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Category: housing

  • MIL-Evening Report: Can you get sunburnt or UV skin damage through car or home windows?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Theresa Larkin, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, University of Wollongong

    Zac Harris/Unsplash

    When you’re in a car, train or bus, do you choose a seat to avoid being in the sun or do you like the sunny side?

    You can definitely feel the sun’s heat through a window. But can you get sunburn or skin damage when in your car or inside with the windows closed?

    Let’s look at how much UV (ultraviolet) radiation passes through different types of glass, how tinting can help block UV, and whether we need sunscreen when driving or indoors.

    What’s the difference between UVA and UVB?

    Of the total UV radiation that reaches Earth, about 95% is UVA and 5% is UVB.

    UVB only reaches the upper layers of our skin but is the major cause of sunburn, cataracts and skin cancer.

    UVA penetrates deeper into our skin and causes cell damage that leads to skin cancer.

    UVA penetrates deeper than UVB.
    Shutterstock/solar22

    Glass blocks UVA and UVB radiation differently

    All glass used in house, office and car windows completely blocks UVB from passing through.

    But only laminated glass can completely block UVA. UVA can pass through other glass used in car, house and office windows and cause skin damage, increasing the risk of cancer.

    Car windscreens block UVA, but the side and rear windows don’t

    A car’s front windscreen lets in lots of sunshine and light. Luckily it blocks 98% of UVA radiation because it is made of two layers of laminated glass.

    But the side and rear car windows are made of tempered glass, which doesn’t completely block UVA. A study of 29 cars found a range from 4% to almost 56% of UVA passed through the side and rear windows.

    The UVA protection was not related to the car’s age or cost, but to the type of glass, its colour and whether it has been tinted or coated in a protective film. Grey or bronze coloured glass, and window tinting, all increase UVA protection. Window tinting blocks around 95% of UVA radiation.

    In a separate study from Saudi Arabia, researchers fitted drivers with a wearable radiation monitor. They found drivers were exposed to UV index ratings up to 3.5. (In Australia, sun protection is generally recommended when the UV index is 3 or above – at this level it takes pale skin about 20 minutes to burn.)

    So if you have your windows tinted, you should not have to wear sunscreen in the car. But without tinted windows, you can accumulate skin damage.

    UV exposure while driving increases skin cancer risk

    Many people spend a lot of time in the car – for work, commuting, holiday travel and general transport. Repeated UVA radiation exposure through car side windows might go unnoticed, but it can affect our skin.

    Indeed, skin cancer is more common on the driver’s side of the body. A study in the United States (where drivers sit on the left side) found more skin cancers on the left than the right side for the face, scalp, arm and leg, including 20 times more for the arm.

    Another US study found this effect was higher in men. For melanoma in situ, an early form of melanoma, 74% of these cancers were on the on the left versus 26% on the right.

    Earlier Australian studies reported more skin damage and more skin cancer on the right side.

    Cataracts and other eye damage are also more common on the driver’s side of the body.

    What about UV exposure through home or office windows?

    We see UV damage from sunlight through our home windows in faded materials, furniture or plastics.

    Most glass used in residential windows lets a lot of UVA pass through, between 45 and 75%.

    Residential windows can let varied amounts of UVA through.
    Sherman Trotz/Pexels

    Single-pane glass lets through the most UVA, while thicker, tinted or coated glass blocks more UVA.

    The best options are laminated glass, or double-glazed, tinted windows that allow less than 1% of UVA through.

    Skylights are made from laminated glass, which completely stops UVA from passing through.

    Most office and commercial window glass has better UVA protection than residential windows, allowing less than 25% of UVA transmission. These windows are usually double-glazed and tinted, with reflective properties or UV-absorbent chemicals.

    Some smart windows that reduce heat using chemical treatments to darken the glass can also block UVA.

    So when should you wear sunscreen and sunglasses?

    The biggest risk with skin damage while driving is having the windows down or your arm out the window in direct sun. Even untinted windows will reduce UVA exposure to some extent, so it’s better to have the car window up.

    For home windows, window films or tint can increase UVA protection of single pane glass. UVA blocking by glass is similar to protection by sunscreen.

    When you need to use sunscreen depends on your skin type, latitude and time of the year. In a car without tinted windows, you could burn after one hour in the middle of the day in summer, and two hours in the middle of a winter’s day.

    But in the middle of the day next to a home window that allows more UVA to pass through, it could take only 30 minutes to burn in summer and one hour in winter.

    When the UV index is above three, it is recommended you wear protective sunglasses while driving or next to a sunny window to avoid eye damage.

    Theresa Larkin does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Can you get sunburnt or UV skin damage through car or home windows? – https://theconversation.com/can-you-get-sunburnt-or-uv-skin-damage-through-car-or-home-windows-246599

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Politics with Michelle Grattan: John Blaxland and Richard Holden talk about what Trump will mean for Australia

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    As Australia gears up for the election, the incoming government’ Labor or Coalition, will face global challenges, geo-political and economic, especially with Donald Trump starting to impose tariffs on selected countries including China,

    To discuss where Australia is placed to meet new circumstances we’re joined by two experts.

    John Blaxland is Director of the ANU North America Liaison Office, based in Washington, and Professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies. Richard Holden is Professor of Economics at UNSW.

    Blaxland outlines how Australia should continue to support the current international norms, and how changing norms could spell trouble,

    The rules based international order is something that we are going to feel the absence of quite keenly. For small and middle powers like Australia the reliance on that order has obviated the need to spend up a lot on military capabilities and that’s going to shift.

    We’ve seen the United States walking away from COP-related agreements but these arrangements still have global momentum and I would contend that Australia has an interest in continuing to support them as best as possible, particularly for the sake of our partners in the Pacific, but also just for our own sake.

    On who could deal with Trump better, Blaxland doesn’t think it would make a lot of difference,

    I don’t think the United States pays much attention to what happens internally in Australian politics and I think the Albanese government and Penny Wong and Richard Marles and others are wise to present as small a target as possible. The ALP is playing a difficult hand well in bilateral relations with the United States. Broadly it is still strongly in our interests to make that work as best we can.

    There’s no question there’s a closer Liberal-Trump alignment, and that may make it easier. But the economic and security relations are key and here it’s important to remember that the United States has a trade surplus with Australia and so that means we’re not in his [Trump’s] crosshairs immediately for having the opposite, and America is the biggest foreign direct investor in Australia by a country mile.

    Holden says of the economy internationally,

    The global economy is well on the way to recovering from the post-pandemic inflation, the associated increases in most advanced economies and interest rates in most of those jurisdictions, are coming down. In some of those, New Zealand is an example there’s been a real hit to the economy. But it’s generally looking reasonably positive with the one big looming thing, which is what happens to international trade as a result of the Trump tariff threats that are now starting to be put into action.

    But Holden is a bit more pessimistic about Australia’s economy,

    Not to be too gloomy about things, I think the news is a little less good. So the Prime Minister I heard on your podcast recently and the Treasurer talking about their last two budgets, and while they’re right that there has been two small budget surpluses, that’s really off the back of just an extraordinary windfall in terms of tax revenue.

    On debt,

    If you look going forward, even so far government decisions have added $78 to $80 billion to that debt and the recent mid-year update, MYEFO reports the cumulative debt for the next four years will be over $140 billion of the increase.

    I think there’s a sense that our fiscal house is really being put into really good shape and I don’t think that’s accurate.

    Michelle Grattan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Politics with Michelle Grattan: John Blaxland and Richard Holden talk about what Trump will mean for Australia – https://theconversation.com/politics-with-michelle-grattan-john-blaxland-and-richard-holden-talk-about-what-trump-will-mean-for-australia-248866

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schakowsky, Omar, Booker Reintroduce Bill to Address Rising Islamophobia Worldwide

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

    Full Text of Bill (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) have reintroduced the Combating International Islamophobia Act, legislation to address the rise in Islamophobic incidents worldwide. The bill requires the State Department to create a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia and develop a comprehensive strategy for establishing U.S. leadership in confronting anti-Muslim bigotry across the globe.

    From the violent atrocities against the Uyghurs in China and the Rohingya in Burma to the crackdowns on Muslim communities in India and Sri Lanka, the scapegoating of Muslim refugees in Hungary and Poland, and the rise of white supremacist violence targeting Muslims in New Zealand and Canada, Islamophobia remains a global crisis. Minority Muslim communities in Muslim-majority countries, including Pakistan, Bahrain, and Iran, also continue to face systemic oppression and persecution.

    Here in the United States, incidents of Islamophobic hate crimes and discrimination have surged. Mosques have been vandalized, Muslims have been harassed in public spaces, and anti-Muslim rhetoric continues to be normalized in political discourse. The urgent need for federal action to combat this growing threat cannot be overstated.

    “Anti-Muslim bigotry is on the rise in the U.S., and around the world, and we have a duty to stop it once and for all,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “I’m joining my colleagues, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar and Senator Cory Booker, in reintroducing the Combating International Islamophobia Act. This critical legislation will create a Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia and will ensure the United States has the resources necessary to safeguard human rights and religious and cultural freedom around the world. I hope all our colleagues join us in standing together against Islamophobia. We must promote peace and acceptance for all.”

    “Islamophobia is not just a problem overseas—it is on the rise here at home. From the desecration of mosques to the violent attacks on Muslim Americans, we are witnessing a dangerous resurgence of anti-Muslim bigotry in our communities,” said Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. “We cannot turn a blind eye while Muslim communities face targeted violence and systemic discrimination worldwide. That is why I am proud to reintroduce the Combating International Islamophobia Act alongside Senator Booker and Representative Schakowsky. The United States must take a stand and lead in the fight against this global crisis.”

    “Religious freedom is one of our nation’s most foundational values, and no one should ever have to live in fear of discrimination or violence for practicing their faith,” said Senator Cory Booker. “Islamophobic attacks and rhetoric are on the rise in the United States and around the world, and this legislation would establish a Special Envoy at the State Department to monitor and combat Islamophobia in all its forms. We must dedicate resources to protecting people’s fundamental right to practice their faith and put an end to bigotry.”

    During the 117th Congress, this bill was successfully passed in the House, marking a historic step forward in the fight against anti-Muslim hate.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur, Murray Demand Answers on Trump Administration Freezing Energy Department Investments to Lower Americans’ Energy Costs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Ranking Member wrote a letter to the Acting Secretary of the Department of Energy demanding answers about the Trump administration withholding critical investments to lower energy costs for American families and businesses, spur innovation, and strengthen our energy security. 

    In the letter, Kaptur and Murray state: “We write expressing deep concerns regarding the Department of Energy’s recent unlawful actions to halt programs that are imperative to the Department’s mission of ensuring America’s security and prosperity by addressing the nation’s energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.”

    “The Department’s actions to halt these programs will immediately contribute to rising energy costs for families and businesses, and they are a dereliction of the Department’s responsibility to carry out duly enacted spending laws,” Murray and Kaptur continued.  

    Kaptur and Murray note that President Trump’s executive order illegally freezing Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding is creating unacceptable chaos, confusion, and harm. 

    In particular, they note that the order and a variety of other actions the administration has taken will hurt American families and businesses: “Stopping these programs is taking money from the pockets of Americans. For example, the Home Energy Rebates programs, funded by the IRA, has been putting money directly back in the hands of American households. The rebates help consumers save money on select home improvement projects that can lower energy bills by providing up to $14,000 per household in rebates. It is estimated that these programs will save households up to $1 billion per year on energy bills and support over 50,000 U.S. jobs. The President’s attempt to freeze the Home Energy Rebates Program means these costs will fall back on American consumers..” 

    Kaptur and Murray press the Department for answers about what funding it is currently freezing and other actions it is taking to halt critical programs, and concluded: “We hope you will work with us—not against us—to lower energy costs and help create good-paying jobs, but we demand that you follow the law as intended.” 

    A timeline of President Trump’s actions to freeze critical federal funding is available HERE. Fact sheets detailing how presidents lack power to unilaterally override spending laws and deny enacted funding to communities through impoundment can be found HERE and HERE.

    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:

    January 31, 2025

     

     

    Ingrid C. Kolb

    Acting Secretary

    U.S. Department of Energy

    1000 Independence Ave., SW

    Washington, DC 20585

    Acting Secretary Kolb:

    We write expressing deep concerns regarding the Department of Energy’s (DOE) recent unlawful actions to halt programs that are imperative to the Department’s mission of ensuring America’s security and prosperity by addressing the nation’s energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions. The Department’s actions to halt these programs will immediately contribute to rising energy costs for families and businesses, and they are a dereliction of the Department’s responsibility to carry out duly enacted spending laws.

    President Trump’s January 20, 2025, Executive Order 14154 seems to direct all agencies to immediately pause the disbursement of any funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) or the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The President’s Executive Order has abruptly frozen funding for an extremely broad array of investments in American communities, causing widespread chaos and confusion for American businesses and communities and threatening to raise energy costs for American families. The Trump administration’s memo freezing vast swaths of federal funds, its failed attempt to clarify the scope of the memo, and its subsequent rescission of the memo have created mass chaos and added to the confusion about what investments are currently being blocked. Today, our understanding is that much of the Departmental funding is still frozen. Moreover, the attached Department of Energy’s Secretarial Order on January 20, 2025, and the attached follow-up January 27, 2025, memorandum, paused all personnel actions; procurement announcements and actions; funding actions; release of reports, studies, congressional correspondence, and public announcements; Federal Register notices; and actions under the National Environmental Policy Act. Together, these actions halt a vast array of the Department’s essential programs—programs American families and businesses are counting on. 

    These actions will devastate programs that reduce energy consumption and increase affordability. Your administration will be raising energy costs for families and businesses and threatening to kill thousands of jobs. Continuing to freeze these investments—or permanently blocking them—will unravel critical progress the Department has made and cost American households and businesses dearly. Since 1980, energy efficiency technologies and improvements—made possible by programs like those currently halted by this administration—have saved Americans approximately $800 billion in energy costs. 

    Stopping these programs is taking money from the pockets of Americans. For example, the Home Energy Rebates programs, funded by the IRA, has been putting money directly back in the hands of American households. The rebates help consumers save money on select home improvement projects that can lower energy bills by providing up to $14,000 per household in rebates. It is estimated that these programs will save households up to $1 billion per year on energy bills and support over 50,000 U.S. jobs. The President’s attempt to freeze the Home Energy Rebates Program means these costs will fall back on American consumers. 

    In addition to raising energy costs for American families, the President’s Executive Order is illegal. The President may not unilaterally decide to ignore the laws passed by Congress and stop funding for programs just because he disagrees with their goals. The Government Accountability Office, the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel (including in an opinion written by future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court William H. Rehnquist), and the Supreme Court of the United States have all disavowed the notion of some “inherent Presidential power to impound,” as some in the Administration, as well as pending Administration nominees, have tried to argue without legal or textual basis.

    Not only does the Constitution vest the power of the purse with Congress and provide no power to the President to impound funds, but there have been several bedrock fiscal statutes enacted to protect Congress’ constitutional power of the purse and prevent unlawful executive overreach, including the Antideficiency Act and the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA). The ICA prohibits any action or inaction that precludes Federal funds from being obligated or spent, either temporarily or permanently, without following the strictly circumscribed requirements of that law. 

    Given the importance of these programs, the unlawful actions ordered by this Administration, and the dubious actions that have been undertaken by the Department, we request additional information about the Department’s implementation of Executive Order 14154, the referenced Secretarial Order, and other related actions.

     

    Regarding Executive Order 14154, please provide answers to the following questions:

    Regarding the Secretarial Order dated January 20, 2025, please provide answers to the following questions:

    • Is ongoing work for operations at the National Labs, facilities, and other DOE sites permitted at this time or are these facilities under review as well? If so, how long will this review last? Will these labs, facilities, and sites be notified of the scope of the review?
    • Please provide a list of obligations already incurred by DOE for which the Secretarial Order now prohibits liquidating legal liabilities already incurred by the Federal government.
    • Will DOE reimburse non-Federal recipients for invoices submitted for work already performed that predates the Secretarial Order? What about for ongoing or halted work that has not yet been invoiced? If reimbursements will not be provided in either case, please provide the legal justification for failing to meet the obligations of contracts with non-Federal recipients.
    • What is the status and scope of the reviews of studies, reports, and announcements?
    • What is the guidance on processing internal and external reprogramming actions?
    • What is the status of reviewing routine reauthorizations of existing contracts and cooperative agreements?

    Additionally, please provide answers to the following questions:

    • Have any federal employees been terminated since January 20, 2025? If so, how many and in which organizations?
    • Have any federal employees been furloughed since January 20, 2025? If so, how many and in which organizations?
    • Have any federal employees been put on administrative leave since January 20, 2025? If so, how many and in which organizations?
    • Have any federal employees received notices of future required administrative leave, furloughs, or reductions in force since January 20, 2025? If so, how many and in which organizations?

    We ask for your response to our questions no later than February 7, 2025.

    Finally, we want to remind you of your oversight obligations under appropriations law.  Members of Congress of both parties have worked together to craft provisions instituting common-sense transparency and accountability measures. All executive branch agencies must proactively alert the Appropriations and other appropriate House and Senate Committees when apportionments are not made in required time periods, are approved only with conditions, or may hinder the prudent obligation of apportionments or the execution of a program, project, or activity. Agencies are also required to report all violations of the ICA to Congress. Finally, agencies may not prohibit or prevent any federal employee from having direct communication with any Member, committee, or subcommittee of Congress. All federal employees must be free to communicate directly with Congress, whether Congress has requested that communication or not.

    We hope you will work with us—not against us—to lower energy costs and help create good-paying jobs, but we demand that you follow the law as intended.

    Sincerely,

    Marcy Kaptur

    Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development House Committee on Appropriations

    Patty Murray

    Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Senate Committee on Appropriations

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Miller, Colleagues Re-introduce Legislation to Support Local Communities and Incentivize Charitable Giving

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

    Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT) and three other House colleagues in reintroducing the bipartisan Charitable Act to encourage Americans to donate to charitable causes and support local communities. 

    “People donate to charities out of the kindness of their hearts, the last thing they should have to worry about is paying taxes on their generous contributions. I am joining my colleagues in introducing the Charitable Act which will ensure that individuals, no matter their income, can receive a charitable deduction and in turn will continue donating to organizations, churches, or other good causes to help those within their communities or across the country,” said Congresswoman Miller. 
     
    “Supporting local communities and giving to charities is integral to enhancing the lives of all Americans and the causes they care most about. The Charitable Act will enable more Americans to give back by empowering all individuals regardless of their income to contribute by helping charities, nonprofits, and religious organizations provide vital services that go far beyond the government’s reach. Generosity and service are defining characteristics of Utahns across the Beehive State, and I am honored to introduce legislation that will help more people contribute to the causes closest to their hearts,” said Congressman Moore.

    Click here for bill text 
     
    Background:

    • The Charitable Act extends and expands the expired charitable deduction for those who do not itemize on their tax returns, ensuring that every American who donates or tithes is able to benefit from both the standard deduction and the charitable deduction. Specifically, this legislation would raise the previous $300/$600 cap on the non-itemizer deduction to 1/3 of the standard deduction, equal to roughly $4,500 for individuals, $9,000 for joint filers. 
    • This provision was first included in the CARES Act, which was signed into law by President Trump. The policy resulted in 90 million tax returns utilizing the deduction, and households making between $30,000 and $100,000 saw the largest increase in charitable giving. Charitable organizations received $30 billion in increased donations as a result. 
    • Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate.
    • This bill is supported by numerous organizations including National Council of Nonprofits (25,000 member organizations), Charitable Giving Coalition (175 member organizations), the Nonprofit Alliance, Faith & Giving Coalition, Leadership 18, Independent Sector, YMCA, Council on Foundations, American Endowment Foundation, Philanthropy Southwest, Christian Alliance for Orphans, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, United Philanthropy Forum, National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, Association of Art Museum Directors, ECFA, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Council for Advancement and Support of Education, Americans for the Arts, American Heart Association, Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, Maryland Nonprofits, Boys and Girls Club of America, March of Dimes, and Habitat for Humanity.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NH Delegation, Community Organizations, and Granite Staters Speak Out About Devastating Impact of Trump’s Cut to Federal Grants and Loans

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

    The New Hampshire delegation joined Manchester School District Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel, Strafford County Community Action Partnership CEO Betsey Andrews Parker, Amoskeag Health CEO Kris McCracken, Professional Firefighters of NH and other New Hampshire organizations for a virtual event to outline the ways that President Trump’s halt of nearly all federal grants and loans is impacting New Hampshire families and communities. 

    You can watch the full press conference here.

    “The actions taken by the Trump Administration to freeze federal funds will have a devastating impact on communities across New Hampshire and will significantly hurt our state’s ability to address housing concerns, fight addiction, preserve public safety, and make sure that Granite Staters have what they need. These federal funds are more than just lines on a spreadsheet in Washington D.C. This is about people here in New Hampshire and the ability of our communities to come together to help those in need and build a stronger future for us all. This fight is not over, and my message to Granite Staters is that we will do all that we can to protect these resources and ensure that our communities remain healthy, strong, and safe,” said Congressman Pappas. 

    “We’ve got millions of people across the country, and thousands in New Hampshire, who have no idea if they’re going to be able to get the services that they’re depending on because the White House has been so confused about what they’ve done and they haven’t been able to issue any clear answers,” said Senator Shaheen. “We need to see the President repeal these executive orders because what he has done is not going to help people lower their food prices, pay their rents, get the child care that they need or the health care that they need for their families.” 

    “President Trump’s illegal cut of federal funds includes grants for police officers, firefighters, our efforts to crackdown on fentanyl, special education programs, small business loans, community health centers, homeless shelters for veterans…virtually every aspect of American life. The White House keeps sowing chaos and confusion about the status of this funding. But make no mistake. People’s safety, their jobs, their health, our fire and police departments…shouldn’t hang in the balance subject to the confused wordings and impulsive whims of the next tweet or memo,” said Senator Maggie Hassan.

    “This week I’ve traveled across the Second District — from the North Country to Nashua and from Keene to Concord. I’ve talked to our workers, teachers, police officers, firefighters, health care providers, small businesses, mayors, and town managers. The through line of every conversation has been an intense concern about the wide-ranging and devastating impacts that losing the federal funding promised to New Hampshire will have on our way of life,” said Representative Maggie Goodlander. “Real people right here in New Hampshire are paying the price for President Trump’s lawless, chaotic efforts to cut off federal funding. That is unacceptable. I will never stop fighting with every possible tool to deliver for New Hampshire.” 

    “Our priorities have not changed.  We will continue to provide services to our clients and support our team until we are directed otherwise.  We will adapt to the changing landscape so clients that depend on our agency for services such as childcare, fuel assistance, transportation, and food can continue to access these resources. We greatly appreciate the support of the New Hampshire delegation during this challenging time.” said Betsey Andrews Parker, CEO Community Action Partnership of Strafford County. 

    “The Portsmouth Police Department depends on federal grants to fund programs impacting local, seacoast, and statewide communities. Locally, federal grant funds are utilized for bulletproof vests for officers and enforcement patrols on our roadways, which include speed, distracted driving, DUI, and pedestrian/bike enforcement. With the help of federal dollars, we offer victim witness advocate services, staff training, and law enforcement equipment such as body-worn cameras and investigative equipment… the loss of these funds would reduce staff, significantly impact investigations into internet-based sexual crimes against children that have skyrocketed and continue to climb, and impact services for victims of crime, roadway safety, and the safety of our officers,” said Mark Newport, Chief of Police, Portsmouth Police Department in a letter. 

    “Uncertainty makes development difficult. While we work in a field rife with uncertainty, we know we can rely on our funding sources to be steady, when we have the funding we can move forward. It upsets our ability to commit to community projects when we cannot know whether or not the funding we have been awarded to build housing will actually be available to us when the time comes to call on those funds. In a relatively high-risk development environment, in a critical need area for our communities, we need the federal funds to be stable. Being left without promised funds on a project could easily mean the financial collapse of the project, a loss of years worth of time and effort. Depending on the projects size, it could have a major impact on our ability to operate,” said Harrison Kanzler, Executive Director, AHEAD Inc. 

    “As NH’s only center for independent living, serving thousands of individuals living with a disability, the consequences of EO-M-25-13, would have caused thousands of Granite Staters living with a disability to be left without critical services.  These services are in place to provide and assist with daily needs, including transportation, personal care, education, and workforce training.  The very services provided by GSIL and funded by federal grants, such as benefits counseling, workforce readiness, and transition services are an integral part in the promotion of living independently,” said Deborah Ritcey, MPA/HA, President & Chief Executive Officer, Granite State Independent Living (GSIL).

    “As a private non-profit community development corporation that is focused on providing affordable housing for granite staters, we have worked with numerous federal programs over the past thirty years, and the one thing we need to keep doing our work is consistency and reliability.  So when we are faced with distractions that cause chaos and confusion throughout our sector, it makes the difficult work of building affordable housing even that much more challenging,” said Robert Tourigny, Executive Director, NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire.

     “While we were relieved that the Administration intended to exclude rental assistance from the spending freeze, funding that we rely on to provide self-sufficiency services to working families, build new affordable housing, and reduce our energy costs were all targeted. On behalf of the nearly 930 senior, disabled and working families we serve, we are grateful to all of the individuals, organizations and elected officials across the country for their advocacy,” said Joshua Meehan, Executive Director, Keene Housing.

    “Federal funding is a lifeline for Community Health Centers, which deliver comprehensive primary care, mental and behavioral health, dental, and other essential primary care services to over 330,000 patients across New Hampshire and Vermont. With the uncertainty around the status of health centers’ federal grant funding, we are extremely concerned about the ability of their patients to access the services they need,” said Tess Kuenning, President & CEO of Bi-State Primary Care Association.

    “Ammonoosuc Community Health Services is a federally qualified health center that integrated primary preventive services in the rural White Mountains of Northern New Hampshire to nearly 10,000 patients a year, across five strategically located care delivery sites. In fact, we serve 1 out of every 3 residents within our service area.  Our patients receive care that is nationally recognized.  Our outcomes for patient with depression or diabetes exceeds national healthy people goals since 2009, top two FQHC for colorectal cancer screening (2018), top 16 FQHC in overall cancer screening (2023).  All accomplished in a financially responsible manner where our annual financial audit has always been free of any concerns and 95% of our patients recommend us to friends, family and neighbors who need care. All in all we govern ACHS in a responsible and predictable manner.  As an FQHC we provide services to everyone, regardless of social and economic status. The President’s unprecedented and unannounced freeze on nearly all federal funding meant an immediate freeze on nearly $180,000 in monthly drawdown payments and catapulted my staff into 24 hours of uncertainty and chaos while we tried to get clarification from the administration. Clarification that never came. This type of governing is categorically not a responsible way to govern, has real world impacts, and wasteful in diverting critical resources away from our core mission of providing outstanding health care services to those in our community who need it most. As the CEO and steward of ACHS, The People’s Health Center, I take responsible governance seriously and I expect those elected by the people to take their responsibility seriously as well,” said Ed Shanshala, CEO, ACHS.

    On Monday, the Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announced a sweeping executive order pausing almost all forms of federal assistance to states, nonprofits, non-governmental organizations and more. The full list that agencies were directed to review encompasses over 2,600 assistance programs, including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children (WIC), community health centers, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), transportation and highway funding, energy assistance programs, water infrastructure funding, State Opioid Targeted Response grants, GI Bill, veteran compensation for service connected disabilities, Section 8 housing vouchers, school breakfast and lunch, Title I education grants, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Head Start.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NH Delegation Urges Trump to Halt Planned Tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Citing Likelihood of Increasing Energy and Food Prices for Families in the Middle of Winter

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

    The New Hampshire delegation is sending a letter to President Donald Trump urging him not to impose 25 percent tariffs on Canada, the Granite State’s largest trading partner, and Mexico. Sweeping tariffs would dramatically increase costs for families in New Hampshire and around the nation. Home heating oil is New Hampshire’s largest import from Canada, and these tariffs are estimated to drive up energy prices for families in the middle of winter. It would also increase costs for essential items like groceries, housing, cars, and more. Click here to read the full letter.

    In part, the delegation wrote: “During your campaign, you promised to ‘bring down the price of everything.’ Despite that promise, sweeping tariffs would be a tax on Americans that raises the cost of everything from cars and gas to housing and groceries. Tariff costs would be passed on to our consumers and businesses through higher costs for goods and services.”

    They continued: “For the more than 350,000 households in New Hampshire who rely on heating oil, propane and wood to keep their homes warm and comfortable, adding these costs would be particularly cruel in the middle of a winter that has seen recent temperatures reach 20 below zero. Home heating oil is New Hampshire’s largest import from Canada, not because we don’t produce enough in the United States, but because it makes logistical and economic sense. The National Energy & Fuels Institute (NEFI), which represents wholesale and retail liquid heating fuel distributors throughout the Northeast, estimates that tariffs could increase heating costs by at least $375 per winter for a home in New Hampshire.”

    They concluded: “These taxes would raise families’ grocery bills, too. The type of broad tariffs you’ve proposed could raise food costs by $200 per year for the average household. That’s because the U.S. imports 38 percent of our fresh vegetables, 60 percent of our fresh fruit, and more than 99 percent of our coffee. This is the last thing families need when they’re already struggling with record high prices for eggs or coffee […] We urge you to focus on bringing down prices and reconsider the wisdom of placing sweeping tariffs on imports that would raise prices for our constituents.”

    After the November election, a multitude of business leaders verified that, if the President placed sweeping tariffs as promised, they’d be forced to raise prices on consumers. The CEO of Best Buy said, “the vast majority of that tariff will probably be passed on to the consumer as a price increase.” The CFO of Walmart said, “there will probably be cases where prices will go up for consumers.” The CEO of Columbia Sportswear said, “we’re set to raise prices” and “it’s going to be very, very difficult to keep products affordable.” The CEO of AutoZone said, “if we get tariffs, we will pass those tariff costs back to the consumer.” The President of a Texas-based Lipow Oil Associates said, “The prices at the pump are going to go up.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Danny K. Davis, Westside Black Elected Officials, and Community Leaders Denounce Donald Trump’s Economic Policies That Harm Black Communities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)

    Chicago, IL – [Date] – Congressman Danny K. Davis (IL-07), joined by Westside Black Elected Officials and community leaders, held a press conference today to condemn Donald Trump’s economic policies and financial decisions, which have disproportionately harmed African Americans and working-class families. The speakers emphasized the devastating impact of Trump’s administration, which prioritized corporate interests over everyday people, cutting vital programs and services that communities rely on.

    “Donald Trump’s financial policies have gutted funding for minority-owned businesses, weakened housing protections, cut safety net programs, and widened the racial wealth gap,” said Congressman Danny K. Davis. “We are here today to say loud and clear: We will not stand by while our communities are under attack. We are not going back!”

    Trump’s administration has proposed and implemented policies that:

    • Eliminate funding for minority-owned businesses, limiting opportunities for Black entrepreneurs to create jobs and build wealth.
    • Community Health Centers: Critical federal funding supporting over 30 million low-income patients is frozen, creating chaos for those relying on essential healthcare services.
    • Rollback housing protections, leading to increased evictions and foreclosures in Black communities.
    • Slash social safety net programs, including food assistance and healthcare subsidies, putting a heavier burden on low-income families.
    • Push tax policies that favor the wealthy, further widening the racial wealth gap.

    Speakers at the press conference included Ald. Emma Mitts, Chairperson of Westside Black Elected Officials, who decried the attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion:

    “As Chairperson of the Contracts Oversight and Equity Committee for the City of Chicago, I hear firsthand how diversity, equity, and inclusion programs are being erased. These policies have helped ensure economic opportunity for Black communities. Now, we are being told to go backward. Well, we refuse.”

    State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford underscored the impact on education and public institutions:

    “Trump’s cuts to Pell Grants and affirmative action programs will devastate public universities. Black and minority students will struggle to access higher education, and diversity programs will be dismantled. This will impact not just Black students, but all students.”

    Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps emphasized the privatization of essential services:

    “This is about oligarchy—the wealthy few taking from the many. Public hospitals, public education, and social services are being privatized, making access to healthcare and education harder for those who need it most.”

    President of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Kari Steele linked these economic cuts to climate change and infrastructure:

    “Infrastructure funding is critical, but under Trump’s leadership, we saw key environmental and infrastructure investments neglected. We are moving forward, not backward, and we need leaders who prioritize clean water, climate resilience, and public health.”

    Community Leader Jackie Reed called out Trump’s divisive leadership:

    “A nation divided cannot stand. And that’s exactly what Trump has done—divided families, communities, and the nation. We cannot allow his policies to strip our communities of resources and dignity.”

    Community Leader Donald Dew echoed the urgency of action:

    “Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of the fierce urgency of now. That urgency is here. Trump’s policies are a direct threat to the most vulnerable—people with disabilities, mental health needs, veterans, and children. If we do not act now, our communities will suffer.”

    Dr. Elizabeth Lockhart focused on the attack on veterans:

    “Trump’s policies have hurt veterans—those who put their lives on the line for this country. Their healthcare, benefits, and resources are being stripped away. How can we call ourselves a great nation if we abandon those who served?”

    Community Leader Stephen Robinson issued a stark warning:

    “Donald Trump has put everyone on the menu. If you think you are exempt, you are wrong. Black, brown, white—his policies hurt all working people. We must unite to fight back.”

    Former Senator Rickey Hendon closed with a call for accountability:

    “We must stand up and demand leadership that works for the people. The facts are clear—Trump’s policies favor the rich and leave the rest of us struggling. We will not go back.”

    Congressman Davis and community leaders urged immediate action to ensure economic justice and accountability.

    “Elections have consequences,” Congressman Davis concluded. “If we want an economy that works for everyone—not just billionaires—we must organize, mobilize, and vote.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Weber Named to Key Committees & Chairman for the 119th Congress

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14) announced that he will continue to serve on the House Energy and Commerce (E&C)  and the Science, Space, and Technology (SST) Committees. Additionally, he has been named Chairman of the SST Energy Subcommittee and the Vice Chairman of the E&C Energy Subcommittee, where the committee focuses on advancing policies to secure America’s energy future and foster innovation. Rep. Weber was also named the Vice Chair of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT) under the Republican Study Committee, where he’ll champion energy policies that empower domestic producers, leverage an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and restore America’s energy dominance on the global stage.

    “It’s an honor to continue to serve as a member on the influential Energy and Commerce Committee and to support the growth of our space exploration and energy distribution efforts—both are critical to the future of Southeast Texas,” said Rep. Weber. “My Gulf Coast district is an energy powerhouse with seven ports, seven of America’s largest petroleum refineries, three LNG plants, and 60% of the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Texas’ 14th Congressional District will provide a crucial voice as I take on these roles. Our mission is clear: to reverse the damaging policies left behind by the Biden administration and rebuild what has been broken for Southeast Texas and our nation.”

    “I am excited to name Congressman Randy Weber as the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy. Congressman Weber is a friend, a trusted colleague, and a strong conservative who is dedicated to serving our nation and protecting our values,” said Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-2). “As Vice Chairman, Congressman Weber will help to strengthen our domestic energy production while addressing the high costs of gas and electricity that have impacted families over the past four years. I look forward to working together on behalf of the American people.”

    “I am thrilled to have fellow Texan Rep. Randy Weber as the Vice-Chair of the House Energy Action Team,” said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11), who led the Task Force in the 118th Congress. “Randy’s proven track record of fighting for American energy dominance makes him an invaluable addition to the HEAT team. I look forward to working with him in the 119th Congress.”  

    “Congressman Weber’s energy expertise and values could not be more critical to the success of the SST Committee,” said Chairman Brian Babin (TX-36). “He’s a great friend, fellow Southeast Texan, and staunch ally in the fight to ensure America leads from the front. I’m looking forward to working alongside him this Congress.”

    Rep. Weber will serve on the following subcommittees:

    • Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee
    • Vice Chair of the Energy Subcommittee on the Energy and Commerce Committee
    • Environment on the Energy and Commerce Committee
    • Oversight & Investigations on the Energy and Commerce Committee

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher Celebrates Completion of Meyerland Area Flood Infrastructure Project

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07)

    Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) celebrated the completion of the Meyergrove Detention Basin with a ribbon cutting and walk through of the basin with Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin, and Harris County Flood Control District Executive Director Dr. Tina Petersen.  Completed in December 2024, the Meyergrove Detention Basin is a 7.5-acre stormwater detention basin that will support water overflow for more than 27 million gallons of stormwater during heavy rain events to prevent flooding of nearby residences, commercial buildings, and roadways.  The project is a result of a partnership between the City of Houston, Harris County, Harris County Flood Control District, and Congresswoman Fletcher.

    “The Meyergrove Detention Basin project is a much-needed improvement in Texas’ Seventh Congressional District that will have a real impact on the people of this community, and I was so glad to join Councilmember Kamin, Commissioner Ellis, and Director Petersen today in celebrating its completion,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “The Meyergrove Detention Basin reminds us why infrastructure investments are so important, what they can do, and why having government that works efficiently, effectively, and collaboratively is what we need, deserve, and can have.”

    “I am grateful for Congresswoman Fletcher’s bold leadership and her commitment to protecting our neighborhoods,” said Council Member Abbie Kamin.  “This project, years in the making, is an important step for a more resilient Houston.  As we tackle flood mitigation efforts head on, today is a reminder of how critical these dollars are for our community.  As we continue to push for progress, this project serves as an example of what is possible when we all work together to protect residents from extreme weather and flooding.”

    “This is so much more than a flood control project,” said Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis.  “This is an investment in public safety, quality of life, and access to green space for our community.  I am grateful to Congresswoman Fletcher and everyone who made this transformative project a reality.”

    “The completion of the Meyergrove Stormwater Detention Basin marks a major step in our efforts to reduce flood risks and build a more resilient community,” said Dr. Tina Petersen, executive director of the Harris County Flood Control District. “This project, made possible through strong partnerships and federal support, will provide critical stormwater storage to help protect homes and businesses. The success of this project is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together. We look forward to continuing this work, further strengthening flood mitigation for Harris County.”

    In 2021, Congresswoman Fletcher requested and secured nearly $10 million in federal funding to design and construct the Meyergrove Stormwater Detention Basin through the Community Funded Projects process in Congress.  The funding was included in the Funding for the People Act, a bipartisan government funding bill that funds essential programs and projects, including the Meyergrove Stormwater Detention Basin.  President Biden signed the bill into law on March 15, 2022.  Later that month, she held a press conference to highlight funding for this project.  In February 2024, Congresswoman Fletcher joined community leaders at the project’s groundbreaking.  In July 2024, although the project was not yet complete, the basin captured water during Hurricane Beryl that would have otherwise ended up in the streets. 

    The 24.31 square miles of flood reduction will benefit areas that have experienced repeated flooding events and severe damage, including from the Tax Day and Memorial Day Floods, and from Hurricane Harvey.  The basin is part of a 2018 Bond Project to reduce flooding in the area and will be located between Brays Bayou and North Braeswood Boulevard adjacent to Interstate 610. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Roy reintroduces bill to designate drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Chip Roy (R-TX)

    WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Chip Roy (TX-21) reintroduced the Drug Cartel Terrorist Designation Act, which would direct the State Department to designate Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs).

    The bill would direct the Secretary of State to designate the Gulf Cartel, the Cartel Del Noreste, the Cartel de Sinaloa, and the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion as FTOs and codify President Trump’s Executive Order into law. 

    An FTO designation would provide the federal government with more authorities to combat these cartels, including additional investigative and intelligence resources, the ability to apply stiffer penalties on FTO affiliates, revoking visas of FTO members in the U.S., and freezing FTO assets in U.S. financial institutions.

    Congressman Roy said the following about the bill: “The cartels have spent the last four years exploiting our border to profit off of misery, fear, and death. Now that their open-borders cash flow is about to dry up, they have resorted to planting live explosives on the Texas border and shooting at Border Patrol agents in broad daylight. They are terrorists, and we need to treat them like it. 

    That’s why I started pushing the Trump administration for FTO designations during my first few months in Congress back in 2019. President Trump’s day-one order to designate them as FTOs and give U.S. authorities more tools to take them down was the right move, but Congress needs to ensure it can’t be undone by a future administration. Equally as important, my bill affirms that foreign nationals cannot use an FTO designation as grounds for asylum.  Let’s take this bill up, put it on President Trump’s desk, and take these terrorist criminals down once and for all.”

    Congressman Roy is proud to be joined by Reps. Ryan Zinke (MT-1), Andy Biggs (AZ-5), Michael Cloud (TX-27), Clay Higgins (LA-3), Pat Fallon (TX-4), Josh Brecheen (OK-2), Paul Gosar (AZ-9), Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Andy Ogles (TN-5), Randy Weber (TX-14), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), Keith Self (TX-3), and Roger Williams (TX-25) in introducing this legislation. 

    Comments from supporting organizations:

    Texas Public Policy Foundation

    “It is all too easy for one president to the next to completely dismantle our national security efforts. We applaud all members of Congress seeking to immediately codify the excellent executive orders President Trump signed to strengthen border security and protect American communities. With this legislation enacted, it will not be so easy for any incoming president to undo such important work.”

    -Greg Sindlear

    America First Policy Institute

    “America First Policy Institute proudly supports Congressional border security efforts to address an imminent threat to the homeland – transnational criminal organizations. Securing the homeland for the American people should be the top priority for Congress, and this effort is an important first step to empowering law enforcement efforts and holding TCOs accountable.” 

    -Chad Wolf, Executive Director, Chief Strategy Officer and Chair for the Center for Homeland Security and Immigration 

    The full text of the legislation is available here. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Velázquez Hosts Immigration Strategy Roundtables in Brooklyn and Queens

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

    NEW YORK- Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) brought together local service providers, advocates, and policymakers for an urgent discussion on the impact of recent Trump administrations immigration policies. The conversation focused on how local leaders and non-profits can support immigrant communities in the face of the administration’s aggressive deportation tactics and expanded interior enforcement efforts.
     
    Held at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn and CUNY School of Law in Long Island City, the roundtables featured national immigration experts and local organizations who shared their perspectives on the real-life consequences of these policies. Attendees explored strategies to protect immigrant communities, ensuring they have access to legal resources and critical support during this challenging time.
     
    “In the wake of the Trump administration’s unprecedented immigration actions, it’s vital that New Yorkers stand up to protect our immigrant communities,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “Today’s roundtable shows that our community is united in defending our neighbors and ensuring immigrants know their rights. New Yorkers are strong, resilient, and ready to defend the rights and dignity of all who call our city home.”
     
    “In just a few days, President Trump has unleashed a blizzard of executive actions which have put immigrant communities in fear and threatened to take away legal status from thousands of New Yorkers,” said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, Senior Fellow at the American Immigration Council. “This roundtable was an important opportunity for local leaders to come together and figure out what has happened already, what is yet to come, and what all of this means for the communities they support.”
     
    “CUNY School of Law was honored to host this critical conversation during such a pivotal moment for immigration policy,” said Sudha Setty, Dean of CUNY School of Law. “Our students and faculty bring both lived experience and advocacy perspectives to our classrooms and clinics, where we work toward both immediate and systemic change. Through collaboration with community organizations and those gathered today, we remain committed to expanding access to justice.”
     
    “As we see families too scared to go to school and jobs, punitive enforcement that ensnares American citizens, and reductive policies including the unconstitutional effort to end birthright citizenship, it is more important than ever to organize to protect New Yorkers’ rights,”  said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “I applaud Congresswoman Velázquez for uniting our community for this essential conversation, because New Yorkers will stand together in the fight to keep families together.”
     
    State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “Thank you so much to Congresswoman Velasquez for organizing this group of community leaders, advocates and experts to identify ways to respond to this Administration’s attacks on our immigrant communities. All new Yorkers deserve to live safe, stable, and dignified lives without fear. We are ready to collaborate and equip our neighbors, friends and loved ones with the knowledge and resources they need in the event of an ICE raid at their workplace, places of worship, schools, or homes.”
     
    “In the wake of harmful and xenophobic Presidential policies, we need to protect our neighbors who live in our sanctuary city. The immigration roundtable at CUNY Law highlighted plans and strategies to provide legal assistance and other critical aid to vulnerable communities being targeted,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Thank you to Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez for your leadership and for hosting this important conversation.”
     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Beatty Reintroduces Bill Affirming Black History in American Education

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, to kick off Black History Month, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) reintroduced the Black History is American History Act, legislation that would mandate the inclusion of Black history as a required component of the American History and Civics Academies’ competitive grants administered by the U.S. Department of Education. This bill strengthens history education, expands access to Black history resources, and ensures Black history is integrated into the U.S. Department of Education grants administered through the American History and Civics Academies.

    The American History and Civics Academies provide workshops to help teachers strengthen their knowledge of American history and civics through the Presidential Academy. The bill supports the establishment of Congressional Academies – providing high-need students opportunities to deepen their understanding of these subjects. While these programs aim to deepen understanding, they currently do not require Black history as part of those endeavors —this bill changes that.

    Congresswoman Beatty released the following statement regarding the bill’s significance:

    “Black history is American history, and it is under unprecedented attack,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “For too long, Black Americans’ contributions have been minimized, whitewashed or downright excluded from our national story. The Black History is American History Act helps protect the stories of those who shaped our nation—from the Tuskegee Airmen’s heroism to the Black women mathematicians who helped America win the Space Race. In a time where extreme MAGA Republicans continue to censor critical components of Black history in schools, my bill seeks to amplify the life and legacy of Black Americans in classroom conversations, and communicate a fundamental truth: Black history is American history.

    The Black History is American History Act  would:

    • Require entities applying for, and receiving, grants through the Presidential and Congressional Academies to include Black history as part of the American history and civics related workshops and teachings offered to teachers and students;
    • Promote use of the resources offered by the National Museum of African American History and Culture for teachers and students; and
    • Encourage continued inclusion of Black History in tests administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).

    This bill is cosponsored by:

    Rep. A. Adams (NC-12), Rep. Barragán (CA-44), Rep. Bishop, Jr (GA-02), Rep. Bonamici (OR-01), Rep. Brown (OH-11), Rep. Carson (IN-07), Rep. Carter, Sr. (LA-02), Rep. Castor (FL-14), Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Rep. Clarke (NY-09), Rep.  Cleaver, II (MO-05), Rep. Clyburn (SC-06), Rep. Davis (IL-07), Rep. Davis (NC-01), Rep. Degette (CO-01), Rep. DeSaulnier (CA-10), Rep. Dingell (MI-06), Rep. Doggett (TX-37), Rep. Evans (PA-03), Rep. Foushee (NC-04), Rep. Frankel (FL-22), Rep. Frost (FL-10), Rep. Goldman (NY-10), Rep. Green (TX-09), Rep. Grijalva (AZ-07), Rep. Hayes (CT-05), Rep. Horsford (NV-04), Rep. Ivey (MD-04), Rep. Jackson (IL-01), Rep. Johnson (GA-04), Rep. Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Rep. Kennedy (NY-26), Rep. Kelly (IL-02), Rep. Larsen (WA-02), Rep. Lynch (MA-08), Rep. Magaziner (RI-02), Rep. McBath (GA-06), Rep. McIver (NJ-10), Rep. Meeks (NY-05), Rep. Menendez (NJ-08), Rep. Meng (NY-06), Rep. Norton (DC-At Large), Rep. Plaskett (VI-At Large), Rep. Pressley (MA-07), Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), Rep. Strickland (WA-10), Rep. Sykes (OH-13), Rep. Thanedar (MI-13), Rep. Thompson (MS-02), Rep. Tlaib (MI-12), Rep. Schultz (FL-25), Rep. Underwood (IL-14), Rep. Velázquez (NY-07), Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43), Rep. Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Rep. Wilson (FL-24)

    The full bill text can be found HERE.

    Congresswoman Beatty previously introduced this bill in the 118th and 117th sessions of Congress, following its original introduction by Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (OH-11) in the 116th Congress.

     

    For media inquiries please contact: christine.thompson@mail.house.gov and cassandra.johnson@mail.house.gov. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schakowsky Statement Celebrating Black History Month

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

    EVANSTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) issued the following statement commemorating Black History Month:

    “This February, we celebrate Black History Month and honor the work of the Black leaders, pioneers, trailblazers, and heroes who broke down barriers and helped propel our nation forward. It is leaders like Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., and my dear friend John Lewis, who took a stand and fought for a cause greater than themselves. It was their ‘good trouble,’ along with many others, that paved the way for future generations to have a better life. This month, and every month, let us celebrate their triumphs, advancements, and innovations. Black history is American history, period.”

    “As we reflect on the great strides we have made, we recognize there is still a lot of work left to do. Just this week, as the nation mourned the victims of the devastating midair collision in Washington, D.C., President Trump held a press conference to falsely blame diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives for the cause of this incident. Not only are Trump’s claims untrue, but they also speak to his desire to divide us as a country. We must never let hate win. Dr. King famously said, ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love will do that.’

    “I am proud to represent my hometown of Evanston, Illinois, the first jurisdiction to pass a reparations resolution to help dismantle the systems of oppression that remain from slavery, and the 9th Congressional District, one of the most diverse districts in the nation. Our diversity is truly one of our greatest strengths. 

    “This Black History Month let’s all embrace this diversity and reflect on how we can work to make the world a better place. As the famed poet and activist Amanda Gorman once said, ‘For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we are brave enough to be it.’”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trump’s Reckless Trade War Will Hurt American Families, Businesses, and Workers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04)

    Trump’s Reckless Trade War Will Hurt American Families, Businesses, and Workers

    While noticeably going softer on China, Trump’s tariffs hurt key allies and top trading partners Mexico and Canada

    “Donald Trump has plunged our country into a dangerous trade war and the American people will bear the cost. Thanks to Trump, American businesses will be saddled with higher costs, which could lead to higher prices on goods Americans need. Prices will likely go up the grocery store, as people still feel squeezed at the checkout counter. The price of homes is expected to increase, as materials used to build homes become more expensive, which comes as homeownership remains unaffordable to many. 

    For millions of Americans still grappling with inflation, Trump’s tariffs will be a gut punch. History should inform us that another trade war could cause devastation again. The last time Trump picked a trade fight, Wisconsin dairy farms suffered the brunt, contributing to record-level family farm bankruptcies and billions in bailouts. Trump resorted to costly bailouts to cover for his failures and have left farmers weaker in the long term.  

    In his second term, Trump continues to use tariffs as a political scheme, this time against our top allies and trading partners. Tariffs can help American industries and support our workers if they are used deliberately and carefully, but Trump’s across the board tariffs are neither. As our allies impose retaliatory tariffs, the damage will get worse. Donald Trump hasn’t even been in office for a month, and he is already breaking his promise to lower the cost of living.”  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DeLauro Statement on President Trump Trade War

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03)

    Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) released the following statement: 

    “I oppose President Trump launching a trade war with Canada and Mexico, who are already retaliating. It will be a blow to the middle class, working people, and the vulnerable.

    “President Trump’s trade war on Canada and Mexico, which are part of the USMCA trade agreement, driven by his 25% tariff on nearly all imports from those countries, will drive up prices on all Americans. All three countries in the USMCA have, until now, acted based on the rules and norms set up by that agreement. It was President Trump who initially proposed the renegotiation of NAFTA into the USMCA, and I was among the Democrats who helped negotiate the agreement and secure wins on labor and other key provisions. The USMCA passed Congress with bipartisan support.

    “I condemn President Trump launching a trade war that absolutely guarantees price increases on key products as well as retaliatory tariffs that will affect exporters across many states. We should expect price increases on a wide array of products, including gas, groceries, home construction materials, household appliances, and automobiles. These price increases are unacceptable at a time when Americans are already struggling with the high cost of living.

    “I support the tariffs on China that serve America’s interests.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Appointments – IHC welcomes new Chief Executive Andrew Crisp

    Source: IHC

    IHC welcomed its new IHC Group Chief Executive Andrew Crisp at a pōwhiri in Wellington on Monday morning.

    More than 200 people gathered to welcome Andrew Crisp, who joins IHC from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

    “I was fortunate to meet with some people with intellectual disabilities before I started and I heard their request for me to step up for people with intellectual disabilities and for IHC,” Andrew says. “I will answer that call.”

    Andrew joins the IHC Group at a key moment amid changes in disability funding, opportunities in social and community housing, a continued need to advocate for people’s rights and an ongoing determination for people with intellectual disabilities to have their say.

    He says he has three key initial priorities. “I want to listen, first and foremost, to learn and understand the whakapapa of the organisation, I want to connect inside and outside the organisation to gather a range of perspectives and I want to work with everyone to prioritise the resources on things that will have the most positive impact on the people we support.”

    IDEA Services Board Chair, and IHC New Zealand Board Member Suzanne Win formally welcomed Andrew emphasising the importance of the new role in the lives of many thousands of people looking to him to lead and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

    She reminded everyone that just three people have held this esteemed role and have each made an impact for people with intellectual disabilities – which is our mission and calling.

    “Last year IHC turned 75 and in the early years much change occurred as people with intellectual disabilities moved out of institutions and into communities,” said Suzanne. “There have been battles for equity in every policy area since – education, health, housing, employment, rights and more. It’s great to reflect on achievements, but only as we acknowledge how much more needs to be done.

    “We are proud to be a rights-based organisation. People have the right to good health care and education, a good home, equitable access to services and participation, autonomy and social connection.”

    Suzanne said that the organisation is excited to welcome a new champion to our sector and there are many challenges laid at his feet.

    “This is more than a job,” said Suzanne. “It is history and future thinking, advocacy and consistent quality delivery, disability and housing, community connection and individual support. Much expectation and hope is resting on your shoulders,” she said.

    “But you are not on your own. You join a team of thousands.

    “Some of us are vocal and some of us are quiet,” she said. “Sometimes we’re excited, sometimes we’re angry, sometimes we’re worn out and sometimes we’re energised – but we’re all unwaveringly and doggedly committed to our mission and we’re proud to be here.”

    Andrew already has visits to services and the wider organisation booked in the diary including to Waikato and Canterbury and he’ll be starting by visiting services and staff in Lower Hutt later this week.

    About IHC New Zealand

    IHC New Zealand advocates for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with intellectual disabilities and supports them to live satisfying lives in the community. IHC provides advocacy, volunteering, events, membership associations and fundraising. It is part of the IHC Group, which also includes IDEA Services, Choices NZ and Accessible Properties

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pōwhiri at Te Whare Rūnanga, Waitangi 2025

    Source: New Zealand Governor General

    Mai i te kore, ki te pō,

    ki te ao marama,

    ko te ara o te tika,

    ko te ara o te pono tēnā

    e kōkiri mō te whakatipuranga

    ō āpōpō.

    He aha tēnā o ngā oāti

    e whakapono atu nei e tatou,

    e te iwi.

    Hākoa te kaupapa e pikau atu nei,

    me kawe i roto i te aroha, i te ture,

    me te whakapono.

    Maranga mai e te iwi

    E ngā hapu mano tini

    Ma te atua tatou te iwi e arāhī!

    Kei āku nui

    Kei āku rahi

    Tena koutou

    Tena koutou

    Tena tatou katoa

    Tau ana!

    [From the nothingness, to the night, to the world of light, of understanding

    We seek the pathway that is right

    We seek the pathway of truth

    In the faith that the legacy we leave is for the now and the future generations.

    Whatever the kaupapa at hand, we must, seek the truth, with compassion, and with conviction and with belief.

    Arise e te iwi

    Arise e ngā hapu

    May we be guided by the creator

    To the assembled multitudes

    Greetings to one and all.]

    Few places in Aotearoa New Zealand can match the complex legacy of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. As a wāhine Māori with whakapapa to the people of this place – and as the 37th person to serve as Governor or Governor-General – I am deeply connected and committed to this whenua and te pito o te whenua – and it is my privilege to speak here, on this, our nation’s marae.

    When James Busby constructed his house here in 1833, these grounds were an isolated outpost of British influence. Two years later, he joined my tupuna here at the signing of He Whakaputanga – and in 1840, it became the place where two peoples – of very different world views – committed themselves to a new kind of relationship in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

    By 1932, these grounds – like the Treaty itself – were neglected and largely ignored by the powers that be. When Lord Bledisloe was brought here, and heard the history, he resolved to buy the property and gift it to the nation, so that it could become a place of pilgrimage for all New Zealanders.

    To enable both signatories to be represented on these grounds, Sir Āpirana Ngata led the construction of Te Whare Runanga – to complement the Treaty House and represent the iwi Māori of Aotearoa.

    This taumata was to be where the signatories of Te Tiriti could meet in dialogue. It has continued to play a role in growing our relationship.

    The 1940 Waitangi centenary commemorations have gifted us an iconic image of Sir Āpirana Ngata, leading a vigorous haka in celebration of the opening of Te Whare Runanga. It so perfectly captures his passion to revive pride in Māoritanga. His efforts, along with that of countless others, have borne fruit in the 21st century with the revival of te reo Māori, celebration of waiata and kapa haka with Te Matatini, and te Ao Māori reflected in film, literature, music, and performance.

    In 1835, our tipuna who signed He Whakaputanga wanted to consolidate their ability to be successful producers, entrepreneurs and traders. A century later, Sir Apirana Ngata was also driven to develop a stronger economic base for iwi Māori, with his vision of wellbeing and prosperity in all facets of life.

    As guardians of these grounds, the Waitangi National Trust Board has helped generations of New Zealanders to better understand the impact of our history, most recently in the two magnificent museums on this site. The new exhibition at The Museum of Waitangi Te Kongahu – He Kura Toi Tangata, which marks 50 years since the Waitangi Tribunal was established, reminds us of the histories uncovered during the Tribunal’s enquiries, the impact of its work, and its many achievements.

    So many of us will have vivid memories of times spent here. We feel the wairua of those who have stood and spoken and are no longer with us – and in time, we too will become part of the story of the Treaty Grounds.

    Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua.

    Our mokopuna will continue the work of our tupuna and I am confident they will be better placed than my generation to take up the mantle of responsibility. They are hopefully better informed by history, they understand the need to care for the planet, and they are more used to living with complex identities in the 21st century.

    Let us therefore reflect on our journey in this beautiful country at Waitangi, and our part in its ongoing legacy.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Next festivals and events for Victoria’s pill testing service

    Source: Government of Victoria 2

    03/02/25

    Pill testing, also known as drug checking, aims to reduce harms from illicit drug use and save lives.

    Victoria’s pill testing service started at Beyond the Valley (BTV) festival from 28 December 2024 to 1 January 2025.

    The Victorian Government has announced the next festivals and events to have pill testing during the 2024-25 music festival season. Victoria’s pill testing service will operate at:

    • Hardmission at Werribee Racecourse on 8 February 2025
    • Pitch Music & Arts Festival in Moyston from 7 to 11 March 2025
    • Ultra at Flemington Racecourse on 12 April 2025
    • The Warehouse Project at Port Melbourne Industrial Centre for the Arts (PICA) on 25 April 2025

    The drug checking service is free, confidential and anonymous. It will attend up to 10 festivals and events during an 18-month implementation trial. A fixed-site service is due to open in inner Melbourne in mid-2025.

    During the 4 day BTV festival, the mobile drug checking service tested more than 600 samples.

    Harm reduction workers at the service spoke to 700 festivalgoers. For more than 70%, it was the first time they had ever had an open, judgement-free conversation with a health professional about drug and alcohol safety.

    Nearly 40% of those using the service said they intended to use a smaller amount of their drugs following a conversation with a healthcare worker.

    Read more about Victoria’s pill testing service.

    To find how pill testing works, watch our video on the Better Health ChannelExternal Link.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Sara Jacobs Releases Statement on One Year Since October 7th Attack in Israel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

    October 07, 2024

    On the first anniversary of Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), the youngest Jewish Member of Congress, released the following statement:

    “Like millions of Jews around the world, I woke up one year ago today in complete horror. I am still grappling with the aftermath of that day – the loss of nearly 1,200 innocent people, the trauma of many more who were assaulted, raped, tortured, and kidnapped, the pain felt by San Diego’s sister city Sha’ar HaNegev, and the stark rise of antisemitism since. I remain heartbroken for all the families who are still living this nightmare because Hamas is holding their loved ones hostage and because of new attacks from Iran and Hezbollah. This attack was heinous, inexcusable, and will never be forgotten.

    “I’m focused on bringing the remaining 100 hostages home as soon as possible and finding tangible solutions to achieve long-term peace, safety, and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and the region. October 7th started a devastating war in Gaza, where entire cities have been leveled, tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians have been killed, and nearly 2 million people have been displaced and are in desperate need of assistance and refuge. That’s why I believe we need an immediate ceasefire and to use our considerable leverage to deescalate tensions in the region – so we can secure the release of the remaining hostages, protect civilian lives, deliver much-needed aid and relief to Gazans, and begin the hard work of ensuring all people can live in safety, security, and autonomy.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Sara Jacobs, Sen. Tammy Duckworth Seek to Protect IVF Coverage in Final NDAA

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

    October 24, 2024

    Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) continued their push to ensure the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) preserves the requirement contained in both the House-passed and Senate-reported versions of NDAA that requires TRICARE coverage of fertility services, including in vitro fertilization (IVF). In a letter to House and Senate Armed Services Committee leadership, the lawmakers – who authored and successfully secured inclusion of the IVF coverage provisions in the House and Senate bills, respectively – called for service members and military families to receive the same level of IVF coverage that’s accessible to Members of Congress and Federal employees next year.

    Two-thirds of service members, who often spend their prime reproductive years in hazardous conditions and away from their partners, have reported experiencing family-building challenges after returning home. As a result, many TRICARE beneficiaries pay tens of thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs for fertility treatment. Expanding IVF coverage would strengthen recruitment, retention, and readiness efforts – all while supporting those who have sacrificed greatly for the United States.

    Read Rep. Sara Jacobs’ and Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s Letter Here

    The lawmakers wrote:

    “Because of hard work conducted under your respective leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and House Armed Services Committee (HASC), Congress is poised to ensure the final legislative text of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (NDAA) preserves language contained in both the House-passed and Senate-reported versions of the NDAA that require TRICARE cover fertility services, including in vitro fertilization (IVF).

    “Accordingly, we write to request that in negotiating the final conference report to accompany the NDAA, you ensure U.S. servicemembers and military families receive IVF coverage in 2025 that is on par with the IVF coverage Members of Congress and Federal employees will be provided access to in 2025 by taking one of these courses of action:

    • House recedes regarding Section 701 of H.R. 8070, and the final bill includes Section 705 of S. 4638;
    • Senate recedes regarding Section 705 of S. 4638 and the final bill includes Section 701 of H.R. 8070; or
    • The final bill merges and harmonizes Sections 701 and 705.

    “Since HASC added the provisions (sec. 701) requiring TRICARE cover fertility services, including IVF, by voice vote without controversy; and then House Republicans chose to preserve these Democratic-authored provisions in the version of the NDAA that the House narrowly passed along party-lines; we are hopeful that achieving fertility benefit parity between Members of Congress, Federal employees and members of the U.S. Armed Forces can avoid controversy and be preserved in the final NDAA that President Joe Biden signs into law.

    “In the coming months, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and United States Senators will have the opportunity to select health insurance from 2025 marketplace plans that all include high quality, affordable fertility benefit coverage—including excellent IVF coverage that, absent action by Congress, will be far superior to the restrictive fertility benefit coverage offered to U.S. servicemembers and military families under current law. Under the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, Federal employees will also receive high quality fertility benefit coverage, including IVF, in 2025.

    “Importantly, every Member of Congress will be able to enroll in a 2025 marketplace plan that covers IVF services provided in accordance with widely accepted and evidence-based medical standards of care and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) professional guidelines—which includes coverage of at least three complete oocyte retrievals with unlimited embryo transfers from those oocyte retrievals, and standard fertility preservation services.

    “We strongly believe U.S. servicemembers and military families deserve fertility benefit coverage in 2025 that is at least comparable to what Members of Congress will receive.

    “It would be hypocritical for Members of Congress to enjoy high quality fertility benefit coverage next year, right on the heels of denying such IVF coverage to brave Americans willing to defend our country in uniform, and the dedicated military families that sacrifice to support their loved ones’ service to our great country. That is why we strongly agree with the position taken by a broad coalition of Military Service Organizations (MSOs) and Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) that these MSOs and VSOs expressed to you in their October 10, 2024, joint letter:

    ‘The health care benefit is an earned benefit and an essential part of military compensation. Coverage should not be contingent on a service member’s willingness or ability to accept an additional service commitment. For that reason, we caution Congress against adopting Section 627 of S. 4638, which would require a service member benefiting from expanded reproductive health coverage to accept an additional service commitment of four years. Again, military members deserve coverage that is on par with civilian plans, and civilian plans make no such demands of their beneficiaries [emphasis added].’

    “We share the opposition of MSOs and VSOs to including Section 627 of S. 4638 in the final bill text because it falls woefully short of providing servicemembers and their families with comparable coverage to the coverage Members of Congress receive. Unfortunately, Section 627 goes beyond TRICARE fertility coverage requirements and injects controversial and divisive language relating to abortion services and embryonic personhood, which are contrary to the bipartisan tradition of the NDAA and distract from what should be our overriding priority: making sure that in 2025, U.S. servicemembers and military families receive high quality and affordable fertility services coverage that is on par with fertility benefits that Members of Congress and Federal employees will receive in the coming year.

    “Servicemembers are disproportionately impacted by infertility and face unique challenges in trying to start and build their families. Two-thirds of servicemembers, who often spend their prime reproductive years in hazardous conditions and away from their partners, have reported family-building challenges due to military service. Most TRICARE beneficiaries must pay out of pocket for fertility treatment, costing tens of thousands of dollars, all while navigating challenging duty station moves and a complex healthcare system bureaucracy.

    “Failing to provide high-quality IVF coverage through TRICARE would perpetuate an unfair system that forces military families to confront an impossible and unjust choice between serving their country in uniform or starting a family without the risk of financial ruin. We are gravely concerned that this will inevitably deter recruitment and retention efforts and ultimately decrease our Nation’s military readiness. Providing U.S. servicemembers and military families with robust IVF coverage is the least we can do for those Americans who have sacrificed so much for us.

    “We thank you in advance for your consideration of our request to make sure that we complete the mission of ensuring members of the U.S. Armed Forces achieve parity with Members of Congress and the civil service by finalizing a conference report and passing a NDAA that, for the first time in history, requires TRICARE cover fertility services, including IVF, without harmful and onerous restrictions that violate widely accepted and evidence-based medical standards of care and fail to comport with ASRM professional guidance.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Bush Joins Congresswoman Ramirez, Local Leaders Call for an End to the Tax Evasion Driving Puerto Rico’s Crisis of Displacement

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01)

    October 25, 2024

    Washington, D.C. (October 25, 2024) — Yesterday, Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01) joined Representatives Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), in announcing the introduction of United with Puerto Ricans Opposed to Act 22 Risks (UPROAR) Act. The UPROAR Act urges the Puerto Rican and federal governments to address Act 22 and stop the exploitation of federal tax loopholes that result in millions in lost revenues for local communities.

    Created to incentivize investment in the Puerto Rican economy, Act 22, now part of Act 60, has created a tax haven for American millionaires and billionaires, allowing them to avoid federal and local taxes. According to reports, Act 22 beneficiaries are raising housing costs and displacing Puerto Ricans, endangering important nature reserves and historical sites, destabilizing the island’s already weak electrical grid, and influencing local elections through unprecedented donations.

    Recently, the IRS revealed to Congress that 647 Americans who received the benefits of Act 22 paid $557,978,112 in federal taxes during the five years before moving to Puerto Rico, representing million-dollar losses for the federal government and the social programs that are supported by them. Likewise, the government of Puerto Rico estimates that the island will lose around $4.5 billion in income between 2020 and 2026 due to Act 22. 

    “I proudly join in solidarity with my colleagues and the advocates and community members from across the Puerto Rican diasporas who are speaking out against the Act 22 tax loophole,” said Congresswoman Bush. “This policy is a handout to wealthy tax evaders moving to Puerto Rico and could cost the island an estimated $4.5 billion in tax revenues from 2020 to 2026. The loophole has exacerbated the housing crisis and increased displacement of Puerto Rican residents. This Resolution is a crucial step toward protecting the future of Puerto Rico and its communities. It’s time for Congress to demand accountability for the tax evasion created by Act 22 while supporting the self-determination of the Puerto Rican people.”

    “As Congress prepares to debate the funds available for safety net programs, we must urgently address Act 22 in Puerto Rico and the exploitation of federal tax loopholes that allow wealthy Americans to avoid their responsibility to pay local and federal taxes. I am proud to join a community of organizers in my district and Puerto Rico to introduce a resolution that puts tax evaders on notice. Enough is enough,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “From Puerto Rico to IL-03, our communities deserve accessible housing, access to their lands, and an economy and democracy that works for them.”

    “Act 22 has caused unprecedented damage in Puerto Rico, fueling displacement, rising prices, and reckless development across the island. At the same time, the law has led to tax avoidance on the mainland, depriving the federal government of billions of dollars of critical revenue. From the IRS to Congress, we need a whole of government approach to examine how this law is hurting Puerto Ricans and take action to mitigate its damage. I was proud to work with Representatives Ramirez and Ocasio-Cortez to elevate this issue and urge the federal government to increase oversight and transparency around this predatory law,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez. 

    In addition to Congresswoman Bush, the resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raul Grijalva (AZ-07), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Jim McGovern (MA-02).

    “Wealthy Americans moving to Puerto Rico are driving up the cost of living while not having to pay their fair share due to federal tax loopholes. I’m proud to join Congresswoman Ramirez to close these loopholes that are depriving Puerto Rico’s schools and infrastructure of critical funding,” said Congressman Ro Khanna. 

    The UPROAR resolution is endorsed by local, national, and Puerto Rican organizations like Alianza for Progress, Power 4 Puerto Rico, Puerto Rican Agenda, Puerto Rican Cultural Center, Losing Puerto Rico, El Otro Puerto Rico, the National Puerto Rican Agenda, Esperanza, Popular Democracy, Construyamos Otro Acuerdo, Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico, Sembrando Sentido, Coalición PR No Se Vende, Vamos PR, Sindicato Puertorriqueño de Trabajadores (SPT), Mi Patria, Boricuas Unidos en la Diáspora (BUDPR), New York Communities for Change (NYCC), Vocal New York, Churches United for Fair Housing (CUFFH), and Hedge Clippers.

    Read the full resolution here. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tacoma Rail Receives Over $8.3M In Federal Funding to Reduce Its GHG Emissions 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

    Lakewood, Washington – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced over $8,300,000 for Tacoma Rail through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.  

    Tacoma Rail, a short line operating out of the Port of Tacoma, provides vital services to the local and regional economies. With this funding from DOT, Tacoma Rail will upgrade the diesel engines of four locomotives, significantly improving fuel efficiency and reducing freight rail emissions by over 90 percent. 

    “This grant awarded to Tacoma Rail is another example of how federal funding strengthens our local economies,” said Strickland. “I am proud to support Tacoma Rail as they work to modernize their freight rail equipment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve air quality for surrounding neighborhoods.” 

    “This investment is a big deal for Tacoma – for our port, our rail system, and our competitiveness,” said Rep. Derek Kilmer (WA-06). “I’m proud to have supported this important project alongside Representative Strickland. It will reduce emissions and ensure Tacoma Rail can modernize without the costs being solely borne by local taxpayers. I look forward to the impact this investment will have on the future of the railroad in our region.” 

    “This award from the Federal Railroad Administration marks a win for cleaner air in the community Tacoma Rail serves,” said Paul Hoover with Tacoma Rail. “We are committed to working toward environmental justice, and repowering four 1980’s era locomotives to modern EPA Tier 4 emission standards moves us toward our goal. This project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 93 percent, and fine-particle air pollution by 97 percent.“ 

    “These grant funds will support an important Port partner in significantly reducing emissions of yard locomotives. Tacoma Rail plays a critical role in our supply chain ecosystem, moving goods out from our harbors towards consumer markets, and the investment in cleaner equipment is a win for our regional air quality” said Port of Tacoma Commission President and The Northwest Seaport Alliance Co-chair Kristin Ang. 

    “The maritime sector requires significant investment and partnership to reduce diesel emissions, and we are grateful to Representatives Strickland and Kilmer and Tacoma Rail for being partners in emission reduction efforts across our gateway. Investments in air quality improvements greatly impact all those that live and work near our port facilities,” stated Hamdi Mohamed, Port of Seattle Commission President and The Northwest Seaport Alliance Co-Chair. 

    Earlier this year, U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) and Derek Kilmer (WA-06) jointly advocated for this important economic investment to DOT.  The CRISI Program – bolstered by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) – provides funding for projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail. 

    U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is whip for the Congressional Black Caucus, a member of the New Democrat Coalition, and one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strickland To Honor Local Vietnam War Veterans 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

    Lakewood, Washington – On Thursday, November 7th, 2024, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) will host her annual Vietnam War era Veterans Pinning Ceremony to honor local veterans. Strickland will recognize the service of each veteran or their surviving family member, and present honorees with a ceremonial lapel pin as a symbol of our gratitude. 

    “The South Sound is home to one of the largest veteran populations across the nation, and these men and women deserve the utmost respect, gratitude, and recognition,” said Strickland. “It is an honor to recognize our Vietnam War veterans and their families and to continue this tradition.” 

    The pinning ceremony, in partnership with the U.S. Vietnam Veterans Pin Commission, is part of an ongoing national effort to honor all Vietnam War period veterans who served from November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. If you or someone you know would like to be honored, please visit Strickland’s website here for more Information.  

    U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is whip for the Congressional Black Caucus, a member of the New Democrat Coalition, and one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Maxwell Frost Statement on One Year Anniversary of Hamas-led Attack on Israel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Maxwell Frost Florida (10th District)

    October 07, 2024

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) released a statement as the world mourns the first anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Israel, where more than 1,200 Israelis died in the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, and nearly 100 Israelis remain held hostage by Hamas. We also mourn the more than 40,000 people in Gaza who have been killed following the aftermath of the October 7th attack. 

    In a statement, Rep. Frost says:

    “Today’s anniversary weighs heavy on my heart as we mark one year since the horrendous October 7th terrorist attack and atrocities were carried out. Families in Israel and across the world, and those whose loved ones remain captive, continue to endure unimaginable pain– the largest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust. Hostages are still not home with their families, and we cannot stop working till they are home. 

    “The horrific attack on October 7th led to the start of a devastating year-long war that has killed tens of thousands and caused millions of Palestinians to suffer and be displaced. The fear, grief, and loss are felt far beyond borders as the toll of war grows ever deeper with no clear end in sight.

    “As we honor the memories of those lost, we must also carry forward a shared hope and commitment for peace. Today, let us reflect on our pain but remind ourselves of our collective responsibility to push for a ceasefire, hostages returning home, establish a lasting peace, and seek healing for those so devastatingly impacted.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Maxwell Frost Accepts Bruce F. Vento Award from National Homelessness Law Center for Leadership in Housing Justice

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Maxwell Frost Florida (10th District)

    November 19, 2024

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (D-FL) accepted the Bruce F. Vento Award at the National Homelessness Law Center’s 2024 Annual Human Rights to Housing Awards. This award recognizes individuals and institutions with proven leadership in the fight to end homelessness and poverty. It celebrates the legacy of the late Congressman Bruce F. Vento, whose advocacy left a positive impact in the fight to help Americans experiencing homelessness.

    Earlier this year, Congressman Frost also received the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s 50th Anniversary Emerging Leader Award for his trailblazing work in Congress and his efforts to advance legislation promoting racial equity and housing justice for all. 

    “I came to Congress with a mission to fight for a nation where housing is not just a commodity but a fundamental human right, and to receive this recognition within my first term is both humbling and a reminder of the work still ahead,” said Congressman Frost. “Thank you to the National Homelessness Law Center for this honor and your unwavering commitment to this cause. Now more than ever, the work we are doing to build a future where no one is left behind, where no one is punished for their poverty, and where housing is a reality for all—not just a privilege for some, is more important than ever.”

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Sykes Announces Over $650,000 to help Canton City Middle Schoolers with Violence Prevention Program

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13)

    November 14, 2024

    Program to help students get back on track following suspensions, avoid violence

    CANTON, OH – U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs awarded $652,707 to the Center for Restorative Justice and Community Health at Walsh University, in partnership with Canton City Schools, for the Canton City Middle School Violence Intervention and Prevention Program.

    “Our public schools must have the resources to serve all students. This includes understanding that some students may need more support than others. This funding helps by providing that support so that students who have been suspended can get the personalized, trauma-informed help they need to get back on track and succeed,” said Rep. Sykes. 

    “We are proud to partner with Walsh University’s Center for Restorative Justice and Community Health through the Bureau of Justice Administration’s STOP School Violence Program Grant. This three-year initiative will empower our middle schools to build a stronger school climate by training staff and students in restorative practices, establishing student response teams, and fostering peer leaders who can help resolve conflicts and promote a positive environment. This grant aligns with our district’s values of striving for excellence, developing leaders, and building community and will benefit our students for years to come,”  said Canton City Schools Superintendent Jeff Talbert.

    “We are honored to support Canton City Schools in this important work. Through our collaboration, we aim to help students develop emotional intelligence and conflict-resolution skills while creating a school climate where all students are valued contributors to their community. This aligns with Walsh University’s mission to form students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership, both inside and outside the classroom,” said Dr. Michelle Bemiller, Director of the Walsh University Center for Restorative Justice and Community Health.

    These funds, awarded under the STOP School Violence Program, will help support over 1,100 7th and 8th grade students in four Canton City School buildings. The program, which will run through September 30, 2027, includes the development and implementation of a two-pronged approach. 

    Trauma-informed training will help with the recognition, response to, and prevention of school violence in four middle schools in the district. Through this program, Canton Middle School personnel and students are provided support in understanding sources of behavior challenges, as well as solutions to reduce and prevent violence that are individualized to student’s needs. 

    Through a “train the trainer model,” schools will learn to implement restorative circles that encourage accountability, provide student support, and aid in student re-entry after suspension from their home school for violent incidents.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sykes Votes Against Expanding Power to Strip Nonprofits of Tax-Exempt Status for Political Gain

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13)

    November 21, 2024

    Washington, D.C. – Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 9495. 

    “I have heard from countless constituents and nonprofit organizations from across the district that have expressed strong concerns that H.R. 9495 could be weaponized to strip nonprofits of tax-exempt status for political reasons. If this bill becomes law, the next presidential administration could designate any organization as ‘terrorist supporting’, since it does not include a definition of the criteria for a designation, making the current bill ripe for abuse. After many discussions with constituents, I voted against this bill to avoid unintended consequences that may arise from its passage. I do hope that the majority finds a vehicle to protect American hostages that does not also trample on the rights of organizations that dissent.” 

    Earlier this year, Rep. Sykes voted for a similar bill, H.R. 6408, which suspends tax-exempt status of terrorist supporting organizations. This bill defines terrorist supporting organizations as any organization designated as having provided material support or resources to a terrorist organization in excess of a de minimus amount during the three-year period prior to its designation. H.R. 9495 does not provide an explanation of what a terrorist supporting organization is defined as, leaving the definition up to interpretation. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strickland, Moore Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Address Military Housing Affordability

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

    Washington, DC –Today, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10) and Congressman Blake Moore (R-UT-01) introduced the Low Income Housing for Defense Communities Act of 2024, a bipartisan piece of legislation to address military housing affordability by diversifying housing options for servicemembers serving in high-cost areas.

    “Servicemembers and their families should be able to afford to live where they are stationed. This is important for their quality of life, and affects readiness,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. “This credit encourages the building of more affordable housing near large military installations.”

    “When I got onto the Ways and Means Committee, Clearfield Mayor Mark Shepherd approached me with an idea to address the housing affordability challenges burdening our lower-enlisted servicemembers. Since then, my team and I ran with his idea and drafted legislation that we are introducing today. The Low Income Housing for Defense Communities Act will bring much needed relief and productivity to military families serving near major bases. I am so grateful Mayor Shepherd approached me with this idea, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done advancing it to this point,” said Congressman Blake Moore. “Housing has become a national security issue, as it impacts the readiness of Hill Air Force Base (HAFB) in Utah’s First District. As hundreds of lower-enlisted servicemembers are struggling to afford housing near the base and officers are being forced to turn down assignments in Utah because of the difficult real estate market, this bill will spur development interest for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit construction near large installations like HAFB. I thank Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) for her partnership in introducing this bill, and I look forward to seeing this bill make a meaningful impact in the lives of our servicemembers in Utah and across the nation.”

    This legislation will diversify the housing options available to lower-enlisted servicemembers serving in high-cost areas while also creating an increased Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) for buildings located within 15 miles of large military installations. Reps. Moore and Strickland have partnered with local stakeholders to create an additional arm of the LIHTC program to stimulate developer interest in building affordable housing near military installations.

    “The introduction of the Low Income Housing for Defense Communities Act that Congresswoman Strickland co-sponsors addresses an acute affordable housing shortage impacting lower enlisted service members at Joint Base Lewis McChord,” stated Bill Adamson, Program Director for the South Sound Military & Community Partnership (SSMCP).

    “Across the nation, our military members continue to struggle with housing. Their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) continues to fall short of the rents in the surrounding communities, and as such, two, three and even four Airmen are forced to share an apartment so they can afford the rent. While there may be low-income housing in the areas surrounding the installations, the list of applicants for these units is long and the military members either won’t qualify because their BAH is included in their income calculations or they are so far down the list that they have been relocated to their next assignment before they make it to the top of the list,” said Clearfield Mayor Mark Shepard. “This bill will allow developers using Low Income Housing Tax Credits to build high quality rental units where the military members can have priority for the units. It also allows those military members to qualify for existing housing, in areas where it is available, by changing the income calculation to exclude their housing allowance. Having our military members who have volunteered to put their lives on the line to defend our nation live in sub-par housing, or struggle to afford food because all of their available income goes to housing, sends the wrong message to the military members and to the communities in which they live. I applaud Congressman Moore on his commitment to ensure our military members are treated with dignity and respect when it comes to their housing needs.”

    “We appreciate Congressman Moore’s attention to the growing affordable housing crisis, and his commitment to finding a solution based on what we know works – the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit,” said Emily Cadik, CEO of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition. “Military families are experiencing the same challenges finding affordable housing faced by millions of Americans, and expanding affordable housing supply through this proven program would provide sorely needed relief.”

    Background:

    Constrained by geographic limitations and military installation footprint, housing development around many growing defense communities is unaffordable for lower-enlisted service members. At the same time, the MILCON backlog and military dormitory crisis has resulted in servicemembers being forced off base to seek housing they cannot afford. Fueled by pandemic population shifts and Department of Defense programs at Hill Air Force Base, Utah experienced a 27% increase in housing costs and 18% increase in population in 2021 alone. Accordingly, approximately 70% of Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s population in Washington, which consists of nearly 55,000 personnel, live off base.

    The bill excludes BAH from the income calculation for LIHTC purposes. While BAH provides uniformed service members compensation based on housing costs in local markets, this provision would help military members secure housing in existing and future LIHTC properties for which they may not otherwise qualify. With anecdotal evidence suggesting that military members are hesitant to self-identify as “low-income,” the bill’s intent is to help classify lower-enlisted military members as low-income households.  

    The bill also provides any development within 15 miles of a qualifying military installation with a 30% “basis boost” under Section 42D of the Internal Revenue Code. This would encourage additional new LIHTC development near “Large Site” military bases such as Hill Air Force Base and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. “Large Sites” are defined in the DOD’s Annual Base Structure Report as having a total Plant Replacement Value of greater than $2.833 billion.

    The bill text can be found here.

    U.S. Representative Marilyn Strickland serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is whip for the Congressional Black Caucus, a member of the New Democrat Coalition, and one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: “Luke Letlow Post Office” Designation in Honor of Late Husband and Congressman-Elect Officially Signed into Law

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05)

    Congresswoman Julia Letlow and House Majority Leader Scalise released the following statements as the “Luke Letlow Post Office” is officially signed into law. The Post Office located at 103 Benedette Street in Rayville, Louisiana designates the “Luke Letlow Post Office” in honor of her late husband and Congressman-elect Luke Letlow. 

    “Our family is deeply touched and humbled that the bill renaming the Rayville Post Office has officially been signed into law as the ‘Luke Letlow Post Office Building.’ I’m grateful to my Louisiana colleagues for their support in honoring Luke’s legacy, in particular Leader Scalise for introducing this legislation. I know Luke would consider it the recognition of a lifetime to have the Post Office named in his honor, and our family is immensely proud to officially see this fitting memorial to his legacy in the place we call home,”said Rep. Letlow.

    “On behalf of the entire Louisiana delegation, I am honored to see our bill signed into law to memorialize the legacy of public service Luke Letlow left behind by naming a post office in his beloved Richland Parish after him. What I remember most about Luke is that he had a faithful heart, a passion for serving his community, and such positive energy every single day. This post office will ensure his legacy continues to shine on and inspire others to take up public service in their communities,” said Leader Scalise.

    Congresswoman Letlow lost her husband Luke due to COVID-19 in December of 2020. 

    He had recently been elected to represent the Fifth District of Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives and was due to be sworn-in January of 2021. Congresswoman Letlow ran in a special election to fill his seat and overwhelmingly won in March of 2021.

    Luke devoted his life to public service and to the Fifth District of Louisiana. He loved his native Richland Parish and made it his mission to make the lives of its residents better.

    In May, Congresswoman Letlow voiced her support for the Post Office on the House floor in honor of her late husband. 

    MIL OSI USA News –