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  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA to Close Its Business Recovery Center in Ruidoso

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, announced today that SBA will close its Ruidoso Business Recovery Center at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2. “SBA opened the center to provide personalized assistance to businesses that were affected by the South Fork Fire, Salt Fire and flooding that occurred June 17 – Aug. 20,” said Sánchez.

    Until the center closes, SBA customer service representatives will continue to meet with business owners to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process, help each individual complete their electronic loan application and close their approved loans. No appointment is necessary.

    LINCOLN COUNTY
    Business Recovery Center
    Ruidoso Public Library
    Archive Room
    107 Kansas City Rd.
    Ruidoso, NM  88345
    Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    Closes 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2

    “SBA representatives will also continue to be available at the following federal-state Disaster Recovery Center to meet with businesses and residents,” Sánchez continued. The center is open on the days and times indicated. No appointment is necessary.

    LINCOLN COUNTY
    Disaster Recovery Center
    Horton Complex
    237 Service Rd.
    Ruidoso, NM  88345
    Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
    Saturdays, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

    Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. SBA can also lend additional funds to help with the cost of improvements to protect, prevent or minimize disaster damage from occurring in the future.

    For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

    Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

    Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

    Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to apply for property damage is Oct. 19, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is March 20, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration
    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Blinken participates in a UN Security Council Ministerial Meeting on Ukraine

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken participates in a UN Security Council Ministerial Meeting on Ukraine in New York City, New York, on September 24, 2024.

    Transcript: https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-a-un-security-council-ministerial-meeting-on-ukraine/
    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkG8Y6FlYSM

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Remarks by President  Biden Honoring the 2023 National Women’s Soccer League Champions, NJ/NY GOTHAM FC | (September 23,  2024)

    Source: The White House

    10:38 A.M. EDT

    THE PRESIDENT:  Hey, guys.  How are you doing?  (Laughter.)  Holy mackerel.  I like your tie.  (Laughter.) 

    AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Can you guys say thank you?

    THE PRESIDENT:  “Dad, you didn’t tell me the president was going to talk to me.”

    Please, have a seat. 

    Well, good morning.  For the first time — for the first time in National Women’s Soccer League history, welcome to the White House to the 2023 championships [champions] the Gotham F.C.  (Applause.)  
    It’s so good to be joined by so many friends from New York and New Jersey — (applause) — team owners, the Tisch family — 

    AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Yes!

    THE PRESIDENT:  There you go.  God love you.  We go back a long way.  (Laughter.)  Led by Carolyn.  

    And — and the team — the fellow team governors and investors, Ed, as well as the great Sue Bird — (applause) — was here a few years ago to celebrate the Seattle Storm’s WNBA championship, and she’s simply incredible.  No, you are.  I tell you what, man.  (Applause.) 

    I also want to thank the founding team owners, and good friends of mine, the Murphys and, particularly, Tammy, to continues the — to be the champions for women’s sports.  They couldn’t be here today because they are representing the great state of New Jersey on a trade mission abroad.  

    But I also want to thank New Jersey’s newest United States senator, George Helmy.  Where — where are you, George?  (Applause.)  There you are, George.  George, you don’t get to take the trophy home.  (Laughter.) 

    And, of course, a special thanks to the incredible players.  You know — (applause) — one thing is clear: This organization is no stranger to adversity.  In 2022, Gotham placed last in the entire league.  There were doubts about turning things around.  But you never gave up.  You never gave up.  And you kept the faith, as my mother would say.  You retooled the roster, hired a new coach.  Something clicked.  

     And after a tough season, you were in — the final team to make the playoffs.  But as the saying goes, winners simply win.  Back-to-back playoff wins holding North Carolina and Portland scoreless and then beating Seattle to win it all.  The new Tiffany trophy is one at — new home now in Gotham.  

    Look, just yesterday, you clinched the playoff spot, so maybe you’ll be back here next year.  (Applause.)  Now, if you are, I won’t be president but ask if I can come and listen.  (Laughter.) 

    What’s really important is your championship win also set an attendance record.  I think it’s fair to say everyone — everyone watches women’s sports.  (Applause.)  It’s about time.   

    I got some All-State soccer players as well as — a goalie as well as lacrosse champions in my family.  And, by the way, in my family, we have a — an advantage: All the women are smarter than all the men — (laughter) — including me. 

    Look, and when fans watch you play, they also see the power of the example off the field as well.  It matters.  And I really mean it.  You lead the way in providing sports medicine and health care focused on women.  My wife is deeply involved in trying to make sure there’s enough attention paid and research done on women’s diseases as men.  As a matter of fact, we’re going to the United Nations after this to make that very case.

    You helped establish the Players Association fighting for the dignity of work all across the league.  And most powerful — I’m — you know, I get — I get categorized as the most pro-union president in American history.  I am, and I approve of what you’re doing, man.  (Laughter.)    

    You know, and your teammate Midge came to the White House with the U.S. Women’s National Team to highlight the campaign and equal — for equal pay.  That’s happening too.  Matter of fact, it’s going to get unequal here; you’re going to be paid a hell of a lot more, I think (inaudible).

    But let’s be clear.  And I mean this sincerely.  I was raised by my best friend in the world, who is my sister.  She — she — anyway.  I won’t get into all that, but — (laughter) — you know, I mean this sincerely: A woman can do anything a man can do — anything a man can do, including being president of the United States.  (Applause.)  

    Let me close by thanking you all.  You really represent our nation with such dignity.  You inspire all of us — and you really do; you’re an inspiration.  Think — I bet you wh- — you can’t walk down the street in your hometown without some young girl coming up to you just wanting to talk to you, just wanting to touch you, just wanting to hold your hand.  It’s amazing.  

    And congratulations to the Bats of Gotham.  You like being called the “Bats of Gotham”?  (Laughter.)

    GOTHAM FC PLAYERS:  Batties.  

    MS. PURCE:  The Batties.  

    THE PRESIDENT:  (Inaudible.)  

    MS. KRIEGER:  Batties.

    MS. PURCE:  The Batties.  

    THE PRESIDENT:  I like that.  (Laughter.)

    Look, I’m going to turn it over to the top Bat — no, the top — (laughter) — to Ali, last year’s team captain, who, by the way, I watched in 2015 win the World Cup in — when I was vice president — in Canada.  Ali, it’s great to see you again, kiddo.  (Laughter.)  The floor is yours.  (Applause.)

    MS. KRIEGER:  Thank you.  

    THE PRESIDENT:  I like your kicks.

    MS. KRIEGER:  Thank you.  They’re — I wore them for you, so — (laughter).  Yeah.

    Mr. President and esteemed guests, thank you for hosting Gotham FC, the reigning NWSL champions.  (Applause.)  

    We are deeply honored to be the first NWSL team to receive this recognition, marking a pivotal moment for women’s sports.  

    Firstly, I have to thank my teammates for their grit and perseverance to enable us to be the champions standing here today.  (Applause.)

    Starting the 2023 season, coming off of the last place finish — from worst to first — (laughter) — nobody backed this team to do what we did.

    Reflecting on my career, I recall times when women’s soccer lacked coverage and support.  Our progress since those days have been remarkable, from our humble beginnings to becoming champions.  

    Both Gotham and the NWSL have seen tremendous growth with more fans, greater engagement, and increased recognition.  

    Yet, despite these strides, we are reminded that our work is far from over.  

    Every time we step on the field, we think of young girls who dream the future in sports.  This moment is not just about titles or trophies, it’s about paving the way for them.  Being the first is historic, but it’s even more important that we ensure we are not the last.  

    We all know that we are committed to build on this momentum for future generations. 

    As a token of our appreciation and commitment to advancing women’s sports, we are delighted to present you with a Gotham FC jersey.  (Applause.)

    We expect you to be wearing that under the suit soon, okay?  (Laughter.)

    THE PRESIDENT:  I’ll wear it over it.

    MS. KRIEGER:  Yeah, great.  (Laughter.)

    On behalf of my exceptional teammates and the entire organization, thank you again for this incredible honor, for sup- — and for supporting the growth of women’s sports.  

    THE PRESIDENT:  All right.

    MS. KRIEGER:  Thank you.  (Applause.)

    THE PRESIDENT:  You know, I thought when I got to be president, I’d get to do things that I wanted to do, but my staff tells me what I can’t do.  (Laughter.)  But I’m going to do it anyway.  All the young women — young kids out there that are wa- — are out there, come on up and do this when we — stand behind me when we do this.  Come on.

    AUDIENCE:  Aww.  (Applause.)

    THE PRESIDENT:  And the guys.  Come on.  (Applause.)  

    (The president greets children coming to the stage.)

    THE PRESIDENT:  All right.

    MS. KRIEGER:  So, our head coach, Juan Carlos Amorós, and the — the championship 2023 MVP, Midge Purce.  (Applause.) 

    (The president is presented with a Gotham FC jersey.) 

    THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you. 

    10:49 A.M. EDT

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sarbanes, Matsui, Huffman Urge Forest Service to Take Additional Measures to Protect Old-Growth Forests

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Sarbanes (3rd District of Maryland)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Sarbanes (MD-03) and Reps. Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Jared Huffman (CA-02) led a group of 33 lawmakers in sending a letter to Secretary Tom Vilsack, supporting the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) National Old-Growth Amendment and urging USFS to take additional measures to protect old-growth forests. 

    “Protecting older forests is part of an overarching climate-informed strategy to increase forest resilience to wildfires, combat climate-related impacts and help retain forest carbon,” the lawmakers wrote.  

    In April 2022, President Biden issued Executive Order 14072, recognizing mature and old-growth forests as vital to the health, prosperity and resilience of communities across the nation. Mature and old-growth trees absorb and store more planet-warming greenhouse gases than younger trees and are an important part of healthy, resilient ecosystems, making them essential to our climate and conservation goals. 

    In response to the President’s Executive Order, USFS proposed to amend all national forest management plans to protect, conserve and sustainably steward old-growth forests and foster the development of new old-growth forests. On June 21, 2024, USFS issued a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the National Old-Growth Amendment.

    “We strongly support the USFS’s proposed land management amendment, but we urge USFS to strengthen protections in the Final EIS,” the lawmakers concluded. “In keeping with the President’s E.O. 14072, we urge USFS to clarify that management activities must not degrade or impair old-growth forests and that an area cannot lose its classification as old-growth forest as a result of these management activities. Finally, we urge USFS to take concrete steps to conserve mature forests with the intention of nurturing future old-growth forests.”

    This letter builds on an April 2023 letter urging the USFS to initiate this formal rulemaking protecting old-growth forests and an April 2024 letter supporting USFS’s National Old-Growth Amendment, both of which Congressman Sarbanes also led with Reps. Matsui and Huffman. 

    A copy of the letter can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister advances progress and prosperity at the United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Progressive leadership is driven by a shared belief that we cannot falter – on rights, on equality, and on an economy that works for everyone. We must keep moving forward.

    That’s the message the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, delivered as he concluded his participation in the 79th Session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) and the Summit of the Future, in New York City, United States of America. During UNGA, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advancing progress, prosperity, and fairness for every generation.

    Prime Minister Trudeau joined global leaders at the Summit of the Future, which concluded with the adoption of the Pact for the Future – an ambitious pact that will see countries work together to tackle shared challenges. At the Summit, the Prime Minister delivered a statement affirming Canada’s support for the Summit of the Future, its call for nations to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and its commitment to investing in our workers, our communities, and our future.

    Building on the progress made at the Summit of the Future, Prime Minister Trudeau joined world leaders and prominent advocates at UNGA to accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasized Canada’s commitment to unlocking increased financing to achieve the SDGs globally, particularly through his role as Co-Chair of the SDG Stimulus Leaders group. He also underscored the central role of gender equality as a pathway to achieving sustainable development, and made clear that women and girls must be able to make choices about their bodies, their lives, and their own futures. Canada announced over $112 million to help protect the comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls worldwide. We will also invest $58 million in projects that empower women and promote gender equality, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. With this funding, Canada will fulfill its $100 million commitment to address issues in unpaid and paid care work in low- and middle-income countries.

    For tens of millions of people across the globe, including in Canada, climate change is not an abstraction. It is real, it is costly, and it does not stop at our borders. To successfully tackle climate change, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of global, collective climate action. He highlighted industrial decarbonization as one such approach to fight climate change, including through innovative tools such as carbon pricing. He also welcomed six new members to Canada’s Global Carbon Pricing Challenge, which calls on countries to put a price on carbon to cover 60 per cent of global emissions by 2030. The Prime Minister also announced $3.9 million to be delivered through Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program so we can more effectively respond to wildfires and advance international leadership on sustainable forest management.

    Prime Minister Trudeau, alongside the Prime Minister of Haiti, Garry Conille, convened a High-Level Meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti to strengthen efforts to restore democracy, security, and stability in Haiti. The Prime Minister highlighted ongoing work to respond to the humanitarian needs of the Haitian people and Canada’s continued support of the Multinational Security Support mission in the country. He emphasized the criticality of Haitian-led solutions to the conflict. He announced over $16 million to support the transitional government’s election preparedness, increase humanitarian aid, reduce gang violence, and expand access to justice for women and youth detainees while supporting their reintegration into society. These measures will make a meaningful difference in helping Haiti address its immediate needs and create a better, more prosperous future for its people.

    At UNGA, the Prime Minister also announced $3.6 million in new wide-ranging investments to strengthen global peace and security, including on land mine clearance, and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly women affected by conflict. He emphasized the role of UN agencies in accomplishing this important work, announcing a $9 million investment to support the UN’s efforts to strengthen development, humanitarian, and peacebuilding assistance in countries across the globe.

    The Prime Minister participated in a leaders’ roundtable titled In Defense of Democracy: Fighting Against Extremism, where he engaged with world leaders on challenges facing democracies, such as inequality, polarization, disinformation, and violent extremism, including online. He reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to strengthening the rules-based international order and multilateral institutions, like the UN.

    Throughout his visit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with international counterparts to discuss pressing geopolitical challenges, including Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and its global impacts, as well as the evolving situation in the Middle East. He emphasized the importance of protecting democratic institutions from emerging threats, including misinformation and election interference, and safeguarding peace and security around the world.

    At UNGA, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida Fumio, among others. 

    In the face of global economic and social insecurity, Canada chooses to invest in our country. Whether it’s national $10-a-day child care, an ambitious housing plan, a national dental care program, or an industrial strategy that creates good-paying jobs while fighting climate change – these are choices that will make a positive difference in the lives of Canadians and help solve global challenges.

    Quote

    “Canada chooses to invest in our people, in our future, and in progress. That was my message at UNGA and at the Summit of the Future. Our government is taking action to fight climate change, break down barriers, solve the world’s most pressing challenges, and deliver fairness for every generation.”

    — The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

    Quick Facts

    • While in New York City, Prime Minister Trudeau had bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Garry Conille, the Prime Minister of Japan, Kishida Fumio, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, the Mayor of Kitchener, Berry Vrbanovic, the Governor of New York State, Kathy Hochul, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, the President of Kenya, William Ruto, and Malala Yousafzai.
    • The Prime Minister also had interactions with other leaders, including the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen, the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, the Taoiseach of Ireland, Simon Harris, the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, the President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arévalo, the President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Georgieva, and the President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez.
    • As a founding member of the UN since its creation in 1945, Canada has actively contributed to the organization, playing a key role in drafting the UN Charter, the treaty that is the cornerstone of the rules-based international order.
    • Canada is the sixth-largest donor to the UN, including voluntary and assessed contributions totalling over US$2 billion in 2022.
    • In 2015, Canada joined all UN Member States in adopting ambitious goals for sustainable development, as outlined in Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda centres on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encompassing the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Taken together, the SDGs aim to improve the lives of all people, while protecting the planet.
    • Released in 2021, Moving Forward Together: Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy builds upon 30 actions and five core principles to create and foster an enabling environment for ongoing dialogue and participation to encourage Canadians to take action to realize the SDGs.
    • In 2022, Prime Minister Trudeau was named Co-Chair of the UN SDG Advocates group by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, alongside the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley. SDG Advocates work to raise global awareness of the SDGs and of the need for accelerated action by using their respective platforms.
    • Prime Minister Trudeau is also Co-Chair of the SDG Stimulus Leaders group alongside the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness. The group advocates for equipping developing countries with the financial resources to invest in the 17 SDGs and secure a more just and equitable future for all people.
    • At the Summit for the Future, global leaders enhanced co-operation on critical challenges and addressed gaps in global governance. They reaffirmed existing commitments – including to the SDGs and the UN Charter – and moved toward a modernized UN system that can effectively tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.
    • At the Summit, leaders adopted the Pact for the Future  and its annexes – the Global Digital Compact and Declaration on Future Generations. The Pact is a global framework to bolster global co-operation and address critical challenges facing the world, such as climate change, global inequality, and the need for stronger multilateral co-operation, for the benefit of all and for future generations.
    • In 2021, Canada launched the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge. This partnership aims to expand the use of pollution pricing by strengthening existing systems and supporting emerging ones. The Challenge, which has a collective goal of covering 60 per cent of global emissions by 2030, also serves as a forum for dialogue and co-ordination to make pricing systems more effective and compatible while supporting other countries in adopting carbon pricing and cutting emissions on the path to net-zero by 2050.

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    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mary Peltola’s flip-flop on biological men in women’s sports exposed

    Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    September 24, 2024

    Extreme Democrat Mary Peltola flip-flopped to allow biological men invading women’s sports, a new investigation revealed.

    “Democrat Mary Peltola’s shameless flip-flop isn’t just a betrayal of Alaska’s women and girls—it’s a full-blown assault on fairness in sports. Peltola has made it clear she’d rather pander to radical San Francisco leftists than represent Alaska values.” – NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen

    In case you missed it…

    Vulnerable Alaska Democrat’s Embrace of Transgenderism Could Cost Her In November
    Daily Wire
    Mary Margaret Olohan
    September 24, 2024

    When Alaska Democrat Mary Peltola ran for the Congress seat in 2022, she danced around addressing whether trans-identifying men should be allowed in women’s sports. Fairness is important, she indicated, but she needed to learn more.

    “I need to better acquaint myself with this issue, which I believe is more complicated than some make it out to be,” Peltola told the Anchorage Daily News in August 2022. “My starting point is that sports should be fair for all students, and we must protect the rights of all students – especially those that are already subject to significant discrimination. I look forward to learning more, and focusing on the many other pressing challenges the U.S. Congress is facing.”

    Fast forward about a year to April 2023, when Peltola voted against the “Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023” — legislation prohibiting school athletic programs from allowing boys who identify as girls to play in girls’ sports. The bill, which passed the House of Republicans, would have made it a violation of Title IX for federally-funded education programs to allow men in women’s athletic programs.

    When Republican South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace put forward an amendment to that same legislation, which would have required a study on the effect that men participating in women’s sports has on women, Peltola voted against it.

    She also co-sponsored the far-left “Equality Act,” legislation that would amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act to prevent “discrimination on the basis of sex, gender identity, and sexual orientation,” meaning that individuals who identify as another gender could not be denied access to the locker room of their choice.

    The Equality Act would specifically require public women’s facilities, such as women’s bathrooms, locker rooms, and shelters, to admit men who identify as transgender women. Critics have pointed out that women who are trying to escape violent men and seek refuge in shelters would then be forced to share living spaces with men who identify as women.

    As “Must Read Alaska” reported at the time, the bill would apply to institutions like Anchorage’s “Downtown Hope Center,” a faith-based cold-weather shelter where women can seek refuge during the night.

    Peltola’s positions may put her out of step with her home state. The Alaska Board of Education voted in August 2023 to block boys who identify as girls from playing on girls’ athletic teams. And the Alaska House of Representatives passed a law in May 2024 banning boys from playing in girls’ sports. The bill then went to the State Senate, where it is expected to die, but the House Republicans who voted for the bill told Alaska Public Media that they were prioritizing the issue at the request of their constituents.

    “Alaskans are outraged by Rep. Mary Peltola’s misguided championing of the radical transgender agenda,” Cindy Glassmaker, an Alaskan mother of three daughters who play or played high school sports, told The Daily Wire.

    “Peltola’s stance is a slap in the face to every female athlete,” Glassmaker added. “We’re not buying this woke nonsense that cancels women’s sports and hands women’s hard-earned rights to biological men.”

    Peltola did not respond to requests for comment from The Daily Wire asking for clarity on her gender positions.

    Since 2022, Peltola has received about $6,000 from the Human Rights Campaign, which pushes transgender sex change hormones, surgery, and puberty blockers for children, and $5,500 from Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the action arm of Planned Parenthood, which boasts of being the “second largest provider” of transgender hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

    Her opponent, Nick Begich, told The Daily Wire that Peltola is endangering the rights of women in Alaska.

    “Mary Peltola’s reckless push to allow biological males to compete against girls isn’t just unfair— it’s a direct assault on women’s athletics,” Begich said. “Alaska can’t allow Peltola’s radical woke ideology to erase opportunities for our daughters, sisters, and mothers. It was our late Senator Ted Stevens who fought for Title IX and Mary Peltola should not be working to erase such an important part of his legacy.”

    Peltola finished first in the August primary, coming in at 50.38% with 48,418 votes. Begich followed her at 26.98% with 25,930 votes, and Nancy Dahlstrom came next with 20.01% and 19,234 votes.

    But NRCC polling released Monday found Begich “surging into the lead” against Peltola. Begich is now leading Peltola 44% to 40% on the first round ballot, with 10% undecided.

    That polling found that the more voters learn about Peltola, the less they like her.

    “Among those who have seen, read, or heard something recently about Peltola, a plurality of voters are left with a more unfavorable impression of Peltola.”

    “Mary Peltola is taking on water despite her initial spending advantage, driven in large part by Republican ads highlighting her support for the Biden agenda and votes against Alaska’s veterans and those actively serving in uniform,” says a memo from American Viewpoint on the key findings of the Alaska survey. “If this trend continues, Nick Begich will be the next Member of Congress from Alaska.”

    Read more here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Press conference, Toowoomba

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    JIM CHALMERS:

    Thanks for coming here to Toowoomba. I want to say a few things about the interest rate decision today but I’m conscious that the Reserve Bank Governor is up very shortly in Sydney so I’ll be relatively brief.

    The Reserve Bank board today agreed to leave interest rates on hold. There are no surprises in this decision and no surprises in the statement released by the board. This was the expected outcome.

    When the board next meets it will be a year since interest rates went up.

    Interest rates haven’t gone up for the best part of a year, and this reflects the progress that we’ve made when it comes to getting inflation down. When we came to office inflation was 6.1 per cent. It’s now half of its peak a couple of years ago. Our policies are helping in the fight against inflation.

    When we came to office inflation was high and rising and interest rates were rising. Inflation has been coming down quite substantially over the course of the last couple of years and we haven’t had an interest rate rise for the best part of a year now.

    The Governor and the Reserve Bank board have noted today the very substantial progress that Australia has made when it comes to getting on top of this inflation challenge. When it comes to the Reserve Bank and the government, we have the same objective of getting on top of inflation without ignoring the risks to growth in our economy.

    We’ve seen growth in our economy has been quite weak. We’ve seen consumption has been weak. Discretionary spending has been going backwards. All of this indicates that rate rises already in the system are combining with international uncertainty and persistent inflation to slow our economy quite substantially, and we saw that in the most recent National Accounts. The government remains primarily focused on the fight against inflation, but is not ignoring those risks to growth at the same time.

    We have the same objective as the Reserve Bank when it comes to the fight against inflation. We’ve made welcome and encouraging progress, and we’ll learn more about that tomorrow when the monthly inflation data is released. Whether that monthly inflation data is in the low 3s or the high 2s, it will show that inflation has halved since we came to office. That’s a good thing. We are making welcome and encouraging progress in the fight against inflation, and the fact that rates haven’t gone up for the best part of a year now is an indicator of that.

    Happy to take a couple of questions.

    JOURNALIST:

    Treasurer, the RBA’s statement today talks about temporary migration propping up consumer spending, in particular, students. Are you worried that the government’s cap on students might stymie growth further?

    CHALMERS:

    Our changes to foreign students are all about recognising the huge contribution that education makes to our economy but making sure that we are managing that growth. What we’ve seen in the most recent net overseas migration numbers is that net overseas migration has come off since it peaked in 2023. It has been coming down since then. Some of the pressure that’s still there when it comes to net overseas migration is not about extra arrivals, it’s about fewer departures.

    We’ve got a sensible, methodical, considered way to manage net overseas migration down. It has started coming down. Our changes kicked in from the middle of this year and the data doesn’t yet capture that.

    When it comes to spending in the economy, the last National Accounts showed that consumption is very weak in our economy and discretionary spending has gone backwards quite substantially. That is an indication that the combination of global uncertainty, persistent inflation and higher interest rates are slowing our economy quite considerably.

    The fact that interest rates haven’t gone up for the best part of a year is an indication that we have been making welcome and encouraging progress in the fight against inflation. It’s still higher than we’d like, but it is definitely trending downwards, and we’ll learn more about that tomorrow.

    JOURNALIST:

    You’ve said they’re smashing the economy. So are you disappointed that they’re not coming down?

    CHALMERS:

    I don’t pre‑empt and I don’t second guess decisions taken by the independent Reserve Bank. I’ve made that very clear repeatedly.

    I’ve made a factual statement that the interest rate rises which are already in the system, combined with some of these other factors, are slowing our economy quite dramatically. We saw that in the most recent National Accounts. But these decisions are taken independently by the Reserve Bank.

    My efforts have been about trying to make the Bank more independent, not less independent. I respect and cherish its independence. They’ve taken this decision today, and the Governor will have an opportunity, a welcome opportunity, to talk about that very shortly this afternoon.

    JOURNALIST:

    Not everyone agrees that the Bank should be as independent as it is. Do you have a response?

    CHALMERS:

    On the Reserve Bank reforms, the Coalition and the Greens are indistinguishable when it comes to economic irresponsibility. We’ve seen that once again when it comes to their whacky behaviour in the Senate. The Coalition and the Greens are as one when it comes to doing the wrong thing about the independent Reserve Bank.

    Both the Coalition and the Greens, the way that they’ve teamed up in the Senate means that our efforts for the time being to reform the Reserve Bank, there is a barrier to that. We’ve been upfront about that. It’s been clear from the beginning that there is a risk that the parties to the left and to the right of us will play politics with the Reserve Bank. We don’t intend to do that. They have both dramatically changed their position to avoid doing the right thing when it comes to these Reserve Bank reforms.

    Whether it’s the Coalition or the Greens, they both made their views known. Where we could accommodate those views we did. They both dramatically changed their position to avoid doing the right thing when it comes to these Reserve Bank reforms.

    JOURNALIST:

    Treasurer, how close do you think you are to getting inflation down?

    CHALMERS:

    Inflation’s been coming down really quite considerably since its peak a couple of years ago. We shouldn’t forget that when we came to office inflation was 6.1 per cent and rising. It now in quarterly terms has a 3 in front of it and we’ll learn the new monthly figure tomorrow when we get the monthly data. The expectation there, whether it’s the high 2s or the low 3s, shows that inflation has halved since we came to office. That’s good progress, but we know that there’s still pressure on inflation and we know that people are still doing it tough.

    This is why our cost‑of‑living relief is so important. Our policies are helping, not hurting the fight against inflation. We’ve turned 2 big Liberal deficits into 2 big Labor surpluses. The Reserve Bank Governor has said that our surpluses are helping in the fight against inflation, and we’ve designed our cost‑of‑living relief to help take some of the edge off these price pressures in our economy rather than make them worse.

    There’s nothing artificial about helping people with their electricity bills or making early childhood education cheaper or medicines cheaper or a tax cut for every taxpayer or energy bill relief for every household, getting wages moving again.

    We’re doing all of this in the most responsible way we can. Our primary focus is on the fight against inflation, but we can’t ignore those risks to growth.

