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Category: Trump administration

  • MIL-OSI USA: Over 300 firefighting and law enforcement graduates add to state’s public safety force

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 30, 2025

    What you need to know: The state recently welcomed 339 graduates from CAL FIRE, CDCR, and CHP to California’s already robust contingent of public safety officers.

    Sacramento, California – Strengthening the dedicated groups that protect the safety of Californians, today Governor Gavin Newsom congratulated multiple graduates with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), and the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

    These firefighters, correctional officers, and highway patrol officers join their colleagues in communities statewide to protect the state of California.

    Thank you for answering the call to serve our great state. As you go back to your communities, may you face any uncertainty with resolve, any challenges with integrity, and any hardships with determination.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Enhancing our firefighting fleet

    CAL FIRE celebrated 38 new Company Officer Academy graduates. These leaders will supervise and direct firefighters as CAL FIRE Company Officers.

    The Academy offers extensive training in emergency and daily personnel management, physical conditioning, wildland and structural incident command, fire investigation, and the operation of fire vehicles, encompassing driving, pumping, and specialized wildland gear.

    “Graduations are a time to come together with family, friends, and coworkers to celebrate the hard work our Company Officers have put in over the past six weeks. These women and men represent the next generation of leadership at CAL FIRE. I am very proud of their accomplishment and wish them the best as they return home to their new roles,” said CAL FIRE Chief/Director Joe Tyler.

    This cohort brings the total number of Company Officer Academy graduates in 2025 to 272, highlighting CAL FIRE’s continued investment in leadership development and operational readiness.

    In addition to this program, 42 students have successfully completed the Emergency Command Center Academy so far this year, further strengthening CAL FIRE’s ability to respond quickly and effectively to emergencies across California.

    This graduating class brings the total number of Company Officers employed by CAL FIRE to over 4,150.  

    Protecting our communities 

    Following an intensive 13-week program at the Basic Correctional Officer Academy 168 cadets graduated, embarking on their new careers as CDCR correctional officers. 

    “It takes a special kind of person to wear the badge, the sacrifices and dedication of our families cannot be overstated. Our future success is dependent upon your professionalism, respect, and commitment to excellence,” said CDCR Secretary Jeff Macomber.

    Including these graduates, CDCR will have 601 graduates this year, marking a significant step forward in CDCR’s ongoing efforts and focus on recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention and culture through collaboration of diverse and qualified candidates. Following their graduation, officers serve in institutions throughout California.        

    With these graduates, there are a total of nearly 21,500 correctional officers at 31 adult institutions statewide.

    Patrolling our streets and highways 

    The CHP welcomed 133 new officers who completed 26 weeks of rigorous training at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento. The officers now report to one of the CHP’s 102 Area offices across California to begin their law enforcement careers.

    Academy cadets receive training in areas such as traffic enforcement, collision investigation, defensive tactics, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, community policing, legal responsibilities, communication, ethics, and cultural awareness to prepare them for serving California’s diverse population.

    “This graduation marks the beginning of a commitment to protecting and serving others. These officers have demonstrated their dedication to keeping California’s communities safe and upholding the CHP’s core values,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.

    Nearly 300 cadets continue training at the West Sacramento facility, and another 160 are scheduled to begin instruction on June 9 as part of the department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen public safety statewide.

    So far, the CHP has sworn in 364 officers in 2025 with this graduating class. There are a total of nearly 7,000 CHP officers statewide protecting our roadways. 

    Join the state today

    California offers diverse job opportunities with comprehensive benefits for those dedicated to providing essential services to millions of Californians. To learn more, please visit the California Department of Human Resources. 

    Recent news

    May 30, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO — In a callous moment during a townhall this morning, Republican U.S. Senator Joni Ernst shrugged off the devastating human toll of President Donald Trump’s proposed plan to fund tax breaks for the rich by gutting Medicaid and food assistance — saying,…

    May 30, 2025

    News What you need to know: With unprecedented speed, Governor Newsom is today announcing the availability of $800 million in competitive grant funding as part of Proposition 1 Bond Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round 2 to develop a wide…

    May 30, 2025

    News What you need to know: CAL FIRE is awarding $72 million to projects across the state that help reduce catastrophic wildfire risk across California. Governor Newsom also announced 13 vegetation management projects spanning nearly 7,000 acres have already been…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A film about long healing walk by the sea, the end of a dystopian series and a whimsical comfort watch – what to see, watch, read and listen to this week

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Naomi Joseph, Arts + Culture Editor

    At The Conversation, we are big believers in the health benefits of being near the sea. In fact, we have a whole series dedicated to how our health is intrinsically linked with that of the ocean, called Vitamin Sea. The idea of how the coast can heal is explored in the bestselling memoir The Saltpath, which has been adapted for the screen, and stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs.

    Anderson plays Raynor Winn who documented the whirlwind period that began with her husband Moth being given a terminal diagnosis. In the same week, they also lost their home. In the face of this, the couple made a wild decision: to take a 630-mile year-long coastal walk from Somerset to Dorset, through Devon and Cornwall.

    The South West Coast Path has over 115,000 feet of ascent and descent, which is equivalent to scaling Mount Everest four times. In this piece, lecturer in the history of science and the environment, Lena Ferriday explores how this decision might not have been as mad as it might seem.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    The Winns’ decision to walk the path is part of a long history of people seeking wellness and recovery on England’s south-west coast. From taking in the clean air on long gentle walks to bathing in cold waters, it was common for the sickly to be prescribed a trip to the sea. And, as the Winns discover in this beautiful film, they find respite and connection in that history.

    Reply to this email to let us know if you have any thoughts on the healing qualities of the coast. We would also love you to answer our poll letting us what you think is the best nature memoir of our of favourite five. If your favourite isn’t there, email us its name.

    The Saltpath is in select cinemas now



    Read more:
    The Salt Path taps into a long history of searching for healing on England’s south-west coast

    The first season of The Handmaid’s Tale aired in 2017 in the early months of the first Trump presidency. Now in its sixth season, the drama is ending in the early months of the second Trump presidency. In that time, the show and its iconography have become synonymous with feminist resistance.

    When the Canadian writer Margaret Atwood first wrote The Handmaid’s Tale in 1985, Donald Trump was a mere real estate mogul. Some say it is eerie how she foresaw rising authoritarianism in the United States as well as the erosion of women’s rights. However, Atwood didn’t see the tale as science fiction, everything she wrote, she stressed, had already happened or was happening somewhere.

    In this piece, Canadian literature expert Sharon Engbrecht writes about Atwood has made many similar educated predictions about where the roots laid in history will come up in the future. While the last series does deviate somewhat from Atwood’s follow-up The Testaments, it is very much in-line with her view of the world. Hopefully, this last season ends in a much more hopeful place.

    The Handmaid’s Tale is airing on channel 4



    Read more:
    _The Handmaid’s Tale_ reflects Margaret Atwood’s eerie talent for reading the palm of power

    If you’re looking for something a bit more low stakes and whimsical then can we recommend checking out the film The Phoenician Scheme. Wes Anderson is a director with a very distinct vision, you can spot a work by him a mile away. This is what makes a director an auteur.

    Fans of his work have come to expect a few things from his films. The first is a star-studded ensemble. The second, a distinct colour palette. The third, boundless whimsy. The Phoenician Scheme has all of this, which as our expert in film Daniel O’Brien notes, will make some of you love it and others hate it.

    I like Wes Anderson films. They are incredibly charming and visually delicious. The Phoenician Scheme has more solid narrative than some of his recent films, which I, for one, welcome. It follows wealthy businessman, Zsa-zsa Korda (Benicio del Toro) after he makes his only daughter (Mia Threapleton), a nun, the sole heir to his estate before embarking on a new money-making scheme. Andersonian hijinks and shenanigans ensue as the pair dodge danger in the form of scheming tycoons, foreign terrorists and determined assassins.

    The Phoenician Scheme is in cinemas now

    The Coin by Yasmin Zaher is a bold debut novel about a young Palestinian woman who is struggling to keep it together. On the surface of things she has it all: she is a teacher at a New York city middle school, she is rich, stylish and meticulously clean. However, buried within her sits history that won’t leave her alone. To be precise, inside her sits an Israeli shekel that she accidentally swallowed on a family road trip during which her parents were killed.

