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  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray, WA Food Banks, and Farmers Lay Out How Trump’s Cuts to Local Food Programs Will Hurt Families and Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Washington state is set to lose nearly $25 million this year to help schools and food banks feed hungry kids and families with fresh local food because of Trump and Elon’s senseless cuts at USDA
    ICYMI: Senator Murray, Colleagues Condemn Trump Canceling USDA Local Food Purchasing Programs
    ***WATCH HERE***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a virtual press conference to call out the Trump administration’s recent, sudden, and senseless cuts to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that help local food banks, school districts, and child care centers purchase locally-grown produce, meat, seafood, and other food from farmers in Washington state.
    Last month, the Trump administration inexplicably ripped away more than $660 million in funding for the Local Food for Schools Program (LFS)—which schools and child care facilities in Washington state use to purchase berries, meat, seafood, and more from local farmers and producers—as well as $500 million from the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program (LFPA) and $500 million from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which helps food banks buy nutritious food from local farms for the communities they serve.
    Washington state is set to lose nearly $25 million in federal funding it was set to receive from these programs this year alone—a $3.6 million cut to LFS, $11.8 million cut to LFPA, and a $10.5 million cut to TEFAP—and the Trump administration’s cuts have left schools and food banks scrambling to fill the gap.
    “Right now, some of the richest and most powerful men in the world, are stealing food from our kids. Apparently, there is plenty of room in the budget for tax breaks that fork over billions of dollars to people who already have billions of dollars. But keeping kids fed—that’s a bridge too far for Trump. Keeping food banks stocked—that is just too expensive. Investing in our farmers, and our families—well that is just not as important as padding Elon’s pockets,” said Senator Murray on the press call today. “These programs support American farmers—by buying their products, like cherries, raspberries, blueberries, and other produce Washington state is known for, or nutritious salmon from local fishermen, and meat from local farms…And it is not just farmers getting hit—we’re talking about food banks that serve seniors, parents, and people struggling to make ends meet. Schools who rely on these programs to help feed their students, so all our kids are able to focus on their classes—not on a grumbling stomach…And we know at least 23 of our school districts in Washington state have already withdrawn from the program next school year because they just don’t have room in their budgets to make up for the shortfall caused by Trump and Elon.”
    “Food insecurity in WA has increased annually since 2021, from one in seven households to one in four households. A recent longitudinal study conducted by UW and WSU between 2021-2024 reported that over 50 percent of households have some level of food insecurity, and it raises to over 70 percent for households with children. Food insecurity is on a steady and aggressive incline; it is moving up into the middle class. More working families are food insecure than I’ve seen in the past decade. The emergency food system for Eastern Washington needs more food. Any reduction in food sourcing compounds the growing problem of food insecurity,” said Cal Coblentz, Chief Executive Officer at Partners Inland Northwest in Spokane, the largest food pantry in Spokane County. Partners is the lead agency for Spokane County’s emergency food pantry network and also manages several food programs for Spokane County for the Washington State Department of Agriculture. “These federal funds provide food banks with purchasing power to buy locally produced food for our food bank customers. It’s powerful because we can build relationships with local farms and ranchers. One of the best ways to improve your health is buying food that’s produced close to where you live. This fiscal year, Partners will have used $350,000 of Local Food Purchase Assistance Program funding to buy 60,000 pounds of beef, which we distribute throughout the county. That’s about 120 cows. The LFPA program closes out this June and has been cancelled going forward; that’s at least 30,000 pounds of beef that we won’t be able to purchase and distribute. Additionally, $406,000 in current orders for Spokane County through The Emergency Food Assistance Program have been canceled. Long-term, if TEFAP were reduced or eliminated, we could see at least a 5 percent reduction in food across our panty system.”
    “As a farm business, we were really excited by the idea that we had an expanding local market, and in our industry, new markets are far and few between for sure. Costs are rising, costs of production are rising. We heard about this funding cut right as we had already purchased all of our seeds, we’d made our plans for the upcoming season… So, this was a big blow to us, and [LFPA] was actually a program that was working and that we saw growth in since COVID and over the last four years—there’s been a lot of efficient streamlining that’s happened across all agencies to make this program and these relationships viable and productive. And it benefited us financially,” said Haley Olson-Wailand, Co-owner of Dharma Ridge Farm on the Olympic Peninsula in Quilcene, which grows between 80-100 acres of WSDA-certified organic vegetables. Sales to Food Banks utilizing Local Food Purchasing Agreement (LFPA) funds made up just under 20 percent of Dharma Ridge Farm’s gross sales in 2024. “Access to fresh food is the missing link for a lot of people, and they need consistent access to that fresh food, and we were providing that. And it was not only providing that access to our community members who needed the food, but it was also providing a direct new market for us as farmers—and it’s devastating to lose that.”
    “As of now, our TEFAP commodities are at risk of being cut by one-third due to TEFAP funding being under review. This funding allows the state to purchase dry, frozen, and fresh commodities for us to distribute in our community. On average we receive 50,000 pounds of TEFAP product each month. If TEFAP is cut, we will lose 16,000 pounds of food for the 48,000 clients our partner organizations feed each month,” said Madeline McGonagle, Food Access Manager, Skagit Food Distribution Center in Sedro-Woolley, which is the lead agency in Skagit, Island, and San Juan counties for Food Assistance Programs through the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). “For the past couple of years, we have also had funding through the LFPA that has allowed us to purchase fresh food products from local producers and food businesses. Our current LFPA contract that began in July of 2023 and concludes in June of this year totaled $133,071. All of those funds have gone to food purchases from 33 producers and food businesses in our area through Skagit, San Juan, Whatcom, and Snohomish counties. To date, we have purchased 44,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, frozen meat, and eggs to distribute to our 14 partner organizations. In the beginning of the year we were under the impression there would be another round of these funds starting in July of 2025. However, we were recently notified by the WSDA that this program had been terminated by the USDA. While we still have funds to carry our purchasing through June, we will have no purchasing dollars come July. This will directly impact the food pantries who have been consistently receiving fresh products from us for the past two years. With the abundance of local purchasing funding, we had last year we decided to contract with local growers to specifically grow products for us to buy throughout the growing season. This was an opportunity for growers in their first or second seasons to have reliable sales throughout the season. It also ensured we had a reliable supply of products for the food pantries. With the termination of the LFPA contract we will not be able to do that again this year. Skagit has a strong and diverse agricultural community and the LFPA has lifted that community while also lifting members of the community who are experiencing food insecurity. The loss of this program will certainly have profound negative impacts in our community.”
    According to Leanne Eko, Chief Nutrition Officer of Child Nutrition Services the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Washington state received $3.6 million in funding for the LFS program during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, which supported the purchase of domestic, locally grown foods from local producers, small businesses, and farmers and producers for distribution to schools. OSPI leveraged its existing USDA Food Distribution System and LFS funding to support Washington school districts’ engagement in Farm to School programs by facilitating local food procurement, reducing transportation costs, and simplifying ordering logistics.
    Through the LFS program:
    Nearly 600,000 pounds of local, unprocessed or minimally processed foods were made available to Washington children;
    Between LFS funds and school district purchases, over $3,000,000 was spent on local producers and vendors;
    Over 850,000 students had access to local foods in their school meal programs;
    and 23 unique unprocessed or minimally processed foods were purchased from local producers.
    USDA announced the continuation of the LFS program and a new Local Foods for Child Care (LFCC) program in December of 2024. Washington was to receive $8,840,854 in LFS funds and $2,687,472 in LFCC funds. On March 7,2025 OSPI received a Termination Notice for the Local Food for Schools and Local Food for Child Care program project agreement. The termination noticed cited that the agreement “no longer effectuates agency priorities.” While LFS foods will continue to be available for the 2025-26 school year, interested school districts will now have to cover the full cost of products, including shipping and warehousing, due to the Trump administration’s cancellation of federal funding.
    Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered on today’s press call are below and video is HERE:
    “Thank you to all for participating. Right now, some of the richest and most powerful men in the world, are stealing food from our kids.
    “Apparently, there is plenty of room in the budget for tax breaks that fork over billions of dollars to people who already have billions of dollars.
    “But keeping kids fed—that’s a bridge too far for Trump. Keeping food banks stocked—that is just too expensive. Investing in our farmers, and our families—well that is just not as important as padding Elon’s pockets.
    “‘Won’t someone think of the poor billionaires!’ That’s what Trump and Musk seem to be saying at least.
    “Because in the last month they have canceled over 1.6 billion dollars for programs that feed hungry kids and help farmers.
    “Including nearly 25 million dollars that was heading to Washington state this year alone.
    “Last month the Trump administration made the sudden, senseless, and downright cruel decision to cut: $660 million from LFS, that’s the Local Food for Schools Program, which schools and child care facilities rely on to purchase food from nearby farms, they cut $500 million from LFPA, that’s the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program, which helps food banks buy nutritious local food for the communities they serve, and $500 million from TEFAP, that’s the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which helps get more food from farms to nearby food banks to people facing hunger.
    “And on top of that, Trump’s USDA also canceled this year’s round of Farm to School grants, which helps schools develop and implement local food purchasing programs and school gardens.
    “Look—these are federal dollars that I worked very hard to pass in a bipartisan way—so we can fight hunger, and keep our families fed.
    “And these programs support American farmers—by buying their products, like cherries, raspberries, blueberries, and other produce Washington state is known for, or nutritious salmon from local fishermen, and meat from local farms.
    “And I just want to talk for a minute about this. Because remember what else is happening right now: Trump is telling farmers they need to sell more of their products inside the U.S because of his boneheaded tariffs.
    “Which, by the way, shows he doesn’t have a clue—because many of our top producers export up to 90 percent of their products.
    “But then, at the very same time, Trump is eliminating farmers’ access to domestic markets by cutting important programs that help them sell locally! Make it make sense. It’s almost as if their plan is to hammer farmers as hard as they can!
    “And it is not just farmers getting hit—we’re talking about food banks that serve seniors, parents, and people struggling to make ends meet. Schools who rely on these programs to help feed their students, so all our kids are able to focus on their classes—not on a grumbling stomach.
    “In Washington alone, the Local Food for Schools program helped feed 850,000 students!
    “Now, school districts are having to make the painful decision to either keep participating in the program, and pay full price for the local food they are supposed to be getting steep discounts on, or not participate at all.
    “And we know at least 23 of our school districts in Washington state have already withdrawn from the program next school year because they just don’t have room in their budgets to make up for the shortfall caused by Trump and Elon.
    “And the way Trump and Musk are cutting these programs—with maximum chaos—isn’t saving money, it is not, so much as it it’s threatening to waste food that was already ordered and leave families hungry.
    “Truck deliveries were cancelled without warning or reason—and without any real plan to keep that food from rotting away. I mean, if you want to talk about waste—that is a real waste, caused by Trump and Musk, and the cost for their incompetence is being paid by the kids who Trump is leaving to go hungry.
    “Our President should not be pro-hunger. Two billionaires should not be rewriting national hunger programs to, essentially, say to families “let them eat cake.”
    “Instead, we should be making common sense investments in our famers, and in our families, and doing the basic, decent work of making sure kids and families do not go hungry.
    “This is government 101, literally bread and butter stuff.
    “Well, as Elon and Trump continue to do everything they can to break our government, I am not going to let this funding fall through the cracks.
    “Lifting up our voices, speaking up about what is at stake—that still matters. That can still make a difference. And that is why we are here today, to talk about what these programs actually mean for people and for our communities, to put these cuts in the spotlight, and to show just how devastating they are going to be for families in Washington state.
    “And I’m really pleased to be joined by some people who really have a deep understanding of this.
    “So, now I’ll turn it over to Cal, he’s with Partners Inland Northwest.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray, Cantwell, and Rep. Larsen Reintroduce Legislation to Permanently Reauthorize Northwest Straits Commission