    I’ll take one more question, then we’re good.

    JOURNALIST:

    I just have a question about Woolies and Coles. Should they both sack their CEOs over this pricing saga?

    CHALMERS:

    I need to be careful not to pre‑empt the legal and other processes that have been put in train by the ACCC. But I will say this: Woolies and Coles shouldn’t be taking their customers for mugs.

    This is precisely why we’ve empowered the ACCC, why we want to make the grocery code mandatory, compulsory, not voluntary. It’s why we’re making sure that farmers and families get a fair go from the supermarkets.

    We don’t want to see ordinary Australians, families and pensioners, being taken for a ride by the big supermarkets. This is precisely why we’ve empowered the ACCC and why we’re taking other steps as well to make sure that farmers and families get a fair go when it comes to the supermarkets in this country.

    Thanks very much.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minister Rishworth interview on Sunrise with Natalie Barr and Shadow Finance Minister, Jane Hume

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    E&OE TRANSCRIPT

    Topics: Interest rates; Cost of living; Inflation; Housing; Commonwealth Rent Assistance; Medicare; Negative gearing.

    NATALIE BARR, HOST: Another major blow for mortgage holders as the Reserve Bank decides to hold interest rates at 4.35 per cent for the seventh time in a row. In a press conference yesterday, Governor Michele Bullock refused to rule anything out of stressing that she wants to see inflation come down before the bank takes decisive action. For their take, let’s bring in Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth and Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume. Good morning to both of you. So, the RBA is resolute in its position, arguing that the latest inflation figures are not good enough at just 3.5 per cent. Amanda, people are blaming you, aren’t they? Is there anything that you think you can do better?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: Well, firstly, I would say that this rate hold is not unexpected. We have seen now no rate hike for almost a year, and that shows that we are, you know, working towards our fight on inflation. This is really, really important and we are making sure that this is absolutely our primary focus. And that’s why you’ve seen responsible budgeting, but also cost of living support that doesn’t add to the inflation challenge. So, we’re very much working on this. We’ve seen a halve since the peak when it comes to inflation, and this is something that we’re taking very seriously as we fight inflation, which is a primary issue in the country, but we know people are doing it tough and that’s why we keep working on it.

    NATALIE BARR: Isn’t some of that cost-of-living relief actually not helping? Aren’t they looking through some of the energy help and saying, look, we’re putting that out of the way and we’re looking at the figures and they’re still no good?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: I would say that when it comes to the Reserve Bank’s job, their job is, of course, to look at monetary policy. Our job is to make sure that we’re responsible with our fiscal policy. That’s exactly what we’re doing. But it’s also to support people and help people. And we know, for example, that cost of living is an issue people are facing. And that’s why we have important measures like rent relief, for Commonwealth Rent Assistance recipients, and also, of course, energy bill relief. These are really important measures to support people that are adding to the inflation challenge. So, this is, is really important. We get the balance right and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

    NATALIE BARR: Okay, Jane, what would you say that the Government should be doing or could be doing to change where we are economically at the moment?

    JANE HUME, SHADOW FINANCE MINISTER: Well, Nat, the Reserve Bank have said two things. One is that inflation is homegrown, so that means it’s not being imported from overseas. It’s a problem with our domestic policies and it’s also sticky, which means it’s not coming down fast enough. The Reserve Bank economists told the cost-of-living committee that I chair that unless they see a reduction in public sector expenditure, well, then they’re not going to be able to bring interest rates down any sooner. They’ve now pushed out their forecast to say that they don’t expect inflation to come sustainably back to the band in which they could lower interest rates until 2026. Now, that’s 15 months away and it’s more than a year longer than Labor’s own forecasts were saying. So, that’s going to be cold comfort to mortgage holders that are really feeling the pinch of those high interest rates, and that’s a real shame. So, the government can’t just say, well, we’re not making the problem worse. They have to tackle it head on and particularly around tackling this growing public sector expenditure.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: We are. We are, Jane. Of course, what we’re doing is returning the budget to surpluses. That’s something that you weren’t able to do when you were in government. But of course, the question, Jane, for you and your opposition, is what would you cut? I mean, you flag cutting pension increases.

    JANE HUME: No we haven’t. We haven’t done that. That’s your talking.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: You have said, cuts to Medicare. You are planning cuts.

    JANE HUME: No, we haven’t.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: No, no. That’s what you said. You said you saw billions of dollars of unrestrained spending, which you would look at cutting with other pension increases. They’re actually Medicare…

    JANE HUME: We’ve said that we won’t cut essential savings.

    NATALIE BARR: Look, I want to get to negative gearing because this is making headlines this morning. An anonymous senior Labor official has revealed that work has begun on developing options to scale back negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions. The Government has reportedly asked Treasury for expert advice on the possible changes, with the PM not ruling out any changes when asked on radio last week. Amanda, are you considering scaling back negative gearing in this country?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: I want to be really clear. We’ve got a very ambitious housing policy in front of us at the moment – $32 billion of investment in increasing supply and housing and a number of policies is already underway. A number that, unfortunately, the Coalition, the Greens are blocking in the Senate. But we’ve got a really ambitious housing policy that is focused on supply. It is not our proposal to address or to add negative gearing to that. We’re getting on with the job.

    NATALIE BARR: So, it’s not your proposal, but are you asking Treasury what the numbers look like to possibly scale back negative gearing?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Treasury does this sort of work. It would have done so under the previous Coalition government…

    NATALIE BARR: Not if they’re not asked, I guess.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, Treasury does routine work all the time around different policies, different ideas.

    NATALIE BARR: Do they just think it would have happened or do you ask them? Have you asked them?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, of course they look at a variety of scenarios across the board and they would have done under the Coalition, many times.

    NATALIE BARR: Yeah, but, I mean, look, we’re with you guys, you’re the Government. Have you asked the Treasury to look at the numbers on scaling back negative gearing? Just a question.

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: I have to be very clear that as a Government, our focus is on delivering our housing agenda that we’ve got in front of us. And quite frankly, if the Greens and the Coalition would get out of the way of the Senate, and that’s obviously a no, we can have more rent to buy. We’ve got a housing policy and it’s there to be seen.

    NATALIE BARR: Yeah, we know you have a housing policy, but that’s obviously not something you want to answer this morning. Jane, there are a lot of arguments for scaling back negative gearing. Number one, I guess a lot of net three quarters of people who negative gear properties do it for established houses. Would you consider this?

    JANE HUME: Actually, when we looked at this policy in 2019, when a then Shorten-led Labor Opposition was proposing changes to negative gearing, the Coalition worked out that, in fact, if you scale back negative gearing, it can have dramatic effects on supply. And we’re already beginning to see, well.

    NATALIE BARR: If it’s used for housing, it’s not adding to the supply. That would be the number one reason to scale it back. Would you look at it?

    JANE HUME: If you take landlords out of the system, well, then all that happens is rents go up. I was down in Western Victoria just on Monday, walked into a real estate agent and there’s a sign up saying no rental properties available. And that’s a catch cry that we’re hearing right around the country. You take away negative gearing, as clearly the government are planning to do. That’s why they’re commissioning the work. Clearly they’re planning to do this. You take away negative gearing, you’re going to have a dramatic impact on rental supply. That’s a real problem in this country already. It would only make it worse.

    NATALIE BARR: Ok, thank you both.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ryan Wesley Routh Indicted for Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    Note: View the indictment here.

    A federal grand jury in Miami late this afternoon returned an indictment charging Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii, with attempting to kill former President Donald J. Trump at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15.

    “Violence targeting public officials endangers everything our country stands for, and the Department of Justice will use every available tool to hold Ryan Routh accountable for the attempted assassination of former President Trump charged in the indictment,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will not tolerate violence that strikes at the heart of our democracy, and we will find and hold accountable those who perpetrate it. This must stop.”

    “This alleged attempted assassination of the former President at his golf course was a direct attack on our democracy. Political violence has no place in this country — not then, not now, not ever,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “The charges today reflect the Department’s continued resolve to deploy every available resource to ensure public officials remain safe and to hold accountable those who target public officials to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “Routh is charged with attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, which strikes at the very heart of our democratic system,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI is continuing our investigation into this alleged plot and will use the full weight and resources of the FBI to uncover and provide as much information as possible about what led to the events in West Palm Beach. In our country, we have to hold accountable people who resort to violence.”

    According to allegations in a complaint affidavit and a factual proffer filed with the court, former President Trump was golfing at Trump International on Sept. 15, and a Secret Service agent conducting a perimeter security sweep saw the partially obscured face of a man — later identified as Routh — in the brush along the fence line near the sixth hole. The agent observed the barrel of a rifle aimed directly at him. As the agent began backing away, he saw the rifle barrel move, and the agent fired at Routh.

    A witness saw Routh running across the road from the golf course and getting into a black Nissan Xterra. Based on information provided by the witness, Routh was later apprehended heading northbound on I-95 by officers from the Martin County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

    Court documents allege that in the area where Routh had been hiding in the tree line, FBI agents located an SKS semiautomatic rifle with a scope attached and an extended magazine. The serial number on the rifle was obliterated and unreadable. Hanging from the fence was a backpack and a reusable shopping bag that each contained a plate capable of stopping small arms fire.

    According to the allegations filed with the court, FBI agents found documents that contained a handwritten list of dates in August, September, and October and venues where the former President had appeared or was expected to be present. Cell records for two of the cell phones found in the Nissan Xterra showed that on multiple days and times from Aug. 18 to Sept. 15, Routh’s cell phone accessed cell towers located near Trump International and the former President’s residence at Mar-a-Lago.

    According to the factual proffer filed with the court, a civilian witness contacted law enforcement stating that Routh had dropped off a box at his residence several months ago. Included in the box was a handwritten letter from Routh addressed “Dear World,” which stated, among other things, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you.”

    Routh was charged with attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer (a Secret Service Agent), felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. At a detention hearing on Sept. 23, Routh was ordered to remain in federal custody pending trial. If convicted, Routh faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

    According to court records, Routh was convicted of felonies in North Carolina in December 2002 and March 2010.

    The FBI is investigating the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Secret Service.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Prime Minister advocates progress and prosperity at UN General Assembly and Future Summit

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Prime Minister of Canada – in French

    Progressive leadership is driven by the belief that we cannot turn back the clock on rights, equality, and an economy that works for everyone. We must keep moving forward.

    This was the message delivered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the conclusion of his participation in the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Future Summit in New York, United States of America. At the UNGA, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to progress, prosperity and equity for all generations.

    Prime Minister Trudeau joined world leaders at the Future Summit, which concluded with the adoption of the Compact for the Future, an ambitious agreement that will inspire countries to work together to address shared challenges. At the Summit, the Prime Minister issued a statement indicating Canada’s support for the Future Summit, calling on countries to deliver on the2030 Agenda for Sustainable Developmentand intended to invest in its workers, in its communities and in its future.

    Building on the progress made at the Future Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau joined world leaders and prominent human rights advocates at the UNGA to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He signalled Canada’s commitment to finding new sources of financing to achieve the SDGs globally, particularly as co-chair of the SDG Stimulus Leaders Group. He highlighted the fundamental role of gender equality as a means to achieve sustainable development and made clear that women and girls must be able to make choices about their bodies, their lives and their futures. To this end, Canada announced more than $112 million in support to protect access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights services for women and girls around the world. Canada will also invest $58 million in projects that empower women and promote gender equality, particularly in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. With this funding, Canada will deliver on its $100 million commitment to address issues related to paid and unpaid care work in low- and middle-income countries.

    For tens of millions of people around the world, including in Canada, climate change is not an illusion: it is real, it is costly and it knows no borders. To effectively combat this threat, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of collective action on a global scale. He highlighted decarbonizing the industrial sector as one solution to combat climate change, including through innovative tools such as carbon pricing. He also welcomed six new members of theGlobal Carbon Pricing Challenge launched by Canada, which calls on countries to set a price on carbon to cover 60% of global emissions by 2030. The Prime Minister also announced $3.9 million through Canada’s Global Forest Leadership Program, so we can better fight wildfires and advance international expertise in sustainable forest management.

    Prime Minister Trudeau, together with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Garry Conille, convened a High-level Meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti to strengthen efforts to restore democracy, security and stability in Haiti. The Prime Minister highlighted the work being done to address the humanitarian needs of the Haitian people and Canada’s continued support for the Multinational Security Support Mission in the country. He emphasized the critical importance of Haitian-led solutions to the conflict. In this regard, he announced more than $16 million to support the transitional government’s electoral preparations, increase humanitarian assistance, reduce gang-related violence, and increase access to justice for women and youth detainees, while supporting their reintegration into society. These measures will go a long way to helping Haiti address its immediate needs and create a brighter, more prosperous future for its people.

    At the UNGA, the Prime Minister also announced $3.6 million in major new investments to strengthen global peace and security, including mine clearance, and to protect the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly women affected by conflict. He highlighted the role of the United Nations in this important work, and announced an investment of $9 million to support United Nations initiatives to increase the effectiveness of development, humanitarian and peacebuilding assistance in countries around the world.

    The Prime Minister participated in a leaders’ roundtable entitled “Defending Democracy: Combating Extremism,” where he spoke with world leaders about the challenges facing democracies, such as inequality, polarization, disinformation and violent extremism, including online. He reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to strengthening the rules-based international order and multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations.

    During his visit, Prime Minister Trudeau met with his international counterparts to discuss priority geopolitical challenges, including Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and its global implications, as well as developments in the Middle East. He also stressed the need to protect democratic institutions from emerging threats, including disinformation and election interference, and to preserve peace and security around the world.

    At the UNGA, the Prime Minister held bilateral meetings with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio, among others.

    In the face of economic and social insecurity around the world, the Government of Canada is choosing to invest in our country. From a $10-a-day national child care program to an ambitious housing plan, a national dental care plan, and an industrial sector strategy that creates well-paying jobs – not to mention fighting climate change – these choices will have a positive impact on the lives of Canadians and help address global challenges.

    Quote

    “Canada is choosing to invest in its people, its future and progress. This is the message I wanted to bring to the UNGA and the Future Summit. Our government is taking action to fight climate change, break down barriers, address the world’s most pressing challenges and give every generation a fair chance.”

    Highlights

    During his trip to New York, Prime Minister Trudeau held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Garry Conille of Haiti, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana, Mayor Berry Vrbanovic of Kitchener, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, Senior Advisor to Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus, President William Ruto of Kenya, and Malala Yousafzai. The Prime Minister also held discussions with other leaders, including North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris, Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, International Monetary Fund President and Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, and Spanish President Pedro Sánchez. As a founding member of the United Nations since its creation in 1945, Canada has actively contributed to the organization, including playing a key role in drafting the UN Charter, the cornerstone treaty of the rules-based international order. Canada is the sixth largest donor to the United Nations, with voluntary contributions and assessed contributions totaling more than US$2 billion in 2022. In 2015, Canada joined all UN Member States in adopting ambitious Sustainable Development Goals, as outlined in theTransforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 2030 Agenda focuses on a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that address the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Together, the SDGs aim to improve people’s lives, but also protect the planet. Released in 2021, theCanada’s National Strategy for the 2030 Agenda: Moving Forward Togetheris based on 30 actions and 5 core principles to create and foster an environment for ongoing dialogue and engagement to encourage Canadians to take action to implement the SDGs. In 2022, Prime Minister Trudeau was appointed Co-Chair of the SDG Advocates Group by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, alongside Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados. Through their respective platforms, the members of the SDG Advocates Group aim to raise global awareness of the SDGs and the need to accelerate action to achieve them. Prime Minister Trudeau also serves as Co-Chair of the SDG Stimulus Leaders Group, alongside Prime Minister Andrew Holness of Jamaica. The Group advocates for developing countries to have the financial resources they need to invest in the 17 SDGs to ensure a just and equitable future for all people. At the Future Summit, world leaders strengthened cooperation on major challenges and addressed gaps in global governance. They renewed existing commitments, including to the SDGs and the Charter of the United Nations, and undertook to modernize the United Nations system to effectively address the challenges of today and tomorrow. Also at the Summit, leaders adopted the Deal for the Future and its annexes, the Global Digital Deal and the Declaration on Future Generations. The Deal for the Future is a comprehensive framework to promote global cooperation and address critical challenges facing the world, such as climate change, inequality, and the need for strong multilateral cooperation, for the benefit of all and future generations. In 2021, Canada launched the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge. This partnership aims to scale up the use of pollution pricing by strengthening existing systems and supporting new ones. The Challenge, which collectively aims to cover 60% of global emissions by 2030, also serves as a forum for dialogue and coordination to improve the effectiveness and compatibility of pricing regimes, while helping other countries adopt carbon pricing and reduce emissions towards the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.

    Related products

    Related links

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Introduces AI Civil Rights Act to Eliminate AI Bias, Enact Guardrails on Use of Algorithms in Decisions Impacting People’s Rights, Civil Liberties, Livelihoods

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Bill Text (PDF) | Section by section (PDF)
    Washington (September 24, 2024) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, introduced his Artificial Intelligence (AI) Civil Rights Act, comprehensive AI civil rights legislation which will put strict guardrails on companies’ use of algorithms for consequential decisions, ensure algorithms are tested before and after deployment, help eliminate and prevent bias, and renew Americans’ faith in the accuracy and fairness of complex algorithms. Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) is a cosponsor on the bill.
    “Whether on the Senate floor or around the dining room table, artificial intelligence is the hottest topic of the year. But these complex algorithms have a darker side as well — one that has real consequences for everyday people, especially marginalized communities,” said Senator Markey. “I am introducing the Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act to ensure that the AI Age does not replicate and supercharge the bias and discrimination already prevalent in society today. Make no mistake: we can have an AI revolution in this country while also protecting the civil rights and liberties of everyday Americans, we can support innovation without supercharging bias and discrimination, and we can promote competition while safeguarding people’s rights.
    I am grateful for the support of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, and many other advocates who have been essential partners in this fight for fair and equitable AI. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that any AI regulation includes strong and enforceable civil rights protections.”
    “While AI can improve decision-making across various sectors, systemic biases in AI algorithms disproportionately impact marginalized communities,” said Senator Hirono. “This legislation would help to protect Americans against biased algorithms and mitigate discrimination perpetuated through AI, helping to secure the civil rights and liberties of all Americans.”
    In particular, the AI Civil Rights Act:
    Regulates algorithms involved in consequential decisions, such as those that impact people’s rights, civil liberties, and livelihoods, including employment, banking, health care, the criminal justice system, public accommodations, and government services;
    Prohibits developers and deployers from offering, licensing, or using covered algorithms that discriminate based on protected characteristics or that cause a disparate impact;
    Requires developers and deployers of covered algorithms to complete independently audited pre-deployment evaluations and post-deployment impact assessments to identify, evaluate, and mitigate any potential biased use or discriminatory outcomes;
    Requires developers and deployers to mitigate any harms identified by the pre-deployment evaluations and impact assessments and ensure that any covered algorithm performs reasonably well and is consistent with its publicly-advertised purpose;
    Increases transparency around the use of covered algorithms in consequential decisions, including providing individuals a right to appeal an algorithmic decision to a human decision-maker; and
    Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission, state attorneys general, and private individuals to enforce the Act.
    The AI Civil Rights Act is endorsed by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Free Press Action, UnidosUS, NAACP,  American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Public Citizen, Access Now, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJ, Brennan Center for Justice, Fight for the Future, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), Common Cause, National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE), The Trevor Project, National Council of Negro Women, Encode Justice, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Accountable Tech, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC), Color of Change, and Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE).
    “Algorithmic justice is a civil rights issue. Just as the struggles of the civil rights movement gave rise to groundbreaking civil rights laws, the harms resulting from the unregulated use of AI and other algorithmic tools demand passing new legislation now,” said Damon Hewitt, President and Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “The AI Civil Rights Act is first-of-its-kind legislation that takes a comprehensive approach to regulating AI across sectors. It prioritizes protecting Black communities and other people of color from discrimination, bias, and rampant AI abuse. The civil rights bill of the future is right here, and we are proud to endorse it.”
    “After a flurry of AI bills being introduced by this Congress — with many omitting any mention of civil rights or safeguards — it’s refreshing to see Senator Markey take a unique and necessary approach. The AI Civil Rights Act is comprehensive, touching on everything from employment to housing and education and setting a standard for other pieces of AI legislation to address real-world harms. Rather than reflect Big Tech talking points and the urge to ‘move fast and break things,’ this bill recognizes that innovation must include all of us,” said Koustubh “K.J.” Bagchi, vice president of The Leadership Conference’s Center for Civil Rights and Technology.
    “The AI Civil Rights Act is the bold, innovative policy we need today to ensure a just tomorrow for us all. The premise is simple: the AI tools and systems used at the most critical decision points in our lives – mediating our access to homes, employment, healthcare, and opportunities –should be demonstrated to be accessible and fair before being unleashed on the American public. With this technologically sophisticated bill, anchored in enduring American commitments to freedom, Senator Markey ushers in a new day for civil rights and digital equity,” said Alondra Nelson, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress and former Acting Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
    “It is vitally important that technological development serves the public interest. A key part of this is ensuring that those who develop and deploy technology, including advanced AI systems that impact people’s civil rights and opportunities, are held to a duty of care. The AI Civil Rights Act provides a detailed and practical approach to ensuring that we can continue to benefit from safe innovation in technology,” said Suresh Venkatasubramanian, former White House AI Advisor and co-author of the Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.
    “AI products are now making their way into the lives of real people at an unfathomable scale – impacting everything from our experience at work to our ability to access benefits. It is crucially important in this moment that we do what we can to protect the vulnerable populations most impacted by these systems. Even in the hyped rush to adopt AI technology, we cannot permit anything to interfere with our hard-earned civil rights,” said Deborah Raji, researcher, UC Berkley.
    “Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering every corner of our lives — from access to education, healthcare and insurance to decisions made by the courts, police, and immigration officials — with far too little public input or recourse when these systems cause real-world bias or harm,” said Craig Aaron, President and Co-CEO of Free Press Action. “The AI Civil Rights Act is a serious step toward addressing these urgent issues and enabling federal regulators to keep up with these evolving technologies. It prohibits the use, sale, or promotion of algorithmic decision-making systems that discriminate or cause disparate impact on the basis of race, sex, religion, or disability. This legislation would require those designing and deploying AI tools to conduct audits for potential harms and publicly share the results. Ensuring new tools and technologies aren’t used to exacerbate discrimination must be a top priority for policymakers. We applaud Senator Markey and the co-sponsors of this legislation for their leadership.”
    “AI systems—which already today impact consumer credit, law enforcement, immigration, housing, and health care decisions—can be unfair in any direction, and in multiple directions at once, because the systems generate predictions based on inferences from complex data sets. Assessing the fairness of the inputs to systems and the outcomes is an essential check—or we risk models that senselessly bind our futures to our often-problematic past. We simply cannot afford to implement systems first and check them later, nor would that approach be consistent with a multicultural democracy that strives to achieve opportunity for all,” said Laura MacCleery, Senior Policy Director, UnidosUS. “By mandating pre- and post-deployment testing, minimum transparency standards, and human alternatives to AI decision-making, this legislation establishes essential steps to help make the uses of AI both accountable and legitimate. We commend Senator Markey for his continued leadership in this ongoing effort to keep emerging technologies fair and responsible—not just in name but in practice. This Act is an excellent foundation for the checks and balances we will need to harness AI’s potential while protecting civil rights and promoting fairness.”
    “The AI Civil Rights Act is a benchmark for AI legislation; it avoids sensationalist claims about AI, while providing real protections from civil rights harms that are happening already. The emerging world of AI is complex, and Sen. Markey has set the bar for legislation ensuring that AI is fair and equitable. We look forward to continuing to refine and champion these protections and working with Congress for passage,” said Cody Venzke, Senior Policy Counsel, ACLU.
    “Artificial intelligence systems are being developed and deployed in opaque and unaccountable ways that are harming individuals and exacerbating biases. Senator Markey’s Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act of 2024 puts critical guardrails in place to ensure automated decision-making is fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory. EPIC is proud to support this legislation,” said Caitriona Fitzgerald, Deputy Director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC).
    “With the AI industry launching products that will make decisions on key aspects of our lives, such as unemployment insurance, Congress must install guardrails to prevent violations of our rights. The AI Civil Rights Act is necessary legislation that addresses the growing need to protect civil rights in an era where AI systems are increasingly shaping critical decisions in areas such as employment, housing, and access to services. By setting rigorous standards for the development, deployment, and auditing of AI technologies, the Act installs pertinent guardrails so that these powerful models will not perpetuate discrimination or harm marginalized communities. Public Citizen commends Senator Markey for his leadership in advancing this vital piece of legislation,” said Lisa Gilbert, Co-President, Public Citizen.
    “Secretive algorithms developed by the private sector can easily fuel discriminatory surveillance, policing, and immigration enforcement,” said Faiza Patel, senior director of the Liberty and National Security Program at the Brennan Center for Justice. “The AI Civil Rights Act is a significant step towards ensuring that the private sector undertakes adequate and transparent due diligence to mitigate AI’s most profound risks to civil liberties and rights.”
    “Access Now is proud to support the AI Civil Rights Act, a crucial step in holding algorithmic decision-making accountable at every stage,” said Willmary Escoto, U.S. Policy Counsel, Access Now. “This bill prioritizes human rights by enforcing transparency, accountability, and remedies for those harmed by AI. We commend Senator Markey for championing equity, privacy, and justice, and urge Congress to advance this critical legislation.”
    “When it comes to AI regulation, the AI Civil Rights Act is right to prioritize civil rights protections coupled with requirements to test and provide transparency. We desperately need AI policies that are rooted in human rights, free expression, and addressing the most immediate harms to the most marginalized people. It’s clear that AI is exacerbating problems with discrimination and bias, but those problems are being hidden behind layers of tech hype, trade secrets, and a focused but familiar campaign to tell legislators and everyday people alike that we aren’t smart enough to grapple with the realities of emerging technology. This is a lie that is being weaponized to allow AI’s supercharged harms to run rampant. This bill is an important step toward putting risky and harmful AI projects and their shady sycophants back in their place. Human rights and accountability should come before tech profits,” said Lia Holland, Campaigns and Communications Director, Fight for the Future.
    “AI inherently poses risks for voters, as biased algorithms can perpetuate discrimination and lead to disparate outcomes,” said Ishan Mehta, Director for Media and Democracy, Common Cause. “We commend Senator Markey for his bill to create important and strong safeguards for AI systems, which will promote equity and accessibility.”
    “The Artificial Intelligence Civil Rights Act is our generation’s moonshot for democracy in the digital age. It ensures that as machines learn, America’s values aren’t forgotten. This isn’t just about regulating technology; it’s about safeguarding the very fabric of our society for generations to come. With this Act, we’re not just keeping pace with AI – we’re encoding fairness and equal opportunity into the DNA of our technological future,” said Sunny Gandhi, VP of Political Affairs, Encode Justice.
    “The AI Civil Rights Act must become law to ensure that people are not denied work or career advancement because of biased algorithms ingrained in artificial intelligence systems. Whether it’s a journalist who covers marginalized communities or a first-time screenwriter whose voice is not a common tone, we cannot let employers weaponize AI as cover to discriminate against people based on race, religion, age or other protected characteristics,” said Lisa Takeuchi Cullen, President of the Writers Guild of America, East.
    “Organizations developing and deploying AI tools should have to prove to the public that their tools aren’t harmingful before they are allowed to release these tools. We’re glad to see Senator Markey taking these steps to prioritize citizen’s rights over profits for multinational corporations,” said Timnit Gebru, Founder and Executive Director of Distributed Artificial Intelligence Research Institute (DAIR).
    While artificial intelligence has already begun to revolutionize certain industries, the federal government must be committed to combating potential side effects of this emerging technology. Senator Markey has called on the federal government to hold Big Tech accountable, investigate AI, and stop algorithmic injustice. On September 17th, 2024, Senator Markey and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) sent a letter to Shalanda Young, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, demanding that all federal agencies that use AI for consequential decisions establish or maintain a civil rights office to establish additional safeguards to prevent algorithmic discrimination.
    In December 2023, Senator Markey introduced the Eliminating Bias in Algorithmic Systems (BIAS) Act to ensure that every federal agency that uses, funds, or oversees artificial intelligence (AI) has an office of civil rights focused on combatting AI bias and discrimination. In October 2023, he and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) applauded the Biden administration for heeding their call to incorporate the White House Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights into its AI Executive Order. In July 2023, Senator Markey and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) reintroduced their Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act to ban discriminatory algorithms and improve transparency on social media platforms.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LaLota Passes Amendment to Combat Pine Beetle Infestation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nick LaLota (NY-01)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Nick LaLota(R-Suffolk County) successfully passed his amendment to H.R. 8790, the Fix Our Forests Act, focusing on the devastation caused by the southern pine beetle in the Northeast, particularly within Long Island’s Pine Barrens. LaLota’s amendment directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a comprehensive study on the causes, effects, and solutions for the infestation of pine beetles in the Northeastern United States, ensuring that the problem is addressed with targeted actions.

    “This tiny pest, no larger than a grain of rice, has wreaked havoc on over 5,000 acres of forest in my district alone, threatening our ecosystem and critical natural resources. The southern pine beetle infestation has put immense pressure on Long Island’s Pine Barrens, which serve as a vital habitat for wildlife and play a crucial role in protecting our water supply,” said LaLota. “My amendment is not just about studying a pest; it’s about taking proactive measures to protect our environment, safeguard the drinking water of millions, and ensure that our forests’ rich biodiversity and natural beauty remain intact for future generations. Without intervention, the consequences for our ecosystem and local economy could be severe so we must take action now.”

    LaLota spoke on the House floor ahead of the amendment’s passage, click HERE to watch.

    To read the full text of the amendment, click HERE.

    Background:

    The Pine Barrens, crucial for preserving clean drinking water and home to endangered species, have suffered significant damage from the pine beetle infestation. LaLota’s amendment will enable federal, state, and local officials to better understand and mitigate the pine beetle’s impact, fostering resilient forest ecosystems across the region.

    Along with this amendment, LaLota has fought to preserve the abundant natural environment Long Island is blessed with.

    Earlier this year, LaLota announced he had secured $40 million in federal funding for the Long Island Sound Program. This funding for the Sound is provided by the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill LaLota helped pass, which was signed into law in March.

    In January, LaLota testified at a Natural Resources Committee hearing in support of his Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act. The same month, LaLota testified at the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in support of including a reauthorization of the Long Island Sound Program in the biannual Water Resources Development Act.

    The Long Island Sound Stewardship and Restoration Act would reauthorize the Long Island Sound Program through 2028. In 1985, Congress created the Long Island Sound Study (LISS) to identify and address the major environmental problems affecting the Long Island Sound. The LISS brings together the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), New York State, Connecticut, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to help restore and protect the Long Island Sound, including the watershed, which spans up towards New Hampshire and Vermont into Canada.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Moran Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Veterans Translate Military Certifications to Civilian Jobs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced legislation to provide every transitioning servicemember with documentation outlining their military certifications and qualifications to use when applying for a job. The bipartisan Translating Military Skills into Civilian Jobs Act would establish a military training and competency record to ensure that every servicemember has a record of the training, certifications, and qualifications they achieved during their time in the military, so that when they transition, they can provide that record to employers to determine if their qualifications meet the job requirements. Currently, too many veterans are forced to spend time and money earning the same certifications for civilian jobs that the military already trained them to do. 
    “The men and women of our military earn valuable skills and certifications during their service that should more easily qualify them for a wide array of high-demand civilian jobs when they transition into veteran status,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation to provide every transitioning servicemember with a record detailing their training, certifications, and qualifications earned through their service so that they can more easily start their civilian careers. I’ll keep working across party lines to support our veterans.”
    “Military service provides servicemembers and veterans with unique skills that make them valuable employees to any company,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation would make certain every servicemember leaves the military with a document outlining the training and qualifications they achieved during their service, to assist in the job search and their life after service.”
    Senator Rosen has been leading bipartisan efforts to deliver for Nevada’s veterans. Earlier this month, she helped pass bipartisan legislation to allocate billions of dollars for PACT Act benefits. She also introduced bipartisan legislation to permanently maintain a helpline for veterans to obtain information and assistance with VA services. Senator Rosen secured funding to increase access to affordable housing for veterans, continue building Nevada’s first national veterans cemetery in Elko, and increase funding for veteran’s access to telehealth in the last bipartisan government funding package.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone’s HEARTS Act to Address Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Young People Passes House

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    Federal bill inspired by New Jersey student-athlete tragedies heads to the Senate, aiming to safeguard young lives across the nation

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced that his Cardiomyopathy Health, Education, Awareness, Research, and Training in Schools (HEARTS) Act has overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives. Pallone authored the HEARTS Act in response to the rising number of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) incidents among young people, particularly student-athletes, ensuring schools are better equipped to handle life-threatening cardiac emergencies with vital resources and training.

     

    “I introduced the HEARTS Act because too many young people are tragically dying from sudden cardiac arrest,” Pallone said. “In New Jersey, we’ve seen devastating losses like that of Edison’s Kittim Sherrod, who collapsed and died at just 17 during track practice from an undiagnosed heart condition. The HEARTS Act ensures that schools have the AEDs, training, and resources needed to act swiftly during a cardiac emergency. No child should lose their life because schools weren’t prepared—we owe it to our students and their families to act now.”

     

    The bill was inspired by local tragedies like that of Kittim Sherrod, a standout football star at Edison High School, who passed away in 2009 from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an often undiagnosed condition. The HEARTS Act aims to prevent future tragedies by ensuring that schools across the country are equipped with life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs), Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs), and CPR training for both staff and students.

     

    With strong bipartisan backing, the HEARTS Act was expanded to include provisions from the Access to AEDs Act, ensuring that AEDs are available in schools and childcare centers and that students, staff, and sports volunteers receive critical CPR and AED training. A federal grant program will be established to support these efforts, making sure schools can access the funding they need to implement these life-saving measures.

     

    In his remarks on the House floor, Pallone emphasized the need for immediate action, saying, “The HEARTS Act will raise awareness about the causes of sudden cardiac arrest and ensure schools are more prepared to deal with cardiac emergencies so we can save lives. This legislation has the support of the American Heart Association and the Smart Heart Coalition, among others. We cannot afford to delay—this is about saving young lives.”

      

    The HEARTS Act mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), patient advocacy groups, and health professional organizations to develop and distribute educational materials on cardiomyopathy to schools, parents, and teachers. This educational push is critical, as cardiomyopathy, the condition that took Sherrod’s life, is often silent until a fatal cardiac event. According to the CDC, approximately 2,000 young people under the age of 25 die from sudden cardiac arrest each year—a sobering figure that highlights the urgent need for this legislation.

     

    Support for the HEARTS Act has been widespread, with organizations such as the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation, the John Taylor Babbitt Foundation, and the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation applauding Pallone’s leadership in raising awareness and helping schools prepare for cardiac emergencies.

     

    “Having a cardiac emergency response plan in place and people nearby who know what to do can be the difference between life and death for the more than 350,000 people who experience a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year. The HEARTS Act will help improve the safety of our schools and playing fields and we urge the Senate to quickly follow the House to make this policy the law of the land,” Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the American Heart Association.

     

    “The John Taylor Babbitt Foundation is thrilled to see this critical piece of legislation pass out of the House of Representatives. Creating heart safe communities for our children continues to be a priority for our organization and this law would provide access to resources in helping to achieve that goal,“ JoAnne Babbitt, Vice President, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation and co-founder of the John Taylor Babbitt Foundation.

     

    “The Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation wholeheartedly supports the HEARTS Act of 2024 (H.R 6829) and commends Rep. Frank Pallone for stewarding this lifesaving legislation. Sudden Cardiac Arrest is a public health crisis. It strikes 356,000 people a year in the U.S., including 23,000 youth. Enacting this legislation will undoubtedly help improve the current survival rate of ~10 percent—not only in schools, but also in communities,” Mary. M. Newman, MS President, Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation.

     

    “We are thrilled the HEARTS bill has passed the house and thankful to Rep. Frank Pallone (NJ-06) for championing legislation for kids with cardiomyopathy.” said Kathy Swenson, executive director of the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation. “This disease is a leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest, and this legislation has the potential to save the lives of many children.”

     

    “The HEARTS Act will take precautions to save lives, which were not in place 15 years ago when my grandson Kittim Sherrod succumbed to this silent disease Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Many youths’ lives were lost due to the lack of knowledge as well as the lack of the proper equipment available to assist in saving lives. I am so thankful that Frank Pallone continued in the quest to take action to make a difference in the future of our children’s heart health. Thank you, Congressman Frank Pallone, Kittim did not die in vain,” Razeenah Walker, President of The Kittim N. Sherrod Foundation.

     

    The bill now moves to the Senate, where its passage is crucial to ensuring that schools across the nation can implement these life-saving measures.

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pallone Leads Bipartisan Push to Make FEMA’s New Disaster Aid Rule Retroactive for Hurricane Ida Survivors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-New Jersey) is leading a bipartisan effort, alongside U.S. Representatives Jenniffer González-Colón (R-Puerto Rico) and Troy Carter (D-Louisiana), urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to apply its new disaster aid rule retroactively. This would ensure that those affected by past events, like Hurricane Ida, can benefit from the improved and more accessible assistance. The proposed extension would cover major disasters declared since January 20, 2021, ensuring that survivors of these events—including those in New Jersey—are eligible for the updated relief measures.

     

    The draft interim Individual Assistance Program Equity rule, a major reform introduced by the Biden-Harris Administration in early 2024, marks the first significant overhaul of FEMA’s aid program in 20 years. The changes were driven by mounting frustrations from survivors who faced delays, denials, and excessive bureaucratic hurdles when seeking help. With the growing frequency and severity of disasters due to climate change, the Administration recognized the need for more accessible and efficient aid, particularly for low-income and vulnerable communities.

     

    Key updates include Critical Needs Assistance, which automatically provides $750 to cover immediate expenses, and up to $42,500 in FEMA aid not covered by insurance. The rule also eliminates outdated eligibility requirements, such as removing the mandate that the Small Business Administration reject a survivor’s loan application before they could receive FEMA aid, reduced documentation requirements, and a simplified appeals process. These changes aim to deliver faster, fairer assistance to those in need.

     

    “The Biden-Harris Administration has made meaningful changes to FEMA’s Individual Assistance program that will help New Jerseyans get back on their feet faster when the next storm hits,” said Pallone. “We must make these improvements retroactive, so people devastated by Hurricane Ida get the same opportunity to benefit and aren’t left behind.”

     

    “I’m proud to have advocated for changes to FEMA for future storm survivors, but I’m still nowhere near recovered from Hurricane Ida three years ago.  These changes would have helped me tremendously – I had to get an SBA loan because FEMA told me to apply.  I had no choice and am now very in debt and I am still fighting my flood insurance for a fair payout.  Having FEMA help more with my uninsured losses would be so much better than a loan I can’t afford to pay.  We are grateful to Congressman Pallone for his ongoing work on behalf of storm survivors and we hope the Biden administration makes the changes retroactive for my family and families like mine around the country,” said Leanna Jones a single mother of two and Storm Organizer with the New Jersey Organizing Project. 

     

    The full letter to FEMA is available below and online here:

     

    Dear Administrator Criswell:

     

    We are encouraged by the Individual Assistance Program Equity interim final rule you announced on January 22, 2024 and urge you to make it retroactive to all major disasters with individual assistance that President Biden has declared since January 20, 2021. Retroactively making this assistance available to that date will allow many of our constituents impacted by devastating natural disasters to finally move forward with their recovery.

     

    This rule has the potential to dramatically improve Americans’ experience and ability to access the federal disaster assistance system. However, as members whose constituents have been impacted by recent major disasters, many of our constituents turned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in their time of need and were denied assistance due to the preceding rule’s strict and confusing eligibility requirements. Likewise, our constituents that were deemed eligible for assistance may have received far less support under the preceding rule than they may potentially be able to receive now. These disaster survivors are still struggling to get back on their feet and they deserve the opportunity to benefit from the new and improved disaster assistance system. 

     

    We urge you to at least prioritize extending the rule’s coverage to survivors of the 19 largest disasters which had more than 10,000 Individual and Household Program applications:

     

    • 2021: Texas Severe Winter Storm Uri (DR-4586), Michigan Severe Storm (DR-4607), Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania Hurricane Ida (DR-4611, DR-4614, DR-4515, and DR-4618),  Kentucky Tornado (DR-4630)
    • 2022: Kentucky Flood (DR-4663), Missouri Flood (DR-4665), Puerto Rico Hurricane Fiona (DR-4671), and Florida Hurricane Ian (DR-4673)
    • 2023: California Severe Storm (DR-4683), California Severe Storm (DR-4699), Florida Flood (DR-4709), Guam Typhoon Mawar (DR-4715), Hawaii Wildfire (DR-4724), Illinois Severe Storm (DR-4728), Florida Hurricane Idalia (DR-4734), and Illinois Flood (DR-4749)

     

    Under the old system, many survivors of these disasters were pushed into expensive or untenable circumstances due to their inequitable denial of Individual Assistance or low levels of federal support. Giving people a chance to receive assistance they were unjustly denied will allow them to make informed decisions regarding their housing needs without duress. Survivors of these disasters would especially benefit from the new rule’s changes to home repair assistance, the treatment of insurance proceeds, the definition of “owner-occupied” housing, rental assistance, and the elimination of the Small Business Administration application requirement, among other changes. The improved accessibility to Individual Assistance brought by these and other changes will help survivors fix their homes, make accessibility modifications, and ease short-term housing debts. FEMA could help these survivors move out of hotels, inadequate rental properties, nursing homes, and other care institutions and into safe and permanent housing.