    The knowledge of the coin and all it represents tears at the narrator, not letting her know peace. She is pushed to desperate acts in order to gain some sort of control over mind and body. But the coin does not relent. It won’t let her be. She is neither here nor there, in the US or Palestine. In this piece, literature expert Daniel G. Williams explains why he and his fellow judges awarded this debut the 2025 Dylan Thomas Prize.



    Read more:
    The Coin by Palestinian writer Yasmin Zaher wins the Dylan Thomas Prize – an expert from the judging panel explains why

    I love Pulp. One of my formative festival memories is watching a lanky Jarvis Cocker hump a giant neon Pulp sign while singing Disco 2000 at Reading festival. I was at a liberal arts uni at the time and the lyrics of Common People had never made more sense to me.

    As expert in popular music Mark Higgins writes, it’s a common misconception that Pulp were Brit Pop. In fact, they were founded in 1978 and their sound and whole shtick were quite a part from the 60’s mania of Britpop boy bands. Listening to the first single of this album Higgins notes, however, that the nostalgia for a better time seems to have hit Pulp belatedly as they wax lyrical about 90s.

    Next week, the band release their first album since 2001’s We Love Life. In the lead up to the release of their album More, I have been rediscovering their back catalogue and I would highly recommend you all do the same this sunny weekend.

    More by Pulp is out June 6



    Read more:
    Pulp are back and more wistfully Britpop than before

    – ref. A film about long healing walk by the sea, the end of a dystopian series and a whimsical comfort watch – what to see, watch, read and listen to this week – https://theconversation.com/a-film-about-long-healing-walk-by-the-sea-the-end-of-a-dystopian-series-and-a-whimsical-comfort-watch-what-to-see-watch-read-and-listen-to-this-week-257849

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Díaz-Balart Applauds Passage of President Trump’s One, Big Beautiful Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Appropriations Vice Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Trump’s “One, Big Beautiful bill”:

    “Once again, House Republicans are delivering on the mandate we promised to the American people under the leadership of President Trump by passing the ‘One, Big Beautiful Bill.’ This legislation responsibly reduces excess spending while protecting vital programs, such as Medicaid and Medicare benefits, for eligible Americans in need.

    It also provides taxpayers in Florida’s 26thCongressional District with historic tax relief by making President Trump’s highly successful 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) permanent. Had the TCJA been allowed to expire on December 31, 2025, the average taxpayer in FL-26 would have seen a 24% tax hike. Instead, they are guaranteed deductions and get to keep more of their hard-earned money.

    Additionally, this bill will permanently secure the border and stop the deadly flow of fentanyl into our communities by making major investments in our border patrol agents. It also includes pro-family initiatives, such as expanding the child tax credit, which helps working families keep more of their earnings. Finally, it will unleash American energy and lower costs by reversing the Biden Administration’s burdensome energy policies.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sharpened Purpose, Stronger Future: FY26 State Department Priorities for Security and Diplomacy

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, House Appropriations Vice Chair and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) and Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) focused on efforts to advance American national security and diplomacy to ensure a stronger future during remarks at a Fiscal Year 2026 hearing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

    Subcommittee Chairman Díaz-Balart said, “I firmly believe there is no one better who could serve as our Secretary of State at this critical time. Your steadfast leadership, devotion to country and to freedom, and your focus on national security are exactly why you have my full confidence in advancing President Trump’s foreign policy… Now, it’s time to work together on the FY26 budget to determine the appropriate funding levels going forward for the people and programs needed to advance our national security.

    “From ensuring our key allies and partners around the world have the military assistance required to defend themselves, to preventing deadly infectious diseases from reaching our shores, to investments that lay the groundwork for American businesses abroad, to supporting those suffering under tyranny by standing in solidarity against oppressive – and often dangerously anti-American – dictatorships. That is American leadership – something President Trump has shown and that has been sorely lacking for the last four years.”

    Full remarks as prepared for delivery are available here.

    Chairman Cole said, “We are leading with sharpened purpose to ensure Americans are safer at home and abroad. The work of the State Department is core to this mission and the cause of freedom – and every action and investment we make should protect and promote U.S. security, prosperity, and values. Secretary Rubio, we know your commitment to that duty – and it’s an honor to have you with us this afternoon. From day one, you’ve acted as a force multiplier for the President, and we deeply appreciate your service to our country.

    “As you know, Mr. Secretary, peace through strength isn’t a matter of chance. It is the result of effective policy, national focus, and marshaling resources to where they drive maximum impact. The America First agenda – which has been mandated by the people – advances that critical doctrine. It’s not about retreating from the world stage – but resetting our guiding principles.” 

    Full remarks as prepared for delivery are available here.

    Secretary of State Rubio said, “Today, America is back. Secure borders, safe communities and zero tolerance for criminal cartels are once again the guiding principles of our foreign policy… We are working with law enforcement to revoke the status of foreign nationals who abuse our hospitality, threaten our citizens, and express support for this nation’s enemies. The Department has taken President Trump’s policy message across Europe, securing the NATO Secretary General’s commitment to increased defense spending, recalibrating transatlantic political and economic relations to better serve American interests… 

    “As Secretary, I have the honor of leading the world’s most talented diplomatic workforce. They deserve better. They deserve clear responsibilities and chains of command. They deserve a State Department that unleashes their full potential from the ground up, harnessing the capacities of every embassy, consulate, and bureau to set a course for a new American century. One where the power and prestige of the United States are unequaled by any other force in the world.”

    Full remarks as prepared for delivery are available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representative Adriano Espaillat’s Statement on House Republicans’ Passage of The GOP Tax Scam

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued the following statement on House Republicans’ passage of their GOP Tax Scam:

    “The only winners following the Trump’s ‘Big Ugly Bill’ are the billionaire donors who will get massive new tax breaks and big corporations that already pay next to nothing in taxes. This disastrous bill includes devastating cuts to health care and food assistance, taking vital funding from the American people,” said Espaillat. “Once again Donald Trump has proven where his loyalties lie – with the extremely wealthy like his buddy Elon Musk. Donald Trump has no problem taking from poor to give to the wealthy.

    “These cuts are a matter of life and death. If this bill becomes law, people will die from lack of food, from lack of health care, and from lack of housing.  This bill fails to uphold the values of our nation and is misaligned with the interests of working families — while making grocery bills and health care more expensive for tens of millions of Americans who rely on this assistance.”

    Earlier this week, Rep. Espaillat denounced the GOP Tax Scam in remarks on the House floor, which may be watched here. House Democrats utilized every available tool to stop passage of the GOP Tax Scam and every single Democrat voted against its final passage. During yesterday’s Rules Committee hearing, Espaillat and more than 100 Democrats offered more than 500 amendments – to delay passage of the bill for more than 20 hours. 

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    Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

    Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representative Adriano Espaillat Denounces Trump’s Budget Bill Cuts to Working Families

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) spoke on the House floor to deliver scathing remarks denouncing the Trump administration’s budget bill and its devastating impact to working families in New York’s 13th congressional district and in communities around the nation.

    Video of Rep. Espaillat’s remarks may be watched here. 

    The following are remarks by Rep. Espaillat *as prepared for delivery*:

    “More than half of the residents in New York’s 13th congressional district rely on Medicaid to receive primary and emergency health care. Almost four million residents in New York City rely on Medicaid. About three million of New York City residents are enrolled in the New York State Medicaid Pharmacy Program, which allows coverage of prescription drugs and certain over the counter medications. 

    “After promising the American people that Medicaid would be safe from cuts, Republicans spent several hours marking up a bill that would devastate Medicaid enrollment rates. To pay for the tax cuts for the wealthy, the bill would require harsh work requirements for Medicaid recipients that would terminate coverage for millions of low-income Americans.  Additionally, the bill would increase copays for Medicaid recipients which would significantly limit access to vital care services. It would also penalize states that have made the choice to use provide state-funded health care coverage to undocumented children and mixed status families.  

    “Not only does this hurt the undocumented families that have relied on this health care for years, but it also infringes on states to do what they believe is best with their own state funding. Republicans also introduced a $300 billion cut to food stamps, which would impact the 300,000 people in my district who rely on the benefit to eat. Thirty-five percent of these recipients are children.

    “Though Social Security cuts were not explicitly included in reconciliation conversations, the Trump administration and DOGE have repeatedly attempted to limit this program by trying to close social security offices, staff reductions, and reduced phone line access. These changes would impact the nearly 120,000 constituents in my district, particularly seniors, who rely on approximately $164 million in monthly benefits.

    “Republicans have gone back on their promise to the American people. These changes would devastate the lives of millions of Americans. We must stand up to these attacks. I yield back.”    

     

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    Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

    Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas Marks Start of Pride 2025

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

    Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus and New Hampshire’s first openly gay member of Congress, issued the following statement to mark the start of Pride Month on Sunday:

    “During Pride, we come together as a community to celebrate living as our full authentic selves and stand together against hate and the ongoing efforts to discriminate against LGBTQ+ students, families, and individuals across our country. No one should be a second-class citizen in the United States, and everyone deserves the opportunity to participate fully in their community and to live free from discrimination and the harm it brings. As a gay person growing up, I wasn’t always sure there would be a place for me. But Granite Staters welcomed me for who I am, and I could not be more proud to serve them in Congress and fight for equality for LGBTQ+ individuals in New Hampshire and across the country.”

    “In light of the challenges our community continues to face, I want to say to every person who may find themselves wondering what the future holds for them: you are seen, you are supported, and you deserve the chance to be yourself. So be proud of who you are. We must continue to work to create a positive environment that respects everyone and protects personal freedoms. That is how we will continue to change our nation and world for the better.”

    Pappas serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus and is New Hampshire’s first openly gay member of Congress. In his role as Co-Chair of the Equality Caucus, he has helped to introduce and pass the Equality Act through the House of Representatives and enact the Respect for Marriage Act into law. Pappas also leads the LGBTQ+ Panic Defense Prohibition Act, which would ban the use of panic defenses based on sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in federal courts; the SERVE Act, which would guarantee and protect VA benefits for LGBTQ+ veterans discharged under discriminatory policies; and led successful calls for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reassess policy that blocked members of the LGBTQ+ community from donating blood.

    In response to President Trump’s Executive Order banning transgender individuals from serving in the military, Pappas has been an outspokenadvocate for trans servicemembers, including leading an appropriations request to prohibit any funding for the Department of Defense to implement the ban, and he is a cosponsor of the Fit to Serve Act, legislation to prohibit discrimination in the Armed Forces on the basis of gender identity.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Golden statement on courts’ rulings over Trump tariffs

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

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement in response to court rulings today regarding emergency tariffs imposed by President Trump under the International Economic Emergency Powers Act: 

    “While the executive and judicial branches debate the limits of executive authority, one thing is clear: The decades-old free-trade consensus is a failure. It has been great for Wall Street and multinational corporations, but a disaster for American workers, American industry and manufacturing communities across our country. We traded good jobs and an ability to make things ourselves for foreign investment and cheap goods produced overseas.

    “There is no question that Congress has the authority to step in and start to reverse the damage. First, we should pass the BUILT USA Act, my bill to rebalance trade and reinvigorate American manufacturing with a 10 percent global tariff — the foundation of the president’s tariff agenda. Then, we can turn our attention to rewriting the deeply flawed U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) and renegotiating our trade relationship with China, which has consistently undermined our workers and our nation’s economic strength with unfair trade practices.

    “It’s time for Congress to do its job.” 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Craig, Hinson Lead Bipartisan Call to Expand Homegrown Biofuels Production

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Ashley Hinson (R-IA) led 26 of their bipartisan colleagues in calling on the Administration to expand annual Renewable Volumes Obligations for biomass-based diesel in their upcoming rulemaking for 2026.

    In a letter to President Donald Trump, the Members urged the Administration to support a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by adopting timely, robust blending requirements in the upcoming “Set 2” rule establishing Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2026 and beyond.

    “Even before you took office, the EPA was months behind meeting the statutory deadline to set RVOs, which only exacerbated market instability,” the Members wrote. “Domestic biofuel production facilities have already idled, and further delays in action could result in additional closures, putting Americans out of work and disrupting key markets for farmers.”

    “Congress established the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to provide certainty and encourage investment in biofuels to the benefit of American families, the economy, and U.S. energy security,” the Members continued. “A strong Set 2 will benefit our constituents by lowering prices at the pump, creating and maintaining U.S. biomanufacturing jobs, and driving economic growth. A strong RVO will also support market growth for farmers at a time when global markets are experiencing uncertainty.”

    The EPA’s Renewable Volume Obligations for 2023 – 2025 were significantly lower than industry production trends, leading to a collapse in the value producers can receive in the renewable fuels market. Those poor market conditions led several biodiesel plants across the country to shut down last year. Higher RVOs will support market growth for farmers at a time when global markets are experiencing uncertainty.

    In Congress, Rep. Craig has worked across the aisle for years to promote homegrown biofuels. Last month, following her push, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an emergency fuel waiver allowing the sale of E15 nationwide this summer. 

    Earlier this year, she introduced her bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act to make year-round access to E15 permanent nationwide – expanding market access for Minnesota farmers and lowering costs for drivers at the gas pump. And in February, she led a bipartisan letter to newly confirmed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, urging the Agency to prioritize biofuels as part of the Administration’s energy agenda.

    The full text of the letter can be found HERE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tokyo stocks end lower amid concerns over changing U.S. tariffs

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

    Tokyo stocks retreated Monday amid growing concerns over the flip-flops in U.S. tariff policies following President Donald Trump’s decision to double tariff rates on steel and aluminum.

    Japan’s benchmark Nikkei stock index, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average, ended down 494.43 points, or 1.30 percent, from Friday at 37,470.67.

    The broader Topix index, meanwhile, finished 24.28 points, or 0.87 percent, lower at 2,777.29.

    On the stock market, sentiment was dampened over fears of a global economic slowdown after Trump said Friday that he will raise tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 percent from 25 percent imposed by his administration earlier this year.

    The benchmark Nikkei index briefly lost more than 500 points as heavyweight semiconductor-related shares faced selling after declines by their U.S. counterparts late last week. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Krishnamoorthi Visits Rockford to Highlight How Trump’s Tariffs are Hurting Illinois Small Businesses and Workers

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

    Latest stop on Krishnamoorthi’s “Trump Tariff Tour” underscores toll on manufacturing jobs and local economies

    ROCKFORD, IL – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) continued his “Trump Tariff Tour” with a visit to a warehouse operated by Milescraft, a family-owned power tool manufacturer. During the visit, Congressman Krishnamoorthi toured the facility with Milescraft CEO Simon Karkosch and spoke to members of the press about how President Trump’s blanket tariffs are driving up costs, stifling growth, and forcing Illinois businesses to make painful decisions, including layoffs.

    “At Milescraft and across our state, the real cost of Donald Trump’s tariff war is being paid by small businesses and working families,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “These blanket tariffs aren’t targeting bad actors or protecting American jobs; they’re raising prices, slashing margins, and threatening the very businesses and workers that keep our local economies going. This isn’t smart economic policy. It’s time to put Illinois jobs and families first by ending this destructive tariff policy.”

    Founded in 2002, Milescraft has grown from a small Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) into a leading designer of woodworking tools and power tool accessories. The company now produces and distributes hundreds of products each year. However, under the burden of President Trump’s tariffs, they’ve been forced to cut jobs and grapple with rising input costs. According to recent projections, if all of President Trump’s proposed tariffs are implemented, they could cost the average American household more than $4,400 annually. Already, the Budget Lab at Yale estimates that the 2025 tariffs have increased consumer prices by 2.3 percent, reducing household purchasing power by $3,800 per year on average. Illinois in particular faces significant exposure, with over $82 billion in imports from Canada and Mexico — the state’s two largest trading partners — at risk from these tariffs.

    Congressman Krishnamoorthi launched his Trump Tariff Tour last month at Testa Produce in Chicago, followed by stops at Kindred Farms in Atlanta and Cloud Mountain Kombucha Brewery in Urbana. At each stop, he has heard directly from those on the front lines of Illinois’ economy — and pledged to keep fighting for fair trade policies that protect working families and small businesses, not punish them.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on Trump Administration’s Student Visa Freeze and Social Media Vetting Proposal

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

    SCHAUMBURG, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s decision to freeze new student visa interviews:

    “I strongly oppose the Trump Administration’s reckless decision to freeze new student visa interviews and consider sweeping, undefined social media vetting for international students. International students help drive cutting-edge research, fuel our universities, and build the industries of tomorrow. These young people are not only scholars and innovators — they are vital to America’s economic strength and national security. By developing the next generation of technologies and the good-paying jobs that come with them, they help ensure the United States remains a global leader.

    International students are drawn to our shores by the American Dream and the values that define us: freedom of thought, opportunity through education, and the strength of diverse perspectives. Shutting them out is not only discriminatory — it’s a strategic blunder. It weakens our global competitiveness and risks surrendering America’s leadership in innovation to nations that welcome the world’s talent with open arms. We must remain a country that opens doors to those who seek to learn, contribute, and help build a better future — not one that closes them out of fear.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman DeSaulnier Statement on Independent, Nonpartisan Agency Finding that the Trump Administration Broke the Law by Blocking Electric Vehicle Funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, made the following statement after the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent, nonpartisan government agency, issued a legal opinion finding that the Trump Administration violated the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 by illegally withholding funds for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program.

    “When the Trump Administration illegally suspended implementation of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program in February, I immediately called on the Secretary of Transportation to reverse this reckless decision that would set us back in the fight against climate change, surrender global competitiveness to China, and hurt American drivers’ bottom lines.

    I am pleased the GAO has issued this finding that the Administration’s actions were not just foolish – they were illegal. Congress appropriated funding for the NEVI program and the Department of Transportation must implement it by immediately releasing the previously approved funds to the states.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Pro-Trump candidate wins Poland’s presidential election – a bad omen for the EU, Ukraine and women

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Simpson, Senior Lecturer, International Studies, University of South Australia

    Poland’s presidential election runoff will be a bitter pill for pro-European Union democrats to swallow.

    The nationalist, Trumpian, historian Karol Nawrocki has narrowly defeated the liberal, pro-EU mayor of Warsaw, Rafał Trzaskowski, 50.89 to 49.11%.

    The Polish president has few executive powers, though the office holder is able to veto legislation. This means the consequences of a Nawrocki victory will be felt keenly, both in Poland and across Europe.

    With this power, Nawrocki, backed by the conservative Law and Justice party, will no doubt stymie the ability of Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his Civic Platform-led coalition to enact democratic political reforms.

    This legislative gridlock could well see Law and Justice return to government in the 2027 general elections, which would lock in the anti-democratic changes the party made during their last term in office from 2015–2023. This included eroding Poland’s judicial independence by effectively taking control of judicial appointments and the supreme court.

    Nawrocki’s win has given pro-Donald Trump, anti-liberal, anti-EU forces across the continent a shot in the arm. It’s bad news for the EU, Ukraine and women.

    A rising Poland

    For much of the post-second world war era, Poland has had limited European influence.

    This is no longer the case. Poland’s economy has boomed since it joined the EU in 2004. It spends almost 5% of its gross domestic product on defence, almost double what it spent in 2022 at the time of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

    Poland now has a bigger army than the United Kingdom, France and Germany. And living standards, adjusted for purchasing power, are about to eclipse Japan’s.

    Along with Brexit, these changes have resulted in the EU’s centre of gravity shifting eastwards towards Poland. As a rising military and economic power of 37 million people, what happens in Poland will help shape Europe’s future.

    Impacts on Ukraine

    Poland’s new position in Europe is most clearly demonstrated by its central role in the fight to defend Ukraine against Russia.

    This centrality was clearly demonstrated during the recent “Coalition of the Willing” summit in Kyiv, where Tusk joined the leaders of Europe’s major powers – France, Germany and the UK – to bolster support for Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelensky.

    However, Poland’s unqualified support for Ukraine will now be at risk because Nawrocki has demonised Ukrainian refugees in his country and opposed Ukrainian integration into European-oriented bodies, such as the EU and NATO.

    Nawrocki was also backed during his campaign by the Trump administration. Kristi Noem, the US secretary of homeland security, said at the recent Conservative Political Action Conference in Poland:

    Donald Trump is a strong leader for us, but you have an opportunity to have just as strong of a leader in Karol if you make him the leader of this country.

    Trump also hosted Nawrocki in the Oval Office when he was merely a candidate for office. This was a significant deviation from standard US diplomatic protocol to stay out of foreign elections.

    Nawrocki has not been as pro-Russia as some other global, MAGA-style politicians, but this is largely due to Poland’s geography and its difficult history with Russia. It has been repeatedly invaded across its eastern plains by Russian or Soviet troops. And along with Ukraine, Poland shares borders with the Russian client state of Belarus and Russia itself in Kaliningrad, the heavily militarised enclave on the Baltic Sea.

    I experienced the proximity of these borders during fieldwork in Poland in 2023 when I travelled by car from Warsaw to Vilnius, the Lithuanian capital, via the Suwalki Gap.

    This is the strategically important, 100-kilometre-long border between Poland and Lithuania, which connects the Baltic states to the rest of NATO and the EU to the south. It’s seen as a potential flashpoint if Russia were ever to close the gap and isolate the Baltic states.

    Poland’s conservative nationalist politicians are therefore less Russia-friendly than those in Hungary or Slovakia. Nawrocki, for instance, does not support cutting off weapons to Ukraine.

    However, a Nawrocki presidency will still be more hostile to Ukraine and its interests. During the campaign, Nawrocki said Zelensky “treats Poland badly”, echoing the type of language used by Trump himself.

    Poland divided

    The high stakes in the election resulted in a record turnout of almost 73%.

    There was a stark choice in the election between Nawrocki and Trzaskowski.

    Trzaskowski supported the liberalisation of Poland’s harsh abortion laws – abortion was effectively banned in Poland under the Law and Justice government – and the introduction of civil partnerships for LGBTQ+ couples.

    Nawrocki opposed these changes and will likely veto any attempt to implement them.

    While the polls for the presidential runoff election had consistently shown a tight race, an Ipsos exit poll published during the vote count demonstrated the social divisions now facing the country.

    As in other recent global elections, women and those with higher formal education voted for the progressive candidate (Trzaskowski), while men and those with less formal education voted for the conservative (Nawrocki).

    After the surprise success of the liberal, pro-EU presidential candidate in the Romanian elections a fortnight ago, pro-EU forces were hoping for a similar result in Poland, as well.

    That, for now, is a pipe dream and liberals across the continent will now need to negotiate a difficult relationship with a right-wing, Trumpian leader in the new beating heart of Europe.

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

    – ref. Pro-Trump candidate wins Poland’s presidential election – a bad omen for the EU, Ukraine and women – https://theconversation.com/pro-trump-candidate-wins-polands-presidential-election-a-bad-omen-for-the-eu-ukraine-and-women-257617

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amata’s Statement of Strong Support for President Trump’s Fishing Order as Lawsuit Filed

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

    Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata released the following statement: 

    “These islands within PRIMNM are not Hawaiian islands nor are they American Samoan islands; these are America’s islands and waterways, and food security is national security. Insuring the safe supply of domestic American canned tuna for our military, schoolchildren and consumers is paramount and a national emergency that President Trump has recognized and acted upon with the urgency that is needed.

    “I commend his Administration for both enacting his Executive Orders in this regard in his first 100 days and for doing so on April 17, American Samoa’s Flag Day, when the union between the United States and American Samoa was enacted.

    “The President recognized and honored Fa’a Samoa, the Samoan way of life, by taking this action on the historic 125th Flag Day just a few weeks ago and helped all Americans during these critical times of food and other resource needs to protect our whole country.

    “Lastly, neither Presidents Bush, Obama or Biden ever asked American Samoa what they wanted before they took away our indigenous fishing rights without any science — they decided what they wanted first, gave us lip service and back filled their decisions with bureaucracy and outside interests. President Trump asked and acted, and I thank him again for his EO for the safety and security of the food supply for American Samoa and all America.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CONGRESSMAN BISHOP’S STATEMENT REGARDING THREAT TO JOB CORPS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Job Corps Caucus, released the following statement in response to news today that the Trump Administration is pausing Job Corps Center operations, effectively shuttering Job Corps Centers nationwide, including the Turner Job Corps Center in Albany, Georgia.

