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Category: Economy

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – Applications Open for the 7th Annual GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition – Africa’s Youth Agrifood Entrepreneurs Invited to Drive Food Systems Transformation with a US$160,000 Prize Pool

    SOURCE: 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition

    Africa’s high entrepreneurship rates further underscore the continent as a potential global leader in youth-driven enterprise, innovation, and job creation

    JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, April 3, 2025 – The 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize launches its seventh annual competition today in search for Africa’s most promising young co-founders and founders across Africa who have launched businesses across Africa’s agrifood value chain “from seed to fork”. Judges will be looking for innovative, scalable, and impact-driven agripreneurs (aged 18 to 35) who have built tech-savvy, sustainable businesses tackling food security, job creation, and equitable economic growth. Applications are open from 3 April to 10 June 2025. https://GoGettaz.Africa

    In September 2025, GoGettaz finalists will pitch their businesses live on stage in Dakar, Senegal during the annual Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) taking place 31 August to 5 September 2025. Two grand prizes of US$50,000 each will be awarded to the most outstanding male and female-led agribusinesses. An additional US$60,000 in Impact Awards will recognize businesses excelling in key areas such as technology, innovation, nutrition, food security, improving rural livelihoods, climate resilience, gender equity, natural resource conservation, and job creation.

    The GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition is an integral part of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), the world’s premier forum for African agriculture and food systems, bringing together stakeholders to take practical action and share lessons that will empower Africa’s young leaders for food systems transformation.

    With the 2025 AFSF theme “Africa’s Youth: Leading Collaboration, Innovation and Implementation of Agri-Food Systems Transformation,” the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize competition is set to empower youth entrepreneurs from across West, Northern, Southern, Central, and Eastern Africa who looking to showcase, grow, and scale, their agrifood businesses.

    As Africa faces mounting challenges of lack of infrastructure, access to finance, job creation, and food insecurity, its youth are stepping up as powerful agents of transformation. From the bustling trade hubs of West Africa to the agricultural heartlands of Southern Africa, young innovators are developing solutions that not only tackle immediate crises but also pave the way for a sustainable future. The GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition serves as a platform for these change-makers, offering mentorship, exposure, networking, and resources to enhance their impact across Africa’s diverse regions.

    “I am continually amazed by the ingenuity and determination of the young entrepreneurs we meet through the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition each year,” said Svein Tore Holsether, President and Chief Executive Officer of Yara International and GoGettaz co-founder. “Their ability to leverage technology and innovative business models showcases the immense potential of the agrifood sector and the pivotal role of entrepreneurship in sustainable development. As we launch the 2025 campaign, we are inspired by the opportunity to empower and support young entrepreneurs who are enhancing job creation, uplifting communities, and nourishing Africa’s growing population.”

    With Africa set to represent one-quarter of the global population and one-third of the world’s youth by 2050, according to United Nations projections, the continent’s youth, over 70% who are younger than 30 years of age, hold immense potential. Africa’s high entrepreneurship rates further underscore the continent as a potential global leader in youth-driven enterprise, innovation, and job creation.

    “Africa’s youth are brimming with creative energy and ideas to solve myriad problems with innovative solutions,” remarked GoGettaz co-founder Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Chairman of Econet Group who also served as Chair of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa for several years.

    “They aren’t waiting around for the perfect conditions; they are seizing the moment and embracing technology to revolutionize the agrifood industry across the continent,” he noted. “They are launching remarkable ventures, but to ensure they can grow and scale, our youth need the right support, access to capital, skills, and enabling environments to grow their young businesses into multimillion-dollar pan-African and global agribusinesses.”

    “Our amazing young entrepreneurs deserve both recognition and support, which is why GoGettaz exists.” he said.

    Since its inception in 2019, the GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition has spotlighted diverse young entrepreneurs building innovative agribusinesses from traditional farming operations to high-tech AI-driven ventures. The 2025 competition is open to all African agripreneur-led businesses with headquarters on the African continent. Applications will be accepted in English and French.

    “The 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition is a rallying point for Africa’s brightest young minds to pioneer transformative solutions and drive meaningful change.” said Amath Pathe Sene, Managing Director of the Africa Food Systems Forum.

    “As Africa leads the charge in innovating for resilience, I am eager to see the groundbreaking climate-smart solutions that emerge from the 2025 contestants. The 2024 winners set a high standard by using innovative techniques aimed at preserving nutritional value using renewable energy and natural fibers to produce eco-friendly sanitary pads, improving health and hygiene. With food security under threat, exacerbated by climate change, Africa’s agripreneurs are rising to the challenge, transforming agricultural practices, and spearheading sustainable technologies.” he said.

    Beyond the prize money, top finalists will gain access to mentorship, training, introduction to investors, and other opportunities for collaboration.

    How to Apply

    GoGettaz invites young African agripreneurs across the continent to join the GoGettaz vibrant community and participate in the 2025 GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition. Eligible applicants must :

    Be 35 or younger at the time of submission.
    Be a citizen of an African Union member country.
    Serve as a founder or co-founder of a legally registered venture operating in Africa (ventures must be registered by 10 June 2025).

    Application Process :

    Join the GoGettaz Community: Follow @ GoGettazAfrica on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube to connect with peers and industry leaders. Share your journey using hashtags #GrowEntrepreneurs and #TransformFood.
    Visit the GoGettaz Website: Access resources, eligibility details, terms and conditions, and updates at https://GoGettaz.Africa.
    Submit Your Entry: Complete the online competition application on the website. You can save and revisit your application to ensure quality. https://GoGettaz.Africa
    Meet the Deadline: Applications must be submitted by 10 June 2025 to be considered for the US$160,000 prize pool and a chance to pitch LIVE at the AFSF Summit in Dakar, Senegal in September.

    For additional details, to apply, or to learn how you can contribute to driving sustainable food systems transformation in Africa, visit https://GoGettaz.Africa. Stay engaged by connecting with @ GoGettazAfrica on social media.

    Application Deadline: 10 June 2025

    Website: https://GoGettaz.Africa

    GoGettaz Co-Founders:

    Yara International: https://www.Yara.com
    Econet: https://www.EconetAfrica.com

    GoGettaz Partners:

    Africa Food Systems Forum: https://AGRF.org
    Alliance for a Green Revolution Africa: https://AGRA.org
    Mastercard Foundation: https://www.MasterCardFDN.org
    Southern African Confederation of Agricultural Unions: http://www.SACAU.org
    SNV Netherlands Development Organisation: https://www.SNV.org

    About GoGettaz:
    GoGettaz is a youth-centric initiative at the heart of the Africa Food Systems Forum, empowering young Africans from across the continent aged 18-35 to drive innovation and transformation in the agrifood sector. Through its annual GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize Competition, GoGettaz Community Platform, and Leadership Programs, young agripreneurs can connect to a vibrant ecosystem, learn new skills, and grow both themselves and their businesses.

    Join the movement to grow entrepreneurs, revolutionize African agriculture, and transform African food systems!

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Rebuke to Trump’s Trade War, Reed Helps Pass Measure to Repeal Trump’s Costly Canadian Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – Late last night, the U.S. Senate voted 51-48 to pass a bipartisan measure (S.J. Res 37) to effectively end President Trump’s steep new tariffs on Canadian goods, which amount to a 25 percent tax on a wide array of goods imported from one of America’s top trading partners and closest allies.  Tariffs are taxes on imports collected when foreign goods cross the U.S. border via Customs and Border Protection.  They are not paid for by a foreign country, but rather by U.S. importers, retailers, and consumers who actually purchase the products.
    The resolution would repeal the emergency declaration that allowed Trump to place tariffs on Canada.  This allowed Democrats to force a floor vote, with action on the joint resolution coming just after President Trump announced he is unilaterally imposing new blanket tariffs on nearly all imports coming into the United States.
    Every Democrat and independent member of the U.S. Senate voted for the resolution, along with Republican Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Mitch McConnell (R-KY) Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Rand Paul (R-KY).
    U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), who helped pass the measure, stated: “President Trump’s chaotic, blanket tariffs are a backdoor tax increase on the American people.  They are going to raise consumer prices and lift small businesses’ costs.  The added uncertainty and chaos President Trump is creating is already forcing companies to layoff American workers, and could soon threaten a recession.  President Trump should reverse course and lay out a clear, competent strategy that would lower costs for everyday Americans – something he promised to do while campaigning for President.  But President Trump has made clear over the past two months that helping families afford rent, gas, and groceries isn’t his priority.  What he really wants is to consolidate power for himself, bypass Congress, and force entire industries to come to him and ask for favors or punish companies he doesn’t like.  It’s bad for our economy, bad for American households, and bad for democracy.  Congress needs to reassert its authority as an equal branch of government and this vote was a positive if likely symbolic step in the right direction.  I will continue working on a bipartisan basis to help lower costs, not increase them through higher tariff taxes and costly trade wars.”
    The resolution, which was sponsored by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), was endorsed by a diverse group of economic and labor advocates, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the AFL-CIO, the United Steelworkers (USW), the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), the National Retail Federation (NRF), the North America’s Building Trades Unions, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Foreign Policy for America (FP4A), National Taxpayers Union, Taxpayers Protection Alliance, and Advancing American Freedom.
    It is unclear if the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives will vote on the bill.  President Trump has threatened to veto the measure if it comes to his desk.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dr. Rand Paul Reintroduces Bill to Shield Americans from the High Costs of Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    April 3rd, 2025

     Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343

     

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) reintroduced the No Taxation Without Representation Act, legislation aimed at protecting American families and businesses from the skyrocketing costs of tariffs imposed by executive action. The bill reasserts Congress’s constitutional authority over taxation and serves as a check on presidential overreach that threatens the economic wellbeing of every American.

    “The rallying cry of ‘no taxation without representation’ sparked a revolution—and it’s just as relevant today,” said Dr. Paul. “Unchecked executive actions enacting tariffs tax our citizens, threaten our economy, raise prices for everyday goods, and erode the system of checks and balances that our founders so carefully crafted.”

    About the No Taxation Without Representation Act:

    Dr. Paul’s legislation reins in the executive branch’s abuse of tariff authority by requiring Congressional approval before any new import taxes can be imposed. The bill aims to strengthen our system of checks and balances by requiring Congressional consent for any tariffs that significantly impact American businesses and consumers. By restoring the role of Congress in the taxation process, the bill ensures greater accountability, transparency, and long-term economic stability.

    Key Provisions:

     Congress Must Approve:

     The President may only impose new import taxes (tariffs) if:

    • The President submits a formal justification to Congress; and
    • Congress passes legislation approving the proposed tax.

     Applicable Laws:

    This requirement would apply to tariffs enacted under:

    • The Tariff Act of 1930
    • The Trade Expansion Act of 1962
    • The Trading with the Enemy Act
    • The International Emergency Economic Powers Act
    • Laws enacted to implement trade agreements involving the U. S.
    • Any other U.S. customs and trade laws and trade agreements.

     Embargoes Exempt:

    The No Taxation Without Representation Act doesn’t affect situations where the U.S. embargoes all goods or certain types of goods from a specific country from entering the country.

     No Taxation Without Representation Act is a critical step toward restoring transparency, reining in executive abuse, and shielding Americans from the hidden tax of tariffs.

    You can read the entire bill HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Stats NZ information release: Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: December 2024 quarter

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: December 2024 quarter – 4 April 2025 – Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: December 2024 quarter presents information on one subset of Māori businesses that contribute to our country’s economy. This release includes data on Māori authorities and related businesses. It does not cover all Māori businesses in Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Māori authorities are defined as businesses that receive, manage, and/or administer assets held in common ownership by iwi and Māori. Māori authorities are largely identified through their tax codes as registered with Inland Revenue. Any business within a Māori authority ownership group is also included for the purposes of Tatauranga umanga Māori.

    Key facts
    In the December 2024 quarter, around 1,450 Māori authorities and related businesses were in the Tatauranga umanga Māori population.

    All figures are actual values and are not adjusted for seasonal effects.

    In the December 2024 quarter compared with the December 2023 quarter:

    • the total value of sales by Māori authorities was $1,233 million, up $48 million (4.1 percent)
    • the total value of purchases by Māori authorities was $897 million, up $13 million (1.5 percent)
    • the total number of filled jobs for Māori authorities was 12,160, up 290 jobs (2.4 percent)
    • the total value of earnings by employees of Māori authorities was $253 million, up $33 million (15 percent)
    • Māori authorities exported $254 million worth of goods, up $35 million (16 percent).

    Files:

     

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley, Kim Demand Answers from Major Companies after Backlog, Soaring Prices Hamper Fire Department Readiness

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Today, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Disaster Management, directed a letter to the CEOs of three major companies – REV Group, Oshkosh Corp., and Rosenbauer America – demanding answers for the rampant issues because of massive consolidation in the fire truck market. The Senators’ letter raises questions after fire departments nationwide, including those in Missouri, reported increased costs and long backlogs for fire equipment.

    “A recent article in the New York Times outlines massive consolidation in the United States’ fire truck market. According to the report, your companies—Rev Group, Oshkosh, and Rosenbauer—command an estimated 70-80% market share. This consolidated market power appears to have resulted in anti-competitive practices that have thinned fire station fleets, increased overall costs for departments, and degraded fire response readiness,” wrote the Senators.

    The Senators continued, “The Times report reveals that fire stations across the country are experiencing soaring costs and significant delays because of your companies’ practices. By one account, ladder truck prices have nearly doubled in a few short years to $2.3 million. Fire truck deliveries have been delayed for years at a time with little to no transparency provided to local fire stations. These problems have created considerable disruption for fire stations, both large and small. Firefighters in Missouri have reported … on the exorbitant prices for fire trucks in recent years, with no discernible improvements in technology.”

    The Senators are demanding answers about the reportedly huge backlogs maintained by the companies. 

    “Prioritizing financial gains over fulfilling purchase orders for emergency equipment is unacceptable. This is particularly true when rising costs and delays in delivery can reduce readiness for fire stations and put American lives at risk,” they wrote.

    The Senators are requesting the following information by April 16, 2025:

    1. An itemization of all delayed deliveries of fire trucks and related equipment.
    2. A comprehensive explanation outlining the reasons for these delayed deliveries.
    3. A full accounting of prices charged for fire trucks and related equipment, including the change in prices over time.
    4. A complete list of complaints your firms have received from fire departments seeking remediation.

    Read the full letter here or below.

    April 3, 2025

    Mark Skonieczny
    President and CEO
    REV Group, Inc
    245 South Executive Drive, Suite 100
    Brookfield, WI 53005

    John Pfeifer
    President and CEO
    Oshkosh Corporation
    1917 Four Wheel Drive
    Oshkosh, WI 54902

    Rob Kreikemeier
    Chairman and CEO
    Rosenbauer America
    100 Third Street, PO Box 57
    Lyons, SD 57041

    Dear Executives:

    A recent article in the New York Times outlines massive consolidation in the United States’ fire truck market.According to the report, your companies—Rev Group, Oshkosh, and Rosenbauer—command an estimated 70-80% market share. This consolidated market power appears to have resulted in anti-competitive practices that have thinned fire station fleets, increased overall costs for departments, and degraded fire response readiness.

    The Times report reveals that fire stations across the country are experiencing soaring costs and significant delays because of your companies’ practices. By one account, ladder truck prices have nearly doubled in a few short years to $2.3 million. Fire truck deliveries have been delayed for years at a time with little to no transparency provided to local fire stations. These problems have created considerable disruption for fire stations, both large and small. Firefighters in Missouri have reported to Senator Hawley on the exorbitant prices for fire trucks in recent years, with no discernible improvements in technology. The fire chief of Camden, New Jersey said to Times reporters that these problems are “creating greater risk for the public and firefighters.”

    In the case of Rev Group and Oshkosh, these delays appear to be partly due to the multi-billion-dollar backlogs held by your companies. Concerningly, they also appear to be intentionally left unattended. For example, Rev Group holds a $4 billion backlog on purchase orders. Instead of expeditiously addressing this backlog, its Chief Executive Officer stated that the backlog provides his company a competitive advantage, citing a “rare level of demand certainty and production planning visibility” while also claiming a “seven-year high” in profit margins.Oshkosh similarly quadrupled its backlog from 2019 to 2023, reporting $4 billion in orders that have been placed but never fulfilled.

    Prioritizing financial gains over fulfilling purchase orders for emergency equipment is unacceptable. This is particularly true when rising costs and delays in delivery can reduce readiness for fire stations and put American lives at risk.

    Please provide the following information by no later than April 16, 2025:

    1. An itemization of all delayed deliveries of fire trucks and related equipment.
    2. A comprehensive explanation outlining the reasons for these delayed deliveries.
    3. A full accounting of prices charged for fire trucks and related equipment, including the change in prices over time.
    4. A complete list of complaints your firms have received from fire departments seeking remediation.

    We look forward to your response.

    Sincerely,
    Josh Hawley
    United States Senator 

    Andy Kim
    United States Senator 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Durbin, Welch Lead Colleagues in Demanding Answers on Dismantling of U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Durbin, Welch Lead Colleagues in Demanding Answers on Dismantling of U.S. Refugee Admissions Program

    Senators to Secretaries Rubio and Noem: “These actions undermine America’s longstanding commitment to humanitarian protection and place thousands of vulnerable individuals—many of whom served alongside U.S. armed forces—at grave risk”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Constitution Subcommittee, led 18 Senators in condemning the dismantling of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), including a funding freeze that has halted refugee processing and resettlement. The indefinite refugee ban and funding freeze have stranded tens of thousands in dangerous conditions, separated families, and left recently resettled refugees in the United States without the legally required support.

    “As you know, the USRAP was established on a bipartisan basis by the Refugee Act of 1980 and is a strong public-private partnership that drives U.S. economic growth, advances global stability and peace, and supports our national security and diplomatic priorities,” wrote the Senators. “The USRAP represents the best of American values and is part of what makes our country great. From 2005 to 2019, refugees contributed to the U.S. economy $123.8 billion more than they received in government expenditures. Refugees, including multiple former Secretaries of State, have shaped and improved our nation.”

    President Trump suspended the USRAP “indefinitely” in a day one executive order with a review after 90 days, and on Friday, January 24, resettlement agencies received stop work orders, which the executive order defined as a “foreign assistance program.” Since then, on February 25, a federal court in Washington granted a nationwide preliminary injunction to restart refugee processing, but just 24 hours later, the State Department issued termination notices, effective immediately, to plaintiff organizations and all other resettlement agencies in attempt to circumvent the court’s order. Last week, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals permitted the funding freeze to stay in effect amid ongoing litigation but required resettlement to continue for refugees approved before January 20, 2025.

    The Senators urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem to fully comply with the federal court order, resume all refugee processing, and rebook canceled travel for refugees.

    “We ask that you restart this life-saving program and immediately confirm that the Department of State is expeditiously complying with federal court orders to resume refugee resettlement and reimburse resettlement agencies for critical reception and integration services,” continued the Senators.

    The Senators highlighted reports indicating that all 10 refugee agencies and many Resettlement Support Centers overseas have received termination notices for the cooperative agreements that allow them to resettle refugees, leading to mass layoffs and shutdowns of essential refugee processing systems. They also emphasized that the Administration has delayed payments to refugee agencies, despite the preliminary injunction requiring payments to resume.

    The consequences of these stoppages are immense, including for Afghan allies evacuated to third countries, such as Pakistan, who are now stranded indefinitely without legal status or the ability to reunite with their families and face harassment and deportation. On February 2, an Afghan man who had worked for the U.S. military in Afghanistan was murdered after his scheduled resettlement to Garden Grove, California was delayed by the refugee ban and funding freeze.

    “These actions undermine America’s longstanding commitment to humanitarian protection and place tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals—many of whom served alongside U.S. armed forces—at grave risk,” wrote the Senators. “One of the most alarming consequences of the Administration’s funding and resettlement freeze is the situation facing Afghan allies who were evacuated to third countries with the promise of eventual resettlement in the United States. Many of these Afghans are former interpreters, civil society leaders, and their families, who now find themselves stranded without legal status and facing harassment, violence, and deportation.”

    The Senators demanded answers regarding the refugee program suspension, refugees in the admissions pipeline, and current capacity of resettlement infrastructure.

    In addition to Senators Padilla, Durbin, and Welch, the letter is also signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

    Senator Padilla is a leading voice in Congress opposing President Trump’s anti-immigrant actions and rhetoric. Padilla, Durbin, Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08), and Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07) previously urged Secretary Rubio to immediately restore vital services for refugees already resettled in the United States after the State Department abruptly halted services for refugees.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Secretary Rubio and Secretary Noem:

    We write to strongly object to the dismantling of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), including the funding freeze that has halted refugee processing and resettlement, pursuant to Executive Order 14013 (the “EO”), titled “Realigning the United States Refugee Admissions Program.”

    On February 25, 2025, a federal court in Washington granted a nationwide preliminary injunction to restart refugee processing. However, just 24 hours later, plaintiff organizations, along with all other resettlement agencies, received termination notices from the State Department, effective immediately, in an apparent attempt to circumvent the court’s order. In the meantime, on March 25, 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled to allow the funding freeze to stay in effect. While that ruling requires the Administration to continue resettlement for the thousands of individuals conditionally approved for refugee status before January 20, 2025, it seems clear that this Administration’s indefinite refugee ban and funding freeze for refugee reception programs are intended to completely end this incredibly successful program.

    For example, we have received reports that all ten refugee agencies – and several Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) overseas – have received termination notices for the cooperative agreements that allow them to resettle refugees. As a result, RSC staff overseas have been laid off en masse, and payment and case management systems have been shut down. Resettlement sites in most of the states we represent are being forced to close, abruptly cutting off support for refugees who have arrived in the last 90 days.

    The Administration also stopped payments to refugee agencies for services already rendered. After a preliminary injunction requiring payment, the Administration notified plaintiffs that it had directed the appropriate agencies to release payments, but there is still no evidence that these payments have been fully released. The Administration also notified plaintiffs and the International Organization for Migration operating RSCs overseas that they can resume refugee processing. Without reimbursements or access to necessary case processing systems, however, this notification has had little effect.

    These actions undermine America’s longstanding commitment to humanitarian protection and place tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals—many of whom served alongside U.S. armed forces—at grave risk. One of the most alarming consequences of the Administration’s funding and resettlement freeze is the situation facing Afghan allies who were evacuated to third countries with the promise of eventual resettlement in the United States. Many of these Afghans are former interpreters, civil society leaders, and their families, who now find themselves stranded without legal status and facing harassment, violence, and deportation. We are already seeing the fatal consequences of USRAP’s demise: on February 2, an Afghan man who had worked for the U.S. military in Afghanistan and whose scheduled resettlement to Garden Grove, California was delayed by the refugee ban and funding freeze was murdered.

    As you know, the USRAP was established on a bipartisan basis by the Refugee Act of 1980 and is a strong public-private partnership that drives U.S. economic growth, advances global stability and peace, and supports our national security and diplomatic priorities. The USRAP represents the best of American values and is part of what makes our country great. From 2005 to 2019, refugees contributed to the U.S. economy $123.8 billion more than they received in government expenditures. Refugees, including multiple former Secretaries of State, have shaped and improved our nation.

    We ask that you restart this life-saving program and immediately confirm that the Department of State is expeditiously complying with federal court orders to resume refugee resettlement and reimburse resettlement agencies for critical reception and integration services. We also ask that you respond to the following questions by April 10, 2025:

    1. How many refugees who have been vetted and approved for travel have been unable to travel to the United States since the ban went into effect?

    2. What steps are being taken to protect prospective refugees and SIV holders with particular vulnerabilities who remain overseas?

    3. What steps have been taken to implement the case-by-case exemption process for refugees whose arrival is “in the national interest” that is described in Executive Order 14163?

    4. What is the current status of Reception and Placement (R&P) reimbursements to domestic resettlement agencies?

    5. What is the current status of cooperative agreements with resettlement agencies? What is the justification for sending termination notices for reception and placement services?

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Colleagues Sound Alarm on Reports of DOGE “Hit List” of Key Energy Projects, Demand Department of Energy Follow the Law

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Colleagues Sound Alarm on Reports of DOGE “Hit List” of Key Energy Projects, Demand Department of Energy Follow the Law

    Senators: “Dissolving contracts, cancelling grants and loans, and reneging on loan guarantees without any intention to execute the laws is not only illegal, but is harmful to the public and energy consumers”

    California’s ARCHES Hydrogen Hub among projects on list of potential cuts

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and 26 other Democratic Senators demanded that U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Christopher Wright uphold his commitment to honor existing legal agreements and deliver funds passed into law by Congress. The letter comes on the heels of recent reports that the Department of Energy is creating a “hit list” of awards, contracts, and projects — many of which have already began construction — it is considering canceling. These cuts would break existing agreements while leading to significant job losses and a reduction in growth of new energy resources. 

    The Trump Administration’s proposed cuts include hydrogen hub projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including California’s Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) hydrogen hub for which Senator Padilla secured up to $1.2 billion. Reportedly, the hubs under threat are all in Democratic-leaning states like California, while hydrogen hubs in Republican-leaning states would maintain funding.

    This hit list is a stark reversal from Secretary Wright’s confirmation hearing, where he said legal agreements should be honored and that he would follow the law. The Senators expressed serious concerns about the reports and reasserted Congress’ authority over the programs they fund.

    “Indiscriminately canceling program funding and executed contracts, and refusing to execute on the funding directives Congress enacted, neither honors existing agreements nor is consistent with the spending laws that have appropriated funding for specific purposes,” wrote the Senators.

    “Dissolving contracts, cancelling grants and loans, and reneging on loan guarantees without any intention to execute the laws is not only illegal, but is harmful to the public and energy consumers. Your indiscriminate cancellations of spending will increase energy prices, make our grid less secure, and stop energy innovation,” continued the Senators. “If the Department has a policy disagreement and does not want to spend money on programs Congress has funded, the lawful response is to ask Congress to rescind that funding. The decision ultimately rests with Congress, not with the President, the Department of Energy, or the Department of Government Efficiency.”

    The Senators concluded by demanding a detailed list and briefing that identifies which grants, loans, or loan guarantees Secretary Wright believes should be rescinded and why.

    The letter was led by Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. In addition to Senator Padilla, the letter was also signed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Yesterday, Senator Padilla questioned President Trump’s nominee for Deputy Secretary of Energy on the hit list, highlighting the importance of the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program to “jumpstart” the national hydrogen economy and urging him to protect vital funding for ARCHES.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Mr. Secretary:

    We are deeply troubled by recent news reports that the Department of Energy (Department) is creating a “hit list of clean energy projects” to “wipe out” for being inconsistent with the President’s priorities. This list reportedly includes hydrogen hubs and carbon capture, critical mineral, and battery storage projects that have already received grant and loan funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and annual appropriations bills.

    You assured us during your confirmation hearing that you believe that legal agreements should be honored (including managing the financial commitments you have inherited) and that you will follow the law. Indiscriminately canceling program funding and executed contracts, and refusing to execute on the funding directives Congress enacted, neither honors existing agreements nor is consistent with the spending laws that have appropriated funding for specific purposes.

    Our Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse and exclusive power to appropriate funds. Once a law is properly enacted, the Constitution requires the President to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” The President cannot substitute his policy preferences for requirements in law, and that includes refusing to spend funds Congress requires the President to spend.

    In this instance, where Congress has authorized and appropriated funds for programs that support clean energy projects, the Department must faithfully execute the law and expend the funds for the purposes provided. For example, programs authorized that have received federal appropriations under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have requirements on timing of expended funds, purposes, and contractual expectations. An internal Office of Management and Budget guidance document cannot hide the Department’s obligation to follow the enacted law.

    Dissolving contracts, cancelling grants and loans, and reneging on loan guarantees without any intention to execute the laws is not only illegal, but is harmful to the public and energy consumers. Your indiscriminate cancellations of spending will increase energy prices, make our grid less secure, and stop energy innovation. If the Department has a policy disagreement and does not want to spend money on programs Congress has funded, the lawful response is to ask Congress to rescind that funding. The decision ultimately rests with Congress, not with the President, the Department of Energy, or the Department of Government Efficiency. Please provide us a detailed list and briefing that identifies which grants, loans, or loan guarantees you believe should be rescinded and why you think they should be rescinded.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Food cuts and an earthquake bring double the devastation for children in Thai refugee camps – Save the Children

    Source: Save the Children

    Food cuts this month and an earthquake that has devastated Myanmar and parts of Thailand will exacerbate living conditions for more than 110,000 refugees living along the Thai-Myanmar border and could force some children out of school, Save the Children said.
    Due to budget shortfalls, The Border Consortium (TBC), a government and non-government organisation funded provider of food assistance for refugees living on the border, has said it will have to reduce food support this month, affecting more than 80% of families in nine camps. [1]
    The situation inside the camps was already dire, with schools saying limited funding was leaving them unable to pay some teachers or repair school structures [2] ahead of the new academic year starting next month.
    Now, parents struggling to put food on the table are being forced to make impossible choices, with many considering pulling their children out of school to help earn money or support the family’s basic needs.
    With school fees now falling more heavily on parents, many families can no longer contribute towards school running costs, deepening the financial crisis for schools and risking the collapse of basic education services inside the camps.
    “Even if you are not educated, everyone has to eat,” said Saw Paw, the parent of one refugee student. “Livelihood comes first now.”
    Many teachers in the camps are refugees themselves and some have had to seek work outside the camps to support their families.
    Thant Zin-, a teacher who lives inside the camps, said: “I can’t buy a sack of rice with the total amount my family receives through the food card support system. I have children, and to ensure they have food every day, I may have to give them porridge instead of rice a few days a week.”
    Guillaume Rachou, Executive Director, Save the Children (Thailand) Foundation said:
    “Save the Children, along with local partners, is assessing the safety of school structures following the 28 March earthquake including in 58 schools inside the refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border.
    “We must ensure schools, teachers and students in the camps are prepared to respond to natural hazards and mitigate their impact.”
    The death toll from the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar has risen to more than 2,000 with nearly 4,000 injured, according to the country’s state television channel MRTV, although these numbers are likely to rise as rescue efforts continue. In Thailand, at least 20 people have died and several buildings across the capital Bangkok have been deemed unsafe.
    Save the Children supports 28,000 children living across nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border. It is also responding to the mental health and well-being of Thai and Burmese teachers and their families across Thailand following the earthquake.
    The child rights organisation is calling on donors to ensure children in these refugee camps are not forgotten in earthquake response and recovery efforts. Urgent humanitarian aid-including food, education, infrastructure, and psychosocial support-is critical to their recovery.
    Save the Children has worked in Thailand since 1979 and works to support children who are most impacted by discrimination and inequality through programmes on education, child protection, livelihood and child rights governance.
    About Save the Children NZ:
    Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
    Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stats NZ information release: Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: December 2024 quarter

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: December 2024 quarter – 4 April 2025 – Tatauranga umanga Māori – Statistics on Māori businesses: December 2024 quarter presents information on one subset of Māori businesses that contribute to our country’s economy. This release includes data on Māori authorities and related businesses. It does not cover all Māori businesses in Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Māori authorities are defined as businesses that receive, manage, and/or administer assets held in common ownership by iwi and Māori. Māori authorities are largely identified through their tax codes as registered with Inland Revenue. Any business within a Māori authority ownership group is also included for the purposes of Tatauranga umanga Māori.

    Key facts
    In the December 2024 quarter, around 1,450 Māori authorities and related businesses were in the Tatauranga umanga Māori population.

    All figures are actual values and are not adjusted for seasonal effects.

    In the December 2024 quarter compared with the December 2023 quarter:

    • the total value of sales by Māori authorities was $1,233 million, up $48 million (4.1 percent)
    • the total value of purchases by Māori authorities was $897 million, up $13 million (1.5 percent)
    • the total number of filled jobs for Māori authorities was 12,160, up 290 jobs (2.4 percent)
    • the total value of earnings by employees of Māori authorities was $253 million, up $33 million (15 percent)
    • Māori authorities exported $254 million worth of goods, up $35 million (16 percent).

    Files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Where does your small business stand with our benchmarks?

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    We’ve updated our Small business benchmarks with 2022–23 financial year data.

    Released annually, if you’re one of the small businesses included in the 100 industries covered, you can use the benchmarks to compare your performance, including turnover and expenses against others in your industry. This can help you make improvements to your business.

    Take Anna for example. Anna is a sole trader and runs a pizza shop. She is curious about how her business is tracking against others in her industry.

    By using the benchmarks, Anna can see that:

    • her pizza shop’s cost of sales to turnover ratio is 44%, which is within the benchmark range for her business and turnover
    • the cost of sales benchmark starts at 37%, showing that some competitors have lower costs.

    Anna looked at other suppliers in the market and got a better deal to reduce her business expenses and improve her profits.

    The benchmarks also help small businesses to get it right and meet their tax obligations. Businesses with turnover or expenses outside the industry benchmark could be due to mistakes or errors. For example, income not being reported properly, or expenses might be overclaimed.

    You can access the benchmarks on our website and via the ATO app’s business performance check tool.

    We don’t collect personal information entered by businesses when using our tool. We make the benchmarks available (at no cost) to software providers for inclusion in their small business products.

    Your registered tax professional can also help you navigate and gain insight from our benchmarks.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wilson Introduces ‘Bulgarian-American Heritage Month Resolution’

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Joe Wilson (2nd District of South Carolina)

    Washington, DC – Co-Chairs of the Congressional Bulgaria Caucus Joe Wilson (R-SC), Bradley Schneider (D-IL), Neal Dunn (R-FL), and Richard Neal (D-MA) yesterday introduced the Bulgarian-American Heritage Month Resolution. This legislation recognizes the critical contributions that the people of Bulgaria have made to the U.S. since the 19th Century.  

    “I am grateful to lead this important legislation recognizing the contributions that Bulgarian-Americans have made to the United States and the strong benefits of the bilateral relationship. Having witnessed the Bulgarian people rebuke communism and adopt the democratic values of the Western world during my visit to the country as an election observer in 1990, I continue to be inspired by their journey and founded this caucus in 2002 to further strengthen our mutually beneficial partnership,” said Rep. Wilson.

    “Bulgarian-Americans have helped shape our nation for generations, strengthening our communities, economy, and future. The partnership between the United States and Bulgaria is built on shared values and made stronger by the deep ties forged by those who call both countries home,” said Rep. Schneider. 

    “I extend my gratitude to the co-chairs of the Congressional Bulgaria Caucus—Representatives Joe Wilson, Brad Schneider, Neil Dunn, and Richard Neal—for their leadership in advancing this legislative initiative. Bulgaria deeply values the bipartisan commitment to strengthening the ties between our two nations.

    “Equally significant is the invaluable role of Bulgarian Americans—both past and present—who have contributed to the prosperity of the United States. Their dedication and achievements give meaning to our daily mission as diplomats representing Bulgaria in the United States.

    “Bulgarian Americans take great pride in their rich historical heritage, the profound influence of the Bulgarian alphabet on global cultural advancement, and the nation’s enduring pursuit of freedom and individual liberty.

    “Bulgarian-Americans also have established thriving business communities throughout the United States, and a particularly large diaspora in Illinois, fostering economic growth and entrepreneurship.

    “This year, as we celebrate 122 years of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the United States, we honor a legacy of friendship, partnership, and strategic cooperation—built on shared values and strengthened by the bonds between our peoples,” said Ambassador Georgi Panayotov of the Republic of Bulgaria. 

    The full text of H.Res. 291 is available here.  

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Baird Applauds Secretary Rollins’ Plan to Lower Egg Prices, Combat Avian Flu

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

    Rep. Baird Applauds Secretary Rollins’ Plan to Lower Egg Prices, Combat Avian Flu

    Washington, February 28, 2025

    Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement applauding U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and the Trump Administration’s plan to reduce the price of eggs as laid out by Secretary Rollins in the Wall Street Journal:

    “Avian flu has caused severe damage to farmers and poultry producers’ livelihoods across the country, including egg producers in Indiana, resulting in a devastating loss of hens and higher egg prices,” said Rep. Baird. “Unfortunately, the Biden Administration mismanaged the response to avian flu and failed to adequately address the outbreaks and skyrocketing egg prices. I thank Secretary Rollins and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for taking swift action and putting forward this plan to invest up to one billion dollars to address the avian flu outbreaks and reduce the price of eggs. This comprehensive strategy will help our poultry producers implement biosecurity measures, provide critical financial relief for farmers, and invest in research and development to combat diseases such as the avian flu. I applaud Secretary Rollins and the Trump Administration for their timely response to this critical issue, and I look forward to working with them to deliver on our promise to lower prices and ensure farmers in Indiana can thrive.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Golden speaks out against shuttering of agency supporting Maine libraries, museums

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today joined more than 100 lawmakers urging President Donald Trump to restore the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the support for Maine museums and libraries that it provides. 

    “From early literacy programs and STEM education initiatives to high-speed internet access and job training resources, funding for the IMLS enables libraries and museums to provide critical services to millions of Americans,” Golden and the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the President. “The loss of this funding would be particularly devastating for rural, tribal, and other underserved communities that rely heavily on these institutions for access to learning resources, workforce development, and technological infrastructure.”

    President Trump named IMLS as one of seven agencies slated to be dismantled in a March 14 executive order. On Monday, the president put the agency’s entire staff on administrative leave.According to the American Federation of Government Employees union, “without staff to administer the programs, it is likely that most [IMLS] grants will be terminated.”

    The IMLS provides more than $1.8 million in discretionary and nondiscretionary funding to Maine organizations focused on education and workforce development, including the Maine State Library, Maine Center for Coastal Fisheries, Children’s Museum and Theatre of Maine, and Maine Maritime Academy. It is the only federal agency dedicated to supporting library and museum services.

    “IMLS grants are an integral part of our services to rural Mainers. Specifically, they help smaller communities have access to information and resources that they otherwise would not have access to. I support Congressman Golden’s efforts to fight for these resources,” said Maine State Librarian Lori Fisher.

    Congress established the IMLS in 1996 to consolidate the operations of multiple government agencies into a single, streamlined office. Its most recent reauthorization came in 2018 during the first Trump administration.

    The letter can be found here, and is included below in full:

    +++

    April 2, 2025

    The Honorable Donald J. Trump
    President
    The White House
    1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
    Washington, D.C. 20500

    Dear President Trump,

    We write to express our deep concern over the proposed elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the devastating impact such cuts would have on communities throughout the country. 

    The IMLS is the only federal agency dedicated to supporting America’s museums and libraries. Operating in all 50 states and U.S. territories, it plays a vital role in strengthening these institutions which serve as essential educational, cultural, and economic pillars in our communities. From early literacy programs and STEM education initiatives to high-speed internet access and job training resources, funding for the IMLS enables libraries and museums to provide critical services to millions of Americans. The loss of this funding would be particularly devastating for rural, tribal, and other underserved communities that rely heavily on these institutions for access to learning resources, workforce development, and technological infrastructure.

    Beyond their valuable contributions to education and social development, museums and libraries also serve as significant economic drivers. The American Alliance of Museums reports that museums alone contribute more than $50 billion to the U.S. economy each year and support over 726,000 jobs. Museums have immense power to draw tourism and foot traffic to other local businesses and revitalize communities. For every $1 that museums and other nonprofit cultural organizations receive in government funding, they return more than $5 in tax revenue. They also have broad public support, with 96% of Americans wanting to maintain or increase federal funding for museums. Libraries similarly generate economic returns through workforce training

    programs, small business support, and research services. Nearly all of the approximately 17,000 public libraries across the nation offer Wi-Fi access at no charge, and in 2019, Americans accessed the Internet using library computers close to 224 million times. This includes millions of students who lack adequate broadband access at home and rely on libraries to complete their homework. Despite this, IMLS funding accounts for a mere 0.0046% of the federal budget, an incredibly modest investment relative to the immense benefits these institutions provide.

    Eliminating the IMLS would not only jeopardize these essential services but also dismiss the everyday needs of millions of Americans who rely on libraries and museums for learning, job opportunities, and community engagement. We urge the Administration to reconsider this decision and recognize the far-reaching impact of IMLS funding. Maintaining and strengthening federal support for museums and libraries is not just an investment in cultural preservation, it is an investment in education, innovation, and economic growth.

    Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to working with you to ensure that America’s libraries and museums continue to thrive and serve the public.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Golden statement on President Trump’s tariffs announcements

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement today after President Donald Trump’s announcement of a series of new tariff policies during a news conference in the White House Rose Garden:

    “President Trump has introduced a number of new tariff policies, and I and my team are already digging into the details. I’ll have more to say on the specifics in the next few days.

    “What I can say now is I’m pleased the president is building his tariff agenda on the foundation of a universal 10 percent tariff like the one I proposed in the BUILT USA Act. This ring fence around the American economy is a good start to erasing our unsustainable trade deficits.

    “I’m eager to work with the president to fix the broken ‘free trade’ system that made multinational corporations rich but ruined manufacturing communities across the country. But tariffs must be paired with policies that prioritize American families’ prosperity. We need to make sure that the new approach benefits working people — that means supporting unions, the trades and apprenticeship programs, cutting regulations that hold back production, unleashing American energy and using tariff revenue to support domestic manufacturers that create good-paying jobs for Americans.

    “It’s also time to renegotiate trade deals like the USMCA to support the Americans who are ready to ramp up production and support the rebuilding of our middle class — like the sawmills, processing plants, fishermen and farmers in the communities I represent.

    “Tariffs are a first step in rewriting a rigged trade system, but they cannot be the last one.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As Summer Travel Approaches, Davids Acts to Lower Gas Prices in Kansas

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

    Today, Representative Sharice Davids urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take action to lower gas prices, requesting an emergency waiver to allow the sale of E15 – fuel blended with 10.5 to 15 percent ethanol – during the 2025 summer season in Kansas.

    Ethanol, made from locally grown crops, is a more affordable alternative to unblended gasoline. This waiver, which has been granted multiple times in recent years, would help lower gas prices for Kansans, support local farmers, and strengthen domestic supply chains.

      

    “Kansas farmers and producers work hard to supply homegrown energy that lowers costs for families at the gas pump,” said Davids. “By allowing the sale of E15 this summer, the EPA can ensure Kansans benefit from lower gas prices while strengthening our economy and reducing reliance on foreign oil.”

    For multiple years, Davids has urged the EPA to guarantee the sale of E15 not only during the summer but also year-round. This would reduce our reliance on foreign oil, build U.S. energy security, and support Kansas agriculture and manufacturing. Davids previously visited East Kansas Agri-Energy (EKAE), a Garnett-based renewable ethanol producer, as part of her Farm Bill listening tour. EKAE has around 40 full-time employees and relies heavily on Kansas corn producers to supply the crops needed to make the biofuel.

    “We sincerely thank Representative Sharice Davids for her leadership in urging the EPA to once again allow the sale of E15 this summer,” said Geoff Cooper, President and CEO, Renewable Fuels Association. “Ensuring continued access to E15 nationwide is critical for lowering fuel costs, supporting farmers, and providing consumers with a cleaner, more affordable fuel choice. Most importantly, we thank Rep. Davids for her continued support for a permanent solution to secure year-round E15 nationwide.”

      

    Previously, Davids has taken multiple actions to lower gas prices for Kansans by:

    • Voting for the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act, which allow retailers the ability to sell higher ethanol-blended fuels year-round,
    • Leading the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill that expands access to lower-cost, homegrown fuel,
    • Helping to pass legislation that promotes sustainable aviation fuel, a liquid fuel that achieves significant emissions reduction compared to fossil-based jet fuel,
    • Supporting legislation that expands biofuels infrastructure, opening up new market opportunities for sustainable fuel sources and lowering energy costs for Kansas families,
    • Pushing the President to suspend the federal gas tax, providing immediate relief to Kansans at the gas pump.

    A full copy of Davids’ letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Kansan Highlights Trump’s Threat to KanCare in New KC Star Essay

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

    Today, in a Kansas City Star essay, a health care policy expert and Prairie Village mother shines a light on the dangerous cuts to Medicaid, known as KanCare in Kansas, being pushed by President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress — and the work Representative Sharice Davids is doing to stop them.

    Today’s piece highlights that, despite President Trump’s promises to protect Medicaid, nonpartisan experts confirm his and U.S. House Republicans’ budget would make cuts to the program. Their plan risks the health care of over 350,000 Kansans — including children, seniors, and people with disabilities — all while funding tax giveaways for billionaires and large corporations.

    Davids is a strong advocate for protecting and expanding Medicaid, fighting against recent extreme budget cuts to the program. She is working to expand Medicaid to cover 150,000 more Kansans, strengthen rural hospitals, and boost the state’s economy. She also supports extending postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months to improve maternal health and is pushing for bipartisan solutions that lower costs without jeopardizing care.

    Read the full essay here or below:

    “As a parent, lifelong Kansan, and longtime health care policy analyst, I’ve seen firsthand how essential Medicaid is to families across our state. Medicaid — known as KanCare in Kansas — provides health care to more than 350,000 of our neighbors, from children to older adults. But now, KanCare is under direct threat from President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress, and the consequences for Kansas families could be devastating.

    “Despite repeated promises that they wouldn’t cut Medicaid, Trump and Republicans are pushing forward with plans to do just that. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has confirmed that their budget proposal can’t be achieved without slashing Medicaid and Medicare benefits. This is heartbreaking and terrifying.

    “Cuts to Medicaid would directly harm children, who represent the vast majority of Medicaid recipients in our state. They would also directly impact older Kansas and our friends and neighbors with intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries and severe mental illness. These are people who depend on Medicaid for health care services and support to help them live independently.

    “Worse, our KanCare benefits would be cut in order to fund Trump’s tax giveaways for billionaires and large corporations. Republicans need these cuts to meet their budget goals, but cutting Medicaid would put thousands of Kansans at risk of losing their health insurance.

    “This isn’t just a Washington issue — it’s a Kansas problem. In communities where I’ve lived here, I’ve seen firsthand how vital KanCare is to families. Children like those I worked with at Children’s Mercy Hospital need KanCare for everything from well-child visits to allergy tests. I heard directly from families about their struggles with food insecurity, housing instability and chronic health conditions. Without KanCare, they would face the impossible decision of choosing between food and necessary medical care. 

    “KanCare isn’t just vital for health — it’s a smart financial investment. During President George W. Bush’s administration, I had the opportunity to work with the federal Office of Inspector General’s Kansas City office. Through that experience and later working as a health policy analyst in Topeka, I saw how KanCare reduces costs and produces better outcomes by providing home and community-based services instead of forcing people to pay more for care at a hospital or nursing home.

    “Slashing KanCare would also lead to hospital closures, particularly for small rural hospitals, such as the one in which my husband was born. The closing of rural hospitals and safety net clinics across our state would further strain our health care system, forcing many Kansans to travel farther for essential care. The real waste would be the health and well-being of our community.

    “That’s why we need leaders like Rep. Sharice Davids, who is fighting to protect KanCare and ensure Kansas families aren’t left behind as Trump and Republicans push extreme cuts. But Davids can’t do this alone.

    “I’ve been calling our U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall and demanding they stand with us — not with Trump’s plan that puts tax breaks for the ultrawealthy over the health of our friends, family and communities. I invite you to do the same. It’s time for all congressional Republicans to stop siding with special interests and start listening to Kansans who rely on KanCare for their health and well-being.

    “We can’t afford to let reckless decisions in Washington harm Kansas families. I’m committed to fighting to ensure KanCare remains a program that supports every Kansan. The stakes are too high, and the time to act is now.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) Introduced Bill to Stop Government from Penalizing Fraud Victims 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

    Washington, D.C. – Last Friday, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced the No Penalties for Victims of Fraud Act to make sure that victims of retirement account fraud are not charged an early withdrawal tax penalty. 

    “We’ve seen a significant uptick in scams targeting Americans’ hard-saved retirement funds,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). “And for victims of fraud not yet at retirement age, it’s a double whammy of lost savings and then being hit with an early withdrawal penalty. No fraud victim should be punished for being targeted, and this critical legislation will make the burden just a little bit lighter for those who have already lost so much.”

    “Fraud victims are harmed enough when criminals steal their life savings,” said the National Consumers League Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “The last thing victims should worry about after being scammed is a bill from the IRS. NCL is thankful for Representative Stevens’ efforts to reduce the burdens fraud victims face after a crime has occurred.”

    “Saving for retirement takes hard work and sacrifice by our residents and they should be protected from the rising instances of fraud,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “We already worry about the security and solvency of our retirement system. We shouldn’t also have to agonize about federal penalties levied after fraudulent withdrawals from our financial safety net. I appreciate U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens’ interest in solving this problem and providing some peace of mind for people as they prepare to retire.”

    “We support this commonsense bill that will protect victims of fraud,” said Adam Rust, director of financial services for the Consumer Federation of America. “In 2023 alone, consumers reported losing almost $5 billion of their investments to scammers. The No Penalties for Victims of Fraud Act will shield innocent people from further harm by exempting them from having to pay taxes for losing their life savings. The scale of fraud is growing, making it all the more urgent that lawmakers act now to address this oversight in our tax laws. “

    The No Penalties for Victims of Fraud Act is designed to ease the financial impact on fraud victims by waiving early withdrawal penalties for those affected. Key provisions include:

    • Allowing fraud victims to avoid withdrawal penalties from eligible retirement accounts if they can document fraud losses through law enforcement or court verification.
    • Letting victims choose to repay the withdrawn amount without penalties, following guidelines similar to existing retirement account repayment options.
    • Addressing a crucial gap, providing essential financial protections for fraud victims and promoting awareness to help prevent further exploitation.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Stevens and Khanna Hold Press Conference to Hold China Accountable and Reduce our Debt

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) along with U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA), hosted a press conference to call on the Trump Administration to sue the Chinese Communist Party for Covid damages.

    Last week, a federal judge in Missouri held that the Chinese Communist Party is liable for $24 billion to the state for covering up the severity of COVID in early 2020 and hoarding pandemic related supplies in violation of antitrust law. Now, the Representatives are calling on the Trump Administration to follow suit and pursue similar legal action against the CCP to hold them accountable for damages across the United States. Rather than putting tariffs on Canada and gutting the federal government, the Representatives are calling on the Administration to hold China accountable and then use the damages to rebalance our financial relationship with China, reduce our federal debt, and fund the services Americans rely on. 

    “The COVID pandemic cost the United States trillions of dollars and 1 million American lives,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). ”And it’s time to hold the CCP accountable. I’m calling on the Trump Administration to pursue legal action against the CCP for lying and misleading about Covid and hoarding resources. Rather than putting tariffs on our friend Canada, firing veterans, and slashing food and housing assistance, let’s go after our competitor, China, for their role in letting COVID get out of hand and use the damages to reduce our debt and pay for the services Americans rely on.”

    “During the COVID-19 pandemic, China was not transparent with the U.S. or the world,” said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA). “The CCP prevented Americans from getting the PPE they urgently needed by restricting exports. We must hold the CCP accountable and strengthen our domestic industrial base so we are never in that position again. This should be supported by both parties. I am grateful for Congresswoman Stevens’ leadership on this issue.”

    “After a federal judge found Communist China liable for billions in damages to the people of Missouri for its misconduct around the COVID pandemic, we need the Trump Administration to toughen up and hold the Chinese government accountable on behalf of all Americans,” said Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA). “Attorney General Bondi and the Justice Department should pursue every legal option to bring the Chinese Communist Party to justice. Making China pay what it’s liable for under U.S. law is about justice and fiscal responsibility.” 

    Full video of the press conference can be found here. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Help NIST Lead in the Race for the Future

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

    Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) introduced the Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness (EPIC) Act. This legislation would establish the Foundation for Standards and Metrology, a non-profit foundation to support the National Institute of Standards and Technology, making the path to commercialization easier for NIST-developed technology. Passing this legislation would make it easier for NIST to utilize public-private partnerships in advancing measurement science foundational to the race for the AI future. U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Todd Young (R-IN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. 

    “Now more than ever, our federal science agencies need every tool to drive U.S. technology leadership,” said Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI). “The reintroduction of the EPIC Act ensures that NIST—a vital agency in emerging technology, standards, and manufacturing—has the resources to secure American leadership in the mid-21st century. By establishing the Foundation for Standards and Metrology, this bill will accelerate technology commercialization, strengthen international collaborations, and support NIST’s world-class workforce. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this bipartisan, bicameral bill and unleash American innovation.”

    “It is vital that America maintains its position as the world leader in science and technology,” said Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA). “The creation of the Foundation for Standards and Metrology will assist in ensuring industry, non-profits, and academia receive the resources that they need to establish cutting-edge standards that enhances the economic security and prosperity of the U.S., which is why I’m proud to be a Republican co-lead on this critical legislation.”

    “America’s economic strength depends on technological leadership, and NIST has long been an engine of innovation for our country,” said Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE). “The EPIC Act reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a nonprofit foundation that will mobilize resources to support U.S. leadership on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, biotech, and quantum computing. With strong bipartisan support across both chambers, this legislation represents a critical investment in America’s technological future.”

    “Maintaining and encouraging research and development in the U.S. is critical to winning the technological race against China and other adversaries,” said Sen. Todd Young (R-IN). “Our bipartisan legislation will support these efforts by establishing an independent foundation to identify and foster innovative public-private partnerships across the country and strengthen the American economy.”

    “Whether it’s AI or quantum computing, the United States is pushing the boundaries of technological innovation on all fronts,” said Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO). “There are no second chances with technologies this powerful; NIST needs every tool at its disposal to ensure responsible R&D from the start.”

    “Our nation’s technological innovation is what keeps us globally competitive,” said Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE). “To stay ahead of our rapidly advancing adversaries, we must invest in emerging technologies and the metrics that underpin them. The EPIC Act is an effective, bipartisan way to help us generate more resources to do so without additional taxpayer costs.”

    More than 50 visionaries, science organizations, and technology companies have endorsed this legislation, including four former directors of NIST. 

    Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Craig Named 2025 James Beard Foundation Impact Honoree for Her Efforts to Support Farmers, Lower Costs for Americans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Angie Craig was recently named a 2025 James Beard Foundation Impact Honoree for her efforts to harness the power of family farmers to lower food and fuel costs for everyday Americans. 

    “It is an honor to be named as a 2025 James Beard Impact Awards Honoree,” Rep. Craig said. “From the farmers who grow the food to the chefs who bring their products to life, it takes a village to feed the world. As the granddaughter of a farm foreman and now the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, I am committed to supporting the farmers, producers and small business owners who power the food economy and will continue working to ensure that every American can put food on the table.”   

    As Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Craig has been a champion for America’s family farmers, producers and rural communities. 

    She was particularly recognized for her efforts to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act – legislation that would invest in the agricultural economy in order to lower costs for Americans. This legislation included two of her bills: the Strengthening the Agriculture and Food Supply Chain Act, which would create a task force dedicated to shoring up the agriculture and food supply chains, and the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act, which would allow for the year-round sale of E15 – a cheaper biofuel alternative.

    You can see the full list of honorees here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski, Kaine Introduce Legislation to Bolster Commercial Fishing Industry

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    04.03.25
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), introduced legislation vital to the fishing industry, the economy, and the food supply chain. The Save Our Seafood (SOS) Act would exempt fish processors from the H-2B visa caps in order to help the seafood industry meet workforce demands.
    “Alaska’s seafood industry is a delicate chain – and when processors don’t have the workforce to meet demand, the whole industry can fall apart,” said Senator Murkowski. “Coastal communities, family-owned fishing boats, and Alaskans who work in the industry need to know that they have fully-functioning operations where they can deliver their catch. Through this legislation, I’m working to ensure that the industry has a dependable workforce that can process and deliver the highest-quality seafood in the world.”
    “The seafood industry is a critical part of Virginia’s economy, especially in Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore,” said Senator Kaine. “I often hear from Virginia’s seafood processors about how hard it is to find seasonal workers, so I’m glad to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to make it easier for these businesses to hire the workers they need.” 
    “Virginia’s seafood industry relies on seasonal, H2-B workers to help meet demand during peak season,” said Senator Warner. “Without this workforce, many of Virginia’s seafood processors would simply have to close up shop. I’m glad to introduce this legislation that will help Virginia’s businesses by ensuring they have the labor needed to keep their operations up and running.”
    “When you think Louisiana, you think seafood,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Creating jobs in this industry is good for our economy and state.”
    “Maryland’s seafood businesses – most of which are small and family-owned – not only process the iconic blue crabs that our state is known for, they are also a key economic driver for our state and the region. While I push every year to ensure the Administration makes the maximum number of H-2B visas available for the seafood industry, the uncertainty our small businesses face threatens their success and ultimately their ability to keep running. This legislation provides a permanent, tailored fix for the H-2B program to better position Maryland’s seafood businesses to consistently meet their seasonal workforce needs while also supporting American jobs. This long-term legislative solution – along with our ongoing fight to protect the workers in this industry – are critical to the enduring success of Maryland’s cherished seafood businesses,” said Senator Van Hollen.
    “There’s nothing more Maryland than crabs,” said Senator Alsobrooks. “Making sure we have the workforce we need so everyone can continue enjoying this Maryland staple is what this bipartisan bill is all about.”
    “PSPA strongly supports this legislation and appreciates the leadership of Senator Murkowski on this issue,” said Julie Decker, President of the Pacific Seafood Processors Association. “Alaska produces nearly 60 percent of all U.S. seafood. In order to do this, Alaska seafood processors need a workforce in our highly remote coastal communities, enabling fishermen to keep doing what they do best – providing nutritious food for Americans and the world. This legislation would help ensure enough workers will be available to support Alaska’s seafood sector.”
    “We sincerely thank Senator Murkowski for her tireless leadership in addressing the critical workforce challenges facing the Alaska seafood industry,” said Kasey Simon, President of United Work and Travel. “By securing cap-exempt status for seafood workers in the H2B program, this legislation not only provides much-needed stability for America’s wild-harvest seafood industry but also strengthens the entire H2B ecosystem – ensuring that seasonal employers across multiple sectors have access to the labor they need. This is a commonsense solution that benefits businesses, workers, and coastal communities alike.”
    “I proudly support Senator Murkowski’s efforts to secure cap-exempt status for seafood production workers in the H2B program,” said Brian Gannon, Vice President of Government Relations and Global Partnerships at LaborMex. “LaborMex consistently supports legislation that strengthens America’s growers, harvesters, and fishers – those who are essential to US food production and food security. The men and women who fish our seas play a critical role ensuring that high-quality seafood reaches American tables. By addressing the workforce needs of this industry, this legislation bolsters economic resilience, safeguards US fisheries, and reinforces the long-term stability of America’s food supply.”
    “The ongoing uncertainty surrounding H-2B visa caps is one of the most significant challenges we face,” said Ben Bale, Chief Financial Officer of Ocean Companies. “Making the H-2B program cap-exempt would eliminate this uncertainty, enabling us to plan production more effectively, support the local fishing industry, and enhance economic stability for our business, our employees, the community, and the guest workers who depend on these opportunities.”
    “The Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association applauds the reintroduction of the Save Our Seafood Act. Since 1989 Maryland Seafood Processors have used and depended on the H-2B non-agricultural seasonal visa work program to staff these traditional seasonal jobs. These hardworking people who come to Maryland every season under this very important program support thousands of jobs of American citizens and small seafood businesses around Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay that also support seafood processors. Due to the scarcity of H-2B visas, Maryland has lost more than 40 of its seafood processing companies, located mostly in rural areas around the Bay, since the 90s – and now we have less than a dozen left. Maryland Watermen continue to demonstrate year after year the need, no matter the economic climate, for these seasonal workers. All of Maryland Seafood is extremely grateful that Senators Murkowski, Van Hollen, and their colleagues are reintroducing this bill to provide a permanent solution that will enable our seafood processors to meet their staffing needs every year and save our vital seafood industry,” said Jack Brooks, President of the Chesapeake Bay Seafood Industries Association.
    Background
    H-2B visas allow domestic employers to temporarily hire nonimmigrants to perform nonagricultural labor or services if they cannot fill these jobs with American workers. Employers must first obtain certification from the Department of Labor and then complete an application process through the Department of Homeland Security to obtain these visas.
    The program is crucial to the survival of the seafood industry, particularly now when it has been under attack by Russian over harvesting and price gouging. When fish are harvested, processors are at the back of the line for visas and rely on “supplemental” visas being issued, which are discretionary. If there is not sufficient processing capacity, fishermen have nowhere to deliver their catch, and do not get paid, which is devastating to small, family-owned fishing operations, and the communities they live in.  The supply chain also suffers when this healthy food source is prevented from hitting the market.
    This legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Dr. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Mark Warner (D-VA).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Introduces Bill to Combat Illicit International Trade in Foreign Free Trade Zones

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the Containing and Limiting the Extensive Abuse Noticed in Free Trade Zones Act (CLEAN FTZ) to create a trade rating system based on U.S. and international standards to combat trade-based money laundering and other criminal activities in foreign free trade zones. Currently, no formal rating system for free trade zones exists making it challenging for federal enforcement authorities to address illegal trafficking of illicit narcotics, persons, weapons, tobacco, counterfeits, commodities, wildlife, and more.
    “Why are we trading with countries that don’t fight corruption?” said Dr. Cassidy. “We are combating the flow of illegal drugs, weapons, and more. Seems important.”
    The CLEAN FTZ Act:
    Creates a formal rating system with four tier classifications of countries based on compliance to U.S. and international standards.
    Gives countries an overall rating based on the performance of all free trade zones under their national jurisdiction. 
    Makes the ratings publicly available and is updated annually.
    Allows the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection to make recommendation to improve efforts to combat illicit trade to countries rated tier II, III, and IV.
    Creates a hotline for reporting of instances of illicit trading and money laundering activity.
    Provides financial penalty options for foreign persons involved in illicit international trade.
    Cassidy was joined by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in introducing this legislation.
    The CLEAN FTZ Act is supported by the International Coalition Against Illicit Economies (ICAIE), Advocacy for Transparency International U.S., and the Global Financial Integrity (GFI). 
    “We applaud Senators Cassidy and Whitehouse for their leadership in protecting our national security, American competitiveness, and the health and safety of our citizens by countering illicit trade, organized crime, and money laundering across some of today’s risky free trade zones around the world,” said David M. Luna, Executive Director for ICAIE. “Disrupting the increasing cross-border flows of illicit goods, contraband, and dirty monies and dismantling transnational illicit networks and their enablers from financing other criminalities and threats helps all communities to secure greater peace and security.”
    “The CLEAN FTZ Act takes a crucial step in the fight against corruption by targeting how foreign corrupt officials rely on trade-based money laundering to move and conceal the proceeds of their crimes,” said Scott Greytak, Director of Advocacy for Transparency International U.S. “By enhancing oversight of free trade zones, ensuring that they comply with globally recognized anticorruption and trade transparency frameworks, and holding bad actors accountable, this legislation would help disrupt the financial networks that enable bribery, fraud, and the abuse of public trust, and will help safeguard global markets and protect economies from the destabilizing effects of financial crime.”
    “Global Financial Integrity (GFI) endorses the CLEAN FTZ Act of 2025 and commends Senators Cassidy and Whitehouse for their collaboration on this important piece of legislation. Once in force this legislation will shed light on the operations of free trade zones around the globe, many of which have long been known to facilitate all manner of illegal activity including trafficking, illicit trade, and money laundering. Further, the proposed sanctions against perpetrators of illegal activity through these zones will protect U.S. ports and American consumers from goods that may be harmful. It is also important to note that under this legislation the U.S. government can provide recommendations for improvement to countries where low-performing zones are located,” said Tom Cardamone, President and CEO for GFI.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Transcript: Governor Hochul is a Guest on Bloomberg TV

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on Bloomberg TV’s “Balance of Power”.

    AUDIO: The Governor’s conversation is available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Kailey Leinz, Bloomberg TV:  President Trump announcing steep tariffs on all exporters to the US yesterday with rates ranging from 10 percent to over 50 percent, which his administration says aimed to counter large trade imbalances with other countries. But the levies are also expected to have consequences here at home. And for a look at how individual states are bracing for them, we turn now to the Democratic Governor of New York, Kathy Hochul.

    Governor, thank you for joining us here on Bloomberg TV and radio. I’m curious what you’re already hearing from businesses and companies in your state and whether they are already suggesting they are making changes on hiring practices on pricing, for example, or if they’re playing, “wait and see” here to see whether or not this actually sticks.

    Governor Hochul: Thank you for having me. No, the impact is immediate. I mean, this is nothing short of the largest tax increase in American history. And the impact on New York — let me explain. This is the 10th largest economy in the world. We have Wall Street, we have farms, we have a border of 450 miles with Canada, so we have a trade relationship with Canada of over $50 billion.

    So already, here’s what we’re seeing: Droppings in bookings from Canadians coming to New York State. A huge source of tourism all the way to New York City, but certainly my hometown in Buffalo, where Canadians come over all the time and they go to our sport events. They shop at our stores.

    So here’s number one: Sales tax revenues are dropping already. Now, speaking to a farmer in a very Republican part of our state — I’d call it Stefanik Country in the North Country — he told me that as a dairy farmer, he gets his shavings, he gets his fertilizer, he gets all these products from Canada and his costs are going up $10,000 a month. A dairy farmer. Not the total cost, but an increase of $10,000 a month.

    So, there’s such anxiety now. Not to mention the Walmart mom who goes to Walmart like I did when my kids were little — that giant grocery cart with the oversized diapers and lots of baby food and paper towels — that’s going to have an impact on people shopping at Walmart who come out of the trailer park like the one my parents grew up in.

    So I have to say, it goes all the way from Wall Street to the farmers to the small towns, Main Street to Wall Street — there is a cataclysmic effect on this, and New Yorkers are reeling right now.

    Joe Mathieu, Bloomberg TV: I hear where you’re coming from here Governor. I wonder if there’s a silver lining in any of this for the great industrial towns of your state from the last century: Syracuse, Rochester. Based on what we’re hearing from this administration, they will again have a seat at the manufacturing table. Do you believe that?

    Governor Hochul: I hope so, but we already have advanced manufacturing coming to New York. I literally got off the phone with someone who’s in a pharmaceutical business looking all over the world, and he is very likely with the deal I’m making, to come to New York.

    So we have advanced manufacturing, we have pharmaceuticals. In fact, I was able to lure Micron with a $100 billion investment, the largest in our nation’s history, to build semiconductors in the Syracuse area. So we are already reimagining our economy based on manufacturing. So that’s important to me.

    I come from Buffalo. I mean, my dad worked at the steel plant. I know how hard it is when businesses leave, but we are backfilling in with businesses that we think will have a long-term future, and they’ll be affected by this, the component parts to what they’re building and the supply chain. They’re going to see an increased cost, not just because they’re in New York, but because they’re in America.

    And that’s what worries me. There could be a silver lining, as you say. I don’t know how old I’m going to be when that happens. I mean, what are they going to do? Start building factories now? And, you know, I just don’t know. All I know is that people were promised lower prices on Inauguration Day, and guess what? They’re going up.

    Kailey Leinz, Bloomberg TV: Well, is there anything you can do about that Governor? Regardless of what policy is set by the federal executive, you as a state executive, are there levers you can pull to help offset any economic pain that results from these tariff policies?

    Governor Hochul: Well, I’ve had to have this conversation. I’m assembling some of the smartest economists in the country to help give us advice on this. This is an unforced error. This did not have to be this way. And yes, you can use tariffs as a tool to negotiate or, you know, have something in moderation. But this is so extreme and so immediate that I need to figure out with some real experts on what this is going to do.

    But I’ll tell you what’s going to happen. Wall Street goes down, next January, when I’m looking at my revenues that are coming in from Wall Street bonuses where I fund a lot of the generous programs we hear in our state, that’s going to be lower. I’m going to have to look at where we’re going to have to cut there. I have to look at the whole picture.

    Now in the context of the Budget, I’m negotiating the revenues I count on, the revenues I’m going to lose, but also the impact on our businesses who may not be expanding now. So I have to find ways we can use state resources to say, “We’ll help calm it down.” What can I do for a farmer in upstate New York? That’s a good question. I don’t want them to suffer. Thirty two thousand farms in our state. People think of New York as just Manhattan. I know they do. But it’s so much more than that. An important part of our economy is our agricultural sector.

    So all of our sectors are going to be hurt. So I have to look at our Budget, what we can do to help other incentives for economic development. And as I’m doing, I’m trying to put money back in people’s pockets. I mean, the average New Yorker will have $6,000 less in their pockets because of these tariffs. And that’s an opinion by a number of economists.

    I have a budget I’m negotiating right now that puts $5,000 back in people’s pockets: Child tax credits, a middle class tax cut, the largest in 70 years, the largest tax rate decrease in 70 years, and an inflation rebate for people who paid so much more in sales tax. So I have a path to put all this money back in their pockets. But you know what’s really sad? That’s going to be sucked right out with $6,000 that they’re going to lose because of tariffs. So I’ll keep fighting, I’ll keep doing what I can do, but this is a real hit on New Yorkers.

    Joe Mathieu, Bloomberg TV: So it sounds like the potential for state tax cuts in the year ahead depend on tax receipts from Wall Street, Governor. Is that right?

    Governor Hochul: Oh, it always does. I mean, I’ve not had an increase in our income tax because I want to make sure high net worth people know we appreciate them and I don’t want to drive them out of our state. So that’s my view.

    Joe Mathieu, Bloomberg TV: But does it increase the urgency behind extending the Trump tax cuts and eliminating the SALT cap? Because a lot of Republican members of Congress in your state are working to do that now.

    Governor Hochul: Well, they better be successful. We want to make sure that the SALT deduction, state local tax deduction, is brought back 100 percent. Absolutely. And I have seven Republican members of Congress — you better win on this one because you promised your voters you would.

    Kailey Leinz, Bloomberg TV: Governor, before we let you go, our time is short here, but I do want to ask you about New York City Mayor, Eric Adams, who of course had charges against him dismissed. He now says he will continue his mayoral campaign for reelection, but as an independent. During the height of that controversy, you said it will be up to the voters to choose who they want to be Mayor. You opted not to force him out of the position. Even if you’re not going to endorse anyone, would you encourage New Yorkers to reconsider a vote for him as an independent?

    Governor Hochul: All I’m going to say is my job is to work with whomever’s in the White House — I have a relationship with Donald Trump based on our mutual interest in building infrastructure and working on projects like Penn Station, but not allies when I don’t support many of his policies. Same thing with the Mayor of New York, no matter who is sitting in that seat that the voters of New York decide they want me to work with. I will do that, but always stand up for the rights of the entire state and focus on my agenda of affordability and public safety.

    Joe Mathieu, Bloomberg TV: It’s great to have you with us, Governor. Come see us again. New York Governor Kathy Hochul with us on “Balance of Power”.

    Governor Hochul: Will do. Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Announce Recommendations for U.S. Attorneys for the Eastern and Western Districts of Virginia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) today sent a letter to the White House recommending candidates for the U.S. Attorney vacancies in the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) and the Western District of Virginia (WDVA). In their letter, the Senators recommended Michael Gill, Assistant General Counsel and Director of Investigations for Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), and Erik Siebert, Eastern District of Virginia Interim United States Attorney, for the EDVA position. The Senators recommended Christopher “Todd” Gilbert, Minority Leader in the Virginia House of Delegates, and Robert Tracci, Senior Assistant Attorney General and Section Chief for Major Crimes and Emerging Threats in the Office of the Virginia Attorney General, for the WDVA position.

    “Across the Commonwealth, well-respected attorneys interviewed several excellent candidates, including Mr. Gill, Mr. Siebert, Mr. Gilbert, and Mr. Tracci. After conducting our own interviews and reviewing these recommendations, we find these four candidates to be exceptionally qualified for the position of U.S. Attorney,” said the senators.

    The White House will now nominate one individual for each vacancy to be considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee. The nominations are subject to confirmation by the full Senate.

    A copy of the letter can be found here and below.

    Dear Mr. President:

    As you consider candidates to serve in the two U.S. Attorney positions in the Commonwealth of Virginia, we are pleased to recommend Michael Gill and Erik Siebert for the position of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA); and, Todd Gilbert and Robert Tracci for the position of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia (WDVA). Bipartisan panels of esteemed attorneys from across the Commonwealth interviewed Mr. Gill, Mr. Siebert, Mr. Gilbert and Mr. Tracci, along with many other excellent candidates. After considering the panels’ reviews and conducting our own interviews, we find these four candidates to be exceptionally qualified for the position of U.S. Attorney. 

    U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District

    Michael Gill is Assistant General Counsel and Director of Investigations for Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) in Newport News, Virginia. Prior to joining HII, Mr. Gill served as a federal prosecutor for twenty years, fifteen of which were in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the EDVA. He last served the EDVA as the Chief of the Criminal Division from 2018 to 2023, supervising operations across the District’s four divisions.  Mr. Gill received his Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from Texas Christian University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law.

    Erik Siebert currently serves as the Interim United States Attorney for the EDVA. Mr. Siebert has worked as a line Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) in the EDVA, handling violent crimes, possession and trafficking of illegal firearms, and narcotics, as well as the Deputy Criminal Supervisor in the EDVA Richmond Division, supervising AUSAs and partnering with federal, state, and local partners. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the EDVA, Mr. Siebert was a police officer and an investigator with the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C. Mr. Siebert received his Bachelor of Arts from the Virginia Military Institute and his Juris Doctor cum laude from the University of Richmond School of Law. 

    U.S. Attorney for the Western District

    Christopher “Todd” Gilbert is the Minority Leader in the Virginia House of Delegates. During his twenty years representing parts of the Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mr. Gilbert also served as Speaker and Majority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates. Mr. Gilbert has nearly fifteen years of experience prosecuting criminal and traffic cases in Shenandoah, Warren, and Frederick counties and the City of Lynchburg. He now operates his own firm representing criminal defendants. Mr. Gilbert earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia and his Juris Doctor from the Southern Methodist University School of Law.

    Robert Tracci is the Senior Assistant Attorney General and Section Chief for Major Crimes and Emerging Threats in the Office of the Virginia Attorney General. He previously served as the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Albemarle County. Mr. Tracci has also worked in the WDVA as a Special Assistant United States Attorney, where he assisted in the prosecution of complex financial services fraud, firearms and narcotics crimes, and child exploitation. Mr. Tracci also previously served in the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. House of Representatives. He received his Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from the Ohio Wesleyan University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law. 

    We believe that any of these candidates would make an excellent U.S. Attorney, and we are honored to be able to recommend them to you.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine, Warner, Murkowski Introduce Legislation to Support Virginia’s Seafood Industry

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the bipartisan Save Our Seafood (SOS) Act, which would exempt fish processors—which are critical to Virginia’s economy—from the H-2B visa cap, which has made it difficult for local seafood processors to hire the seasonal workforce they need.

    “The seafood industry is a critical part of Virginia’s economy, especially in Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore,” said Kaine. “I often hear from Virginia’s seafood processors about how hard it is to find seasonal workers, so I’m glad to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to make it easier for these businesses to hire the workers they need.” 

    “Virginia’s seafood industry relies on seasonal, H2-B workers to help meet demand during peak season,” said Warner. “Without this workforce, many of Virginia’s seafood processors would simply have to close up shop. I’m glad to introduce this legislation that will help Virginia’s businesses by ensuring they have the labor needed to keep their operations up and running.”

    “Alaska’s seafood industry is a delicate chain – and when processors don’t have the workforce to meet demand, the whole industry can fall apart,” said Murkowski. “Coastal communities, family-owned fishing boats, and Alaskans who work in the industry need to know that they have fully-functioning operations where they can deliver their catch. Through this legislation, I’m working to ensure that the industry has a dependable workforce that can process and deliver the highest-quality seafood in the world.”

    Seafood is a billion-dollar industry in Virginia, supporting over 7,000 jobs for Virginians and generating over $26 million in revenue annually. Many of Virginia’s seafood processors rely on workers from the H-2B visa program to harvest and process Virginia crabs and oysters in season, but processors annually struggle to get enough workers during the season when they are needed most. The SOS Act would permanently exempt seasonal, non-immigrant workers who work in seafood processing from the cap on H-2B visas, ensuring that processors have the workforce they need, when they need them to meet the increased demand at the start of the harvesting season.  

    “The Virginia seafood processing industry is grateful for Senators Kaine and Warner reintroducing the Save Our Seafood Act. We appreciate the bipartisan group of Senators committed to supporting working seafood businesses around the country. Virginia seafood has participated in the seasonal, temporary H-2B program since 1997,” said AJ Erskine, Board Member, Virginia Seafood Council. “We manufacture domestic, perishable seafood products that require an increased seasonal workforce. Our seasons are defined by state and federal regulations and the environmental conditions in which we work. Senators Kaine and Warner understand that this is not a partisan issue. The seafood industry is simply asking for a small modification of an existing cap exemption. We thank Senators Kaine and Warner for their vision and support of our seafood industry.”

    “Our 4th generation family crab processing facility in Hampton continues to struggle to keep our doors open! The H-2B program has been our lifeline the last 30 years and without congressional help we will perish,” said John Graham III, President, Graham & Rollins, Inc. “The current lottery system currently deployed by Homeland Security is not feasible to sustain any kind of business and frankly is a disaster!!”

    The senators have long supported the seafood industry. In 2023, Kaine and Warner introduced the Save Our Seafood Act, and Kaine met with heads of Virginia seafood companies in Lottsburg, VA to discuss the need to boost the seafood workforce. Earlier that year, the senators met with then-Labor Secretary Marty Walsh to discuss workforce challenges facing the Virginia seafood industry and urge the Department of Labor to consider reforms to the H-2B lottery to better meet seasonal labor needs. In 2022, Kaine and Warner also successfully pushed the Department of Homeland Security for the release of additional H-2B visas.  

    The legislation was cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Kennedy (R-LA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

    Full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gomez Pushes to Block Illegal Use of IRS Data to Target Immigrant Families

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, joined Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), and Dan Goldman (NY-10) in calling on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately halt any efforts to misuse confidential taxpayer data for immigration enforcement.

    In a letter to Acting IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Gomez and 61 House Democrats raised alarms over reports that DHS has requested Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs), address data, and other sensitive tax information to facilitate large-scale immigration operations—even when individuals are not suspected of any crimes. These revelations come amid concerning reports that Treasury officials, including the IRS’s acting Chief Counsel, were removed for resisting such efforts.

    “We write to express our grave concern regarding reports that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is considering disclosing taxpayer information… to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for immigration enforcement purposes,” the Members wrote. “Such actions would undermine taxpayer confidentiality, erode trust in our nation’s tax system, and have a chilling effect on compliance, particularly among immigrant communities who contribute billions in tax revenue annually.”

    The Members pointed to long-standing legal and policy protections that strictly limit how taxpayer data can be used and shared. Under Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, tax return information may only be disclosed in narrow, well-defined circumstances—none of which include civil immigration enforcement.

    “The IRS has long maintained that tax compliance must be encouraged through confidentiality protections. Any deviation from this guiding principle risks eroding public trust and discouraging taxpayers from fulfilling their obligations,” the letter continues. “If immigrants fear that filing taxes could expose them to deportation, many will choose not to file, reducing Federal revenues… while shifting resources to the informal economy.”

    The letter also cites previous legal guidance from the IRS’s Office of Chief Counsel, as well as warnings from the National Taxpayer Advocate that such actions would undermine voluntary compliance and the integrity of the tax system.

    Gomez and his colleagues are demanding a formal clarification of the agencies’ current policies and any communications between the IRS and DHS regarding the use of tax information for immigration enforcement. They also urge the IRS to publicly reaffirm its commitment to taxpayer privacy.

    Read the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jimmy Gomez Statement on Trump’s New Tariffs: “Today’s the Day the Trump Slump Turned Into the Trump Recession”

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) — a member of the House Ways & Means Committee, which oversees tax and trade policy — released the following statement as Donald Trump’s new round of reciprocal tariffs takes effect:

    “Trump’s dumb tariffs are nothing more than a tax on working families, raising prices on everything from groceries, clothes and shoes to cars and construction materials. He’s tearing apart the backbone of LA’s economy—our construction, ports, and hospitality and tourism industry—at a time of already soaring costs when we need to build more homes and recover from the devastating LA wildfires. We’re already seeing job losses in key American sectors due to his tariffs. There’s no strategy here—just chaos, higher costs, and economic uncertainty for working families. Mark my words: today’s the day the Trump Slump turned into the Trump Recession.”

    BACKGROUND:

    President Trump announced a new round of tariffs, including a baseline 10% tariff on almost all goods from nearly all countries with even higher tariffs for around 60 other countries. This follows a 25% hike on steel and aluminum, additional duties of up to 25% on imported automobiles and auto parts, along with a 25% tariff on certain goods from Canada and Mexico. Economists and small business leaders have warned these moves will increase costs on essential goods and strain industries already impacted by inflation. In Los Angeles, where communities are still rebuilding after recent wildfires, rising construction costs will worsen the housing crisis, while auto repair shops, tourism businesses, and local employers will face higher costs and slowed growth.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Introduces Bill to Fight Corruption, End Dark Money in Elections

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

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) has introduced new legislation to fight corruption and crack down on dark money influencing U.S. elections.

    “Dark money” campaign spending—undisclosed spending meant to influence political elections—has dramatically increased in recent elections. Roughly $1 billion in television, online advertisements, and mailers have been spent since 2010, when the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision gave rise to dark money groups.

    Congressman Crow’s End Dark Money Act would fight corruption and close loopholes that allow mega-donors to hide their political contributions through so-called “social welfare” organizations. Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA-05) joined Congressman Crow in introducing this legislation.

    “Corruption is harming the American people and making it harder for working families to achieve the American Dream. That’s why in Congress, I’m focused on fighting corruption, lowering costs, and taking on the power of special interests on our government,” said Congressman Crow. “Americans are sick and tired of special interests and billionaires like Elon Musk using campaign finance loopholes to influence our elections. My legislation would increase transparency and accountability in our elections to return power back to the voters and begin to restore the American people’s faith in our democracy.”

    “The whole world is witnessing an unelected billionaire, Elon Musk, buy his way into the Oval Office and receive unprecedented power. For every Elon in plain sight, we have millions of mega-donors who remain hidden. Under current policies, the faces behind massive political spending like this are usually kept in the dark. The End Dark Money Act stops this shady abuse of the system and, in the process, empowers voters and strengthens our democracy,” said Congresswoman Williams.

    The End Dark Money Act would repeal current prohibitions and allow the Internal Revenue Service to issue new guidelines to ensure non-profits adhere to their social welfare mission or be required to register as a PAC, disclose their donors, and risk losing their tax-exempt status.

    The End Dark Money Act is supported by the End Citizens United Action Fund and Public Citizen.

    “Dark money is one of the most corrosive and corrupting forces in our elections and government. It allows billionaires and special interests to operate in the shadows, manipulating our democracy without accountability,” said End Citizens United Action Fund President Tiffany Muller. “Congressman Crow’s End Dark Money Act is a commonsense solution that will shine a light on undisclosed money, giving the American people the ability to see who’s trying to influence election and policy outcomes. We’re incredibly grateful for Congressman Crow’s continued leadership and dedication to addressing this growing threat.

    “Many of those who fund campaigns want to remain in the shadows,” said Craig Holman, Ph.D. of Public Citizen. “These financers hiding in the shadows have been able to thwart disclosure of their political spending by exploiting inside connections in Congress, attaching riders to legislation that prohibit the IRS from even considering rules to disclose dark money donors. Congressman Crow’s End Dark Money Act is necessary legislation to remove these secretive legislative riders and open the books on wealthy influence peddlers.”

    Congressman Crow has long championed the End Dark Money Act. After he was first elected in 2018, it was his first bill he introduced as a Member of Congress. Crow has been a leader in the fight against corruption in Congress, having served as the co-chair of the End Corruption Caucus. He has also introduced other legislation, including the SHINE Act, DISCLOSE Act, and TRUST in Congress, to end the influence of special interests in our elections.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NH Delegation Calls on President Trump to Fully Fund the Institute of Museum and Library Services 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    The New Hampshire delegation are calling on President Donald Trump, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley, and Office of Intergovernmental Affairs Director Alex Meyer to immediately reverse the President’s March 14 Executive Order dismantling the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and implement all Congressionally appropriated funds for IMLS and its entities. 

    The delegation wrote, in part: “We write with dismay at your attempt to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) ‘to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.’ We urge you to immediately reverse your March 14 Executive Order regarding IMLS and implement all Congressionally appropriated funds for IMLS and its entities. No agency authorized by Congress can be dismantled without another act of Congress. IMLS was established by an act of Congress in 1996.” 

    They continued: “The Granite State received more than $1.5 million from IMLS in FY2024 alone, with the money going to statewide initiatives including an interlibrary loan system, the creation of a digital library, and literacy projects like the Summer Reading Program. From the Museum of the White Mountains to the Currier Museum of Art, New Hampshire’s museums are educational assets that make world-class exhibits accessible to students and families. They also power our local economies: The American Alliance of Museums and Oxford Economics estimate that museums supported 3,574 jobs and contributed $265 million to our state’s economy in 2017.”

    They concluded: “American support for IMLS transcends party lines. We urge you to focus on supporting museums and libraries and reconsider your Executive Order that would strip educational, economic, and technical assistance opportunities from our constituents.”

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    New Hampshire’s federal delegation has been outspoken about the devastating impact that dismantling the IMLS will have on our libraries, communities, and economy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas Urges Rollback of Acer Grant Freeze, Raises Alarm over Negative Impact of Trump Administration on NH Maple Industry

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Funding freeze comes as Trump’s tariffs are significantly increasing costs for the more than 350 maple producers in New Hampshire, most of whom source production equipment from Canada.

    This week Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Maple Caucus, called on Secretary Rollins and the Department of Agriculture to reinstate grants delivered by the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer). 

    Acer provides essential support to the maple syrup industry in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, and freezing these grants as the administration places tariffs on Canada, one of the U.S.’s closest allies, is putting the livelihoods of maple producers at risk. Much of the equipment used to produce syrup and other maple products is manufactured in Canada, and tariffs will raise prices in an unsustainable manner for New Hampshire’s maple producers. 

    In the letter, Congressman Pappas wrote, “Since the Trump Administration’s January 2025 memo demanding the freezing of funds for thousands of federal programs, Acer recipients have not been able to access their grants. This uncertainty threatens the stability of maple producers across the industry.”

    He continued to say, “Continued investments for farmers as they look to further improve yields in the 2025 tapping season are imperative. Unfortunately, grantees are now stuck deciding if they should risk moving forward with projects despite the uncertainty of reimbursement, leaving them in a financially vulnerable position… I urge you to roll back these funding pauses and immediately disperse funds to Acer grant awardees.”

    Congressman Pappas is a small business owner and a former member of the House Small Business Committee.

    Read the full text of the letter here and below:

    Dear Secretary Rollins,

    I write to express my concern about the freeze of the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer) and its impact on the maple syrup industry. Since the Trump Administration’s January 2025 memo demanding the freezing of funds for thousands of federal programs, Acer recipients have not been able to access their grants. This uncertainty threatens the stability of maple producers across the industry. 

    The maple syrup industry is a large part of the Northeast and Upper Midwest agriculture landscape. As producers work tirelessly to achieve high yields this season, it is crucial that they have access to the Acer funds they were promised. Through supporting research and education in the industry, the sustainability of maple syrup production, the marketing of maple-sap products, and the expansion of maple-sugaring activities for the public, Acer provides important resources for strengthening the domestic maple syrup industry. 

    In 2024, the United States produced 5.86 million gallons of maple syrup, a 17% increase from 2023 production. Continued investments for farmers as they look to further improve yields in the 2025 tapping season are imperative. Unfortunately, grantees are now stuck deciding if they should risk moving forward with projects despite the uncertainty of reimbursement, leaving them in a financially vulnerable position. Further, the typical maple sugaring season runs from January through early April, making it a priority to restore funds to farmers immediately. 

    I am seeking guidance on the Department of Agriculture’s plans to restore duly allocated Acer funds to grantees and request clear guidelines to grantees so that they can continue working during the height of the maple producing season. I urge you to roll back these funding pauses and immediately disperse funds to Acer grant awardees. 

    Thank you for your attention to this request.

    Sincerely,

    Chris Pappas

    Member of Congress

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    MIL OSI USA News –