     

    Thank you for your serious consideration of our request and commitment to improving our disaster assistance system. We look forward to your response.

     

    Sincerely,

     

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Casey, Fetterman, Evans Announce $21 Million for Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Westpark Redevelopment

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dwight Evans (2nd District of Pennsylvania)

    Grant to connect Westpark Redevelopment to park, SEPTA station; Funding comes from RAISE grants, thanks to the infrastructure law;
    Members have secured highly competitive RAISE grants for Philadelphia for four consecutive years—each year since infrastructure law passed

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) and U.S. Representative Dwight Evans (D-PA-3) announced $21,395,555 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA). The grant will support the creation of a new of street grid and pedestrian infrastructure to facilitate the redevelopment of the Westpark Apartments in West Philly. The funding comes from a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity (RAISE) Grant, funded by the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act (IIJA).

    “From visiting housing developments across Philadelphia, I’ve seen firsthand the transformational work PHA does to not only provide safe, affordable housing, but build vibrant communities,” said Senator Casey. “I fought for this funding to better connect Westpark residents with resources and opportunities in their community and beyond. I’ll keep working to deliver funding to make Philadelphia more livable for all who call the city home.”

    “Any day that we can announce more federal dollars heading to Pennsylvania is a good day,” said Senator Fetterman. “This RAISE grant will support the infrastructure needed to create the new Westpark housing development and connect the campus to transit and green space. This is a smart, thoughtful project that will greatly improve the lives of the people who will live at the redeveloped Westpark Apartments. It exemplifies that values of PHA and is a stellar example of the critical work they do. I’m proud to have fought alongside Senator Casey and Congressman Evans for this funding.”

    “This is great news for West Philadelphia and another way that the Biden Infrastructure and Jobs Act I voted for continues to deliver for Philadelphia and the region. I thank Senators Casey and Fetterman for their continued partnership as we work together to deliver for our shared constituents,” said Congressman Evans.

    “We at PHA are extremely grateful to Senator Casey, Senator Fetterman, Congressman Evans, and all our federal partners for this exciting news,” said PHA President and CEO Kelvin A. Jeremiah. “The grant marks a tremendous milestone in the redevelopment of Westpark. It will ensure that once the project is complete, residents will have ready access to SEPTA and to public parkland. Senator Casey, who advocated for this grant, proves once again that he is a true champion for expanding housing opportunities in Philadelphia and across the state. And I’m confident that Westpark will serve as a national model for a 21st century public housing and affordable housing development.”

    This project will construct an extension of the existing street grid in West Philadelphia in order to create new space for housing and connect the Westpark Apartments campus to SEPTA’s 46th Street station. It will support a new network of shared streets, sidewalks, and bike infrastructure that will create the roads necessary to integrate new, forthcoming housing more seamlessly into the neighborhood.

    2024 marks the fourth consecutive year the Members of Congress have secured highly competitive RAISE grants for infrastructure projects in Philadelphia. Last year, SEPTA received $25 million to modernize trolleys and the City received the same amount for the North Philadelphia School Zone Traffic Safety Project. In 2022, the “Great Streets PHL” project was awarded $25 million to make safety improvements to high-crash corridors in historically disadvantaged communities and areas of persistent poverty. In 2021, shortly following passage of IIJA, SEPTA won $15 million to renovate the 19th and 37th Street Trolley Subway Stations and make them accessible for people with disabilities. To see more federal investments Senator Casey has delivered to Philadelphia and the Commonwealth, click here.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Beatty Boosts STEM Education Equity & Awareness with STEM Week Bill   

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

    Washington, D.C. — Representatives Joyce Beatty (OH-3) and Mike Carey (OH-15) introduced the National STEM Week Act. The bill would create an annual week dedicated to promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education access and interest, especially among communities with limited access to educational resources.

    “Ohio is the heart of American innovation and will soon be home to the most advanced semiconductor fabrication facilities in the world thanks to historic investments from the Biden-Harris administration and Intel. STEM fields power these industries of the future, so it is vital that we help future generations in our community develop the skills they need to make the most of this generational investment,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “Establishing a National STEM Week to promote education in these fields, particularly among underserved communities, gives our kids the chance to actually see what a future in STEM looks like and will ensure that every student – no matter their background or zip code – has the tools needed to become the next generation of American innovators.”

    “As Ohio students begin another school year, it is all the more important to recognize the role that STEM education plays in preparing them for the future,” said Congressman Carey. “Science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning can inspire new curiosity, a lifelong passion or a successful career. Unfortunately, not every student has the same access to this transformative education. A National STEM Week will help emphasize the value of these subjects to students, parents and teachers alike.” 

    “It has long been the philosophy of COSI that science, technology, engineering and math need not be confined to a laboratory or a classroom,” said Dr. Frederic Bertley, President & CEO of COSI, one of the nation’s top ranked science museums and a co-developer of this bill. “They form the fabric of our daily lives, existing everywhere for everybody to experience and learn from.  This belief is what inspired us to co-develop the National STEM Week Act – which will inspire students in Ohio and beyond to appreciate the wonders of STEM that exist all around us. We applaud Representatives Carey and Beatty for their leadership in introducing this bill, and their underlying appreciation for the role of STEM in creating a better America.”  

    Specifically, the bill aims to promote STEM education and careers among all students regardless of their geographic or socio-economic status, support both formal and informal learning tools like field trips and clubs, and encourage families, teachers and industry leaders to participate in students’ STEM education.

    Full text of the National STEM Week Act is available here.

    For inquiries, please contact Cassandra Johnson at Cassandra.Johnson@mail.house.gov.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casey, Fetterman, Evans, Scanlon, Parker Secure Nearly $9 Million to Install Electric Vehicle Chargers in Philadelphia

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dwight Evans (2nd District of Pennsylvania)

    Infrastructure law funding to support planning, community engagement, and installation of EV chargers in underserved Philadelphia neighborhoods, EV charging hub at Philadelphia Airport; EV charger installation project to create jobs

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA), U.S. Representatives Dwight Evans (D-PA 3), and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5) and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced a total of $8,984,800 in funding to bring electric vehicle (EV) chargers to underserved neighborhoods in Philadelphia and to the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). The funding is from the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program, made possible by the infrastructure law. Thanks to this funding, Philadelphia can expand access to EV charging to low-and middle-income communities and the Philadelphia International Airport can build an EV charging hub to serve passengers and employees.

    “As electric vehicles become more popular and lower fuel costs for families, it is critical that all Philadelphians can access reliable charging,” said Senator Casey. “Pennsylvania was among the first states in the Nation to begin building out a statewide network of charging stations with infrastructure law funds and now this grant will help more Philadelphians charge up. I will keep working to ensure the Commonwealth has the tools it needs to strengthen our burgeoning electric vehicle industry, providing more jobs and reducing our carbon footprint.”

    “Philadelphia is taking a bold step forward with this funding, bringing much-needed infrastructure to neighborhoods that have been left out of the clean energy transition. This project makes it possible for every Philadelphian, regardless of where they live, to benefit from the shift to green energy,” said Senator Fetterman. “We’re laying the groundwork for a future where clean, affordable energy is accessible to everyone, and I’m proud to back this crucial investment in our communities.”

    “I’m proud to have voted for federal funding that’s resulted in this nearly $9 million for Philadelphia, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act! Having this cleaner-energy option available in more Philadelphia neighborhoods and at our area’s largest airport will help to reduce air pollution and help with addressing climate change. I’ll keep working with Senator Casey and all of our delegation to deliver more federal funding for Philadelphia and the commonwealth,” said Congressman Evans.

    “One of the challenges in transitioning to electric vehicles is ensuring that a robust, accessible network of public charging stations is available to everyone,” said Representative Scanlon. “This new investment in that charging network will make it easier for EV drivers across our region to charge their cars, reduce our carbon footprint, and support the American workers building these charging stations. I’m proud to have voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which is funding this work, and look forward to seeing all of the infrastructure improvements that it will bring to Pennsylvania consumers”

    “We are pleased to announce that, once again, the City of Philadelphia finds itself the recipient of significant investment from the Biden-Harris administration. We are grateful for this opportunity to expand public infrastructure for electric vehicle (EV) charging in our city,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “This funding will be used to build out our EV charging network by installing EV fast chargers, and ultimately moving us closer to a cleaner and greener Philadelphia.”

    The Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program, awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), was made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This grant program supports the installation of public EV charging infrastructure and other alternative fueling infrastructure. Additionally, IIJA passed with provisions to make EV charging more accessible nationwide through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) formula program. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced 91 total EV charging projects, across 43 counties in the Commonwealth. Thanks to today’s funding, the City of Philadelphia can plan for and install EV chargers at the Philadelphia International Airport and at places across the city, particularly in neighborhoods with multifamily housing and in low-and-middle-income communities. These planned EV chargers are set to be accessible to the community, with some located at recreation centers near public transportation.

    To see more information about the Commonwealth’s EV charger implementation projects, click here.

    To see more federal investments Senator Casey has delivered to the Commonwealth, click here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New undergraduate course for optometrists

    Source: Scottish Government

    UK-leading course to support delivery of wider range of services.

    A new Master’s undergraduate degree has been launched to increase the skills, knowledge and experience that optometry students will have when they graduate.

    The course at Glasgow Caledonian University, which has just accepted its first cohort of students, is the first in the UK to offer an integrated optometry with independent prescribing qualification.

    Among other things, graduates will be able to prescribe medications for eye conditions previously referred to the GP or hospital ophthalmologists. This will support more patients to be managed in the community closer to home without further referral, helping to get patients treated quicker and ease pressures on NHS waiting lists.

    Higher Education Minister Graeme Dey and Public Health Minister Jenni Minto met the new cohort of students and representatives from the university at its Vision Centre facilities.

    Mr Dey said:

    “It’s exciting to see Scotland is ahead of the game when it comes to upskilling our optometry workforce and this new course will ensure they will have the right skills, knowledge and experience to meet future challenges.

    “Graduates of this groundbreaking course will play an important role in establishing a wider range of community-based ophthalmic care. Patients will be able to be treated closer to home, helping to reduce the pressures on GPs and hospital waiting lists.

    “I’m delighted that we’re able to support Glasgow Caledonian University’s new course. The Scottish Government continues to invest over £1 billion in university teaching and research.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ruppersberger Secures Extension for SNAP Theft Reimbursement in Pending Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (2nd District of Maryland)

    Proposed Continuing Resolution would extend SNAP reimbursement for theft victims through December 20

    (Washington, DC) – Victims of food stamp theft will continue to be reimbursed under pending stop-gap funding legislation thanks to the tireless advocacy of Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, his office announced today. The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on a Continuing Resolution later this week that will keep the government funded – and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits flowing – through December 20, 2024. Currently, reimbursement for SNAP theft victims would otherwise expire on September 30.

    Congressman Ruppersberger lead a bipartisan effort to extend critical protections to victims of food stamp theft, in which perpetrators use skimming devices to steal SNAP benefits distributed on electronic debit cards (EBT).

    “This vital extension will continue to protect a record level of victims of SNAP benefit theft—including veterans, families, low-income workers, children, the elderly and the disabled— who have lost a critical lifeline through no fault of their own,” Congressman Ruppersberger said. “This ensures tax dollars are used for their intended purpose and that American families do not lose their primary source of healthy food. No family should ever have to worry about how to put their next meal on the table.”

    Currently, states are required to replace stolen SNAP benefits under a measure included in the 2023 omnibus funding bill passed by Congress at the end of 2022. The provision applied to benefits stolen from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2024. More than 125,000 households have been reimbursed since October 2022, not counting some of the hardest-hit states who have not reported the full impact.

    While imperfect, the 3-month Continuing Resolution will level-fund the government and avert a needless government shutdown. Congressman Ruppersberger continues to champion his bipartisan standalone legislation, H.R. 205, establishing permanent reimbursement authority and better security features for EBT cards.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Adams, Van Hollen Introduce Student Debt Relief Bill for Parent Borrowers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-N.C.), and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the Parent PLUS Parity Act, bicameral legislation to ease the burden of student loan debt for parent borrowers who helped their children pay for their higher education.  

    Nationwide, approximately 3.9 million borrowers have outstanding Parent PLUS loan balances totaling $112 billion. While these loans allow parents of dependent undergraduate students to borrow money to pay costs not already covered by the student’s financial aid package, current law excludes borrowers from the Parent PLUS and Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) programs from most income-based repayment plans. Among other provisions, the Parent PLUS Parity Act makes parent borrowers eligible for repayment plans created by the U.S. Department of Education under the Biden-Harris Administration. This legislation comes after Senator Van Hollen led several of his colleagues in urging the Biden-Harris Administration – in 2022 and earlier this year – to provide financial relief to parent borrowers, while welcoming its efforts thus far to address the student debt crisis. 

    “This legislation is about fairness for families, so that more parents can help their children through college without worrying about how to make ends meet at their current salary level. If we can amend the law to allow income-based repayments then we should, especially for payees who are disabled or retired. It’s unconscionable that disabled and retired individuals on limited incomes are having their incomes garnished to cover student loan debt. This is a way for us to do better by the American people. I thank Mr. Van Hollen for introducing the companion bill in the Senate and working with me to get this bill passed,” said Rep. Adams.  

    “Millions of parents who struggled to help their kids pay for college are now trapped in unsustainable debt – and it’s not just hurting them, it’s holding back our entire economy. While the Biden-Harris Administration has taken important steps to expand income-based repayment options so students can pay off their loans, parent borrowers have been excluded from these programs, offering them little to no recourse. Our legislation will help those families chart a path to clear their debt and regain their financial footing,” said Senator Van Hollen.  

    “Parents taking out loans to help their kids pay for higher education deserve the same loan forgiveness and relief options as other borrowers,” said Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA). “More and more low-income families, especially Black and Latino parents, rely on the Parent PLUS program every year but have limited loan repayment options. By expanding parents’ access to the same repayment benefits their kids would receive, we can help close the racial wealth gap and expand debt relief for underserved families.” 

    In addition to Senator Van Hollen, the legislation is co-led by Senator Padilla and cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Peter Welch (D-VT). 

    In addition to Representative Adams, the bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) and Maxine Waters (D-CA). 

    The Parent PLUS Parity Act is endorsed by NAACP, National Education Association, Student Borrower Protection Center, The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), Student Debt Crisis Center, Project on Predatory Student Lending, Education Trust, Justice in Aging, and the Century Foundation Higher Education Team. 

    Established in 1980, Parent PLUS loans were initially intended to assist higher-asset families, but as tuition has skyrocketed and the purchasing power of the Pell Grant has fallen, families with limited resources, particularly families of color, have increasingly turned to Parent PLUS loans to make up the shortfall. The consequences of this have been enormous, trapping thousands of low-income American families under a crushing financial burden. Between 1996 and 2018, the number of Parent PLUS recipients under the federal poverty line rose by an astonishing 350 percent. In 2020, the average Parent PLUS loan debt held was $37,970, a 40 percent increase since 2000. In 2015, 40,000 disabled or retired Parent PLUS borrowers had their Social Security benefits garnished after defaulting on their loans. What’s more, Black parents are struggling disproportionately; the share of Black Parent PLUS borrowers with incomes below $30,000 nearly tripled from 2008 to 2018. In 2018, 44 percent of Black Parent PLUS borrowers had an annual income below $30,000 compared to only 10 percent of White Parent PLUS borrowers. 

    Currently, Parent PLUS borrowers are excluded from most income-based repayment plans, including the SAVE Plan, the PAYE Repayment Plan, and the IBR Plan. Parent PLUS borrowers are also not eligible to discharge their loans in cases where their child becomes disabled and face additional barriers to obtaining Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). 

    In his letters to Secretary Cardona, Senator Van Hollen has urged the Education Department to use the extent of its authorities to provide relief for Parent PLUS borrowers. As a result of these efforts, the Department included Parent PLUS borrowers in its new hardship discharge program in the proposed student loan relief regulations announced in April 2024. The Parent PLUS Parity Act makes necessary statutory changes to ensure Parent PLUS borrowers can pursue additional avenues for debt relief and to protect these borrowers against Republican attacks on the Department of Education’s student debt relief programs. 

    This legislation will help families tackle intergenerational debt, ensure equal access to programs available to other borrowers, and provide urgently-needed assistance to millions of forgotten Parent PLUS borrowers by: 

    • Expanding the income-driven repayment plan options for Parent PLUS and all FFEL borrowers to all income-driven repayment plans and any forthcoming plans issued by the Department of Education, including the new SAVE program, PAYE, and IBR.  

    • Directing the Secretary of Education to create a new hardship category program that will permit Parent PLUS borrowers to apply for loan discharge if they meet certain requirements based on income, borrower age, and other factors. 

    The full text of the bill is available here.  

    “If we fail to address intergenerational debt experienced by families with Parent PLUS loans, we will fall short of fixing our broken student loan system,” said Senator Booker. The Parent PLUS Parity Act will bring parents much needed relief by expanding access to income-based repayment plans. No one should have to choose between supporting their child’s future and their family’s financial security.” 

    “As a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, making sure that Virginia students have the freedom to make the decisions that are right for them is one of my top priorities. That includes looking for commonsense solutions to make higher education opportunities more affordable,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m glad to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to give Parent PLUS borrowers—many of whom are families of color—some breathing room by boosting access to existing income-based repayment plans and application-based relief programs. Supporting our students is critical to the health of our economy, and I will keep looking for opportunities to do so.” 

    “This bill to provide parity for Parent PLUS loan borrowers is a matter of fairness and equity. Doing so will give millions of working families important financial relief, help tackle intergenerational debt and ensure that everyone has access to all income-driven repayment plans,” said Senator Smith. “Passing this legislation would mean millions of parents would no longer be burdened by student loan debt.” 

    “Parent PLUS loans are an example of how our federal student loan program has failed families. Instead of helping families pay for their child’s education, Parent PLUS loans have left many with crippling repayment obligations and reduced debt relief options. These loans have been especially brutal to people of color and marginalized communities, causing them to default on their loans. It’s not sustainable,” said Senator Welch. “This bill is an important step in reforming our federal student loan program.” 

    “Black parents have long understood that higher education opens doors of opportunity for their children. However, the Parent PLUS loan program has often trapped lower-income families in debt, with repayment guidelines designed for wealthier households. The significant number of affected parents highlights a policy failure: skyrocketing education costs combined with a loan program that doesn’t work for low-income families. Senator Van Hollen’s and Representative Adams’s bill seeks to reform Parent PLUS by aligning repayment options with those available for other student loans. This would allow parents to receive relief when their child qualifies for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge. The bill also introduces new relief for parents facing financial hardship. These changes would help address a significant injustice: penalizing low-income parents for supporting their child’s pursuit of the American Dream,” said Wisdom Cole, Senior National Advocacy Director, NAACP. 

    “For too long, Parents PLUS borrowers have been left out of critical efforts to alleviate the crushing burden of student loan debt. As a result, Parent PLUS borrowers have been left struggling with unaffordable monthly payments that can force them to delay retirement, push them into poverty and even subject them to Social Security benefit offset and other catastrophic consequences if they fall behind. We applaud Senator Van Hollen and Representative Alma Adams for introducing the Parent PLUS Parity Act which will ensure that Parent PLUS borrowers have access to the full suite of affordable repayment options that all other federal borrowers do. The Act also importantly establishes critical pathways to relief to support Parent PLUS borrowers should they experience financial hardship,” said Aissa Canchola Bañez, Policy Director, Student Borrower Protection Center. 

    “The burden of Parent PLUS debt disproportionately falls on low-income parents and parents of color. The Parent PLUS program currently has limited pathways to enable families to successfully manage their debt, which results in financial harm that can ripple through generations. This bill provides important borrower protections for parents, including affordable income-based repayment options and a fair path to relief for loans taken out to pay for schools that engage in misconduct. We thank Senator Van Hollen and Congresswoman Adams for their leadership on this issue and their commitment to ensuring that families with Parent PLUS loans can benefit from the same borrower protections as other student loans,” said Ashley Harrington, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy, Project on Predatory Student Lending. 

    “At the Student Debt Crisis Center, we are proud to endorse the Parent PLUS Parity Act which will expand access to Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) plans and IDR forgiveness to all borrowers, including parents with parent PLUS loans. This bill will help millions of parents who took out student loans to support their children in college and who now find themselves struggling to meet their monthly payments. This is one step towards a more fair and just student loan system, and brings us one step closer to achieving our goal of ending the student debt crisis,” said Natalia Abrams, President & Founder, Student Debt Crisis Center. 

    “EdTrust has repeatedly detailed how the student loan debt burden impedes the economic stability and well-being of Black borrowers,” said Education Trust’s Senior Vice President, Wil Del Pilar. “Policy solutions like increasing repayment options for Parent PLUS are a crucial step toward ensuring that parents, especially under-represented parents and parents from low-income backgrounds, are not burdened with unmanageable debt while investing in their children’s future. This bill adopts several of our recommendations on how to address this issue, and we are pleased to support it.” 

    “Parent PLUS borrowers face the same financial challenges as other borrowers do, yet they have fewer protections from spiraling debts. The Parent PLUS Parity Act would enable parent-borrowers to access many of the Biden-Harris Administration’s improvements to student loan repayment and enjoy retirement unburdened by excessive student loan bills,” said Peter Granville, Fellow, Century Foundation Higher Education Team. 

    ### 

    Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County) and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, where she serves as ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ryan Wesley Routh Indicted for Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Note: View the indictment here.

    A federal grand jury in Miami late this afternoon returned an indictment charging Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, of Hawaii, with attempting to kill former President Donald J. Trump at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15.

    “Violence targeting public officials endangers everything our country stands for, and the Department of Justice will use every available tool to hold Ryan Routh accountable for the attempted assassination of former President Trump charged in the indictment,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “The Justice Department will not tolerate violence that strikes at the heart of our democracy, and we will find and hold accountable those who perpetrate it. This must stop.”

    “This alleged attempted assassination of the former President at his golf course was a direct attack on our democracy. Political violence has no place in this country — not then, not now, not ever,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “The charges today reflect the Department’s continued resolve to deploy every available resource to ensure public officials remain safe and to hold accountable those who target public officials to the fullest extent of the law.”

    “Routh is charged with attempted assassination of a presidential candidate, which strikes at the very heart of our democratic system,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI is continuing our investigation into this alleged plot and will use the full weight and resources of the FBI to uncover and provide as much information as possible about what led to the events in West Palm Beach. In our country, we have to hold accountable people who resort to violence.”

    According to allegations in a complaint affidavit and a factual proffer filed with the court, former President Trump was golfing at Trump International on Sept. 15, and a Secret Service agent conducting a perimeter security sweep saw the partially obscured face of a man — later identified as Routh — in the brush along the fence line near the sixth hole. The agent observed the barrel of a rifle aimed directly at him. As the agent began backing away, he saw the rifle barrel move, and the agent fired at Routh.

    A witness saw Routh running across the road from the golf course and getting into a black Nissan Xterra. Based on information provided by the witness, Routh was later apprehended heading northbound on I-95 by officers from the Martin County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

    Court documents allege that in the area where Routh had been hiding in the tree line, FBI agents located an SKS semiautomatic rifle with a scope attached and an extended magazine. The serial number on the rifle was obliterated and unreadable. Hanging from the fence was a backpack and a reusable shopping bag that each contained a plate capable of stopping small arms fire.

    According to the allegations filed with the court, FBI agents found documents that contained a handwritten list of dates in August, September, and October and venues where the former President had appeared or was expected to be present. Cell records for two of the cell phones found in the Nissan Xterra showed that on multiple days and times from Aug. 18 to Sept. 15, Routh’s cell phone accessed cell towers located near Trump International and the former President’s residence at Mar-a-Lago.

    According to the factual proffer filed with the court, a civilian witness contacted law enforcement stating that Routh had dropped off a box at his residence several months ago. Included in the box was a handwritten letter from Routh addressed “Dear World,” which stated, among other things, “This was an assassination attempt on Donald Trump but I am so sorry I failed you.”

    Routh was charged with attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, assaulting a federal officer (a Secret Service Agent), felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. At a detention hearing on Sept. 23, Routh was ordered to remain in federal custody pending trial. If convicted, Routh faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

    According to court records, Routh was convicted of felonies in North Carolina in December 2002 and March 2010.

    The FBI is investigating the case, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and U.S. Secret Service.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida and National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Riding into a new home

    Source: South Australia Police

    South Australia Police Mounted Operations Unit has moved to its new home at Gepps Cross.

    The mounted police officers and stable hands have spent the past few days relocating from Thebarton Barracks to this state-of-the-art facility.

    Commissioner of Police Grant Stevens said the wellbeing of the 32 police horses has been key in all design decisions.

    “Our highly trained police horses assist in crime reduction, deterrence and are a key part of our policing response to protest activity,” Commissioner Stevens said.

    “The large undercover arena will give our Mounted Operations Unit the space to train for these incidents year-round.

    “The 32 ventilated stables can house the entire mounted cadre, while the onsite paddocks mean the horses can be moved depending on their needs.”

    The stables also include cross tie areas, offices, uniform and equipment storage, a vet station, wash facilities, round yards, carparking and elements of history from the Thebarton Barracks stables.

    “The facilities have been designed to ensure operational flow and efficiencies to streamline work of the Mounted Operations Officers who have equipment and storage nearby which creates efficiencies,” Commissioner Stevens said.

    Furthermore, the site has environmentally friendly additions, with 350,000 litres of rainwater storage, 200kw of solar panels and has been revegetated with endemic species of around 14,000 plants.

    The Gepps Cross site will also house the Dog Operations Unit and staff offices, who will move in early next year.

    Minister for Police Dan Cregan said providing both Units new and improved facilities would support community safety.

    “These Units are critical to SA Police’s operational capabilities and we are delivering the resources needed to set them up for the long-term,” Minister Cregan said.

    “A modern, fit-for-purpose home for the police greys and dogs will support the work of officers for decades to come.”

    Mounted Operations has been a part of South Australia Police history since it was formed in 1838 with a small contingent of mounted troopers. The police greys have been an integral part of SA Police since World War 1 and is the only Australian police service that specifically uses greys.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Reproductive coercion is a form of gender-based violence. It’s likely more common than we realise

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Desireé LaGrappe, PhD Candidate & Coordinator, Reducing Gender-based Violence Network | NHMRC and Fulbright grantee, La Trobe University

    Peopleimages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    From contraception access to safe abortion, there is growing awareness about reproductive health and rights.

    Around the world, reproductive rights and justice are issues of political debate and on the electoral ballot. But for some, the greatest threat to their reproductive autonomy is being wielded by those closest to them.

    Last week, preliminary findings were presented from the Australian Study of Health and Relationships on the prevalence of reproductive coercion and abuse nationally. This form of gender-based violence is where someone seeks to control another person’s reproductive choices using physical, sexual, and/or emotional violence or threats. The study included 4,540 participants aged 16–69 years.

    Early analysis showed one in 20 reported experiencing controlling behaviours over contraception, pregnancy and abortion.

    So what makes these controlling behaviours different from other forms of abuse? And how can we find out more?

    What is it?

    Reproductive coercion and abuse is mostly perpetrated against women, girls and LGBTQIA+ people, usually by a partner, parent or in-law.

    Someone might do this by trying to coerce or force the other person to become pregnant or have an abortion. This can look like:

    • relentlessly pressuring the person to have a baby when they don’t want to

    • refusing to let them use birth control, or withholding or destroying it

    • harassing or stalking them to find out if they had an abortion.

    The recent rapid review for government on approaches to prevent gender-based violence does not mention the words “reproductive coercion and abuse”. But it has been clearly identified in several domestic and family violence-related deaths in Australia.