    “The Job Corps program is the embodiment of a hand up and not a handout. It provides workforce skills and training that empower participants to become self-sufficient and productive citizens. Today’s foolish action by the White House and the United States Department of Labor to close the Job Corps program will shatter the dreams and aspirations of tens of thousands of promising students.

    “For over sixty years, there has been strong, bipartisan support for Job Corps. It has paid tremendous dividends in terms of ensuring that young people become valuable members of the labor force. I intend to work with my Republican colleagues to protect and improve Job Corps to ensure its continued success.”

    Job Corps is a national program with over 120 centers across the country. Job Corps offers at-risk youth varied academic opportunities and career pathways in business and industry.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Neguse Introduces Legislation to Reinstate All Parks and Forest Staff Fired by DOGE Cuts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

    Washington, D.C. — As the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) brace for impact, with public reporting warning additional layoffs are imminent, Congressman Joe Neguse introduced landmark legislation that pushes back against further cuts to the federal workforce and moves to restore adequate staffing levels ahead of the agencies’ busy summer months. The bills, the Protect our Parks Act and Save Our Forests Act, direct administration officials to rehire individuals wrongfully terminated as part of Trump’s DOGE initiative.  

    Neguse, who serves as Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, represents some of Colorado’s world-renowned parks and forests, including Rocky Mountain National Park and the Arapaho and Roosevelt and White River National Forests. Since the start of the year, he’s been a vocal opponent of the administration’s full-scale attack on the federal workforce, and his latest effort highlights the dramatic impact of cuts on parks and forests—leaving these shared spaces understaffed and vulnerable, with weakened wildfire prevention, search-and-rescue operations, and maintenance of campgrounds, trails, and restrooms. 

    “Coloradans are sounding the alarm: the Trump Administration’s federal funding and purging of the workforce have made our national parks and forests less safe and more prone to disaster. This is simply unacceptable,” said Congressman Neguse. “With the summer months fast approaching, we must act to reinstate terminated employees at our land management agencies to protect communities across the West.” 

    Both the Protect our Parks Act and Save Our Forests Act are co-led by Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (CA-02) and Vice Ranking Member Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), as well as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture, Andrea Salinas (OR-06). They are championed by Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) in the United States Senate. 

    “The Trump Administration’s relentless and deeply damaging attacks on our federal workforce, especially the dedicated public servants at the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, demand accountability,” said Ranking Member Jared Huffman. “From abrupt relocations to politically motivated firings, the career professionals who steward our public lands have been treated as expendable. With another wave of forced reductions reportedly imminent, Congress must act. The Protect Our Parks Act and the Save Our Forests Act will ensure these agencies are fully staffed, reinstate wrongfully terminated employees, and keep critical federal projects on track—from climate resilience and wildfire prevention to trail maintenance and infrastructure upgrades. We owe it to these workers, and to the American people who depend on them, to set this right.”

    “With summer fast approaching, we should be hiring more workers who can keep visitors safe at our national parks and protect our communities from wildfires. Instead, the Trump Administration is recklessly firing workers at both the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service – putting even more strain on these agencies at a time when they are already short-staffed,” said Congresswoman Salinas. “These job cuts are unacceptable, which is why I’m proud to introduce two bills that would restore staffing levels and rehire Park Rangers and Forest Service workers who were wrongfully terminated. America’s public servants deserve respect and appreciation for their hard work, and our legislation does just that.”

    “The National Park Service and National Forest Service are crucial to land conservation, historic preservation, and protecting our natural resources. Due to the illegal actions of this Administration, these agencies are operating on a skeleton crew and shoestring budget to carry out the work the law requires. I am proud to co-lead the Protect Our Parks Act and Save Our Forests Act with Assistant Leader Neguse, Ranking Member Huffman, and Rep. Salinas to reinstate staff and restore funding at the NPS and NFS,” said Congresswoman Elfreth.  

    Find additional details on the bills below:

    • The Protect our Parks Act directs the Secretary of Interior to ensure adequate staffing within the National Park System for the overall safety and wellbeing of visitor safety and natural and cultural resource protection. It also orders the reinstatement of any individuals terminated as part of the Trump Administration’s reckless mass firings (beginning on January 20, 2025).
    • The Save Our Forests Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure adequate staffing within the National Forest System, as well as proper resources for maintaining the health, diversity, and productivity of these lands. It also orders the reinstatement of any individuals terminated as part of the Trump Administration’s reckless mass firings (beginning on January 20, 2025). 

    Both bills also help keep critical federal projects moving forward, including those funded by widely supported and enacted laws such as the Great American Outdoors Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. 

    They are endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters, The Wilderness Society, Environment America, National Federation of Federal Employees, and The Trust for Public Land; and the Protect our Parks Act has additional backing from the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA).  

    See what they’re saying below:  

    “With mass firings of land management staff, the Trump administration has put our public lands and our ability to enjoy and benefit from them at risk,” said LCV Conservation Program Director, America Fitzpatrick.“Legislation like the bills introduced today by Representatives Neguse, Huffman, Elfreth, and Salinas will serve to curb the fallout from the Trump administration’s dangerous policies that seek to decimate our parks and public lands. LCV thanks the bill sponsors for standing up for public servants who steward our parks and public lands, fight wildfire, educate the public, and share our nation’s history, and for continuing to fight back against this administration’s dangerous and indiscriminate firings.“ 

    “Our national parks are facing a crisis. Since January, roughly 13% of park staff have been pushed out due to pressured buyouts, retirements and resignations,” said President and CEO of National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), Theresa Pierno. “These workers are the backbone of our parks, maintaining trails, managing wildlife, guiding visitors, and protecting our natural and cultural heritage. Parks can’t thrive without the staff who protect them, which is why this bill is so critical right now. This bill would bring back essential staffing as parks face record-breaking crowds. NPCA commends Representatives Neguse, Huffman, Elfreth and Salinas for supporting the dedicated staff who care for America’s most cherished places every day.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Neguse Calls for Renewed Commitment to American Servicemembers, Introduces Legislation to Boost Veteran Employment

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

    Lafayette, CO — With Memorial Day upcoming, Congressman Joe Neguse called for a renewed commitment by the Congress to supporting American servicemembers by introducing two bills aimed at expanding support for veterans after their service. The Veterans Jobs Training Act and the Veteran Wildland Firefighter Employment Act focus on the essentials for successful reintegration: employment, housing, and establishing a clear path forward.

    Colorado is home to over 300,000 veterans, many of whom rely on regular access to federal assistance as they adjust to civilian life. Unfortunately, the Trump Administration’s reckless federal cuts have impacted these individuals’ ability to access their hard-earned and well-deserved benefits. In response, the bills Congressman Neguse introduced are a step toward ensuring our nation’s veterans aren’t left to navigate these hurdles on their own. 

    “As we memorialize the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our Armed Forces, we must also recommit ourselves to supporting the veterans in our communities. Our neighbors who sacrificed so much to keep us safe. In their honor, I’m proud to introduce legislation that ensures they have access to good-paying jobs and a roof over their heads. And these bills do exactly that—helping employ veterans in careers where their skills and service are valued, including among our wildland firefighting workforce,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. 

    Find details on the bills below:

    • The Veterans Jobs Training Act would increase the authorization level for the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) by $15 million in federal funding, expanding the already successful initiative’s ability to provide competitive employment for unhoused veterans. HVRP’s core objectives are to provide services to assist in reintegrating unhoused veterans into meaningful employment and to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address problems facing unhoused veterans. Read the bill text HERE.
    • The Veteran Wildland Firefighter Employment Act would establish a pilot program to help employ veterans into wildland firefighting positions, putting their valuable skill set to work. More specifically, the bill would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to collaborate in an effort to help employ veterans in any temporary, seasonal, or permanent wildland firefighting activities. Read the bill text HERE.

    The Veteran Wildland Firefighter Employment Act is supported by the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFEE) and Grassroots Wildland Firefighters. 

    “NFFE is proud to support legislation that would encourage our military veterans to continue serving their country as federal wildland firefighters,” said Randy Erwin, National President, NFFE. “These men and women understand the sacrifice of public service and the importance of defending American communities. Thank you to Representative Neguse for his continued support of veterans, wildland firefighters, and federal workers.”

    “The Grassroots Wildland Firefighters applaud Congressman Neguse on his continued efforts to bolster and address wildfires in the United States. United States Veterans and federal wildland firefighting have a long and storied history. Any effort to reinforce and build a bridge between United States military veterans and the work of wildland firefighting should be robustly supported by Congress. The Grassroots Wildland Firefighters fully support the efforts and intent of Congressman Neguse,” said Luke Mayfield, President, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters. 

    Background

    Congressman Joe Neguse has been a strong advocate for veterans and service members since first being elected to Congress. Significantly, he was successful in getting his bill the Mental Health for Military Families Act signed into law, expanding access to counseling and mental health services for Colorado’s military families. Neguse has also championed proposals that would improve the treatment and compensation for veterans experiencing PTSD and create regional “network hubs” for veterans, service members, and their families to seek resources and support. And in 2022, the Colorado lawmaker helped secure $650,000 for the Veterans Community Project Transitional Housing in Longmont, Colorado. A project that supports veterans in Colorado’s Second Congressional District through the construction of modular homes.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow, Lt. Gov. Primavera Discuss Trump’s Harmful AmeriCorps Cuts

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

    AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, representatives from Serve Colorado, and local non-profits held a roundtable to discuss the impact of the Trump administration’s drastic cuts to AmeriCorps. 
     

    Since its founding in 1993, AmeriCorps has provided more than 1 million Americans with the opportunity to address challenges in their communities, especially in the areas of education, economic opportunity, veterans and military family services, health, the environment, and disaster services. In 2024, more than 6,600 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors served at over 700 local sites across Colorado. However, the Trump administration abruptly ended more than $400 million in AmeriCorps grants and laid off most of the full-time workforce, requiring more than 32,000 members to stop their critical work in communities nationwide. 

    “Service makes our nation better, and AmeriCorps enables Coloradans to serve their community directly. Their service makes Colorado a better, safer place to call home. Trump’s cuts to AmeriCorps are narrow-minded, short-sighted, and will leave Colorado worse off. I’ll continue speaking out and fighting back,” said Congressman Crow.

    “I’ve seen firsthand how national service changes lives — not just for those who serve, but for the individuals and families they support,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “This isn’t just a budget issue — it’s about what’s at stake for students, patients, and neighbors who rely on AmeriCorps programs daily. When you cut AmeriCorps, you don’t just shrink a program — you take away mentors from classrooms, hands from food banks, and care from underserved communities. We’re standing up to stop that from happening.”

    “AmeriCorps is a proven pipeline into Colorado’s most critical industries, from education and public health to climate resilience. These cuts don’t just threaten AmeriCorps service across the state – they undermine our future workforce and the communities that depend on it,” said John Kelly, Executive Director of Serve Colorado.

    Participants included: Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera; John Kelly, Executive Director of Serve Colorado; Manuel Aragon, Senior Director of Programs of Corps for a Change; Hannah Chung, Member of Corps for a Change serving at Vista Peak in APS; Barb Knapp, Manager of Spark Health Corps; Katie Navin, Executive Director of Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education; and Brittany Pimental, Senior Director of Operations for Denver Urban Gardens.

    Congressman Crow strongly opposes the Trump administration’s efforts to gut AmeriCorps, and has supported bipartisan efforts to block these cuts. He has been vocal about balancing the federal budget in a way that does not take a sledgehammer to critical programs that working Americans rely on for their families and communities.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Works to Fight Corruption in Government

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

    AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) held a roundtable with Colorado constituents, along with End Citizens United, to discuss his efforts in Congress to fight corruption, enact meaningful campaign finance reform, get dark money out of politics and fight special interests.

    This constituent roundtable in Aurora follows shocking instances of corruption in the Trump Administration, including the President accepting a $400 million jet from a foreign government, the Trump family opening a private club for the wealthy to pay for direct access to government officials, and a high-dollar dinner hosted by Trump for the largest investors in his crypto meme coin that he has personally benefited from.

    “Ever since I came to Washington, I’ve fought to end corruption, take on special interests, and get dark money out of politics. Our system should represent all Americans, not just the elite few. That’s why I call out corruption when I see it and will continue to fight for common sense reforms,” said Congressman Crow.

    Participants included former U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT); Tiffany Muller, President of End Citizens United; and Aly Belknap, Executive Director of Colorado Common Cause.

    Congressman Crow has long led the fight to root out corruption, including introducing the End Dark Money Act. This legislation would go a long way in fighting corruption and cracking down on dark money influencing U.S. elections. He also recently introduced the Shell Company Abuse Act, a bipartisan bill to limit foreign interference in U.S. Elections. Additionally, he previously served as the co-chair of the End Corruption Caucus, and has introduced other legislation, including the SHINE Act and DISCLOSE Act to end the influence of special interests in our elections. He also supports the TRUST in Congress Act to ban members of Congress and their families from owning or trading stocks.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Russia and Ukraine step up the war on eve of peace talks

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    On the eve of peace talks, Ukraine and Russia sharply ramped up the war with one of the biggest drone battles of their conflict, a Russian highway bridge blown up over a passenger train and an ambitious attack on nuclear-capable bombers deep in Siberia.

    After days of uncertainty over whether Ukraine would even attend, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Defence Minister Rustem Umerov would meet Russian officials at the second round of direct peace talks in Istanbul on Monday.

    The first round of the talks more than a week ago yielded the biggest prisoner exchange of the war – but no sense of any consensus on how to halt the fighting.

    Amid talk of peace, though, there was much war.

    At least seven people were killed and 69 injured when a highway bridge in Russia’s Bryansk region, neighbouring Ukraine, was blown up over a passenger train heading to Moscow with 388 people on board. No one has claimed responsibility.

    Ukraine attacked Russian nuclear-capable long-range bombers at a military base deep in Siberia on Sunday, a Ukrainian intelligence official said, the first such attack so far from the front lines more than 4,300 km (2,670 miles) away.

    Ukraine’s domestic intelligence service, the SBU, acknowledged it carried out the attack, codenamed “Operation Spider’s Web,” planned for more than a year and a half.

    The intelligence official said the operation involved hiding explosive-laden drones inside the roofs of wooden sheds and loading them onto trucks that were driven to the perimeter of the air bases.

    A total of 41 Russian warplanes were hit, the official said. The SBU estimated the damage at $7 billion and said Russia had lost 34% of its strategic cruise missile carriers at its main airfields.

    Zelenskiy expressed delight at the “absolutely brilliant outcome,” and noted 117 drones had been used in the attack.

    “And an outcome produced by Ukraine independently,” he wrote. “This is our longest-range operation.”

    RUSSIA SAYS AIRCRAFT FIRES PUT OUT

    A Ukrainian government official told Reuters that Ukraine did not notify the United States of the attack in advance.

    Russia’s Defence Ministry acknowledged on the Telegram messaging app that Ukraine had launched drone strikes against Russian military airfields across five regions on Sunday.

    Air attacks were repelled in all but two regions — Murmansk in the far north and Irkutsk in Siberia – where “the launch of FPV drones from an area in close proximity to airfields resulted in several aircraft catching fire.”

    The fires were extinguished without casualties. Some individuals involved in the attacks had been detained, the ministry said.

    Russia launched 472 drones at Ukraine overnight, Ukraine’s air force said, the highest nightly total of the war. Russia had also launched seven missiles, the air force said.

    Russia’s military reported new drone attacks into Sunday evening, listing 53 attacks intercepted in a period of less than two hours, including 34 over the border Kursk region. Debris from destroyed drones triggered residential fires.

    Russia said it had advanced deeper into the Sumy region of Ukraine, and open source pro-Ukrainian maps showed Russia took 450 square km of Ukrainian land in May, its fastest monthly advance in at least six months.

    U.S. President Donald Trump has demanded Russia and Ukraine make peace and he has threatened to walk away if they do not – potentially pushing responsibility for supporting Ukraine onto the shoulders of European powers – which have far less cash and much smaller stocks of weapons than the United States.

    According to Trump envoy Keith Kellogg, the two sides will in Turkey present their respective documents outlining their ideas for peace terms, though it is clear that after three years of intense war, Moscow and Kyiv remain far apart.

    Russia’s lead negotiator, presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky, was quoted by TASS news agency as saying the Russian side had received a memorandum from Ukraine on a settlement.

    Zelenskiy has complained for days that Russia had failed to provide a memorandum with its proposals.

    Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov spoke to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on prospects for a settlement and the forthcoming talks in Turkey, Lavrov’s ministry said.

    Putin ordered tens of thousands of troops to invade Ukraine in February 2022 after eight years of fighting in eastern Ukraine between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian troops. The United States says over 1.2 million people have been killed and injured in the war since 2022.

    In June last year, Putin set out opening terms for an immediate end to the war: Ukraine must drop its NATO ambitions and withdraw its troops from the territory of four Ukrainian regions claimed and mostly controlled by Russia.

    According to a copy of the Ukrainian document seen by Reuters with a proposed roadmap for a lasting peace, there will be no restrictions on Ukraine’s military strength after a deal is struck. Nor will there be international recognition of Russian sovereignty over parts of Ukraine taken by Moscow’s forces, and reparations for Ukraine.

    The document also stated that the current front line will be the starting point for negotiations about territory.

    (Reuters)

  • Man attacks Colorado crowd with firebombs, 6 people injured

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Six people were injured on Sunday when a 45-year-old man yelled “Free Palestine” and threw incendiary devices into a crowd in Boulder, Colorado where a demonstration to remember the Israeli hostages who remain in Gaza was taking place, authorities said.

    Six victims aged between 67 and 88 years old were transported to hospitals, the FBI special agent in charge of the Denver Field Office, Mark Michalek, said. At least one of them was in a critical condition, authorities said.

    “As a result of these preliminary facts, it is clear that this is a targeted act of violence and the FBI is investigating this as an act of terrorism,” Michalek said.

    Michalek named the suspect as Mohamed Soliman, who was hospitalized shortly after the attack. 

    FBI Director Kash Patel also described the incident as a “targeted terror attack,” and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said it appeared to be “a hate crime given the group that was targeted.” Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said he did not believe anyone else was involved.

    “We’re fairly confident we have the lone suspect in custody,” he said.

    The attack took place on the Pearl Street Mall, a popular pedestrian shopping district in the shadow of the University of Colorado, during an event organized by Run for Their Lives, an organization devoted to drawing attention to the hostages seized in the aftermath of Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel.

    In a statement, the group said the walks have been held every week since then for the hostages, “without any violent incidents until today.”

    The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the United States over Israel’s war in Gaza, which has spurred both an increase in antisemitic hate crime as well as moves by conservative supporters of Israel led by President Donald Trump to brand pro-Palestinian protests as antisemitic. His administration has detained protesters of the war without charge and cut off funding to elite U.S. universities that have permitted such demonstrations.

    In a post to X, a social network, Trump’s deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said Soliman had overstayed his visa and been allowed to work by the previous administration. He said it was further evidence of the need to “fully reverse” what he described as “suicidal migration.”

    When asked about Soliman, the Department of Homeland Security said more information would be provided as it became available.

    VICTIMS BURNED

    Brooke Coffman, a 19-year-old at the University of Colorado who witnessed the Boulder incident, said she saw four women lying or sitting on the ground with burns on their legs. One of them appeared to have been badly burned on most of her body and had been wrapped in a flag by someone, she said.

    She described seeing a man whom she presumed to be the attacker standing in the courtyard shirtless, holding a glass bottle of clear liquid and shouting.

    “Everybody is yelling, ‘get water, get water,’” Coffman said.

    Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a prominent Jewish Democrat, said it was an antisemitic attack.

    “This is horrifying, and this cannot continue. We must stand up to antisemitism,” he said on X.

    The attack follows last month’s arrest of a Chicago-born man in the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy employees in Washington, D.C. Someone opened fire on a group of people leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee, an advocacy group that fights antisemitism and supports Israel.

    The shooting fueled polarization in the United States over the war in Gaza between supporters of Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrators.

    Colorado Governor Jared Polis posted on social media that it was “unfathomable that the Jewish community is facing another terror attack here in Boulder.”

    (Reuters)

  • Nifty, Sensex open lower amid negative global cues

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian stock market opened on a weak note on Monday, tracking negative cues from global markets. The benchmark BSE Sensex fell by 676.86 points or 0.83 per cent to 80,774.15 in early trade, while the NSE Nifty declined by 181.15 points or 0.74 per cent to 24,568.25.

    Selling pressure was visible in broader market indices as well, with the Nifty Midcap 100 index down 104 points or 0.18 per cent at 57,315 and the Nifty Smallcap 100 index falling 69 points or 0.39 per cent to 17,813.

    In the Sensex pack, HUL, Adani Ports, IndusInd Bank, Nestle, SBI, Eternal (Zomato), Asian Paints and Power Grid were among the few gainers. On the losing side were major players including HDFC Bank, HCL Tech, Reliance Industries, Bajaj Finance, Infosys, Tata Steel and Tech Mahindra.

    Analysts suggest that the current market structure supports a continuation of the ongoing consolidation phase. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said that recent announcements by former US President Donald Trump, particularly the imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium, point towards a turbulent global trade environment. He noted that such developments could weigh on investor sentiment in the near term.

    Despite global uncertainties, domestic fundamentals remain strong. India’s GDP growth for the fourth quarter came in at 7.4 per cent, surpassing expectations and offering optimism for continued economic expansion. Analysts also highlighted positive trends in consumption and capital expenditure, along with low inflation and the likelihood of an accommodative monetary policy, as encouraging signs for FY26.

    Sectorally, the market presented a mixed picture. IT, financial services, metal, media, services and commodities saw losses, while FMCG, PSU banks, real estate and energy stocks witnessed buying interest.

    Asian markets traded mostly in the red, with Tokyo, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Seoul posting losses. The Shanghai market was shut for a public holiday. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones closed 0.31 per cent higher on Friday, while the Nasdaq dipped 0.32 per cent, reflecting mixed investor sentiment in the US.

    Market experts believe that while the long-term outlook remains positive, a short-term phase of consolidation is currently underway as investors assess global developments and await further clarity on domestic policy trends.

    -IANS

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cole Votes in Favor of the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of the House Republican Reconciliation bill, also known as the One Big, Beautiful Bill, which will codify President Trump’s agenda:

    “Last November, we were given a clear mandate by 77 million Americans who voted for change. The American people overwhelmingly voted for a secure border, the resurgence of American energy dominance, strong national security, an extension of the Trump tax cuts, and a more efficient federal government that roots out fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer dollars. Now, today, in passing this Reconciliation bill, House Republicans have codified President Trump and the American people’s full agenda,” said Congressman Cole.

    “This legislation will deliver resources to secure our border and complete the border wall, make generational investments in America’s defense, and unleash our domestic energy potential, which will lower costs, create jobs, and protect national security. It will provide permanent tax relief for families, workers, and mom-and-pop businesses by making the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent and protecting the average taxpayer from a 22 percent tax hike,” said Congressman Cole.

    “Despite the lies that dishonest Democrats engaging in fearmongering are spreading, the One Big, Beautiful Bill will actually strengthen, secure, and sustain Medicaid by reestablishing Medicaid as a program that provides vital healthcare to vulnerable Americans and stopping the subsidization of illegal immigrants and capable adults who are just choosing not to work. Therefore, this is not Republicans cutting Medicaid. It is common-sense policy that will simply root out waste, fraud, and abuse within the program,” said Congressman Cole.

