NewzIntel.com

Category: Trump administration

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cohen Expresses Dismay at the Department of Labor’s Summarily Ending Memphis Job Corps Center Programs

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

    Benjamin L. Hooks Jobs Corps Center placed on hold by Trump

    MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), an avid supporter of the Benjamin L. Hooks Job Corps Center on McAlister, and a staunch supporter of federal job training nationwide, learned of the announced pause placed on such programs by the Trump Department of Labor today and made the following statement:

    “I find it difficult to express my dismay at the Ben Hooks Job Center being closed summarily and seeing the students sent home without notice. If there was a problem at the center, or at the centers like it nationally, the Department should have attempted to fix them but, instead of working with the contractors and helping students, they’ve just decided to send the students home. The Department of Labor apparently has no plans for an improved product or a new approach. This careless approach will upset the lives of too many ambitious members of a future workforce, and should be condemned. DOGE had recommendations for the Department of Labor and I suspect this is a product of its chainsaw work.

    “The Job Corps was a forward-thinking program of Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society which President Trump would like to dismantle, as he is attempting to do with cuts to Medicaid and Medicare.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Garamendi Demands President Trump Prioritize U.S. Leadership in Nuclear Nonproliferation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) led a bicameral letter expressing concern about President Trump’s understanding of the important role the United States plays in nuclear weapons safety and nonproliferation. This letter was co-led by the Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group Co-Chairs, Representative Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), along with Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Representative Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), and Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA-04).

    Nuclear nonproliferation refers to efforts to deter the spread of nuclear weapons. This happens via discouraging nuclear buildups by countries that already possess nuclear weapons and by working to prevent non-nuclear states from obtaining nuclear weapons.  

    A world with more nuclear weapons is a less safe world. By cutting funding for nonproliferation activities and firing professionals responsible for managing the United States nuclear weapons stockpile, the Trump administration has failed to demonstrate it appreciates this reality.

    In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “Nonproliferation is not just about stopping the spread of nuclear weapons – it also includes securing and disposing of dangerous materials, preventing radioactive materials from falling into the wrong hands, and ensuring compliance with international nuclear agreements and export controls. This work is essential to safeguarding public safety, strengthening global oversight, and preventing nuclear accidents or terrorism.”

    “Nuclear proliferation is a significant threat to U.S. and global security. At this critical juncture, U.S. allies are reevaluating their non-nuclear status, driven in part by concerns that the U.S. may no longer be a reliable partner. A world with more nuclear weapons is one in which every minor conflict has the potential to cause mass casualties, and where terrorists will have more opportunities to attempt to seize nuclear materials and weapons in nuclear-armed countries. A steadfast U.S. commitment to global nuclear security is more crucial than ever.”

    “Underinvestment in nuclear security threatens research and workforce development programs focused on addressing national security challenges such as uranium enrichment, weaponization by foreign actors, the risks posed by artificial intelligence to nuclear security, and technical assistance to U.S. companies developing advanced nuclear reactors.”

    The letter requests the President provide answers to the following questions: 

    • You have stated clearly your intention to “de-nuclearize.” Will your administration prioritize efforts to secure arms control agreements and nuclear nonproliferation?  

    • Does your administration remain committed to the principles of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty? Will you sanction or otherwise condemn any country that withdraws from the treaty to pursue a nuclear weapons program? 

    • Will your administration prioritize preventing uranium or other nuclear material from falling into the wrong hands? Will you commit to maintaining robust investments in global tracking and accounting for nuclear material? 

    • Which specific programs will be affected by the $185 million reduction of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account? Please provide details on specific programs and the amounts their funding will be reduced.  

    • How will the reduction of manpower and nonproliferation funding at NNSA impact its ability to prevent nuclear accidents or threats? 

    The full text of the letter can be found here and below.  

    Dear President Trump:

    We write to strongly urge your administration to prioritize nuclear nonproliferation, and to express concern that recent actions suggest a lack of appreciation for the vital role of U.S. leadership in these efforts.  

    Nonproliferation is not just about stopping the spread of nuclear weapons – it also includes securing and disposing of dangerous materials, preventing radioactive materials from falling into the wrong hands, and ensuring compliance with international nuclear agreements and export controls. This work is essential to safeguarding public safety, strengthening global oversight, and preventing nuclear accidents or terrorism.

    Your administration’s actions have signaled an underappreciation of critical nonproliferation work. These actions include the hasty firing of over 300 National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) employees overseeing the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile in February and the redirection of $185 million from the NNSA’s Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account in the recent full-year Continuing Resolution to the nuclear weapons activities account.  

    Reports also suggest your administration has suspended two key programs that provide vital assistance to international nuclear inspectors, including those monitoring Iran’s nuclear program. There are vacancies at several high-profile arms control and nonproliferation posts across the administration. The potential for large reductions in the workforce at the Department of Energy, including NNSA experts responsible for maintaining a safe and secure nuclear weapons stockpile, are cause for further concern.

    Nuclear proliferation is a significant threat to U.S. and global security. At this critical juncture, U.S. allies are reevaluating their non-nuclear status, driven in part by concerns that the U.S. may no longer be a reliable partner. A world with more nuclear weapons is one in which every minor conflict has the potential to cause mass casualties, and where terrorists will have more opportunities to attempt to seize nuclear materials and weapons in nuclear-armed countries. A steadfast U.S. commitment to global nuclear security is more crucial than ever.

    The 2024 Department of Defense Report on the Nuclear Employment Strategy states that “…deterrence alone will not address strategic dangers. Arms control, risk reduction, and nuclear nonproliferation are indispensable in preserving stability, enhancing predictability, deterring aggression and escalation, reducing the consequences if deterrence fails, and mitigating the risk of nuclear arms racing and nuclear war.”

    The Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN) account at NNSA, which is being cut by $185 million, funds essential programs that protect U.S. national security. One is the Office of Global Material Security (GMS), which works globally to prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear or radioactive materials for attacks on the U.S. GMS also collaborates with international partners to secure nuclear materials and combat trafficking. In addition, the DNN account funds the Office of International Nuclear Safeguards, which ensures that countries comply with International Atomic Energy Agency agreements and do not divert nuclear materials to weapons programs or pursue undeclared nuclear activities.

    Underinvestment in nuclear security threatens research and workforce development programs focused on addressing national security challenges such as uranium enrichment, weaponization by foreign actors, the risks posed by artificial intelligence to nuclear security, and technical assistance to U.S. companies developing advanced nuclear reactors.  

    These actions raise serious concerns about your administration’s commitment to nuclear nonproliferation. As such, we respectfully request prompt answers to the following questions:

    • You have stated clearly your intention to “de-nuclearize.” Will your administration prioritize efforts to secure arms control agreements and nuclear nonproliferation? 

    • Does your administration remain committed to the principles of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty? Will you sanction or otherwise condemn any country that withdraws from the treaty to pursue a nuclear weapons program?
    •  

    • Will your administration prioritize preventing uranium or other nuclear material from falling into the wrong hands? Will you commit to maintaining robust investments in global tracking and accounting for nuclear material?

    • Which specific programs will be affected by the $185 million reduction of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation account? Please provide details on specific programs and the amounts their funding will be reduced.  

    • How will the reduction of manpower and nonproliferation funding at NNSA impact its ability to prevent nuclear accidents or threats?  

    To ensure international security, the United States must invest in more than just weapons. We cannot afford to abandon our commitment to nuclear nonproliferation or the technical and policy programs that support it. Prioritizing nonproliferation strengthens deterrence, reduces the risks of nuclear accidents or intentional use, promotes international cooperation, and allows for the peaceful and responsible use of nuclear energy.  

    In today’s rapidly changing global environment, the United States commitment to nonproliferation is vital. Continued investment in these efforts will advance international security, stability, and cooperation. For America to lead in creating a safer world, we must reaffirm and uphold our commitment to nuclear nonproliferation.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Garamendi Statement on Trump and Republicans Pass “One Big Scam”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-03) released the following statement after voting NO on Trump and House Republicans’ devastating budget bill:

    “Today, House Republicans—at the direction of Donald Trump—conducted the biggest theft in U.S. history. Their budget reconciliation bill is the largest transfer of wealth from the country’s most vulnerable to its richest.

    At a time when Trump Tariffs are already causing prices to rise, House Republicans are making the lives of millions of Americans more even more difficult by passing a bill that rips healthcare from nearly 14 million Americans who rely on Medicaid including 300,000 in my district. They are stealing school meals from over 18 million children to pay for another $150 billion to the Pentagon for wasteful and dangerous projects like mass deportation flights, the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, and boondoggles like Trump’s Golden Dome. But guess what? It doesn’t pay for itself; it would add $5 trillion dollars to the national debt.

    Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little.” This bill does the exact opposite. The Congressional Budget Office confirms the bill will raise incomes for the wealthiest 10% of Americans while slashing incomes for the poorest 10%. It also guts Medicare, SNAP, and Head Start, cutting vital lifelines from families who are already struggling.

    The fact that so many Republicans voted to actively harm their own constituents just to curry favor with Donald Trump is shameful. I’m proud to stand with my Democratic colleagues who fought tooth and nail to delay this disaster. If Democrats were in control of Congress, we would vote on raising wages and cutting costs for working Americans, not handouts to billionaire donors.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Garamendi, Thompson Demand Answers from Pentagon Over Plans to Use Travis AFB as Deportation Center

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

    WASHINGTON, DC— This week, U.S. Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA-08) and Mike Thompson (D-CA-04) sent a joint letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth following reports that the Trump Administration is considering Travis Air Force Base as an immigration detention facility:

    “It’s outrageous and inappropriate for the Trump Administration to use Travis Air Force Base as an immigration detention facility. Converting Travis into an immigration facility would undermine its vital national security mission. Travis Air Force Base has long been known as the ‘Gateway to the Pacific’ because it plays a crucial role in our national security by providing transportation for personnel and materiel around the world, particularly in support to Ukraine.” said the Representatives.

    “Unfortunately, this is not the President’s first attempt to inappropriately utilize Travis Air Force Base, hampering its critical mission. In February we uncovered that Trump was using Travis’s military aircraft to transport undocumented individuals at three times the cost of commercial flights. Later that month, we were able to stop his attempt to send trained medical personnel to the proposed migrant detention camp in Guantanamo Bay. Now, the President wants to turn Travis into a mass deportation center. All these instances compromise our national security and are simply absurd.

    “We are deeply alarmed by Trump’s blatant abuse of presidential power and his indifference to the rule of law. His utter disregard for the Posse Comitatus Act, which explicitly prohibits using active-duty military personnel for domestic law enforcement functions, is gravely concerning.

    “We will continue Congress’s oversight role and work to ensure the American people understand the unlawful, wasteful, and dangerous path Trump is pursuing.”

    This letter is the latest in a series of actions by Rep. Garamendi and Rep. Thompson to hold the Trump Administration accountable for misusing military resources in immigration enforcement.

    In January, Rep. Garamendi’s office sent a letter demanding answers from the Department of Defense regarding the use of C-17s and C-130s from Travis Air Force Base to deport undocumented immigrants. 

    In February, Rep. Garamendi followed up with another letter pressing the Trump Administration over plans to deploy medical professionals to a proposed migrant detention facility in Guantanamo Bay. The Department of Defense recently responded to that inquiry, but Rep. Garamendi’s office found the response inadequate.

    Read the full letter here and below.

    Pete Hegseth
    Secretary of Defense
    Office of the Secretary of Defense 
    1000 Defense Pentagon 
    Washington, DC 20301 

    Dear Secretary Hegseth, 

    We are deeply frustrated and gravely concerned by recent reports regarding the proposed use of Travis Air Force Base (AFB) as a migrant detention site. In our previous correspondence, we requested detailed assessments on the impact of this plan, including its effects on military resources, infrastructure, ongoing construction projects, and overall readiness. To date, these critical details remain unclear.

    While the federal government must address immigration challenges with humane and practical solutions, utilizing a military installation for civilian law enforcement and detention operations raises significant concerns about the misuse of military resources, operational readiness, and national security. The decision to use Travis AFB as a migrant detention center would both constitute a dangerous militarization of immigration enforcement and unnecessarily degrade military readiness.

    Travis AFB plays a critical role in national security and is responsible for the global transportation of personnel and material. Whether providing aid to Ukraine or transporting personnel and equipment into the Pacific, Travis AFB must maintain its readiness to respond to global crises.

    Additionally, military personnel’s involvement in civilian detention and law enforcement contradicts established legal frameworks, including the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military engagement in civilian law enforcement. Assigning resources toward immigration enforcement risks blurring this crucial distinction and setting a concerning precedent for the use of military installations for purposes beyond their intended scope.

    We demand answers from the Department of Defense to the following inquiries, no later than 30 days after receipt:

    1. Has the Department assessed the potential impact on Travis AFB’s infrastructure, specifically regarding water and energy, should a detention site be established at the base?
    2. How will diverting space and resources for a detention center at Travis AFB impact ongoing or future operations?
    3. How many migrants does the Department expect to detain at Travis AFB?
    4. Does the Department plan to reassign military personnel at Travis AFB to assist in detention operations?
    5. How will the Department ensure military personnel are not performing law enforcement activities at this detention center?
    6. What authorized and appropriated funds are being diverted to build and maintain this detention center?

    We urge you to provide full transparency on how this decision will affect Travis AFB and to reconsider any action that might compromise military readiness and interfere with ongoing or future operations.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Burchett to Introduce Legislation to Codify President Trump’s Agenda

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tim Burchett (R-TN)

    Rep. Burchett to Introduce Legislation to Codify President Trump’s Executive Orders

    Washington, D.C. (May 16th, 2025) — Today, U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett announced that he will be introducing legislation to codify President Trump’s Executive Orders. Since his inauguration, President Trump has slashed regulatory red tape, prioritized fiscal conservatism, and effectively closed the Southern Border. 

    “President Trump has done his part in acting on the mandate from the American people. It’s past time for Congress to take action,” said Representative Burchett.  

    “I am taking charge to ensure Congress carries out President Trump’s agenda. Thats why I’ll be introducing a series of single-issue bills to support the President and Congressional Republicans’ promise to the American people.” 

    The first series of bills will enforce DOGE cuts, slash harmful red tape, eliminate foreign influence in our schools, and unleash American energy.  

    For the latest information and breaking news on Representative Burchett’s new legislation, please visit www.burchett.house.gov and subscribe to his newsletter HERE.  

    For media inquiries please contact Will Garrett, Press Secretary for Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02) 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Burchett Votes YES on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tim Burchett (R-TN)

    Washington, D.C. (May 22nd, 2025) — Today, U.S. Congressman Tim Burchett voted YES on the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The reconciliation bill advances President Trump’s agenda by renewing the President’s tax cuts, unleashing American energy, investing in border security, all while including the largest mandatory spending cut in history. 

    “President Trump and Congress have a mandate from the American people to implement the President’s agenda into law. I am proud to stand with President Trump in his fight to take back our country.” said Congressman Burchett. 

    The legislation renews the Trump Tax Cuts and includes the President’s promises of no tax on tips, made in America auto tax breaks, and tax breaks for seniors on social security. 

    “Without these important tax cuts, a family of four in Tennessee making $67,000 would see their taxes increase by $1,300 in 2026. That is unacceptable, and I will always fight to keep more money in the pockets of hard-working Tennesseans.” 

    The bill also protects and preserves Medicaid by rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. It removes deceased individuals, closes loopholes that allow illegal aliens to receive benefits, and ensures people who rely on Medicaid will have better access to the resources that they need.  

    “Illegals, able-bodied adults choosing not to work, and people who weren’t eligible for Medicaid in the first place are going to destroy Medicaid for vulnerable and deserving Americans. This bill protects and preserves Medicaid to ensure it better serves the least amongst us.” 

    For media inquiries please contact Will Garrett, Press Secretary for Congressman Tim Burchett (TN-02)   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Escobar Votes Against Republican Budget Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16)

    Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement after Republicans passed their budget bill in the House:  

    “It is devastating that in the wealthiest country in the world, Republicans have chosen to target the most vulnerable Americans by cutting the programs that help them — all so that the wealthiest in our nation can get massive tax cuts.

    “Communities across the country will suffer. Thousands of El Pasoans will have less money in their pockets and less access to health care and nutrition programs. 

    “Instead of helping hardworking Americans, this legislation – the centerpiece of the Trump domestic agenda – will make our country poorer, sicker and hungrier.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Escobar Advocates for the Priorities of El Paso and Fort Bliss in Armed Services Committee Hearing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16)

    This morning, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) testified before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee during the committee’s Member Day hearing. The hearing was an opportunity for Members to highlight issues of high importance to their communities as the committee crafts the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The Congresswoman’s testimony highlighted concerns about the misuse of military assets along the border, the need for a new 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command headquarters building on Fort Bliss and ensuring protections for Department of Defense civilians tasked with conducting enhanced oversight of military housing. 

    Video of the Congresswoman at the hearing can be found here and her remarks as delivered can be found below:

    “Good morning, Chairman Rogers and Ranking Member Smith. I miss serving on the House Armed Services Committee so much that I’m here today to testify before you on Member Day. I want to thank you both for your leadership. I so appreciate the bipartisan process in crafting the NDAA every year, and I’m here to offer my own recommendations since I cannot do it as a member of the Armed Services Committee.

    “As you both know, I have the incredible privilege of representing Fort Bliss, and as the representative for Fort Bliss, I’d like to highlight some of the concerns that I have, which I’ve shared with you all before. So, none of this is new.

    “One of my primary concerns is regarding this administration’s unprecedented use of DoD assets for operations that traditionally fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Homeland Security. In recent months, we have seen this Administration use military airlift to deport migrants out of Fort Bliss, an absurdly expensive operation to set up a migrant detention camp at Guantanamo Bay, and a plan to establish migrant detention camps on military installations around the country. DHS has requested these DoD support operations be provided on a non-reimbursable basis – which is egregious, as funds appropriated to DoD should be used to provide for our service members and focus on global threats, not misuse assets and resources when more cost-effective alternatives are available.

    “As we near the start of construction of a migrant detention facility on Fort Bliss, the first installation subjected to such plans thus far, I would like to iterate my opposition to this misuse of our military bases. The last time Fort Bliss was required to build and support a holding facility, it was as part of Operation Allies Welcome, when a large facility was built to hold over 10,000 Afghan refugees that the U.S. evacuated and processed in coordination with DHS. That mission alone set Fort Bliss back on readiness levels by approximately two years. I remain deeply worried that allowing migrant detention facilities onto our military bases and directing surges of troops along the border will have similar effects on our readiness at a time when we cannot afford to do so. 

    “I would also like to add that such operations also jeopardize civil military relations in communities like my hometown of El Paso, where we are so proud of Fort Bliss, our soldiers and their families. At a time when border crossings are at historic lows, constituents in my district have few answers as to why Strykers – armored fighting vehicles – are patrolling our community, carrying DHS personnel, who have patrol vehicles of their own. I think it is important to note that in President Trump’s first term, his own Secretaries of Defense opposed using the military for federal law enforcement matters, as they revered our military as an institution and understood that involvement of our armed forces in domestic political matters set a dangerous precedent, both for our military and our communities at home.

    “I have a number of other requests, but as I’m running out of time, I will make sure to submit those to you all. I also look forward to working closely with you as I serve on the Milcon/VA subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, and would like to ensure that the work we did last Congress under the Quality of Life panel, that we fulfill that promise through our appropriations as well as through the authorization process.

    “Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ranking Member. I yield back.”

    Below are the rest of the Congresswoman’s remarks that were submitted to the committee:

    “I’d now like to turn my attention to Fort Bliss infrastructure. Fort Bliss is home to the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC) headquarters. The 32nd AAMDC is a theater level air and missile defense organization with a worldwide 72-hour deployment mission. The men and women of the 32nd AAMDC’s brigades are constantly deployed, keeping our own servicemembers, assets, and those of our allies safe all over the globe. Despite the dire importance of this command, their headquarters building is incredibly outdated, and the state of their decrepit SCIF is unacceptable. I hope to work with this Committee and the Army to ensure the 32nd AAMDC gets a new, state of the art HQ building in coming years. As you know, new military construction requires both authorization and appropriations, so I look forward to partnering on this effort through my seat on the MILCON subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee.

    “Lastly, I look forward to working with Members of this Committee to ensure that proposed civilian workforce reductions, outlined as a goal by Secretary of Defense Hegseth, do not negatively impact this Committee’s efforts to ensure robust civilian oversight of unaccompanied housing and increase the frequency of inspections. The House Armed Services Committee’s Quality of Life Panel focused heavily on improving the oversight of military housing facilities, and it would be a great disservice to our service members if Congress does not fight to protect the very DoD civilian positions we have charged with administering routine inspections of military housing.

    “Thank you again for allowing me to outline objectives for your consideration as you craft the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act. I am so grateful for all I learned in my six years serving on your committee, and I have used that experience to inform my work on the Committee on Appropriations, where I continue my advocacy for the men, women and families of Fort Bliss and our military at large. I look forward to working with you to ensure Congress protects and provides for them in FY26 and the years to come.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Dems Host Care Economy Roundtable in Wilmington, DE on Third Stop of “New Dems on the Road” Tour

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)

    Wilmington, DE – Today, the New Democrat Coalition made the third stop on its New Dems on the Road Tour, an initiative spearheaded by Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) to get New Dem Members out of DC to hear from American workers, businesses, industry experts, nongovernmental organizations and local leaders about how to improve policy in Washington. 
    New Dem Care Economy Task Force Chair Sarah McBride (DE-AL) hosted House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) and Economic Growth & Cost of Living Working Group Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) in her district for a care economy roundtable discussion with medical professionals, advocates, non-profit leaders, labor representatives, and care providers.
    Attendees talked through some of the biggest challenges facing the care economy, and discussed strategies for building the bipartisan support needed to advance nationwide Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) reforms and expand access to high-quality and affordable childcare and elder care.
    “Every family, in every zip code, deserves access to affordable child care, elder care, and paid leave—and today’s conversation made clear that the need is urgent, the solutions are real, and the time to act is now,” said Task Force Chair Sarah McBride. “These investments don’t just support families—they strengthen our economy and stabilize our communities. As Chair of the New Dem Care Economy Task Force, I’m committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to build on Delaware’s leadership and advance comprehensive, nationwide policies that uplift caregivers and working families. I’m grateful to Whip Clark and Rep. Houlahan for joining me for this important conversation.”
    “America runs on child care — it enables kids to thrive, parents to work, and our economy to grow. But the reality is that too many families struggle to find and afford care. We can solve this crisis by investing in our child care system, providing paid family leave, and putting the needs of working families ahead of the billionaire class,” said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “I am grateful for the opportunity to join Reps. McBride and Houlahan for this important community conversation. House Democrats stand together in the fight to lower the costs for families and ensure everyone has the resources they need to get ahead.”
    “I am thrilled to join my friend Rep. McBride in discussing a topic near and dear to me and so many Americans: access to child care and paid leave,” said Working Group Chair Chrissy Houlahan. “Neighboring Delaware has led the charge in innovative solutions, and I hope Pennsylvania follows soon. Thanks to New Dems for highlighting the importance of the care economy and bringing us together to find solutions for working families here and across the country.”
    Full list of roundtable attendees:

    Democratic Whip Katherine Clark
    Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06)
    Rep. Sarah McBride (DE-AL)
    Delaware Lt. Governor Kyle Evans Gay
    First Lady of Delaware Lauren Meyer
    Pennsylvania State Senator Maria Collett (12th District)
    Jan White, Small Business Owner, New Castle County Chamber of Commerce 

    Chris Otto, Executive Director, Delaware Nurses Association
    Joe Diagle, CEO, Mallard Financial Partners, Inc.
    Shawn Colleran, Vice President, Delaware Association of Letter Carriers
    Dr. Margaret Chou, Obstetrician, Nemours & ChristianaCare
    Liz Richards, Executive Director, Delaware Cares                
    Dr. Melanie Thomas Price, CEO, A Leap of Faith Child Development Center, Inc
    Kirsten Olson, CEO, Children & Families First
    Dr. Dannae Orisomolade, Early Childhood Academic Initiatives Officer, Delaware State University
    Julie Bieber, Director of Operations, Kingswood Community Center
    Jamie Schneider, Owner, Educational Enrichment Center DE
    Alisa Morkides, Owner, Brew Haha
    Dab O’Brien, Children’s First PA

    Background
    Through New Dems on the Road, New Dem Members will hold conversations across the country to hear from the American people, with each meeting organized under the policy goals of one of the Coalition’s nine Working Groups. New Dems will meet with local leaders, stakeholders, small business owners, industry experts, and more to hear about the cost of President Trump’s chaos and what New Dems can do to fight back and make progress on the issues that really matter to the American people.
    The first New Dems on the Road event was held on April 23rd in Phoenix, AZ, where New Dem Immigration and Border Security Working Group Members Reps. Greg Stanton (AZ-04) and Lou Correa (CA-46) held an immigration roundtable discussion with industry and union representatives, members of the Arizona business community, and DACA recipients.
    The second New Dems on the Road event was held on May 9th in Metro East, IL, where Vice Chair Nikki Budzinski hosted Environment, Climate, & Clean Energy Working Group Chair Scott Peters (CA-50) and Rep. Wesley Bell (MO-01) for a clean energy roundtable discussion with business owners, industry and union representatives, academic researchers, and utility service providers.
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    The New Democrat Coalition is comprised of 115 center-left House Democrats committed to breaking through gridlock to deliver results for Americans. Please click here to update your subscription preferences. 
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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Houlahan, Smith, Takano, Jacobs, Sorensen Introduce Bill to Affirm Transgender Service Members’ Rights

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.), Ranking Member of the Military Personnel Subcommittee; Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus (CEC); Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Vice Chair of the CEC; and Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Co-Chair of the CEC introduced the Fit To Serve Act today, which affirms the rights of transgender people to serve in the United States Armed Forces by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity, including a diagnosis or potential diagnosis of gender dysphoria.
    The bill was filed in response to Executive Order 14183 issued by President Trump on January 27, 2025which effectively bans transgender people from serving in the United States military. On February 20, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued guidance to implement President Trump’s military transgender ban, which resulted in the filing of legal challenges. On March 27, a federal judge issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the DoD from enforcing the ban. On May 6, the Supreme Court stayed the injunction, allowing the Trump Administration to enforce the ban as the lawsuit proceeds.
    “Any person who is willing to put their life on the line to protect and defend the United States of America deserves our honor and respect—full stop,” said Rep. Houlahan. “The Trump Administration’s hateful and discriminatory attack on transgender service members, who serve effectively in positions across our Armed Forces, is reprehensible and will undoubtedly weaken our national security. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues to introduce The Fit to Serve Act, which will put an end to the President’s culture wars against our transgender service members.”“As I have said repeatedly, thousands of transgender service members have served openly with honor and distinction in combat zones and carrying out high-stakes missions for nearly a decade. They are held to the exact same rigorous standards as every other Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Guardian, or Coast Guardsman. Banning them simply because they are transgender will not strengthen our military—it will weaken it. Enforcing this bigoted policy for the sake of cruelty and to score partisan points is antithetical to what the United States of America and our Armed Forces stand and fight for,” said Rep. Smith. “Transgender service members have put their lives on the line in defense of our freedom—we in Congress must now fight for their ability to serve and their fundamental right to exist.”
    “Every person that steps up to serve our nation in uniform should be treated with the utmost respect, yet the Trump-Vance Administration has continuously attacked our nation’s transgender service members for daring to serve openly. These service members have continuously shown they are fit, qualified, and willing to serve, but Trump still wants to kick them out—purely for political purposes,” said Rep. Takano. “I believe strongly that Trump’s transgender military ban is unconstitutional and will ultimately fail in the courts, but as a co-equal branch of government, Congress has a duty to protect those who protect us. I’m proud to join Ranking Member Smith in introducing this bill to ensure long-lasting, explicit protections for our transgender service members.” 
    “Our transgender service members just want to do their jobs – and we should let them. They’re equally qualified as all other service members and have proven their talent, expertise, and experience are invaluable. But by kicking out thousands of transgender service members from our military, Donald Trump is prioritizing discrimination over our national security. That’s why I’m proud to stand with those who’ve already sacrificed so much for us and to co-lead the Fit To Serve Act,” said Rep. Jacobs.
    “Our country should be supporting anyone willing to answer the call to serve our country, protect our freedoms, and defend our national security,” said Rep. Sorensen. “Ending gender-identity discrimination makes our military stronger and helps fill our ranks with qualified service members who deserve to serve with dignity.”
    On May 8, DoD set a June 6 deadline for transgender Active Component service members and a July 7 deadline for transgender Reserve Component service members to self-identify for voluntary separations. The military is expected to then initiate involuntary separation procedures for transgender service members once the voluntary self-identification eligibility window concludes.
    The Fit to Serve Act seeks to thwart these efforts by affirming the rights of transgender people to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces by:

    Prohibiting the denial of accession, reenlistment, or continuation of service on the basis of gender identity, including a diagnosis or potential diagnosis of gender dysphoria;

    Prohibiting the involuntary separation of a service member on the basis of gender identity, including a diagnosis or potential diagnosis of gender dysphoria; and

    Ensuring access to medically necessary health care coverage for service members.

    A copy of the bill text can be found here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Rep. John Rose Releases Statement on 100th Day of Trump Administration

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rose (TN-06)

    WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) released the following statement on Tuesday, which marked the 100th day of the Trump Administration:

    “We’ve seen what true leadership looks like over the last 100 days. Our borders are secure. Manufacturing jobs are on the rise. Waste, fraud, and abuse are being exposed and slashed,” Rep. Rose said. “President Trump is doing what 77 million Americans – including the vast majority of Tennesseans – elected him to do last November. I couldn’t be more pleased with his progress so far.”

     

     

    U.S. Representative John Rose is currently serving his fourth term representing Tennessee’s Sixth Congressional District and resides on his family farm in Lancaster with his wife, Chelsea, and their two sons, Guy and Sam. The Sixth District includes Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Van Buren, and White counties as well as portions of Davidson, Scott, Warren, and Wilson counties. Representative Rose is an eighth-generation farmer, small business owner, and attorney.

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Rose Views Covenant School Shooting Documents, Credits Trump Admin for Restoring Transparency in Government

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Rose (TN-06)

    WASHINGTON, DC—On Thursday, U.S. Representative John Rose (TN-06) was granted access to more than 2,000 pages of documents relating to the Covenant School shooting that took place March 27, 2023 when three children and three adults were murdered in a planned and calculated attack. The access follows a multi-year call for transparency by Rep. Rose, which began with a 2023 letter sent weeks after the attack to then-FBI Director Christopher Wray and Metropolitan Nashville Police (MNPD) Chief John Drake, calling for the documents to be released.

    Rep. Rose stated in the letter, “More than four weeks have passed since the heinous shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, yet countless mothers and fathers I represent are still awaiting answers.” He argued in the letter that “transparency is essential for those still grieving” and that “discussions of changing state or federal policy are futile without having an accurate account of the shooter’s state of mind, motives, preparation, and planning.”

    The Biden FBI responded to the letter five months later, referring Rep. Rose to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD). MNPD never responded or fulfilled the request. After years of effort, the Trump Administration and FBI Director Kash Patel approved Rep. Rose’s request and allowed him to view the documents.
    Rep. Rose released a video statement after viewing the documents. You can view it here. 

    The verbatim reads:

    I was just granted access to many documents relating to the Covenant School shooting tragedy investigation by the FBI. 

     

    What I saw would disturb anyone, especially a parent. The documents are a painful reminder of the devastation that victims, including their families and friends, endure every day. Their lives are no doubt forever changed.

     

    Today, as difficult as it was to view this material, it was also important for transparency in government. We must never accept the kind of censorship we saw surrounding this shooter. In no other mass tragedy do we see every piece of evidence shielded from the public.

     

    While we certainly don’t want to enable copycat attempts or glorify mass killers, we also need the full scope of facts in situations such as this to prevent them in the future. 

     

    Like many of you, I have long suspected some of this information was shielded from public view because this shooter considered herself to be transgender.  

     

    After having read through the evidence, I remain convinced that there is no good justification for keeping most of the evidence from the public square. No reasonable person would object to certain redactions, just as no reasonable person who believes in the First Amendment would condone the widespread censorship we saw from the Biden FBI and frankly Metro Nashville Police. Weeks after this tragedy, I sent two letters calling on then-FBI Director Christopher Wray and Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake to release the documents or provide a written reason as to why not and a timeline on when it would be released.

     

    At the time, there were a lot of discussions surrounding state and federal gun policy. I argued those discussions were premature without first knowing what happened. Countless Tennesseans still want to know about the mental state of the shooter and many other factors that contributed to this tragedy. The report from Metro Nashville, released about a month ago, calls the killer sane. I just read through about 2,000 pages of reasons why that is false.

     

    Less than 100 days after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate, FBI Director Kash Patel is well on his way to fulfilling his goal of restoring confidence in the bureau. As our nation’s top law enforcement agency, trust and transparency are essential. I want to thank him for his leadership on behalf of each and every Tennessee family I represent and beyond.

     

    And I want to thank President Trump for following through on his promise to end woke policies in government and restore trust in our institutions. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: STATEMENT FROM CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25)

    (Washington, D.C.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle—Lead Democrat on the Committee on House Administration—issued the below statement following the announcement of formal charges filed against Representative LaMonica McIver (D, NJ-10):

    “The charges against Rep. LaMonica McIver are a direct attack on Congress’s duty to conduct oversight of the Trump administration.

    “I stand with my colleague—and with every Member fighting to serve the American people without fear. These politically motived charges need to be dropped.”

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  • MIL-OSI USA: STATEMENT FROM CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE CONDEMNING HOUSE GOP BILL FOR DRACONIAN CUTS THAT PRIORITIZE BILLIONAIRES OVER WORKING FAMILIES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Morelle (NY-25)

    (Rochester, N.Y.)—Today, Congressman Joe Morelle released the following statement after House Republicans passed a devastating reconciliation package slashing healthcare, food assistance, and other essential federal programs:

    “President Trump and House Republicans passed a budget proposal that slashes Medicaid, Medicare, and nutrition assistance programs by over a trillion dollars and will eliminate health insurance coverage for 13 million Americans.

    “The bill also saddles American taxpayers with $5 trillion in new debt.

    “All to pay for the largest tax cut for millionaires and billionaires in our nation’s history.

    “This is cruel, irresponsible, and un-American. I will do everything I can to fight to stop it.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: HEAT Team Applauds President Trump’s Bold Actions to Unleash Reliable American Baseload Power

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH)

    HEAT Team Applauds President Trump’s Bold Actions to Unleash Reliable American Baseload Power

    Washington, April 8, 2025

    WASHINGTON D.C. – The House Energy Action Team (HEAT) applauds President Trump’s executive actions to revitalize American coal production and secure our energy future. HEAT Chairman Troy Balderson (OH-12), Vice-Chair Randy Weber (TX-14), and Article One Chair Harriet Hageman (WY-AL) released the following statement immediately following President Trump’s signing ceremony at the White House:

    “While Biden’s war on coal pushed our power grid to the breaking point, President Trump is taking decisive action to prevent blackouts and secure America’s energy future. Today’s executive orders slash job-killing regulations, supercharge coal leasing on federal lands, and designate metallurgical coal as the critical national resource it truly is. By unleashing American coal production, we’re not just keeping the lights on—we’re fueling a manufacturing renaissance that will create thousands of jobs in energy communities devastated by the previous administration’s reckless policies.”

    Background: The RSC’s House Energy Action Team (HEAT) is comprised of 75 members who are committed to working alongside the Trump administration to advance critical energy initiatives and ensure American energy dominance for generations to come. The task force educates members on energy policy that empowers domestic energy producers, utilizes an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and puts America back on the path to energy dominance on the world stage.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Balderson Unveils Legislation to Prioritize Grid Reliability for Federal Regulators

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH)

    LANCASTER, OH – Today, Congressman Balderson announced the introduction of the Reliable Power Act, legislation designed to protect America’s electric grid by ensuring that federal agencies consider the impact of their regulations on grid reliability before finalizing new rules. Representatives Randy Weber (TX-14) and Julie Fedorchak (ND-At Large) joined as original co-sponsors.

    Balderson unveiled the bill at an energy roundtable in Lancaster, Ohio, where he led a discussion on Ohio’s growing power needs, the challenges facing the electric grid, and his work as Chairman of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT). The roundtable included a panel of energy experts and industry leaders from across the Buckeye State.

    “When bureaucrats focus too much on churning out new rules and regulations—and ignore the real-world impacts of their mandates—our grid’s reliability is put at risk,” said Balderson. “Under the Biden Administration, federal agencies worked around the clock to push through extreme Green New Deal policies, throwing our grid into a reliability crisis. The Reliable Power Act sets clear accountability and coordination standards to ensure that federal regulations support, rather than threaten, the strength and dependability of our power system.

    “I pplaud the outstanding work President Trump, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin have done to advance our vision of American energy dominance,” Balderson continued. “Ohioans can’t afford to see this progress undone by far-left bureaucrats down the road. This legislation will help keep the lights on and ensure energy remains affordable for Ohio families.”

    The Reliable Power Act builds on the groundwork laid by the GRID Act, introduced in the previous Congress by former Congressman Jeff Duncan, by clarifying responsibilities, streamlining agency coordination, and reinforcing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) central role in upholding electric reliability.

    Key provisions of the Reliable Power Act include:

    • Agency Coordination: Amends the Federal Power Act to require coordination between FERC and any Federal agency seeking to finalize a regulation that may affect electric generation necessary for the reliable operation of the bulk-power system, commonly known as the electric grid.
    • Annual Assessments: The bill requires the electric reliability organization (ERO) to conduct annual long-term assessments of the reliability of the bulk power system. If the ERO determines that the bulk power system does not have sufficient generation to maintain reliability, FERC would review, comment, and recommend changes to the proposed regulations.
    • Federal Accountability for Reliability: The legislation ensures that no final rule can move forward if it would cause a substantial negative impact on grid reliability.

    Balderson leads discussion at energy roundtable in Lancaster, Ohio.

    Balderson is also leading the GRID Power Act, a bill that would enable grid operators to expedite consideration of power generation projects that improve the reliability of the electric grid. These projects must currently wait up to five years in the interconnection queue before federal assessments and impact studies can even begin.

    Full text of the legislation can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Balderson, Pfluger Reintroduce Legislation to Protect American Energy Investments from Woke Mandates

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Troy Balderson (R-OH)

    WASHINGTON D.C. – Congressman Troy Balderson (OH-12), Chairman of the House Energy Action Team (HEAT), and August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC), reintroduced legislation to nullify a Biden-era final interagency guidance from the Federal Reserve, Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation titled, Principles for Climate-Related Financial Risk Management for Large Financial Institutions. 

    This guidance encourages banks and other financial institutions to manage “climate-related financial risks” associated with their investments and loans, potentially serving as a backdoor to restrict funding and resources for the American energy industry. This includes Ohio’s growing oil and gas sector, which supports more than 351,000 jobs and contributes $55 billion to the state’s economy.

    The vague language in this guidance could allow for potential punitive actions against banks doing business with the oil and gas industry, effectively pressuring financial institutions to support environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies over sound financial decisions. 

    “This Biden-era guidance was nothing more than a back-door effort to push a woke ESG agenda,” said Balderson. “Under this framework, federal regulators could target banks who want to work with, and invest in, industries crucial to Ohio. This puts climate activism ahead of sound investment strategies, costing everyday Americans.” 

    “I’m pleased to join the RSC’s HEAT Chair Troy Balderson in introducing this bill to end the Biden administration’s radical ‘climate’ guidance,” said RSC Chairman Pfluger. “The previous administration weaponized the government to wage a politically-driven attack on American energy through ‘net-zero’ and ‘environmental, social, and governance’ mandates.  Since President Trump returned to office, financial institutions and markets have retreated from a woke ESG agenda, and this bill will help ensure that investments can flow to energy projects that power our homes, businesses, and economy without radical bureaucrats picking winners and losers.”

    Electric grid experts have warned that one of the largest threats to our nation’s energy security is misguided federal and state policies. Federal climate rules, such as the Clean Power Plan 2.0, would force the United States’ most reliable power plants to shut down, even as electricity demand grows at historic levels. With this new ESG guidance, banks could face regulatory backlash for providing regular financial services to the oil and gas industry–further imperiling American energy security.

    In September, Balderson joined his House colleagues in passing H.R. 4790, the Prioritizing Economic Growth Over Woke Policies Act, which cuts back on the Biden-Harris Administration’s burdensome ESG policies for American businesses and enhances Congressional oversight of federal financial regulatory agencies.

    Balderson’s bill nullifies the final interagency guidance and prevents the Federal Reserve, Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation from issuing any substantially similar guidance in the future.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Trump Signs Palmer Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL)

    For Immediate Release

    Media Contact: Hope Dawson (202) 225-4921

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, President Trump signed into law H.J. Res 20, a bill sponsored by Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) that blocks the Biden-Harris administration’s last minute attempt to ban tankless natural gas water heaters. Rep. Palmer released the following statement:

    “I am honored to witness President Trump sign my commonsense legislation into law. This is a reversal of the previous administration’s attempt to remove the American people’s choice in appliances, in this case, water heaters. I thank President Trump for signing this bill, and I look forward to seeing how we can continue to work on behalf of the American people in the future.”

    Watch the signing of the bill here.

    For more information on H.J. Res 20:

    • Read the bill text here
    • Read the Fox Digital exclusive here
    • Read the press release here

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Palmer Delivers Opening Statement at Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Hearing on Critical Minerals Supply Chain

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gary Palmer (R-AL)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, delivered the following opening statement at today’s hearing titled Examining Ways to Enhance Our Critical Mineral Supply Chains.

    Subcommittee Chairman Palmer’s opening statement as prepared for delivery:

     

    “Good morning, and welcome to today’s hearing entitled ‘Examining Ways to Enhance Our Domestic Mineral Supply Chains.’

    “Today’s hearing addresses the crucial challenge that the U.S. is facing—how to decouple and derisk ourselves from China and other foreign adversaries and build critical mineral supply chains within the U.S. Our country has been blessed with abundant natural resources and the world-changing technology needed to harness those resources. Unfortunately, however, we have become over reliant on other nations to supply and process critical minerals. Today’s hearing is an opportunity to examine how to increase capacity and resilience in American critical mineral supply chains again.

    “Critical minerals are used in items we use every day like smart phones, computer hard drives, televisions, batteries, and lightbulbs. They are also used in elements of our electrical grid and have defense applications.

    “The U.S. used to be the leading producer and refiner of many critical minerals, including rare earth elements. By the late 1990s, however, most of this industry dissolved and moved overseas. According to a review in the United States Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024, the U.S. was 100 percent import reliant for 12 of the 50 critical minerals on the 2022 critical minerals list and more than 50 percent import reliant for an additional 29.

    “This predicament we find ourselves in is not a new problem, but a problem that has been many years in the making. So how did we get here? It is a combination of things—including burdensome permitting and other regulations, uncertainty in commodity pricing, market manipulation, and an increasingly litigious society. This has made our domestic environment unattractive to investors and companies as a result. For example, getting domestic processing and refining facilities up and running is an extremely long process—it can take 10 to 20 years for new processing plants and smelters to become operational. That is in addition to the lengthy mine development process in the U.S., which is the second-longest mine development timeline in the world. Because of this burdensome red tape, companies are not incentivized to invest domestically, so instead they invest abroad.

    “Moreover, even when U.S. companies operate mines in the U.S., the hesitancy to invest in domestic processing and refining facilities has put us in a position where our foreign adversaries monopolize other parts of the supply chain. For example, in 2019, one rare earth mine in the U.S. sent 98 percent of its raw materials to China because the U.S. lacked the capacity to process those minerals domestically. As a result, we must import our own product back from China after it is processed, but China’s recent export bans on several rare earth elements critical to the U.S. make this nearly impossible.

    “I cannot convey the seriousness of this issue enough. This is an economic issue and an issue of national security. We as a nation must ensure that we have access to these materials and the ability to process them without reliance on foreign adversaries, including China.

    “I want to applaud President Trump for declaring a national energy emergency on day one of his presidency, emphasizing that the U.S.’s identification, production, and refining of critical minerals are inadequate to meet domestic needs. Since then, President Trump has signed several executive orders related to critical minerals—including ordering immediate measures to increase American mineral production. We look forward to working with the Trump Administration on the mission to increase the capacity and resilience of domestic critical mineral supply chains.

    “I also want to thank our witnesses for joining us today to share their expertise and guide our discussion about the challenges in building domestic critical mineral supply chains and the opportunities we have to improve our domestic supply chains moving forward.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rep. Rogers Applauds Passage of Historic Budget Bill and Generational Investment in National Defense

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (AL-03), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, released a statement today applauding the House passage of H.R. 1 – the One Big, Beautiful Bill; budget reconciliation legislation to deliver on President Trump’s commitment to secure our nation and our borders, spur economic growth, and improve accountability to taxpayers.

    The bill includes $150 billion in mandatory funding for bipartisan legislation passed by the House Armed Services Committee to strengthen our national defense and implement President Trump’s visionary Peace through Strength agenda.

    “After years of chronic underinvestment, our defense industrial base and military capacity have dangerously atrophied to the point where we may no longer be able to sustain a prolonged conflict,” Rogers said. “Without this generational investment in national defense, we will no longer be able to deter our adversaries or ensure America’s global leadership. The One Big, Beautiful Bill provides long overdue resources to modernize our military, revitalize the defense industrial base, and improve the quality of life for our servicemembers. The House and Senate Armed Services Committees worked closely together and with the White House to develop this critical legislation, and Speaker Johnson has worked closely with all of the committees involved to develop a comprehensive budget bill that best serves our taxpayers. I’m looking forward to sending this to the President’s desk as soon as possible.”

    Background:
    The House and Senate Armed Services Committees released legislative text on April 27, 2025, and on April 29, 2025, the House Armed Services Committee marked up the legislation and advanced it to the Budget Committee with a bipartisan vote.

    The legislation prioritizes critical improvements to America’s national defense, including:

    • Funding key initiatives for President Trump’s Golden Dome
    • Revitalizing our defense industrial base
    • Strengthening DoD efforts to secure our southwest border and stem the flow of illegal immigration
    • Deterring Chinese Communist Party aggression
    • Delivering the systems needed for DoD to improve fiscal efficiency and pass a clean audit
    • Enhancing servicemember quality of life

    A legislative overview of HASC-passed text is available here, and a section-by-section is available here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Velázquez Leads Push to End Federal Funding for Private Immigration Detention Facilities

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

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) led five colleagues in a letter urging the House Appropriations Committee requesting an end to federal funding for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) use of private prison facilities. The lawmakers also called for a ban on transferring phased-out Department of Justice prison contracts to ICE for immigration enforcement.  
     

    “During the first Trump administration, privately-operated ICE facilities were used extensively and grew despite substandard conditions and problematic contracting practices documented by Congress, government oversight bodies, NGO’s and the media,” wrote the lawmakers. “More must be done to ensure that those without a voice, namely undocumented immigrants, are not subjected to dehumanizing or perilous conditions.” 

    During President Trump’s second term, the administration has expanded the immigration detention system through billion-dollar contracts with private prison companies such as GEO Group and CoreCivic. These efforts include the possible reopening of closed or phased-out facilities across at least eight states, many with documented records of abuse and neglect.

    The lawmakers raised concerns about the absence of accountability in private detention centers. Unlike government-run prisons, these facilities often operate with little or no independent oversight.

    “We know that private facilities have had staff falsify records, failed to adequately supervise detainees and provided improper medical care,” wrote the lawmakers. “Moreover, unlike state-run prisons or local jails that are subject to established oversight mechanisms, privately operated ICE detention centers operate largely without state inspections or regulatory oversight.” 

    The letter calls for specific bill language in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations package to prohibit DHS from using or entering private detention contracts for immigration purposes.

    The letter was signed by Rep. Holmes Norton (D-DC), Rep. Smith (D-WA), Rep. Beyer Jr. (D-VA), Rep. Carson (D-IN), and Rep. Rivas (D-CA). 

    The letter can be found here. 
     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Meeks, Lofgren Send Letter to Secretary Lutnick on Multilateral Export Controls

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

    Washington, D.C. – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Zoe Lofgren, Ranking Member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick raising concerns over reports that the Department of Commerce may withdraw from critical multilateral agreements aimed at restricting access to critical technologies, like semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME). The Members warned Secretary Lutnick that abandoning coordinating efforts with partners would make it harder to prevent the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from accessing cutting-edge technology and undermine America’s national security. 
     
    The full text of the letter can be found below. A PDF copy of the letter can be found here.  

    Dear Secretary Lutnick,

    We are concerned by recent reports indicating the Department of Commerce may seek to pull back from critical multilateral agreements and engagements with allies and partners that are designed to coordinate policies to restrict the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from accessing cutting-edge technologies. While it’s important to prevent U.S. technology from powering the PRC’s military, a coordinated approach with partners and allies is necessary in critical technology areas such as advanced semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME), to prevent the PRC from developing critical capabilities that are detrimental to our national security. 

    To ensure the United States continues to outpace the PRC on semiconductors and SME, we have worked on a bipartisan basis to facilitate a domestic innovation and manufacturing ecosystem while controlling our adversary’s ability to access advanced technologies. We helped to pass the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, sweeping legislation that sought to reinvigorate U.S. leadership in science and technology and included an investment of $52.7 billion designed to help reshore U.S. semiconductor manufacturing capacity. We also recognize the need for a defensive strategy to protect our economic and national security. Both the Trump and Biden Administrations have placed restrictions on PRC entities from purchasing certain high-end semiconductor chips and SME technologies.  We believe these export controls were necessary and remain so.

    However, U.S. export controls alone are not sufficient because other countries also manufacture advanced semiconductors and associated equipment and tools that they can sell to the PRC. While the previous administration achieved some success with multilateral agreements with the Netherlands and Japan on certain SME controls,  those controls would have been far more successful in constraining the PRC if they were coordinated from the start. To this day these trilateral controls remain misaligned in key ways, from a lack of end use controls to different approaches to the denial of licensing.

    We recognize that organizing these coalitions can be challenging, but working with allies and partners achieves real results. The United States assembled a coalition of nearly 40 nations to coordinate controls against Russia after its invasion of Ukraine. We urge you to continue to engage with our partners and allies to build a similar coalition focused on the PRC. This can only be accomplished through direct and sustained diplomacy, which while not always as fast as we would like, is the only effective option in the long competition with the PRC.

    The Commerce Department has an opportunity to demonstrate strength and support the U.S. manufacturing base by coordinating more plurilateral controls, not less. With Russia stalling progress in the four large multilateral regimes, we urge you to seek out small coalitions of countries that have market-share in particular critical technology sectors. In the case of semiconductors, for instance, we should be broadening coordination beyond Japan and the Netherlands to include South Korea, Taiwan, and others. Initiatives and fora, such as the Multilateral Action on Sensitive Technologies (MAST) and the U.S.-E.U. Trade and Technology Council (TTC), can help advance such coordination while furthering U.S. global leadership and interests on standards development, technology transfer, trade, and many other multinational issues.

    We are worried that if the United States goes it alone or attempts to bully our partners, they will increasingly hedge to the PRC instead of working with the United States. Disengaging from multilateral dialogues and initiatives could provide an excuse for key governments not to cooperate with our controls. In response to President Trump’s tariffs, President Ursula von der Leyen of the European Commission has called for strengthening European-PRC relations.  In March, the Dutch company ASML announced it would be building a facility in China—a decision that runs counter to U.S. interests and could only have been made with European government support.  Last month, the PRC engaged in its first multilateral economic dialogue with Japan and South Korea in five years—seeking a regional partnership among the three nations to weather the trade policies of the United States.

    Finally, we caution against a unilateral approach that overly relies upon the foreign direct product rule (FDPR) to extend U.S. jurisdiction to foreign-produced items. While the Department should continue to exercise this authority as a last resort, abuse of the rule may further weaken our standing with allies and partners and result in the removal of U.S. suppliers from major global supply chains in the long run, which would be disastrous for our economy and our ability to outcompete the PRC on critical technologies. A better path would be to coordinate controls with other partners and help them build enforcement capacity, so the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) does not have to monitor and police millions of transactions alone. We would be willing partners in ensuring that BIS has the tools and resources to make U.S. controls more effective.

    We are deeply concerned about the harms that will occur to U.S. interests if the United States walks away from multilateral approaches. We urge the Department to continue multistakeholder dialogues to bring our allies along in aligning their export controls with ours, using appropriate leverage available to you. Given the critical importance of this matter to both domestic and foreign affairs, we request that you provide us answers to the following questions by June 5, 2025:

    • What is the Department’s current policy with regards to participation in multilateral councils and forums, including MAST, TTC, multilateral agreements, and plurilateral agreements such as the U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral agreement?
    • What steps is the Department taking to coordinate with our allies and partners on export controls on critical technologies, such as semiconductors and SME?
    • To what extent will the Department continue to take into account foreign availability as it designs and coordinates its controls?
    • What additional staffing, resources, or authorities does the Department need to more effectively coordinate with partners on controls on technology entering the PRC market?

    We would appreciate a briefing from your staff to better understand how you are approaching these questions.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Meeks Applauds Court Ruling Declaring Trump Tariffs Illegal

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

    Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement applauding the Court of International Trade’s decision to block President Trump’s “liberation day” tariffs, unlawfully imposed under the guise of a “national emergency.” Rep. Meeks who co-led an amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs, argued that the move was an illegal abuse of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).  

    “I’m encouraged by the court’s decision today to block President Trump’s so-called ‘liberation day’ tariffs, confirming what we’ve long known: these tariffs are an illegal abuse of executive power. Trump’s declaration of a bogus national emergency to justify his global trade war was an absurd and unlawful use of IEEPA. That is why I co-led an amicus brief supporting twelve states in challenging this abuse in court,” said Ranking Member Meeks. 

    In April, Meeks introduced a resolutionto terminate the national emergency behind the April 2nd tariffs, following the earlier resolutions seeking to end Trump’s Canada & Mexico tariffs. House Republicans have used procedural tactics to block these votes—tactics Meeks is attempting to bypass through discharge petitions.  

    “Trump’s chaotic tariffs are nothing but a tax on American families, raising prices, shuttering small businesses, and harming the economy. They are also deeply unpopular, which is why Speaker Johnson refuses to allow a vote. It’s time for Republican’s to stop enabling this economic sabotage. I urge them to join my discharge petitions to strike down not only Trump’s April 2nd national emergency declaration, but also the Canada and Mexico national emergencies that remain in effect. The lawlessness must end. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Foreign Affairs Ranking Members Meeks and Shaheen Issue Statement on the State Department Reorganization

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, and U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the State Department reorganization:

    “The proposed changes to the State Department—and effectively USAID—we received this morning will be carefully weighed against the real costs to American security and leadership. As Russia and China open new embassies and recruit aggressively to increase their diplomatic presence, President Trump and Secretary Rubio are proposing significant cuts to an already strained and limited U.S. diplomatic corps. When America retreats – as it has under President Trump – China and Russia fill the void.

    “We welcome reforms where needed, but they must be done with a scalpel, not a chainsaw. This proposal hands over Afghan allies who fought side-by-side with our military to the Taliban. It guts programs meant to protect brave democracy defenders living in fear. It haphazardly moves what is left of our once prominent foreign assistance programs to Department entities with no experience dealing with such programs and accounts. It proposes the firing of thousands of national security experts without cause. Taken together, these moves significantly undercut America’s role in the world and open the door for adversaries to threaten our safety and prosperity. And we cannot ignore that the gutting of foreign assistance earlier this year occurred without Congress, with utter disregard and in violation of federal law and the constitution.

    “We will be scrutinizing these proposed reforms, and in no way believe one notification is enough.American jobs, lives, and national security are at stake. We look forward to Secretary Rubio coming before our Committees and engaging with Congress on the future of the State Department if he is serious about making the case for this proposal.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Meeks, Jacobs Request GAO Review of Impacts of Trump Administration’s Illegal Dismantling of USAID and Termination of U.S. Foreign Assistance Programs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

    Washington, D.C. – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sara Jacobs, Ranking Member of the Africa Subcommittee, today sent a letter requesting the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a comprehensive review of the financial costs and strategic consequences of the Trump administration’s unlawful effort to subsume USAID into the State Department, and terminate thousands of State and USAID contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements. This review is critical for Congress to understand the costs of the Trump administration’s reckless termination of foreign assistance to the American taxpayer and to understand how these actions, which were taken without Congressional approval, may impact U.S. interests.

    Full text of the letter is below. A PDF is available here.

    Dear Mr. Dodaro,

    We are gravely concerned that the Trump Administration’s illegal dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and cancellation and termination of thousands of State and USAID contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements since January 20, 2025, has come at great direct and strategic cost to the U.S. Government (USG) in terms of U.S. global influence, money, and ability to conduct oversight of U.S. taxpayer-funded programs.

    It is vital for Congress to understand the full cost of these actions, including whether any savings have been realized or are expected in the future. The Trump Administration has indicated it will imminently transfer some USAID authorities and programs to the State Department; however, it is not clear that the State Department will have the capacity – including staff with the necessary skills and expertise – to execute these authorities and oversee these programs. As such, we request that GAO examine:
     

    1. The cost to the USG of canceling or terminating existing contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements at USAID and the State Department, both for overall department/agency operations and those associated with foreign aid programs, or litigation of the cancelations or terminations. What are the associated cost savings, both estimated and realized?
    2. The extent to which the State Department retains the capacity (including the proper workforce) to oversee the contracts, grants, or agreements for remaining foreign aid programs. To what extent is State taking steps to ensure adequate staff, with the appropriate skills and expertise, are available to perform monitoring and evaluation of the remaining foreign aid programs?
    3. The firing and hiring authorities and personnel process(es) the USG has used or will use to terminate USAID employees and what authorities and personnel process(es) are available to be used if USAID employees are rehired to perform similar functions at the State Department. What are the costs associated with terminating all USAID employees and possibly rehiring some of them at the State Department?
    4. The scope and nature of the impact of canceling foreign aid programs on U.S. foreign policy. To what extent and how does canceling these programs affect the USG’s influence and soft power around the world?

    The Committee would also like to understand the likely implications for the State Department’s facilities and operations from the termination of USAID employees and/or the cancelation of foreign assistance programs, including how the State Department is dealing with excess goods and materials and excess facilities around the world as a result of these terminations and cancelations. In particular, we would also like to know how the State Department plans to determine its staffing needs and strategically align its facilities to support new staffing patterns.

    Given these interests, we request GAO address the following questions:

    1. What is the process for dealing with excess property (goods and materials) as a result of canceled foreign aid programs? What costs are associated with moving, managing, or disposal of excess property? To what extent are goods and materials being sold, reused, or otherwise disposed of? What are estimated cost savings, if any? How much funding will this return to the U.S. Treasury?
    2. How much office space will USAID vacate because of staffing reductions or program cancelations? What are the State Department’s plans to reuse or dispose of this space? What are the costs and estimated cost savings of these efforts?
    3. How many overseas housing unit leases will the State Department terminate as a result of USAID or other staff reductions? How many will the State Department take over? What are the costs and potential cost savings associated with these terminations or assumption of leases?
    4. What are the State Department’s plans for reusing, repurposing, or disposing of vacant or underutilized space at embassies and consulates that are to be downsized or closed as a result of the closure of USAID? What are the costs and estimated cost savings of these efforts?

    Thank you for your prompt attention to this request.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MATSUI, BUDZINSKI LEAD LETTER TO PROTECT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FROM TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CUTS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) led 15 lawmakers in a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy urging him to protect funding for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Expansion Grant Program. CCBHCs provide lifesaving care to millions of Americans; however, a leaked draft of President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 budget called for the elimination of their funding. 

    The members write, “Eliminating the CCBHC program would immediately disrupt these critical services, potentially leading to increased, more costly hospitalization rates and exacerbating homelessness. Such cuts would reverse the significant progress that has been made in ameliorating the opioid crisis and in building a more efficient and comprehensive mental health and substance use care system. These cuts would also put our most vulnerable populations, such as veterans and those in rural communities, at risk. 

    “From the start, CCBHCs have been a bipartisan effort. The clear evidence of CCBHCs’ effectiveness and related cost savings makes this a wise investment for our country.”

     CCBHCs offer a broad range of critical mental health and substance use care services to meet individuals’ needs in their community and include requirements to provide tailored community-based services for our veterans. 

    Today, more than 500 CCBHCs operate across 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. These centers provide comprehensive behavioral health care to over 3 million Americans annually. In the past year alone, CCBHCs hired 11,000 new staff positions, strengthening our country’s workforce.

     The letter is also signed by Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Paul Tonko (NY-21), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), John Mannion (NY-22), and Nanette Barragán (CA-44). It is endorsed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA). 

    The full text of the letter is HERE and below: 

    Dear Secretary Kennedy,

    We write to express our strong opposition to the reported elimination of the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Expansion Grant program in President Trump’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget proposal. While the President’s recent “skinny budget” does not explicitly mention Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), it proposes severe cuts to behavioral health programs. Moreover, a leaked early draft of the budget from April reportedly called for eliminating the program entirely. Such an elimination would severely worsen the nation’s ongoing mental health and substance use crisis at a crucial moment when demand for these critical and lifesaving services is increasing. 

    Since FY 2018, the CCBHC Expansion Grant program has helped make the CCBHC model of care available to Americans by providing comprehensive and integrated behavioral health services to millions of children, families, and adults across our country. These centers offer a broad range of critical mental health and substance use care services to meet individuals’ needs in their community and include requirements to provide tailored community-based services for our veterans. CCBHCs offer comprehensive behavioral health services all at one location, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while adhering to rigorous federal criteria and utilizing evidence-based practices for high-quality care.

    Today, more than 500 CCBHCs operate across 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and provide comprehensive behavioral health care to over 3 million Americans annually. In the past year alone, CCBHCs hired 11,000 new staff positions, strengthening our country’s workforce. 

    CCBHCs are also key to ameliorating chronic disease in our country. People with serious mental illness and substance use conditions experience disproportionately higher rates of chronic disease, and CCBHCs are designed to support improved coordination with and access to primary care. CCBHCs screen for weight/BMI, blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and other chronic disease indicators.

    Providing effective care in local communities has also helped to decrease the use of more costly levels of care. Studies have shown that people who receive care at a CCBHC experience a 55 percent reduction in hospitalization, a 31 percent reduction in homelessness, and a 60 percent reduction in time in jails. In fact, CCBHCs have been shown to provide savings for law enforcement due to their collaborative work with law enforcement agencies.

    Additionally, 87 percent of CCBHCs provide Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) directly, with the remainder of centers making this care available through partnerships with MOUD providers, which has been a significant tool in addressing the ongoing opioid epidemic and providing treatment that leads to long-term recovery. 

    Eliminating the CCBHC program would immediately disrupt these critical services, potentially leading to increased, more costly hospitalization rates and exacerbating homelessness. Such cuts would reverse the significant progress that has been made in ameliorating the opioid crisis and in building a more efficient and comprehensive mental health and substance use care system. These cuts would also put our most vulnerable populations, such as veterans and those in rural communities, at risk. 

    From the start, CCBHCs have been a bipartisan effort. The clear evidence of CCBHCs’ effectiveness and related cost savings makes this a wise investment for our country. We therefore urge the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure funding for CCBHCs is protected and can continue to provide critical and lifesaving care to millions of Americans.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Aderholt Hosts Education Secretary McMahon, Calls for Return to Core Learning and End to Classroom Indoctrination

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, welcomed newly appointed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to testify on the Department of Education’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request.

    In his opening remarks, Congressman Aderholt commended Secretary McMahon for swiftly implementing President Trump’s bold education agenda, noting her strong start in reshaping federal education policy and reaffirming the Department’s commitment to restoring education to state and local control.

    “Secretary McMahon has wasted no time getting to work,” said Aderholt. “She understands that despite record levels of federal spending, student outcomes have declined, and it’s time to reassess our approach to education. I applaud her for hitting the ground running.”

    Aderholt addressed the alarming decline in student performance, citing data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress indicating that one-third of eighth graders read below the basic level. He emphasized the failure of increased federal spending to yield academic gains and reiterated his call for focusing on foundational skills such as reading, writing, and mathematics.

    “Students deserve better. More spending has only led to worse results,” Aderholt said. “It’s time we return the focus of our classrooms to core subjects rather than divisive social advocacy.”

    A key topic of the hearing was school choice, particularly the expansion of public charter schools. Aderholt pointed to Department data showing that charter school enrollment has more than doubled in the past decade while traditional public school enrollment has declined.

    He also discussed the Department’s efforts to address the ongoing crisis in the federal student loan system, which has left millions of borrowers in default or at risk of default.

    “The student loan program is in disarray, and Secretary McMahon has inherited a broken system,” said Aderholt. “I am hopeful that she can bring clarity and responsibility back to this vital area of higher education.”

    Congressman Aderholt also praised Secretary McMahon and the Department for reaffirming protections for students on college campuses and restoring the original intent of Title IX, ensuring equal opportunities for women and girls in sports.

    “Thank you to Secretary McMahon and President Trump for defending the rights of female athletes and ensuring our campuses are safe and welcoming environments for all students,” Aderholt added.

    The hearing marked Secretary McMahon’s first appearance before the Subcommittee since her confirmation and provided a forum for Congressional oversight of the Department’s spending and priorities under the new administration.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Ralph Norman Statement on House Passage of One Big, Beautiful Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ralph Norman (SC-05)

    Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill Act with a vote of 215-214-1.

    Statement:

    “The House just secured BIG WINS for taxpayers in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” said Rep. Norman on Thursday. “This bill, while not perfect, secured the following wins for the American people:

    A. Tax cuts for all American families are made permanent

    B. Border security funding to enable the deportation of illegals

    C. No tax on tips & overtime

    D. Prohibits funds for transgender treatments

    E. Protects life by restricting Medicaid funds for Planned Parenthood

    Now let me be clear — I didn’t just cast a vote. I worked my tail off during this process to make this bill better for the American taxpayer. I fought tooth and nail to include key changes that were non-negotiable for me:

    1. Work requirements for Medicaid recipients were moved up from 2029 to 2026

    2. Biden’s Green New Scam tax credits for wind and solar repealed faster

    Leadership isn’t about making the perfect the enemy of the good, but it’s about moving the ball forward without selling out your principles. My vote was about securing the wins we’ve fought for and continuing to move forward in the fight to rein in Washington’s cancerous spending.

    South Carolinians expect results, and this bill is a step toward restoring trust, accountability, and common sense in government. The American people sent us here to stop reckless spending, and today we delivered.“

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scanlon, Judiciary Democrats Open Investigation into Trump’s Qatari Plane Deal

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon(PA-5)

    Washington, D.C.— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, today joined Reps. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, in leading Judiciary Committee Democrats to demand that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and White House Counsel’s Office provide legal memoranda that reportedly blessed Donald Trump’s efforts to flout the clear text of the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause in order to justify his accepting a luxury private jet from the State of Qatar without seeking the consent of Congress.

    “President Trump is reportedly relying on memos that you authored, at his request, to accept a $400 million airplane from the State of Qatar—described in media reports as a ‘flying palace’ and ‘the most luxurious private jet in the world’—without obtaining, or even seeking, Congress’s consent. Any legal memo purporting to make such a claim would obviously fly in the face of the text of the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause, which explicitly prohibits the President from accepting any ‘present [or] Emolument . . . of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State’ unless he has ‘the Consent of Congress.’ Accordingly, we are writing to request that you provide the Committee on the Judiciary with these memos immediately as their analysis and conclusions are apparently the basis for the President’s decision to disregard the plain text of the Constitution,” wrote the members.

    On May 11, an ABC News report revealed President Trump’s plans to accept a $400 million private jet from the Qatari Royal Family to use as Air Force One—a lavish and unconstitutional gift which he intends to transfer to his personal presidential library foundation at the conclusion of his term.

    Reports indicate that the DOJ and White House Counsel’s Office are aiding Trump’s efforts to paper over this clear Constitutional violation and reportedly drafted an analysis for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arguing that it is legal for the Department of Defense to accept the aircraft as a gift and later turn it over to Trump’s presidential library.

    The Constitution is clear that Congress—not the Attorney General or the White House Counsel—has the exclusive authority to approve or reject a gift “of any kind whatever” given to the President by a foreign government.

    Attorney General Pam Bondi’s involvement in this matter is particularly egregious given her clear conflict of interest. Bondi was previously a registered foreign agent of the Qatari government, earning $115,000 per month to lobby on its behalf.

    Trump’s acceptance of this unprecedented and unconstitutional gift has sparked bipartisan criticism and outrage, with even Republican Members of Congress and conservative media raising concerns about national security risks and the appearance of corruption. Additionally, this allegedly “free plane” likely will cost taxpayers billions of dollars to overhaul to meet “all the survivability, security and communications requirements of Air Force One.”

    Judiciary Democrats requested that Attorney General Bondi and White House Counsel David Warrington provide all documents and communications related to or purporting to justify or provide legal analysis regarding the constitutionality of the President’s acceptance of the Qatari plane; all documents and communications related to an agreement between the State of Qatar and the United States regarding the transfer of the plane; and all documents related to whether Attorney General Bondi should recuse herself in matters related to emoluments from Qatar.

    The letter comes after Judiciary Democrats filed a Resolution demanding Trump comply with the Constitutional rules on foreign gifts by seeking the consent of Congress before accepting the Qatari plane.

    Find the full letter here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Scanlon Warns that White House Assault on Basic Civil Rights is a Danger to All Americans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon(PA-5)

    Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05) today released the following statement:

    “This weekend was marked by two extraordinary statements from the Trump White House – statements which, in any other presidential administration, would have generated immediate condemnation and dismissals.

    “On Friday, White House Senior Advisor Stephen Miller announced that the Trump administration, including the President, was considering suspending habeas corpus – the fundamental constitutional right to have a court determine whether or not someone is being held illegally. The Constitution’s Suspension Clause, the second clause of Section 9 of Article I, specifically states that habeas corpus cannot be suspended, except when an invasion or rebellion endangers public safety. In fact, it has only been invoked four times in the history of our nation, twice during the Civil War, and it is a power that belongs to Congress, not the President. 

    “As justification for the suspension of habeas corpus, Mr. Miller cited the administration’s string of losses in the courts, threatening that the administration might suspend habeas corpus depending on “whether the courts do the right thing or not.”

    “Although this White House has repeatedly cited non-existent national emergencies to justify its illegal and unconstitutional actions, the suspension of habeas corpus would be a direct assault upon one of the founding principles of our Constitution.

    “In addition, on Saturday, ICE agents physically accosted three members of Congress who were conducting lawful oversight at a privately-run Newark detention facility. The mayor of Newark was arrested outside the facility, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) subsequently announced that it was considering arresting the members of Congress. 

    “During the first Trump administration, Congress was forced to pass a law requiring ICE to admit members of Congress for unannounced inspection visits after ICE denied such visits. The members present for Saturday’s visit had waited several hours before armed and masked ICE agents provoked the confrontation with the mayor and arrested him. 

    “Of course, these actions come in the wake of other White House attempts to subvert the rule of law and constitutional boundaries, including deporting individuals with no due process and efforts to intimidate courts by, among other things, threatening to impeach judges with whose decisions they disagree and arresting a Wisconsin state judge who challenged ICE’s authority to arrest someone without a judicial warrant.  

    “These assaults upon the rule of law – the underpinning of our nation which ensures that all in this country are treated fairly and equally, and that the government is not allowed to act arbitrarily – are part of a growing body of action by the second Trump administration.

    “As this administration continues to undertake mass deportations without due process, it is absolutely critical for all Americans to understand that without due process, no one is safe from being falsely accused of being a noncitizen, a criminal, or a threat to national security, and being detained or wrongfully deported to a foreign prison. And in fact, we have seen all three of these scenarios occur already.

    “We are at a critical inflection point. Regardless of whether one favors the goals of this administration, the tactics it is using constitute a clear and present danger to the constitutional protections for every American. 

    “Congress could put an end to these illegal activities immediately through legislation. This would require some Republicans to put their duty to the Constitution and country over their fear of retaliation by the administration. 

    “While Democrats are clear-eyed about the danger presented by this administration’s actions, until a majority of Congress is willing to act, we must rely upon the courts and the community.

    “The courts have, by and large, stayed or rejected the White House’s illegal power grabs as they have been challenged in court.

    “Americans must continue to reject clear and present dangers to their freedoms as well – at the ballot box, in their outreach to their elected representatives, and in their refusal to stay silent.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –