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Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representative Pettersen Introduces Bills to Expand Access to Quality Child Care, Bolster Education Workforce

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brittany Pettersen (Colorado 7th District)

    WASHINGTON  – Today, at a press conference, Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) joined Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05), Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jennifer McClellan (VA-03), and Jill Tokuda (HI-02) to reintroduce the Child Care Infrastructure Act and the Child Care Workforce Development Act. Pettersen also introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act with Congressman Marc Molinaro (NY-19).

    These pieces of legislation would address critical aspects of the affordable child care crisis by increasing access to quality care. Additionally, these bills would strengthen the workforce by providing incentives to recruit and retain skilled educators, while ensuring high-quality, age-appropriate instruction for young children.

    “As a working mom of a four-year-old son with another child on the way, I know firsthand how difficult it is to find affordable child care and the struggles families in my district are facing, especially in more rural communities,” said Pettersen. “That’s why I’m proud to help reintroduce these two pieces of legislation to bolster our child care workforce, help lower costs for parents, and ensure every family can access the care they need for their children to thrive.” 

    “I’m also grateful for Congressman Molinaro’s partnership on the Creating Childhood Leaders Act. Early childhood education lays the groundwork for lifelong learning, and this bill ensures school leaders focus on children from birth to age eight, building a strong foundation and fostering long-term success,” said Pettersen. 

    Background:

    The Child Care Infrastructure Act would create a grant program through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide funding to states for building or renovating child care facilities and help ensure safe, high-quality learning environments for children. Additionally, the legislation calls for a nationwide assessment of the current condition of child care facilities. Bill text is available HERE. 

    The Child Care Workforce Development Act would create a student loan repayment program for early childhood educators and establish a grant program for individuals pursuing a childhood development credential. This would help attract and retain skilled educators, addressing workforce shortages in early education and ensuring that young children receive high-quality care and instruction during their most formative years. Bill text is available HERE. 

    The Creating Early Childhood Leaders Act would modify Title II of the Higher Education Act by mandating that school leadership programs receiving federal Teacher Quality Partnership grants incorporate training on early childhood development and effective instructional leadership for children from birth to age eight. Companion legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Mitt Romney (R-UT). Bill text is available HERE.

    • This legislation is endorsed by The Education Trust, National Association of Elementary School Principals, First Five Years Fund, ZERO TO THREE, National Association for the Education of Young Children, and New America. 

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    To access downloadable, high-quality photos, click here. To stay up-to-date on what Pettersen is doing in Congress, follow her on Twitter here, Facebook here, or Instagram here. Residents can also sign-up for her e-newsletter subscription here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manning Votes for Bipartisan Budget to Avert Government Shutdown

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06)

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Global: Abortion rights defenders facing violence and stigmatization share powerful stories as part of Amnesty’s new podcast

    Source: Amnesty International –

    People defending the right to abortion have revealed what it’s like to provide life-saving healthcare in the face of violence, repression and stigma, as part of Amnesty International’s second season of On the Side of Humanity podcast.

    The three-part series – slated for release on International Safe Abortion Day on 28 September and available via all good podcast apps – features stories from healthcare workers and activists who are defending the right of women, girls and anyone who can get pregnant to take control over their own bodies and to get the best available healthcare when they most need it. Each episode is approximately 30 minutes.

    “Everyone has the right to safe abortion. However, with anti-abortion narratives and legislation gaining ground around the world, people who need abortions, or who make them happen, face increasing, life-changing risks,” said Fernanda Doz Costa, Director of the Gender, Racial Justice, Migrants and Refugees Programme at Amnesty International.

    “People defending the right to abortion, including those providing essential health services such as nurses, midwives, doctors, as well as activists distributing abortion-inducing pills, are being stigmatized, intimidated, attacked and subjected to unjust prosecutions, making their work increasingly difficult and dangerous to carry out. It’s time to shine a light on their stories through Amnesty’s new podcast and show them the support they deserve.”

    Those featured in Amnesty’s new podcast are no different – having faced a tirade of abuse, simply for supporting those in need of an abortion. Some have even been imprisoned, such as Venezuelan teacher and human rights defender Vannesa Rosales, whohelped her 13-year-old student who had been raped to get access to a safe abortion.

    “They raided my house and confiscated a grooming kit for my pets with scissors in it,” said Vannesa. “It was used as evidence that I was operating a clandestine abortion clinic. Immediately after, they arrested both of us, the girl’s mother and myself. She was facing up to five years in prison and I up to 15 years.”

    Alongside Vannesa’s story, the podcast features abortion rights defenders including Verónica Cruz Sánchez, founder of Las Libres – a feminist Mexican organisation that coordinates a network of daring activists sending free abortion pills to women in the USA; midwife Sylvia Hamata from Namibia advocating for safe abortion access and battling against abortion stigma in her country; eminent Maltese gynaecologist and Professor of Medicine Isabel Stabile; gender rights activist and Amnesty’s campaign partner Stephanie Willman Bordat; world-renowned gynaecologist and former president of FIGO (The International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) Professor Sabaratnam Arulkumaran; as well as Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard.

    Criminalization of abortion is the biggest contributing factor to the estimated 35 million unsafe abortions happening every year. It means healthcare staff are constantly caught in the conflict between the ethical and professional duty to provide the best available care and being criminally liable if they do not follow harmful laws.

    “Research over several decades has shown that being able to control one’s reproduction and to exercise reproductive autonomy affects all spheres of life. It is central to the achievement of gender equality and social, racial, gender and economic justice. As part of our global campaign on the right to abortion, Amnesty International calls on states around the world to fulfil their obligations to protect the right to safe and legal abortion for all, and to respect and protect the right of all those who defend the right to abortion,” said Fernanda Doz Costa.

    On the Side of Humanity, Season Two, is available to stream on Spotify, Apple and Deezer.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Met Sets Out New Strategy to Protect Children from Crime

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Met Sets Out New Strategy to Protect Children from Crime

    • New five-year strategy to transform Met Police approach to keeping children safe from crime;
    • All officers to undertake training in childhood vulnerability while continuing to take tough action where the public is at risk;
    • Met Police commit to 36 concrete actions to build trust, keep children safe and bring to justice those who abuse and exploit them.

    Today (Thursday 26th September) the Metropolitan Police has launched its new Children’s Strategy to keep children in London safe, build their trust and bring to justice those who abuse and exploit them.

    Around 2 million children live in London and the policing challenges they present are wide ranging: from a 13 year old being exploited and forced to transport drugs to an 8 year old growing up amid domestic abuse, or a violent 17 year old with a knife. In 2023, there were approximately 61,000 child victims of crime and 51,000 children who were suspected of committing a crime.

    This new five year strategy will ensure that police officers have the tools, systems and training they need to effectively manage the range of very different ways that children experience crime.

    As part of the strategy all officers will receive new training in childhood vulnerability and adultification bias. This training will ensure the force can effectively implement a “Child First” approach while continuing to take tough action where communities or individuals (including children) are put at risk.

    Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said:

    “This is a major milestone in our mission to keep children in London safe from crime. It will give officers the training and support they need to recognise vulnerability and safeguard individual children, while ensuring that they can still effectively protect the public from criminal behaviour.

    “Importantly, the strategy also recognises what the Metropolitan Police has not always got right in the past: that in policing the line between vulnerability and criminality, we may have sometimes focused too hard on the criminality we can see, not the vulnerability that lies behind it. This does not mean a free pass for childhood criminality, rather it will ensure we are taking a “Child First” approach to policing which takes into account the unique needs of children impacted by crime and brings to justice those who exploit or abuse them.”

    London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Sophie Linden, said:

    “I welcome the Met’s new strategy to protect children from crime which will rightly place greater emphasis on recognising the vulnerabilities of young people as well as being able to respond appropriately to criminal behaviour.

    “Enhanced training for all officers will help ensure a “Child First” approach is embedded in policing in London – which the Mayor and I have long called for – and will fulfil a key recommendation from the Baroness Casey and HMICFRS reviews.

    “This new approach is an important step forward in the Met’s work to keep vulnerable young people in our city safe, rebuild their trust in the police and bear down on anyone who abuses or seeks to exploit them in our communities and online. The Mayor and I will continue to do everything we can to support the Met and key partners to build a safer, fairer London for everyone – where no child is left unprotected.”

    Anne Longfield, Executive Chair of the Centre for Young Lives and former Children’s Commissioner for England, said:

    “The Centre for Young Lives is pleased to have supported the development of this children’s strategy by providing the Met with the opportunity to hear the experiences and insights of children and young people.

    “Children want to be confident that the Met are there to protect and to serve them.

    “Ensuring the Met understands the experience of young people and the challenges they face and interacts with them in a respectful and safe way is a crucial part of building trust.”

    Ade Adetosoye CBE, Chair of the London Safeguarding Children Partnership Executive, said:

    “On behalf of the London Safeguarding Children Partnership Executive, I welcome the publication of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Children’s Strategy and their commitment to improving the experience of London’s children when they engage with the police. This strategy provides an opportunity for the police to reset its relationship with children and young people. As a board, we welcome and support the Metropolitan Police Service`s Children’s strategy and we look forward to continuing to work with the Metropolitan Police as they continue their improvement journey.”

    In addition to new training for all officers, the Met will undertake work to improve relations between officers and children in London, as well as work better in partnership with agencies whose primary responsibility is to keep children safe. The Children’s Strategy also commits to:

    • Increasing the size of our child exploitation teams with an additional 72 officers across London;
    • Integrating trained schools officers into Neighbourhood Ward teams; and
    • Establishing a new Public Protection Referrals desk to identify children who are experiencing domestic abuse and help facilitate a multi-agency response.

    The full Children’s Strategy including all 36 actions the Met Police are taking can be found in the full strategy (see below).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Approves New Drug to Treat Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:

    Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Aqneursa (levacetylleucine) for the treatment of neurological symptoms associated with Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 15 kilograms. 

    “This is the second treatment the FDA has approved for NPC within the span of a week. Today’s action further underscores the agency’s commitment to support development of new treatments for rare diseases,” said Janet Maynard, M.D., M.H.S., director of the Office of Rare Diseases, Pediatrics, Urologic and Reproductive Medicine, in the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “This approval again demonstrates the FDA’s commitment to work with the scientific community to overcome the unique challenges that may arise with rare disease drug development.”

    NPC is a rare genetic disease that results in progressive neurological symptoms and organ dysfunction. It is caused by changes in either the NPC1 or NPC2 gene, affecting the necessary transport of cholesterol and other lipids within a cell. As a result, these cells do not function as they should, ultimately causing organ damage. On average, individuals affected by this devastating disease only live for about 13 years.

    The safety and efficacy of Aqneursa for the treatment of NPC were evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-period, 24-week crossover study. The duration was 12 weeks for each treatment period. The study enrolled 60 patients. To be eligible for the study patients had to be 4 years of age or older with a confirmed diagnosis of NPC and at least mild disease-related neurological symptoms. Participants could receive miglustat, an enzyme inhibitor, as background treatment in the study. 

    The primary efficacy outcome was a modified version of the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), referred to as the functional SARA (fSARA). The fSARA consists of the gait, sitting, stance and speech disturbance domains of the original SARA with modifications to the scoring responses. On average, participants treated with Aqneursa for 12 weeks showed a better outcome in the fSARA score compared to when they were treated with placebo.

    The prescribing information contains a warning that Aqneursa may cause embryo-fetal harm if used during pregnancy. Females should inform their healthcare provider of a known or suspected pregnancy before taking Aqneursa.

    The most common side effects are abdominal pain, difficulty swallowing, upper respiratory tract infections and vomiting.

    Aqneursa should be taken orally up to three times per day, with or without food. The recommended dose varies depending on the individual’s body weight, as outlined in the prescribing information.

    The FDA granted Aqneursa Priority Review, Fast Track, Orphan Drug and Rare Pediatric Disease designations for this application.

    The FDA granted approval of Aqneursa to IntraBio Inc.

    Related Information

    Related Information

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    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Inquiries

    Consumer:
    888-INFO-FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Roundup: September 24, 2024

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:

    Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency: 

    • Today, the FDA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to highlight the completion of the 64,000 square foot expansion and renovation of the National Forensic Chemistry Center (NFCC)  located in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The goal of this revitalization effort was to improve FDA’s mission readiness nationally and help attract and retain highly qualified employees. The NFCC is a specialty laboratory that serves as the FDA’s national forensic laboratory providing specialized laboratory services in analytical chemistry and molecular/ microbiology related to adulteration/contamination, counterfeiting, and product tampering of FDA regulated commodities including drugs, dietary supplements, foods, cosmetics, veterinary feeds, and medical devices.
    • On Monday, the FDA issued a safety advisory cautioning pet owners that samples of two Answers Pet Food products made by Lystn LLC tested positive for Salmonella, a third product tested positive for Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono), and a fourth product tested positive for Salmonella and L. mono. The FDA collected and tested unopened retail samples of products after receiving three consumer complaints of illness in dogs that ate the products. The affected products are sold frozen in 4-pound (half-gallon) cartons and consist of certain batches of Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Detailed Formula for Dogs, Answers Pet Food Raw Beef Straight Formula for Dogs, and Answers Pet Food Straight Chicken Formula for Dogs. Information to help consumers identify affected batches of product can be found in the Product Information section of the advisory. These products should not be fed to pets.
    • On Friday, the FDA approved isatuximab-irfc (Sarclisa) with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are not eligible for autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT).  The most common adverse reactions (≥20%) were upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, fatigue, peripheral sensory neuropathy, pneumonia, musculoskeletal pain, cataract, constipation, peripheral edema, rash, infusion-related reaction, insomnia, and COVID-19 infection. Full prescribing information for Sarclisa will be posted on Drugs@FDA.
    • On Friday, the FDA issued a safety advisory cautioning pet owners that FDA samples of five Darwin’s Natural Pet Products raw cat and dog food made by Arrow Reliance, Inc. tested positive for Salmonella and a sixth FDA sample tested positive for Salmonella and L. mono. Affected products are sold in frozen 2-pound packages and consist of certain lots of Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Cats and Darwin’s Natural Selections Antibiotic & Grain-Free Chicken Recipe for Dogs. These product lots should not be fed to pets. For specific product information and to learn about potential signs of illness, see the FDA Advisory.

    Related Information

    Related Information

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    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Inquiries

    Consumer:
    888-INFO-FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Drug checking licensing scheme service delivery model amendment form

    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

    If a licensed provider wishes to use a service delivery model not on the approved list (Table 1 of the Ministry of Health drug checking webpage), or wishes to use a model not currently licensed for, they will need to satisfy the Director-General of Health (or delegated authority) that the model is safe to implement and fit for its intended purpose. Licensed providers must show that their workforce is competent to use a service delivery model before they will receive approval. New models can only be used by a licensed provider once written approval is received from the drug checking licensing team and the provider is licensed to do so.

    Complete this form for any requested addition of drug checking service models to a provider’s licence.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Drug checking licensing scheme testing methods amendment form

    Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

    If a licensed provider wishes to use a drug checking testing method not on the approved lists (Table 2 and Table 3 on the Ministry of Health drug checking webpage), or to use a method they are not currently licensed for, they will need to satisfy the Director-General of Health (or delegated authority) that the technology is safe to implement and fit for its intended purpose. Licensed providers must show that their workforce is competent to use the drug checking testing methodology before they will receive approval. New testing methods can only be used by a licensed provider once written approval is received from the drug checking licensing team and the provider is licensed to do so.

    Complete the following information for any requested additions of drug checking testing methods to a provider’s licence.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: “I call for an immediate ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel.”: UK statement at the UN Security Council

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Statement by Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Lebanon.

    Location:
    United Nations, New York
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    This is a moment of maximum danger.

    We are on the brink. The precipice. At a few minutes to midnight.

    We talk of the risk of full-scale regional war but the truth is we are already witnessing conflict on multiple fronts.

    In Gaza. In the West Bank. In Lebanon. And the Red Sea.

    The strikes in recent days have taken 550 lives in Lebanon. 

    The death of civilians, women and children. 

    The UN workers killed. 

    The Hizballah rockets that have killed Israelis are just the latest in the cycle of pain, anguish and loss.

    President, 

    As we face the abyss, this Council has a duty to speak with one voice.

     And we must say that the rockets must stop now. The air strikes must stop now. Talks must start now. With an immediate ceasefire on both sides now.

    It is time to pull back from the brink.

    President,

    A full-blown war is not in the interests of the Israeli or the Lebanese people.

     And that is why within hours of last week’s strikes I called for an immediate ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel. 

    Since then, we’ve worked closely with the US and France to formalise a wider demand for the ceasefire and a political plan to implement it.

    And at the UN in New York, the Prime Minister and I have been urging our G7 and other partners to do the same.

    Our priority must be a political solution in line with Resolution 1701. It is our duty to do all we can to exert maximum diplomatic pressure so Israeli and Lebanese civilians can return to their homes. So lives can be saved. So security can return to Northern Israel and Southern Lebanon. So that daily life can begin to return.

    Now let me be clear.

    The United Kingdom condemns Hizballah’s attacks on Israel over the last 11 months, which have driven more than 60,000 people from their homes.

    There was no justification for these attacks.

    They have brought misery to ordinary people in Lebanon and Israel.

    And they have done nothing to end the conflict in Gaza or secure Palestinian statehood.

    And Iran, nothing justifies supplying weapons to terror groups in defiance of this Council. 

    We call on Tehran to use its influence and urge Hizballah to agree a ceasefire.

    President,

    For the people of Israel and for the people of Lebanon, a brilliant, multicultural and tolerant nation taken captive by an armed militia that puts itself before the Lebanese people, we must come together to bring this conflict to an end.

    In 2006, this Council acted in the interests of peace and security. All parties need to embody that same spirit today.

    By coming together, act now to bring this conflict to an end.

    To stop the cycle of destruction. 

    To stop the loss of yet more innocent lives. 

    And to stop this conflict from exploding into full-blown war and open a path to peace. 

    That is what we need.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 September 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Casey Introduces Legislation to Improve Flood Insurance Affordability for Families, Help Pennsylvanians Protect Their Homes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Pennsylvania Bob Casey

    Fair Flood Protection Act caps insurance premiums, cuts fees

    Casey bill to provide long-term stability for Pennsylvania homeowners

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced legislation to cap the cost of flood insurance, making homeownership more affordable for working families. Across Pennsylvania, as floods become more frequent and intense, homeowners are struggling to keep up with significant increases in flood insurance costs, which can be as high as thousands of dollars per year. The Fair Flood Protection Act would lower the cost of flood insurance by creating a sliding scale premium cap to ensure that families pay fair amounts based on their income.

    “Throughout the Commonwealth, including in my home county of Lackawanna, families’ budgets are being increasingly squeezed by the rising costs of flood insurance. This bill will cut fees and cap flood insurance costs to help ensure that Pennsylvanians can afford to keep their homes safe for generations to come,” said Senator Casey. “Hardworking homeowners should be able to protect their homes without worrying about how to pay the bills.”

    With many Pennsylvanians struggling to get by and raise their families, flooding poses a looming financial threat. Most home insurance does not include flood insurance, making the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) a key safety net to protect against the devastating impacts of flooding. After hearing concerns about rising costs of flood insurance, coupled with reports of increased heavy rain and flood risk, Casey introduced the Fair Flood Protection Act to help working families protect their homes without breaking the bank. This bill would help make and keep flood insurance affordable and strengthen the NFIP. This legislation would help expand flood insurance coverage by reauthorizing NFIP for ten years, increasing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s authorization to provide funding for flood protection and mitigation projects, and creating a cap for NFIP premiums based on a sliding scale determined by income. Currently FEMA has instituted a premium model that sets rates based on an individual’s flood risk, which can lead to prohibitively high costs of flood insurance. Adjusting premium rates to account for income, rather than risk alone, would help to ensure that working class homeowners are not priced out of flood protection.

    Senator Casey has long worked to help Pennsylvania communities mitigate and recover from the devastating impacts caused by floods. Most recently, he successfully pushed President Biden to provide federal disaster relief support to Pennsylvania communities affected by the devastating flooding last month. Additionally, Casey has championed infrastructure investments to improve flood control infrastructure, including through community project funding and FEMA grant programs. Additionally, Casey voted to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which poured billions of additional federal funding into programs like the Flood Mitigation Assistance grant program and the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program.  

    Senator Casey has always fought to lower costs for working families in Pennsylvania. From creating tax credits for renewable energy development, to negotiating the price of prescription drugs, Casey has consistently worked to bring prices down Pennsylvania families.

    Read more about the Fair Flood Protection Act HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Tokuda Votes to Prevent Government Shutdown

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jill Tokuda (Hawaii – 2nd District)

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement after voting yes on the House bill to prevent a government shutdown.

    “Our communities can’t afford to lose critical services, but House Republicans have yet again been unable to write or pass legislation to keep the government operating. A shutdown would hurt working families in Hawaiʻi who are already struggling to make ends meet and that’s why I voted today to send this stopgap funding bill to the Senate to ensure our government remains open through December. It is frustrating that while we kept government running, we are continuing to fail our disaster stricken communities like Maui by not passing critical funding or the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act. This is a rare bipartisan opportunity to help Americans across the country recover, rebuild and heal, and I will keep fighting to bring home the relief Maui needs.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Van Orden Statement on Continuing Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (Wisconsin 3rd)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03) released the following statement after voting against today’s Continuing Resolution (CR):

    “I voted against the CR to save American agriculture. Instead of cherry-picking Democrat programs from the committee’s farm bill to extend in the CR and playing politics with hungry children and production agriculture, we should be providing our farmers with the resources and certainty they need to do their jobs. We cannot keep kicking the can down the road on a bill that our farmers needed authorized a year ago. I am unwilling to risk everything they have and continue to work for.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Rosendale Rejects D.C. Cartel Extension of Biden-Harris Spending

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Matt Rosendale (Montana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Matt Rosendale (MT-02) voted against H.R. 9747 – Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025. He released the following statement after rejecting the most recent continuation of Biden’s runaway spending:   

    “Instead of following the law and passing the appropriations bills and funding the government properly and transparently, Congress spent the last 100 days negotiating a Continuing Resolution to fund government through December 20th of this year,” said Rep. Rosendale. “I am tired of the Uniparty joining hands and bypassing house rules so Biden and Harris can continue their radical policies and obligate Americans for trillions of dollars we just don’t have. Today is another bad day for America as the GOP has rubber stamped this administrations’ agenda on one of the last opportunities they will have to fight it this Congress.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, LaMalfa, Fong Urge President Biden to Approve Major Disaster Declaration Following Park and Borel Fires

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, LaMalfa, Fong Urge President Biden to Approve Major Disaster Declaration Following Park and Borel Fires

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.-01) and Vince Fong (R-Calif.-20) urged President Biden to grant Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to the severe impacts of the Park and Borel Fires on Butte, Tehama, and Kern counties.
    The fires, both exacerbated by extreme heat across the state from July 24 to August 26, damaged homes and businesses throughout these counties. The extensive harm caused by the Park and Borel fires have stretched local resources thin and disproportionately impacted vulnerable communities.
    “The intensity and damages caused by these fires have overwhelmed state resources and require federal assistance, coordination, and action to supplement state and local efforts,” wrote the lawmakers. “These fires have caused extensive damage that have threatened the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Californians.”
    “The severity of these fires requires additional coordination and a wider range of long-term federal recovery programs. Therefore, we urge you to expeditiously approve California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and to provide all categories of individual assistance and all additional assistance set forth in the Governor’s request,” continued the lawmakers.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear President Biden:
    We write in support of the State of California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration in response to the Park and Borel Fires impacting Butte, Tehama, and Kern counties, and we ask that you approve it expeditiously.
    The State has experienced several fires during the extreme heat event beginning July 24, 2024, and lasting through August 26, 2024. The intensity and damages caused by these fires have overwhelmed state resources and require federal assistance, coordination, and action to supplement state and local efforts.
    These fires have caused extensive damage that have threatened the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Californians. The Park and Borel fires damaged homes and businesses throughout Butte, Tehama, and Kern. The brunt of these impacts was born by the most vulnerable communities.
    The severity of these fires requires additional coordination and a wider range of long-term federal recovery programs. Therefore, we urge you to expeditiously approve California’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration and to provide all categories of individual assistance and all additional assistance set forth in the Governor’s request.
    Thank you for your consideration of this request.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manchin Votes To Avert Government Shutdown, Calls For Regular Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin
    September 25, 2024
    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted for a continuing resolution to prevent a government shutdown, fund the federal government through December 20, 2024, and allow work on appropriations bills to continue.
    “The federal government’s fiscal year ends every year on September 30th and, despite this fact, Congress once again had to pass a stopgap spending bill. While I am relieved that we were able to come together in a bipartisan fashion to keep the government open, we must bring back regular order in the appropriations process to get our nation on a path to fiscal stability. Our reliance on continuing resolutions wastes taxpayer dollars, weakens our military’s capabilities and limits our economic growth. Hardworking West Virginians and Americans across our country go to work, pay their bills, and live within their means and the federal government should do the same. I stand ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver on this essential responsibility of Congress.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Deluzio Introduce Bill to Protect Voters and Election Workers at Election Centers

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Deluzio Introduce Bill to Protect Voters and Election Workers at Election Centers

    WATCH: Padilla champions the right to vote free from intimidation or violenceWASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee and California’s former Secretary of State, and Representative Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.-17) joined election security advocates to introduce bicameral legislation to protect voters and election workers from intimidation and threats of violence at the ballot box. The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would help ensure that every voter and election worker has the right to cast their ballot and conduct their official duties free from fear and intimidation.
    The bill would update existing anti-intimidation provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to limit the presence of visible firearms at locations where voters cast their ballot or election workers perform their official duties, empowering poll workers and election officials to continue safely administering elections. U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) are cosponsoring the bill in the Senate, and Representative Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25) is cosponsoring the bill in the House of Representatives.
    The right to vote is a central pillar of American democracy, but rising political violence against voters and poll workers threatens election security. False allegations of widespread voter fraud have further increased tensions at election centers. 38 percent of election workers have reported experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse as of May 2024.
    “In no corner of America should the fear of violence prevent voters from casting their ballot or keep elections workers from showing up to work,” said Senator Padilla. “Unfortunately, we have a long, dark history of voter suppression and intimidation in America, reignited by partisan rhetoric and false narratives about election fraud. That’s why our bicameral bill would keep visible firearms out of election centers to ensure election workers can do their jobs and all Americans feel safe exercising their right to vote.”
    “The right to vote is foundational to our democracy, and to protect that right we must keep polling places and official ballot drop sites free from intimidation,” said Representative Deluzio. “With the rising risk of political violence and ongoing attacks on our democracy, it’s clear that we need action to strengthen the sanctity of our elections. The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act of 2024 would help protect the rights of America’s voters and election workers so that they can vote and perform their official duties free from intentional intimidation and threats of violence. I’m proud to introduce this bill today alongside fellow election security advocates.”   
    “The presence of firearms at polling places isn’t just dangerous—it’s a direct threat to our democratic process. As armed extremists fueled by rumors and conspiracy theories increasingly show up at the polls to bully voters and election workers, our message is clear: intimidation has no place at the ballot box. This legislation would take important steps to ensure every American feels safe to make their voice heard on election day,” said Senator Murphy.
    “Americans should be able to cast their votes without the threat of intimidation and harassment. That is why I introduced the Vote Without Fear Act,” said Representative Ruiz. “I am excited to help lead the Freedom from Intimidations Act to continue to build on the progress we’ve made working towards a future where polling places are safer for workers and voters.” 
    Specifically, the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act would:
    Amend Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act to establish a rebuttable presumption that a person carrying a visible firearm while engaging in election-related activities is engaging in voter intimidation.
    Provide civil remedies for individuals who experience this type of intimidation, including an emergency injunction that would allow the voter or election official to carry out their duties in peace.
    Recognize an exception for law enforcement officers acting within their official duties. 
    Yesterday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law to create these critical protections in California.
    The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act is endorsed by organizations including the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, GIFFORDS, Newtown Action Alliance, Brady: United Against Gun Violence, Everytown for Gun Safety, March for Our Lives, Institute for Responsive Government, League of Conservation Voters, Center for American Progress, End Citizens United Action Fund, Common Cause, Defend the Vote Action Fund, Fair Elections Center, Democracy SENTRY, League of Women Voters, Public Citizen, Faith in Public Life Action, Sierra Club, and Voto Latino.
    “Congress must pass the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act. We are grateful to Representative Deluzio, Senator Padilla, and other members of Congress for their work to keep our elections safe for everyone involved in the process. This legislation would bolster federal protections that empower voters, election officials, and election workers to seek legal recourse if they are intimidated. The bill would help protect our democracy by keeping intimidation and violence out of voting,” said Sean Morales-Doyle, Director of the Voting Rights Program, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.
    “Over the last four years, election officials have faced unprecedented threats and challenges. Immediately following the 2020 election, there was a deliberate effort to intimidate and terrorize election officials,” said Kathy Boockvar, former Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth and President of Athena Strategies LLC. “This has got to stop. This bill is a critical part of the solution. The Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act aims to protect voters and election workers by ensuring that voters can cast their ballots — and election workers can do their jobs – free of intimidation, during all stages of the election process from vote casting to canvassing to certification.”
    “All of our rights, including our rights to breathe clean air and drink clean water, depend on voters’ freedom to vote, which includes freedom from violence, intimidation, and fear while they make their voices heard,” said Doug Lindner, Senior Director of Judiciary & Democracy at the League of Conservation Voters. “LCV is proud to stand with Representative Chris Deluzio and Senator Alex Padilla in support of the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act to ensure every eligible voter can safely register, vote, and have their vote counted.” 
    “It’s paramount for the health of our democracy that election officials can peacefully administer free and fair elections and Americans are able to exercise their constitutional right to vote without fear or intimidation,” said Center for American Progress Associate Director of Democracy Policy Greta Bedekovics. “Threats towards election officials have continued to persist while federal law enforcement have warned about the possibility of election-related violence. Congressional action like passing the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act is desperately needed to protect American democracy and ensure that elections reflect the will of the people. Congress must fulfill its duty to protect the Constitution and that means protecting elections.” 
    “Intimidation has no place in our democracy,” Michelle Kanter Cohen, Policy Director and Senior Counsel at Fair Elections Center. “We need changes in our laws that make sure every American voter—no matter what state they live in—can vote safely and freely. We need the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act to help make sure that the election workers who keep our democracy going can serve without fear, and that voters can safely have their voices heard.”
    “The League of Women Voters of the United States is proud to support the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act, which will enshrine in law that every voter should have the right to cast their ballot free from fear and intimidation,” said Jessica Jones Capparell, Interim Senior Director of Advocacy and Litigation at the League of Women Voters of the United States. “This legislation reflects a growing recognition that the integrity of our elections must be preserved in the face of increasing threats. The chilling reality of armed protesters gathering outside ballot-counting facilities and the armed surveillance of drop boxes during the 2020 election has highlighted the urgent need for stronger legislation and safeguards in this bill. The League of Women Voters stands firmly in support of this bill to ensure that every voter can participate without fear.”
    “Passage of the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act will help protect the dedicated Americans who keep our elections running,” said Sam Oliker-Friedland, Executive Director, Institute for Responsive Government. “The current threat environment means that election officials are devoting scarce resources to bullet proof glass, metal detectors, and security guards. Effectively protecting election officials from intimidation, which this bill will help to do, will ensure that election officials can allocate money towards core tasks like cybersecurity upgrades and increasing accessibility for eligible voters. We already know elections are severely underfunded, but Congress has the power to make a significant difference for election officials across the nation by supporting the Freedom from Intimidation in Elections Act. It’s high time Congress puts those who safeguard our democracy above radical weapons of coercion by supporting this bill.” 
    Senator Padilla is a champion for more robust voting rights, bipartisan election administration reforms, and increased funding to modernize and secure our elections. Last month, Padilla called on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division to investigate the recent targeted raids of several Latino voting rights organizers, officials, and candidates by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s election integrity unit. He also joined 21 of his colleagues in urging DOJ to take further action to counter threats targeting election workers ahead of the upcoming election. Additionally, Padilla recently introduced legislation to address the significant impact that election administration-related disinformation, made more pervasive with the use of Artificial Intelligence, has on communities of color. He is a staunch supporter of the Freedom to Vote Act, legislation he and Senate Democrats introduced to improve access to the ballot for Americans, advance commonsense federal election standards and campaign finance reforms, and protect our democracy.
    Photos and clips from the press conference are available here. 
    A one-pager on the bill is available here.
    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 09.25.2024 ICYMI: Cruz-Kelly Chips Permitting Reform Bill Passed Congress with Widespread Bipartisan Support

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
    WASHINGTON, D.C. –– In case you missed it, earlier this week, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Mark Kelly’s (D-Ariz.) semiconductor plant permitting reform bill cleared the House after unanimously passing the Senate last December. The bill, S.2228 as replaced by the Kelly-Cruz full substitute amendment, is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law. The legislation would expedite the process to construct semiconductor manufacturing plants by removing burdensome environmental reviews and permits for microchip projects.
    The Kelly-Cruz chips permitting reform bill received widespread bipartisan support, including from Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The legislation is a critical step in decreasing dependency on China and creating more jobs and incentives for investment in Texas.
    Watch the interview and read more about the legislation below.
    Local News Live: Congress passes bill to streamline federal process for chip manufacturing projects in America
    CLICK HERE TO WATCH
    “Congress passed a bill this week that will streamline federal reviews for some microchip manufacturing projects in America.
    “The Building Chips in America Act passed in the House on Monday and is now on its way to President Joe Biden’s desk.
    “The bill streamlines the environmental review process for semiconductor manufacturing facilities that were incentivized by the CHIPS and Science Act.
    “Several projects are in the works but supporters of the bill have said that they have been delayed because of government red tape.
    “The bipartisan bill was authored in the Senate by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ).
    “Cruz said that the passage of the bill will benefit communities across the country where the projects are happening like his home state of Texas.
    “‘What this is going to mean is new manufacturing plants will be built in Texas much faster. It will mean billions more dollars invested in the economy in Texas, and it will mean thousands more high-paying jobs in Texas. It’s a great victory for jobs in Texas,” said Sen. Cruz.
    “The senator also said the bill will also make America safer by manufacturing the chips domestically.”
    The Texas: U.S. House Passes ‘Kelly-Cruz Amendment’ to CHIPS Act, Sent to Biden’s Desk
    “The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill on Monday aimed at streamlining permitting laws to facilitate the domestic construction of semiconductor factories.
    “The bipartisan legislation passed by a vote of 257 to 125, with 49 members not voting, and now moves to the president’s desk for approval.
    “The bill passed the Senate last year, and was passed in the House of Representatives this week as the “Kelly-Cruz substitute amendment.”
    “Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) submitted the amended text of their Senate bill in December 2023.
    “When a bill passes as a “substitute amendment” in Congress, the original text is entirely replaced with new content. This new version of the bill, offered as an amendment, becomes the text that is voted on and passed.
    “It aims to accelerate the construction of U.S. semiconductor facilities, as the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act of 2022 has made over $50 billion available to promote domestic production and innovation.
    “It will also streamline federal permitting by designating the Department of Commerce as the lead agency for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, exempting certain projects from NEPA, providing the Secretary of Commerce with greater authority to expedite reviews in coordination with state and local governments, and limiting court challenge timelines.
    “Cruz and Kelly celebrated the amendment’s passage in a joint statement after the House passed it this week.
    “‘My number one priority in the Senate is delivering jobs for Texans. When soon signed into law, the Kelly-Cruz legislation will mean tens of thousands of good-paying jobs and hundreds of billions in new investments for the Lone Star State,” wrote Cruz.
    “‘I’m proud to have led this effort with Senator Mark Kelly to streamline environmental permitting for semiconductor factories, a crucial step in onshoring jobs and making our country less dependent on China for semiconductors critical to national defense.”
    “Cruz continued to exchange jabs with Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX-32), who voted to pass the most recent act, over the past year regarding Cruz’s “no” vote on related legislation last year.
    “At the time, Cruz supported one portion of the CHIPS Act but disagreed with another.
    “Cruz explained in 2023 that the CHIPS Act consisted of two key parts: the Facilitating American-Built Semiconductors (FABS) Act, offering a tax credit to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing investment, and the CHIPS Act itself, providing billions in direct subsidies to companies. While Cruz co-sponsored the FABS Act, he voted against the CHIPS Act due to his opposition to direct subsidies, favoring the more indirect incentive of the tax credit.
    “Following this week’s passage of the Building Chips in America Act, Samsung celebrated by saying that the bill is “ensuring U.S. innovation continues to surge!”
    “Texas has seen businesses flocking to the state over the past few years, and semiconductor manufacturers have already started construction on facilities in towns like Taylor and Sherman.
    “The ongoing battle for semiconductor supremacy between China and the U.S. is intensifying as both nations invest heavily in domestic chip production and innovation, with the global semiconductor industry projected to reach a value of approximately $1 trillion by 2030.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manchin Announces $14.5 Million For Infrastructure Upgrades, Economic Development In West Virginia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Joe Manchin
    September 25, 2024
    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $14,507,612 from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to support infrastructure upgrades and economic development projects across West Virginia.
    “Investing in our local communities creates good-paying jobs, spurs economic opportunity and sets up the community for future success,” said Senator Manchin. “These infrastructure improvements will attract new businesses and good-paying jobs, ensuring long-term economic growth across the Mountain State. As a member of the Senate Appropriations, I will continue to fight for meaningful investments to ensure that West Virginia continues to be a great place to live, work and raise a family.”
    Individual awards listed below:
    $4,000,000 — Boone County Public Service District
    This funding will support waterline extension improvements at the Mountain State Clean Energy complex in Danville, West Virginia.

    $3,801,600 – Wyoming County Economic Development Authority
    This funding will support expanding the Rockefeller Industrial Park in Welch, West Virginia.

    $3,402,000 – McDowell County Public Service District
    This funding will support installing new waterlines and all associated work in the Baker Ridge, Panther Creek Road, Rock Ridge, Lex areas of McDowell County.

    $2,506,500 – Kingwood Water Works
    This funding will supports making water infrastructure improvements in Preston County. 

    $797,512 – Blue Ridge Community and Technical College
    This funding will support creating and integrating a new Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) certification program in Martinsburg.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 09.25.2024 Sen. Cruz Sends Letter Urging Biden Administration to Appeal LNG Decision Undermining American Energy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) sent a letter today urging Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Willie L. Phillips to appeal the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit’s decision vacating permits for the Rio Grande liquified natural gas (LNG) project and Texas LNG project.
    In the letter, Sen. Cruz wrote, “The decision sets a chilling precedent that will harm the development of infrastructure for projects related to all forms of energy, directly undermining American energy security and therefore national security. If the permits are not reauthorized, over 7,000 high-paying jobs will disappear, and roughly $24 billion in investments in the Rio Grande Valley will be lost.
    …
    “Since 2016, America has become the largest exporter of LNG in the world, passing competitors such as Russia and Qatar. This achievement was made possible through the work, innovation, and investment of private companies willing to fund and build capital-intensive projects. That progress has now been put at acute risk by the court’s decision.”
    Read the full letter here or below:
    Dear Chairman Willie L. Phillips:
    On August 6, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated reauthorizations for the Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG projects and remanded the issue to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for further proceedings.
    We write today to urge you to pursue an appeal and seek a stay of the decision pending the outcome of that appeal.
    State and local officials across Texas had already done extensive work related to the two projects. The Rio Grande LNG project already started construction a year ago. The Texas LNG project was less than two months away from securing enough offtake commitments for achieving a final investment decision.
    The decision sets a chilling precedent that will harm the development of infrastructure for projects related to all forms of energy, directly undermining American energy security and therefore national security. If the permits are not reauthorized, over 7,000 high-paying jobs will disappear, and roughly $24 billion in investments in the Rio Grande Valley will be lost.
    There is no precedent for this decision. Charles McConnell, the former Assistant Secretary of Energy at the Department of Energy in President Barack Obama’s Administration says “If allowed to stand, the precedent from this ruling would be absolutely draconian to investment progress.”
    The decision itself, as well as its unprecedented nature, will have far-reaching and negative cascade effects. The Brazos Island Harbor Channel Improvement Project, a $400 million project to deepen the Brownsville shipping channel from 42 to 52 feet, will likely stop. Over $20 billion in economic investment and 31 million tonnes per annum of liquified natural gas (LNG) exports will be wiped out. More broadly, if project developers come to believe that federal permits can be overturned due to procedural missteps by the regulator, apart from any actions or fault by the developers, U.S. infrastructure projects will slow and stall.
    Since 2016, America has become the largest exporter of LNG in the world, passing competitors such as Russia and Qatar. This achievement was made possible through the work, innovation, and investment of private companies willing to fund and build capital-intensive projects. That progress has now been put at acute risk by the court’s decision. We look forward to your prompt response on this matter.
    Sincerely,
    /X/

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Graham Introduces Bill To Restrict Birthright Citizenship

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today introduced a bill that would restrict one of the biggest magnets for illegal immigration into the United States. Graham’s Birthright Citizenship Act of 2024 stops the practice of granting citizenship to both the children of illegal immigrants and the children of non-immigrants in the U.S. on temporary visas.
    The exploitation of birthright citizenship is a major pull factor for illegal immigration and a weakness for our national security. The United States is one of only 33 countries in the world with no restrictions on birthright citizenship. In 2018, Senator Graham supported President Trump’s executive order eliminating birthright citizenship for children born to illegal immigrants on American soil.
    “It is long overdue for the United States to change its policy on birthright citizenship because it is being abused in so many ways,” said Senator Graham. “One example is birth tourism, where wealthy individuals from China and other nations come to the United States simply to have a child who will be an American citizen. When you look at the magnets that draw people to America, birthright citizenship is one of the largest. It is time for the United States to align itself with the rest of the world and restrict this practice once and for all.”
    The Biden-Harris Administration’s catch-and-release policies let migrants come into the U.S. illegally and stay for years, while enjoying many of the benefits of living in America.
    Illegal immigration has skyrocketed under the Biden-Harris Administration.
    In the last 3.5 years, there have been over 8.3 million encounters with illegal aliens at the southern border.
    Our adversaries are taking advantage of our laws.
    Recently, two individuals from California were found guilty in a “birth tourism” scheme. Predominantly Chinese clients paid the operators of a “maternity hotel” tens of thousands of dollars to come to the U.S. to give birth. Clients were coached on how to lie during the admissions process.
    A 2022 Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee report found a birthing company catering to the wives of Russian oligarchs, celebrities, athletes, and public figures.
    The Birthright Citizenship Act of 2024:
    Specifies who can receive citizenship by virtue of their birth in the United States, including children born to at least one parent who is either:
    A citizen or national of the U.S.,
    A lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or
    An alien performing active service in the armed forces.
    This bill only applies to children born after the date of enactment.
    To read the full bill text, click HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brown Announces New Legislation to Block American Taxpayer Money from Going to Biofuels Made with Foreign Feedstocks

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced the introduction of his new bipartisan legislation to block taxpayer money from being used to subsidize biofuels produced using imported foreign feedstocks such as Chinese used cooking oil and Brazilian ethanol. The bill would also extend the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit. Brown announced the bill on a news conference call, where he was joined by Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director of the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association.
    The 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, which was passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, was intended to make America more energy independent and spur the production of biofuels made with American-produced feedstocks – building new markets for American farmers. But farmers are dealing with a surge in imports of Chinese used cooking oil being used to produce biofuels in the U.S. – and that is displacing the use of American feedstocks. In July, Brown called on Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and the Biden Administration to restrict the eligibility of the 45Z Credit to renewable biofuels fuels made from feedstocks sourced domestically. Brown’s bill would ensure eligibility for the tax credit is restricted to biofuels that are produced with domestic feedstocks.
    Brown’s legislation would also extend the credit for 10 years, giving the American ethanol industry the time and financial incentive to build up the infrastructure needed to produce sustainable aviation fuel. That will make the U.S. less reliant on foreign fuel, open new markets for farmers, and increase ethanol production across the Midwest.
    “American tax dollars should support American farmers – not imported feedstocks. To continue to grow the biofuels industry and open new markets for Ohio farmers, we must stop taxpayer money from subsidizing a surge in Chinese cooking oil or any other foreign feedstock from infiltrating the American market. Our bipartisan bill ensures these investments benefit Ohio farmers and Ohio energy producers,” said Brown.
    “Ohio’s family grain farms are strongest when their markets are close to home. Producing low carbon fuels has made them profitable for years, and the future of renewable fuels can keep those family businesses flourishing for generations to come. Senator Brown’s bill gives that market certainty and ensures that our national investment in renewable energy will benefit American energy producers first. That’s commonsense good policy,” said Tadd Nicholson, Executive Director, Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association.
    “Thank you to Sen. Brown and Rep. Kaptur for leading the way on this issue, prioritizing Ohio farmers and reducing the U.S. biofuels industry’s dependence on foreign feedstocks,” said Rusty Goebel, OSA president and Williams County soybean farmer. “While the use of foreign feedstocks can play a role in producing domestically manufactured biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel, the American taxpayer-funded 45Z tax credit should only apply to biofuels produced from domestic feedstocks by domestic fuel producers.”
    This bill is co-led with Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) and co-sponsored by Senators Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Tina Smith (D-MN). Representatives Tracey Mann (R-KS-01) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-09) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
    Brown is the first Ohioan to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in nearly 50 years. He has long been a leader for Ohio’s rural communities.
    Full text of the legislation can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Heinrich Secure Hermit’s Peak Claims Office Extension in Continuing Resolution

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after securing an extension to the period that victims may file claims with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office as part of the Continuing Resolution:
    “Today, we voted for a Continuing Resolution to keep the government open and avoid a costly shutdown for millions of Americans. As part of this Continuing Resolution, the period to file claims with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office has been extended to December 20, 2024, which will give victims of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire additional time to apply for relief.
    “But make no mistake, the job is not over yet. We will continue to work with our colleagues to deliver a long-term federal funding solution for the American people and keep the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office open longer. We continue to encourage New Mexicans to apply for assistance as soon as possible.”
    The extension will run the length of the Continuing Resolution to December 20, 2024. In October 2023, Luján, Heinrich, and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández introduced the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Claims Extension Act, legislation that would extend the period a victim can file a claim with the Hermit’s Peak Claims Office. Since the devastating wildfire, Luján, Heinrich, and the N.M. Delegation has delivered a total of $3.95 billion in federal funding for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire recovery.
    New Mexicans can apply for assistance through the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Closer China-ASEAN cooperation boosts regional high-quality development

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

    NANNING, China, Sept. 25 — Visitors arriving at this year’s China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) will encounter an intriguing blend of fresh innovations and familiar attractions. A new section spotlights emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and lithium batteries, while longstanding crowd favorites, like durian, longan, and rice, continue to draw attention.

    This evolving landscape mirrors the deepening partnership between China and ASEAN. China’s commitment to expanding high-standard opening-up and the rapid industry upgrading in ASEAN nations has fostered stronger economic ties between the two sides. Together, these efforts drive regional high-quality development while sharing China’s development opportunities with ASEAN.

    EMPOWERING ASEAN SMES

    Stepping into the Thai Pavilion at CAEXPO, visitors are greeted by the distinct aroma of durian mingling with the herbal scent of Zam-buk, a popular Thai remedy for insect bites. A booth showcasing the collaboration between TOPTHAI and China’s e-commerce leader, JD.com, drew significant interest.

    TOPTHAI store on leading e-commerce platforms is an initiative launched by the Thai Department of International Trade Promotion this year. It aims to help Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expose their products to more overseas markets, among which the Chinese market is a crucial destination, said Dr. Nisachol Thaithong, a Thai trader and researcher in China-Thailand cross-border e-commerce.

    For SMEs and small-scale farmers in ASEAN countries, participating in e-commerce with China has transformed their businesses.

    “It (CAEXPO) is moving forward dynamically in terms of the more areas of cooperation, in terms of engaging wider stakeholders,” said Kao Kim Hourn, secretary-general of ASEAN, in an interview on the sideline of CAEXPO and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS). “Now they are involved in the Micro-, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), for example. MSMEs are really the backbone of the economy on both sides. We have to get them involved, in addition to the big cooperations. I think this is the right direction that we are taking.”

    Frequent exchanges between China and Malaysia leadership have set a positive tone for SMEs, said Ravenna Chen, the CEO of TusStar Malaysia, an innovation and entrepreneurship platform.

    Huang Aimin, chairman of the first council of the Guangxi Cross-border E-Commerce Association, said cross-border e-commerce has the potential to be a critical platform for promoting in-depth economic and trade cooperation between China and ASEAN.

    Collaborating with China has sped up modernization in Laos. For instance, working with China to digitize businesses and develop e-commerce skills has been advantageous for both businesses and young individuals in Laos, according to Thanongsinh Kanlaya, Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

    UPGRADING AGRIBUSINESS

    At a durian orchard in Thailand’s Chanthaburi province, Kosai, the 32-year-old owner and a Chinese social media influencer, was promoting durians to Chinese netizens through the live streaming e-commerce platform Tmall.

    Kosai is proud that his orchard is a smart orchard jointly built by the Commercial Association for Sustainability of Agriculture in Thailand and the Foreign Economic Cooperation Center of China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

    The Internet of Things installed by the Chinese side in Kosai’s orchard, which includes meteorological, water level, and soil moisture monitoring, could provide data support for the scientific cultivation of durian and the improvement of fruit quality.

    Modern farming is a sector with a promising future for cooperation between Malaysia and China, said Low Kian Chuan, president of the Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia.

    Despite the difference in size and population between Brunei and China, CAEXPO and CABIS have offered a platform for Brunei enterprises to conduct win-win cooperation with Chinese peers, said National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Brunei Darussalam President Haji Abdul Saman bin Haji Ahmad.

    Platforms like CAEXPO and CABIS incentivize Brunei SMEs to grow “more resilient and more proactive” by exposing their products and services to the Chinese market, said Saman, adding that he sees particularly promising opportunities for Brunei’s halal food.

    GREEN TRANSITION

    Leading Chinese renewable energy firms are working closely with ASEAN enterprises and investing in new facilities to produce innovative, locally adapted products, thus actively contributing to ASEAN’s green transition.

    In July, BYD opened an electric vehicle plant in Thailand, the automaker’s first Southeast Asian factory, a fast-growing regional EV market. The same month Eve Energy announced a plan to build a new factory in Kulim, Kedah state, Malaysia to meet the fast-growing demand for energy storage and consumer batteries in the South East Asia region.

    In August, Gotion High-tech announced that a battery assembly plant project in Malaysia is under negotiation, in addition to its assembly plants in Indonesia and Thailand. The battery manufacturer’s Vietnam factory is expected to begin production in October this year.

    Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link under the Belt and Road Initiative is expected to drive economic development in the east coast areas and promote more balanced development among regions within the countries, said Anthony Loke Siew Fook, the minister of transport of Malaysia.

    As outlined in the National Automotive Policy 2020 and National Energy Transition Roadmap, Malaysia is developing its renewable energy battery sector and welcomes leading battery manufacturers to invest in it, said Loke.

    Malaysia encourages Chinese companies to form partnerships with local companies to further promote the use of electric and hybrid vehicles in Malaysia, not only in terms of car manufacturing but also in the entire ecosystem, from charging networks to battery manufacturing, said Zalina Zainol, deputy chief executive officer of investment development at Malaysian Investment Development Authority.

    Malaysia highly encourages such cooperation to further create high-skilled jobs in engineering, research and development, and advanced manufacturing, thereby boosting economic growth here, Zainol added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, U.S. agree to maintain communication on law enforcement

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

    China, U.S. agree to maintain communication on law enforcement

    BEIJING, Sept. 25 — Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong had candid, professional and pragmatic exchanges with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas via video link on Wednesday.

    Wang said that the two sides earnestly implement the important consensus of the two heads of state, adhere to mutual respect, dispute management and mutually beneficial cooperation, and have achieved many visible outcomes in areas such as drug control, repatriation of illegal immigrants and cooperation on individual cases.

    China is willing to maintain communication with the U.S. at all levels, and push for steady and long-term law enforcement cooperation between the two countries. The U.S. side should attach importance to addressing China’s concerns, demonstrate sincerity with concrete actions, and remove obstacles for deepening cooperation, Wang noted.

    The two sides agreed to stay in communication on important issues in the field of law enforcement.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chang’e-6 lunar samples to be displayed at 15th Airshow China

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

    BEIJING, Sept. 25 — Lunar samples collected by China’s Chang’e-6 mission from the far side of the moon will be on display at the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, also known as Airshow China, the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense announced Wednesday.

    The Chang’e-6 return capsule will also be showcased, allowing the public to witness the advancements of China’s space industry, said Li Yang, an official with the agency.

    The airshow is scheduled for Nov. 12-17 in Zhuhai, a city in south China’s Guangdong Province, and will feature various types of aircraft and carrier rockets.

    According to Hao Changfeng, spokesperson for China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the company will present nearly 200 high-tech products, including first-time exhibits such as the Chang’e-6 probe and the Long March-8A carrier rocket. “About 150 items will be debuting, with new exhibits making up 75 percent of the display,” said Hao.

    Wu Jiwei, spokesperson for the Aviation Industry Corporation of China, announced that the company will showcase more than 260 products, emphasizing advancements in new quality productive forces.

    Since its inception in 1996, Airshow China has become an important window for showcasing advanced aviation and aerospace technologies and equipment from home and abroad. It has also become an international platform for promoting business cooperation in aviation and aerospace technologies and equipment.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: World Maritime Day 2024

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    Australia is proud to join with the International Maritime Organization today in celebrating World Maritime Day 2024.

    This year’s theme, ‘Navigating the Future: Safety First!’, highlights the vital role of new technology and innovation in enhancing safety, security and environmental protection in the global maritime sector.

    With 99% of our international trade transported by sea, Australia is one of the countries most reliant on shipping.

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea Convention. 

    The anniversary of this important set of safety standards highlights that our collective end goal is always safety.

    I am delighted to share that Australia has selected this significant day to announce its candidacy for re-election to Category B of the IMO Council for the 2026-27 biennium.

    Australia remains committed to working at the International Maritime Organization to develop and implement the highest safety standards, support a competitive and efficient global shipping industry and minimize the environmental impact of shipping on our precious marine ecosystems.

    In celebration of World Maritime Day, the IMO invites nations to illuminate prominent landmarks in blue. This evening, Australia House in London and lighthouses along our coastline will be lit in blue to mark the occasion.

    Learn more about Australia’s role on the Category b council.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Roundup: September 20, 2024

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:

    Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency: 

    • Today, the FDA and NIH announced “Advancing Smoking Cessation: FDA and NIH Priorities” – a joint public meeting focused on advancing innovation of smoking cessation products to help both adults and youth. The meeting will be held October 21, 2024, and will feature presentations and panel discussions on several smoking cessation-focused topics, as well as an opportunity for public comment on several topics related to cessation.
    • On Thursday, the FDA approved Zenrelia (ilunocitinib tablets), a new animal drug used to control pruritus (itching) associated with allergic dermatitis and to control atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies) in dogs at least 1 year of age.

      Zenrelia is safe and effective when used according to the label. However, the product labeling carries a boxed warning stating that dogs should not be vaccinated at least 28 days before and after treatment with Zenrelia, due to the risk of fatal vaccine-induced disease and inadequate immune response to vaccines.

    • On Thursday, the FDA approved Rybrevant (amivantamab-vmjw) with carboplatin and pemetrexed for adult patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 19 deletions or exon 21 L858R substitution mutations whose disease has progressed on or after treatment with an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Full prescribing information for Rybrevant will be posted on Drugs@FDA. 
    • On Wednesday, the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine announced that it is supporting a collaborative agreement to the Reagan-Udall Foundation for the FDA to conduct a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. This SWOT analysis aims to research the challenges within, and unmet needs of, the animal health, animal food and veterinary industries, and explain the economic impact of these gaps.
    • On Wednesday, the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine announced the establishment of four Animal and Veterinary Innovation Centers (AVICs) and recipients of funding for work to advance regulatory science and further development of innovative products and approaches to better support animal health and veterinary interventions. These AVICs further the goals outlined in the FDA’s Animal and Veterinary Innovation Agenda (AVIA), which describes the agency’s plans to spur innovation to better protect human and animal health. The three areas of concentration for the AVICs focus on:
      • Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and emerging zoonotic disease threats or One Health issues; 
      • Intentional genomic alternations (IGAs) in animals and the advancement of regulatory science in this field, with a focus on IGAs that support agricultural resilience, food security, animal health, or public health; and 
      • Unmet veterinary medical needs in both minor and major species that create a significant animal or public health burden.
    • On Wednesday, the FDA updated the outbreak advisory, Investigation of Illnesses: Diamond Shruumz-Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, & Gummies to include additional cases.
    • On Tuesday, the FDA approved Kisqali (ribociclib) with an aromatase inhibitor for the adjuvant treatment of adults with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative stage II and III early breast cancer at high risk of recurrence. Additionally, the FDA also approved the Kisqali Femara Co-Pack (ribociclib and letrozole co-pack,) for the same indication. Full prescribing information for Kisqali and Kisqali Femara Co-Pack will be posted on Drugs@FDA. 
    • On Tuesday, the FDA approved Keytruda (pembrolizumab) with pemetrexed and platinum chemotherapy as first-line treatment of unresectable advanced or metastatic malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Full prescribing information for Keytruda will be posted on Drugs@FDA.

    Related Information

    Related Information

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    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Inquiries

    Consumer:
    888-INFO-FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Albanese Government continues to hold supermarkets to account

    Source: Australian Treasurer

    The second Albanese Government initiated CHOICE quarterly report into supermarket prices has been released today, giving consumers facts about where to get cheaper prices.

    Funded for three years by the Albanese Labor Government, the CHOICE report gives Australians accurate data on how to get the cheapest groceries.

    To compile the report CHOICE visited 104 stores across Australia including Aldi, Coles, Woolworths and IGA.

    The report has found that Aldi once again had the cheapest basket of goods, with the price of CHOICE’s basket falling from the previous quarter.

    The Albanese Government is taking a range of actions to make sure Australians are paying a fair price at the checkout and Australian suppliers are getting a fair price for their goods.

    This follows the ACCC announcing legal action against Coles and Woolworths for misleading consumers through discount pricing claims on hundreds of common supermarket products.

    This week the Albanese Government also released the Draft mandatory Food and Grocery Code for Consultation which will mean supermarkets could face significant penalties if found to be breaching the Code.

    Other actions the Government is taking includes:

    • Commissioning the ACCC to investigate competition in the supermarket sector to get better prices for shoppers
    • Making the Food and Grocery Code mandatory. We released the exposure draft for consultation this week. We will introduce legislation this year. This will see big supermarkets subject to multi‑million‑dollar penalties for serious breaches
    • Funding CHOICE reports for another three years, with the next due in December 2024, in time for Christmas
    • Progressing the most significant merger reforms in Australia in almost 50 years
    • Working with the states and territories to revitalise National Competition Policy

    Background

    The average basket price for Aldi, Woolworths, Coles and IGA nation‑wide was:

    • Aldi: $50.79 (with and without specials)
    • Woolworths: $68.70 (without specials), $68.37 (with specials)
    • Coles: $69.91 (without specials), $66.22 (with specials)
    • IGA: $78.95 (with specials)

    Quotes attributable to Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese MP:

    “We know Australians are under pressure and we’re working every day to help.

    “Our cost of living help is about getting wages up for workers, bringing costs down for households and getting inflation back to where it should be.

    “We are doing everything we can to ensure Australians are paying a fair price at the checkout and Australian farmers are getting a fair price for their goods.

    “Today’s CHOICE report provides important information to consumers, but we know there is more to do and we are committed to taking action to make sure Australians are getting the best deal possible.”

    Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Competition, Andrew Leigh MP

    “The Government’s economic plan is all about easing the cost of living for Australians.

    “CHOICE’s team of shadow shoppers are helping Australians get the best deal at the checkout. With many consumers feeling the pinch, these results provide hard evidence on prices across the nation.

    “The Australian Government is committed to delivering the information that will help shoppers save money and deliver more supermarket competition.

    “We want a supermarket sector that’s fairer for farmers, and fairer for families.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Arrington Statement on Government Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) issued the following statement in response to House passage of H.R. 9747, which funds the government until December 20th:

    “The American people gave us a Republican majority in the House with the expectation we would use the power of the purse to hold Democrats accountable and change the trajectory of our country by addressing the imminent threats of our wide-open border, unbridled spending, and unchecked election fraud. It is deeply disappointing to have missed these important opportunities and fallen short on our commitments.  

    “After a final effort to pair the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act with government funding – pressuring Senate Democrats to prevent illegal immigrants from voting or at least put them on record for refusing to do so – the measure failed with only three Democrats in support and fourteen Republicans in opposition. 

    “Now, we are forced to make a choice. We can either allow a government shutdown with nothing to show for it, which will undoubtedly be blamed on Republicans, adversely affect President Trump’s electoral success, and open us up to being jammed by the Senate with a bigger spending package; or, we can freeze spending and push back the final funding decision to December when President-elect Trump gives us a better chance to secure the border, safeguard our elections, and stop the reckless spending.  

    “That’s why I’m choosing to provide President Trump with the runway he needs over the next 40 days to secure victory in November, help us get a much better deal in December, and fight to Make America Great Again over the next four years.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Castor, House Democrats Prevent FOURTH MAGA Republican Shutdown Threat Since Start of GOP Majority

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement after voting to pass legislation to avoid a MAGA government shutdown and extend current government funding through December 20, 2024:

    “Today, House Democrats stepped in to provide the votes needed to avoid a government shutdown after extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress refused to pass a budget.

    “This is no way to govern, but the last thing Florida families need is a government shutdown as Floridians prepare for Hurricane Helene and its difficult aftermath. I’m disappointed that 11 of my Republican colleagues from Florida were among the 82 Republicans who voted against the government in the face of a natural disaster. MAGA Republicans have exploited each funding deadline to play political games and force their radical Project 2025 policies on Americans while American families’ livelihoods hang in the balance.

    “House Democrats stand ready to work with Republicans to pass appropriations bills that reflect the bipartisan framework they committed to, and that lower costs, grow the middle class and protect our freedoms.”

    MIL OSI USA News –