    “I am proud to have voted for the Republican Reconciliation legislation today, as it fulfills the promises we made to the American people, and I encourage the United States Senate to help us to deliver the result that the majority of Americans voted for,” said Congressman Cole.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cole Conducts Hearing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) and Subcommittee Chairman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26) led a budget hearing on the Department of State, where they collected testimony from Secretary of State Marco Rubio. After the hearing, Congressman Cole released the following statement:

    “Peace through strength is not a matter of chance. It is the result of effective policy, national focus, and marshaling resources to where they drive the maximum impact – and the America First agenda advances that critical doctrine. Under the Trump Administration, weakness and the detrimental policies of the previous administration will no longer harm our nation. U.S. taxpayer dollars will not be funneled to extreme agendas and initiatives that have undermined trust in foreign assistance programs. The Trump Administration has been clear about a new path forward, and I thank and support Secretary Rubio for his efforts to reorganize and streamline State Department operations to better integrate programs with our nation’s diplomatic and strategic objectives,” said Congressman Cole.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Major Disaster Declarations Approved for Missouri

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02)

    Ballwin, MO – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after President Donald Trump granted two Major Disaster Declarations for Missouri that cover the storms from March 14-15 and March 30-April 8:

    “Our communities have been severely impacted by dangerous weather events, and we have seen a tragic loss of life here in Missouri. These Major Disaster Declarations are good news for Missourians who need help recovering and rebuilding, and I thank President Trump for acknowledging our deep losses and ensuring our state gets the help we need. I have been working with local officials and people on the ground to provide as much assistance as we can, and if anyone in MO-02 needs help from the federal government, you can call my Ballwin office at 636-779-5449 or go to Wagner.House.Gov.  I also joined my colleagues in the Missouri delegation this week, led by Rep. Wesley Bell, in preparing to support Governor Kehoe’s request for further federal assistance for the tornado that just hit St. Louis, and I continue to pray for those who lost their lives and those in need.”

    Public Assistance Approval for MO-02 for March 14-15 storms:

    Franklin County

    Individual Assistance Approvals for MO-02 for March 14-15 storms:

    Franklin County
    St. Louis County

    Missouri has recently been impacted by four series of major weather events.  The first two declarations were approved by President Trump today.  The third, covering the April 29th storms, was submitted by Governor Kehoe this week and is currently under review by the Administration.  The tornado that struck areas of St. Louis on May 16th is under review by FEMA officials on site as we speak, and once their review is complete, the Governor will submit a new request to the Administration for federal support.  As she has for each of the three previous storms, Wagner will sign a congressional letter of support, led by Rep. Wesley Bell, for the forthcoming gubernatorial disaster request covering the May 16th tornado.

    Individuals in Franklin and St. Louis Counties can apply for assistance with FEMA the following ways:

    1.         Apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov. 

    2.         Call the FEMA phone number at 1-800-621-3362.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Judy Chu, Brad Sherman host Congressional Roundtable on Fire Recovery with Los Angeles County Leaders

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-32) hosted a roundtable with California Members of Congress and Los Angeles County officials to discuss ongoing recovery efforts following January’s devastating Palisades and Eaton Fires. Together, these fires scorched more than 37,000 acres, destroyed over 13,000 homes, displaced tens of thousands of residents, and claimed 30 lives.

    The discussion offered an opportunity for the Members to hear directly from Los Angeles County leaders, including Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Board and Supervisor for Altadena and Pasadena, about the ongoing challenges facing fire-impacted communities and the work being done to ensure communities can rebuild swiftly and safely. During the roundtable, Members and LA County officials discussed the status of ongoing debris removal and mitigation, soil testing and remediation, utility restoration, social and medical services, and housing solutions for disaster victims.

    After the roundtable, Rep. Chu and Rep. Sherman released the following joint statement: 

    “In response to the many challenges our communities face following the Los Angeles fires, we were grateful to host today’s roundtable to discuss solutions with LA County officials leading recovery efforts on the ground and advocate for the urgent support our communities need to rebuild.”

    The Members also emphasized the need to protect the federal agencies carrying out disaster recovery operations for their communities from the Trump administration’s mass layoffs of federal workers, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and AmeriCorps . Lastly, the Members emphasized their commitment to securing additional federal disaster funding in Congress so that California disaster victims have the resources they need to rebuild their homes, businesses, and communities — just as Congress has done after every other major disaster across the country.

     Rep. Chu and Rep. Sherman concluded: “We have both consistently voted for disaster aid to Republican-led states regardless of whether we strongly disagreed with their policies, because disasters have no political affiliation. Our constituents have demonstrated so much strength and resolve throughout the course of this catastrophe, and they urgently need and deserve additional federal resources to rebuild their lives. Disaster relief is not and should never be a partisan issue, and we will continue to work with Congressional leadership and President Trump to deliver relief to our communities.

    Far too many families are still living in uncertainty as we work to rebuild after the fires. We are committed to working alongside our local partners to deliver every possible resource to help our communities recover.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Judy Chu Votes No on Trump and Republicans’ Disastrous Health Care Cuts and Tax Giveaway

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – After an overnight debate that Republicans sought to hide from the American public, the House of Representatives voted 215-214-1 to advance H.R. 1, the One Big Ugly Bill. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), a member of both the Ways and Means Committee and Budget Committee, voted no on this bill and issued the following statement: 

    “This is a shameful and cruel bill that House Republicans have spent the last week desperately trying to hide from the American people through midnight markups and votes. 

    “They could not bring this bill up in the light of day because they know it will kick 14 million Americans off of Medicaid and ACA health plans; effectively end abortion coverage on ACA marketplace plans; threaten the SNAP food assistance of nearly 11 million people; reduce or eliminate Pell Grants for more than 4 million students; and take away the Child Tax Credit from millions of American children simply because one of their parents is not a citizen,” said Rep. Chu. 

    “They know it will add as much as $5 trillion to the federal debt over the next ten years, an amount so high that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has confirmed it would lead to nearly $500 billion in automatic cuts to Medicare benefits. And by gutting the energy tax credits that Democrats created under the Inflation Reduction Act, it will immediately raise families’ energy prices and crush American manufacturing. 

    “And this bill wreaks all of this havoc for one reason: to give massive, permanent tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy. This is a reverse robin hood scheme that the CBO found is so unfair that it would actually make the poorest 10% of Americans even poorer while making the richest 10% even richer. So while Donald Trump and his billionaire donors will stuff their wallets, it’s my constituents who will be stuck paying the bill.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Judy Chu Condemns Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s Announcement to “Aggressively” Revoke Visas for Chinese Students

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), the first Chinese American woman elected to Congress and Chair Emerita of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), issued the following statement in response to remarks by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that the United States will “aggressively” revoke visas for Chinese students:

    “One of our country’s greatest assets is that we attract the most talented people from around the world to come to the U.S. to study and conduct research in groundbreaking fields. But by broadly revoking visas for Chinese students, the Trump Administration has yet again demonstrated they don’t value a free, democratic, and open society. Instead, they are undermining these very principles and removing students from our country simply because of their national origin. This will not make America stronger or more secure. In fact, the biggest beneficiary of this shortsighted decision is the Chinese government, which will now benefit from their most talented individuals staying in China instead of coming here and contributing to our country. This is just another example of the Trump administration targeting Chinese people instead of the Chinese government, unjustly assuming that every Chinese person is automatically a pawn for the Chinese Communist Party. The Trump administration’s xenophobic decision is reminiscent of the Chinese Exclusion Act and will only make the U.S. weaker.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cohen Applauds Litigation Task Force Win for the Department of Education

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a member of the House Democrats’ Litigation and Rapid Response Task Force created to address Trump Administration power grabs through intervention in the federal courts, today applauded a Boston federal judge’s ruling preventing the dismantling of the Department of Education. Congressman Cohen signed on to the task force’s amicus curiae brief in State of New York v. Linda McMahon.

    Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

    “I am pleased to see that our litigation task force has chalked up another big win in our efforts to prevent the Trump Administration from illegally usurping powers from Congress. We have had much success across the country in courts where judges have been appointed by the last six presidents, Republican and Democratic. This is a victory for the Department of Education but also for the American people and the rule of law.”

    In late April, House Democrats’ Litigation and Rapid Response Task Force filed an amicus brief challenging the Trump Administration’s efforts to close the Department of Education in the matter of the State of New York v. Linda McMahon. Thursday’s ruling cited the Members of Congress’s argument multiple times, with the judge noting President Donald Trump cannot make solitary decisions regarding the agency’s organization or function without congressional approval.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –