NewzIntel.com

Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Labrador: One state’s bold fight against classroom indoctrination targets woke ‘welcome’ signs — Fox News Op-Ed

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom AG Labrador: One state’s bold fight against classroom indoctrination targets woke ‘welcome’ signs — Fox News Op-Ed

    Op-Ed: One state’s bold fight against classroom indoctrination targets woke ‘welcome’ signs
    by Attorney General Raúl Labrador
    This spring, an Idaho teacher displayed a sign in her classroom that read, “Everyone Is Welcome Here.” On its face, the message appears neutral — simple, positive words that seem apolitical. But the design reveals its true purpose: colorful letters above imagery designed to signal adherence to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The rainbow colors and progressive symbols accompanying these messages make their political purpose unmistakable. 
    These classroom displays reflect a broader ecosystem of political resistance groups launched in protest of the political rise of President Donald Trump. The “All Are Welcome Here” movement, founded in November 2016 by progressive activists in Minnesota, explicitly states its mission as supporting “a just, inclusive and equitable environment” while donating thousands of dollars to progressive causes, including the ACLU.  
    The organization openly declares: “To show our support for our transgender family, friends, and neighbors, we’re also donating 5% of our online sales will be to Transforming Families of Minnesota” — an organization dedicated to advancing transgender ideology among children and families. 
    Related movements like “Everyone is Welcome” similarly incorporate symbols from the “Intersex-Inclusive Pride Flag” and promote LGBTQ+ ideology through educational messaging. A simple visit to any of these organizations’ websites reveals their unmistakably political nature — complete with progressive activism, social justice messaging and ideological programming that extends far beyond genuine hospitality. When teachers display signs bearing the same name as these political organizations, what are parents supposed to think? 

    The situation in Idaho is not unique. What Trump’s administration recognized as dangerous enough to ban from federal agencies and K-12 schools through executive order has been quietly spreading through classrooms nationwide.  
    Across America, educators have transformed learning spaces into venues for DEI messaging disguised as inclusion. Idaho responded with legislation prohibiting political displays in public school classrooms — a law that passed overwhelmingly. The fundamental question is: Do parents or schools control children’s moral education? Idaho chose parents. 
    At its core, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion judge individuals by group identity rather than merit, divide people into oppressor and victim categories based on immutable characteristics, and prioritize equal outcomes over equal opportunity. For years, activists have systematically embedded this political messaging throughout school systems under the banner of “inclusion” and “equity.”  
    These seemingly neutral terms mask a comprehensive worldview that undermines parental authority over children’s moral development. As Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis accurately observed, “DEI stands for … Division, Exclusion and Indoctrination, and that has no part in our public institutions.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: CIT Woden prepares to welcome its first students

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Redefining Woden as a vibrant, modern hub where people can live, work, and thrive.

    In Brief:

    • Construction is complete on the new CIT Woden Campus.
    • This article gives an exclusive sneak peek into what’s coming to the new campus.
    • Discover the key benefits and advantages of the new campus in this article.

    The brand-new CIT Woden Campus is now complete and set to welcome students on 21 July.

    Welcoming up to 6,500 students per year, the campus will deliver cutting-edge training in fields such as:

    • information technology
    • cyber security
    • business
    • hospitality
    • hairdressing
    • music
    • design and media.

    The project benefits

    • Capacity for up to 6,500 students annually.
    • Packed with smart technology to help them learn in new and better ways.
    • Green open spaces for students and the community to enjoy.
    • Better public transport links.
    • New youth foyer to support young people in need.

    The campus also invites students and the community to enjoy CIT student-run businesses, including:

    • a restaurant
    • a produce shop
    • a hair and beauty salon.

    Let’s take a sneak peek!

    The CIT Restaurant and Commercial Training Bar, as well as a Produce Shop/Apprentice Kitchen shop, are located on the ground floor.

    There is an additional kitchen and training bar on Level 1 adjacent to the multipurpose space. The kitchen areas are all glassed, providing visual activation throughout and allowing the public to see culinary students in action.

    The hair and beauty space includes areas for hairdressing, barbering, spray tanning, make-up, and beauty therapy, along with a reception area.

    It connects directly to the ground floor commercial hair salon, making it easy for clients, students, and teachers to move between the two levels.

    This spacious, open-plan area is designed to host a variety of events including media and music performances, exhibitions, graduations, open days, and hospitality training.

    It opens onto the Level 1 Terrace, which features bench seating with power outlets, native landscaping, and edible gardens.

    Screen and media areas include specialist graphic design computer labs, dedicated studios for photography, videos and music. Staff will also have workspaces for media, music and photography.

    Designing with Country has been a guiding principle for the CIT Woden Campus project.

    The large ‘oculus’ skylight provides a meaningful physical and visual connection with Sky Country from inside the building. It reflects a silhouette of a wedge tailed eagle or ‘Mulleun’, considered a totem animal for the local Ngunnawal people.

    The bleachers support gathering or social spaces throughout the day. They go from levels 1 all the way up to level 5 to meet the oculus skylight.

    CIT Woden is located next to the new public transport interchange being built on Callam Street. It will improve bus services, safety and enhance connectivity to the area.

    It will feature 18 bus stops, passenger-friendly shelters and enhanced lighting and signage.

    The transport interchange will also incorporate a light rail stop for the network’s future extension to Woden.

    Three public green spaces are available for students, staff, and the community to enjoy.

    A walking link between the new public transport interchange and the town centre, this corridor includes spaces for public seating, outdoor dining, and retail frontage

    Located at the north end of the campus is asunny breakout space for students, staff, local businesses and residents.It includes trees, gardens, and areas for dogs.

    Located at the western end of the campus is a gathering and ceremony space surrounded by a mix of native and non-native planting and seating with charging ports.

    For more information visit the Built for CBR website.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Maryland IT Company Agrees to Pay $14.75M to Resolve Alleged False Claims

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Hill ASC Inc., doing business as Hill Associates, of Rockville, Maryland, agreed to pay at least $14.75 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act in connection with a General Services Administration (GSA) contract for information technology services.

    This settlement relates to a contract under which Hill provided information technology services to federal agencies from 2018 to 2023 through GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program. The MAS program provides the government with a streamlined process to buy commonly used commercial goods and services.  GSA negotiates contract terms and other agencies can then buy goods and services from the contractor under that GSA MAS contract. The settlement resolves allegations that Hill billed federal agencies for labor of information technology personnel who did not have the experience or education required under the contract. In addition, it resolves allegations that, although GSA required technical evaluations for contractors who sought to offer highly adaptive cybersecurity services to government customers, and Hill had not passed such an evaluation, Hill submitted claims for such cybersecurity services and other services that were not within the scope of the MAS contract. Finally, it resolves allegations that Hill charged the government for unapproved fees, failed to provide government customers with required information about discounts for prompt payment, and included unallowable incentive compensation in a cost submission in connection with a new contract proposal.

    Under the settlement with the United States, Hill has agreed to pay $14.75 million, plus additional amounts if certain financial contingencies occur. The settlement amount was based on the company’s ability to pay.

    “Information technology contractors are expected to charge the government appropriately for their services,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to pursue cyber fraud and hold accountable those companies that knowingly fail to meet contractual obligations to the American taxpayers.”

    “Federal agencies should get what they have paid for from GSA contractors, nothing less,” said GSA Deputy Inspector General Robert C. Erickson. “I appreciate the hard work of all the attorneys, auditors, and special agents involved in this investigation.”

    “False claims and similar unfair advantage by contractors undermine the integrity of the contracting process and can result in significant adverse effects to vital security concerns,” said Treasury Deputy Inspector General Loren Sciurba. “Treasury OIG is committed to conducting and assisting other agencies to the utmost in investigations, audits, and other work to detect and prevent these violations of the public trust.”

    “As the nation’s tax watchdog, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) is dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)’s contracting and procurement processes,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jessica Cipolla of TIGTA’s Gulf States Field Division. “We remain steadfast in our mission to expose and hold accountable those who attempt to defraud the IRS. Anyone doing business with the IRS or the Department of the Treasury is expected to operate with the highest levels of honesty and integrity. We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their continued collaboration and critical support in this investigation.”

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the GSA’s Office of the Inspector General, the Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General, and TIGTA. The matter was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Christopher Terranova of the Fraud Section.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Maryland IT Company Agrees to Pay $14.75M to Resolve Alleged False Claims

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Hill ASC Inc., doing business as Hill Associates, of Rockville, Maryland, agreed to pay at least $14.75 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act in connection with a General Services Administration (GSA) contract for information technology services.

    This settlement relates to a contract under which Hill provided information technology services to federal agencies from 2018 to 2023 through GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program. The MAS program provides the government with a streamlined process to buy commonly used commercial goods and services.  GSA negotiates contract terms and other agencies can then buy goods and services from the contractor under that GSA MAS contract. The settlement resolves allegations that Hill billed federal agencies for labor of information technology personnel who did not have the experience or education required under the contract. In addition, it resolves allegations that, although GSA required technical evaluations for contractors who sought to offer highly adaptive cybersecurity services to government customers, and Hill had not passed such an evaluation, Hill submitted claims for such cybersecurity services and other services that were not within the scope of the MAS contract. Finally, it resolves allegations that Hill charged the government for unapproved fees, failed to provide government customers with required information about discounts for prompt payment, and included unallowable incentive compensation in a cost submission in connection with a new contract proposal.

    Under the settlement with the United States, Hill has agreed to pay $14.75 million, plus additional amounts if certain financial contingencies occur. The settlement amount was based on the company’s ability to pay.

    “Information technology contractors are expected to charge the government appropriately for their services,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to pursue cyber fraud and hold accountable those companies that knowingly fail to meet contractual obligations to the American taxpayers.”

    “Federal agencies should get what they have paid for from GSA contractors, nothing less,” said GSA Deputy Inspector General Robert C. Erickson. “I appreciate the hard work of all the attorneys, auditors, and special agents involved in this investigation.”

    “False claims and similar unfair advantage by contractors undermine the integrity of the contracting process and can result in significant adverse effects to vital security concerns,” said Treasury Deputy Inspector General Loren Sciurba. “Treasury OIG is committed to conducting and assisting other agencies to the utmost in investigations, audits, and other work to detect and prevent these violations of the public trust.”

    “As the nation’s tax watchdog, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) is dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)’s contracting and procurement processes,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jessica Cipolla of TIGTA’s Gulf States Field Division. “We remain steadfast in our mission to expose and hold accountable those who attempt to defraud the IRS. Anyone doing business with the IRS or the Department of the Treasury is expected to operate with the highest levels of honesty and integrity. We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their continued collaboration and critical support in this investigation.”

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the GSA’s Office of the Inspector General, the Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General, and TIGTA. The matter was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Christopher Terranova of the Fraud Section.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Releases Guidance on Implementing President Trump’s Executive Order Designating English as the Official Language of the United States

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: Justice Department Releases Guidance on Implementing President Trump’s Executive Order Designating English as the Official Language of the United States

    WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Justice released Guidance to ensure compliance with President Trump’s Executive Order No. 14224, which establishes English as the official language of the United States of America. Consistent with the Executive Order, the Department of Justice will lead a coordinated effort across federal agencies to minimize non-essential multilingual services, redirect resources toward English-language education and assimilation, and ensure legal compliance with the Executive Order through targeted measures where necessary.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Sues Trump Administration for Illegally Freezing Billions in Education Funds

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James and 22 other attorneys general, as well as the governors of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, today sued the Trump administration for illegally freezing nearly $7 billion dollars in critical education funding. On June 30, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) abruptly halted funds appropriated by Congress for six longstanding education programs, jeopardizing programs that provide after-school care for children of working parents, teach English to children who are non-native speakers, recruit and train teachers, expand STEM and arts curricula, and provide bullying and suicide prevention services in schools. The attorneys general are asking the court to stop the unconstitutional freeze, which has thrown schools nationwide into chaos, and compel the administration to release the billions of dollars in frozen funds that support some of the country’s most vulnerable children and their families.

    “The federal government cannot use our children’s classrooms to advance its assault on immigrant and working families,” said Attorney General James. “This illegal and unjustified funding freeze will be devastating for students and families nationwide, especially for those who rely on these programs for childcare or to learn English. Congress allocated these funds, and the law requires that they be delivered. We will not allow this administration to rewrite the rules to punish the communities it doesn’t like.”

    For decades, Congress has required the federal government to release this education funding to states by July 1 to ensure schools receive resources ahead of the new academic year. These funds are distributed through formula grants, meaning ED has a legal obligation to allocate them according to a set formula established by Congress. This year, however, just hours before the statutory deadline, the administration abruptly informed states that the funds would not be coming. ED announced a blanket freeze on six programs, including:

    • The Migrant Education Program, which was created by Congress in response to the 1960 documentary Harvest of Shame to support the education of migrant farm workers and their children.
       
    • Title II-A, which supports recruitment, training, and retention of effective teachers and school leaders, particularly in low-income and underserved communities.
       
    • Title III-A, which provides English learners and immigrant students with the tools they need to attain English proficiency and meet state academic standards.
       
    • Title IV-A, which supports student well-being and academic enrichment through services like school-based mental health care, violence, bullying, and suicide prevention, arts and STEM education, and college and career guidance.
       
    • Title IV-B, known as the 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, which funds after-school and summer programs, tutoring, mentoring, and expanded literacy services.
       
    • Adult Education Grants, which help adults build literacy and job-readiness skills, including civics education for English learners.

    Together, these programs have provided vital educational support to millions of students and families nationwide for decades. Despite this history, the administration provided no legal justification for the freeze. On June 30, just hours before the funds were set to be distributed, ED sent states a vague, three-sentence email claiming that a “review” was underway to align funding with “the president’s priorities.” No details were provided on the duration or scope of the review. In the following days, OMB attempted to justify the freeze by claiming the funding had been used to “subsidize a radical leftwing agenda,” specifically accusing New York of using federal education funds to “promote illegal immigrant advocacy organizations,” which is patently false. OMB also raised objections to the use of funds for scholarships for immigrant students and lessons on LGBTQ+ topics.

    This sweeping funding freeze has already caused chaos for school systems. Essential summer school and after-school programs, which provide childcare for working families, have been canceled or are at risk. Professional development for teachers and support for English learners are being halted or scaled back. With the school year weeks away, districts have been left scrambling. Most critically, states have had no time to fill the massive fiscal hole left by the sudden cutoff. Budgets have been finalized, staff hired, and contracts signed based on a decades-long expectation that this funding would arrive on July 1. Now, many states and school districts face the prospect of breaking contracts and slashing programming they can no longer afford.

    In New York, more than $463 million in funding for the 2025-2026 school year has been frozen, 13 percent of the state’s total K-12 education funding. This includes more than $125 million for teacher training and development, $107 million to create safe and effective learning environments for New York students, $102 million for after-school and summer programs, $65 million to fund English learning and literacy initiatives, $10 million to support migrant students, and $52 million in adult literacy funding. The majority of this funding goes to 730 school districts across New York, which are now scrambling to address the budget shortfall.  

    Already, some summer programs have been shuttered, meaning thousands of children are missing out on academic and enrichment programming, as well as midday meals. With these programs closed, many New York families have abruptly lost their childcare for the summer, and if the funding is not released by September, the number of families suddenly left without childcare will grow exponentially. The New York State Education Department (NYSED) estimates at least 65,000 low-income New York students could lose access to afterschool or summer enrichment programs and 80,000 New Yorkers could be cut off from adult education and literacy services.

    In New York City, where 44 percent of public school students speak a language other than English at home, this freeze threatens essential English language instruction and literacy services. At the state level, the frozen funds cover the salaries and benefits of 67 full time employees. If the funding freeze continues, NYSED would be forced to conduct “large scale and unplanned layoffs,” which would have damaging reverberations across the state workforce, as well as disastrous impacts for local school districts.

    Attorney General James and the coalition argue that this funding freeze violates the Constitution and federal law. The administration offered no reasoned explanation for a drastic policy reversal and failed to consider the states’ reliance on long-established funding processes, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. The freeze also violates the Constitution’s spending clause and separation of powers principle, because the administration has disregarded Congress’ sole power of the purse and exceeded its authority by attempting to conduct a discretionary “review” of programs established, funded, and regulated by Congress. In addition, the Impoundment Control Act prohibits the executive branch from unilaterally refusing to spend appropriated funds unless specific procedures are followed. Those procedures were not followed here.

    The attorneys general highlight that this is not the first time the Trump administration has unlawfully attempted to block funds allocated by Congress. Federal courts across the country have repeatedly struck down similar overreaches targeting various educational and health initiatives. As those courts have affirmed, the president cannot defy the will of Congress.

    Attorney General James and the coalition are asking the court to declare the funding freeze illegal and permanently block the action. They will be seeking a preliminary injunction covering all plaintiff states and are asking for a writ of mandamus to compel the administration to distribute the funds that Congress appropriated for school systems.

    Joining Attorney General James in filing the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia, as well as the governors of Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Sues Trump Administration for Freezing Billions in Education Grants Just Weeks Before School Year Start

    Source: US State of California

    In California, over $900 million in federal education funding is frozen, jeopardizing key programs for after school and summer learning, teacher preparation, and to support students learning English

    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today sued the Trump Administration over its unconstitutional, unlawful, and arbitrary decision to freeze funding for six longstanding programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education just weeks before the school year in many parts of California is set to start. In California, an estimated $939 million in federal education funding is frozen. Without this funding, many educational programs will shutter – already, ongoing summer learning programs have been left unfunded. In filing today’s lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta co-leads a coalition of 23 attorneys general and two states together with the attorneys general of Colorado, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The attorneys general argue that the funding freeze violates federal funding statutes and regulations authorizing these critical programs and appropriating funds for them, violates federal statutes governing the federal budgeting process, including the Antideficiency Act and Impoundment Control Act, and violates the constitutional separation of powers doctrine and the Presentment Clause. They ask the court for declaratory and injunctive relief.

    “With no rhyme or reason, the Trump Administration abruptly froze billions of dollars in education funding just weeks before the start of the school year,” said Attorney General Bonta. “In doing so, it has threatened the existence of programs that provide critical after school and summer learning opportunities, that teach English to students, and that provide educational technology to our classrooms. Taken together with his other attacks on education, President Trump seems comfortable risking the academic success of a generation to further his own misguided political agenda. But as with so many of his other actions, this funding freeze is blatantly illegal, and we’re confident the court will agree.”

    For decades, California and other states have used funding under these programs to carry out a broad range of programs and services, including educational programs for migrant children and English learners; programs that promote effective classroom instruction, improve school conditions and the use of technology in the classroom; community learning centers that offer students a broad range of opportunities for academic and extracurricular enrichment; and adult education and workforce development efforts.

    Pursuant to federal statutory and regulatory requirements, each year the Department of Education makes around 25% of the funds for these programs available to states on or about July 1 in order to permit state and local educational agencies to plan their budgets for the academic year ahead. The plaintiff states have complied with the funding conditions set forth under the law and have state plans that the Department of Education has already approved. And the plaintiff states have received these funds, without incident, for decades, including as recently as last year. However, this year, on June 30, state agencies across the country received a notification announcing that the Department of Education would not be “obligating funds for” six formula funding programs on July 1.

    This funding freeze has immediately thrown into chaos plans for the upcoming academic year. Local education agencies have approved budgets, developed staffing plans, and signed contracts to provide vital educational services under these grants. Now, as a result of the Trump Administration’s actions, states find themselves without sufficient funding for these commitments, just weeks before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. Essential summer school and afterschool programs, which provide childcare to working parents of school age children, are already being impacted. The abrupt freeze is also wreaking havoc on key teacher training programs as well as programs that make school more accessible to children with special learning needs, such as English learners.

    But it is Congress, not the Executive Branch, that possesses the power of the purse. The Constitution does not afford the Executive Branch power to unilaterally refuse to spend appropriations that were passed by both houses of Congress and were signed into law. Yet that is exactly what the Trump Administration is attempting to do here. In today’s lawsuit, Attorney General Bonta and a coalition argue that the Trump Administration’s actions violate federal funding statutes and Appropriations Act, Apportionment, the Administrative Procedures Act and U.S. Constitution, including the separation of powers doctrine, equitable ultra vires, and the Presentment Clause. They asked the Court to declare the funding freeze unlawful – as courts have repeatedly done in other multistate cases – and block any attempts to withhold or delay this funding.

    Attorney General Bonta co-leads the coalition together with the attorneys general of Colorado, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. He is also joined in filing the lawsuit by the attorneys general of Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Vermont, Washinton, and Wisconsin, as well as the states of Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

    A copy of the lawsuit is available here. A copy of the motion for a preliminary injunction is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Arrest Three Armed Robbery Subjects in Powhatten, OH

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Wheeling, WV – Three (3) subjects were located and arrested in Powhatten, Belmont County, OH.

    Jesse Thompson, 21, Chaz Suarez, 23, and Stormetta Hawkins, 32, were arrested today around 8:00am by the U.S. Marshals Service – Mountain State Fugitive Task Force in Powhatten, OH. Thompson, Suarez and Hawkins were wanted by the Moundsville Police Department due to an investigation involving a home invasion where the victims were pistol whipped and five (5) firearms were stolen.    

    The U.S. Marshals Service was requested to assist in locating Thompson, Suarez and Hawkins from Moundsville Police Department. Deputy U.S. Marshals received information that the subjects were staying in Powhatten, OH.     

    On July 11, 2025, Deputy Marshals, Task Force Officers, Belmont County Sheriff Deputies and Powhatten Police responded to 200 block of State Route 7 in Powhatten, OH. U.S. Marshals announced their presence and immediately located and arrested Thompson, after further search of the residence Hawkins and Suarez were located and placed in custody. During the search of Suarez, DUSMs located a loaded H&K .45 caliber pistol in his waist band. Upon further investigation, Powhatten Police Department and Belmont County conducted a search of the residence and located and seized two (2) additional firearms which were  suspected to be from the home invasion, ammunition and small amount of suspected Methamphetamine.   

    All subjects were transported to the Belmont County Jail in Flushing, OH pending extradition hearing to West Virginia.

    The U.S. Marshals Service is the nation’s oldest federal law enforcement agency, having served the country since 1789. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ten Individuals Charged with Attempted Murder of Federal Officers and Firearms Offenses in Alvarado Police Officer Shooting

    Source: US FBI

    Ten individuals have been charged for their roles in the shooting of an Alvarado police officer at the Prairieland Detention Center.  

    Today’s announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas FBI R. Joseph Rothrock, and Enforcement Removal Operations Dallas Acting Field Office Director Joshua Johnson.

    According to a criminal complaint filed today, the defendants, dressed in black military-style clothing, began shooting fireworks at the facility, as part of an organized attack.

    After approximately 10 minutes of convening, one or two individuals broke off from the main group and began to spray graffiti on vehicles and a guard structure in the parking lot at the facility.  An Alvarado police officer responded to the scene after correctional officers called 911 to report suspicious activity.  When the Alvarado police officer arrived, one alleged defendant positioned in nearby woods shot the officer in the neck area.  Another alleged assailant across the street fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers who had stepped outside the facility.

    As alleged in the complaint, AR-style rifles were found at the scene.  The assailants fled from the detention center but were stopped by additional law enforcement officers.  Some defendants were wearing body armor, some were armed, and some had two-way radios.  A total of twelve sets of body armor were found during searches of vehicles associated with the defendants, on their persons, and in the area around the Prairieland Detention Center.  

    Additionally, officers found spray paint, flyers stating, “FIGHT ICE TERROR WITH CLASS WAR!” and “FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS,” and a flag stating, “RESIST FACISM – FIGHT OLIGARCHY.”  One of the alleged attackers had cell phones inside a “Faraday bag,” used to block phone signals and commonly used by criminal actors to try to prevent law enforcement from tracking their location.

    Ten individuals were charged in one complaint with three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.  Those include:

    •    Cameron Arnold 
    •    Savanna Batten 
    •    Nathan Baumann 
    •    Zachary Evetts 
    •    Joy Gibson
    •    Bradford Morris
    •    Maricela Rueda
    •    Seth Sikes
    •    Elizabeth Soto
    •    Ines Soto

    As outlined in the complaint, officers photographed the graffiti, flyers, flag, body armor, and magazines containing ammunition:

    “Make no mistake, this was not a peaceful protest,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “This was an ambush on federal and local law enforcement officers.  This increasing trend of violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas.  Those who use violence against law enforcement officers will be found and prosecuted using the toughest criminal statutes and penalties available.”

    “The incident at the Prairieland Detention Center underscores the dangers that officers face daily. We want to thank all the law enforcement agencies that promptly responded and assisted in apprehending the suspects,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI stands with our partners and pledges that violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated. We are committed to thoroughly investigating this weekend’s incident and will hold those responsible accountable for threatening the safety of law enforcement.”

    “Violence, threats of violence, and attempts of vandalism at our ICE Facilities will not deter our officers at ICE from fulfilling their duties, said Josh Johnson, Acting ERO Dallas Field Office Director. “This type of vigilante lawlessness is emblematic of the dangers federal, state, and local law enforcement officials face every day.”

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  If convicted, the defendants face a minimum penalty of ten years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

    The investigation was conducted by the Dallas FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Office (ICE ERO), Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, Texas Department of Public Safety, Alvarado Police Department, and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ten Individuals Charged with Attempted Murder of Federal Officers and Firearms Offenses in Alvarado Police Officer Shooting

    Source: US FBI

    Ten individuals have been charged for their roles in the shooting of an Alvarado police officer at the Prairieland Detention Center.  

    Today’s announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas FBI R. Joseph Rothrock, and Enforcement Removal Operations Dallas Acting Field Office Director Joshua Johnson.

    According to a criminal complaint filed today, the defendants, dressed in black military-style clothing, began shooting fireworks at the facility, as part of an organized attack.

    After approximately 10 minutes of convening, one or two individuals broke off from the main group and began to spray graffiti on vehicles and a guard structure in the parking lot at the facility.  An Alvarado police officer responded to the scene after correctional officers called 911 to report suspicious activity.  When the Alvarado police officer arrived, one alleged defendant positioned in nearby woods shot the officer in the neck area.  Another alleged assailant across the street fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers who had stepped outside the facility.

    As alleged in the complaint, AR-style rifles were found at the scene.  The assailants fled from the detention center but were stopped by additional law enforcement officers.  Some defendants were wearing body armor, some were armed, and some had two-way radios.  A total of twelve sets of body armor were found during searches of vehicles associated with the defendants, on their persons, and in the area around the Prairieland Detention Center.  

    Additionally, officers found spray paint, flyers stating, “FIGHT ICE TERROR WITH CLASS WAR!” and “FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS,” and a flag stating, “RESIST FACISM – FIGHT OLIGARCHY.”  One of the alleged attackers had cell phones inside a “Faraday bag,” used to block phone signals and commonly used by criminal actors to try to prevent law enforcement from tracking their location.

    Ten individuals were charged in one complaint with three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.  Those include:

    •    Cameron Arnold 
    •    Savanna Batten 
    •    Nathan Baumann 
    •    Zachary Evetts 
    •    Joy Gibson
    •    Bradford Morris
    •    Maricela Rueda
    •    Seth Sikes
    •    Elizabeth Soto
    •    Ines Soto

    As outlined in the complaint, officers photographed the graffiti, flyers, flag, body armor, and magazines containing ammunition:

    “Make no mistake, this was not a peaceful protest,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “This was an ambush on federal and local law enforcement officers.  This increasing trend of violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas.  Those who use violence against law enforcement officers will be found and prosecuted using the toughest criminal statutes and penalties available.”

    “The incident at the Prairieland Detention Center underscores the dangers that officers face daily. We want to thank all the law enforcement agencies that promptly responded and assisted in apprehending the suspects,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI stands with our partners and pledges that violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated. We are committed to thoroughly investigating this weekend’s incident and will hold those responsible accountable for threatening the safety of law enforcement.”

    “Violence, threats of violence, and attempts of vandalism at our ICE Facilities will not deter our officers at ICE from fulfilling their duties, said Josh Johnson, Acting ERO Dallas Field Office Director. “This type of vigilante lawlessness is emblematic of the dangers federal, state, and local law enforcement officials face every day.”

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  If convicted, the defendants face a minimum penalty of ten years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

    The investigation was conducted by the Dallas FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Office (ICE ERO), Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, Texas Department of Public Safety, Alvarado Police Department, and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ten Individuals Charged with Attempted Murder of Federal Officers and Firearms Offenses in Alvarado Police Officer Shooting

    Source: US FBI

    Ten individuals have been charged for their roles in the shooting of an Alvarado police officer at the Prairieland Detention Center.  

    Today’s announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Nancy E. Larson, Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas FBI R. Joseph Rothrock, and Enforcement Removal Operations Dallas Acting Field Office Director Joshua Johnson.

    According to a criminal complaint filed today, the defendants, dressed in black military-style clothing, began shooting fireworks at the facility, as part of an organized attack.

    After approximately 10 minutes of convening, one or two individuals broke off from the main group and began to spray graffiti on vehicles and a guard structure in the parking lot at the facility.  An Alvarado police officer responded to the scene after correctional officers called 911 to report suspicious activity.  When the Alvarado police officer arrived, one alleged defendant positioned in nearby woods shot the officer in the neck area.  Another alleged assailant across the street fired 20 to 30 rounds at unarmed correctional officers who had stepped outside the facility.

    As alleged in the complaint, AR-style rifles were found at the scene.  The assailants fled from the detention center but were stopped by additional law enforcement officers.  Some defendants were wearing body armor, some were armed, and some had two-way radios.  A total of twelve sets of body armor were found during searches of vehicles associated with the defendants, on their persons, and in the area around the Prairieland Detention Center.  

    Additionally, officers found spray paint, flyers stating, “FIGHT ICE TERROR WITH CLASS WAR!” and “FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS,” and a flag stating, “RESIST FACISM – FIGHT OLIGARCHY.”  One of the alleged attackers had cell phones inside a “Faraday bag,” used to block phone signals and commonly used by criminal actors to try to prevent law enforcement from tracking their location.

    Ten individuals were charged in one complaint with three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.  Those include:

    •    Cameron Arnold 
    •    Savanna Batten 
    •    Nathan Baumann 
    •    Zachary Evetts 
    •    Joy Gibson
    •    Bradford Morris
    •    Maricela Rueda
    •    Seth Sikes
    •    Elizabeth Soto
    •    Ines Soto

    As outlined in the complaint, officers photographed the graffiti, flyers, flag, body armor, and magazines containing ammunition:

    “Make no mistake, this was not a peaceful protest,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson. “This was an ambush on federal and local law enforcement officers.  This increasing trend of violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated in the Northern District of Texas.  Those who use violence against law enforcement officers will be found and prosecuted using the toughest criminal statutes and penalties available.”

    “The incident at the Prairieland Detention Center underscores the dangers that officers face daily. We want to thank all the law enforcement agencies that promptly responded and assisted in apprehending the suspects,” said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge R. Joseph Rothrock. “The FBI stands with our partners and pledges that violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated. We are committed to thoroughly investigating this weekend’s incident and will hold those responsible accountable for threatening the safety of law enforcement.”

    “Violence, threats of violence, and attempts of vandalism at our ICE Facilities will not deter our officers at ICE from fulfilling their duties, said Josh Johnson, Acting ERO Dallas Field Office Director. “This type of vigilante lawlessness is emblematic of the dangers federal, state, and local law enforcement officials face every day.”

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.  If convicted, the defendants face a minimum penalty of ten years in federal prison and a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

    The investigation was conducted by the Dallas FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Office (ICE ERO), Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, Texas Department of Public Safety, Alvarado Police Department, and Johnson County Sheriff’s Office.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Releases Guidance on Implementing President Trump’s Executive Order Designating English as the Official Language of the United States

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    WASHINGTON — Today, the Department of Justice released Guidance to ensure compliance with President Trump’s Executive Order No. 14224, which establishes English as the official language of the United States of America. Consistent with the Executive Order, the Department of Justice will lead a coordinated effort across federal agencies to minimize non-essential multilingual services, redirect resources toward English-language education and assimilation, and ensure legal compliance with the Executive Order through targeted measures where necessary.

    “As President Trump has made clear, English is the official language of the United States,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice will lead the effort to codify the President’s Executive Order and eliminate wasteful virtue-signaling policies across government agencies to promote assimilation over division.”

    “President Trump’s Executive Order marks a pivotal step toward unifying our nation through a common language and enhancing efficiency in federal operations,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon. “The Department of Justice ensures that while we respect linguistic diversity, our federal resources will prioritize English proficiency to empower new Americans and strengthen civic unity.”

    While leaving room for linguistic diversity that exists in private and community spheres, this Guidance will help streamline federal processes, reduce administrative burdens, and increase operational efficiency across agencies by removing extensive translation services and de-prioritizing multilingualism over English proficiency. Implementing the Executive Order will enhance social and economic integration, offer new Americans a vital pathway for civic engagement, and further bind Americans together with a shared language.

    President Trump’s Executive Order rescinds Executive Order No. 13,166, signed by President Clinton on August 16, 2000. Executive Order No. 13,166 directed agencies to enhance access to federal programs for persons with limited English proficiency and required tailored guidance for recipients of federal funding—straining federal resources and impeding the assimilation of new Americans.

    This is the latest Guidance issued by the Department of Justice to implement and administer President Trump’s agenda.

    Read the Guidance HERE.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Co-leader calls for climate resilience to be put on a statutory footing

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    / by Green Party

    Reacting to the Met Office’s State of the Climate Report, published today, co-leader of the Green Party, Adrian Ramsay MP, has called on the Prime Minister to put climate resilience on a statutory footing. He said:

    “England is facing its driest start to a year in my lifetime. Extreme weather is becoming the norm, and we are nowhere near prepared to protect our citizens. Our climate is fuelling extreme weather, and that is having direct and urgent consequences in the here and now.

    He continued: ”We had the warmest spring on record, and we are in the middle of this summer’s third heatwave. The last three years have been among the top five warmest on record. The Government has not adequately prepared our infrastructure to protect our citizens.”  

    ”The Government must outline the steps they are taking to prepare for the increasing threat of extreme temperatures. This is not just about this summer, it’s about how we adapt as the climate crisis continues to escalate.”

    “We need to safeguard the public from this rising climate threat. That is why the Prime Minister must put climate resilience on a statutory footing, requiring local councils and major infrastructure providers to carry out climate risk assessments for all projects.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Forty-five affordable homes protected in Richmond

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    More Richmond residents can keep their affordable homes with support from the Province and the B.C. Rental Protection Fund.

    “We’re working on every front to address the housing crisis and rising costs, so people have an affordable home in the community they love,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “When a building changes hands, residents worry whether they will be forced to move or pay much higher rent. By helping non-profits to buy these buildings, we are protecting the people who have lived there for years, close to their families, their jobs and the activities they enjoy.”

    The property, at 8660 Westminster Hwy. in Richmond, has been bought by Tikva Housing through the Rental Protection Fund, and with a gift from the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation. In recognition of this support, the building has been renamed Ronald S. Roadburg Residences.

    This purchase of the 45 affordable homes means people have an affordable, long-term, stable place to stay, in a community where rental options are limited.

    “This momentous acquisition embodies the core of Tikva’s mission to provide access to innovative housing solutions, giving new hope to individuals and families in need, transforming lives and strengthening the community,” said Anat Gogo, executive director, Tikva Housing. “We are deeply grateful to the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation for its extraordinary generosity and to the Rental Protection Fund for ensuring these 45 homes will remain protected and affordable for generations to come.”

    The property offers a mix of one-bedroom and large two-bedroom homes with an existing elevator, making it suitable for low-income seniors and families. It is located near parks, shopping and other services. Rents at the property average approximately $1,500 to $1,600, or about 42% below community averages, and will remain below local market rates.

    The B.C. Rental Protection Fund contributed $5 million toward the purchase, helping keep housing affordable for tenants. This includes $1.2 million in renewal grants to help with building improvements to keep the homes safe and comfortable.

    “Investing in protecting the affordable housing we already have means we spend less while achieving more: more capacity, more resilience, more opportunity,” said Katie Maslechko, CEO, Rental Protection Fund. “By leveraging public investment to unlock private and philanthropic partnerships like this, we can transform housing from a commodity into a catalyst for community-driven solutions, multiplying the impact of every dollar invested through the Rental Protection Fund for decades to come.”

    The fund is part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has more than 93,250 homes delivered or underway, including 380 homes in Richmond.

    Quotes:

    Kelly Greene, MLA for Richmond-Steveston –

    “Preserving these 45 affordable homes in Richmond is a vital step in protecting housing that people can afford. As housing costs rise, we’re taking action to ensure long-term affordability and keep people in their communities. This is how we build a more inclusive, livable Richmond for everyone.”

    Rob Botterell, B.C. Green house leader, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands –

    “Rental rates across B.C. are exorbitant. That’s why protections like this are essential. The Rental Protection Fund has proven to be a great tool to help tackle the housing crisis and ensure thousands of homes remain affordable. We look forward to the Province continuing to advance this important work.”

    Bernard Pinsky, chair, Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation –

    “Providing secure and affordable homes strengthens the entire community, and we are honoured to help make this happen.”

    Timothy Schafli, tenant, Ronald S. Roadburg Residences –

    “It’s a relief that Tikva has stepped in to secure the future of the Ronald S. Roadburg building. It’s helped me set aside a nagging fear of needing to relocate due to redevelopment or similar. I’m happy to have called Richmond home for over a decade and that I’m confident I’ll be able to continue to do that. Thanks to Tikva for the excellent communication during the transition as well.”

    Learn More:

    For information about the Rental Protection Fund, visit: https://rentalprotectionfund.ca

    To learn about steps the Province is taking to address the housing crisis and deliver affordable homes for British Columbians, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/housing/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Security Copilot capabilities in Microsoft Intune and Entra now generally available

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Security Copilot capabilities in Microsoft Intune and Entra now generally available

    When Microsoft introduced Microsoft Security Copilot last year, our vision was to empower organizations with generative AI that helps security and IT teams simplify operations and respond faster. Since then, we’ve continuously innovated and learned alongside our customers. They consistently tell us that practitioners love it when Copilot is built directly into the tools they use every day.

    That’s why we’re focused on delivering deeply integrated, scenario-based experiences that align with Zero Trust principles, making it easier for IT and security professionals to ask questions, take action, and gain insights directly within their existing workflows. These experiences not only reduce friction but also help IT teams stay in flow, making smarter decisions faster and with greater confidence. And the impact is real: organizations using Security Copilot have seen a 54% reduction in time to resolve device policy conflicts, and a 22.8% drop in alerts per incident within three months of adoption, freeing up teams to focus on more strategic work.

    Get started with Microsoft Security Copilot

    We’re excited to announce the Security Copilot capabilities in Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra have moved from preview to general availability. This milestone reflects the critical role Intune and Entra play in modern security strategies, serving as the foundation for implementing a Zero Trust model. Intune enforces device compliance, app protection, and endpoint privilege management, while Entra governs identity access with Conditional Access policies and granular authentication controls. Together, they create a unified security posture that aligns with Zero Trust principles across devices, users, applications, and even agents. Security Copilot amplifies this foundation by providing AI-assisted guidance, autonomous agents, and insights accessible through natural language, helping IT teams scale operations, accelerate skilling, and proactively remediate threats at machine speed.

    Reimagining IT workflows with Security Copilot in Intune

    IT administrators often face a daily flood of data, alerts, and configuration details, making it difficult to quickly find the right information and act with confidence. AI is changing how people work, and Copilot in Intune is evolving how IT admins interact with and act on their endpoint management data. The Security Copilot in Intune general availability release introduces a brand new, Copilot-assisted data exploration capability. IT admins now have a dedicated page in the Intune admin center to ask Copilot for the data they need, take action, and complete endpoint management tasks, all without leaving their workflow. This capability allows admins to extract insights across Intune domains—devices, apps, security policies, users, compliance data, app configurations, and more—and act on it using its deep integration into the Intune functionality they are familiar with. It represents the first step in a foundational shift from traditional reporting and queries to Copilot-powered investigation and IT-empowered action.

    This new Security Copilot capability is designed to simplify the most time-consuming IT workflows, like assessing security posture, managing updates, troubleshooting issues, and generating custom reports. Whether it’s identifying non-compliant devices, tracking patch failures, previewing policy impact, or automating remediation, Copilot brings together the data and actions IT needs in one place.

    Admins can ask natural language questions like, “Show me devices that are not on the latest version of Windows and Office,” or “Which of my Endpoint Privilege Management rules are in conflict and what are the source profiles?” and take action instantly, without switching context.

    Figure 1. New experience to explore your Intune data with Copilot assistance across workloads.

    The new Explorer experience also includes support for Windows 365 Cloud PCs, giving IT administrators a consistent way to view and act on device details across both cloud and physical endpoints. We are excited to share that in the coming weeks, we’ll introduce additional AI capabilities in Intune with Copilot assistance for Windows 365, offering insights into Cloud PC connectivity and connection quality, licensing optimization, and performance issues tied to compute resources. These capabilities build on the momentum of virtual computing and the ability to stream Windows from the Cloud, enhancing the IT experience and delivering even more endpoint management value—especially for Windows-based environments.

    The general availability release of Security Copilot in Intune also provides chat-based contextual assistance and includes integration with core and Microsoft Intune Suite solutions. Intune Advanced Analytics multiple device query (MDQ), and Copilot help admins write detailed Kusto Query Language (KQL) queries and Endpoint Privilege Management with Copilot assesses app risks for admins to make informed decisions before approving Windows users’ elevation requests. And with the Surface Management Portal in Intune, Copilot provides unified visibility and controls for IT across Surface devices, further strengthening security posture and streamlining operations.

    Microsoft Intune: Empower IT. Protect endpoints. Optimize with AI.

    Just as Security Copilot is transforming endpoint management in Intune, it’s also reshaping how identity is managed in Microsoft Entra.

    Security Copilot in Entra brings clarity and speed to identity security

    Identity environments evolve daily—new user, apps, and permissions are constantly introduced, making it difficult for IT and identity admins to keep policies up to date and user access properly governed. Manual investigations done the traditional way can be very time-consuming and reactive, giving cyberattackers more time to exploit gaps. With more than 600 million identity-based attacks happening daily, organizations can’t afford slow, manual investigations or infrequent policy reviews.1

    Security Copilot in Microsoft Entra, now generally available, brings AI-assisted reasoning, natural language prompts, and real-time insights across your identity and access estate, all within the Microsoft Entra admin center. We’ve made major enhancements to improve performance, scalability, and accuracy, enabling Security Copilot to better understand user intent, handle more complex questions, and deliver clearer answers.

     We’ve also expanded coverage to support a broader set of real-world identity scenarios. Copilot in Entra now helps admins investigate users, troubleshoot sign-ins, manage access reviews and entitlements, monitor tenant health and service-level agreement (SLAs), optimize license usage, and analyze role assignments and recommendations—all grounded in Microsoft Graph data.

    Admins can now ask natural language questions like, “Which enterprise applications have credentials about to expire?” and “What role does the user have?” to quickly surface insights and take action. Whether it’s reviewing access packages, identifying risky apps, or checking license availability, Security Copilot in Entra helps teams move faster, stay ahead of cyberthreats, and focus on what matters most.

    Microsoft Entra: Comprehensive identity and network access solutions

    Purpose-built agents for real-world IT challenges

    At Microsoft Secure 2025, as part of our vision to deliver an AI-first, end-to-end security platform, Microsoft announced 11 AI-powered Security Copilot agents that are seamlessly integrated with Microsoft Security and partner solutions. These agents autonomously handle high-volume, high-value tasks, learn from feedback, adapt to workflows, and operate securely, reflecting our commitment to helping organizations achieve what was previously impossible—at machine speed.

    Today marks a meaningful milestone in our journey toward an AI-first, end-to-end security platform: we’re announcing the general availability of the Conditional Access Optimization Agent in Microsoft Entra. This launch brings AI-powered automation to IT and security operations, helping teams bring proactive protection directly into identity workflows.

    The Conditional Access Optimization Agent runs autonomously, scanning your environment for gaps, overlaps, and outdated policy assignments. It then recommends precise, one-click remediations to help close the gaps fast, turning reactive cleanup into proactive defense.

    The Conditional Access Optimization Agent provides:

    • Autonomous protection, every day—Automatically detects newly created users or apps not covered by Conditional Access policies, reducing risk between manual audits.
    • Real-time, explainable decisions—Every recommendation includes a plain-language summary and visual activity map showing how the agent reached its conclusion.
    • Continuous adaptability to your organization’s needs—Support for custom business rules, the agent can learn based on your natural-language feedback (for example, excluding break-glass accounts).
    • Full auditability—Agent actions like install, enable and disable, and recommendations are recorded in the audit log for compliance and operational transparency.

    With the Conditional Access Optimization Agent, policy coverage becomes continuous. You gain daily protection, policy clarity, and built-in expertise without the manual lift. As one security leader put it:

    “The Conditional Access Optimization Agent is like having a security analyst on call 24/7. It proactively identifies gaps in our Conditional Access policies and ensures every user is protected from day one, and with report-only mode and AI-driven recommendations, we can test and refine access policies without disruption. It’s a secure path to innovation that every chief information security officer can trust.”

    —Julian Rasmussen, Senior consultant and Partner, Point Taken, Microsoft MVP

    Step into the future of IT with Security Copilot

    We’re in a new era of AI that has implications for IT operations and security. Now with Microsoft Security Copilot in Intune and Entra, you can make your organization future-ready with AI solutions that help organizations transform IT and security at machine speed.

    As part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the embedded experience of Security Copilot across Microsoft Security products, we’re excited to introduce a new in-portal capacity calculator available in the Security Copilot standalone experience (Azure account required). This tool allows organizations to estimate the number of Security Compute Units (SCUs) they may need based on the number of Security Copilot users in each Microsoft Security product. Users can generate a quick estimate, providing a practical starting point for capacity planning. SCU allocations can be adjusted at any time as real-world usage patterns emerge. Learn more.

    Explore more use cases for IT and identity admins in the Security Copilot adoption hub. Explore Copilot in Intune and Entra and take these steps to learn more:

    To learn more about Microsoft Security solutions, visit our website. Bookmark the Security blog to keep up with our expert coverage on security matters. Also, follow us on LinkedIn (Microsoft Security) and X (@MSFTSecurity) for the latest news and updates on cybersecurity.

    1Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2024.

    The data, insights, and events in this report represent July 2023 through June 2024 (Microsoft fiscal year 2024), unless otherwise noted.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s press conference on the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025 [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Dear members of the media.

    Today, we launch the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2025. 

    Under-Secretary-General Li will go through the details. 

    But allow me to kick things off.

    We are now ten years into our collective journey toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

    The report is a snapshot of where we stand today.

    Since 2015, millions more people have gained access to electricity, clean cooking, and the internet.

    Social protection now reaches over half the world’s population — a significant increase from just a decade ago.

    Access to education has continued to increase and more girls are staying in school.

    Child marriage is declining.

    Renewable energy capacity is growing, with developing countries leading the way.

    And women’s representation is rising — across governments, businesses and societies.

    These gains show that investments in development and inclusion yield results.
    But let’s be clear: we are not where we need to be.

    Only 35 percent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress.

    Nearly half are moving too slowly.

    And 18 percent are going in reverse.

    We are in a global development emergency.

    An emergency measured in the over 800 million people still living in extreme poverty.

    In intensifying climate impacts.

    And in relentless debt service, draining the resources that countries need to invest in their people.

    We must also recognize the deep linkages between under-development and conflicts.

    That’s why we must keep working for peace in the Middle East.

    We need an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access as a first step to achieve the two-State solution.

    We need the ceasefire between Iran and Israel to hold.

    We need a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions. 

    We need an end to the horror and bloodshed in Sudan.

    From the DRC to Somalia, from the Sahel to Myanmar, we know that sustainable peace requires sustainable development.

    In the face of these challenges, the report we are launching today points the way to progress.
    Transformational pathways — in food, energy, digital access, education, jobs, and climate — are our roadmap.

    Progress in one area can multiply progress across all of them.

    But we must move faster, and we must move together.

    That means advancing affordable, quality healthcare for all.

    Investing in women and girls as a central driver of progress.

    Focusing on quality education and creating decent jobs and economic opportunities that leave no one behind.

    Closing the digital divide and ensuring that technologies like artificial intelligence are used responsibly and inclusively.

    And it means recognizing a fundamental fact.

    Progress is impossible without unlocking financing at scale.

    The recent Sevilla Commitment reflected a commitment to get the engine of development revving again.

    Through reform of the international financial architecture, real action on debt relief, and tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks so countries can better access capital at scale and at a reasonable cost.

    We have more opportunities to drive these priorities forward — from the High-Level Political Forum, to the Second Food Systems Stocktake Summit, to the World Social Summit, and more.

    We must maximize these moments for real commitments — and real delivery.

    Today’s report shows that the Sustainable Development Goals are still within reach.

    But only if we act — with urgency, unity, and unwavering resolve.

    It’s a pleasure to be with you again and I will give the floor to my dear colleague Li.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Maryland IT Company Agrees to Pay $14.75M to Resolve Alleged False Claims

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    Hill ASC Inc., doing business as Hill Associates, of Rockville, Maryland, agreed to pay at least $14.75 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act in connection with a General Services Administration (GSA) contract for information technology services.

    This settlement relates to a contract under which Hill provided information technology services to federal agencies from 2018 to 2023 through GSA’s Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) program. The MAS program provides the government with a streamlined process to buy commonly used commercial goods and services.  GSA negotiates contract terms and other agencies can then buy goods and services from the contractor under that GSA MAS contract. The settlement resolves allegations that Hill billed federal agencies for labor of information technology personnel who did not have the experience or education required under the contract. In addition, it resolves allegations that, although GSA required technical evaluations for contractors who sought to offer highly adaptive cybersecurity services to government customers, and Hill had not passed such an evaluation, Hill submitted claims for such cybersecurity services and other services that were not within the scope of the MAS contract. Finally, it resolves allegations that Hill charged the government for unapproved fees, failed to provide government customers with required information about discounts for prompt payment, and included unallowable incentive compensation in a cost submission in connection with a new contract proposal.

    Under the settlement with the United States, Hill has agreed to pay $14.75 million, plus additional amounts if certain financial contingencies occur. The settlement amount was based on the company’s ability to pay.

    “Information technology contractors are expected to charge the government appropriately for their services,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We will continue to pursue cyber fraud and hold accountable those companies that knowingly fail to meet contractual obligations to the American taxpayers.”

    “Federal agencies should get what they have paid for from GSA contractors, nothing less,” said GSA Deputy Inspector General Robert C. Erickson. “I appreciate the hard work of all the attorneys, auditors, and special agents involved in this investigation.”

    “False claims and similar unfair advantage by contractors undermine the integrity of the contracting process and can result in significant adverse effects to vital security concerns,” said Treasury Deputy Inspector General Loren Sciurba. “Treasury OIG is committed to conducting and assisting other agencies to the utmost in investigations, audits, and other work to detect and prevent these violations of the public trust.”

    “As the nation’s tax watchdog, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) is dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)’s contracting and procurement processes,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Jessica Cipolla of TIGTA’s Gulf States Field Division. “We remain steadfast in our mission to expose and hold accountable those who attempt to defraud the IRS. Anyone doing business with the IRS or the Department of the Treasury is expected to operate with the highest levels of honesty and integrity. We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners for their continued collaboration and critical support in this investigation.”

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, the GSA’s Office of the Inspector General, the Treasury Department’s Office of Inspector General, and TIGTA. The matter was handled by Senior Trial Counsel Christopher Terranova of the Fraud Section.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only, and there has been no determination of liability.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Department of Transportation Awards $4 Million to Minot Corridor Project

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

    BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Transportation announced an award of $4,050,000 to Ward County. These funds were made available through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program.

    Specifically, this BUILD grant funding will allow Ward County to conduct planning, environmental documentation, and preliminary design for three corridors and their connected intersections, including the Outer Connector from US Highway 2/52 to US Highway 83 along County Roads 14 and 16, and the Inner Connector from US Highway 2/52 to County Road 14 along 30th Street SW.

    “Minot’s growth is a testament to the region’s strong economy and welcoming community, and this BUILD grant will enhance residential and commercial transportation options in the area,” said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “This grant will help ensure the Magic City’s growth goes hand-in-hand with safer and more efficient travel.” 

    Cramer and the North Dakota delegation wrote a letter supporting the application submitted by the City of Minot and Ward County, highlighting the need for the project.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As School Year Nears, Merkley, Wyden, & Colleagues Demand Trump Admin End Blockade on Funding for Afterschool Programs, K-12 Schools Across America

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    July 14, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced they joined 30 colleagues in demanding President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon immediately release nearly $7 billion in funding for K-12 schools and adult literacy programs across America that the Trump Administration abruptly let states and school districts know it would indefinitely block.
    Oregon faces the potential loss of approximately $73 million in federal education as a result of the abrupt cutoff of education funds by the Trump Administration and may be forced to end afterschool programs, specialized literacy programs, educator training, and support for English language learners as a result of this misguided executive maneuver.
    “We are writing to demand an immediate end to the illegal withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal education formula grant funds our states and communities are expecting for the coming school year, which is set to begin in just a few weeks in some communities,” wrote the 32 U.S. Senators in their letter. “These funds were made available by the bipartisan Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, signed into law on March 15, 2025. Yet, instead of supporting the tens of millions of students and adult learners intended to benefit from these investments, the administration has chosen to continue an unprecedented and opaque ‘programmatic review’ of these formula grant funds past the July 1, 2025, date these funds became available for allotment to states.”
    The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold the funding has sent school districts nationwide scrambling to determine how they could fill the, in many cases, massive budget hole and whether they’ll have to lay off teachers or end after school programs in the coming weeks. School districts have made clear they will have to end afterschool programs, already told parents to prepare backup options, and adult literacy programs have already been forced to lay off staff.
    The lawmakers blasted the administration for its abrupt notice and illegal freeze of the funds, which has sent school districts and programs scrambling: “We are shocked by the continued lack of respect for states and local schools evidenced by this latest action by the administration.”
    They noted that blocking funding for before and after school programs, as well as summer learning programs, is already hurting families nationwide: “By withholding these funds from states, the Department will impact programs for nearly 1.4 million students served by 10,000 summer and before and afterschool programs around the nation, which the Department’s latest performance report showed supported significant improvements in student attendance, grades, and teacher reports of student engagement in learning.  These centers also help working parents by providing a safe and productive place for their children to be after the school day ends and during the summer months. It is beyond comprehension why the administration would want to jeopardize these outcomes.”
    Warning of how denying these funds will cause schools to lay off teachers and cut back on teacher training, they wrote: “This rash decision will only worsen school working conditions and teacher shortages.”
    The lawmakers also detailed how the move affects adult learners nationwide: “This pause could jeopardize services to more than 1.2 million adult learners working to develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills needed to enter and succeed in workforce training and health, financial, digital, and information literacy skills necessary for full participation in community and civic life. The withholding will have an even more significant impact on 12 states that rely on these funds for 70 to 75 percent of their adult education programs.”
    The Trump Administration has confirmed it is blocking funding for the following programs—all of which are programs President Trump has requested to eliminate in his budget request, raising serious concerns about this administration’s intentions to simply impound the funding:
    Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size.
    21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), which support high-quality before and after-school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students.
    Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services, and improving school technology, among many others.
    English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), which supports language instruction to help English language learners become proficient in English.
    Migrant Education (Title I-C), which supports the educational needs of migratory children, including children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
    Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants), which support adult education and literacy programs to provide the basic skills to help prepare adults and out-of-school youth for success in the workforce.
    The letter was led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
    In addition to Merkley and Wyden, the letter was also signed by Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-MD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-NM), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
    Full text of the letter follows:
    Dear Director Vought and Secretary McMahon:
    We are writing to demand an immediate end to the illegal withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal education formula grant funds our states and communities are expecting for the coming school year, which is set to begin in just a few weeks in some communities. These funds were made available by the bipartisan Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, signed into law on March 15, 2025. Yet, instead of supporting the tens of millions of students and adult learners intended to benefit from these investments, the administration has chosen to continue an unprecedented and opaque “programmatic review” of these formula grant funds past the July 1, 2025, date these funds became available for allotment to states. This delay not only undermines effective state and local planning for using these funds to address student needs consistent with federal education law, which often takes place months before these funds become available, but also flies in the face of the nation’s education laws which confers state and local educational agency discretion on permissible uses of federal formula grant funds.
    We are shocked by the continued lack of respect for states and local schools evidenced by this latest action by the administration. Late on June 30, 2025, the Department of Education (“Department”) informed states that it would not release fiscal year 2025 funds expected on July 1 before completing a “review” of six programs. The Department even noted ironically that it “remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities.” Apparently, the Department needs a refresher course on its statutory responsibilities.
    The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations law requires funds to be allocated under the terms and conditions of the fiscal year 2024 appropriations law. This includes a requirement that “$1,329,673,000 shall be for part B of title IV”, which is the authority for the Nita M. Lowey 21stCentury Community Learning Centers program. This authority requires the Secretary to allot funds to each state for subgrants for before, after, and summer school programming. The law further describes the allotment formula, authorized state and local activities, and other program requirements. By withholding these funds from states, the Department will impact programs for nearly 1.4 million students served by 10,000 summer and before and afterschool programs around the nation, which the Department’s latest performance report showed supported significant improvements in student attendance, grades, and teacher reports of student engagement in learning. These centers also help working parents by providing a safe and productive place for their children to be after the school day ends and during the summer months. It is beyond comprehension why the administration would want to jeopardize these outcomes.
    The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations law also requires the Department to use $890 million to carry out part A of title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The purpose of the program is to ensure English learners (ELs) and immigrant students have access to the resources they need to attain English language proficiency and reach the same challenging academic standards as their English-proficient peers, which will prepare them to fully participate in society and the workforce as they grow older. Part A of title III specifies the allotment formula, permissible uses of funds and other program requirements for this program serving more than 5 million EL students enrolled in the nation’s public schools. Yet, the administration’s review will disrupt school hiring decisions and cause real and immediate harm to EL students.
    The Department issued preliminary allocations to states on May 29, 2025, stating that “The Full Year Appropriations and Extension Act, 2025 provides $629,600,400 for formula grants to States to carry out adult education and literacy activities.” Just more than a month later, the Department issued its curt memo indicating that the funds would not go out on July 1, 2025, as just promised in the May preliminary allocations. This pause could jeopardize services to more than 1.2 million adult learners working to develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills needed to enter and succeed in workforce training and health, financial, digital, and information literacy skills necessary for full participation in community and civic life. The withholding will have an even more significant impact on 12 states that rely on these funds for 70 to 75 percent of their adult education programs.
    The withholding also extends to more than $2 billion for Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants. According to the Department’s latest report, more than half of these funds are used for professional development for teachers and other educators, and nearly one-third of school districts used the funds to recruit, hire, and retain effective educators.12 Nearly $1.4 billion is being withheld for Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants and $375 million for Migrant Education programs. All these programs were funded in fiscal year 2024 and continued by the Full-Year Appropriations Act. This rash decision will only worsen school working conditions and teacher shortages.
    It is unacceptable that the administration is picking and choosing what parts of the appropriations law to follow, and you must immediately implement the entire law as Congress intended and as the oaths you swore require you to do. While the administration continues to deny federal funds to our states and local communities that they are expecting as the law requires, it has found time to move expeditiously to award funding to the Kennedy Center and acknowledged it is required to do so by the appropriations law. In its action here, the Department stated in a recent waiver proposal, “The waiver will allow the Department to issue a continuation award in FY 2025, as directed by Congress to the currently funded 84.351A AENP [Arts in Education National Program] project at an amount consistent with the amount awarded in FY 2024.” While it’s true the appropriations law requires such an action, it does so as well for billions in funding for state grants the Department recently informed states it will not release.
    The administration’s “programmatic review”—with no public information about what the review entails, what data the administration is examining, or a timeline for such review—appears to be an intentional delay that will result in school budget cuts in every State. In multiple statutes, Congress has prohibited the Federal government from directing or controlling state and local education decisions with these dollars. This programmatic review may be in violation of these longstanding and bipartisan prohibitions.
    We might be more inclined to believe the administration’s stated interest in ensuring federal funds were properly used if its actions to date didn’t tell a different story. The Department has impeded a review by the Office of Inspector General, which is charged with promoting the efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of the Department’s programs and operations. Earlier this year, the administration terminated contracts for regional educational laboratories and grants required for comprehensive centers, which help states and districts use research and evidence in addressing local challenges of policy and practice. It has also halted evaluations of federal literacy programs, adult learning strategies, and strategies to help teens with disabilities transition from high school to college or work.
    We insist you immediately reverse your decision to illegally withhold federal education funding appropriated by Congress and provide the funds as the law requires. Such an action would represent a faithful execution of the law as required by the Constitution and a benefit to the tens of millions of students and adult learners that are intended to benefit from these federal education investments.
    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As School Year Nears, Merkley, Wyden, & Colleagues Demand Trump Admin End Blockade on Funding for Afterschool Programs, K-12 Schools Across America

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    July 14, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced they joined 30 colleagues in demanding President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon immediately release nearly $7 billion in funding for K-12 schools and adult literacy programs across America that the Trump Administration abruptly let states and school districts know it would indefinitely block.
    Oregon faces the potential loss of approximately $73 million in federal education as a result of the abrupt cutoff of education funds by the Trump Administration and may be forced to end afterschool programs, specialized literacy programs, educator training, and support for English language learners as a result of this misguided executive maneuver.
    “We are writing to demand an immediate end to the illegal withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal education formula grant funds our states and communities are expecting for the coming school year, which is set to begin in just a few weeks in some communities,” wrote the 32 U.S. Senators in their letter. “These funds were made available by the bipartisan Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, signed into law on March 15, 2025. Yet, instead of supporting the tens of millions of students and adult learners intended to benefit from these investments, the administration has chosen to continue an unprecedented and opaque ‘programmatic review’ of these formula grant funds past the July 1, 2025, date these funds became available for allotment to states.”
    The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold the funding has sent school districts nationwide scrambling to determine how they could fill the, in many cases, massive budget hole and whether they’ll have to lay off teachers or end after school programs in the coming weeks. School districts have made clear they will have to end afterschool programs, already told parents to prepare backup options, and adult literacy programs have already been forced to lay off staff.
    The lawmakers blasted the administration for its abrupt notice and illegal freeze of the funds, which has sent school districts and programs scrambling: “We are shocked by the continued lack of respect for states and local schools evidenced by this latest action by the administration.”
    They noted that blocking funding for before and after school programs, as well as summer learning programs, is already hurting families nationwide: “By withholding these funds from states, the Department will impact programs for nearly 1.4 million students served by 10,000 summer and before and afterschool programs around the nation, which the Department’s latest performance report showed supported significant improvements in student attendance, grades, and teacher reports of student engagement in learning.  These centers also help working parents by providing a safe and productive place for their children to be after the school day ends and during the summer months. It is beyond comprehension why the administration would want to jeopardize these outcomes.”
    Warning of how denying these funds will cause schools to lay off teachers and cut back on teacher training, they wrote: “This rash decision will only worsen school working conditions and teacher shortages.”
    The lawmakers also detailed how the move affects adult learners nationwide: “This pause could jeopardize services to more than 1.2 million adult learners working to develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills needed to enter and succeed in workforce training and health, financial, digital, and information literacy skills necessary for full participation in community and civic life. The withholding will have an even more significant impact on 12 states that rely on these funds for 70 to 75 percent of their adult education programs.”
    The Trump Administration has confirmed it is blocking funding for the following programs—all of which are programs President Trump has requested to eliminate in his budget request, raising serious concerns about this administration’s intentions to simply impound the funding:
    Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size.
    21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), which support high-quality before and after-school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students.
    Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services, and improving school technology, among many others.
    English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), which supports language instruction to help English language learners become proficient in English.
    Migrant Education (Title I-C), which supports the educational needs of migratory children, including children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
    Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants), which support adult education and literacy programs to provide the basic skills to help prepare adults and out-of-school youth for success in the workforce.
    The letter was led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
    In addition to Merkley and Wyden, the letter was also signed by Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-MD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-NM), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
    Full text of the letter follows:
    Dear Director Vought and Secretary McMahon:
    We are writing to demand an immediate end to the illegal withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal education formula grant funds our states and communities are expecting for the coming school year, which is set to begin in just a few weeks in some communities. These funds were made available by the bipartisan Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, signed into law on March 15, 2025. Yet, instead of supporting the tens of millions of students and adult learners intended to benefit from these investments, the administration has chosen to continue an unprecedented and opaque “programmatic review” of these formula grant funds past the July 1, 2025, date these funds became available for allotment to states. This delay not only undermines effective state and local planning for using these funds to address student needs consistent with federal education law, which often takes place months before these funds become available, but also flies in the face of the nation’s education laws which confers state and local educational agency discretion on permissible uses of federal formula grant funds.
    We are shocked by the continued lack of respect for states and local schools evidenced by this latest action by the administration. Late on June 30, 2025, the Department of Education (“Department”) informed states that it would not release fiscal year 2025 funds expected on July 1 before completing a “review” of six programs. The Department even noted ironically that it “remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities.” Apparently, the Department needs a refresher course on its statutory responsibilities.
    The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations law requires funds to be allocated under the terms and conditions of the fiscal year 2024 appropriations law. This includes a requirement that “$1,329,673,000 shall be for part B of title IV”, which is the authority for the Nita M. Lowey 21stCentury Community Learning Centers program. This authority requires the Secretary to allot funds to each state for subgrants for before, after, and summer school programming. The law further describes the allotment formula, authorized state and local activities, and other program requirements. By withholding these funds from states, the Department will impact programs for nearly 1.4 million students served by 10,000 summer and before and afterschool programs around the nation, which the Department’s latest performance report showed supported significant improvements in student attendance, grades, and teacher reports of student engagement in learning. These centers also help working parents by providing a safe and productive place for their children to be after the school day ends and during the summer months. It is beyond comprehension why the administration would want to jeopardize these outcomes.
    The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations law also requires the Department to use $890 million to carry out part A of title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The purpose of the program is to ensure English learners (ELs) and immigrant students have access to the resources they need to attain English language proficiency and reach the same challenging academic standards as their English-proficient peers, which will prepare them to fully participate in society and the workforce as they grow older. Part A of title III specifies the allotment formula, permissible uses of funds and other program requirements for this program serving more than 5 million EL students enrolled in the nation’s public schools. Yet, the administration’s review will disrupt school hiring decisions and cause real and immediate harm to EL students.
    The Department issued preliminary allocations to states on May 29, 2025, stating that “The Full Year Appropriations and Extension Act, 2025 provides $629,600,400 for formula grants to States to carry out adult education and literacy activities.” Just more than a month later, the Department issued its curt memo indicating that the funds would not go out on July 1, 2025, as just promised in the May preliminary allocations. This pause could jeopardize services to more than 1.2 million adult learners working to develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills needed to enter and succeed in workforce training and health, financial, digital, and information literacy skills necessary for full participation in community and civic life. The withholding will have an even more significant impact on 12 states that rely on these funds for 70 to 75 percent of their adult education programs.
    The withholding also extends to more than $2 billion for Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants. According to the Department’s latest report, more than half of these funds are used for professional development for teachers and other educators, and nearly one-third of school districts used the funds to recruit, hire, and retain effective educators.12 Nearly $1.4 billion is being withheld for Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants and $375 million for Migrant Education programs. All these programs were funded in fiscal year 2024 and continued by the Full-Year Appropriations Act. This rash decision will only worsen school working conditions and teacher shortages.
    It is unacceptable that the administration is picking and choosing what parts of the appropriations law to follow, and you must immediately implement the entire law as Congress intended and as the oaths you swore require you to do. While the administration continues to deny federal funds to our states and local communities that they are expecting as the law requires, it has found time to move expeditiously to award funding to the Kennedy Center and acknowledged it is required to do so by the appropriations law. In its action here, the Department stated in a recent waiver proposal, “The waiver will allow the Department to issue a continuation award in FY 2025, as directed by Congress to the currently funded 84.351A AENP [Arts in Education National Program] project at an amount consistent with the amount awarded in FY 2024.” While it’s true the appropriations law requires such an action, it does so as well for billions in funding for state grants the Department recently informed states it will not release.
    The administration’s “programmatic review”—with no public information about what the review entails, what data the administration is examining, or a timeline for such review—appears to be an intentional delay that will result in school budget cuts in every State. In multiple statutes, Congress has prohibited the Federal government from directing or controlling state and local education decisions with these dollars. This programmatic review may be in violation of these longstanding and bipartisan prohibitions.
    We might be more inclined to believe the administration’s stated interest in ensuring federal funds were properly used if its actions to date didn’t tell a different story. The Department has impeded a review by the Office of Inspector General, which is charged with promoting the efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of the Department’s programs and operations. Earlier this year, the administration terminated contracts for regional educational laboratories and grants required for comprehensive centers, which help states and districts use research and evidence in addressing local challenges of policy and practice. It has also halted evaluations of federal literacy programs, adult learning strategies, and strategies to help teens with disabilities transition from high school to college or work.
    We insist you immediately reverse your decision to illegally withhold federal education funding appropriated by Congress and provide the funds as the law requires. Such an action would represent a faithful execution of the law as required by the Constitution and a benefit to the tens of millions of students and adult learners that are intended to benefit from these federal education investments.
    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As School Year Nears, Merkley, Wyden, & Colleagues Demand Trump Admin End Blockade on Funding for Afterschool Programs, K-12 Schools Across America

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    July 14, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced they joined 30 colleagues in demanding President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon immediately release nearly $7 billion in funding for K-12 schools and adult literacy programs across America that the Trump Administration abruptly let states and school districts know it would indefinitely block.
    Oregon faces the potential loss of approximately $73 million in federal education as a result of the abrupt cutoff of education funds by the Trump Administration and may be forced to end afterschool programs, specialized literacy programs, educator training, and support for English language learners as a result of this misguided executive maneuver.
    “We are writing to demand an immediate end to the illegal withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal education formula grant funds our states and communities are expecting for the coming school year, which is set to begin in just a few weeks in some communities,” wrote the 32 U.S. Senators in their letter. “These funds were made available by the bipartisan Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, signed into law on March 15, 2025. Yet, instead of supporting the tens of millions of students and adult learners intended to benefit from these investments, the administration has chosen to continue an unprecedented and opaque ‘programmatic review’ of these formula grant funds past the July 1, 2025, date these funds became available for allotment to states.”
    The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold the funding has sent school districts nationwide scrambling to determine how they could fill the, in many cases, massive budget hole and whether they’ll have to lay off teachers or end after school programs in the coming weeks. School districts have made clear they will have to end afterschool programs, already told parents to prepare backup options, and adult literacy programs have already been forced to lay off staff.
    The lawmakers blasted the administration for its abrupt notice and illegal freeze of the funds, which has sent school districts and programs scrambling: “We are shocked by the continued lack of respect for states and local schools evidenced by this latest action by the administration.”
    They noted that blocking funding for before and after school programs, as well as summer learning programs, is already hurting families nationwide: “By withholding these funds from states, the Department will impact programs for nearly 1.4 million students served by 10,000 summer and before and afterschool programs around the nation, which the Department’s latest performance report showed supported significant improvements in student attendance, grades, and teacher reports of student engagement in learning.  These centers also help working parents by providing a safe and productive place for their children to be after the school day ends and during the summer months. It is beyond comprehension why the administration would want to jeopardize these outcomes.”
    Warning of how denying these funds will cause schools to lay off teachers and cut back on teacher training, they wrote: “This rash decision will only worsen school working conditions and teacher shortages.”
    The lawmakers also detailed how the move affects adult learners nationwide: “This pause could jeopardize services to more than 1.2 million adult learners working to develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills needed to enter and succeed in workforce training and health, financial, digital, and information literacy skills necessary for full participation in community and civic life. The withholding will have an even more significant impact on 12 states that rely on these funds for 70 to 75 percent of their adult education programs.”
    The Trump Administration has confirmed it is blocking funding for the following programs—all of which are programs President Trump has requested to eliminate in his budget request, raising serious concerns about this administration’s intentions to simply impound the funding:
    Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size.
    21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), which support high-quality before and after-school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students.
    Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services, and improving school technology, among many others.
    English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), which supports language instruction to help English language learners become proficient in English.
    Migrant Education (Title I-C), which supports the educational needs of migratory children, including children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
    Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants), which support adult education and literacy programs to provide the basic skills to help prepare adults and out-of-school youth for success in the workforce.
    The letter was led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
    In addition to Merkley and Wyden, the letter was also signed by Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-MD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-NM), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
    Full text of the letter follows:
    Dear Director Vought and Secretary McMahon:
    We are writing to demand an immediate end to the illegal withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal education formula grant funds our states and communities are expecting for the coming school year, which is set to begin in just a few weeks in some communities. These funds were made available by the bipartisan Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, signed into law on March 15, 2025. Yet, instead of supporting the tens of millions of students and adult learners intended to benefit from these investments, the administration has chosen to continue an unprecedented and opaque “programmatic review” of these formula grant funds past the July 1, 2025, date these funds became available for allotment to states. This delay not only undermines effective state and local planning for using these funds to address student needs consistent with federal education law, which often takes place months before these funds become available, but also flies in the face of the nation’s education laws which confers state and local educational agency discretion on permissible uses of federal formula grant funds.
    We are shocked by the continued lack of respect for states and local schools evidenced by this latest action by the administration. Late on June 30, 2025, the Department of Education (“Department”) informed states that it would not release fiscal year 2025 funds expected on July 1 before completing a “review” of six programs. The Department even noted ironically that it “remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities.” Apparently, the Department needs a refresher course on its statutory responsibilities.
    The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations law requires funds to be allocated under the terms and conditions of the fiscal year 2024 appropriations law. This includes a requirement that “$1,329,673,000 shall be for part B of title IV”, which is the authority for the Nita M. Lowey 21stCentury Community Learning Centers program. This authority requires the Secretary to allot funds to each state for subgrants for before, after, and summer school programming. The law further describes the allotment formula, authorized state and local activities, and other program requirements. By withholding these funds from states, the Department will impact programs for nearly 1.4 million students served by 10,000 summer and before and afterschool programs around the nation, which the Department’s latest performance report showed supported significant improvements in student attendance, grades, and teacher reports of student engagement in learning. These centers also help working parents by providing a safe and productive place for their children to be after the school day ends and during the summer months. It is beyond comprehension why the administration would want to jeopardize these outcomes.
    The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations law also requires the Department to use $890 million to carry out part A of title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The purpose of the program is to ensure English learners (ELs) and immigrant students have access to the resources they need to attain English language proficiency and reach the same challenging academic standards as their English-proficient peers, which will prepare them to fully participate in society and the workforce as they grow older. Part A of title III specifies the allotment formula, permissible uses of funds and other program requirements for this program serving more than 5 million EL students enrolled in the nation’s public schools. Yet, the administration’s review will disrupt school hiring decisions and cause real and immediate harm to EL students.
    The Department issued preliminary allocations to states on May 29, 2025, stating that “The Full Year Appropriations and Extension Act, 2025 provides $629,600,400 for formula grants to States to carry out adult education and literacy activities.” Just more than a month later, the Department issued its curt memo indicating that the funds would not go out on July 1, 2025, as just promised in the May preliminary allocations. This pause could jeopardize services to more than 1.2 million adult learners working to develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills needed to enter and succeed in workforce training and health, financial, digital, and information literacy skills necessary for full participation in community and civic life. The withholding will have an even more significant impact on 12 states that rely on these funds for 70 to 75 percent of their adult education programs.
    The withholding also extends to more than $2 billion for Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants. According to the Department’s latest report, more than half of these funds are used for professional development for teachers and other educators, and nearly one-third of school districts used the funds to recruit, hire, and retain effective educators.12 Nearly $1.4 billion is being withheld for Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants and $375 million for Migrant Education programs. All these programs were funded in fiscal year 2024 and continued by the Full-Year Appropriations Act. This rash decision will only worsen school working conditions and teacher shortages.
    It is unacceptable that the administration is picking and choosing what parts of the appropriations law to follow, and you must immediately implement the entire law as Congress intended and as the oaths you swore require you to do. While the administration continues to deny federal funds to our states and local communities that they are expecting as the law requires, it has found time to move expeditiously to award funding to the Kennedy Center and acknowledged it is required to do so by the appropriations law. In its action here, the Department stated in a recent waiver proposal, “The waiver will allow the Department to issue a continuation award in FY 2025, as directed by Congress to the currently funded 84.351A AENP [Arts in Education National Program] project at an amount consistent with the amount awarded in FY 2024.” While it’s true the appropriations law requires such an action, it does so as well for billions in funding for state grants the Department recently informed states it will not release.
    The administration’s “programmatic review”—with no public information about what the review entails, what data the administration is examining, or a timeline for such review—appears to be an intentional delay that will result in school budget cuts in every State. In multiple statutes, Congress has prohibited the Federal government from directing or controlling state and local education decisions with these dollars. This programmatic review may be in violation of these longstanding and bipartisan prohibitions.
    We might be more inclined to believe the administration’s stated interest in ensuring federal funds were properly used if its actions to date didn’t tell a different story. The Department has impeded a review by the Office of Inspector General, which is charged with promoting the efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of the Department’s programs and operations. Earlier this year, the administration terminated contracts for regional educational laboratories and grants required for comprehensive centers, which help states and districts use research and evidence in addressing local challenges of policy and practice. It has also halted evaluations of federal literacy programs, adult learning strategies, and strategies to help teens with disabilities transition from high school to college or work.
    We insist you immediately reverse your decision to illegally withhold federal education funding appropriated by Congress and provide the funds as the law requires. Such an action would represent a faithful execution of the law as required by the Constitution and a benefit to the tens of millions of students and adult learners that are intended to benefit from these federal education investments.
    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As School Year Nears, Merkley, Wyden, & Colleagues Demand Trump Admin End Blockade on Funding for Afterschool Programs, K-12 Schools Across America

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 14, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced they joined 30 colleagues in demanding President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought and U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon immediately release nearly $7 billion in funding for K-12 schools and adult literacy programs across America that the Trump Administration abruptly let states and school districts know it would indefinitely block.

    Oregon faces the potential loss of approximately $73 million in federal education as a result of the abrupt cutoff of education funds by the Trump Administration and may be forced to end afterschool programs, specialized literacy programs, educator training, and support for English language learners as a result of this misguided executive maneuver.

    “We are writing to demand an immediate end to the illegal withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal education formula grant funds our states and communities are expecting for the coming school year, which is set to begin in just a few weeks in some communities,” wrote the 32 U.S. Senators in their letter. “These funds were made available by the bipartisan Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, signed into law on March 15, 2025. Yet, instead of supporting the tens of millions of students and adult learners intended to benefit from these investments, the administration has chosen to continue an unprecedented and opaque ‘programmatic review’ of these formula grant funds past the July 1, 2025, date these funds became available for allotment to states.”

    The Trump Administration’s decision to withhold the funding has sent school districts nationwide scrambling to determine how they could fill the, in many cases, massive budget hole and whether they’ll have to lay off teachers or end after school programs in the coming weeks. School districts have made clear they will have to end afterschool programs, already told parents to prepare backup options, and adult literacy programs have already been forced to lay off staff.

    The lawmakers blasted the administration for its abrupt notice and illegal freeze of the funds, which has sent school districts and programs scrambling: “We are shocked by the continued lack of respect for states and local schools evidenced by this latest action by the administration.”

    They noted that blocking funding for before and after school programs, as well as summer learning programs, is already hurting families nationwide: “By withholding these funds from states, the Department will impact programs for nearly 1.4 million students served by 10,000 summer and before and afterschool programs around the nation, which the Department’s latest performance report showed supported significant improvements in student attendance, grades, and teacher reports of student engagement in learning.  These centers also help working parents by providing a safe and productive place for their children to be after the school day ends and during the summer months. It is beyond comprehension why the administration would want to jeopardize these outcomes.”

    Warning of how denying these funds will cause schools to lay off teachers and cut back on teacher training, they wrote: “This rash decision will only worsen school working conditions and teacher shortages.”

    The lawmakers also detailed how the move affects adult learners nationwide: “This pause could jeopardize services to more than 1.2 million adult learners working to develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills needed to enter and succeed in workforce training and health, financial, digital, and information literacy skills necessary for full participation in community and civic life. The withholding will have an even more significant impact on 12 states that rely on these funds for 70 to 75 percent of their adult education programs.”

    The Trump Administration has confirmed it is blocking funding for the following programs—all of which are programs President Trump has requested to eliminate in his budget request, raising serious concerns about this administration’s intentions to simply impound the funding:

    1. Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size.
    2. 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), which support high-quality before and after-school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students.
    3. Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services, and improving school technology, among many others.
    4. English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), which supports language instruction to help English language learners become proficient in English.
    5. Migrant Education (Title I-C), which supports the educational needs of migratory children, including children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
    6. Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants), which support adult education and literacy programs to provide the basic skills to help prepare adults and out-of-school youth for success in the workforce.

    The letter was led by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.

    In addition to Merkley and Wyden, the letter was also signed by Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-MD), Jack Reed (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Chris Van Hollen (D-NM), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ed Markey (D-MA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

    Full text of the letter follows:

    Dear Director Vought and Secretary McMahon:

    We are writing to demand an immediate end to the illegal withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal education formula grant funds our states and communities are expecting for the coming school year, which is set to begin in just a few weeks in some communities. These funds were made available by the bipartisan Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, signed into law on March 15, 2025. Yet, instead of supporting the tens of millions of students and adult learners intended to benefit from these investments, the administration has chosen to continue an unprecedented and opaque “programmatic review” of these formula grant funds past the July 1, 2025, date these funds became available for allotment to states. This delay not only undermines effective state and local planning for using these funds to address student needs consistent with federal education law, which often takes place months before these funds become available, but also flies in the face of the nation’s education laws which confers state and local educational agency discretion on permissible uses of federal formula grant funds.

    We are shocked by the continued lack of respect for states and local schools evidenced by this latest action by the administration. Late on June 30, 2025, the Department of Education (“Department”) informed states that it would not release fiscal year 2025 funds expected on July 1 before completing a “review” of six programs. The Department even noted ironically that it “remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities.” Apparently, the Department needs a refresher course on its statutory responsibilities.

    The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations law requires funds to be allocated under the terms and conditions of the fiscal year 2024 appropriations law. This includes a requirement that “$1,329,673,000 shall be for part B of title IV”, which is the authority for the Nita M. Lowey 21stCentury Community Learning Centers program. This authority requires the Secretary to allot funds to each state for subgrants for before, after, and summer school programming. The law further describes the allotment formula, authorized state and local activities, and other program requirements. By withholding these funds from states, the Department will impact programs for nearly 1.4 million students served by 10,000 summer and before and afterschool programs around the nation, which the Department’s latest performance report showed supported significant improvements in student attendance, grades, and teacher reports of student engagement in learning. These centers also help working parents by providing a safe and productive place for their children to be after the school day ends and during the summer months. It is beyond comprehension why the administration would want to jeopardize these outcomes.

    The Full-Year Continuing Appropriations law also requires the Department to use $890 million to carry out part A of title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The purpose of the program is to ensure English learners (ELs) and immigrant students have access to the resources they need to attain English language proficiency and reach the same challenging academic standards as their English-proficient peers, which will prepare them to fully participate in society and the workforce as they grow older. Part A of title III specifies the allotment formula, permissible uses of funds and other program requirements for this program serving more than 5 million EL students enrolled in the nation’s public schools. Yet, the administration’s review will disrupt school hiring decisions and cause real and immediate harm to EL students.

    The Department issued preliminary allocations to states on May 29, 2025, stating that “The Full Year Appropriations and Extension Act, 2025 provides $629,600,400 for formula grants to States to carry out adult education and literacy activities.” Just more than a month later, the Department issued its curt memo indicating that the funds would not go out on July 1, 2025, as just promised in the May preliminary allocations. This pause could jeopardize services to more than 1.2 million adult learners working to develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills needed to enter and succeed in workforce training and health, financial, digital, and information literacy skills necessary for full participation in community and civic life. The withholding will have an even more significant impact on 12 states that rely on these funds for 70 to 75 percent of their adult education programs.

    The withholding also extends to more than $2 billion for Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants. According to the Department’s latest report, more than half of these funds are used for professional development for teachers and other educators, and nearly one-third of school districts used the funds to recruit, hire, and retain effective educators.12 Nearly $1.4 billion is being withheld for Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants and $375 million for Migrant Education programs. All these programs were funded in fiscal year 2024 and continued by the Full-Year Appropriations Act. This rash decision will only worsen school working conditions and teacher shortages.

    It is unacceptable that the administration is picking and choosing what parts of the appropriations law to follow, and you must immediately implement the entire law as Congress intended and as the oaths you swore require you to do. While the administration continues to deny federal funds to our states and local communities that they are expecting as the law requires, it has found time to move expeditiously to award funding to the Kennedy Center and acknowledged it is required to do so by the appropriations law. In its action here, the Department stated in a recent waiver proposal, “The waiver will allow the Department to issue a continuation award in FY 2025, as directed by Congress to the currently funded 84.351A AENP [Arts in Education National Program] project at an amount consistent with the amount awarded in FY 2024.” While it’s true the appropriations law requires such an action, it does so as well for billions in funding for state grants the Department recently informed states it will not release.

    The administration’s “programmatic review”—with no public information about what the review entails, what data the administration is examining, or a timeline for such review—appears to be an intentional delay that will result in school budget cuts in every State. In multiple statutes, Congress has prohibited the Federal government from directing or controlling state and local education decisions with these dollars. This programmatic review may be in violation of these longstanding and bipartisan prohibitions.

    We might be more inclined to believe the administration’s stated interest in ensuring federal funds were properly used if its actions to date didn’t tell a different story. The Department has impeded a review by the Office of Inspector General, which is charged with promoting the efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity of the Department’s programs and operations. Earlier this year, the administration terminated contracts for regional educational laboratories and grants required for comprehensive centers, which help states and districts use research and evidence in addressing local challenges of policy and practice. It has also halted evaluations of federal literacy programs, adult learning strategies, and strategies to help teens with disabilities transition from high school to college or work.

    We insist you immediately reverse your decision to illegally withhold federal education funding appropriated by Congress and provide the funds as the law requires. Such an action would represent a faithful execution of the law as required by the Constitution and a benefit to the tens of millions of students and adult learners that are intended to benefit from these federal education investments.

    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fischer Applauds VA’s Decision to Move Omaha VA Hospital Project Forward

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer

    Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) applauded the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) action to list the Omaha VA hospital project on their Five Year Development Plan, which places the project on the path to final construction.

    “The Omaha VA hospital will turn 75 years old this year, and it’s clear it must be replaced to meet the standard of care our veterans need and deserve. That’s why I was glad to see the Omaha VA hospital project added to the VA’s Five-Year Development Plan, which will help spur the construction of this much-needed facility. I’ll continue to work through my position as a member of the Appropriations Committee to invest in and improve our VA infrastructure in Nebraska,” Fischer said.

    Background    :
    Previously, the Omaha VA hospital replacement project was placed on the Strategic Capital Investment Planning (SCIP) Process Project List but with the VA’s recent action, the project has been placed on the VA’s Future Years Defense Program (FYDP). Now that the project has been moved onto the FYDP, the project has been locked in as a concrete commitment from the VA to begin the design and planning work and eventual construction.

    Fischer’s VA work    :
    As a member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, Fischer has fought for investments in VA infrastructure. Last month, Fischer questioned VA Secretary Doug Collins on his plans to ensure a strong VA footprint and to support her CHIP IN for Veterans Act, which allows local communities to assist with the planning and construction of VA health care facilities.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fischer Applauds VA’s Decision to Move Omaha VA Hospital Project Forward

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer

    Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) applauded the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) action to list the Omaha VA hospital project on their Five Year Development Plan, which places the project on the path to final construction.

    “The Omaha VA hospital will turn 75 years old this year, and it’s clear it must be replaced to meet the standard of care our veterans need and deserve. That’s why I was glad to see the Omaha VA hospital project added to the VA’s Five-Year Development Plan, which will help spur the construction of this much-needed facility. I’ll continue to work through my position as a member of the Appropriations Committee to invest in and improve our VA infrastructure in Nebraska,” Fischer said.

    Background    :
    Previously, the Omaha VA hospital replacement project was placed on the Strategic Capital Investment Planning (SCIP) Process Project List but with the VA’s recent action, the project has been placed on the VA’s Future Years Defense Program (FYDP). Now that the project has been moved onto the FYDP, the project has been locked in as a concrete commitment from the VA to begin the design and planning work and eventual construction.

    Fischer’s VA work    :
    As a member of the Senate Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, Fischer has fought for investments in VA infrastructure. Last month, Fischer questioned VA Secretary Doug Collins on his plans to ensure a strong VA footprint and to support her CHIP IN for Veterans Act, which allows local communities to assist with the planning and construction of VA health care facilities.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Demands Vought, McMahon Stop Blocking $7 Billion for Afterschool Programs, K-12 Schools Across America

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led 31 of her Senate colleagues in demanding the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought and Education Secretary Linda McMahon immediately release the nearly $7 billion the Trump administration is withholding from schools, parents, and students. In Wisconsin, $80 million is being withheld from local schools for programs that support educator training, school technology, after-school programs for children in high-poverty schools, those learning English as a second language, and adult literacy programs.
    The Trump administration’s decision to withhold the funding has sent school districts nationwide scrambling to determine how they could fill the, in many cases, massive budget hole and whether they’ll have to lay off teachers or end after school programs in the coming weeks. School districts have made clear they will have to end afterschool programs, already told parents to prepare backup options, and adult literacy programs have already been forced to lay off staff.
    “We are writing to demand an immediate end to the illegal withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal education formula grant funds our states and communities are expecting for the coming school year, which is set to begin in just a few weeks in some communities,” wrote the Senators. “These funds were made available by the bipartisan Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, signed into law on March 15, 2025. Yet, instead of supporting the tens of millions of students and adult learners intended to benefit from these investments, the administration has chosen to continue an unprecedented and opaque ‘programmatic review’ of these formula grant funds past the July 1, 2025, date these funds became available for allotment to states.”
    The lawmakers blasted the administration for its abrupt notice and illegal freeze of the funds, which has sent school districts and programs nationwide scrambling. They also noted that blocking funding for before and after school programs, as well as summer learning programs, is already hurting families nationwide.
    “By withholding these funds from states, the Department will impact programs for nearly 1.4 million students served by 10,000 summer and before and afterschool programs around the nation, which the Department’s latest performance report showed supported significant improvements in student attendance, grades, and teacher reports of student engagement in learning,” wrote the Senators. “These centers also help working parents by providing a safe and productive place for their children to be after the school day ends and during the summer months. It is beyond comprehension why the administration would want to jeopardize these outcomes.”
    The Trump administration has confirmed it is blocking funding for the following programs—all of which are programs President Trump has requested to eliminate in his budget request, raising serious concerns about this administration’s intentions to simply impound the funding:
    Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size.
    21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), which support high-quality before and after-school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students.
    Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services, and improving school technology, among many others.
    English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), which supports language instruction to help English language learners become proficient in English.
    Migrant Education (Title I-C), which supports the educational needs of migratory children, including children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
    Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants), which support adult education and literacy programs to provide the basic skills to help prepare adults and out-of-school youth for success in the workforce.
    Full text of the letter is available here.
    Senators Baldwin, Patty Murray (D-WA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) led 29 of their Senate colleagues in penning the letter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Demands Vought, McMahon Stop Blocking $7 Billion for Afterschool Programs, K-12 Schools Across America

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led 31 of her Senate colleagues in demanding the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought and Education Secretary Linda McMahon immediately release the nearly $7 billion the Trump administration is withholding from schools, parents, and students. In Wisconsin, $80 million is being withheld from local schools for programs that support educator training, school technology, after-school programs for children in high-poverty schools, those learning English as a second language, and adult literacy programs.

    The Trump administration’s decision to withhold the funding has sent school districts nationwide scrambling to determine how they could fill the, in many cases, massive budget hole and whether they’ll have to lay off teachers or end after school programs in the coming weeks. School districts have made clear they will have to end afterschool programs, already told parents to prepare backup options, and adult literacy programs have already been forced to lay off staff.

    “We are writing to demand an immediate end to the illegal withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal education formula grant funds our states and communities are expecting for the coming school year, which is set to begin in just a few weeks in some communities,” wrote the Senators. “These funds were made available by the bipartisan Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025, signed into law on March 15, 2025. Yet, instead of supporting the tens of millions of students and adult learners intended to benefit from these investments, the administration has chosen to continue an unprecedented and opaque ‘programmatic review’ of these formula grant funds past the July 1, 2025, date these funds became available for allotment to states.”

    The lawmakers blasted the administration for its abrupt notice and illegal freeze of the funds, which has sent school districts and programs nationwide scrambling. They also noted that blocking funding for before and after school programs, as well as summer learning programs, is already hurting families nationwide.

    “By withholding these funds from states, the Department will impact programs for nearly 1.4 million students served by 10,000 summer and before and afterschool programs around the nation, which the Department’s latest performance report showed supported significant improvements in student attendance, grades, and teacher reports of student engagement in learning,” wrote the Senators. “These centers also help working parents by providing a safe and productive place for their children to be after the school day ends and during the summer months. It is beyond comprehension why the administration would want to jeopardize these outcomes.”

    The Trump administration has confirmed it is blocking funding for the following programs—all of which are programs President Trump has requested to eliminate in his budget request, raising serious concerns about this administration’s intentions to simply impound the funding:

    • Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size.
    • 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), which support high-quality before and after-school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students.
    • Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services, and improving school technology, among many others.
    • English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), which supports language instruction to help English language learners become proficient in English.
    • Migrant Education (Title I-C), which supports the educational needs of migratory children, including children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
    • Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants), which support adult education and literacy programs to provide the basic skills to help prepare adults and out-of-school youth for success in the workforce.

    Full text of the letter is available here.

    Senators Baldwin, Patty Murray (D-WA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) led 29 of their Senate colleagues in penning the letter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 14 July 2025 News release WHO recommends injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention

    Source: World Health Organisation

    The World Health Organization (WHO) released today new guidelines recommending the use of injectable lenacapavir (LEN) twice a year as an additional pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) option for HIV prevention, in a landmark policy action that could help reshape the global HIV response. The guidelines are being issued at the 13th International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) on HIV Science, in Kigali, Rwanda.

    LEN, the first twice-yearly injectable PrEP product, offers a highly effective, long-acting alternative to daily oral pills and other shorter-acting options. With just two doses per year, LEN is a transformative step forward in protecting people at risk of HIV – particularly those who face challenges with daily adherence, stigma, or access to health care.

    “While an HIV vaccine remains elusive, lenacapavir is the next best thing: a long-acting antiretroviral shown in trials to prevent almost all HIV infections among those at risk,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “The launch of WHO’s new guidelines, alongside the FDA’s recent approval, marks a critical step forward in expanding access to this powerful tool. WHO is committed to working with countries and partners to ensure this innovation reaches communities as quickly and safely as possible.”

    The new guidelines come at a critical moment as HIV prevention efforts stagnate with 1.3 million new HIV infections occurring in 2024 – with disproportionate impact among key and priority populations, including sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender people, people who inject drugs, people in prisons, and children and adolescents. WHO’s recommendation on LEN signals a decisive move to expand and diversify HIV prevention, giving people more options to take control over their health with choices that fit their lives.

    Simplified testing: a major barrier removed

    As part of these guidelines, WHO has recommended a public health approach to HIV testing using HIV rapid tests to support delivery of long-acting injectable PrEP, including LEN and cabotegravir (CAB-LA). The simplified testing recommendation removes a major access barrier by eliminating complex, costly procedures and enabling community-based delivery of long-acting PrEP through pharmacies, clinics, and tele-health.

    Next steps: call for implementation

    LEN joins other WHO-recommended PrEP options, including daily oral PrEP, injectable cabotegravir and the dapivirine vaginal ring, as part of a growing arsenal of tools to end the HIV epidemic. While access to LEN outside clinical trials remains limited at the moment, WHO urges governments, donors and global health partners to begin rolling out LEN immediately within national combination HIV prevention programmes – while collecting essential data on uptake, adherence and real-world impact.

    Additional WHO recommendations at IAS 2025

    For the first time, WHO’s treatment guidelines include a clear recommendation for the use of long-acting injectable cabotegravir and rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) as an alternative switching option for antiretroviral therapy (ART) for adults and adolescents who have achieved full viral suppression on oral ART and do not have active hepatitis B infection. This approach is designed to support people living with HIV facing adherence challenges to oral regimens.

    Updated guidelines on service delivery integration include recommendations to integrate HIV services with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as mental health care for depression, anxiety and alcohol use disorders into HIV services, alongside interventions to support ART adherence. Additionally, new guidelines on management of asymptomatic STIs recommend screening of gonorrhoea and/or chlamydia in key and priority populations.

    For people living with HIV who have mpox and are either ART naive or have experienced prolonged ART interruption, rapid initiation of ART is strongly recommended. Additionally, early HIV testing is advised for individuals presenting with suspected or confirmed mpox infection. WHO’s standard operating procedures further emphasize HIV and syphilis testing for all individuals with suspected or confirmed mpox.

    In response to the broader challenges facing HIV programmes, WHO has also issued new operational guidance on sustaining priority HIV services in a changing funding landscape. The guidance aims to provide a stepwise framework to help countries prioritize services, assess risks, monitor disruptions, and adapt systems to protect health outcomes and preserve progress.

    “We have the tools and the knowledge to end AIDS as a public health problem,” said Dr Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Department of Global HIV, Hepatitis and STI Programmes and incoming Director of Science, Research, Evidence and Quality for Health. “What we need now is bold implementation of these recommendations, grounded in equity and powered by communities.”

    HIV remains a major global public health issue. By the end of 2024, an estimated 40.8 million people were living with HIV with an estimated 65% in the WHO African Region. Approximately 630 000 people died from HIV-related causes globally, and an estimated 1.3 million people acquired HIV, including 120 000 children. Access to ART continues to expand, with 31.6 million people receiving treatment in 2024, up from 30.3 million in 2023.

    At a time of reduced funding for HIV and health, WHO’s new and updated guidelines offer practical, evidence-based strategies to sustain momentum. By expanding prevention and treatment options, simplifying service delivery and promoting integration with broader health services, they support more efficient, equitable, and resilient HIV responses. Now is the moment for bold implementation to ensure these gains translate into real-world impact.
     

    Note to the editor

    WHO at the 13th IAS Conference on HIV Science

    The IAS 2025, the13th IAS Conference on HIV Science is being held in Kigali from 13 to 17 July 2025. It is the world’s most influential meeting on HIV research and its applications. This biennial conference presents the critical advances in basic, clinical and operational HIV research that move science into policy and practice. Through its programme, the meeting sets the gold standard of HIV science, featuring highly diverse and cutting-edge research.

    At IAS 2025, WHO will present new normative guidance through key satellite sessions and engage at the highest level to highlight innovations and promote health equity, while sounding the alarm on the risks posed by declining global health funding. Detailed information on WHO at the conference is here. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Urges President Trump to Support Efforts to Bring Abducted Ukrainian Children Home

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statement:
    “I hope President Trump will be announcing continued strong support for Ukraine this week in concert with our allies. I also urge him to make a clear commitment to finding and bringing home to Ukraine the thousands of Ukrainian children who have been abducted and forcibly deported by Russia,” said Klobuchar. “The United States should continue to support Ukraine’s determined work to track the missing and get these kids home. One way we can do that is by continuing the State Department funding of the work being done to track the stolen children.”
    Last month, Senators Klobuchar and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced bipartisan legislation to enhance U.S. support for Ukraine’s efforts to investigate and track the nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been abducted during Putin’s brutal invasion, assist with the rehabilitation and reintegration of children who are returned, and provide justice and accountability for perpetrators of these abductions. As of today, Ukraine and its partners have only managed to return 1,399 abducted children, according to Ukraine’s figures. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Urges President Trump to Support Efforts to Bring Abducted Ukrainian Children Home

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statement:
    “I hope President Trump will be announcing continued strong support for Ukraine this week in concert with our allies. I also urge him to make a clear commitment to finding and bringing home to Ukraine the thousands of Ukrainian children who have been abducted and forcibly deported by Russia,” said Klobuchar. “The United States should continue to support Ukraine’s determined work to track the missing and get these kids home. One way we can do that is by continuing the State Department funding of the work being done to track the stolen children.”
    Last month, Senators Klobuchar and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced bipartisan legislation to enhance U.S. support for Ukraine’s efforts to investigate and track the nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been abducted during Putin’s brutal invasion, assist with the rehabilitation and reintegration of children who are returned, and provide justice and accountability for perpetrators of these abductions. As of today, Ukraine and its partners have only managed to return 1,399 abducted children, according to Ukraine’s figures. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Wyden Press Social Security Commissioner on Broken Staffing Promises

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    July 14, 2025
    After gutting the Social Security workforce, Bisignano drained understaffed field offices to hastily address DOGE-created phone line problems.
    “Your efforts to address the [phone] wait times…will almost certainly result in a terrible tradeoff, with longer wait times for in-person services, ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul.’”
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, sent a letter to President Trump’s Social Security Commissioner, Frank Bisignano, demanding answers to reports that the Social Security Administration (SSA) is reassigning thousands of field office employees to staff a “pilot” phone program aimed at reducing hours-long phone wait times. After gutting the agency’s workforce, this move will further drain field offices, creating even more difficulties for Social Security recipients attempting to get in-person support.
    “This appears to be yet another indicator that you have broken the promise you made under oath to adequately staff the SSA — and just the latest of the Trump Administration’s DOGE-influenced actions that make it harder for Americans to access the Social Security benefits they have earned,” wrote the senators.
    Social Security has faced a customer service crisis since DOGE — initially led by the President’s then-close ally, Elon Musk — slashed the SSA workforce, closed offices, tampered with the phone service and website, and implemented burdensome new requirements that have degraded the Social Security program. The senators have previously written to SSA for answers on the various ways DOGE has taken a wrecking ball to the SSA — and how its efforts are effectively blocking people from accessing their earned Social Security benefits. 
    Instead of legitimately addressing these problems and reversing the cuts to the SSA workforce, it appears SSA is attempting to cover up its mess by shifting employees around for this new phone “pilot” program. The program will increase staff answering calls to the 1-800 number by reassigning frontline customer service representatives who directly assist recipients visiting offices. This will leave field offices short-staffed, and force backroom employees typically responsible for processing claims to take on in-person customer service tasks.
    “In a best-case scenario, your efforts to address the 1-800 wait times — even if they are successful — will almost certainly result in a terrible tradeoff, with longer wait times for in-person services, ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul,’” wrote the senators.
    The senators requested additional information about the degradation of SSA services under President Trump, SSA’s decision to reassign employees in the wake of these problems, and what steps SSA will take to reduce the staffing shortages and improve service. 
    Senate Dems’ Social Security War Room is a coordinated effort to fight back against the Trump administration’s attack on Americans’ Social Security. The War Room coordinates messaging across the Senate Democratic Caucus and external stakeholders; encourages grassroots engagement by providing opportunities for Americans to share what Social Security means to them; and educates Senate staff, the American public, and stakeholders about Republicans’ agenda and their continued cuts to Americans’ Social Security services and benefits.

    MIL OSI USA News –