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Senator Murray has worked tirelessly to fund the Northwest Straits Commission every single year since 1998
    Washington, D.C. — Today, Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), introduced the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025, legislation to permanently reauthorize the Northwest Straits Commission in the Puget Sound, and fund it at $10 million each fiscal year for the next six years, through Fiscal Year 2031. Joining Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, and Rep. Larsen in introducing the legislation today was U.S. Representative Emily Randall (D, WA-06).
    The Northwest Straits Commission is a community-led effort to restore marine habitats in the Northwest Straits region and address local threats to marine environments with projects such as restoring shellfish populations, protecting vulnerable ecosystems, and promoting growth for native water and shore-based plants. The Northwest Straits Commission provides funding, training, and support to seven county-based Marine Resources Committees (MRCs) and 15 Tribes. The Commission advises local officials on how to best carry out environmental projects and provides expertise to community organizations to help them be partners in their work by, for example, training volunteers to identify forage fish spawning sites. Senator Murray led the authorization of the Northwest Straits Commission in 1998 and has secured federal funding for the Commission every single year in the decades since.
    “Ensuring our rich marine resources in the Northwest Straits stay healthy is critical not only for local communities and Tribes, but also for our economy in Washington state. That’s why I first established the Northwest Straits Commission in a bipartisan way back in 1998, and fight to secure funding for it every single year,” said Senator Murray. “The Commission remains a model for how successful investments in community-led restoration projects can be, and how vital they are for restoration work that help our marine habitats recover and thrive. I am excited to continue leading the charge to permanently authorize the Northwest Straits Commission with this legislation, which would also provide a strong and consistent funding stream for the Commission over the next decade—making sure partners on the ground can expand their efforts to protect our marine species and habitats and support our outdoor recreation economy. I’ll continue fighting every way I can to secure the federal funding necessary to protect our natural resources for generations to come.”
    “The Northwest Straits Commission has an impressive track record of community-led, well-executed projects that protect Washington state’s environment,” said Rep. Larsen, the lead Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. “I am proud to support the Commission as it brings together a diverse group of local, state, tribal and federal stakeholders to restore marine habitats and create good jobs in Northwest Washington. I look forward to working with Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell and Rep. Randall to pass this bill to reauthorize the Commission so it can continue its important work for decades to come.”
    “The Northwest Straits bill is critical to supporting our robust coastal economy and fishing jobs, while preserving Washington’s coastal environment for generations to come,” Senator Cantwell said. “This legislation ensures we continue to support the health and sustainability of our diverse marine resources.”
    “From abalone beds and oysters, to the rugged coastline that stretches for hundreds of miles, folks from Washington’s 6th District know there’s no place quite like home. The Northwest Straits Commission has been a lifeline for our communities, providing critical resources like the Marine Resources Committees in Jefferson and Clallam counties, and working alongside Tribes all across the state,” said Rep. Randall. “Their collaborative efforts to restore and protect our marine habitats are a testament to what makes this place so special. I’m proud to co-lead this legislation to reauthorize and continue the Commission’s important work so we can continue working together to safeguard the precious marine resources that make our community and our state one-of-a-kind.”
    The Northwest Straits Commission is supported by a wide range of stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, elected leaders, and Tribal partners throughout the Puget Sound Region.
    “I am continually amazed by how well the Northwest Straits Initiative builds successful partnerships and brings people together to protect and restore the marine resources of Washington’s Northwest Straits region. Using a bottom-up approach, the Initiative encourages people and communities to take positive action, often as volunteers, to conserve our marine waters and shorelines,” said Lucas Hart, Director of Northwest Straits Commission. “Last year, we worked with over 70 partners and generated more than 10,000 volunteer hours to implement a range of local and regional marine resource stewardship projects. Sen. Murray’s legislation to reauthorize the Initiative will help continue these critical partnerships and ongoing volunteer engagement.”
    “The NWS Initiative connects across a wide range of partners to restore and recover Puget Sound ecosystems that support species like salmon and Dungeness crab. Achieving true restoration will require a collective effort, and the Initiative plays a key role by cultivating community-driven collaboration,” said Cecilia Gobin, Tribal Delegate to Northwest Straits Commission, and conservation policy analyst with the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. “This work is crucial to our region, which has a long history of relying on and enjoying marine resources. We are very happy to see Senator Murray moving forward with this reauthorization bill.”
    “The Northwest Straits Initiative is a unique bottom-up approach to marine resource stewardship in north Puget Sound. The work benefits commercial fishing, aquaculture, rural businesses, and recreational boating that all rely on healthy marine waters,” said Jamie Stevens, Governor’s appointee to Northwest Straits Commission.
    “Senator Murray has been a tireless advocate for Washington’s environment,” said Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson. “The Initiative brings together people representing different economic, recreational, and environmental interests to prevent derelict boats, restore native oysters, and control invasive green crab. The reauthorization bill will continue to help preserve Washington’s marine waters and shorelines for future generations.”
    “I have had the privilege of working for and with Senator Murray to develop and support the Northwest Straits Initiative. It is exciting to see this vital preservation work continue for nearly three decades,” said Casey Sixkiller, Director of Washington State Department of Ecology. “The Initiative has stood the test of time by empowering and helping local people steward the marine resources in their backyards. It has been invaluable in helping restore forage fish for salmon and better understanding the value of vibrant kelp forests in Puget Sound. I am incredibly thankful to Senator Murray for championing this important legislation.”
    “Since 1998, the Northwest Straits Initiative has been integral in working with communities across Puget Sound to restore marine resources,” said Alan Clark, Clallam County Marine Resources Committee. “By partnering with volunteers, Tribes, agencies, ports, and a variety of other partners, the Initiative has built a large network—from fishermen and Tribal biologists to educators and shellfish growers—working together to restore species like the Pinto abalone and promote stewardship through efforts like ‘Be Whale Wise.’ This growing community is the heart of lasting, effective marine conservation in our region.”
    “In Jefferson County we look to our MRC as local experts on marine issues. Through MRCs, the NW Straits Initiative serves a vital role in shaping local and regional policies, including our Comprehensive Plans and Shoreline Master Programs, and have proven themselves to be creative and thoughtful leaders on behalf of our marine environment,” said Heidi Eisenhour, Jefferson County Commissioner.
    “Eelgrass in the San Juans is struggling more than elsewhere in Puget Sound. We need to identify actions that preserve these critical habitats, but that also support a positive boating experience and provide for unhindered access to usual and accustomed treaty tribal fishing areas,” said Frances Robertson, San Juan Marine Resources Committee boater impact project lead. “Being recognized as a federal program highlights the important role of the Northwest Straits Initiative in uniting local communities, regional, (and transboundary) partners for marine conservation and restoration efforts that fosters a healthy and vibrant marine environment for all.”
    “We have deeply benefited from our partnership with the Northwest Straits Initiative over the years,” said Jodie Toft, Executive Director of Puget Sound Restoration Fund. “While the focus of our shared work has been on shellfish and kelp restoration, the Initiative’s support of local engagement in marine resource stewardship is broader. Their efforts have been invaluable as we all work towards preserving recreational and economic opportunities in Puget Sound. We are excited to see Senator Murray’s leadership to reauthorize this important program and ensure long-term community engagement for the marine waters and people of this region.”
    The Northwest Straits Commission was established following the bipartisan partnership of Senator Murray and former Congressman Jack Metcalf. Murray and Metcalf released a report in 1998 that laid the groundwork for the Northwest Straits Commission and its work protecting marine habitats, and later that year, Senator Murray successfully authorized the Northwest Straits Commission for a six-year period. Over the years, Senator Murray has helped secure tens of millions of dollars in federal funding for the Northwest Straits Commission’s restoration work and research—part of Senator Murray’s longtime, steadfast commitment to salmon recovery in the Pacific Northwest.
    Last year, as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray secured $1 million for the Northwest Straits Initiative through programmatic funding in the appropriations bills she wrote and passed into law in March 2024—this was the first time Northwest Straits received programmatic funding since the original authorization expired in 2004, and is significant in helping to ensure the Commission is funded long into the future. In the appropriations bills for Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023, Senator Murray secured a total of $6 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding for the Northwest Straits Commission; that funding was essential to the removal of the “Windjammer” sailboat that had been partially submerged near the Kukutali Preserve since 2009 on Swinomish Tribal tideland. Prior to the return of Congressionally Directed Spending in Fiscal Year 2022, Murray ensured the Northwest Straits Commission received annual funding through the EPA’s Puget Sound Geographic Program. Prior to that, Murray secured CDS funding for the Northwest Straits Commission after the original authorization for the Commission expired in 2004.
    The text of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Graham Introduce Latest Version of Trade Manufacturing Policy to Hold China Accountable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced the latest version of the Foreign Pollution Fee Act to level the playing field for American manufacturers and workers by holding non-market economies like China accountable for their unfair trade practices. The legislation puts America’s efficient manufacturers at the center of industrial strategy, strengthening our economic resilience, reducing supply chain dependence on adversaries, and rewarding innovation in production. The original Foreign Pollution Fee Act was updated this year to incorporate feedback received during a public comment period. 
    “Other countries can decrease their cost of manufacturing by 20 percent by not enforcing the laws we take for granted. This means they take our jobs too. This is wrong,” said Dr. Cassidy. “It’s time the U.S. promotes fair trade, preserves jobs in Louisiana and elsewhere, and revives American manufacturing. That helps fulfill President Trump’s goal of rebuilding the Golden Age.”
    “It is long past time that the polluters of the world, like China and others, pay a price for their policies. This bill calls out the foreign polluters and rewards American businesses who are doing the right thing,” said Senator Graham. “We are leveling the playing field, and American manufacturers and business will be the biggest beneficiaries.”
    The Foreign Pollution Fee Act: 
    Combats China’s Exploitation of Trade Rules: This policy will level the playing field for U.S. businesses by countering the unfair practices of non-market economies like China, ensuring American manufacturers can compete and thrive.
    Strengthens Global Supply Chain Resilience: Diversifying trade relationships will reduce dependence on adversarial nations, making supply chains more secure against geopolitical disruptions and enhancing national security.
    Revitalizes American Manufacturing: By discouraging imports of pollution-intensive goods, this policy will bring jobs back home, strengthen domestic industries, and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
    Expands U.S. Export Markets: As high-polluting countries modernize their industries, they’ll increasingly demand American-made inputs, feedstocks, and cutting-edge technologies, opening new opportunities for U.S. exports.
    Deepens Trade Ties with Allies: By promoting partnerships with nations that share our economic and environmental values, this policy builds a coalition against predatory practices by the Chinese Communist Party, supporting emerging markets and allies alike.
    Rewards Leadership in Cleaner Manufacturing: The policy incentivizes international partners to adopt cleaner production methods while ensuring that domestic manufacturers maintain a competitive edge by continuing to lead in industrial decarbonization.
    Industry sectors covered by the Foreign Pollution Fee Act include iron, steel, aluminum, cement, glass, fertilizer, hydrogen, solar components, and certain battery inputs.
    Background
    Cassidy and Graham introduced an earlier version of their Foreign Pollution Fee Act to level the playing field with Chinese manufacturing and expand American production in 2023. Earlier this year, Cassidy released a new video featuring vocal support from several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees for the Foreign Pollution Fee Act.  
    The Foreign Pollution Fee Act was a key topic at Cassidy’s Louisiana Energy Security Summit in October 2024.The summit featured ten panels that explored protecting U.S. interests from unfair trade practices, Louisiana’s low-pollution manufacturing advantage, and the role of natural gas in strengthening U.S. geopolitical influence. Panelists included presidents and CEOs from Entergy, First Solar, Buzzi UnicemUSA, Orsted, and Aluminum Technologies, former Trump administration officials, and leaders from Louisiana trade associations and major energy and Fortune 500 companies. 
    In September 2024, he released the 3rd episode of Bill on the Hill, where he highlights his Foreign Pollution Fee Act and discusses China’s growing economy and military coming at the expense of the American worker. After hearing fellow Americans share their concerns, Cassidy presented his plan to address the nexus between economic development, national security, and the environment. 
    He penned editorials in Foreign Affairs, The Washington Times, and jointly in the USA Today Network discussing the geopolitical threat that China poses to U.S. global standing. 
    In 2023, the Louisiana Senate and House of Representatives unanimously adopted a resolution urging Congress to pursue an industrial manufacturing and trade policy to counter competition from China. 
    The Foreign Pollution Fee Act is supported by a variety of key industry and advocacy stakeholders including: Steel Manufacturers Association, U.S. OCTG Manufacturers Association (USOMA), Portland Cement Association, Solar Energy Manufacturers for America (SEMA) Coalition, Ultra Low Carbon Solar Alliance, America First Policy Institute, Carbon Removal Alliance, Heirloom, Climeworks, Climate Leadership Council, Cleaner Economy Coalition (CEC), the Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3), Rainey Center Freedom Project, RepublicEN.org, Carbon Upcycling, Ceres, SAFE’s Center for Strategic Industrial Materials, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, ElementUSA, and Evangelical Environmental Network.
    “The Steel Manufacturers Association thanks Senator Cassidy and Senator Graham for introducing the Foreign Pollution Fee Act. This critical legislation will provide another strong path to ensuring fair trade. America has a tremendous competitive advantage because of its lower emissions manufacturing processes. We make the cleanest steel in the world. This is because the United States lets markets choose the most efficient production technologies and raw materials. However, poor overseas environmental standards, compliance, and enforcement creates an artificial advantage in trade that harms American producers and workers,” said Philip K. Bell, President of the Steel Manufacturers Association. “Current U.S. trade countermeasures are not specifically designed to address unfair trade practices related to the environment. Imposing a fee on foreign pollution helps monetize our environmental advantage and level the playing field. We look forward to working with Senators Cassidy and Graham on the Foreign Pollution Fee Act to support American jobs and competitiveness.”
    “The SEMA Coalition supports Senator Cassidy’s 2025 Foreign Pollution Fee Act. For American solar manufacturers to compete on a level playing field and outcompete China, we need innovative border measures such as a foreign pollution fee. Any successful, long-term strategy to reshore the solar value chain must prioritize taking these steps to safeguard the domestic solar industry from the impacts of global overcapacity,” said Mike Carr, Executive Director of the SEMA Coalition. “We are grateful for Senator Cassidy’s leadership and look forward to working closely with him and the administration to advance trade and tax policies that ensure a level playing field with China and longevity for U.S. solar manufacturers and workers.”
    “The Ultra Low Carbon Solar Alliance congratulates Senators Cassidy and Graham on the introduction of the Foreign Pollution Fee Act of 2025 and is proud to endorse the bill. The members of the Alliance are demonstrating that with the right policy mix U.S. manufacturers can claw back critical energy supply chains in the face of Chinese over subsidization and product dumping,” said Michael Parr, Executive Director of the Ultra Low Carbon Solar Alliance. “In recent years we have begun to re-establish U.S. solar manufacturing at scale, providing a secure supply of U.S. energy generation, bolstering U.S. energy dominance and security. Because solar manufacturing in China is twice as polluting as in the U.S., the Foreign Pollution Fee Act will provide a critical backstop against China’s ongoing efforts to evade U.S.tariffs, helping to ensure that America’s fastest growing form of energy generation continues to use U.S. made solar products.”
    “The cement industry supports policies that protect domestic manufacturers through robust trade mechanisms and data collection. Sen. Cassidy’s Foreign Pollution Fee Act is very thoughtful, pragmatic legislation that will highlight the carbon advantage of U.S. manufacturers and level the playing field against more carbon-intensive foreign imports,” said Sean O’Neill, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Portland Cement Association.
    “The Foreign Pollution Fee Act would create a fairer market for domestic manufacturers and foster innovation in the U.S.,” said Giana Amador, Executive Director of the Carbon Removal Alliance. “We commend Senator Cassidy for his leadership in protecting American entrepreneurs and advancing a homegrown carbon removal industry poised to generate jobs and billions in economic growth nationwide.”
    “In the global race to lead the industries of the future, it’s wrong to let U.S. manufacturers be undercut by countries that ignore the high standards our businesses uphold,” said Vikrum Aiyer, Head of Public Policy for Heirloom. “The Foreign Pollution Fee Act levels the playing field and makes it a fair fight—and in a fair fight, America wins, thanks to homegrown innovations like direct air capture that can mitigate the impact of our competitors flouting environmental standards, all while ensuring America remains the most competitive place in the world. We’re proud to be investing in such technologies in Louisiana to produce new energy solutions and carbon management tools, creating thousands of jobs to service nearly half a billion dollars in customer contracts and growing, as we onshore U.S. innovation to leverage the American advantage and strengthen our energy security.”
    “The Foreign Pollution Fee Act is an important way to protect and expand U.S. manufacturers’ strategic advantage in meeting rising global demand for decarbonized goods and services. Climeworks is proud to support Senator Cassidy’s initiative, which we believe will strengthen vital supply chain resilience,” said Daniel Nathan, Chief Project Development Officer for Climeworks. 
    “ElementUSA strongly supports your foreign pollution fee legislation, which levels the playing field for responsibly produced domestic minerals. By incentivizing cleaner supply chains, this policy directly advances our mission to reprocess industrial waste and reshore critical minerals using low-emission technologies. It empowers U.S. innovators like us to compete globally while turning legacy environmental liabilities into valuable, sustainable resources,” said Chris Young, Chief Strategy Officer for ElementUSA.
    “Senator Cassidy’s introduction of the Foreign Pollution Fee Act is a significant step forward in capitalizing on U.S. industry’s superior environmental performance and creating a more level playing field for years to come. By rewarding American firms for their lower pollution and holding higher emitters accountable, we will boost U.S. manufacturers, create more jobs, and secure critical supply chains,” said Greg Bertelsen, CEO for Climate Leadership Council. “The Council looks forward to working with Senator Cassidy and a growing coalition of stakeholders to advance a foreign pollution fee as a tool for leveraging America’s carbon advantage, strengthening the U.S. economy, and reducing global emissions.”
    “Citizens’ Climate Lobby welcomes the re-introduction of the Foreign Pollution Fee Act by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Foreign polluters should be held accountable for the climate impacts of their exports to the U.S., and this bill takes a critical step in ensuring that imported goods reflect their true carbon cost. By requiring robust emissions accounting for foreign imports, the legislation promotes transparency and fairness in global trade. We are pleased to see this important bill reintroduced and our grassroots volunteers nationwide will be working toward its passage in Congress,” said Jennifer Tyler, VP of Government Affairs for Citizens’ Climate Lobby.
    “As a consensus-based coalition of industry, labor, and nonprofit leaders, the Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3) applauds Senator Cassidy’s ongoing commitment to American industry and congratulates him on this comprehensive effort to prioritize American workers, U.S. manufacturing, and a strong economy while reducing industrial emissions,” said David Soll, Industrial Decarbonization Manager for Great Plains Institute.
    “Senator Cassidy’s Foreign Pollution Fee is a bold America First solution that puts U.S. workers and manufacturers first—not China. It’s time we stop rewarding hostile regimes for cutting corners and start leveling the playing field for the American companies doing it right,” said Sarah Hunt, President for Rainey Center Freedom Project.
    “The Foreign Pollution Fee Act would bring accountability for dumping trash into the sky. That accountability would simultaneously level the playing field and spawn worldwide innovation,” said former U.S. Representative Bob Inglis (R-SC-04), Executive Director for RepublicEN.org.
    “The Foreign Pollution Fee Act aims to support the U.S. cement industry’s continued investment in innovative production technologies that lead to cleaner, more sustainable building materials,” said Juliane Kniebel-Huebner, COO for Carbon Upcycling. “We are grateful for Senator Cassidy’s leadership and look forward to working with him and our industry partners to continue to bolster the competitiveness of U.S. cement manufacturers.”
    “Ceres applauds the introduction of a foreign polluter fee in the U.S. Senate as a fair, predictable, and congressionally approved approach to global trade. This legislation would leverage U.S. trade and industrial policy to ensure the nation’s leadership in clean manufacturing and other key 21st century industries remain an advantage against China and other competitors, to the benefit of U.S. economic, geopolitical, and national security interests,” said Zach Friedman, Senior Director of Federal Policy for Ceres.
    “For too long, American industry has been competing on an uneven playing field on the global stage while bad actors like the Chinese Communist Party have adhered to unacceptably low standards to outcompete us on cost,” said Joe Quinn, Executive Director of SAFE’s Center for Strategic Industrial Materials. “By turning that uneven playing field into a competitive advantage for industries like batteries, steel, and aluminum that are critical to both national and energy security, the Foreign Pollution Fee Act will make the U.S. more self-reliant and restructure markets to reward innovation, not pollution.”
    “The Foreign Pollution Fee Act of 2025 delivers a three-fold win, defending the health of our children from harmful pollution, protecting the livelihoods of American workers, and leveling the playing field for American firms leading the way in clean manufacturing. The majority of products named in the Foreign Pollution Fee Act are powered by or directly utilize mercury-containing coal for production. While the United States reined in harmful mercury pollution a decade ago, other countries like China have no such protections on the books. China is responsible for 25-30% of the world’s mercury emissions, and unfortunately, air pollution doesn’t recognize national boundaries. Mercury pollution from coal combustion in China travels across the Pacific and is deposited in American oceans, lakes, and streams, resulting in widespread fish consumption advisories and continued risk of mercury-induced brain damage to our children, especially those in Alaska and our Western states. The Foreign Pollution Fee Act will help create the healthy environment and bright future that all God’s children, both here in the United States and across the world, deserve by ensuring foreign manufacturers finally clean up their act. On behalf of our children, we thank Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Lindsay Graham (R- SC) for their leadership advancing this critical bill,” said Reverend Dr. Jessica Moerman, President & CEO for the Evangelical Environmental Network.
    “Senator Cassidy’s introduction of the Foreign Pollution Fee Act opens the door for Congress to advance a critical tool for supporting American manufacturers—who are among the cleanest and most innovative in the world. A foreign pollution fee would create a fairer playing field for U.S. manufacturers, driving demand for cleaner, U.S.-made products and holding the worst global environmental actors accountable,” said CEC. “The Cleaner Economy Coalition looks forward to working with Senator Cassidy and other policymakers to advance a foreign pollution fee.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Calls for Continuation of BRIC Flood Mitigation Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    [embedded content]
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) delivered a speech on the U.S. Senate floor calling for the continuation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. The program invests in flood mitigation and prevention, saving billions in flood recovery efforts throughout the United States.
    “FEMA must reconsider cutting the BRIC program and canceling BRIC applications. This program is a life-saver and a cost-saver that President Trump supported during his first term,” said Dr. Cassidy.
    “I want to put Americans first. That includes investing in infrastructure to protect families from the risk of flooding,” concluded Dr. Cassidy. “We have a program to do that. It’s called BRIC. Again, it protects families and saves taxpayer dollars in the long-run. That’s efficient in my book.”
    Background
    In 2018, under President Trump’s first administration, Congress established the BRIC Program to reduce flood risk by investing in pre-disaster mitigation efforts. Last Friday, it was announced that the BRIC program housed at FEMA would end.
    Cassidy’s remarks as prepared for delivery are below: 
    Mr. President,
    What you see depends on where you sit.
    Last Friday, it was announced that the BRIC Program–or Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program–run by FEMA would end.
    Most families across the country likely haven’t heard of the BRIC program, but if you were to explain what it does, they would say they need it. I can tell you folks in Louisiana need it. 
    Louisiana has benefitted the most per capita in BRIC’s latest round of funding.
    Preparing for a hurricane or flood in Louisiana is an inevitable part of life.
    Well, we know that the best way to recover from a flood is to prevent damage from happening in the first place.
    You’ve heard the old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
    That same principle applies to flood resilience and mitigation infrastructure.
    When we invest in levees and floodwalls, communities are protected when the storm hits and we save billions on a recovery effort we never had to do.
    If you go down to South Louisiana, for example, you’ll see homes that have been elevated that now will not flood.
    That’s the type of work we need to do–if we do it now, the family won’t have to file an NFIP claim the next time their town floods, and the taxpayer saves.
    Investing now saves money down the line.
    That’s why back in 2018, during President Trump’s first term, Congress established the BRIC Program to invest in those flood protections now to prevent future flooding.
    And through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we provided $1 Billion for the program.
    The BRIC Program is an effective tool.
    It’s the type of tool communities in my state rely on.
    But BRIC is in danger.
    Let me be clear, I support President Trump and the DOGE agenda to eliminate government waste–there sure is a lot of it.
    There is fraud, there is waste, but this isn’t it.
    FEMA must reconsider the impact cuts to the BRIC program and canceling BRIC applications would have.
    Congress passed it for a reason.
    Congress authorized AND appropriated this money.
    Congress said this program WILL exist.
    We passed BRIC into law and provided funds for it.
    To do anything other than use that money to fund flood mitigation projects is to thwart the will of Congress.
    The BRIC Program is a life-saver and a cost-saver that President Trump supported during his first term.
    It improves efficiency, not decreases it.
    I can tell you, folks in South Louisiana–Terrebonne, Lafourche, Ascension, and in places you wouldn’t expect to flood, like Livingston Parish–they overwhelmingly support President Trump, and they overwhelmingly support flood prevention investments like BRIC. 
    Louisiana was the third largest recipient of BRIC’s most recent round of funding and is the largest recipient on a per capita basis.
    Without BRIC, none of the projects you see here would be possible.
    $39.8 Million to the City of Central for drainage projects to significantly reduce flood risk.
    $36 Million to Ascension Parish to strengthen electrical infrastructure in the wake of Hurricane Francine–that’s how you keep the lights on after a storm.
    $20 million to Lafourche Parish to strengthen 16 miles of power lines.
    And $10 Million to the Coushatta (koo-sha-tuh) Tribe of Louisiana to provide evacuation roads and emergency routes during flooding.
    Lafourche Parish president Archie Chaisson had a $25 million application for grid-hardening so that the people of Lafourche would be able to get back on their feet quicker after a hurricane.
    This isn’t waste. Go down to Ruby Red Louisiana, and they’ll tell you the same thing.
    We must continue the BRIC program because if we can save homes, lives, and communities, we should.
    When rivers swell, Americans should be prepared. BRIC ensures we are. 
    And if FEMA were to move forward with the plan to cut BRIC, what would the alternative be?
    Flooding causes up to $496 BILLION dollars in damage every year throughout the United States, not just in my home state.
    Let me repeat that–$496 BILLION in damage we need to recover from versus investing a few million now to prevent that damage.
    Across the United States, we’re seeing floods destroy homes and neighborhoods, down power lines, harm businesses, and take lives.
    Just since the start of 2025, at least 8 Americans across the 4 states in dark red have died as a result of storms hitting their communities.
    And in the last three months, 37 states have experienced flooding–those are all the states in red.
    Take one look at this map, and you’ll quickly see that this is as much about rivers and inland flooding as it is about coastal flooding.
    It’s as much about the entire U.S. as it is about Louisiana.
    These are all places that can benefit from the BRIC Program!
    All of these places flood, all of them can use flood prevention infrastructure.
    We know it works. We know it saves money.
    These are parts of the country that don’t typically make you think “flooding,” but it’s a reminder of the urgent need for nation-wide flood prevention.
    BRIC was designed for that purpose.
    Every community in those states has the potential to end up just like Livingston Parish, Louisiana, pictured here.
    This is just after the Great Flood of 2016.
    We worked hard to help them recover–families relied on FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program to rebuild–and by golly they did.
    But ask yourself, wouldn’t it have been better if they never flooded at all?
    Every house tells a story. When houses get swept away, priceless items are swept away with them. 
    A wedding dress that was ruined. A lifetime of pictures that were destroyed.
    More will be destroyed if Congress doesn’t act and keep this law in place.
    These local leaders want to put their people first. So do I. That includes investing in infrastructure to protect families from the risk of flooding.
    Right now, we have a program to do that. It’s called BRIC.
    Again, it protects families and saves taxpayer dollars in the long-run.
    That’s efficient in my book.Let’s keep BRIC in place.
    With that, I yield.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Colleagues Reintroduce Legislation to Create Easier Access to Supplemental Oxygen for Medicare Beneficiaries

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform (SOAR) Act of 2025 to ease access to supplemental oxygen for Medicare beneficiaries by establishing a new payment methodology for non-liquid oxygen, allowing for most Medicare beneficiaries to be covered under the base payment levels.
    “It should be easier for people who need supplemental oxygen to get it,” said Dr. Cassidy. “They have enough to worry about as it is.”
    The SOAR Act would:
    Remove all oxygen and oxygen equipment from Medicare competitive bidding;
    Establish a separate base payment rate for liquid oxygen with an add-on payment for liquid oxygen at 6 liters/minute and higher;
    Create a new add-on to the supplemental oxygen rate to reimburse for respiratory therapist services when providing supplemental oxygen to Medicare beneficiaries; and
    Establish protections for Medicare beneficiary supplemental oxygen users.
    Cassidy was joined by U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) in introducing the bill.
    The SOAR Act is also supported by the American Lung Association, American Association for Respiratory Care, Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, Council for Quality Respiratory Care, American College of the Chest Physicians, COPD Foundation, American Thoracic Society, and Alpha-1 Foundation.
    “Today is an important day that has been years in the making for the American Lung Association and so many of the people who we serve who rely on supplemental oxygen every day. Thanks to advancements in research and treatment, most people living with severe lung disease can live active lives. Unfortunately, too many people face challenges in getting the right type and levels of oxygen required to do day-to-day activities. This is why the SOAR Act is critical to the 1.5 million people in the U.S. who need supplemental oxygen. Thank you to Senators Bill Cassidy, Mark Warner and Amy Klobuchar for championing this legislation. The American Lung Association urges members of Congress to cosponsor and swiftly pass this truly life-changing bill,” said Harold Wimmer, American Lung Association President.
    “For years, AARC has advocated for patient access to respiratory therapist care outside the acute care setting,” said Carl Hinkson MS, RRT-ACCS, NPS, FAARC, President of American Association for Respiratory Care. “AARC is proud to stand with the coalition in creating a future where supplemental oxygen is available and affordable and patients have access to expert care from a respiratory therapist to return to a fuller and healthier life.”
    “Thousands of people living with serious lung and respiratory diseases are confined to their homes, struggling for each breath because they are unable to access the supplemental oxygen they need,” said Scott Staszak, Chief Operating Officer of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation. “We applaud Senator Bill Cassidy, Senator Mark Warner and Senator Amy Klobuchar for their pivotal role in advancing crucial Oxygen Reform legislation to ensure that everyone will be able to breathe easier.”
    “The SOAR Act represents a significant step towards ensuring comprehensive oxygen reform. The CQRC thanks Senators Cassidy, Warner and Klobuchar for their leadership on this bill and urges Congress to seize this opportunity and advance the SOAR Act without delay,” said Dan Starck, Interim Chair of the Council for Quality Respiratory Care. “This bipartisan legislation is a beacon of hope for patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and communities, promising improved access to supplemental oxygen and respiratory therapy to safeguard and enhance health and quality of life.”
    “As an association focused on improving care within chest medicine, we believe that access to oxygen is critical for many of our patients,” said Jack D. Buckley, MD, FCCP, President of the American College of the Chest Physicians. “This is one of the main advocacy pillars for our organization because it is so crucial to maintaining the quality of life for patients struggling with chronic lung disease. Without adequate access to oxygen, these patients have enormous difficulty with normal daily activities, such as traveling to the grocery store or getting to their next doctor’s appointment.”
    “Many people living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, are struggling to lead more active and productive lives because Medicare policies unreasonably limit their access to supplemental oxygen therapy,” said Dr. Jean Wright, CEO of the COPD Foundation. “We are grateful to Senators Cassidy, Warner and Klobuchar for leading legislation to restore and update these critical services.”
    “As president of the American Thoracic Society, I applaud Senator Bill Cassidy, Senator Mark Warner and Senator Amy Klobuchar for introducing the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act – SOAR – to reform Medicare’s reimbursement of supplemental oxygen. The current Medicare system for providing supplemental oxygen does not serve patient needs creating needless suffering. Patients have suffered from low quality equipment to supply their oxygen. They have suffered from insufficient support staff to fix problems with their oxygen service. They have suffered from being given big, bulky, heavy oxygen systems that prevent them from ever leaving their homes and being part of a larger community most of us take for granted. The legislation that Senators Cassidy, Warner and Klobuchar introduced today will reform Medicare’s oxygen reimbursement system by ensuring patients get the oxygen system they truly need and not just the cheapest oxygen system available. I look forward to working with Senators Cassidy, Warner and Klobuchar to see this important legislation enacted by Congress,” said M. Patricia Rivera, MD, ATSF, President of the American Thoracic Society.
    “The engaged Senate leaders introducing the Medicare Oxygen Payment Reform are undertaking a great need for patients with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. We have heard firsthand many shocking personal stories about patients not properly matched or trained on the oxygen equipment they need to breathe each day. This legislation will improve outcomes for all oxygen dependent patients in the U.S. The Alpha-1 Foundation is proud share with our patients that the Senate is helping with a solution that includes access to patient equipment and education,” said Scott Santarella, President and CEO of the Alpha-1 Foundation.
    “I am so proud of Senator Bill Cassidy for taking the lead on this Medicare Oxygen Payment Reform Legislation for U.S. citizens dependent on oxygen. People with conditions, like Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, who require oxygen in their daily lives have been suffering for too long to get the right type of equipment needed to breathe,” said Diana Patterson, Louisiana Alpha-1 patient.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Lummis – Trump is ending Biden’s war on energy and one state is key to that strategy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis
    Washington, D.C. — Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) this week published an op-ed highlighting how President Trump is ending President Biden’s war on energy, and how Wyoming is the key to that strategy. 
    Read the full op-ed here. 
    —-
    SEN CYNTHIA LUMMIS: Trump is ending Biden’s war on energy and one state is key to that strategy
    Fox NewsApril 9, 2025
    I don’t have to tell you that Biden-era policies drained the pocketbooks of American families. But just how bad was it? Everything got more expensive. Food, consumer goods and especially energy. During President Joe Biden’s administration, energy prices increased by over 30% as a direct result of his disastrous anti-energy agenda.  
    But the Biden era is over, and that’s nowhere more apparent than in America’s energy outlook. President Donald Trump is reversing course and returning us to the Golden Age of American energy production. That’s great news for Wyoming and for America. 
    One big way the president is unleashing American energy is by removing costly regulatory hurdles. On day one, Trump declared a national energy emergency to spur domestic energy and critical mineral production and lower prices for all Americans. He reversed the Biden administration’s unconscionable decision to pause LNG export permits. He has opened up new federal lands and offshore locations for responsible leasing, and he has proposed permitting reforms. Under the leadership of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, the administration is protecting mining jobs out west and reversing the Biden administration’s assault on U.S. energy.  ….
    Trump has been an ally and friend of coal country. Unlike Democrats, who are still obsessively pushing their radical Green New Deal, Trump knows that intermittent wind and solar will not meet all of our energy needs in the era of cloud computing and artificial intelligence demands.  
    Trump, likewise, has been honest with the American people about the importance of baseload energy sources. And Wyoming knows that better than anyone, we’ve been America’s No. 1 coal producer since the 1980s, making ever cleaner baseload energy from coal a reality.  
    But Trump isn’t content to just stick with what we’ve always done. He wants to innovate. And so does Wyoming. We want to unleash our traditional energy sector while investing in new and exciting nuclear technology. Wyoming began construction on the first new-generation advanced reactor in Kemmerer last year. When completed, it will supply energy to 400,000 homes, creating 1,600 construction jobs and 250 high-paying permanent positions in the process. 
    Wyoming contains the largest uranium deposits in the country, presenting the opportunity to lead the way from mining to fabrication to energy production. America will not achieve Trump’s energy goals without nuclear energy, which means America will not achieve energy dominance without Wyoming.  ….
    The Biden administration’s full-scale assault on Wyoming energy will take years to undo, but I’m pleased that Trump and his administration are already making headway and bringing American energy back.  ….
    Our country is blessed with amazing natural resources that are critical to our economic and national security. We must use those resources. We must invest in our energy security. Wyoming is grateful that President Trump is delivering on his promise to Make American Energy Great Again.  
    U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis is a Republican from Wyoming who sits on the Senate Banking, Commerce, and Environment and Public Works committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, McCormick, Gallego, Britt Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help House Disabled Veterans