    These controlling behaviours intersect with domestic, family and sexual violence. However, reproductive coercion is unique, because it weaponises someone’s reproductive capacity in order to control them.

    Partners can be coerced into going through with a pregnancy against their wishes.
    Tapao/Shutterstock

    What we don’t know

    The Australian Study of Health and Relationships is only undertaken every ten years and the latest survey is the first to estimate how common controlling another person’s reproductive rights might be on a national scale. The results of the survey provide essential data for sexual and reproductive health policies and programs across Australia.

    However, there are no data for comparison yet to look for trends over time.

    The reported one-in-20 prevalence is likely an underestimation. This is because we know people tend to under-report abuse and might not recognise or process what’s happening to them at the time, a typical trauma response.

    And subtle emotional manipulation or pressure can be difficult to capture in broad population surveys.

    Previous studies have conflated reproductive coercion and abuse with sexual violence or have failed to ask about abortion or the different types of relationships where this abuse occurs.

    Any measure should be developed with people with lived experience and designed so communities like First Nations Australians, LGBTQIA+ people, people living with disability, migrants and refugees, and young people are properly represented. Too often they are not included in co-design processes or their experiences are made invisible by data gaps.

    Last month, the report into Missing and murdered First Nations women and children revealed that Closing the Gap data on violence against women and children is out of date and the actual number of Indigenous women and children murdered or disappeared is unknown.

    Last year’s Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability similarly drew attention to the increased prevalence of abuse suffered by women with disability and the lack of proper consultation to involve them in solutions.

    Our La Trobe and University of Melbourne team is developing a new rigorous measure to better capture the complex behaviours missed by other measures. It’s intended to compare reproductive coercion and abuse prevalence across different countries and strengthen how we measure the effect of future interventions.

    Once developed, testing will start in maternal and child health settings. This is because the risk of abuse is heightened around childbirth and nurses and midwives are well positioned to safely identify and support patients.

    Additional steps will be needed to determine what questions are best for health-care workers to ask to identify at-risk patients and respond – without putting them in more danger.

    Coercion is happening within a global context – a fight for reproductive rights.
    Benjamin Clapp/Shutterstock

    Where to from here? And where to get help

    Reproductive coercion and abuse needs to have a larger focus in the current national discussion on gender-based violence and prevention.

    A 2023 Senate inquiry into universal access to reproductive health care called for more research into reproductive coercion and abuse to inform guidelines and training for health-care workers. This will require better measurement of the full extent and patterns of the problem. We hope policy makers appropriately resource these areas critical to ending gender-based violence.

    People experiencing reproductive coercion and abuse can contact 1800 My Options (VIC), Children by Choice (QLD) or 1800 Respect (National) for professional help.

    Desireé LaGrappe is a PhD candidate of La Trobe University and the SPHERE CRE. She is employed casually by La Trobe and receives funding for this research from the NHMRC and previously from the US Dept. of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. She is affiliated with the SPHERE Coalition, Family Planning Australia, the Nursing Network on Violence Against Women International, Sigma, and the Australian Fulbright Alumni Association.

    Angela Taft received funding from NHMRC as a CI on the SPHERE Centre for Research Excellence (CRE) on Sexual and Reproductive Health and the Safer Families CRE. She is affiliated with the SPHERE Coalition and PHAA.

    Kristina Edvardsson receives funding from the NHMRC as an investigator on the SPHERE CRE.

    Laura Tarzia receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and is an investigator on the SPHERE CRE. She is collaborating with the ASHR team on their research into reproductive coercion and abuse. She is affiliated with the Safer Families Centre and the Royal Women’s Hospital.

    Leesa Hooker receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Department of Social Services. She is affiliated with the SPHERE CRE and the Safer Families Centre.

    – ref. Reproductive coercion is a form of gender-based violence. It’s likely more common than we realise – https://theconversation.com/reproductive-coercion-is-a-form-of-gender-based-violence-its-likely-more-common-than-we-realise-239606

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: New Zealanders’ trust in key institutions declines – Stats NZ media and information release: Wellbeing statistics: 2023

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    New Zealanders’ trust in key institutions declines – 25 September 2024 – Data from the 2023 General Social Survey (GSS) found that trust held by New Zealanders in institutions like the health system, education system, parliament, media, police, and courts has declined since 2021, according to wellbeing statistics released by Stats NZ today.

    People in Aotearoa New Zealand remained satisfied with their lives as a whole in 2023, with an overall satisfaction rating of 7.6 out of 10, which is similar to the 7.7 rating in 2021.

    “As a result of recent global events such as COVID-19, our society has faced a number of challenges. Institutional trust, trust in other people, sense of belonging, and a sense of safety are all important measures of people feeling part of society,” wellbeing and housing statistics manager Sarah Drake said.

    Some key measures of trust and social wellbeing have declined since 2021. These areas included trust in institutions, trust in most people in New Zealand, sense of belonging to New Zealand, and a sense of safety.

    Visit Statistics NZ’s website to read this news story and information release and to download CSV files:

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Disaster Declaration for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama  Nation

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. declared that a major disaster exists for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and ordered federal aid to supplement the Tribal Nation’s efforts in the areas affected by wildfires from June 22 to July 8, 2024.
    The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.
    Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.
    Federal funding also is available to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the wildfires.
    Lastly, Federal funding is available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.
    Ms. Tonia Pence of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been appointed to coordinate Federal recovery operations in the affected areas. 
    Additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the Tribal Nation and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
    Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service. 
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION MEDIA SHOULD CONTACT THE FEMA NEWS DESK AT (202) 646-3272 OR FEMA-NEWS-DESK@FEMA.DHS.GOV.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. LaMalfa Announces Grant Awards for Disaster Recovery and Preparedness in District 1

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

    (Washington, DC)—Rep. LaMalfa released the following statement announcing that a total of $4,106,321 has been awarded to our district for critical disaster recovery and preparedness projects. These grants will support various initiatives aimed at enhancing resilience, improving emergency management, and ensuring effective fire prevention and protection.

    “I am pleased that these important projects received these awards. Strengthening our ability to respond to and recover from disasters is an issue greatly needed by our constituents here in the 1st district. By improving emergency planning, fire prevention, and connectivity, we will be better able to handle the next disaster that occurs. For instance, our overgrown forests or the inadequate infrastructure in our flood zones, with future concerns being the newly created zones on the Klamath River via dam destruction.”

    Below is a breakdown of the awarded grants:

    • Butte County Foothill Rebuild Barrier Removal Project: $1,014,383

    • Butte County Emergency Operations Planning Project: $490,000

      • Funding will be used to update the Emergency Operations Plan and essential annexes, enhancing disaster preparedness and response. This project will benefit all county residents by improving our local emergency management strategies.

    • Butte County Fire Prevention and Protection Community Education Expansion Project: $1,000,000

      • This grant will expand education on fire prevention through an extensive outreach campaign, increasing awareness and proactive measures. It will also improve availability for fire inspections in isolated areas, helping to reduce fire risks.

    • Butte County Broadband Mitigation Through Connectivity Project: $451,938

      • This project will develop a Connectivity Action Plan to improve communication in remote rugged areas. This plan will guide future investments in broadband infrastructure, enhancing disaster response and connectivity for rural constituencies.

    • City of Redding Risk Assessment and Strategic Planning Project: $150,000

    • City of Redding Storm Drain Master Plan Update: $1,000,000

      • This grant will be used to update the city’s storm drain plan to address current conditions and risks. This will enhance flood management and protect residential, commercial, and public facilities from flood hazards.

    Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Steward of Democracy: Rep. Jim Costa Honored by the Ukrainian Parliament and President Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, was awarded the Honorary Diploma of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, one of the highest distinguished awards by the Ukrainian Parliament. This prestigious accolade recognizes Costa’s unwavering support for Ukraine and his commitment to defending democracy.

    The Honorary Diploma was presented to Congressman Costa during a visit to Ukraine, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian leaders, and members of the Ukrainian Parliament.

    “I am honored to receive this accolade and will continue to work with Ukraine to help it defend itself and preserve its sovereignty. The United States and Ukraine share a commitment to democracy and security. I look forward to continuing our collaboration and standing with the resilient Ukrainian people,” said Costa.

    BACKGROUND
    Congressman Jim Costa’s visit to Ukraine was marked by productive dialogues on critical issues, including security cooperation, economic development, and humanitarian aid. Costa was joined by Representatives Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and Don Bacon (NE-02).

    Costa’s meeting with President Zelenskyy highlighted the deepening partnership between the U.S. and Ukraine and underscored the importance of continued support for Ukraine’s democratic aspirations and territorial integrity. President Zelenskyy spoke in detail about the situation on the front and the priority needs of the Ukrainian Defense Forces. Costa responded by indicating the importance of maintaining solidarity with the Ukrainian people, and our European allies to defend democracy.

    Members traveled through Konovaltsia and Kokorudza streets in Lviv, Ukraine, where a Russian missile killed seven people, including three children on September 4, 2024. One of the buildings damaged in the Russian attack was the Lviv Oblast Centre for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation on Konovaltsia Street, a 130-year-old architectural monument.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed to the members that he will present Ukraine’s victory plan to U.S. President Biden, Congress, and both U.S. presidential candidates soon. 

    A folder of photos and videos is available HERE.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Jim Costa Leading Effort to Increase Access to Rural Housing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

    WASHINGTON – Amidst budget negotiations, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) is calling on Congressional Budget leaders to increase funding and address application processing delays for a key federal program to build more affordable housing in the San Joaquin Valley and rural America.

    The letter, spearheaded by Costa, calls for a return to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 funding level of $1.258 billion for the Section 502 Direct Loan Program in the federal budget. The House Agriculture budget bill includes $950 million for FY25, while the Senate bill allocates $1 billion, falling far short of meeting nationwide demand.

    “Significant delays in processing loan applications are impacting thousands of families nationwide, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, jeopardizing their dreams of achieving homeownership, and impeding their ability to contribute to their local, rural economies,” wrote the lawmakers.

    “These backlogs and processing delays are largely due to chronic underfunding of the Section 502 Direct Loan Program, which has ripple effects throughout rural communities. The resulting uncertainty leaves local contractors and vendors involved in housing construction in limbo and their livelihoods impacted.” the lawmakers continued, “Addressing these operational inefficiencies is essential not only for meeting the housing needs of our constituents but also for supporting sustainable economic growth in rural America.”

    The letter was signed by Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Vicente Gonzalez (CA-34), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), and Joyce Beatty (OH-03).

    “Unfortunately, this year has brought a crisis to both the families that we serve and the families that depend on our business. The approved funding for USDA Home Loans in California has been depleted, leaving families in limbo, unable to close on their new homes. These families, some of whom have been waiting for over a year and a half, continue to live in substandard conditions while brand-new homes sit completed and ready for occupancy,” said Leonel Alvarado, Century Builders.  

    “The USDA Section 502 loan program has made homeownership possible for rural families across America and in the San Joaquin Valley for many years. No Member of Congress has been a greater champion of this important program than Congressman Jim Costa. In the House, Congressman Costa has led the effort to ensure that Section 502 funds are available for families living in small towns and farming communities in California and across the country. We are deeply grateful for his unwavering support,” said Bob Rapoza, National Rural Housing Coalition.

    BACKGROUND
    The Section 502 Direct Loan Program has been instrumental in providing affordable housing, especially for low-income families, farmworkers, and communities like Orosi, Parlier, and Orange Cove, where affordable housing is scarce. However, significant delays in processing loan applications have impacted over 47 families in California’s 21st Congressional District and 354 families in California, amounting to a total of $102 million in loans.

    Delays in processing Section 502 Direct Loan applications are exacerbating existing housing challenges in rural America, where affordable housing options are already limited. These loans enable low- and moderate-income rural residents to acquire affordable housing rates for their use as a residence by purchasing a new or existing dwelling or a new manufactured home. 

    Local contractors, small business owners, and vendors involved in housing construction and renovation projects are also affected, as uncertainty in funding and project timelines impacts their livelihoods.

    Data from the US Census found that the average annual production of new single-family houses in non-metro areas was 221,000 between 1999 and 2008. However, from 2009 to 2017, this average dropped dramatically to 68,000 per year.

    A copy of the full letter is available HERE.

    Learn more about the Section 502 Direct Loan Program.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Universities – New research targets end-of-life decision making – UoA

    Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

    As Aotearoa grapples with a strained healthcare system and an ageing population, a new research project is setting out to improve end-of-life care for older people.

    Led by University of Auckland Associate Professor Julie Harrison, the study aims to help older people, their families and clinicians make informed decisions about interventions like surgery or extended hospital stays.

    “End-of-life decisions are tough, especially in stressful situations,” says Harrison, who specialises in performance measurement within health services, health funding models, and costing systems in healthcare settings.

    “We want to find ways to better support kaumātua and their whānau to make choices that align with their values.”

    The project, funded by the Health Research Council, will be conducted at Waikato Hospital and involve researchers from the University of Auckland and the University of Waikato.

    The researchers will examine how kaumātua and their whānau make health decisions, gather insights from the families of those who have died after a hospital visit, and explore clinicians’ views on informed decision making.

    The goal is to create a pathway that supports better decision making, allowing more people to spend their final days at home and reducing unnecessary hospital interventions.

    With an ageing population creating a higher demand for health and social care, the project also aims to identify potential cost savings within the healthcare system, which could be redirected to other vital services.

    Harrison, who works in the Business School’s accounting and finance department, will focus on identifying the cost side considerations.

    “A lot of healthcare costs are incurred at the end of life,” she says, “and decisions around treatment options are challenging for everyone involved.”

    Some of the decisions people face in the final year of their life include what kind of health interventions they want – whether they wish to have all possible treatments and potentially spend more time in the hospital or undergo less treatment and spend their final days at home.

    “These are hard conversations to have, and we’re doing this study to help understand what people actually want, whether they have the information they need, and the costs of the different options for the system and for families.

    “It’s about helping kaumātua and their families to better understand the treatments available and to select the care pathway that best fits what they’re looking for and the way in which they want to spend their final months and days.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –