end consent decrees that limit State and local governments’ ability to commit individuals on the streets who are a risk to themselves or others.  
    • The Order requires the Attorney General to work with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and the Secretary of Transportation to prioritize grants for states and municipalities that enforce prohibitions on open illicit drug use, urban camping and loitering, and urban squatting, and track the location of sex offenders.
    • The Order redirects funding to ensure that individuals camping on streets and causing public disorder and that are suffering from serious mental illness or addiction are moved into treatment centers, assisted outpatient treatment, or other facilities.
    • The Order ensures discretionary grants for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery do not fund drug injection sites or illicit drug use.
    • The Order stops sex offenders who receive homelessness assistance from being housed with children, and allows programs to exclusively house women and children.

    ENSURING AMERICANS FEEL SAFE IN THEIR OWN CITIES AND TOWNS: President Trump is taking a new approach focused on protecting public safety because surrendering our cities and citizens to disorder and fear is neither compassionate to the homeless nor to other citizens. 

    • The number of individuals living on the streets in the United States on a single night during the last year of the Biden administration—274,224 —was the highest ever recorded.
    • The overwhelming majority of these individuals are addicted to drugs, have a mental health disorder, or both.
    • Federal and state governments have spent tens of billions of dollars on failed programs that address homelessness but not its root causes, leaving other citizens vulnerable to public safety threats.
    • Shifting these individuals into long-term institutional settings for humane treatment is the most proven way to restore public order. 

    MAKING AMERICA SAFE AGAIN: President Trump is committed to ending homelessness across America. 

    • In 2023, President Trump said: “We will use every tool, lever, and authority to get the homeless off our streets. We want to take care of them, but they have to be off our streets.”
    • In March 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to beautify Washington D.C., directing the National Park Service to clear all homeless encampments and graffiti on Federal lands.
    • In May 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the National Center for Warrior Independence, a place where homeless veterans can go to receive the care, benefits, and services to which they are entitled.
    • As part of First Lady Melania Trump’s BE BEST Initiative, the Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a $1.8 million dollar investment to prevent homelessness among young Americans aging out of the foster care system.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Saves College Sports

    Source: US Whitehouse

    SAVING COLLEGE SPORTS: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to protect student-athletes and collegiate athletic scholarships and opportunities, including in Olympic and non-revenue programs, and the unique American institution of college sports.

    • The Order requires the preservation and, where possible, expansion of opportunities for scholarships and collegiate athletic competition in women’s and non-revenue sports.
    • The Order prohibits third-party, pay-for-play payments to collegiate athletes.  This does not apply to legitimate, fair-market-value compensation that a third party provides to an athlete, such as for a brand endorsement.
    • The Order provides that any revenue-sharing permitted between universities and collegiate athletes should be implemented in a manner that protects women’s and non-revenue sports.
    • The Order directs the Secretary of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board to clarify the status of student-athletes in order to preserve non-revenue sports and the irreplaceable educational and developmental opportunities that college sports provide.
    • The Order directs the Attorney General and the Federal Trade Commission to take appropriate actions to protect student-athletes’ rights and safeguard the long-term stability of college athletics from endless, debilitating antitrust and other legal challenges.
    • The Order directs the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Director of the White House Office of Public Liaison to consult with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams and other organizations to protect the role of college athletics in developing world-class American athletes.

    RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLEGE SPORTS: President Trump recognizes the critical role of college sports in fostering leadership, education, and community pride, the need to address urgent threats to its future, including endless litigation seeking to eliminate the basic rules of college sports, escalating private-donor pay-for-play payments in football and basketball that divert resources from other sports and reduce competitive balance, and the commonsense reality that college sports are different than professional sports.

    • College sports, a uniquely American institution, support over 500,000 student-athletes with nearly $4 billion in scholarships annually, forging America’s future leaders, driving local economies and shaping national culture.
    • The collegiate athletic system produced 75% of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team and has yielded countless business and civic leaders.
    • Recent litigation, including a 2021 Supreme court ruling on name, image, and likeness (NIL) payments and subsequent cases dismantling NCAA transfer and recruiting rules, has created a chaotic environment that threatens the financial and structural viability of college athletics.
      • Ongoing lawsuits seek to tear down the foundational elements of college sports that distinguish it from professional sports and protect non-revenue sports, such as that student-athletes are different than professional employees and that there are limits on how many seasons student-athletes can play.
    • The lack of enforceable rules has turned what were supposed to be legitimate, third-party NIL opportunities for players into pay-for-play bidding wars amongst university boosters, with some universities and their outside supporters reportedly spending more than $50 million per year on fielding rosters, mostly for the revenue-generating sports like football.  Football players on one team will receive $35-40 million in 2025 alone. 
    • Given these enormous, escalating demands on resources to compete in the revenue-generating sports, there are serious concerns regarding the future of non-revenue sports, women’s sports, and Olympic sports, as private-donor money is increasingly concentrated in these third-party, pay-for-play deals.  This dynamic also reduces competition and parity by creating an oligarchy of teams that can buy the best players—including the best players from less-wealthy programs at the end of each season, given the lack of restrictions on transferring teams each year.
    • Over 30 states have passed conflicting NIL laws, leading to a race-to-the-bottom that risks exploiting student-athletes and creating competitive imbalances among universities.
    • Without Federal action to restore order, ongoing lawsuits and a patchwork of state NIL laws risk exploiting student-athletes and eroding the opportunities provided by collegiate sports.

    PROMOTING A LEGACY OF ATHLETIC EXCELLENCE: This Executive Order builds on President Trump’s longstanding commitment to showcasing American greatness through sports and recognition of its value in forging American leaders and culture.

    • President Trump signed an Executive Order to keep men out of women’s sports, ensuring equal opportunities for women in sports.
    • President Trump played a pivotal role in securing the United States’ bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and the United States’ bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
    • President Trump has attended countless sporting events and hosted numerous teams at the White House.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Backing Australia’s tourism, hospitality and travel sectors

    Source: Australian Attorney General’s Agencies

    Australia’s Tourism, Hospitality and Travel industries have a powerful new tool to attract, retain and train workers with the launch of eeger.

    The Albanese Labor Government, working in partnership with Accommodation Australia, is proud to launch this government-funded, industry-led national careers and training platform.

    Australia’s Tourism, Hospitality and Travel industries help put Australia on the map, with the workforce that make up the industry becoming the public face of our world class experiences, accommodation and food offerings.

    With workforce demand in the industry expected to grow by nearly 150,000 by 2033, eeger will go a long way to ensuring the future sustainability of Australia’s tourism, hospitality and travel sectors.

    The visitor economy is vital to Australia. It supports over 706,000 jobs – that’s one in every 23 jobs across the nation. It underpins more than 360,000 businesses, from hotels to tour operators, cafes to cultural centres – these are businesses that keep our communities vibrant and connected.

    eeger brings together job vacancies, training programs and career development resources into one, easy-to-use, digital platform, connecting jobseekers, employers and educators across these rapidly growing sectors.

    This groundbreaking initiative will tackle long-standing workforce challenges for the sector, helping to build a stronger, more resilient visitor economy.

    eeger was made possible by a $10 million grant from the Albanese Labor Government to strengthen the country’s visitor economy and secure the skilled workforce it needs for the future.

    eeger isn’t just a job board. It brings together job opportunities, training programs and career development in one place, making it easier for Australians to enter and grow within these vital industries.

    Quotes attributable to the Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell:

    “The launch of eeger marks a pivotal moment for the industry, offering a national perspective for tourism, travel and hospitality job seekers to find the right opportunities and for employers to access the skilled workforce they need.

    “The Albanese Labor Government is proud to support this innovative platform, which will help rebuild and future-proof Australia’s visitor economy.

    “My first job was in tourism, and I know firsthand how magnificent this industry is to be a part of. I encourage businesses and jobseekers to sign up and make the most of this innovative platform and join this vibrant and important sector.”

    General Manager of eeger, Emilie Howe:

    “eeger is more than a job platform – it’s built by industry, for industry. It’s a unique solution that centralises career, job and training information for our workforce needs – the first of its kind on a national scale.

    “We encourage all businesses in Tourism, Hospitality and Travel, no matter the size, to sign up and take advantage of the free eeger platform.”

    Quotes attributable to Accommodation Australia CEO, James Goodwin:

    “We’re proud to have worked with so many sectors to develop such an innovative platform that responds exactly to what the industry needs.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Clarification regarding the lifting of measures against Kosovo – E-002940/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002940/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Riho Terras (PPE), Davor Ivo Stier (PPE), Merja Kyllönen (The Left)

    We would like the Commission to clarify the procedure for lifting the measures against Kosovo.

    • 1.Is a unanimous vote by the Council required to approve the lifting of the measures and what kind of procedure applies in this case, given that these measures are not sanctions that need to be renewed by unanimity every six months? Furthermore, to our knowledge, no vote took place in the Council when the measures were imposed in 2023.
    • 2.Could the Commission share any information it has on the impact of the EU measures – such as details of which programmes were suspended and an estimate of how many projects were affected by the freezing of funds under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance?
    • 3.Last but not least: have the measures against Kosovo been successful in the opinion of the Commission, and what has the European Union achieved by implementing these measures?

    Submitted: 16.7.2025

    Last updated: 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – REACH review presented at CARACAL – E-002910/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002910/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Pietro Fiocchi (ECR)

    Commission President von der Leyen has clearly indicated that the focus of the new Commission is simplification and competitiveness. Nevertheless, it is striking that, despite this commitment, several legislative files are still being dealt with in a ‘business as usual’ way.

    The review of the Regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (REACH), presented at the meeting of Competent Authorities for REACH and Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) (CARACAL) on 3 April 2025, does not seem to include any proposed simplifications that reduce the administrative burden for industry. The Commission seems intent on persisting with the same ideas and approach, even though they have proven ineffective. The comments received from EU industry stakeholders are highly critical, saying that it seems as though the Commission services live in a different world from their political leadership and president. Furthermore, they consider it absurd to call the proposals ‘simplification’ because it is as if the Competitiveness Compass, Clean Industrial Deal or economic crisis simply do not exist.

    • 1.How are the relevant services ensuring that the new Commission’s political orientation is being implemented in their directorates-general to align legislation with the Competitiveness Compass?
    • 2.Has the Commission assessed the economic impact of this ‘internal miscommunication’ that risks driving industry away from the EU and towards other more appealing markets?

    Submitted: 16.7.2025

    Last updated: 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Contamination from microplastics – E-002878/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002878/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Daniel Buda (PPE)

    Contamination from microplastics is becoming an increasingly serious public health issue. Recent studies have revealed the presence of microplastics in various food products, which can have negative effects on human health. Microplastics have also proved to be an emerging threat to bee populations.[1] Honey bees pollinate 80 % of agricultural crops and wild flowers and, together with other pollinators, contribute EUR 22 billion to the EU’s agricultural economy.

    • 1.Has the Commission initiated research and implemented regulations to monitor and limit the presence of these contaminants in the food chain?
    • 2.How does the Commission monitor the presence of microplastics and other contaminants in food, and what measures are planned to reduce this risk?
    • 3.Microplastic contamination often originates from third countries that do not manage waste adequately, and citizens are not sufficiently aware of the problem. How is the Commission investing in effective cooperation with third countries, and how is it contributing to public awareness campaigns to prevent contamination of the EU with microplastics originating from waste generated outside Europe?

    Submitted: 15.7.2025

    • [1] https://www.rewild.org/press/bees-under-threat-solutions-for-survival
    Last updated: 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Industry interests in environmental legislation and consequences of non-compliance – E-002920/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002920/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Rasmus Nordqvist (Verts/ALE)

    The state of EU surface waters remains critical, with fewer than 40 % achieving good ecological status and less than 30 % reaching good chemical status. In Denmark, only 29.9 % of surface waters are in good ecological status, and just 1.7 % are in good chemical status.

    This lack of progress is closely tied to the widespread non-implementation of EU environmental law. The Commission’s fourth Environmental Implementation Review estimates the annual cost of non-compliance at EUR 180 billion – about 1 % of EU gross domestic product. The report finds EU water directives broadly fit for purpose but poorly implemented.

    In Denmark, the Ministry of Environment has long failed to set binding limits for several harmful substances, hindering proper water quality assessments. These include heavy metals and chemicals such as nickel, arsenic and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Internal ministry documents suggest economic concerns for industry have influenced decisions on whether, and to what extent, to comply with EU law.

    • 1.How does the failure of Member States such as Denmark to set limit values affect enforcement and the overall effectiveness of the EU water directives?
    • 2.What steps will the Commission take to ensure Member States uphold environmental law over industrial interests?

    Submitted: 16.7.2025

    Last updated: 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Registration of applicants for international protection in Tunisia – E-002911/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002911/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE)

    In June 2024, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) was ordered to cease the registration of applicants for international protection in Tunisia, which it had been performing due to the absence of a formal asylum procedure. Instead, the authorities indicated that they would assume responsibility for registration. At the same time, the UNHCR’s implementing partner, the Tunisian Council for Refugees, is being criminalised through arrests and legal action.

    • 1.Does the Commission agree that the ceasing of registration for international protection by the UNHCR leaves individuals with no remaining way to state their need for international protection – a fundamental right under international law – in Tunisia, and if not, what options can the Commission identify for an individual to apply for asylum?
    • 2.How does the Commission consider that the memorandum of understanding with Tunisia, which includes provisions on and funding for migration management, complies with its obligations under Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union[1], given that the people who are intercepted by the Tunisian authorities cannot exercise their basic human rights if they are in need of international protection?
    • 3.What efforts is the Commission making to ensure both the resumption of registration for international protection in Tunisia, and the protection of the UNHCR’s implementing partners?

    Submitted: 16.7.2025

    • [1] ‘The Union’s action on the international scene shall be guided by the principles which have inspired its own creation, development and enlargement, and which it seeks to advance in the wider world: democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.’.
    Last updated: 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Long-term financing and development of Rail Baltica in light of EU and NATO strategic objectives – E-002997/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002997/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Michał Dworczyk (ECR)

    Russia’s war against Ukraine has confirmed the crucial importance of military mobility for maintaining NATO and EU security. Therefore, Rail Baltica – as a pan-European project of strategic geopolitical and economic importance – not only strengthens the single market, but is also crucial to the security of the eastern flank.

    Given the continued delays in the implementation of the project, ongoing work on the new Multiannual Financial Framework, and the rapid exhaustion of funds under the Action Plan on Military Mobility 2.0, stable and long-term financing must be secured for the next stages of Rail Baltica, including from other European funds.

    I would therefore like to ask:

    • 1.How does the Commission plan to ensure stable and adequate co-financing for this project under the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework, given that the current annual calls for proposals do not provide the predictability necessary for the long-term planning of infrastructure investments?
    • 2.Given that the Commission has recognised Rail Baltica as a project of strategic importance for the EU’s security and military mobility, are additional support instruments – including dedicated financing mechanisms – planned to enable faster implementation of the project under future programmes on defence, military mobility and critical infrastructure?
    • 3.Is the Commission considering extending the route with a section from Warsaw to Ukraine and to allied countries in the Black Sea region[1]?

    Submitted: 18.7.2025

    • [1] This matter is raised in point 1 of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1332 of 9 July 2025, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202501332.
    Last updated: 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Concerns over Portugal’s waste fee increases and compliance with Article 8a of the Waste Framework Directive – E-002906/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002906/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Ana Vasconcelos (Renew), João Cotrim De Figueiredo (Renew)

    The Portuguese Government has decided to almost double the fees that companies must pay to municipalities – from EUR 125 million in 2024 to EUR 235 million in 2025 – without proper consultation, clear performance goals or the infrastructure needed to improve recycling outcomes. This comes at a time when Portugal is already off track to meet its 2025 EU recycling targets.

    This decision risks undermining the principles of Article 8a of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD)[1], which require extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes to ensure fair cost allocation, efficient use of funds and clearly defined roles for public and private actors. Instead of reforming a dysfunctional system, the government has simply increased the financial burden on companies.

    The Commission flagged Portugal’s underperformance in its 2023 early warning report and has now opened an infringement procedure (INFR(2024)2145).

    • 1.What steps will it take to ensure Portugal complies with Article 8a of the WFD?
    • 2.Does the Commission consider Portugal’s brutal fee increases to be compatible with EU law and can Portugal collect a waste management fee without clearly linking it to actions supporting EU recycling targets?
    • 3.What action will it take if Portugal continues to miss its recycling targets and fails to address structural shortcomings?

    Submitted: 16.7.2025

    • [1] Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dir/2008/98/2024-02-18.
    Last updated: 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Climate target for 2040 – E-002879/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002879/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Daniel Buda (PPE)

    The Commission proposes a 90 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as part of the pathway to climate neutrality by 2050. This measure supports clean industry, investment and energy security, and will be debated by Parliament and the Council.

    • 1.In view of the proposed climate goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 90 % by 2040, how does the Commission intend to ensure an equitable transition for Member States with less decarbonised economies so that they are not disadvantaged in the process of implementing the new measures, and so that their industrial competitiveness is not significantly affected?
    • 2.How will the Commission provide sufficient funds to ensure a fair transition to the 2040 climate goal so that no one and no region is left behind?

    Submitted: 15.7.2025

    Last updated: 24 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – European support for Bulgaria’s accelerated energy transition to alternative fuels – E-002905/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002905/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew)

    In view of the European Union’s goals of achieving climate neutrality and pursuing energy independence from third countries, the accelerated transition to alternative fuels is of key importance for Bulgaria. Imports of petroleum products continue to account for a significant share of the country’s energy balance, making it vulnerable both economically and strategically. At the same time, national capacity for investment in sustainable energy solutions remains limited, particularly in the context of the socio-economic challenges associated with the transformation of the energy sector.

    In the light of this,

    • 1.what specific mechanisms and instruments does the European Commission envisage to assist Bulgaria in accelerating its transition to alternative fuels?
    • 2.Are there any targeted programs within REPowerEU, the Just Transition Fund, or other initiatives through which our country can receive financial, regulatory or technical support to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products and increase energy sustainability?

    Submitted: 16.7.2025

    Last updated: 24 July 2025

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