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, McCormick, Gallego, Britt Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help House Disabled Veterans

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure veterans experiencing homelessness and receiving disability payments maintain access to crucial housing support. The Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act (HUDVA) would permanently exclude disability payments received by veterans from annual income for housing assistance eligibility purposes under the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program.
    The HUD-VASH program plays a pivotal role in addressing homelessness among veterans by providing rental assistance from HUD along with supportive services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Unfortunately, some of our country’s most disabled veterans receiving disability payments have historically been unable to access veterans housing programs like HUD-VASH because HUD included disability benefits as part of their total income. Up until recently, the more severe a disability was, the more disability benefits a veteran received, and the less likely it was that they could access veterans housing assistance. In Los Angeles, for example, veterans receiving the maximum service-connected disability payment had been ineligible for HUD-VASH because they were considered over-income. As a result, many homeless disabled veterans were unjustly disqualified from accessing this vital support.
    Following advocacy from Senator Padilla and other members of Congress, last year, HUD finally changed its policies to exclude VA disability benefits from income for purposes of eligibility for the HUD-VASH program. Now that homeless veterans with disabilities can finally access this assistance, HUDVA would codify this important policy change to ensure that access continues permanently.
    “Veterans who have given so much for our country’s freedom deserve the right to a stable roof over their heads,” said Senator Padilla. “Outdated income definitions shouldn’t mean that some of our country’s most disabled veterans are unable to access the housing assistance they need to survive. This simple, bipartisan fix would permanently exclude disability benefits from the HUD-VASH income eligibility calculation to ensure our most vulnerable veterans have a safe place to sleep at night.”
    “As an Army veteran, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult the return to civilian life can be for so many servicemembers. Making this small correction would be a huge step toward helping our nation’s heroes obtain the support they have earned and finally tackle the epidemic of veteran homelessness,” said Senator McCormick. “I’m proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle on behalf of those who have sacrificed so much for America.”
    “It is devastating when I see fellow veterans on the streets. Arizona is in the midst of a housing crisis, and it is too often our disabled veterans who are impacted most,” said Senator Gallego. “This bipartisan bill makes a simple, commonsense fix to get more disabled veterans into safe, affordable housing, and I’m proud to give it my support.”
    “Our nation’s veterans made tremendous sacrifices to serve our country and protect their fellow Americans, and they deserve our utmost support to help access housing opportunities,” said Senator Britt. “This commonsense bill would simply exclude disability benefits from HUD’s annual income calculation, so disabled veterans are not unfairly disqualified from accessing these vital services. I will always work to ensure our veterans and servicemembers are treated like the heroes that they are.”
    “Veterans should never have to make the choice between a permanent roof over their heads and receiving the benefits they earned. Yet, federal policies have counted veterans’ benefits against veterans looking to receive homelessness assistance and housing vouchers for years. Our bill will fix this unjust policy and rightfully ensure veterans are not punished for receiving their earned benefits. There is not a single valid reason any veteran should be homeless in America, and Congress must move swiftly to codify this change,” said Senator Blumenthal.
    The bill is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). Representatives Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32) and Monica De La Cruz (R-Texas-15) are leading companion legislation in the House.
    California has the most veterans in the nation and was home to 28 percent of all veterans experiencing homelessness in the United States last year.
    Senator Padilla has consistently fought to improve veterans’ access to housing. Last year, Padilla passed a bipartisan amendment into law to increase and streamline veterans’ access to HUD-VASH housing vouchers through the FY24 appropriations package. Last month, Padilla and Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) urged VA Secretary Doug Collins to provide emergency housing and health care for veterans affected by the Los Angeles fires.
    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Delivers Keynote Address at AI Biotechnology Summit

    US Senate News:

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

    WATCH: Padilla emphasizes importance of American biotechnology leadership for national security and economyWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, a Commissioner of the bipartisan National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), joined the AI+ Biotechnology Summit to deliver a keynote address on the future of biotechnology and artificial intelligence. Earlier this week, the Commission delivered their major report and action plan, urging Congressional action to bring the full weight of American innovation to improve and maintain U.S. global leadership in biotechnology.
    Key Excerpts
    The United States has long led the world in biotechnology progress, but Padilla underscored the growing threat posed by China’s skyrocketing investments in research and development (R&D) for biotechnological advancements. China’s biopharma R&D investments have risen from $35 million in 2015 to $15 billion today, and they now control 80 percent of global pharmaceuticals.
    “This is no longer hypothetical — we are at real risk of falling behind. Today, we need a molecular moonshot to get ahead, and stay ahead, in developing the biotech of the future. Why? Because our very national security is on the line.”
    “Every day that we allow China to drive the industry is another day American leadership in biotech falls behind. So we have an enormous problem set before us, there’s no denying it. But we also have an enormous opportunity before us, and I hope we seize it.”
    Padilla also highlighted California’s longstanding leadership in biotechnology, noting that more patents for bioscience and biotech are issued to California than any other state and that California’s life sciences companies continue to raise the most venture capitalism investment in the nation. He also discussed the crucial problems biotechnology can help solve, including agriculture, medicine, biofuels, food security, and more.
    He emphasized the importance of strengthening international collaboration to promote these essential biotechnology priorities as the Trump Administration pulls back from longstanding alliances and cuts ties with programs and partnerships that keep Americans safe.
    “You don’t have to have a PhD in foreign policy to understand that we cannot go at this alone. We understand the adage that ‘No Man Is an Island’ — and that when we pull back on our commitments, it’s not only wrong to our allies, it also creates a vacuum for our adversaries to fill. That’s true for our security, that’s true economically, and it is absolutely true for biotechnology.”
    “With the release of this report, my hope is that we can highlight just how dangerous it would be to pull back now. Instead of moving further away from our spot at the head of the table, we should be leveraging it to mobilize our allies.”
    Senator Padilla was appointed to serve as a Congressional Commissioner after Congress formed the Commission in the Fiscal Year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act. Yesterday, Padilla and the other Commissioners, Chair Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Representatives Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.-05) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to promote federal coordination on emerging biotechnology and streamline the regulatory structures currently inhibiting biotechnology innovation. Last year, Padilla and Young introduced a bipartisan package of bills focused on protecting America’s food security and agricultural supply chains, which are critical to U.S. national security. Padilla also announced the Commission’s first round of findings and recommendations for policymakers in an interim report outlining the promise of biotechnology for U.S. national security and economic competitiveness and growth.
    Video of Padilla’s remarks is available here.
    Padilla’s full remarks as prepared for delivery are available below:
    Good afternoon!
    It is so great to be here at the AI and biotechnology summit alongside members of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology to unveil our new report!
    I want to thank:
    My colleague and Chair of the Commission, Senator Todd Young
    Vice Chair, Dr. Michelle Rozo, who has been instrumental to all our Congressional engagements on both sides of the aisle
    And all of the other commissioners and staff who have worked so hard to make this day happen
    This is a report three years in the making. And my hope is that it can serve as a watershed moment for biotech in America and, as we’ll talk about later, for the world.
    I am proud to be here today as a commissioner. But I’m also proud to be here today as a U.S. Senator who represents California.
    California is the birthplace of biotech.
    Whether it’s the founding of Genentech in 1970s San Francisco, or a booming industry aided by researchers at Stanford, Berkeley, and UCSF.
    Even today, more patents for bioscience and biotech are issued to California than any other state.
    And our life sciences companies continue to raise more in venture capitalism investment than any other state.
    So you could say California has some experience here!
    And while my personal experience isn’t in biotech, I am one of the few Senators with a background in engineering.
    I earned my degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
    And to this day, people ask me, “How do you go from engineering to politics and government?”
    I tell them: “It’s perfectly logical. Engineers are trained to solve problems. Isn’t that what policymakers are supposed to do?”
    Today, we’ve got quite the problem set before us!
    It’s not just about the problems that biotech can help us solve — from agriculture to medicine to biofuels and more.
    It’s also the global technology competition we now find ourselves in with China.
    From artificial intelligence to biotechnology, the stakes are high — and the time to act is now.
    We are truly at an inflection point in biotechnology development.
    We’re making progress at a speed once unimaginable. And yet, we also know we’re at risk of falling behind.
    How can that be?
    It comes down to investment. And priorities.
    Over the last two decades, China has invested in biotechnological advancements.
    And as a result, as you may have heard today, China’s research and development have skyrocketed.
    In 2015, China’s biopharma R&D investment sat at 35 million dollars.
    Today, it’s 15 billion — that’s billion, with a “B.”
    China now controls 80 percent of global pharmaceuticals.
    This is no longer hypothetical — we are at real risk of falling behind.
    Today, we need a molecular moonshot to get ahead — and stay ahead — in developing the biotech of the future.
    Why? Because our very national security is on the line.
    Of course, that means investments in things Americans think about and interact with every single day — like the fruits and vegetables they count on to be safe to eat, and the supply chains they rely on every time they go to the grocery store.
    Because yes, food security is national security, too.
    In fact, that’s why just last spring, Senator Young and I came together to introduce a bipartisan package of bills to protect our food supply — which would establish a Senior Advisor for National Security within the USDA, and establish the USDA Office of Biotechnology policy.
    But it has to reach beyond food to things like energy sources, vaccines, and medicine.
    Because we can’t afford to find ourselves in a position where China controls a majority of the world’s pharmaceuticals — and then decides to turn off the spigot.
    Let’s say they wanted to retaliate for some hypothetical trade war a U.S. president was waging…
    But that’s what’s at stake! And we have to be clear-eyed and honest about the threats we face.
    And of course, the shadow hanging over any discussion of national security and biotech is the threat of biological war and bioterrorism.
    While we hope we never see it, warfare of the future won’t just be fought with AI and drones.
    It’ll be fought with bioweapons, too.
    We have a responsibility try to prepare and prevent that.
    Now, I know that in a few minutes you’ll have the opportunity to hear a discussion on the importance of allies in this fight.
    And it’s an important point! Because for as much progress as we’ve made as a nation, we can be that much stronger on the world stage if we’re pulling in the same direction as our allies.
    In fact, our Commission has already sent delegations to visit partners, including Sweden and the UK … whose ambassadors you will hear from shortly.
    But I also want to acknowledge that we’re in a strange moment in history for U.S. leadership.
    In just less than three months, the Trump Administration has dramatically pulled back from international alliances. They’ve cut ties with programs and partnerships that in many cases have kept us safe.
    And they have openly taunted and threatened our allies.
    But what I would say is this: you don’t have to have a PhD in foreign policy to understand that we cannot go at this alone.
    We understand the adage that “No Man Is an Island” — and that when we pull back on our commitments, it’s not only wrong to our allies, it also creates a vacuum for our adversaries to fill.
    That’s true for our security, that’s true economically, and it is absolutely true for biotechnology.
    With the release of this report, my hope is that we can highlight just how dangerous it would be to pull back now.
    Instead of moving further away from our spot at the head of the table, we should be leveraging it to mobilize our allies.
    We should be working with the State Department to not only fund international research and secure supply chains, but to also use them to promote American industry in foreign markets.
    We can and should be forming reciprocal biological data sharing agreements.
    Because together, the U.S. can learn more from other leading researchers.
    At the same time, we can build out our influence, so that other nations rely on our homegrown biotech hubs.
    And lastly, Congress should jump at the opportunity to write the rules of the road for biotech.
    Because every day that we allow China to drive the industry is another day American leadership in biotech falls behind.
    So we have an enormous problem set before us — there’s no denying it.
    But we also have an enormous opportunity before us, and I hope we seize it.
    With that, I want to thank you, again, for having me. And enjoy the rest of today’s summit.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What the Supreme Court’s ruling on man wrongly deported to El Salvador says about presidential authority and the rule of law

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jean Lantz Reisz, Clinical Associate Professor of Law, Co-Director, USC Immigration Clinic, University of Southern California

    People hold signs on April 4, 2025, supporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

    The Supreme Court on April 10, 2025, unanimously upheld the lower court order directing the Trump administration to “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Abrego García, a Maryland man who was wrongly deported to a maximum security prison in El Salvador.

    The Supreme Court also directed the lower court to clarify aspects of the order.

    “The order properly requires the Government to ‘facilitate’ Abrego García’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador,” the Supreme Court order states.

    It is undisputed that the Trump administration made a mistake.

    The Justice Department admitted to deporting Abrego García to a maximum security prison in El Salvador even though an immigration judge in 2019 ordered that he not be deported. The judge did so under an immigration law called “withholding of removal,” which is a protection, like asylum, for people facing persecution in their home country.

    But the Trump administration has said a court cannot order it to fix its mistake and bring Abrego García back to the United States.

    According to the Trump administration, such an order would be “constitutionally intolerable.” The government has compared the court order to return Abrego García to an order to “‘effectuate’ the end of the war in Ukraine or return hostages from Gaza.”

    Abrego García should not have been deported

    Abrego García received this protective legal status six years ago. That’s when he proved to the court he was highly likely to be persecuted by the government or gangs in El Salvador due to a specific reason, as required under immigration law.

    Unlike asylum or refugee status, the status known as “withholding of removal” is not a pathway to citizenship. It allows a person to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely and not be deported to their country of nationality if they face persecution there.

    The government states it arrested and deported Abrego García on March 15 because he is a gang member. When Abrego García appealed his deportation, the federal district and appellate courts determined that the government provided no credible evidence of gang membership.

    That’s important, because the government failed to follow proper procedure to deport Abrego García based on gang membership. When someone is in “withholding of removal” status, the law requires the government to reopen immigration proceedings based on new evidence and seek to formally terminate the legal withholding status.

    Abrego García should have been notified of the government’s desire to deport him, and he should have had the opportunity to make his case at a court hearing. His summary deportation to El Salvador likely violated his right to due process under immigration law and the Constitution.

    Balance of powers are at stake

    The government did not follow the law, but it argues that the court cannot do anything about it.

    The crux of the government’s position is that a court does not have the power to order the release of a person in a foreign prison. That would interfere with the separation of powers among the executive and judicial branches. The president has the sole power to conduct foreign relations with El Salvador, and the government has argued that ordering the return of Abrego García interferes with that power.

    Prisoners watch as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visits the Terrorist Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, on March 26, 2025.
    Alex Brandon/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

    The court cannot order the Salvadoran government to do anything, but it can order the U.S. government to take steps to return García Abrego if he was unlawfully arrested and deported. That’s because the judiciary has the power to determine whether the president’s actions are lawful.

    The district court’s order was based on its determination that the president has likely violated immigration law and the Constitution in arresting and deporting Abrego García. The appellate court agreed.

    The Supreme Court has now said the order to facilitate Abrego García’s return is proper. But the high court also said the district court judge should further clarify its order, being mindful of the president’s authority when it comes to conducting foreign relations.

    Who is detaining Abrego García?

    The Salvadoran government seems to be imprisoning Abrego García at the request of the U.S. government.

    Trump administration lawyers have suggested in their briefing to the Supreme Court that there could be reasons under El Salvador law for Abrego García’s imprisonment. The government has not identified any reasons and has not provided any evidence that Abrego García is charged with a crime in El Salvador, or that he is being held under Salvadoran law.

    The Department of Homeland Security routinely contracts with local jails and for-profit prison corporations to temporarily house immigrant detainees in the U.S. The government has reportedly agreed to pay El Salvador US$6 million to imprison certain U.S. immigrant detainees for one year. The details of this agreement are not known.

    Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security secretary, has said that the Salvadoran megaprison is “one of the tools in our tool kit that we will use.”

    The district and appellate courts determined in this case that the U.S. is using the Salvadoran prison like any other detention facility. Under those circumstances, the U.S. government, not El Salvador, has ultimate control over Abrego García.

    The Supreme Court ruled that the government should facilitate Abrego García’s return.
    Drew Angerer/Getty Images

    As an immigration law scholar, I believe that the government can take steps to return Abrego García.

    In fact, other appellate courts have ordered the government to return immigrants who had been removed from the U.S. but later won their appeals of their removal orders. Those people were not in foreign prisons.

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has created a formal policy for aiding the return of immigrants who were deported while their appeals were pending and then subsequently won their appeals.

    The government has argued that those situations are different. Here, it claims the court cannot demand the return of Abrego García, who is imprisoned in another country. The problem with the government’s argument is that it is the Trump administration that put Abrego García in a foreign prison.

    The Trump administration has also argued that Abrego García is not entitled to return to the U.S.. It has argued that even though it was a mistake to deport him to El Salvador under his withholding of removal status, Abrego García could have been removed to another country and has no right to return to the U.S..

    This would be true if Abrego García voluntarily left the U.S. or was deported to a country other than El Salvador, but that is not what happened. The government removed Abrego García to El Salvador in violation of U.S. law.

    The White House’s position in this matter is troubling because the president is supposed to enforce the law, not circumvent it.

    As Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a separate statement published with the order and joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson: “The Government’s argument, moreover, implies that it could deport and incarcerate any person, including U.S. citizens, without legal consequence, so long as it does so before a court can intervene.”

    What steps the government will take to return Abrego García is unclear. The Supreme Court’s decision leaves open the question of how far the court can go to enforce his return.

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

    – ref. What the Supreme Court’s ruling on man wrongly deported to El Salvador says about presidential authority and the rule of law – https://theconversation.com/what-the-supreme-courts-ruling-on-man-wrongly-deported-to-el-salvador-says-about-presidential-authority-and-the-rule-of-law-254037

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: REP. HILL, REP. CAREY, AND SEN. BOOZMAN INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO GROW EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Rep. French Hill (R-AR) introduced legislation, the S Corporation Additional Participation Act or S-CAP Act, which would increase the maximum threshold for the number of shareholders an S Corporation can offer from 100 to 250. Rep. Mike Carey (R-OH) joined Rep. Hill in introducing the bill in the House, and Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

     

    Rep. Hill said, “As a former community banker, I have a deep appreciation for the importance of S Corporations. They are an invaluable tool that helps workers and small businesses alike. That is why I am pleased to introduce the S-CAP Act, which will expand access to the benefits of S Corps.

    “By increasing equity participation for employees in private companies, S Corps have given more and more families the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. They improve employee retention, motivation, and productivity, and they increase the ability for companies to access capital through diverse sources. S Corps also empower Americans to climb the economic ladder and build generational wealth. This bill will build on the success of S Corps by increasing the number of shareholders they can have. It is a simple change that will have a dramatic positive impact on thousands, if not millions, of hardworking Americans.”

    Sen. Boozman said, “Congress has a duty to shape the tax code with pro-growth policies that spur job creation and capital investment. S Corps are an important element in that framework that also help empower employees with expanded economic opportunity through the enterprise they know and trust most. Congress has adjusted S Corps shareholder caps previously, and our bill is another simple but important tax code reform that will benefit millions of small businesses and the hardworking Americans who drive their success.”

    Rep. Carey said, “S corporations are an economic cornerstone of towns across America. I am proud to partner with my friend Rep. French Hill to support this common-sense legislation, the S-CAP Act, that would raise the S corporation shareholder cap from 100 to 250. This would promote small and mid-sized businesses, allowing them to attract more investments, and ultimately create more jobs for hard-working Americans.”

    Further Background:

    In the United States, S Corporations (S Corps) are the most popular corporate structure. The IRS estimates that there are more than 5 million S Corps throughout the country. Congress created the S Corp structure through subchapter S of the tax code in 1958 to help shield family-owned businesses from the double taxation treatment imposed on C Corporation (“C Corp”).

    When the S Corp structure was established, Congress limited the number of shareholders to 10. Given the pass-through tax treatment, shareholder limitations were designed to create parity between S Corps and C Corps. When S Corps were originally introduced, the 10-shareholder cap made sense for small, family-owned businesses.

    Over time, Congress has recognized the power of S Corps to create jobs, increase wealth, and grow the economy. They also realized that the cap on the number of permitted shareholders hinders the potential of S Corps and have voted to increase the cap multiple times. Most recently, the shareholder cap was raised to 100 through the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. This expansion allowed for greater investment opportunities, but S Corps are still limited in their ability to attract capital, which restricts their ability to foster economic growth and their contribution to broader economic development.

    In Arkansas’s Second District, 93,440 people (29.2% of all private sector workers) are employed at S Corporations. There are 318, 525 S Corp employees across the entire state (28.1%), and 38,533,460 nationwide (27.4%).

    Other Support:

    “The Subchapter S Bank Association strongly supports Chairman Hill’s legislation proposing to increase the number of shareholders eligible to hold S Corp stock. One-third of community banks in the US maintain an S election, and enactment of this legislation will be critical to meet and expand community bank capital access – allowing America’s 1500 S Corp banks to continue to serve their customers,” said Patrick J. Kennedy, Jr., President, Subchapter S Bank Association and Executive Chairman of TransPecos Banks, SSB.

    “The S corporation shareholder cap is a relic from another age, particularly as it applies to employee owners. The Hill legislation would ensure that S corporations who offer ownership opportunities to their employees are not penalized by this arbitrary cap. We fully support this bill and look forward to working with Representative Hill on seeing it enacted,” said Brian Reardon, President, S Corporation Association.

    “In 1949, my grandfather, Bob Nabholz embarked on a journey to build a house for himself and his wife, setting in motion the start of a construction legacy that has thrived for more than 75 years. Today we have 16 offices in seven states and employ more than 1,700 professionals with an expected 2025 revenue of over $1.8 billion. In 1976, Bob saw the value in offering ownership to key employees and invited the first group of team members to become shareholders. He felt it was important to give employees an opportunity to shape the future of our company and have a personal stake in our long-term success. That tradition continues to this day. Employee ownership has been a cornerstone of our company’s success for nearly 50 years. We are very proud of our employee owners and the impact they have on our company and the communities we live in. The proposed increase in the S Corp shareholder cap will give us the ability to offer many more well-deserving employees the opportunity to become owners of Nabholz Construction. We are grateful to Senator Boozman and Congressman Hill for sponsoring this legislation which will help reward and retain top talent, ensuring the long-term growth and success of our company. We respectfully encourage Congress to pass this legislation,” said Jake

    Nabholz, Chief Executive Officer, Nabholz Construction Corporation.

    This bill is also endorsed by the American Council of Engineering Companies.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Upwell Scaffolding for Safe and Reliable Access Solutions

    Source: Press Release Service – Press Release/Statement:

    Headline: Upwell Scaffolding for Safe and Reliable Access Solutions

    Upwell Scaffolding, a New Zealand-owned business, is making waves in the construction industry by delivering safe, reliable, and customised scaffolding solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial projects with a strong focus on safety, efficiency, and client satisfaction.

    The post Upwell Scaffolding for Safe and Reliable Access Solutions first appeared on PR.co.nz.

    – –

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ground broken on the first ‘Making Space for Water’ flood resilience projects

    Source: Auckland Council

    Today marks a major milestone in Auckland’s flood recovery programme, with the official groundbreaking of the first flood resilience (blue-green) projects under Auckland Council’s Making Space for Water programme.

    The two Māngere projects, including replacing a busy bridge and lifting New Zealand’s largest sewerage pipe, will significantly reduce flood risk for hundreds of homes in neighbourhoods surrounding the Te Ararata Stream and Harania Creek. Some of these homes have a serious risk to life from flooding.

    The projects are the first under the council’s 10-year Making Space for Water programme and were the first to be funded as part of a $2-billion co-funding agreement with local and central government following the severe weather events in early 2023.

    The area was blessed at dawn by mana whenua representatives from Te Ākitai Waiohua and supported by Ngāti Tamaoho and Te Ahiwaru, with Mayor Wayne Brown officially breaking ground, alongside local Member of Parliament Lemauga Lydia Sosene, Ward Councillors and members of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board.

    Mayor Wayne Brown and local iwi at sod turning ceremony in Mangere.

    “Māngere was one of the hardest hit communities when Tāmaki Makaurau experienced its worst rainfall on record in 2023, and the community has shown incredible resilience during some difficult times,” says Mayor Brown. 

    “It’s fitting that the first blue-green projects delivered under the council’s Making Space for Water programme are right here in Māngere.

    “Fixing Auckland’s infrastructure and making the most of our environment were among my key policies and why I supported this programme, and the commitment of budget to get projects like these done quickly, to ensure a positive outcome for the local community.”

    Mana whenua acknowledged the importance of restoring the mauri (life force) of local waterways, ensuring they can continue to sustain and support both people and the environment.

    Manukau ward councillors Alf Filipaina and Lotu Fuli celebrated this milestones and acknowledged the importance of the council working with central government with strong community support to accelerate the progress of these projects, including the Order in Council.

    “Community backing for an Order in Council was absolutely crucial in getting these projects approved and shovel-ready in record time. I also want to acknowledge the role that council staff, especially the Healthy Waters and Recovery Office teams, played in getting us to this point and all their hard work and dedication. Our communities were one of the hardest hit during the severe weather in 2023 and these projects will increase flood resilience for hundreds of properties – it’s certainly something to celebrate,” says Cr Filipaina. 

    “This is about more than just managing the flow of water – these projects are about building healthier and more resilient communities for people to live. This work is about reducing an intolerable risk to life and supporting our Māngere communities through some challenging conversations. It was great to acknowledge this milestone for the wider regional programme with more flood resilience projects to come,” says Cr Fuli.

    Working with the community

    A Stakeholder Advisory Group, made up of key community organisations and locals, has been serving as a bridge between the council and the broader community, ensuring that local knowledge is contributed, and broader outcomes are considered.

    “These projects are a great example of how Auckland Council and communities can collaborate to create outcomes that benefit everyone,” said Toni Helleur, CEO of I Am Māngere.

    “In addition to the flood resilience outcomes we’re also delivering social outcomes for South Auckland. Heb, the contractor for the Te Ararata project have employed seven people into full-time employment through council’s Nga Puna Pukenga Skills for Industry programme.

    Project details 

    Work in both catchment areas will address key blockage points so that in extreme storms rainwater can flow more easily out into the Manukau Harbour.

    In Te Ararata, the Walmsley Road bridge will be upgraded to increase water flow beneath it and a debris trap will be installed to reduce potential blockages upstream. A permanent maintenance platform and accessway to the Mahunga Drive culverts will also be built to enable quicker and easier access for maintenance crews.  

    In Harania, the embankment between Blake and Bicknell roads will be removed and replaced with a pedestrian bridge and a pipe bridge for the Eastern Interceptor, which carries roughly 70 per cent of Auckland’s wastewater from Okahu Bay to Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant.

    Harania Stream part of the Making Space for Water projects.

    These improvements will enable the waterways around Blake Road Reserve to flow more freely and lessen the likelihood of flooding in the future. Construction on the projects will start later this month, with completion expected in mid-2026.

    Planning and prioritisation for future projects

    Many communities were heavily impacted by the severe weather events of early 2023. Further areas across Tāmaki Makaurau continue to be assessed and prioritised for future blue-green works.

    You can find out more information about these projects on the council’s website or you can reach out to the team at bluegreen@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: More must be done to stop children going hungry

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    More children are going hungry and statistics showing children in material hardship continue to get worse.

    “I’m worried about children in this country, who seem to be becoming more and more of an afterthought by the day,” Labour child poverty reduction spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.

    “The Government has reversed the measure Labour put in place to ensure benefits rise with the average wage – which the Children’s Commissioner said at the time was the single best thing a government could do to lift children out of poverty.

    “They are running the school lunch programme into the ground, meaning more children aren’t getting the hot, healthy meal that was sometimes their only one in the day.
    “They’ve squeezed lower-paid Kiwis, by refusing to lift the minimum wage in line with inflation – while at the same time they are failing to tackle cost of living issues like they promised.

    “They cut public services for measly tax cuts, which have been more than offset by their decisions to cut free prescriptions, cut free and half-price public transport, and introduced a rebate scheme for childcare that isn’t delivering what was promised.

    “Just this week, Nicola Willis wouldn’t commit to not cutting the best start payment, which helps out new parents and the winter energy payment which helps families heat their homes in winter.

    “The Government must prioritise investment in children and stop making cuts that make families’ lives harder,” Jan Tinetti said.

    Stay in the loop by signing up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ANZAC Day Events – Art of Remembrance 2025: ANZAC Tribute to New Zealand’s Nurses

    Source: Lindsay Stanley, for Art of Remembrance event on Anzac Eve

    Annual commemorative event at Kāhui St David’s to mark Anzac Eve with a moving musical tribute featuring Soprano Felicity Tomkins, Michelle Thorne, and friends.   A bronze plaque honouring the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps will be unveiled.

    11 April 2025 – Auckland, New Zealand – To mark Anzac week, Kāhui St David’s, Auckland’s centre for music-making, inspiration and social connection, will host the 10th annual Art of Remembrance event on Anzac Eve, Thursday 24 April, with a powerful evening of music, reflection and tribute.

    Event:  Art of Remembrance 2025 – we will will remember them
    When: Thursday 24 April | 6:00pm – 8:00pm
    Where: Kāhui St David’s, 70 Khyber Pass Road, Grafton, Auckland
    Tickets: Free entry – all welcome – tickets available via Eventfinda | www.kahuistdavids.nz

    St David’s Memorial Church, whose foundation stone was laid on Anzac Day 1927 as a memorial to World War One, was originally dedicated as The Soldiers’ Memorial Church. Today, it is home to Kāhui St David’s, a charitable trust,  and serves as a place of remembrance for all branches of the New Zealand Defence Force, as well as Auckland’s centre for cultural connection, community gathering, as a living memorial. .

    Honouring the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps

    This year’s Art of Remembrance pays special tribute to the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps, past and present, for their service in war, conflict and peacekeeping. It also recognises the vital role nurses play across Aotearoa – providing care in hospitals, communities, both at home and abroad.

    Georgina Greville, a senior nurse at Middlemore Hospital, whose immediate family included five World War One service members, says: “There were two nurses, two doctors, and one soldier with the Auckland Mounted Rifles.
    “My grandmother and sister were both nurses, serving in Egypt, Lemnos, and on the Western front, including at the Battle of the Somme.

    “The role of nurses in conflict and peacekeeping has historically been overlooked for many reasons. Having this permanent display in the Great Hall of Kāhui St David’s, near the Lamp of Remembrance, the RNZE memorial window, the Sappers’ Chapel, and plaques dedicated to the 28th Māori Battalion and 29th and 30th Infantry Battalions, will be deeply meaningful to all nurses.

    “It recognises the contribution of nursing across all areas we serve – in both military and civilian contexts.”

    Kāhui St David’s is located in Grafton, near the medical and nursing schools and Auckland Hospital.  

    As part of this year’s commemoration, a bronze plaque dedicated to the Royal New Zealand Nursing Corps will be unveiled and permanently installed in the Great Hall of Kāhui St David’s.

    Paul Baragwanath, Director of Friends of St David’s Trust Kāhui Rangi Pūpū, says: “Nurses have served with courage and compassion in every major conflict New Zealand has faced. In what is our 10th year of Art of Remembrance, we honour their legacy, their ongoing service, and their place at the heart of care – both in uniform and throughout our hospitals and communities.

    “We also hope that all nurses will see Kāhui St David’s as their place, together with whānau of the RNZE (Royal New Zealand Engineers), 28 Battalion and Veterans.” says Baragwanath.

    Since launching in 2015 with the Max Gimblett quatrefoil installation, the Art of Remembrance has become a nationally recognised tradition. In 2023, Brigadier Rose King (now Chief of Army) lit the Lamp of Remembrance, which continues to shine daily at Kāhui St David’s, honouring all who have served across the Defence Force and veteran community. Today, the building stands as a memorial for all branches of service.

    Many are expected to attend Art of Remembrance, experiencing the magnificent acoustics of this revitalised heritage space, with performances by Soprano Felicity Tomkins and Michelle Thorne, David Harvey on bagpipes, the Off Broadway Big Band, Helen Lukman-Fox on the 1905 Croft Organ and the audience singing together.

    Paul Baragwanath concludes: “Kāhui St David’s is a place where remembrance lives on – through art, music, and community, and New Zealand’s military remembrance.  

    “This much-loved annual event brings together veterans, whānau, musicians and the wider public in a space known for its magnificent acoustics and deep sense of purpose.

    “This new plaque ensures our nurses, so often unsung, are acknowledged in this special space for generations to come.”

    For more information, visit www.kahuistdavids.nz, and to secure your free ticket for Art of Remembrance, head to Eventfinda: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2025/a-musical-evening-of-remembrance2/auckland

    ***

    Art of Remembrance 2025 – Order of Service

    PŪORO

    The evening opens with taonga pūoro

    PROCESSION

    The Hills of Argyll

    Composed by George McIntyre, a Scottish prisoner of war during World War Two

    David Harvey, Bagpipes

    KARAKIA & MIHI WHAKATAU

    Kaumātua Tautoko Witika

    NATIONAL ANTHEM

    Led by Soprano Michelle Thorne-McHugh and Felicity Thomkins, The Off Broadway Big Band and Helen Lukman-Fox (organ)

    THANK YOU

    Paul Baragwanath, Director, Friends of St David’s Trust Kāhui Rangi Pǔpū

    MUSIC

    Led by The Off Broadway Big Band, vocalist Michelle Thorne-McHugh, and organist Helen Lukman-Fox

    ADDRESS

    Reflections by Lieutenant Colonel Nick Jones ED, former Commanding Officer, 3/6 Battalion together and Georgina Greville, a senior nurse at Middlemore Hospital

    MUSIC

    Felicity Tomkins with Helen Lukman-Fox (organ)

    White Cliffs of Dover

    Composed by Vera Lynn

    ADDRESS

    Lieutenant Colonel Nick Jones, ED, former Commanding Officer of 3/6 Battalion, RNZIR

    MUSIC

    Felicity Tomkins with Helen Lukman-Fox (organ)

    White Cliffs of Dover

    Composed by Vera Lynn

    ADDRESS

    Georgina Greville, senior nurse at Middlemore Hospital

    MUSIC

    Felicity Tomkins with Helen Lukman-Fox (piano)

    The Rose of No Man’s Land

    HONOURING THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NURSING CORPS

    Lieutenant Colonel David Foote, Chief Nursing Officer / RNZNC Regimental Colonel unveils the plaque of remembrance

    MUSIC

    The Off Broadway Big Band with vocalist Kaitlyn Tanoa’i

    N.Z.A.N.S.: the Army nurses’ song

    Corporal Anaia Amohau, 1939 – 45

    LAYING OF THE WREATHS

    RNZNC

    All soldiers, sailors, aviators

    Royal New Zealand Engineers

    28th Māori Battalion

    All wreaths welcome

    THE ODE

    THE LAST POST

    MINUTE OF SILENCE

    THE ROUSE

    HYMNN

    HOSPITALITY.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Appeal close to home for Werribee Fire Brigade

    Source:

    Werribee Fire Brigade members are gearing up for the Good Friday Appeal

    Werribee Fire Brigade members will be hitting the streets once again this Good Friday, hoping to raise as much as possible for The Royal Children’s Hospital’s Good Friday Appeal.

    Fundraising as a brigade since 1977, the brigade begins planning months before the day itself, taking into account where members will be stationed, transport for the day and most importantly who will be cooking the fish on the BBQ to keep them fueled.  

    Having raised well over $1 million for the cause over the years, the Appeal is a key event in the brigade’s annual calendar. 

    Werribee Fire Brigade Captain Michael Wells has been a CFA member for 36 years and has fond memories of fundraising with the brigade in the late 1980s right through to today. He said fundraising is a joint effort between the brigade itself and the wider community.  

    “We rely on our members to get involved, both in the lead-up to and on the day itself, and we rely on our community to be generous enough to allow us to do that,” Michael said. 

    “Everyone gets behind the cause and it really inspires us to keep doing this.” 

    For the brigade members, fundraising for the Appeal is a proud extension to their volunteerism with CFA. 

    “As firefighters, we often see devastation that can occur and incidents where children might end up needing the services of The Royal Children’s Hospital, whether it’s a burn or an injury sustained in a motor vehicle accident,” Michael said. 

    “We volunteer with CFA because we are community-minded and like giving back, so this is just another way we can contribute. We understand the importance of having the best facilities available, and if we can contribute to this in some way, it is worthwhile.” 

    The cause hits close to home for the team, with many brigade members using the services of The Royal Children’s Hospital over many years.  

    Werribee Fire Brigade firefighter Mick Davie is one of those members. Mick has done everything and more over his last 20 years of fundraising, from door-knocking, tin-rattling, to sitting on the organising committee.  

    “My family has a long history with both CFA and the Good Friday Appeal. Both my kids and my wife get there early in the morning with me, and we spend the day helping to raise as much money as we can for the cause,” Mick said.  

    “We’ve seen the impacts the Appeal can have firsthand, with both of our kids needing treatment. 

    “Our son, Jake, has needed two head reconstructions and our daughter, Charlotte, is currently going through cancer treatment, so we are at the hospital weekly. We can’t speak highly enough about them and what they have done for our family. 

    “We are so lucky to have the Royal Children’s Hospital so close and accessible to us. The staff there are the best in the world at what they do, they are so good at finding the best treatment for each individual and what will work best for each child. 

    “There is a reason that people come from around the world to see specialists there.  

    “We need the hospital to have the best gear possible so our kids can be looked after. 

    “You can see the impact that the Good Friday Appeal can have as soon as you visit The Royal Children’s Hospital. It is really important to keep the support going.” 

    This year, CFA volunteers are aiming to surpass $40 million in total funds collected for the Good Friday Appeal across 74 years.   

    On Good Friday, call 1300 APPEAL between 9am and 11pm.

    • Jake, Mick and Charlotte Davie
    • The Good Friday Appeal is a community event for Werribee crews
    • Werribee Fire Brigade have been heavily involved with the Appeal for many years
    • The Appeal is a great opportunity to get as many brigade members involved as possible
    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Seeks to Unfreeze $80 Million to Help RIers Lower Their Home Energy Bills

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    PROVIDENCE, RI – The Trump Administration is withholding tens of millions of dollars for clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades across Rhode Island that Congress approved under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58) and the Inflation Reduction Act (P.L. 117-169).

    U.S. Senator Jack Reed supported the creation of a number of clean energy grant programs in the two laws to help Rhode Islanders lower their energy bills, make energy efficiency upgrades more affordable and accessible for Americans, and boost renewable energy production.  Now, Senator Reed is urging the Trump Administration to release around $80 million in previously awarded federal funds to help Rhode Island accelerate its clean energy transition, lower prices, and drive economic growth.

    Today, Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, sent a pair of letters to two key members of President Trump’s cabinet.  Reed urged U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to “release the nearly $36 million in electric vehicle charging infrastructure funding for Rhode Island that is being held by the Department of Transportation.”  He also urged U.S. Secretary of Energy  Christopher Wright to “immediately release nearly $43 million in clean energy and energy efficiency funding for Rhode Island.”

    “Rhode Islanders deserve affordable, reliable electricity.  America needs an energy policy that embraces technology and innovation and includes renewables like solar, wind, geothermal, and emerging battery storage technologies.  Investing in things like heat pumps is a win-win that lowers energy costs, increases energy independence, and supports good-paying jobs here in Rhode Island.  We’ve made some real progress, but President Trump’s partisan hold on clean energy funds puts those gains at risk and contributes to higher home energy costs,” said Senator Reed.

    Federal clean energy funds being halted or withheld by the Trump Administration includes:

    Home Efficiency Rebate (HER) Program: $31.9 million halted indefinitely, awaiting final approval.   The funding is in Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources’ (OER) U.S. Treasury account, but OER is unable to launch the program until it receives final approval of its implementation blueprint plan from DOE. 

    This funding would allow Rhode Islanders to get rebates for up to 100 percent of the costs (up to $16,000 per multifamily unit) to purchase and install heat pumps.  According to Rewiring America, the average homeowner will save between $370 to $1,000 per year by upgrading to a heat pump.

    National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI): Over $20.8 million frozen and guidance rescinded.  NEVI funds are designed to ensure a convenient, reliable network of charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) nationwide.  The program was allocated $22.8 million, $2 million has already been spent by the state.

    Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program (CFI): $15 million on hold – with grant agreement signed, but funds not obligated.

    This funding would help build out RI’s EV charging infrastructure and would finance additional chargers in strategic public locations such as public road parking lots, municipal office buildings, public schools, and public parks. 

    Building Code Adoption: $9.4 million awarded but never obligated.

    This program would help local governments adopt updated building energy conservation codes and standards.  The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that by 2040, modernized energy codes will save homes and businesses $138 billion on their utility bills— equivalent to $162 annually per household.

    Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation (RECI): $1.6 million on hold. The money is in OER’s U.S. Treasury account, but any drawdown of funds is subject to agency approval.

    This program is designed for training and implementation of updated energy codes for residential buildings.

    Many of these large grants are structured as passthrough grants, meaning federal agencies grant a large sum to a state agency, which then coordinates its own in-state application and disbursement process with local communities and non-profit partners.  Many were scheduled to begin this year before being halted by the Trump Administration.

    The Inflation Reduction Act has been instrumental in attracting more than $129 billion in announced clean energy factory investments nationwide since it was enacted in 2022.  Rolling back investments would harm all 50 states and create an economic drag on the U.S. economy.

    These federal funds were authorized and appropriated by Congress, signed into law by the previous administration, and awarded to Rhode Island.  Federal law allows for a pause or delay in releasing funds by a new Administration, but a rescission of Congressionally appropriated funds, without Congressional approval, is tantamount to impoundment, which is illegal.  However, the Trump Administration believes impoundment is permissible and that the President has the authority to ignore funding laws that have been passed by Congress. The Trump Administration now wants to litigate this matter before what it believes is a friendly U.S. Supreme Court with six of nine justices appointed by Republican presidents. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed & Hagerty Renew Push to Reign in Abusive Mortgage “Trigger Leads” & Cut Down on Unwanted Spam Calls, Texts and Emails

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to give prospective homebuyers more control over their personal information, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) reintroduced the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act to dramatically reduce spam calls, texts, and emails from irresponsible players in the mortgage industry.

    The bipartisan bill would crack down on the misuse of mortgage “trigger leads” – which occur when a consumer’s credit inquiry “triggers” the sale of their information to third-party lenders and businesses.  When a mortgage lender runs a credit check during the process to buy a home, it appears on the consumer’s credit report. The major credit reporting bureaus (including Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) may then sell that information to other lenders or brokers, which then use it to contact consumers unprompted, often in a predatory manner, to solicit business.

    According to the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) president Jim Nabors: “It is not unusual for bank customers to receive 100+ misleading texts, phone calls and emails within the first 24 hours of applying for a mortgage and the passage of this bill will go a long way in relieving this burden to homebuyers.”

    Prospective homebuyers who are bombarded by these kinds of solicitations typically have no idea their information was sold without their consent.

    The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act would limit the ability of credit reporting bureaus to sell trigger leads to mortgage brokers and lenders when the bureaus learn that a consumer has applied for a mortgage. This legislation would amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) to include specific restrictions on the use of trigger leads in the residential mortgage lending space, with very limited exceptions for institutions that a consumer currently knows and trusts.

    “Buying a home is already a complex and stressful process. Consumers should not get needlessly ‘spammed’ with unsolicited, predatory offers just because they take a necessary step in the homebuying process.  This bill would halt abusive trigger leads,” said Senator Reed, a senior member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. “The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act will put consumers back in the driver’s seat and help cut down on the spam.  It will help reduce predatory practices and provide much needed relief from unwanted industry calls, texts, and emails.”

    “Unsolicited phone calls caused by trigger leads have become an intolerable nuisance to many Tennesseans,” said Senator Hagerty. “I’m pleased to join this bipartisan, bicameral legislation that will protect Americans’ data and help reduce endless spam calls.”

    This bill would prohibit credit reporting bureaus from selling a trigger lead unless a mortgage broker or lender certifies to the bureau that they already have a deep financial relationship with the consumer, such as an existing mortgage loan or a deposit account.  Trigger leads would also be permitted if a consumer affirmatively opts in to receiving them.

    The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act is supported by a broad coalition of consumer advocacy groups and financial trades, including the Mortgage Bankers Association, the Independent Community Bankers of America, the American Bankers Association, the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, the Broker Action Coalition, Community Home Lenders of America, the National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), the Consumer Federation of America, Americans for Financial Reform, and others.

    Last Congress, the bill garnered support from 42 cosponsors and passed the full U.S. Senate before stalling in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

    Identical bipartisan legislation is being introduced in the House by Congressman John Rose (R-TN-06) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: To Help More American Households Save Energy, U.S. Senators Renew Bipartisan Effort to Boost Weatherization Aid

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to make more homes energy efficient and help residents save on their utility bills, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) teamed up to re-introduce the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act (S.1342).  This bipartisan bill seeks to improve public health and lower household energy costs by bolstering the federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which covers home weatherization, window replacement, sealing air leaks, ventilation improvements, and other key energy-saving measures.
    The bill will authorize a Weatherization Readiness Fund to help those in need repair structural issues and prepare homes for weatherization assistance, increasing the number of homes the program is able to serve.  It also seeks to raise the amount of funding allowed to be spent on each home to keep up with current labor and material costs, and will raise the cap on the amount of funding allowed to be spent on renewable energy upgrades in each home.  These provisions are essential updates to a program that has helped so many families over the past few decades.
    Since 1976, the Weatherization Assistance Program has helped more than 7.4 million low-income families reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.  The U.S Department of Energy estimates that these upgrades help each household save $372 in energy bills annually.
    In addition to saving families money, energy efficient homes also help cut down on our carbon footprint, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
    “This bipartisan, cost-effective bill is about saving families and taxpayers money, cutting air pollution, and generating good-paying clean-energy jobs.  Passing the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act will help save families in need real money on their energy bills while also benefitting the U.S. economy, environment, and public health.  It would help reduce demand on energy grids nationwide which helps keep utility rates lower and frees up financial resources for family essentials, like groceries and medicine.  By expanding the program to include critical home repairs, we can alleviate economic hardship, address healthy housing disparities, and improve energy efficiency for those households who need it most,” said Senator Reed.
    “The Weatherization Assistance Program is a proven, cost-effective way to permanently decrease energy usage while reducing low-income Americans’ energy bills,” said Senator Collins.  “This bipartisan bill would help build on the significant investments we have secured for the Weatherization Assistance Program so that more Americans are able to make improvements that will allow them to affordably heat their homes.”
    “During the baking heat of summer and the freezing winds of winter, too many families across this country struggle to pay their heating and cooling bills,” said Senator Coons. “The Weatherization Assistance Program has already helped thousands of Delawareans trying to make ends meet, and this legislation lowers rising energy bills for thousands more by giving low-income families support to make their homes more energy efficient while creating new clean energy jobs and reducing the impact of climate change. 
    “Weatherizing homes is one of the most effective tools we have to help Granite State families save money on their monthly utility bills while also reducing emissions,” said Senator Shaheen. “By expanding access to the Weatherization Assistance Program, this commonsense bipartisan legislation would allow more households to implement cost-saving energy efficiency measures that create new jobs and boost New Hampshire’s economy.” 
    David Terry, the President of the National Association of State Energy Officials, stated: “We applaud Senators Reed, Collins, Coons and Shaheen for introducing this important bipartisan piece of legislation, which will help low-income and elderly Americans.  The sponsoring senators are continuing their long-time support of energy efficiency programs that reduce costs for the public.”
    David Bradley, CEO of the National Community Action Foundation which represents local weatherizers said: “The Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act keeps hundreds of community teams  hard at work with streamlined processes and up to date  technology. It will help make older homes safer and sturdier, so retirees and working  families can stay in their communities; energy bills will be lower; residents will be healthier and even make fewer emergency hospital visits.  Thousands of contractors and crew members will be trained in valuable specialty skills of measuring and improving building performance.  The unwavering leadership of Senators Jack Reed, Susan Collins, Chris Coons and Jeanne Shaheen keeps the Weatherization Assistance Program robust and relevant through changing times.”
    Cheryl Williams, Executive Director of the National Association for State Community Services Programs said: “NASCSP is thrilled to support the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act, introduced by Senators Reed, Collins, Coons, and Shaheen, long time champions of weatherization. This legislation paves the way toward decreasing energy burdens and improving the health and safety of low-income households, while supporting more than 8,500 highly skilled jobs across the country.”
    Weatherization is key to lowering the energy burden among low-income households, a quarter of whom spend more than 15% of annual income on energy bills.?This?burden often?compels families with limited financial resources to?cut back?on essentials like medicine, groceries, and child care.
    An independent study of the Weatherization Assistance Program by Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that children in weatherized households miss less school, improving educational outcomes.  Adults miss less work, increasing both their own incomes and their contributions to the economy.  Families also reported experiencing fewer flu and cold symptoms and emergency room visits, decreasing costly medical expenses.
    The Weatherization Assistance Program also helps boost our economy.  DOE has reported that the program supports over 8,500 jobs for energy experts and contractors, while increasing our national economic output by $1.2 billion.
    Senators Reed and Collins spearheaded the bipartisan effort to include $3.5 billion in WAP funding in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
    Click here to read the full bill text.
    -end-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reflections on 2024: FECM’s Year in Review

    Source: US Department of Energy

    By any measure, 2024 was one of the most successful in the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management’s (FECM’s) history. 

    We made enormous progress toward addressing and reducing methane emissions in the oil and gas industry to meet our environmental responsibilities and ensure that U.S. natural gas can compete in a rapidly changing global marketplace.

    We accelerated carbon capture, removal, utilization, and storage technologies, and laid the groundwork for a strengthened and expanded carbon dioxide (CO2) transport and storage infrastructure.

    We made real and impressive strides toward establishing a secure domestic supply chain for the critical minerals and materials that will be required in a 21st Century economy.

    We advanced pathways to clean hydrogen deployment through fuel cell technology, as well as electrolysis and biomass, waste, and fossil resources coupled to carbon capture, utilization, and storage. 

    And we expanded meaningful engagement and strengthened relationships with communities, Tribes, industry, and other stakeholders to not only ensure the success of our projects but also to help drive economic development, technological innovation, and the growth of high-wage jobs across America.

    Our 2024 successes would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the people who make up FECM. We are thankful for our leadership and our team at Headquarters and at the National Energy Technology Laboratory for their continued amazing work—and for their professionalism and commitment. 

    As we look toward 2025, we remain committed to carrying out our work for the American people. 

    Year in Review Highlights

    Here are a few prominent examples of FECM investing in technologies to minimize the environmental and climate impacts of fossil fuel and industrial processes:

    • DOE collaborated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to award $850 million to 43 projects that will help small oil and gas operators, Tribes, and other entities across the country to reduce, monitor, measure, and quantify methane emissions from the oil and gas sector as part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. 
    • With funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FECM awarded $518 million to strengthen the nation’s infrastructure for permanent, safe storage of CO2. The 23 selected projects across 19 states support the Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise (CarbonSAFE) Initiative.
    • FECM announced $75 million to establish a Critical Materials Supply Chain Research Facility to support on-going government initiatives, such as the Critical Materials Collaborative and Critical Materials Innovation Hub, along with the overall DOE-wide critical mineral and material goals of diversifying and expanding supply, developing alternatives, improving efficiencies across the supply chain, and enabling a circular economy.
    • FECM invested $45 million into six projects to create regional consortia focused on securing domestic critical minerals and materials. The selected projects will build on DOE’s Carbon Ore, Rare Earth and Critical Minerals (CORE-CM) Initiative, expanding the focus from the basin scale to cover eight regions across the nation. 
    • FECM along with DOE’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies Office invested more than $58.5 million into 11 projects that aim to support Carbon Negative Shot’s objectives through integrated pilot-scale testing of advanced technologies and detailed monitoring, reporting, and verification protocols. Carbon Negative Shot is the U.S. government’s first major carbon dioxide removal effort and part of DOE’s larger Energy Earthshots Initiative.
    • FECM invested $44.5 million into nine university and industry-led project teams that will serve as regional partners to advance commercial-scale carbon capture, transport, and storage across the United States. The Regional Initiative for Technical Assistance Partnerships will accelerate the understanding of specific geologic basins to enable the permanent storage of CO2 emissions from industrial operations and power plants, as well as legacy emissions in the atmosphere. 
    • FECM announced four research and development projects that will receive nearly $32 million to advance technologies to help reduce natural gas flaring at oil production sites, a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, by transforming gas into valuable products that would otherwise be wasted by those operations. These projects support the U.S. Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan, which launched a whole-of-government initiative to redouble efforts to significantly reduce methane emissions while protecting workers and communities, growing jobs, and promoting U.S. technology innovation.

    FECM also formed new working groups and initiatives to strengthen stakeholder engagement:

    • After requesting, receiving, and incorporating feedback from climate, environmental justice, community, labor organizations, and carbon management sector leaders, along with guidance from other DOE offices, FECM released principles to help developers deploy successful carbon management projects that reduce pollution, create high-quality jobs, and improve transparency and accountability under the Responsible Carbon Management Initiative.
    • The International Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification Working Group released a framework for the measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification of methane, carbon dioxide, and other greenhouse gas emissions to drive continuous reductions in emissions across the global natural gas market.
    • The Tribal Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Working Group was formed to provide ongoing advice and expertise to DOE on the best ways to assist Tribal decarbonization efforts and utilization of their natural resources.
    • DOE and the White House Council on Environmental Quality held the first meeting of two federal Permitting Task Forces to help address the efficient, orderly, and responsible development of CO2 pipelines and related carbon capture and storage projects. This includes projects on both private and federal lands and of those that cross federal, state and tribal boundaries.
    • And with support from various DOE offices, we released the Carbon Management Strategy for public comment to provide a comprehensive roadmap for the remainder of the decade.

    We hope you enjoyed reading this highlight of FECM’s accomplishments over the past year. To keep up to date with future announcements, blogs, and more, sign up for news alerts and follow us on X, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FECM Leadership Advances New Strategic Priorities at Industry Events and National Laboratory Site Visits

    Source: US Department of Energy

    Blog

    FECM leadership has been engaging with stakeholders and staff across North America, introducing the Trump Administration’s priorities and their role in promoting energy abundance and security.

    Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management

    March 20, 2025

    PDAS Tala Goudarzi and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Operations Vicki Michetti take a closer look at the groundbreaking projects underway at the NETL Albany campus.

    In recent weeks, U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) leadership has been engaging with stakeholders and staff across North America, introducing the Trump Administration’s priorities and their role in promoting energy abundance and security.

    On February 11, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) Tala Goudarzi, joined by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Operations Vicki Michetti, visited the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) campus in Albany, Oregon to tour the facility and discuss the Administration’s energy agenda. The NETL-Albany campus is internationally recognized for its work in metallurgy and materials research, with a particular emphasis on processing critical minerals and alloys. Additionally, the campus explores and characterizes natural systems including natural gas hydrates and geothermal systems. 

    From left to right: Senior Advisor Derek Cohen, PDAS Tala Goudarzi, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Operations Vicki Michetti learn about the innovative work being done at the NETL Morgantown campus.

    On February 27 and February 28, PDAS Goudarzi and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Operations Michetti visited NETL campuses in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Morgantown, West Virginia to discuss the role the laboratory will play in unleashing American energy innovation. From left to right: Senior Advisor Derek Cohen, PDAS Tala Goudarzi, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Operations Vicki Michetti learn about the innovative work being done at the NETL Morgantown campus.

    PDAS Tala Goudarzi and Senior Advisor Derek Cohen engages with technical staff at the NETL Pittsburgh campus.

    The Pittsburgh campus focuses on process systems engineering, decision science, functional materials, and environmental sciences, with an emphasis on rare earth elements used in defense technology and staples of modern living. The Morgantown campus focuses on domestic coal, natural gas, and oil energy conversion and is also home to Joule 2.0—one of the fastest, largest and most energy-efficient supercomputers in the world. Pictured: PDAS Tala Goudarzi and Senior Advisor Derek Cohen engages with technical staff at the NETL Pittsburgh campus.

    FECM and International Affairs (IA) leadership stand in front of the FECM booth at the 2025 Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada

    The following week, on March 7, FECM’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Resource Sustainability Ryan Peay and Senior Science Advisor Grant Bromhal attended the 2025 Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) Conference in Toronto, Canada. Peay and Bromhal met with the mining industry’s most influential experts and stakeholders to further explore the role of a secure, domestic critical minerals supply to strengthen energy security.

    On March 10, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright delivered keynote remarks at the 43rd annual CERAWeek by S&P Global, emphasizing the need to bolster American energy, with a particular focus on liquefied natural gas exports. The conference, which took place in Houston, Texas between March 10 and March 14, centered around the theme of “Moving Ahead: Energy strategies for a complex world.” Throughout the week, PDAS Goudarzi engaged on the ground with industry leaders, policymakers, and other experts about the role of FECM in ensuring national security.

    To keep up to date with future announcements and events, sign up for FECM news alerts and visit FECM’s website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing projects fully large-scale 5G applications by 2027

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    Beijing will achieve large-scale 5G application and comprehensive 5G integration across industries by the end of 2027, positioning itself as a leading national benchmark for 5G adoption, according to a three-year action plan unveiled by municipal authorities.
    The plan, jointly released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology and the Beijing Communications Administration, sets targets including 100 percent 5G penetration among individual users, over 75 percent of total traffic carried by 5G networks, and 45 percent adoption by industrial enterprises above the designated size by 2027.
    Infrastructure upgrades will deploy 70 5G and 5G-Advanced (5G-A) base stations per 10,000 residents, with over 35,000 new or upgraded 5G-A base stations to ensure seamless 5G coverage within the Fifth Ring Road and 5G-A service in key areas, according to the bureau.
    The city will foster an ecosystem and expand new scenarios for 5G-powered smart robots, mobile terminals and cloud-based equipment, while cultivating 5G-integrated innovations including extended reality architectures, glasses-free 3D technology, smart wearables and home solutions.
    The large-scale application of 5G is expected to empower Beijing across industrial internet, humanoid robotics, smart power grids and low-altitude systems, healthcare and digital education. It will also enhance autonomous driving capabilities and support the building of 400 “5G smart hospitals.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Wyden, Cortez Masto, Padilla Seek Watchdog Investigation of Potential Trump Admin. Violations of Taxpayer Privacy Laws

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, (D-OR), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) wrote to the acting Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration seeking an investigation into reports that the Trump administration is providing highly-sensitive and legally-protected taxpayer data to the Department of Homeland Security and DOGE personnel potentially violating federal privacy laws.
    For years, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has encouraged immigrants to pay taxes with assurances that this information would remain confidential. In return, immigrants have paid billions of dollars in taxes each year. The senators’ request comes after Treasury Secretary Bessent signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Homeland Security to provide an unprecedented level of access to taxpayer data for open-ended investigations. Several high-ranking IRS officials, including the acting commissioner and chief privacy officer, then announced their imminent departures from the agency. The IRS already has the tools to share sensitive information with law enforcement. Instead enhancing public safety, it will put millions of immigrants in danger of deportation merely because they followed the guidance of previous Democratic and Republican administrations and paid their taxes.
    “Taxpayer data held by the IRS is, by design, subject to some of the strongest privacy protections under federal law, the violation of which can trigger civil and criminal sanctions, including up to five years in prison. Congress passed these protections in the 1970s after President Nixon weaponized the IRS against his political enemies. These legal protections for taxpayer data apply to all taxpayers and are an essential foundation for our tax system, which requires the voluntary submission of information to the government. Voluntary tax compliance depends on taxpayers having faith that their confidential information will not be used for anything other than tax administration…
    “Immediately following Bessent’s execution of the [agreement with DHS], several IRS leaders announced their resignations, including Acting IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause and Chief Privacy Officer Kathleen Walters, raising further questions about whether they resigned to avoid being a party to a criminal conspiracy to violate tax privacy law… 
    “The risks created by these activities cannot be overstated… [IRS] data can be inaccurate because of identity theft, keypunch errors, obsolete address information, and a wide range of other reasons. If DHS relies on the same data to deport millions of people without validating its accuracy, it is likely to end up making grave errors that impact American citizens and immigrants with valid legal status.”
    The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, (D-MA) Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Andy Kim (D-NJ).
    To read the full text of the letter, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Communities from Gun Violence

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced bipartisan legislation to combat gun violence. The Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts (BUMP) Act would prohibit the sale of bump stocks and other devices or modifications that allow semi-automatic firearms to increase their rate of fire and effectively operate as fully automatic weapons. Senator Rosen (D-Nev.) is a cosponsor of the BUMP Act, and companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Dina Titus (D-Nev.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.).
    “It’s been nearly eight years since the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival massacre changed my hometown forever,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Bump stocks like the one used by the shooter have no place in our communities. I will never forget the events of October 1, 2017, and will never stop fighting to permanently ban these dangerous devices.”
    “Nearly eight years after the Harvest Festival massacre we still do not have a federal law banning these deadly devices,” said Representative Titus. “Bump stocks continue to pose a threat to innocent lives and Congress must act. Without a federal law firmly banning them, federal regulations and court rulings could allow bump stocks on our streets and in our neighborhoods, raising the risk of more mass shootings.”
    A full list of endorsements, a one page summary, and the full text of the BUMP Act can be found at the preceding links.
    Senator Cortez Masto has pushed to reduce gun violence, including through expanding background checks and other commonsense gun violence prevention measures. She voted to pass the bipartisan Safer Communities Act to close the so-called “boyfriend loophole.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Thune Introduce Bill to Alleviate Burdensome Tax Requirements for Individuals Working in Multiple States

