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Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI USA: 06.12.2025 Sens. Cruz, Cornyn Introduce Bill Boosting Naval Aircraft Reliability, and Leveraging Texas Manufacturing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) today introduced the CMV-22 Reliability and Readiness Enhancement Act. This legislation authorizes the U.S. Secretary of the Navy to implement key equipment upgrades into CMV-22 fleets, which will enhance military readiness, support the Navy’s logistics capabilities, and deepen defense manufacturing resiliency.
    Sen. Cruz said, “It’s crucial for our Navy to have a capable and readily available CMV-22 Osprey fleet in the Indo-Pacific, but equipment issues have hindered aircraft reliability. In Texas we have a highly skilled workforce able to address those equipment issues, and this will enable them to do so and enhance the Navy’s effectiveness. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill and help enact it into law.”
    Sen. Cornyn said, “As our world becomes increasingly dangerous, there has never been a more critical time for America to invest in our military readiness. I am proud to lead this legislation alongside Senator Cruz to help modernize the Navy’s aircraft fleet, preserve our manufacturing and workforce capacity for mission-critical tiltrotors, and ensure our military is equipped with the best available resources to protect and defend the country.”
    Click here to read the CMV-22 Reliability and Readiness Enhancement Act full bill text.
    BACKGROUND
    The CMV–22 Reliability and Readiness Enhancement Act will:

    Authorize nacelle improvement modifications across the CMV–22 fleet to reduce downtime and improve aircraft reliability.
    Leverage lessons learned from successful CV–22 upgrades already fielded by the Air Force.
    Prioritize FY25–26 aircraft to maximize near-term operational benefit.
    Preserve critical workforce and supplier capabilities in the tiltrotor industrial base.
    Direct a report to Congress within 180 days on implementation status, readiness metrics, industrial base impact, and future sustainment needs.
    Requires no new funding authorization and ensures continuity in the tiltrotor industrial base during the transition from V–22 production to next-generation aircraft manufacturing.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Introduce Bill to Protect Access to Reproductive Health Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Yesterday, on the third anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner and Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate, Health, Education and Labor (HELP) Committee, joined Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Patty Murray (D-WA) in introducing the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation to guarantee access to abortion care across the country. The bill’s introduction comes as the Trump Administration and Republicans continue to attack reproductive freedom. Virginia is the last southern state where abortion is still legal, and Virginia has seen an increase in demand for abortions after other states have passed laws restricting access.

    “In the three years since Roe v. Wade was overturned, we’ve seen the consequences unfold in real time: women denied lifesaving care, doctors forced to navigate confusing and dangerous legal gray areas, and families left to deal with the fallout. Decisions about pregnancy should be made between a woman and her doctor, not by politicians,” said Warner. “This bill would once and for all restore the constitutional right to abortion, permanently making it safe and legal nationwide.”

    “Three years ago, the Supreme Court took away Americans’ ability to access reproductive health care, and since then, we’ve seen the tragic impacts of this decision for women across the country,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to be joining my colleagues in introducing this legislation to protect access to abortion nationwide and restore Americans’ freedom to make their own health care decisions.”

    Since the Dobbs decision, 19 states have banned abortion or severely restricted women from being able to access the procedure, leaving one in three American women without access to safe, legal abortion care. Additionally, state legislatures across the country have introduced hundreds of bills to include medically unnecessary restrictions that limit access to abortion care. In his second term, President Trump has continued to attack reproductive rights, including freezing Title X funding for clinics that offer reproductive care, cutting Biden-era emergency abortion protections, and fighting to defund Planned Parenthood. Additionally, the House-passed Republican budget bill kicks 16 million people off their health insurance and defunds Planned Parenthood, threatening the closure of 200 health centers across the country and putting access to vital reproductive care for millions of families at risk.

    The Women’s Health Protection Act guarantees the right to access an abortion—and the right of an abortion provider to deliver these services—free from medically unnecessary restrictions that interfere with a patient’s individual choice or the provider-patient relationship. The bill also protects the ability to travel out of state for an abortion, which has become increasingly common in recent years.

    Following the Dobbs decision, Warner and Kaine have strongly advocated for legislation to protect Americans’ access to reproductive health care. The senators cosponsored legislation to protect the right of women to travel across state lines for abortion services and help protect medical providers from being punished for providing patients with this care. Kaine has also introduced the bipartisan Reproductive Freedom for All Act to protect abortion rights and contraception access.

    In addition to Warner, Kaine, Baldwin, Blumenthal, and Murray, the Women’s Health Protection Act is cosponsored by Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    Full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins, Bipartisan Group Introduce Bill to Support America’s Nursing Workforce

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025. This bipartisan bill would reauthorize, update, and improve critical programs under Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act, a law passed in 1944 to support public health and health care professionals. The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act reaffirms Congress’ commitment to addressing all aspects of nursing workforce demand, including education, practice, recruitment, and retention.

    “The State of Maine continues to face a serious shortage of nurses, particularly in rural communities where hospitals struggle to recruit and retain staff,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would help strengthen the nursing workforce by reauthorizing critical programs that support nursing education, expand access to clinical training, and help schools prepare more students for careers in nursing. Doing so is essential to addressing the workforce shortages facing hospitals across our country.”

    The Title VIII programs were last reauthorized as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March 2020. Under the CARES Act, the Title VIII programs are authorized through September 30, 2025.

    Specifically, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 would:

    1. Reauthorize funding for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2030;
    1. Make technical changes to the Advanced Nursing Education Program and makes clear that grants for traineeships can cover the costs for clinical education and preceptors;
    1. Allow nurse education, practice, quality, and retention grants to be used to cover the cost of audiovisual or other equipment, simulation and augmented reality resources, telehealth technologies, and virtual and physical laboratories, as well as to be used to increase the number of faculty and students at schools of nursing in order to address nursing workforce shortages; and
    1. Clarify that nurse education, practice, quality, and retention grants can be used to provide care for survivors of sexual assault and to partner with a health care facility that provides educational opportunities for the purpose of establishing or expanding clinical education.

    The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act is endorsed by more than 50 organizations, including the American Association of Colleges (AACN) and the American Nurses Association (ANA).

    “Maintaining access to healthcare services is necessary for achieving the best care outcomes and keeping Americans healthy,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AACN. “We are thankful for the bipartisan support for the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025, which helps ensure that our nursing workforce can continue to meet the needs of all communities, including those with limited access to nurses and other healthcare providers.”

    “Federal investment in Title VIII is essential to sustaining nursing schools, faculty, and students,” said Dr. Jean Giddens, Chair of the AACN Board of Directors. “With the introduction of the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025, we applaud the commitment of Senator Merkley, Senator Collins, Senator Baldwin, and Senator Blackburn for their support of a thriving healthcare workforce that will have a lasting impact on both nurses and patients across the nation.”

    “We are deeply grateful to Senators Merkley and Collins for championing the reauthorization of the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Program. This legislation is more than funding — it is a lifeline for the nursing profession. Title VIII supports the education, training, and advancement of nurses across the country, ensuring we have a strong, skilled, and sustainable workforce ready to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. At a time when our healthcare system depends so heavily on nurses, this investment is critical to the future of our profession and the health of our nation,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, President of the ANA.

    In addition to Senators Collins, Merkley, Baldwin, and Blackburn, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).

    The complete text of the bill can be read here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Collins, Shaheen Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training and Lower Treatment Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, reintroduced the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand Medicare coverage for diabetes self-management training (DSMT) sessions, where diabetes educators help train Medicare patients on how to manage their glucose, maintain a healthy weight, eat healthy foods, manage their insulin levels and improve general care for their diabetes. DSMT is associated with a reduction in risk for diabetes-related death and heart attack and, importantly, leads to improved self-care behavior and wellness, which greatly reduces hospital care costs.

    “Diabetes self-management training equips Americans with diabetes with the tools they need to successfully manage their disease,” said Senator Collins. “By supporting education and patient engagement, our bipartisan bill would improve health outcomes, enhance quality of life, and reduce health care costs by helping to prevent complications and hospitalizations.”

    “Diabetes is a lifelong condition that affects millions of Americans. Expanding access to diabetes self-management training will allow patients to improve their well-being and live healthier lives while being more self-sufficient in their care,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our bipartisan legislation would lower the cost of treatment for patients with diabetes and I’m proud to work across the aisle to continue supporting diabetes treatment, research and investment.”

    “The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) applauds and thanks our champions, Senators Collins and Shaheen, for introducing legislation that would improve access to diabetes care and education for Medicare beneficiaries,” said ADCES President Veronica Brady, PhD, RN, FNP-P, BC-ADM, CDCES. “DSMT services help individuals with diabetes improve their health and reduce complications which in turn can decrease health care costs.”??

    There are 38.4 million Americans living with diabetes and one in three adults with prediabetes, a condition that is known to progress to diabetes without early intervention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and can lead to many other chronic diseases and conditions, such as blindness and kidney failure. As one of the most expensive chronic diseases, diabetes costs the American health care system billions of dollars each year. Overall, one in every ten health care dollars is spent on diabetes and its complications, and one in every three Medicare dollars is spent on the condition.

    As co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Senators Collins and Shaheen have led action in the U.S. Senate to advance priorities that will lower the costs of insulin, invest in treatment, and prioritize diabetes research. Last month, they introduced the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act, legislation that would improve care for patients with diabetes by allowing nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates/physician assistants (PAs)—who often act as sole primary care providers for many patients with diabetes—to prescribe therapeutic shoes.    

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Grills Bove During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, grilled Emil Bove III, President Trump’s pick to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, on multiple allegations of ethical misconduct throughout Mr. Bove’s tenure as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY). Senator Welch also called out Mr. Bove’s refusal to acknowledge that President Biden won the 2020 Presidential Election.  
    Senator Welch: “This question of temperament obviously is relevant. You’d acknowledge that?” 
    Mr. Bove: “Yes, Senator.”   
    Senator Welch: “I was a defense attorney, worked with many prosecutors, had enormous respect for those prosecutors. So, the temperament issue doesn’t always get into the question of whether it’s an ethical violation. But it does get into the temperament and why that—in my view—is very important whatever our job is, but particularly for a judge where you’ve got that incredible power.” 
    Watch Senator Welch’s full remarks below: 

    Similar to other Trump nominees, Mr. Bove refused to acknowledge that President Biden had won the 2020 presidential election: 
    Senator Welch: “Who won the 2020 election for President of the United States?” 
    Mr. Bove: “President Biden was certified as the winner of that election.”   
    Senator Welch: “So, you give the standard answer. You can’t say that he won because he got the majority of votes and also got the electoral college victory?”   
    Mr. Bove: “I think that the characterizations that you just made, Senator, are both political. And so, I can’t address them under the canons, and they’re also tied up in ongoing litigation.”   
    Senator Welch: “Help me understand how it’s political to state who got the most votes in any election.”   
    Mr. Bove: [PAUSE] “…Senator, I’m just trying to be precise. The process by which our country declares the victor in an election is a certification process. President Biden was certified.” 
    Ahead of Mr. Bove’s nomination hearing today, Senator Welch joined six Senate Judiciary Committee colleagues in requesting personnel records relevant to Mr. Bove’s conduct throughout his career in the Southern District of New York. Last month, Senator Welch and Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led their colleagues in referring Mr. Bove to the Office of the Inspector General and called for an investigation into Mr. Bove’s potential abuse of prosecutorial authority within the Civil Rights Division.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Minister Meets with Diplomatic Representatives of EU and Its Member States

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 25 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a collective meeting with diplomatic representatives of the European Union and its member states in Beijing on Wednesday.

    As Wang Yi, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, reminded, this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the EU. As two major constructive forces in the modern world, China and the EU should enhance mutual trust, properly resolve differences, and join forces to elevate the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership to a new height.

    Wang Yi put forward a three-point proposal for the future development of China-EU relations.

    Firstly, the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry pointed out, the parties must adhere to mutual respect, in particular, respect each other’s fundamental interests and important concerns in practice.

    China hopes that the EU will continue to strictly adhere to the one-China principle and oppose any form of separatist activity aimed at achieving “Taiwan independence,” the Chinese diplomat stressed.

    Secondly, the parties should adhere to the established positioning of the bilateral partnership. According to Wang Yi, China and the EU are partners, not rivals, and certainly not enemies.

    Third, the two sides should adhere to multilateralism. China firmly upholds the international system with the UN at its core, the international order based on international law, and the fundamental norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, Wang said, adding that China consistently advocates peaceful negotiations and rejects the use of force.

    According to the Chinese diplomat, the three global initiatives put forward by Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Belt and Road Initiative and the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind are the contributions of Chinese wisdom and Chinese solutions to the international community.

    “China and the EU should follow the trend of the times, strengthen mutual understanding, build mutual trust, promote mutual success and brighten the world,” Wang added.

    The head of the EU diplomatic mission and diplomatic representatives of EU member states said that China has always been an important partner for the European Union.

    According to them, the EU is ready to move forward with China, develop constructive and stable relations, jointly confront global challenges, defend multilateralism, and promote peace and security throughout the world. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Defense Minister Meets with Participants of SCO Defense Ministers’ Meeting

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    QINGDAO, June 25 (Xinhua) — Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun held separate meetings with his counterparts from Belarus, Iran, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong Province, on Wednesday.

    From June 25 to 26, the above-mentioned officials are taking part in a meeting of defense ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states.

    Dong Jun stated that the world is currently witnessing a strengthening of the regressive tendencies of unilateralism and protectionism, while manifestations of hegemonism, despotism and bullying are seriously undermining the international order, becoming the biggest sources of chaos and troubles.

    The Chinese minister called for strengthening coordination within multilateral structures such as the UN and the SCO, upholding international fairness and justice, and protecting global strategic stability.

    Dong Jun’s interlocutors highly appreciated China’s active efforts and important contribution as the rotating chair of the SCO aimed at strengthening institutional mechanisms and deepening cooperation in all areas, expressing their firm intention to strengthen and develop cooperation in the military sphere. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: US to hold talks with Iran next week – D. Trump

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    THE HAGUE, June 25 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump announced in The Hague, the Netherlands, on Wednesday that the United States will hold talks with Iran next week.

    “We are going to talk to them – to Iran – next week. We can sign an agreement,” D. Trump said at a press conference following the NATO summit.

    Earlier on Wednesday, Trump noted that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel was being observed “very well.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iran says military commander killed in Israeli airstrike

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TEHRAN, June 25 (Xinhua) — Ali Shadmani, chief of the central staff of Iran’s Khatam al-Anbia Armed Forces, has died from wounds sustained in an Israeli air strike, the headquarters said on Wednesday.

    According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, A. Shadmani, who recently replaced Gholam Ali Rashid as chief of staff, was seriously wounded during Israeli strikes on Iran last week.

    The Jewish state’s army then announced that it had killed A. Shadmani in a nighttime airstrike on a command center located in central Tehran. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jimmy Gomez Statement On Supporting War Powers Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) released the following statement announcing his cosponsorship of H.Con.Res.40, the War Powers Resolution to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran without congressional approval:

    “I support the War Powers Resolution to prevent the Trump administration from launching further offensive action against Iran without congressional approval. Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon — but Trump failed to properly consult Congress, and we shouldn’t have to take the President’s word on why this strike happened at this particular moment.

    “No intelligence of an imminent threat was presented to bipartisan congressional leadership, committees of jurisdiction or Congress as a whole ahead of time — and still hasn’t been presented to us. The administration continues to delay providing Congress with an explanation of the alleged imminent threat that prompted the strike. Now, media reports indicate the Defense Department isn’t even confident the strikes destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities, and that Iran may have moved key equipment and uranium ahead of time.

    “Trump’s ‘shoot first, ask questions later’ foreign policy doctrine weakens America’s global standing, makes us less safe and unnecessarily puts our troops in harm’s way without achieving any meaningful defense or security goals.”

    “The American people, including my constituents, do not want to be dragged into another avoidable war. The Trump administration’s lack of transparency is unacceptable. Congress has the power to authorize the use of force against a foreign power — and it’s time we reassert that authority.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Angiographic Catheter Recall: Cook Removes Beacon Tip Angiographic Catheters due to Tip Separation

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    This recall involves removing certain devices from where they are used or sold. The FDA has identified this recall as the most serious type. This device may cause serious injury or death if you continue to use it. 
    Affected Product

    What to Do
    On May 15, 2025, Cook sent all affected customers a letter recommending the following actions:

    Examine inventory immediately to determine if you have affected product(s) and quarantine any affected product that remains unused. Immediately cease all further distribution and use of the affected products.
    This notice must be shared with appropriate personnel, including down to the user level, within your organization or with any organization where the affected devices have been transferred.

    Reason for Recall
    Cook has become aware that catheters supplied in the affected device lots may experience tip separation. This issue was identified through field complaints, with users reporting tip separation occurring both prior to and during patient contact.
    If an affected product is used, potential patient harms such as catheter fragmentation and embolization may occur. Medical consequences associated with device fragmentation or separation may include sepsis, vessel perforation, thrombosis, embolism, cardiac arrythmia, and death.
    Cook has reported three serious injuries and no deaths associated with this issue.
    Device Use
    Beacon Tip Catheters are intended for use in angiographic (blood vessel imaging) procedures by physicians trained and experienced in angiographic techniques. Standard techniques for placement of vascular access sheaths, angiographic catheters and wire guides should be employed.
    Contact Information
    Customers in the U.S. with adverse reactions, quality problems, or questions about this recall should contact Cook Medical at FieldActionsNA@CookMedical.com or 800-457-9120.
    Additional FDA Resources (listed in order of most to least recent):

    Unique Device Identifier (UDI)
    The unique device identifier (UDI) helps identify individual medical devices sold in the United States from distribution to use. The UDI allows for more accurate reporting, reviewing, and analyzing of adverse event reports so that devices can be identified more quickly, and as a result, problems potentially resolved more quickly.

    How do I report a problem?
    Health care professionals and consumers may report adverse reactions or quality problems they experienced using these devices to MedWatch: The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. 

    Content current as of:
    06/25/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Adopts New Budget with Strategic Adjustments to Address Funding Shortfalls

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    UConn has adopted a 2025-26 budget that maintains excellence in its academic, research, and health care enterprises while addressing serious fiscal challenges resulting from state funding shortfalls and steep reductions in federal research awards.

    The budget increases UConn’s enrollment to bolster revenue; draws from one-time fund balances in accounts throughout the institution; and enacts stringent deficit mitigation plans at UConn Storrs, UConn Health, and the regional campuses.

    UConn’s Board of Trustees adopted the budget at its meeting on Wednesday, June 25, and it goes into effect July 1.

    UConn faces operating budget shortfalls in the upcoming fiscal year of $72 million for the Storrs and regional campuses and $61.8 million for UConn Health, for a combined total of $134 million.

    UConn has also lost $95 million in reduced, slowed, and terminated federal research awards under new policies enacted nationwide since January, and there are no indicators that the funding will rebound in the near future.

    As FY26 progresses, the state Office of Policy and Management (OPM) also could reduce UConn’s appropriations to balance the state budget if needed. With so many revenue sources in flux, UConn expects to continually pivot to adjust to new developments.

    “We’re going to have to forecast and reforecast every month as these changes take place and as we continue to move forward. It’s going to be very fluid,” Jeffrey Geoghegan, UConn’s CFO and executive vice president for finance, told members of the Board of Trustees’ Financial Affairs Committee on Tuesday, June 24.

    That committee reviewed and endorsed the budget proposal and passed it on to the full board for a vote.

    UConn plans to mitigate about $38 million and UConn Health plans to mitigate about $62 million of the FY26 funding losses through several actions, including optimizing and reducing personnel. That will occur through a variety of approaches, including restricting most hiring and reviewing non-permanent and temporary positions as an initial step.

    The University will also review overtime and compensatory time; encourage voluntary schedule reductions where feasible and appropriate; consolidate some office functions; and restrict employee travel, events, and other activities.

    Wherever possible, the University will work to grow its revenue streams as well. Units have been directed to fully utilize unspent balances they hold from UConn Foundation funds. Also, the University will work to identify potential opportunities for new revenue, including continuing to grow patient care revenue at UConn Health.

    “UConn Health is committed to making the difficult decisions necessary to mitigate the reduction in funding, while at the same time continuing its position as one of the highest quality, best patient experience, and fastest growing health systems in Connecticut,” says Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, UConn Health’s CEO and executive vice president of health affairs.

    The overall FY26 operating budget totals $3.6 billion, split roughly equally between UConn Health and the UConn Storrs/regional campuses operations.

    The state’s annual block grant to the University comprised one-quarter of the University’s revenue as recently as FY19 but has been steadily decreasing. In the coming year, that number has fallen to 12% (15% at UConn and 8% at UConn Health). The state allocation covers 23% of UConn’s personnel costs; the rest is borne by the University through revenue it generates.

    At UConn Health, the largest source of income in FY26 is clinical care at 72.5%. At UConn’s Storrs and regional campuses, the largest source of income in FY26 is student tuition and fees at 57%.

    UConn already had committed to leaving its tuition rates flat in FY26 before the new state allocation numbers were determined and does not intend to reverse that decision. Separately, fees that pay for housing, dining, and various student services will increase modestly to pay for those enterprises.

    The cost-cutting initiatives, efforts to identify new revenue sources, increasing enrollment from higher-paying out-of-state and international students, and other measures will all be critical in the coming budget year, UConn officials say.

    The University will also examine every individual account in which unspent funds have been held as part of UConn’s overall reserves and, where possible and appropriate, will consolidate them to use as one-time spending to help fill gaps.

    “These dollars are not held in a central pool, but are in hundreds of accounts and budget lines throughout the institution that are used to fund our operations, meet upcoming needs, maintain our bond rating, and invest in the future of our university,” wrote President Radenka Maric, Provost Anne D’Alleva, and Vice President for Research Pamir Alpay in a message to the community on June 23.

    “Much of these funds are already committed for specific purposes. Using these funds to close short-term deficits will create new financial problems that didn’t exist previously and new unmet needs throughout the institution,” they wrote.

    “And if these one-time funds become exhausted, they do not automatically replenish, and structural deficits will remain. Despite the very real challenges and hardships this will cause, our current financial picture does not leave us with a reasonable alternative.”

    With the FY27 projected deficits even higher than those in FY26, UConn officials say efforts to reduce costs and increase revenue will be needed moving forward while the institution continues to prioritize student success, academic strength, and research impact.

    “Please know that we are not alone in having to make these difficult decisions. Every large research university across the nation is being forced to take similar steps,” Maric, D’Alleva, and Alpay added in their message.

    Overall, Maric says, UConn will continue to focus over the next three to five years on core operational priorities: continuous improvement and effectiveness, improving the enrollment outlook, increasing the academic and research profile, supporting a championship culture and competitiveness in UConn Athletics; and advancing fundraising and engagement efforts at the UConn Foundation.

    “In this and everything we do, we will ask ourselves: Is this helping our graduation rate? Is this supporting student success?” Maric said Tuesday.

    UConn has had a long-standing commitment to providing student financial aid as part of that work and set aside 16.5% of its tuition-generated revenue for those uses – voluntarily higher than the 15% minimum established by the state.

    In the coming fiscal year, UConn will increase institutionally funded financial aid by 10.6% as part of its work to attract and retain students, of whom 85% receive at least one form of financial aid.

    In addition to approving the operating budget, the Board of Trustees also adopted the capital improvement budgets for UConn Storrs / regionals and UConn Health for FY26.

    Those allocations are limited to specific building and infrastructure projects and cannot be shifted to help allay the pressures on the operating fund.

    At the Storrs and regional campuses, the $175 million capital budget for FY26 will fund a variety of projects that include a major renovation of Gampel Pavilion; a portion of the cost of construction of a new nursing building; improvements in various residence halls; and other critical deferred maintenance and infrastructure repair projects.

    The UConn capital budget consists of $128 million in bond funds for projects under the UCONN 2000 program; $8 million of state general obligation bond proceeds; and $39 million from student fees collected to support infrastructure maintenance and residential life facility improvements.

    At UConn Health, the $58.4 million capital budget for FY26 is funded through $28 million in state general obligation bond funds and $30.4 million generated by UConn Health, which has more than doubled its clinical care revenue over the past 10 years.

    Like at UConn Storrs and regional campuses, the capital funds will be directed to UConn Health’s critical deferred maintenance and infrastructure repair projects as well as improvements to clinical spaces that enable revenue growth.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Presses Secretary Collins on Politicization of VA’s Work, Jeopardizing Care for Veterans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s questioning with VA Secretary*** 

    Washington, D.C. — Today, at a hearing on President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 budget request for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, pressed VA Secretary Doug Collins on recent decisions that jeopardize care for veterans and stifle VA’s critical work.

    In opening comments, Vice Chair Murray said:

    “Secretary Collins—you are charged with making sure we keep our promises to our veterans. And I will tell you, as the daughter of a veteran—one who had great need for the VA benefits—I take this work seriously.

    “Mr. Secretary, I know you hate scaring our veterans. But here’s what I know: when you fire thousands of VA staff with no rationale beside Musk said so—that really scares veterans.

    “When you cancel hundreds of contracts—including a cancer registry in my state—that scares veterans. When you muzzle our researchers—that scares veterans.

    “When you eliminate the VASP program which helped save veterans from foreclosure on their homes–that scares veterans.

    “When you remove language saying veterans and doctors can’t be discriminated against based on their political views or marital status—with no explanation until after people call it out—that scares veterans.

    “And more than just scaring veterans, it puts the care and the support they have not only earned but are entitled to in serious jeopardy. 

    “So if you are concerned about scaring veterans, my suggestion is to stop doing what you’re doing. Focus on what matters: stop implementing policies with no explanation or analysis. Lift the hiring freeze and get our facilities fully staffed.

    “To that end, I have a few questions about some of the actions that veterans have told me they are deeply concerned about, and I hope today you can put their minds at ease—to give us clear, straightforward answers.”

    [VA’S DISCRIMINATION GUIDELINES]

    Senator Murray began by asking about VA’s recent decision to explicitly remove language in anti-discrimination guidelines to ensure all veterans get the care they need: “Secretary Collins, there has been a lot of discussion regarding your decision to modify VA provider guidelines that would open the door to discrimination. You struck the words age, national origin, politics, marital status, and disability from the anti-discrimination policy that was applied to our VA hospitals and clinics. When you changed the guidelines and removed the words making clear when discrimination is not tolerated, what you actually signaled to veterans across the country that they may be denied the care they need. Mr. Secretary, if you insist these categories are already covered by federal law and therefore your changes do not provide openings for discrimination, will you commit then to reinstating the previous policy?”

    Instead of responding on the substance, Secretary Collins blamed news outlets for reporting on the changes he made, stating in part: “I appreciate you taking my own words because it’s about time that somebody decided that they were not going to continue to repeat false rings to keep people in veterans from actually trusting the VA…the Guardian who wanted clickbait, decided to run with something and then it was amplified. It’s scaring veterans. And if they’re concerned—”

    “You took words out—” said Senator Murray, pushing Secretary Collins on why he made the change if he insists the policy isn’t changing.

    Secretary Collins interrupted to continue railing against coverage of the decision instead of answering Senator Murray’s question about whether he would restore the language and the policy.

    Senator Murray reiterated, “Mr. Secretary, I have the floor for a second. What I am telling you is what veterans hear and what Americans hear. Please listen. When you take something out, it says that’s been eliminated, period.”

    “No, it does not,” responded Secretary Collins.

    “Well it does—” said Senator Murray.

    “Only when you have a cheap magazine like the Guardian who wants to put it out there and put it in a position,” replied Secretary Collins, again interrupting.

    Senator Murray pressed, “Ok, your position is: it doesn’t change anything.”

    Secretary Collins answered, “It doesn’t.”

    Senator Murray then asked: “Well, do you think it is possible to be eligible for care and still discriminated against when you try to access health care?”

    “No one is discriminated against at the VA,” demurred Secretary Collins.

    Senator Murray noted, “Well Mr. Secretary, in fact many of us have heard from women veterans—”

    “Did you help correct them?” Secretary Collins attempted to avoid the question.

    Senator Murray flipped the question back to Secretary Collins, “Did you? You took the words out, I did not.”

    Secretary Collins replied, “I did. I put out videos and have done everything because of a false article.”

    “Mr. Secretary, I’m simply telling you, when you took those words out, people heard it in a specific way. Therefore, I’m asking you, why don’t you put them back in and eliminate—” said Senator Murray, attempting to clarify that veterans are viewing this language change as loss of protections, even if VA does not intend that.

    “No. They heard it in a specific way because a reporter who looked for clicks, decided to write an article that he knew was false,” said Secretary Collins, again attempting to place the blame of veterans’ reactions on reporting on his decision-making.

    “Again, I’ve heard from women veterans about experiences, which is why—” responded Senator Murray.

    Secretary Collins again avoided the issue at hand, that there were veterans who were upset with the change in language, regardless of VA intent, “Do you have an example that you can give to me? Cause I’ll make sure it’s corrected. Nobody is to be discriminated against.”

    Senator Murray pushed back, “Well, if you are going to call each individual woman in the country and tell them they are not going to be discriminated against… Let me move on.”

    [TOXIC EXPOSURE FUND]

    Senator Murray next asked Secretary Collins about guardrails to ensure Toxic Exposure Fund (TEF) resources are spent appropriately and no veterans’ care is affected by the administration’s request to spend out of the TEF: “Congress has already appropriated funding for Medical Care, which has been passed into law. Your budget request proposes to cancel $18 billion of that money and shift it over to the Toxic Exposures Fund. I am supportive of putting funds where they are needed, but I do want to make sure that you are aware that there are specific limitations for the use of those funds that are in statute. These are guardrails to prevent misuse and address concerns, we put that in because of concerns from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who were very concerned about turning that into a slush fund. Can you commit to us that you will abide by those limitations for all of the funds being spent from the TEF, to include agreements which made with the Committee about what ‘expenses incident to the delivery of care’ means?”

    Secretary Collins replied, “We are committed to following the law on the stuff we are supposed to.”

    “All I’m asking is, you are asking to remove $18 billion into that fund. Are you committed to following the guardrails that the language, that the statute language that surrounds those funds? Because Mr. Secretary, if that is true, then how can you commit that the veterans who were not eligible for care that is unrelated to toxic exposures will not have their care cut off or limited because of the $18 billion decrease to funds?” pressed Senator Murray.

    “Because, as we look at our budgets and take the money that is coming in, we are going to meet the needs of the veterans who come before us,” said Secretary Collins.

    [VA RESEARCH]

    Senator Murray then pressed Secretary Collins on VA directives to prevent researchers from publishing their findings without clearance from Trump administration political appointees: “I have repeatedly raised concerns over the direction VA is taking with the research program. And now it was reported that VA officials are ordering physicians and scientists to not publish their work without seeking approval from Trump’s political appointees. According to a VA official, this policy is specifically in place to prevent ‘negative national exposure.’”

    “So, Mr. Secretary, if a research finding would advance veterans’ health but does not align with the administration’s priorities, will you allow it to be published?”

    “I’m not familiar with the question you have and I’m not going to answer a hypothetical, but I don’t foresee anything, but we have not done anything to restrict our researchers going forward,” said Secretary Collins, refusing to answer the question.

    Senator Murray pressed, “This is on your website.”

    Secretary Collins ignored the fact that this is on the VA website and said, “We are not restricting our researchers. I don’t know how else to answer the question.”

    “If you are ordering physicians and scientists to not publish their work without seeking approval, you can answer that… by saying yes, of course we are not going to say no. But then I’m asking you—” said Senator Murray, clarifying her question before being interrupted.

    “I’m going to reach here and say this is also discussing a policy that had nothing to do with research and publishing research. It had a meeting about talking to media on other issues. I’m happy to take this and see what you are actually discussing, but nothing has changed as far as we know. Researchers can do their research,” responded Secretary Collins.

    Senator Murray again pressed, “All researchers? You will not deny research that shows whatever helps veterans?”

    Secretary Collins again avoided the question, “Again, hypotheticals, we can go down all that. I can’t answer a question if we don’t have an exact question on the end.”

    “Well, it leaves me with the question, that arbitrarily you are going to say no to any kind—” said Senator Murray in part, before again not being able to further clarify her point because she was again interrupted.

    Secretary Collins said, “At this point, I’m not saying either way. I’m sitting here saying that we’re not restricting it.”

    Senator Murray concluded, “Well, that leaves me very curious about how you’re going to move forward on research.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At HELP Hearing, Senator Murray Presses CDC Nominee on Commitment to Scientific Integrity, Vaccine Access, as RFK Jr. Fires ACIP Members, Pushes Vaccine Conspiracies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Murray Calls for Kennedy to Reinstate Fired ACIP Members or Delay Meeting Until New Members Appropriately Vetted

    Senator Murray, along with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), authored the PREVENT Pandemics Act that made the CDC Director a Senate confirmed position for the first time starting this year

    Dr. Monarez on ACIP members: “If they have not gone through an ethics approval process, they shouldn’t be participating in the meetings”

    ***WATCH: Murray’s questioning of Dr. Monarez***

    Washington, D.C. – Today—during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on the nomination for Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—Senator Murray, senior member and former Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, questioned nominee Dr. Susan Monarez on Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. firing of all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replacing them with 8 new unvetted members just two weeks ago, pressing Dr. Monarez on the need for the new ACIP members to go through a thorough ethics review process before meeting today. Murray also raised alarm over Secretary Kennedy’s move to bring in Lyn Redwood, the leader of the anti-vaccine group founded by Secretary Kennedy, to give a presentation on thimerosal in vaccines at the ACIP meeting this week—furthering RFK Jr.’s debunked claims that the preservative used in vaccines causes autism. Senator Murray also pressed Dr. Monarez on the importance of ACIP in maintaining no-cost access to evidence-based vaccines for children and families, and how ACIP recommendation changes could force families to pay out of pocket for vaccines—or forgo vaccination.

    Yesterday, Senator Murray called on Secretary Kennedy to reinstate the ACIP members he fired without cause, or delay this week’s meeting until the new members have been appropriately vetted. Earlier this month, Senator Murray held a press call with Dr. Helen Chu of Washington state, one of the 17 ACIP members abruptly fired by Secretary Kennedy, laying out how Secretary Kennedy’s purge of the Committee threatened public health and vaccine confidence.

    Senator Murray was a vocal critic of President Trump’s first pick for CDC Director, Dave Weldon. The CDC Director is a Senate-confirmed position for the first time this year thanks to a provision in Senator Murray’s bipartisan PREVENT Pandemics Act, which she negotiated and passed with former Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) in 2022.

    [ACIP MEMBER QUALIFICATION]

    Senator Murray began by questioning Dr. Monarez on the appointment process of members of CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), as RFK Jr. appointed members with seemingly no vetting process, “Three weeks ago, Secretary Kennedy abruptly fired all 17 members of the ACIP. And then, he appointed 8 new, unvetted members—many of whom are known vaccine skeptics—and as we all know the Committee is starting today to vote on vaccine recommendations. As of last night, they’re down to just 7 members. I wanted to ask you, do you agree that any new ACIP members should have to go through a thorough ethics review process before meeting?”

    Dr. Monarez replied, “The members of the ACIP do need to go through a thorough ethics review before they are allowed to participate in those critical meetings.”

    Senator Murray pressed, “So, if that ethics review process was not complete before the Committee met today—do you think any vaccine recommendations from this week’s meetings should be valid?”

    “My understanding is that to convene the ACIP meetings, there needs to be a quorum of participants,” replied Dr. Monarez.

    Senator Murray reiterated her question, “You just said they should through the ethics vetting before meeting, they are meeting today without that ethics review process. Should they make recommendations today? Should they be valid?”

    Dr. Monarez answered, “I’m not familiar whether or not the members that are participating in the meeting this week have or have not gone through the ethics review necessary to allow them to participate in those meetings.”

    “If it is known that they have not gone through the ethics process and they issue recommendations, would you accept them as valid?” asked Senator Murray.

    “If they have not gone through an ethics approval process, they shouldn’t be participating in the meetings,” said Dr. Monarez.

    Senator Murray continued, “I would agree with that. And I know Chair Cassidy has expressed concerns about that as well. These affect millions of people, and it’s not just the members that I’m concerned about. Secretary Kennedy is bringing anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists from his former organization into that crucial vaccine meeting. Lyn Redwood, who is from the Children’s Health Defense, is scheduled to give a presentation on thimerosal in vaccines, to further RFK’s debunked claims that it causes autism, and she cited a study that does not exist. And after that was pointed out, CDC uploaded a new presentation. But let me ask you, do you think it is acceptable for a known conspiracy theorist who cites made-up sources to be presenting at CDC’s ACIP meeting and advising on vaccine recommendations?”

    Dr. Monarez replied, “I’m not familiar with the person you have identified. The ACIP is a public meeting and members of the public are in a position to be able to present what should be scientific and evidence-based information. And members of the ACIP should listen to that information and be able to evaluate the veracity of the data that is being discussed.”

    “The CDC Director makes the decision on whether a vaccine should be recommended to the public and does not have to follow recommendations passed by ACIP. What will you do if the Committee votes to remove vaccines from the vaccine schedule—or to not approve new ones—in opposition to clear, established science?” Senator Murray asked.

    “If I’m confirmed as a CDC Director, I will be an active listener and will be very interested in the discussions that take place at the ACIP meetings. I will be looking at how the ACIP members are able to evaluate this complex scientific information and the statistical analysis that goes into the risk benefit associated with that,” Dr. Monarez responded.

    Senator Murray said, “I appreciate that long answer there, but I have to say, many of us are very deeply concerned about the recommendations because they impact millions of people as I said. But they also translate directly into which vaccines get covered by insurance—and which vaccines are then accessible to patients.”

    [VACCINE COVERAGE]

    Senator Murray then questioned Dr. Monarez on access to vaccines as RFK Jr. attempts to obstruct coverage for millions of Americans, “Secretary Kennedy has spread really blatant disinformation about vaccines, and undermined the established science by pretending families need to do their own research on vaccine safety. Secretary Kennedy recently decided to revoke COVID vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women, meaning that their insurance may now not cover the cost of their vaccines.”

    “Do you think ‘leaving it up to the parents’ or the individual, if the ‘choice’ they are left with is to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars just to get one vaccine that was previously free, is the right way to go here?” asked Senator Murray.

    Dr. Monarez said, “I think we need to make sure that we are providing transparent and clear, effective communications about the benefits and the risks associated with vaccines so parents can make informed decision-making for themselves, their children, their families.”

    Senator Murray concluded, “Well, it is hard to know if it’s informed if you have ACIP members who are listening to somebody who is a vaccine conspiracy theorist that has been debunked. And I just want to make this clear, when ACIP pulls its recommendation or refuses to recommend an evidence-based vaccine, a lot more kids and a lot more families will not get vaccinated. They will not be able to afford it. And that is the reality.”

    _______________

    Senator Murray forcefully opposed the nomination of notorious anti-vaccine activist RFK Jr. to be Secretary of HHS, and she has long worked to combat vaccine skepticism and highlight the importance of scientific research and vaccines. Murray was also a leading voice against the nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon to lead CDC, repeatedly speaking up about her serious concerns with the nominee immediately after their meeting. In 2019, Senator Murray co-led a bipartisan hearing in the HELP Committee on vaccine hesitancy and spoke about the importance of addressing vaccine skepticism and getting people the facts they need to keep their families and communities safe and healthy. Ahead of the 2019 hearing, as multiple states were facing measles outbreaks in under-vaccinated areas, Murray sent a bipartisan letter with former HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander pressing Trump’s CDC Director and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health on their efforts to promote vaccination and vaccine confidence.

    Senator Murray has been a leading voice in Congress against RFK Jr.’s dismantling of HHS and attacks on America’s public health infrastructure, raising the alarm over HHS’ unilateral reorganization plan and slamming the closure of the HHS Region 10 office in Seattle and the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Spokane Research Laboratory. Senator Murray has sent oversight letters and hosted numerous press conferences and events to lay out how the administration’s reckless gutting of HHS is risking Americans’ health and safety and will set our country back decades, and lifting up the voices of HHS employees who were fired for no reason and through no fault of their own.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At HELP Hearing, Senator Murray Presses CDC Nominee on Commitment to Scientific Integrity, Vaccine Access, as RFK Jr. Fires ACIP Members, Pushes Vaccine Conspiracies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Murray Calls for Kennedy to Reinstate Fired ACIP Members or Delay Meeting Until New Members Appropriately Vetted

    Senator Murray, along with Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), authored the PREVENT Pandemics Act that made the CDC Director a Senate confirmed position for the first time starting this year

    Dr. Monarez on ACIP members: “If they have not gone through an ethics approval process, they shouldn’t be participating in the meetings”

    ***WATCH: Murray’s questioning of Dr. Monarez***

    Washington, D.C. – Today—during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on the nomination for Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—Senator Murray, senior member and former Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, questioned nominee Dr. Susan Monarez on Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. firing of all 17 members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replacing them with 8 new unvetted members just two weeks ago, pressing Dr. Monarez on the need for the new ACIP members to go through a thorough ethics review process before meeting today. Murray also raised alarm over Secretary Kennedy’s move to bring in Lyn Redwood, the leader of the anti-vaccine group founded by Secretary Kennedy, to give a presentation on thimerosal in vaccines at the ACIP meeting this week—furthering RFK Jr.’s debunked claims that the preservative used in vaccines causes autism. Senator Murray also pressed Dr. Monarez on the importance of ACIP in maintaining no-cost access to evidence-based vaccines for children and families, and how ACIP recommendation changes could force families to pay out of pocket for vaccines—or forgo vaccination.

    Yesterday, Senator Murray called on Secretary Kennedy to reinstate the ACIP members he fired without cause, or delay this week’s meeting until the new members have been appropriately vetted. Earlier this month, Senator Murray held a press call with Dr. Helen Chu of Washington state, one of the 17 ACIP members abruptly fired by Secretary Kennedy, laying out how Secretary Kennedy’s purge of the Committee threatened public health and vaccine confidence.

    Senator Murray was a vocal critic of President Trump’s first pick for CDC Director, Dave Weldon. The CDC Director is a Senate-confirmed position for the first time this year thanks to a provision in Senator Murray’s bipartisan PREVENT Pandemics Act, which she negotiated and passed with former Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) in 2022.

    [ACIP MEMBER QUALIFICATION]

    Senator Murray began by questioning Dr. Monarez on the appointment process of members of CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), as RFK Jr. appointed members with seemingly no vetting process, “Three weeks ago, Secretary Kennedy abruptly fired all 17 members of the ACIP. And then, he appointed 8 new, unvetted members—many of whom are known vaccine skeptics—and as we all know the Committee is starting today to vote on vaccine recommendations. As of last night, they’re down to just 7 members. I wanted to ask you, do you agree that any new ACIP members should have to go through a thorough ethics review process before meeting?”

    Dr. Monarez replied, “The members of the ACIP do need to go through a thorough ethics review before they are allowed to participate in those critical meetings.”

    Senator Murray pressed, “So, if that ethics review process was not complete before the Committee met today—do you think any vaccine recommendations from this week’s meetings should be valid?”

    “My understanding is that to convene the ACIP meetings, there needs to be a quorum of participants,” replied Dr. Monarez.

    Senator Murray reiterated her question, “You just said they should through the ethics vetting before meeting, they are meeting today without that ethics review process. Should they make recommendations today? Should they be valid?”

    Dr. Monarez answered, “I’m not familiar whether or not the members that are participating in the meeting this week have or have not gone through the ethics review necessary to allow them to participate in those meetings.”

    “If it is known that they have not gone through the ethics process and they issue recommendations, would you accept them as valid?” asked Senator Murray.

    “If they have not gone through an ethics approval process, they shouldn’t be participating in the meetings,” said Dr. Monarez.

    Senator Murray continued, “I would agree with that. And I know Chair Cassidy has expressed concerns about that as well. These affect millions of people, and it’s not just the members that I’m concerned about. Secretary Kennedy is bringing anti-vaccine conspiracy theorists from his former organization into that crucial vaccine meeting. Lyn Redwood, who is from the Children’s Health Defense, is scheduled to give a presentation on thimerosal in vaccines, to further RFK’s debunked claims that it causes autism, and she cited a study that does not exist. And after that was pointed out, CDC uploaded a new presentation. But let me ask you, do you think it is acceptable for a known conspiracy theorist who cites made-up sources to be presenting at CDC’s ACIP meeting and advising on vaccine recommendations?”

    Dr. Monarez replied, “I’m not familiar with the person you have identified. The ACIP is a public meeting and members of the public are in a position to be able to present what should be scientific and evidence-based information. And members of the ACIP should listen to that information and be able to evaluate the veracity of the data that is being discussed.”

    “The CDC Director makes the decision on whether a vaccine should be recommended to the public and does not have to follow recommendations passed by ACIP. What will you do if the Committee votes to remove vaccines from the vaccine schedule—or to not approve new ones—in opposition to clear, established science?” Senator Murray asked.

    “If I’m confirmed as a CDC Director, I will be an active listener and will be very interested in the discussions that take place at the ACIP meetings. I will be looking at how the ACIP members are able to evaluate this complex scientific information and the statistical analysis that goes into the risk benefit associated with that,” Dr. Monarez responded.

    Senator Murray said, “I appreciate that long answer there, but I have to say, many of us are very deeply concerned about the recommendations because they impact millions of people as I said. But they also translate directly into which vaccines get covered by insurance—and which vaccines are then accessible to patients.”

    [VACCINE COVERAGE]

    Senator Murray then questioned Dr. Monarez on access to vaccines as RFK Jr. attempts to obstruct coverage for millions of Americans, “Secretary Kennedy has spread really blatant disinformation about vaccines, and undermined the established science by pretending families need to do their own research on vaccine safety. Secretary Kennedy recently decided to revoke COVID vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant women, meaning that their insurance may now not cover the cost of their vaccines.”

    “Do you think ‘leaving it up to the parents’ or the individual, if the ‘choice’ they are left with is to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars just to get one vaccine that was previously free, is the right way to go here?” asked Senator Murray.

    Dr. Monarez said, “I think we need to make sure that we are providing transparent and clear, effective communications about the benefits and the risks associated with vaccines so parents can make informed decision-making for themselves, their children, their families.”

    Senator Murray concluded, “Well, it is hard to know if it’s informed if you have ACIP members who are listening to somebody who is a vaccine conspiracy theorist that has been debunked. And I just want to make this clear, when ACIP pulls its recommendation or refuses to recommend an evidence-based vaccine, a lot more kids and a lot more families will not get vaccinated. They will not be able to afford it. And that is the reality.”

    _______________

    Senator Murray forcefully opposed the nomination of notorious anti-vaccine activist RFK Jr. to be Secretary of HHS, and she has long worked to combat vaccine skepticism and highlight the importance of scientific research and vaccines. Murray was also a leading voice against the nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon to lead CDC, repeatedly speaking up about her serious concerns with the nominee immediately after their meeting. In 2019, Senator Murray co-led a bipartisan hearing in the HELP Committee on vaccine hesitancy and spoke about the importance of addressing vaccine skepticism and getting people the facts they need to keep their families and communities safe and healthy. Ahead of the 2019 hearing, as multiple states were facing measles outbreaks in under-vaccinated areas, Murray sent a bipartisan letter with former HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander pressing Trump’s CDC Director and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health on their efforts to promote vaccination and vaccine confidence.

    Senator Murray has been a leading voice in Congress against RFK Jr.’s dismantling of HHS and attacks on America’s public health infrastructure, raising the alarm over HHS’ unilateral reorganization plan and slamming the closure of the HHS Region 10 office in Seattle and the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Spokane Research Laboratory. Senator Murray has sent oversight letters and hosted numerous press conferences and events to lay out how the administration’s reckless gutting of HHS is risking Americans’ health and safety and will set our country back decades, and lifting up the voices of HHS employees who were fired for no reason and through no fault of their own.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FACT SHEET: Trump’s Rescission Package Would Gut Bipartisan Foreign Policy Investments 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Rescissions package that Senate Republicans are debating—and House Republicans passed—would decimate core foreign policy investments made on a bipartisan basis 

    Lifesaving programs like PEPFAR, GAVI, humanitarian assistance; U.S. treaty obligations; investments to advance U.S. interests all on the chopping block  

    Washington, D.C. – Ahead of a hearing on President Trump’s $9.4 billion rescissions request with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released a new fact sheet detailing how the rescission package would devastate core bipartisan foreign policy investments—and breaking down the Trump administration’s misleading talking points on its request. 

    ____________________________ 

    FICTION: This package would simply cut “woke” Biden-era initiatives—or a highly-selective short list of *past* examples of funded projects that the Trump administration finds objectionable.

    FACT: President Trump himself signed most of these funds into law in March—and his administration has flexibility to determine how exactly to fulfill the objectives provided by Congress for the funding. 

    While Congress specifies particular objectives for the foreign assistance it has provided to advance U.S. interests, the Trump administration has discretion over how exactly to execute the funding in compliance with the law—just as any administration does. 

    The Trump administration has trotted out a highly-selective, tiny list of past initiatives funded by these broader pots of money allocated by Congress—but the plain fact is it now is in charge of executing these programs, and most of the funds in the rescission request were signed into law by Trump himself. 

    ____________________________ 

    FICTION: The cuts are merely to “wasteful foreign assistance spending” that is “antithetical” to American interests. 

    FACT: Passing the rescission package would gut funding provided for all manner of important, bipartisan foreign policy objectives. 

    Passing this package would: 

    • Rip away $900 million provided for global health programs that save millions of lives and protect Americans from public health threats. The package would cut $400 million from PEPFAR and another $500 million for other global health programs, which address maternal and child health, family planning, and diseases like malaria, TB, and Polio. 
    • Rescind $4.6 billion for economic and development assistance—half of the total amount provided for fiscal year 2025. This funding pot is used to support cybersecurity, the Counter PRC Influence Fund, critical mineral supply chain diversification, support to partners in the Indo-Pacific, food security programs, support for U.S. businesses abroad, efforts to address irregular migration in our hemisphere, and many other bipartisan initiatives. 
    • Zero out $1 billion to meet U.S. treaty obligations and contributions to international organizations. This includes funds to cover dues to the United Nations, support peacekeeping missions, support UNICEF, and more—ceding ground to countries like China to expand their influence and shape the rules of the road without the United States. 
    • Eliminate $1.3 billion provided for humanitarian assistance, leading to needless suffering, promoting instability, and undermining U.S. interests. This includes emergency food needs, shelter, and other commodities that help stabilize conflict and disaster-stricken populations and stabilize partner governments. 

    ____________________________ 

    FICTION: The Trump administration has transparently detailed what this package would mean for bipartisan foreign policy objectives long supported by Congress. 

    FACT: The Trump administration has refused to tell Congress or the public how it plans to effectuate the sweeping cuts it seeks, allowing Russ Vought and President Trump to decide what specific initiatives to slash well after Congress debates and passes the package.  

    The Trump administration’s proposed rescissions of a variety of foreign policy priorities only spell out cuts to high-level accounts—not the specific programs and initiatives funded from within those accounts that they will cut if this package passes.

    We do not know which humanitarian responses that Congress intended to support will be reduced. We do not have details on which infectious disease programs or support for maternal and child health will be curtailed. We do not know which economic and development programs are going to be cut off, undermining congressional direction. Will they cut funding to counter the Chinese government, support American farmers—both? We don’t know. 

    ____________________________ 

    FICTION: The $400 million cut to PEPFAR funding is surgical, and the package will preserve all life-saving assistance. 

    FACT: The package does not protect lifesaving care, nor does it detail what specifically will be cut or how—the Trump administration retains that discretion and has so far refused to provide details on what it plans to cut. Cutting preventative assistance means cutting lifesaving assistance, too.  

    Without robust prevention efforts, more people will become infected with HIV—costing lives and many more dollars in treatment down the line. Every dollar invested in prevention saves $20 in HIV treatment and care costs. The Trump administration’s decision to curtail support for prevention efforts is already seriously setting back efforts to end the H.I.V. epidemic. 

    ____________________________ 

    FICTION: Rescinding these funds will help “put the Nation’s fiscal house back in order.” 

    FACT: The requested cuts spanning multiple fiscal years represent less than 0.12% of all federal spending in fiscal year 2025. Rescinding these investments will do nothing to meaningfully tackle our debt—but President Trump and Republicans’ “Big Beautiful Bill” would explode it by $4 trillion. 

    While some Republicans insist making these cuts is necessary in the interest of fiscal responsibility, the plain fact is President Trump and congressional Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which Senate Republicans are laboring to pass this week, would add $4 trillion to the national debt over just the next 10 years.  

    While rescinding these investments to advance U.S. interests abroad would do exceptionally little to address the deficit or our national debt, they would decimate core objectives Congress has long supported on a bipartisan basis. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Dr Ahmadreza Djalali in Iran – RC-B10-0284/2025/REV1

    Source: European Parliament

    pursuant to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of the Rules of Procedure
    replacing the following motions:
    B10‑0284/2025 (Verts/ALE)
    B10‑0285/2025 (Renew)
    B10‑0296/2025 (S&D)
    B10‑0299/2025 (PPE)
    B10‑0300/2025 (ECR)

    Sebastião Bugalho, Michał Wawrykiewicz, David McAllister, Željana Zovko, Loucas Fourlas, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Tomas Tobé, Miriam Lexmann, Andrey Kovatchev, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Dariusz Joński, Loránt Vincze, Danuše Nerudová, Mirosława Nykiel, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Davor Ivo Stier, Luděk Niedermayer, Liudas Mažylis, Inese Vaidere
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Evin Incir, Daniel Attard, Chloé Ridel
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Adam Bielan, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Rihards Kols, Aurelijus Veryga, Diego Solier, Nora Junco García, Mariusz Kamiński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Charlie Weimers, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Alexandr Vondra, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Bogdan Rzońca, Assita Kanko, Marlena Maląg, Marion Maréchal, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Kris Van Dijck
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Abir Al‑Sahlani, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Engin Eroglu, Bart Groothuis, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan‑Christoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Alice Kuhnke
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
    Jonas Sjöstedt

    Document selected :  

    RC-B10-0284/2025

    Texts tabled :

    RC-B10-0284/2025

    Texts adopted :

    European Parliament resolution on the case of Dr Ahmadreza Djalali in Iran

    (2025/2753(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on the Islamic Republic of Iran,

    – having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas Swedish-Iranian national Dr Ahmad Reza Djalali, a specialist in emergency medicine and a scholar at Belgium’s Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Italy’s Università del Piemonte Orientale, was arrested on 24 April 2016 by the Iranian security forces;

    B. whereas Djalali was sentenced to death on spurious espionage charges in October 2017 following a grossly unfair trial based on a confession extracted under torture; whereas the sentence was upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court on 17 June 2018;

    C. whereas Djalali has been denied adequate medical care despite the severe deterioration in his physical health and the risk to his life, including a recent heart attack at Evin prison; whereas Iran has continued to threaten to implement his death sentence;

    D. whereas hundreds of individuals have already been executed in 2025 and at least 972 were executed in 2024, a 14 % increase on 2023;

    E. whereas the Iranian Government refuses to recognise Djalali’s Swedish citizenship;

    F. whereas this case is part of a systematic pattern of unlawful detentions and hostage diplomacy by the Iranian regime;

    1. Calls on Iran to immediately release Dr Djalali along with all political prisoners currently being detained; calls on Iran to put a moratorium on executions and to abolish the death penalty;

    2. Strongly condemns Djalali’s sham trial and the Iranian authorities’ brutal treatment of him, amounting to torture and ill treatment, as he was subjected to months of interrogation in solitary confinement, and then sentenced to death;

    3. Urges Iran to provide Djalali, whose health is deteriorating, with immediate and unrestricted access to necessary specialised medical care at an external hospital; urges Iran, furthermore, to provide Djalali with legal representation and legal defence, and allow him regular contact with his family;

    4. Calls on the relevant Member States and the European External Action Service to intensify diplomatic efforts and adopt targeted measures in response to Iran’s continued detention of EU nationals, including Cécile Kohler, Jacques Paris and others, as part of its hostage diplomacy and in violation of international law;

    5. Reiterates its call on the Council to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organisation and extend EU sanctions to all those responsible for taking EU nationals hostage and for mass executions of opposition voices and other human rights violations;

    6. Demands that Iran grant full access to UN human rights mechanisms, including the Special Rapporteur, and the EU’s full support and increase support for civil society organisations;

    7. Emphasises that EU-Iran engagements must be founded on tangible progress on democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the release of all political prisoners;

    8. Asks the VP/HR to raise Djalali’s case publicly and in all engagements with her Iranian counterparts;

    9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government of Iran, the VP/HR, the Commission, the Member States and the United Nations.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Funding of Animal Rebellion – E-001574/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission is not aware of any EU funding to the Animal rebellion group under its current name PLANT BASED CAMPAIGNS LTD[1].

    A person or entity may be excluded from participating in award procedures or from implementing Union funds if they meet any of the situations outlined in Article 138 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (recast)[2].

    This regulation provides grounds for exclusion including grave professional misconduct by inciting discrimination, hatred or violence against individuals or groups that are engaging in activities that are contrary to the values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty on European Union[3].

    • [1] https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12064173.
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202402509.
    • [3] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:12012M002.
    Last updated: 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – European main battle tank – E-001662/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Defence Fund (EDF) aims to support collaborative research and development (R&D) projects based on common priorities agreed by the Member States.

    The development of a next-generation main battle tank (MBT) is one of these priorities, as set out in the EU Capability Development Plan[1] and the Strategic Compass[2].

    In line with this, the EDF launched a call for proposals in 2023 to initiate such development, complementing the multinational Main Ground Combat System programme led by France and Germany.

    Through this call, Member States agreed on the requirements for key technologies necessary for the next-generation European MBT, and industry was invited to establish a consortium to conduct the necessary R&D.

    As a result, two projects (i.e. Main ARmoured Tank of Europe[3] and Technologies for existing and Future MBTs[4]) were selected for funding to conduct the initial R&D stages.

    A follow-up R&D action for these projects is high on the agenda for discussions with Member States, thus demonstrating a convergence of national plans.

    While Member States are free to decide which defence capabilities to develop and procure, the EU could further incentivise Member States to engage in joint procurement, which would reduce the number of systems used in the different defence capability areas.

    The Security Action for Europe Regulation[5] is a case in point, as it encourages Member States to buy together by offering them access to loans and simplified procurement rules, including in land combat capabilities.

    • [1] https://eda.europa.eu/publications-and-data/thematic-policy-reports/the-2023-eu-capability-development-priorities.
    • [2] https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/strategic-compass-security-and-defence-1_en.
    • [3] https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/document/download/b816bef0-0a9f-439d-9f30-2dfc97373b55_en?filename=EDF-2023-DA-GROUND-MBT%20MARTE.pdf.
    • [4] https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/document/download/37439eaf-8092-4e5b-ba7d-216ec4fa891b_en?filename=EDF-2023-DA-GROUND-MBT%20FMBTech.pdf.
    • [5] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/1106/oj/eng.
    Last updated: 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Free movement in the EU – E-001781/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission would like to recall that legislation applicable to prostitution is a matter that remains within the competence of Member States, which have different approaches and legislations in this area.

    1. Restrictions on the right to move and reside freely on grounds of public policy and public security are set in Chapter VI of Directive 2004/38/EC[1], Articles 27 to 33. Member States retain the freedom to determine the requirements of public policy and public security in accordance with their needs, but they must interpret those requirements strictly. Restrictive measures, including a detention measure or ending a right to reside in or enter a Member State, may be taken only on a case-by-case basis where the personal conduct of an individual represents a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of the society of the host Member State[2].

    2. The Anti-Trafficking Directive (Directive 2011/36/EU)[3] provides for minimum common rules for Member States to address the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation as a purpose of trafficking in human beings, in so far as the other elements of the offence (i.e. the intentional act and the means) are met. It is for Member States to assess if, in individual cases, these elements are fulfilled. The directive is without prejudice to the way in which Member States deal with prostitution in their national law.

    • [1]  Directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States, OJ L 158, 30.4.2004.
    • [2] C-331/16 and C-366/16, K and H.
    • [3] Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2011 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA, OJ L 101, 15.4.2011.
    Last updated: 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Making the French solidarity grocery store model more sustainable and widespread under the ESF+, and possibilities for European harmonisation – E-001892/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    With an allocated amount of EUR 5.3 billion for material support, the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is, in continuation to the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), the only instrument to target exclusively the most disadvantaged in the EU.

    According to Article 21 of the ESF+ Regulation[1], the food and/or basic material assistance shall be distributed free of charge to the most deprived persons. In case that paid-for products are distributed in the same place as the ESF+ support, those will have to be financed through different resources.

    In practice, the organisations delivering food support combine ESF+ support with national and private financing, including food donations, in order to ensure a wider coverage for the most deprived.

    The ESF+ Community of Practice for Material Support[2] explores and promotes innovative practices in delivering material support, in line with the regulatory framework for addressing material deprivation with ESF+ programmes.

    • [1] Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 of the European Parliament and of the Council
      of 24 June 2021establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1296/2013 — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/1057/oj/eng.
    • [2] https://www.socialinnovationplus.eu/cop/material-support/.
    Last updated: 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Anti-white racism and Christianophobia: the forgotten victims of the EU’s strategy against racism – E-001643/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    In line with President of the Commission’s Political Guidelines for 2024-2029[1], the Commission initiated the preparatory works for a new anti-racism strategy that follows upon the EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025. Building on the action plan, the Commission is determined to develop a strategy that addresses all forms of racism.

    The call for evidence to which the Honourable Members refer was launched on 15 April 2025 alongside an open public consultation on the new strategy. Both are still ongoing and will close on 8 July 2025.

    Any interested stakeholder can participate in the public consultation process. The Commission does not disburse any funding in the consultation process to stakeholders that provide a contribution and the strategy itself does not involve any costs.

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/document/e6cd4328-673c-4e7a-8683-f63ffb2cf648_en.
    Last updated: 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Funding for trauma-informed support structures – E-002384/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002384/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Kathleen Funchion (The Left)

    Are there any EU-funded or -supported programmes operating in Ireland or elsewhere that fund trauma-informed support structures for students in schools? If operating in Ireland, what is their managing authority? If there are no such programmes in Ireland or elsewhere, will the Commission, in the context of future cohesion policy, look at funding such support structures?

    Submitted: 12.6.2025

    Last updated: 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The Methane Regulation, energy security and competitiveness Does the Commission intend to respond to the Member States’ concerns? – E-002452/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002452/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Piotr Müller (ECR)

    According to media reports, some Member States are calling for a reduction in the methane monitoring and reporting obligations provided for under the already adopted Methane Regulation.

    These proposals are to be considered as part of the announced Omnibus Simplification Package.

    EU climate policy, when pursued without taking into account economic and technological realities, increasingly leads to a decline in competitiveness, destabilisation of the energy market and higher costs for producers. Unreasonable administrative burdens are not conducive to innovation or investment. In this context, there are also worrying signs of possible barriers being imposed on imports of American LNG, which should be unequivocally supported as a strategic alternative to Russian raw materials.

    I would therefore ask the Commission to answer the following questions:

    • 1.How does the Commission intend to respond to the calls from Member States to reduce obligations under the Methane Regulation?
    • 2.Does the Commission plan to adapt the legislation to market realities and technological possibilities?

    Submitted: 18.6.2025

    Last updated: 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Commission spending on buildings – E-000410/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    When the Commission President decided to use the existing room for resting in the Berlaymont to reside when she is in Brussels, she decided as well to have a monthly deduction of her allowance to cover for all expenses related to her accommodation and more.

    The sale of 23 buildings reduces overall building expenditure whilst simultaneously improving and greening the Commission’s real estate portfolio (in line with its climate neutrality objective) and ensuring good and modern working conditions for its staff.

    Starting from a total office space of 780 000 m2 in 2021, the Commission aims to reach 580 000 m2 by 2030. This net reduction of 200 000 m2 is obtained by abandoning around 500 000 m2 in buildings with low environmental performance and taking up around 300 000 m2 of office space in new high-performance buildings to improve and green the Commission’s real estate. Of the 23 buildings sold, the Commission continues to occupy 17 until 2026-2027 and 3 until 2029.

    The Commission is actively seeking new surfaces on the market to replace sold buildings. The Commission considers leasing new buildings to be more cost-effective than retaining ownership of the buildings sold as the latter would have involved costs for renovation (with related project and legal uncertainty) and for leasing additional surfaces during renovation.

    Last updated: 25 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Rwanda – E-000898/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The EU-Rwanda memorandum of understanding (MoU)[1] is a tool to help the EU address illicit trafficking and to promote a sustainable and responsible sourcing and processing of raw materials.

    The MoU was negotiated by the Commission on the basis of a mandate by the Council of the EU and is in line with the EU’s renewed Great Lakes Strategy[2].

    The MoU has provided a platform to encourage Rwandan authorities to adhere to the Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative[3]. Its cancelation would remove the basis for this engagement with Rwanda on improving transparency and traceability. The MoU and the Conflict Minerals Regulation[4] are coherent and have the potential to reinforce each other.

    The main objective of the regulation is to ensure that EU importers of tin, tantalum, tungsten buy from responsible sources only, in line with the standards set by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development[5].

    The EU has been financing the European Partnership for Responsible Minerals[6], an accompanying measure to the Conflict Minerals Regulation, while also aiming at improving mineral resources management.

    The programme ‘Peace and Security for Stability in the Great Lakes region’[7], which supports the implementation of a regional certification mechanism, also aims at reducing mineral resources impact on conflict.

    The Commission takes note of the call expressed by the European Parliament in its plenary resolution of 13 February 2025[8].

    Following the Foreign Affairs Council meetings of 24 February and 17 March 2025, several measures have been taken, including the adoption of additional restrictive measures, the suspension of the EU security and defence consultations with Rwanda. The MoU regarding critical raw materials was put under review[9].

    In line with the calls from African partners, the EU fully supports the mediation efforts aiming at ending the atrocities and finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

    • [1] https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/58035.
    • [2] https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6631-2023-INIT/en/pdf.
    • [3] https://eiti.org/.
    • [4]  Regulation (EU) 2017/821, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32017R0821.
    • [5] https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/an-international-standard-oecd-due-diligence-guidance-for-responsible-mineral-supply-chains.htm, https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-guidelines-for-multinational-enterprises-on-responsible-business-conduct_81f92357-en.html.
    • [6] https://europeanpartnership-responsibleminerals.eu/.
    • [7] Details of this programme are available at this link: https://mirego.bi/applications/views/UE.php.
    • [8] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-10-2025-0020_EN.html.
    • [9] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/fac/2025/02/24/.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Commission proposes EU Space Act to boost market access and strengthen space safety

    Source: European Commission

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 25 Jun 2025 Today, the European Commission has proposed the EU Space Act, a new set of ambitious measures to make Europe’s space sector cleaner, safer and more competitive in Europe and its export markets.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: JOINT MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli – RC-B10-0282/2025/REV1

    Source: European Parliament

    pursuant to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of the Rules of Procedure
    replacing the following motions:
    B10‑0282/2025 (Verts/ALE)
    B10‑0287/2025 (Renew)
    B10‑0289/2025 (S&D)
    B10‑0290/2025 (PPE)
    B10‑0295/2025 (ECR)

    Sebastião Bugalho, Rasa Juknevičienė, David McAllister, Željana Zovko, Isabel Wiseler‑Lima, Tomas Tobé, Miriam Lexmann, Andrey Kovatchev, Ingeborg Ter Laak, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Dariusz Joński, Loránt Vincze, Danuše Nerudová, Mirosława Nykiel, Antonio López‑Istúriz White, Davor Ivo Stier, Luděk Niedermayer, Liudas Mažylis, Inese Vaidere, Loucas Fourlas, Krzysztof Brejza
    on behalf of the PPE Group
    Yannis Maniatis, Francisco Assis, Tobias Cremer
    on behalf of the S&D Group
    Adam Bielan, Małgorzata Gosiewska, Rihards Kols, Mariusz Kamiński, Sebastian Tynkkynen, Alexandr Vondra, Ondřej Krutílek, Veronika Vrecionová, Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, Bogdan Rzońca, Arkadiusz Mularczyk, Assita Kanko, Marlena Maląg, Waldemar Tomaszewski
    on behalf of the ECR Group
    Urmas Paet, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Benoit Cassart, Olivier Chastel, Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová, Engin Eroglu, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ľubica Karvašová, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, Jan‑Christoph Oetjen, Marie‑Agnes Strack‑Zimmermann, Eugen Tomac, Hilde Vautmans, Lucia Yar, Dainius Žalimas
    on behalf of the Renew Group
    Lena Schilling, Markéta Gregorová
    on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
    Hanna Gedin, Jonas Sjöstedt, Per Clausen

    Document selected :  

    RC-B10-0282/2025

    Texts tabled :

    RC-B10-0282/2025

    Texts adopted :

    European Parliament resolution on media freedom in Georgia, particularly the case of Mzia Amaglobeli

    (2025/2752(RSP))

    The European Parliament,

    – having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia,

    – having regard to Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

    A. whereas Mzia Amaglobeli, a journalist and co-founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti outlets, was arrested during pro-European protests on 12 January 2025 and faces four to seven years in prison for a provoked incident involving a police officer;

    B. whereas the adoption of draconian legislation – such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and amendments to the Law on Broadcasting, Code of Administrative Offences and Law on Grants – constitutes a dangerous acceleration of democratic backsliding and deliberate authoritarian strategy by Georgian Dream to silence critical voices in civil society and independent media and persecute the political opposition;

    C. whereas the authorities have virtually annihilated remaining independent media outlets in the country; whereas the public information space is fully dominated by pro-government media, spreading Russian-style propaganda and anti-European disinformation;

    D. whereas in Mzia Amaglobeli’s case, the authorities ignored procedural safeguards, imposed pre-trial detention without a clear legal basis, contested by the Public Defender, and assigned a presiding judge lacking qualifications in criminal law; whereas she is being punished for exposing corruption and reporting on election fraud during the 2024 elections;

    E. whereas she reportedly suffered inhumane treatment and undertook a 38-day hunger strike;

    F. whereas Estonia and Lithuania have imposed personal sanctions on Georgian judges and police officers linked to Mzia Amaglobeli’s case;

    1. Demands Mzia Amaglobeli’s immediate and unconditional release and the withdrawal of all charges against her, and denounces her politically motivated arrest and prosecution;

    2. Strongly condemns the Georgian Dream regime’s systemic assault on democratic institutions, political opposition, independent media, civil society and judicial independence;

    3. Expresses deep concern over arbitrary detentions and the harassment of, and violence against, journalists in Georgia, including smear campaigns, legal persecution, abuse and gender-based violence in detention; calls for independent investigations and urges the authorities to immediately end intimidation and ensure journalists’ safety and freedom;

    4. Urges the Georgian authorities to release all political prisoners and other illegally detained persons without delay, including activist Mate Devidze, opposition leaders Zurab Japaridze, Nika Melia and Nika Gvaramia, and former President Mikheil Saakashvili, and denounces the violent abduction of UNM Chair Tina Bokuchava’s husband and the reported threats to her children’s safety;

    5. Calls for the immediate repeal of all repressive legislation, the restoration of democracy, and full protection of media freedom and civil liberties;

    6. Calls for the EU to step up support for Georgia’s independent media and civil society following the entry into force of the FARA, and monitor ongoing trials;

    7. Regrets the persistent inaction of the Council, Member States and Commission and reiterates its repeated call on Member States to impose bilateral sanctions against Georgian Dream leaders and officials responsible for democratic backsliding;

    8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, President Zourabichvili, and the self-appointed authorities of Georgia.

     

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: New State aid framework enables support for clean industry

    Source: European Commission

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 25 Jun 2025 The European Commission has today adopted a new State aid framework supporting the Clean Industrial Deal (CISAF), to enable Member States to push forward the development of clean energy, industrial decarbonisation and clean technology.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Outlook for the European Council meeting on 26-27 June 2025 – 25-06-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Council meeting on 26-27 June has a full agenda. One year into the new institutional cycle, global affairs have grown tense and unpredictable. Although a discussion on the Middle East was not originally envisaged for the June European Council meeting, the rapidly developing situation in the region will require the EU leaders’ attention. EU leaders are also expected to discuss Ukraine, European defence and security, the EU in the world, competitiveness, migration, Moldova, the Western Balkans, internal security and EU preparedness. Some further items, such as the rules-based international order, may also feature on the agenda. The discussion on internal reforms in the context of enlargement, envisaged in the Leaders’ Agenda for June, seems to have been postponed to a later date. Despite a full agenda, in his invitation letter European Council President António Costa stressed his intention to keep the meeting to one day.

    MIL OSI Europe News –