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced the Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act, bipartisan legislation that would simplify and standardize state income tax collection for employees who travel outside of their home state for temporary work.
    While some states require state income tax filing for as little as one day of work in the state, this legislation would establish a common-sense 30-day threshold to help ensure that an equitable tax is paid to the state and local jurisdiction where the work is being performed, while alleviating burdensome tax requirements for employees and employers. Both Nevada and South Dakota have no income tax which limits the ability for residents to offset taxes paid in other states. This legislation would ensure that Nevada workers who temporarily travel outside of the state for work aren’t unfairly punished. 
    “Mobile workers who temporarily work outside of their home state should not find a surprise tax bill come April,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m proud to introduce this common-sense bill alongside Senator Thune to cut red tape and protect workers across the United States.”
    “It is complicated and unfair for an individual who lives in a state like South Dakota, with no state income tax, to have to file income taxes in multiple states for simply temporarily working in those states – in some cases, for as little as 24 hours – and not be able to recover any income tax payments he or she has to make,” said Senator Thune. “The current framework is overly burdensome, and our legislation would provide much-needed relief by creating a common-sense, across-the-board standard for mobile employees who spend a short period of time during the year working across state lines.”
    Senator Cortez Masto has consistently supported efforts to cut taxes and lower costs for hardworking Nevadans. Earlier this week, the Senator introduced the Tax Cut for Workers Act to give millions of working Americans a much-needed tax break, as well as American Families Act to permanently expand the Child Tax Credit. She helped pass critical expansions to the Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue plan, and has been fighting to permanently increase this vital relief for working families. Cortez Masto also helped introduce the No Tax on Tips Act to exempt tipped wages from federal income tax. Additionally, Senator Cortez Masto supports raising the federal minimum wage and eliminating the minimum wage gap for tipped workers nationally.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Joins Bipartisan Effort to Help More American Households Save Energy and Money Through Weatherization

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Chris Coons (D-DE) in introducing the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act. The bipartisan legislation seeks to improve public health and lower household energy costs by bolstering the federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which covers home weatherization, window replacement, sealing air leaks, ventilation improvements and other key energy-saving measures.
    “Weatherizing homes is one of the most effective tools we have to help Granite State families save money on their monthly utility bills while also reducing emissions,” said Senator Shaheen. “By expanding access to the Weatherization Assistance Program, this commonsense bipartisan legislation would allow more households to implement cost-saving energy efficiency measures that create new jobs and boost New Hampshire’s economy.”
    “This bipartisan, cost-effective bill is about saving families and taxpayers money, cutting air pollution, and generating good-paying clean-energy jobs.  Passing the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act will help save families in need real money on their energy bills while also benefitting the U.S. economy, environment, and public health.  It would help reduce demand on energy grids nationwide which helps keep utility rates lower and frees up financial resources for family essentials, like groceries and medicine.  By expanding the program to include critical home repairs, we can alleviate economic hardship, address healthy housing disparities, and improve energy efficiency for those households who need it most,” said Senator Reed.
    “The Weatherization Assistance Program is a proven, cost-effective way to permanently decrease energy usage while reducing low-income Americans’ energy bills,” said Senator Collins.  “This bipartisan bill would help build on the significant investments we have secured for the Weatherization Assistance Program so that more Americans are able to make improvements that will allow them to affordably heat their homes.”
    “During the baking heat of summer and the freezing winds of winter, too many families across this country struggle to pay their heating and cooling bills,” said Senator Coons. “The Weatherization Assistance Program has already helped thousands of Delawareans trying to make ends meet, and this legislation lowers rising energy bills for thousands more by giving low-income families support to make their homes more energy efficient while creating new clean energy jobs and reducing the impact of climate change. 
    Specifically, the bill would serve more low-income households that are currently unable to receive weatherization services because their homes are in need of significant repairs. The bill would authorize a Weatherization Readiness Fund, providing $30 million a year for five years to help those in need repair structural issues and prepare homes for weatherization assistance, increasing the number of homes the program is able to serve. It also seeks to raise the amount of funding allowed to be spent on each home to keep up with current labor and material costs and would raise the cap on the amount of funding allowed to be spent on renewable energy upgrades in each home. These provisions are essential updates to a program that has helped so many families over the past few decades.
    The Weatherization Assistance Program helps homes become more energy efficient through measures like installing insulation, updating heating and cooling systems and updating electrical appliances. For every dollar invested by WAP, $4.50 is generated in combined energy savings and non-energy benefits such as improved health and job creation, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Since 1976, the Weatherization Assistance Program has helped more than seven million low-income families reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. The U.S Department of Energy estimates that these upgrades help each household save $283 in energy bills annually. In addition to saving families money, energy efficient homes also help cut down on our carbon footprint, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
    As a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Shaheen helped secure $3.5 billion in additional funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, including $18 million for New Hampshire. Shaheen has long-championed the Weatherization Assistance Program to lower energy costs for low-income families in New Hampshire, as well as the State Energy Program, which assists states with the development of energy efficiency renewable projects. In the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bills, Shaheen helped defend key efficiency programs at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) from cuts, including securing $366 million for weatherization efforts and $66 million for the State Energy Program, which work to bring down energy bills for families and communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Member of Lummi Nation sentenced to prison for strangulation attack on intimate partner

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Seattle – A member of Lummi Nation was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 51 months in prison for Assault by Strangulation, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Joseph Michael Quincy Jefferson, 36, was found guilty in January 2025, following a seven-day jury trial. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Lauren King noted that Jefferson had multiple domestic violence related convictions in tribal court, saying “your abuse of others has become a pattern… You return to strangulation again and again.”

    “This case is testament to the importance of our work in tribal communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. “Studies reveal that being a victim of strangulation significantly increases the risk the victim will be killed at the hands of their abuser. Holding Mr. Jefferson accountable now is the best way to protect future victims.”

    According to records filed in the case and testimony at trial, on the night of April 8, 2023, Jefferson punched, pushed, and strangled his live-in partner. Sitting on her back he used the crook of his elbow to apply pressure to her neck, strangling her and causing her to black out twice. When the victim regained consciousness, she ran from the home barefoot and in her underwear, calling a friend and a neighbor requesting help. The victim went to the Lummi Nation Police Department and to the hospital where she made consistent statements to police and medical care providers. She was found to have a broken nose and other injuries consistent with strangulation. 

    At trial, Jefferson claimed he acted in self-defense. During her testimony, the victim minimized Jefferson’s conduct.

    In asking for a high-end 57-month sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Celia Lee recounted Jefferson’s history of domestic violence with his two romantic partners and noted that shorter sentences handed down by the Lummi Tribal Court have not changed his behavior. “Given Jefferson’s history, his conduct, and his behavior while under supervision, the Court is frankly left with no viable alternatives to a lengthy term of imprisonment. Thus, a significant custodial sentence at this juncture is appropriate, just, and would promote respect for the law. The government certainly hopes that such a sentence would also provide specific deterrence to Jefferson who has thus far not been dissuaded from violence by his prior terms of incarceration for domestic violence.”

    Jefferson has been in custody since his bond was revoked in late October 2024 due to his ongoing contact with the victim in violation of his conditions of pretrial release. He remains in custody pending sentencing.

    The case was investigated by the Lummi Nation Police Department and the FBI.

    The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Celia Lee. Ms. Lee serves as a Tribal Liaison for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Ensuring public safety on tribal lands is a critical responsibility of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Western District of Washington.

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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police acknowledge sentence of Jimmy Heremaia

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Please attribute to Detective Inspector Dave De Lange:

    Police acknowledge the sentence handed down to Jimmy Heremaia in the High Court at Napier today.

    We are pleased to see justice done for Ariki’s family, who have been such fierce advocates for her since her death.

    We know no sentence could ever make up for her loss, however we hope today’s result offers some comfort to them.

    I would also like to acknowledge the investigation team, who put in many months of hard work to achieve this result.

    This was a meticulous, difficult and complex investigation spanning multiple Police districts and requiring many specialist skillsets.

    I thank you for your unwavering dedication to making an arrest and ensuring Ariki’s killer could be held to account.

    ENDS

    Issued by the Police Media Centre

    Note to media:

    Jimmy Heremaia was sentenced to life imprisonment, with 12 years non parole, for murder and arson.

    Ropine Robin Paul was sentenced to 12 months of home detention for being a party to arson.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Polis Signs Laws to Improve Public Safety

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Governor Polis signed new laws to improve public safety in Colorado and strengthen the state’s workforce. The Governor signed SB25-003 – Semiautomatic Firearms & Rapid-Fire Devices, sponsored by Senators Tom Sullivan and Julie Gonzales, and Representatives Andrew Boesnecker and Meg Froelich, to improve public safety by enhancing gun safety education. The Governor also wrote a signing statement. 

    “I am focused on improving public safety and making Colorado one of the top ten safest states in the country. This bill ensures that our Second Amendment rights are protected and that Coloradans can continue to purchase the gun of their choice for sport, hunting, self-defense, or home defense. I am confident that this bill contributes to improving public safety in our state by helping to ensure an educated and trained gun owner community, including gun safety and safe storage,” said Governor Jared Polis. “This law is not a ban, and I have been clear that I oppose banning types of firearms. Proper gun safety education and training, however, are key components of public safety and responsible gun ownership.” 

    The Governor and his office worked with the sponsors, advocates, and Coloradans to improve the bill throughout the legislative session. As passed, this bill provides for lawful purchasers to undertake a gun safety education course prior to continuing to be able to purchase the gun of their choice starting in August 2026. 

    Governor Polis signed bills into law to strengthen the state’s resources for public safety, support Colorado youth, and enhance workforce development opportunities. 

    • SB25-059 – Supports for State Response to Mass Shootings, sponsored by Senators Tom Sullivan and Steven Woodrow, and Representative Michael Carter
    • SB25-151 – Measures to Prevent Youth from Running Away, sponsored by Senators Dafna Michaelson Jenet and Meg Froelich, and Representative Lindsay Gilchrist

     “These laws will ensure the state is prepared to support victims of crimes, and help Colorado youth in care sites get needed services to stay safe and healthy. Each of these new laws will improve public safety for communities across the state,” said Governor Polis. 

    These new laws add to a long line of laws signed by Governor Polis to improve public safety. This includes cracking down on auto theft and illegal guns, increasing funding for local law enforcement, community-led crime prevention efforts, safe storage, emergency risk protection order and more. 

    The Governor also signed HB25-1221 – Emily Griffith Associate of Applied Science Degree, sponsored by Representatives Eliza Hamrick and Lori Garcia Sander, and Senators Jeff Bridges and Paul Lundeen. 

    “This new credential can help connect more Coloradans to needed skills that lead to good-paying jobs. I appreciate the work of the sponsors on this legislation and look forward to seeing Coloradans take advantage of it,” said Governor Jared Polis. 

    Governor Polis also signed the following bipartisan bills administratively: 

    • SB25-015 – Wildfire Information & Resource Center Website, sponsored by Senators Lisa Cutter and Janice Marchman, and Representatives Elizabeth Velasco and Tisha Mauro. This bill is bipartisan.
    • SB25-033 – Prohibit New Liquor-Licensed Drug Stores, sponsored by Senators Judy Amabile and Dylan Roberts, and Representatives Naquetta Ricks and Ron Weinberg. This bill is bipartisan. SIGNING STATEMENT
    • HB25-1027 – Update Disease Control Statutes, sponsored by Representatives Lindsay Gilchrist and Kyle Brown, and Senators Lindsey Daugherty and Kyle Mullica. This bill is bipartisan.
    • HB25-1173 – Advisory Board Serving Office of School Safety, sponsored by Representatives Meghan Lukens and Dusty Johnson, and Senator Chris Kolker. This bill is bipartisan.
    • HB25-1110 – Railroad Crossing Maintenance Costs, sponsored by Representatives Ty Winter and Monica Duran, and Senators Byron Pelton and Robert Rodriguez. This bill is bipartisan. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Larsen, Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell and Rep. Randall Reintroduce Legislation to Permanently Reauthorize Northwest Straits Commission

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), along with Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025, legislation to permanently reauthorize the Northwest Straits Commission in the Puget Sound, and fund it at $10 million each fiscal year for the next six years, through Fiscal Year 2031. Joining Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, and Rep. Larsen in introducing the legislation today was U.S. Representative Emily Randall (D, WA-06).

    The Northwest Straits Commission is a community-led effort to restore marine habitats in the Northwest Straits region and address local threats to marine environments with projects such as restoring shellfish populations, protecting vulnerable ecosystems, and promoting growth for native water and shore-based plants. The Northwest Straits Commission provides funding, training, and support to seven county-based Marine Resources Committees (MRCs) and 15 Tribes. The Commission advises local officials on how to best carry out environmental projects and provides expertise to community organizations to help them be partners in their work by, for example, training volunteers to identify forage fish spawning sites.

    “The Northwest Straits Commission has an impressive track record of community-led, well-executed projects that protect Washington state’s environment,” said Rep. Larsen, the lead Democrat on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. “I am proud to support the Commission as it brings together a diverse group of local, state, tribal and federal stakeholders to restore marine habitats and create good jobs in Northwest Washington. I look forward to working with Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell and Rep. Randall to pass this bill to reauthorize the Commission so it can continue its important work for decades to come.”

    “Ensuring our rich marine resources in the Northwest Straits stay healthy is critical not only for local communities and Tribes, but also for our economy in Washington state. That’s why I first established the Northwest Straits Commission in a bipartisan way back in 1998, and fight to secure funding for it every single year,” said Senator Murray. “The Commission remains a model for how successful investments in community-led restoration projects can be, and how vital they are for restoration work that help our marine habitats recover and thrive. I am excited to continue leading the charge to permanently authorize the Northwest Straits Commission with this legislation, which would also provide a strong and consistent funding stream for the Commission over the next decade—making sure partners on the ground can expand their efforts to protect our marine species and habitats and support our outdoor recreation economy. I’ll continue fighting every way I can to secure the federal funding necessary to protect our natural resources for generations to come.”

    “The Northwest Straits bill is critical to supporting our robust coastal economy and fishing jobs, while preserving Washington’s coastal environment for generations to come,” Senator Cantwell said. “This legislation ensures we continue to support the health and sustainability of our diverse marine resources.”

    “From abalone beds and oysters, to the rugged coastline that stretches for hundreds of miles, folks from Washington’s 6th District know there’s no place quite like home. The Northwest Straits Commission has been a lifeline for our communities, providing critical resources like the Marine Resources Committees in Jefferson and Clallam counties, and working alongside Tribes all across the state,” said Rep. Randall. “Their collaborative efforts to restore and protect our marine habitats are a testament to what makes this place so special. I’m proud to co-lead this legislation to reauthorize and continue the Commission’s important work so we can continue working together to safeguard the precious marine resources that make our community and our state one-of-a-kind.”

    The Northwest Straits Commission is supported by a wide range of stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, elected leaders, and Tribal partners throughout the Puget Sound Region. More information about this bill is available here. The text of the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2025 is available here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Employee Charged With Possession Of A Firearm By An Unlawful Drug User

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Bryan Roger Byers (57, Jacksonville), a United States Postal Service employee, with possessing a firearm as an unlawful drug user. If convicted, Byers faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

    According to court documents and proceedings, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) began investigating Byers after a firearm he had purchased was recovered during a drug trafficking investigation. During that investigation, a felon was found to be in possession of a firearm and admitted purchasing the firearm from Byers in exchange for crack cocaine.

    Investigators located text messages, which reflected that Byers used sex workers to find buyers for his firearms and those buyers then exchanged drugs for the firearms. Records reflect Byers purchased at least 10 firearms over the last four years.

    On April 2, 2025, a search warrant was executed at Byers’s home. Law enforcement officers located seven firearms, multiple rounds of ammunition, and two suspected crack pipes, all of which were seized by ATF. The next day, Byers attempted to purchase another firearm and was arrested by ATF agents.

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). 

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