NewzIntel.com

Category: Trump

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray, British Columbia Premier Eby, WA Small Businesses Speak Out About How Trump’s Reckless Trade War with Canada is Creating Chaos, Hurting Business, and Raising Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Senator Murray Hears from Mayors and Business Leaders About How Trump’s Trade War is Hurting Border Communities in Northwest Washington

    AP: Trump’s 35% Canada tariff plan deepens a rift between the neighbors

    ***WATCH HERE; DOWNLOAD HERE***

    Washington, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a virtual press conference with British Columbia Premier David Eby and Washington state business leaders to sound the alarm on how President Trump’s trade war with Canada is driving down business and creating chaos for families, small businesses, and economies on both sides of the border.

    Canada is the second-largest export market for Washington state, exporting $7.9 billion in goods and $2.2 billion in services annually. Washington state imports $17.8 billion in goods from Canada each year, with energy imports accounting for 54 percent of that total. 608 Canadian-owned companies employ 25,050 workers in Washington state. Canada is also the largest source of international visitors to the U.S., accounting for 20.4 million visits and $20.5 billion in spending in 2024. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported a 35 percent drop in border crossings into the U.S. through the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway Crossings in Washington state this May, compared to the same month last year. Additional data on trade between Washington state and Canada is available HERE.  

    President Trump recently announced a plan to impose 35 percent tariffs across-the-board on imports from Canada beginning August 1st. This comes after Trump has already applied 50 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum—of which Canada is the largest exporter to the United States—and 25 percent duties on cars, excluding U.S. made parts. Yesterday, after a meeting with Canada’s political leaders—including Premier Eby—Prime Minister Mark Carney downplayed the chances of success in talks aimed at reaching a trade deal with President Trump.

    “Canada isn’t just a trading partner for us—it is our ally, and they are our neighbor. We have friends, and families that span that northern border. We have supply lines and businesses that depend on the open flow of trade, tourism, and goodwill between our countries,” Senator Murray said at the press conference today. “Canada is one of our largest trading partners—accounting for, every year, nearly $8 billion in exports including our seafood, apples, and airplane parts and more than $2 billion in cross-border tourism and business. Not to mention we actually import nearly $18 billion in goods from Canada each year. So, for us, having Trump throw a tantrum with these tariffs is really throwing a wrench into our businesses that have operated for decades, and throwing communities on both sides of the border into chaos, and really throwing our neighborly way of life into jeopardy.”

    “Here’s what Trump needs to understand: this is not reality TV. It is actual reality,” Senator Murray continued. “These aren’t people playing ‘businessman’—they are trying to run actual businesses, that employ actual Americans. Unlike him, they don’t thrive on outrage. And they do not want any drama, they need certainty, they need common sense. And they need policies that bring in customers, not drive them away, and bring prices down, not drive them up. So, I want you all to know I am going to keep fighting in Congress to put an end to these pointless tariffs that are making life harder for people on both sides of our border. And I will keep pushing for legislation to reassert Congress’s power over tariff policy. It is beyond clear we cannot entrust this responsibility to a President who is toggling economic policies on and off like a kid with a joystick.”

    “We have a long and happy relationship with the American people; they’re our friends, our family members and coworkers. President Trump’s actions have broken our trust with his government, but they’ll never shake our relationship with our closest neighbours. I am grateful for Senator Murray’s leadership at this time in calling out a President that ran on an affordability agenda and is now bringing in tariffs that are raising the price of everyday goods for hard working families,” said David Eby, Premier of British Columbia.  

    “President Trump seems to have created the 51st state that he was talking about, which is the great state of uncertainty. And this is affecting all of us and that we predict that in 2025 alone, that tariffs will cost SEL $100 million in unanticipated federal taxes. These $100 million, divided by our 7000 owners, is a hit of $14,000 per employee around the world. And I agree so much with Senator Murray that the best thing we can do is to support the efforts by Democrats and Republicans in both the House and the Senate to restore congressional control over tariffs and block this President and future ones from abusing executive orders, especially here in the case of free trade,” saidDr. Ed Schweitzer, founder of Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Pullman.

    “Maintaining good relations with our northern neighbors is paramount to our maritime industry. Along with being a key supplier for vital parts of the industry, our relations also impact negotiations, such as the Pacific Salmon Treaty being negotiated right now. These negotiations and trade rely on goodwill and good relations, and we cannot state enough how much we value our Canadian partners in all sectors of our maritime industry here in the United States,” said Dan Tucker, Executive Director of the Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition.

    Washington state has one of the most trade-dependent economies of any state in the country, with 40 percent of jobs in the state tied to international commerce. Washington state is the top U.S. producer of apples, blueberries, hops, pears, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries—all of which risk losing vital export markets due to retaliatory tariffs from key trading partners including Canada. Additionally, more than 12,000 small and medium-sized companies in Washington state export goods and will struggle to absorb the impact of retaliatory tariffs. Trump’s tariffs during his first term were extremely costly for Washington state—for example, India imposed a 20 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. apples, causing Washington apple shipments to India to fall by 99 percent and growers to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in exports.

    Senator Murray has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s chaotic trade war and has been constantly lifting up the voices of people in every corner of Washington state who are being harmed by this administration’s approach to trade. Senator Murray continues to call on Republicans to end Trump’s trade war—which Congress has the power to do—and take back Congress’ Constitutionally-granted power to impose tariffs. Earlier this year—among many other events—Senator Murray brought together leaders across Washington state to highlight how Trump’s ongoing trade war is already a devastating hit to Washington state’s economy, businesses, and our agriculture sector, and held a roundtable discussion in Blaine on how Trump’s chaotic trade war and senseless tariffs are specifically hurting Washington state’s border communities and local businesses. Senator Murray has also taken to the Senate floor to lay out how Trump’s chaotic trade war is seriously threatening our economy, American businesses, families’ retirement savings, and so much else.

    Senator Murray’s full remarks, as delivered, are below and video is HERE:

    “Thank you everyone for joining us today.

    “You know for a so-called businessman, President Trump doesn’t seem to know the first thing about running a business—then again, maybe that explains his six bankruptcies. But besides that, every time Trump opens his mouth, he is demonstrating that he doesn’t understand how tariffs work and doesn’t care if his absurd tax hikes are hurting our economy and our small businesses. The reality is plain as day. Especially in places like Washington state where we are on the front line of a trade war with our neighbors that nobody asked for.

    “Canada isn’t just a trading partner for us—it is our ally, and they are our neighbor. We have friends, and families that span that northern border. We have supply lines and businesses that depend on the open flow of trade, tourism, and goodwill between our countries.

    “Canada is one of our largest trading partners—accounting for, every year, nearly $8 billion in exports including our seafood, apples, and airplane parts and more than $2 billion in cross-border tourism and business. Not to mention we actually import nearly $18 billion in goods from Canada each year.  

    “So, for us, having Trump throw a tantrum with these tariffs is really throwing a wrench into our businesses that have operated for decades, and throwing communities on both sides of the border into chaos, and really throwing our neighborly way of life into jeopardy.

    “How are farmers supposed to stay afloat when Trump just jacked up the cost of the supplies they need, at the same time that he is driving some of their best customers away?

    “How are businesses and factories supposed to keep the lights on when their supply chains are being disrupted, and their inputs—like energy, and steel, and aluminum—keep getting more expensive?

    “How are hotels and towns that are fueled by tourism supposed to keep their doors open, when cancellations are going up, bookings are going down, and 75 percent of Canadian travelers who weregoing to visit the U.S. are deciding they’d now rather go somewhere the President doesn’t constantly attack?

    “So, let’s be clear, these aren’t hypothetical questions. They are the cold, hard realities Trump is forcing onto our communities. It doesn’t take much imagination to see how hard Trump’s trade war is making life for people—especially for our border communities.

    “All you have to do is listen. Talk to ferry operators, who are feeling the squeeze of reduced travel. Talk to community leaders in Bellingham and Whatcom County, where 12 percent of taxable retail sales came from Canadians. Talk to business owners in Point Roberts, which just completely depends on Canadian trade and tourism.

    “I have been telling this over and over to my colleagues and anyone who will listen. If you want to understand the real cost of what is happening, come to Washington state, talk to people on the front lines of this pointless, painful trade war.

    “And that’s exactly why we are having this call today. To put a spotlight on what we are seeing on both sides of the border; to make more of these voices heard; to raise the alarm; and maybe even offer a little economics lesson to Trump—since he appears to need it.

    “When you raise the costs for small businesses—which is exactly what tariffs do, when you drive away loyal customers, and trading partners—which is exactly what happens when you toss up barriers and toss out insults—you make life harder, and you raise costs for everyday Americans. It is very clear that President Trump wants to treat tariffs like a reality TV show, constantly playing up the outrage and the uncertainty of the ‘Will he? Won’t he?’ drama that he seems to like living in. But the questions that I am hearing when I talk to folks home in Washington state, are more like, ‘Why on Earth would he do this?’ and ‘What the heck is he thinking?’ and ‘How am I going to be able to afford this?’

    “Because here’s what Trump needs to understand: this is not reality TV. This is actual reality. These aren’t peopleplaying ‘businessman’—they are trying to run actual businesses, that employ actual Americans. Unlike him, they don’t thrive on outrage. And they do not want any drama, they need certainty, they need common sense. And they need policies that bring in customers, not drive them away, and bring prices down, not drive them up.

    “So, I want you all to know I am going to keep fighting in Congress to put an end to these pointless tariffs that are making life harder for people on both sides of our border. And I will keep pushing for legislation to reassert Congress’s power over tariff policy.

    “It is beyond clear we cannot entrust this responsibility to a President who is toggling economic policies on and off like a kid with a joystick.

    “We have got to keep talking about this, which is why we are having this call today, until more of my Republican colleagues get the message. And I thank everybody who’s participating in this today to talk about what you are seeing.

    “So, I’m joined on this call by British Columbia Premier David Eby, he will be speaking next. As I’ve told him in the past, I appreciate our relationship and thank you for working with us on this. It’s a joy to have you on this call.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Markey, Rep. Khanna Introduce Legislation to Pause Sentinel Nuclear Missile Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Bill Text (PDF)

    Washington (July 23, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), along with Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), today introduced the Investing in Children Before Missiles (ICBM) Act of 2025, legislation that would redirect funding from the troubled Sentinel nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program to the U.S. Department of Education.

    The Trump administration is planning to replace the current fleet of nuclear-armed Minuteman III ICBMs with a new fleet of Sentinel ICBMs. However, the Sentinel program is so over budget and behind schedule that the Department of Defense (DoD) was forced to complete a Nunn–McCurdy review last year that found that the cost of the program had skyrocketed to $141 billion, an 81 percent increase. Moreover, the Air Force recently announced the Sentinel program will likely require digging new missile silos, a move that would cause further significant cost increases and schedule delays. In response to Sentinel’s setbacks, DoD is restructuring the program and considering extending the life of the Minuteman III by 11 years, from 2039 to 2050.

    In addition, the Air Force recently announced its plans to pay for upgrades to President Trump’s gift jet from Qatar using excess Sentinel funds. This is yet more evidence that Sentinel funding is “excess to need” and that the program should be paused for one year while it is being restructured. Nevertheless, the Trump administration is seeking to double the budget for the Sentinel missile to $4.1 billion for fiscal year 2026.

    “The United States should invest in education, not annihilation,” said Senator Markey. “The ICBM Act makes clear that we will not continue to waste billions on nuclear weapons we do not need—and that actually make us less safe—when there are more important things to fund, like public education. The Sentinel program is 81 percent overbudget—we are literally throwing taxpayer dollars down the deepest money pit ever created. When you are in a hole, stop digging. The ICBM Act signals we intend to make the world safe from nuclear weapons and prioritize spending that improves lives, rather than endangering them.”

    “The Trump administration’s Sentinel program is $60 billion over budget and years behind schedule. We need to invest into Americans, not further increase wasteful defense spending. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Investing in Children Before Missiles Act of 2025 that will pause the Sentinel program, commission an independent review of existing missile capacity, and redirect funds saved into K-12 programs in low-income communities,” said Rep. Khanna.

    “While the world has changed significantly since I was a nuclear weapons policy analyst at the Pentagon and Congressional Budget Office, the costs associated with nuclear weapons have steadily increased,” said Senator Merkley. “The United States is currently spending billions of dollars on nuclear weapons programs with limited oversight and accountability. As cost overruns continue to mount, Congress must rein in out-of-control nuclear weapons spending and instead responsibly invest these dollars in the success of America’s future leaders: our children.”

    “Instead of sinking tens of billions of taxpayer dollars into propping up a relic of our outdated Cold War-era nuclear strategy – and raising the risk of global mass destruction – we can invest more in fostering greater opportunity for our next generation. The Investing in Children Before Missiles Act does just that – diverting taxpayer funds away from an increasingly expensive boondoggle and instead directing them toward ensuring every child receives a quality education, without compromising our national security. If there ever was an opportunity for greater government efficiency, this is it,” said Senator Van Hollen.

    The ICBM Act is endorsed by the Federation of American Scientists, Council for a Livable World, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Union of Concerned Scientists, Win Without War and United Methodist Church – General Board of Church and Society.

    “Whether you think nuclear weapons make us more secure or put us at grave risk, everyone can agree that programs should run on time and on budget, or close to it. The Sentinel program is tens of billions over budget and years behind schedule. This is a classic white elephant program – rushed into production before key milestones were reached. The ICBM program should be sent back to the drawing board. We can do much better things that make America safer, stronger and more prosperous with $200 billion,” said Jon Wolfsthal, Director of Global Risk, Federation of American Scientists and former special assistant to the President.

    “The Sentinel ICBM is completely unnecessary, wildly expensive, and so far behind schedule the Pentagon has only a vague idea of when it will be deployed. Given that ICBMs are vulnerable to attack, and therefore kept on hair trigger alert, they create pointless risk. UCS has long called for eliminating them entirely. Sentinel should be cancelled and existing ICBMs retired,” said Stephen Young, Associate Director, Government Affairs, Global Security Program, Union of Concerned Scientists.

    “The Sentinel ICBM program is a case study in waste, risk, and misplaced priorities. There is no justification for pouring billions more into new land-based nuclear missiles that increase the risk of accidental war. Instead of deepening our dependence on Cold War-era thinking, we should invest in the future our children deserve: strong public schools, climate resilience, and real security rooted in equity and care. We applaud Senator Markey and Representative Khanna for their leadership in stopping the dangerous and costly Sentinel program and redirecting those resources to what truly keeps our communities safe,” said Sara Haghdoosti, Executive Director of Win Without War.

    “In 2021, Sen. Markey and Rep. Khanna first introduced the ICBM Act to pause funding and work on the already-troubled Sentinel program. Since then, the Sentinel program has continued to raise alarm bells, including in 2024 when it violated the Nunn-McCurdy Act by being more than 30% over budget. Now, the more we learn about this program, the more problems we uncover about its exceptional cost — it is now at least 80% over budget — and inability to meet deadlines. These additional concerns even led the Air Force to talk about a further life-extension of the Minuteman III missile, which the Sentinel is supposed to replace. Enough. It is past time for Congress to ask some serious questions about the necessity of this program and make some tough decisions to stop throwing good money after bad. Modernization of our nuclear forces should not be a blank check. At a time when it seems every government program is under a microscope and funding for critical programs that help every day Americans is being cut, pausing funding and work on this one program until Congress can get to the bottom of the cause of its issues seems like a no-brainer,” said John Tierney, Executive Director, Council for a Livable World.

    “As people of faith committed to peace, justice, and responsible stewardship of public resources, the Friends Committee on National Legislation strongly supports the Investing in Children Before Missiles (ICBM) Act. We oppose pouring billions into new nuclear weapon systems, especially one that’s so consistently over budget and behind schedule. It’s time to end the wasteful spending on the Sentinel program and invest instead in schools and communities,” said Allen Hester, Legislative Representative for Nuclear Disarmament & Pentagon Spending, Friends Committee on National Legislation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Schumer, Duckworth, Murray, DeLauro Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Increase Access to Fertility Treatment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Patty Murray (D-WA), along with U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) reintroduced the bicameral Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act, legislation that would require more health insurers to provide coverage for infertility treatment, as well as fertilitypreservation services for individuals who undergo medically necessary procedures that may cause infertility, such as chemotherapy.

    “Everyone’s path to parenthood is different, and the decision to pursue fertility treatments is deeply personal,” said Senator Booker. “Nobody should have to choose between financial stability and the opportunity to have a family. On top of that, people who find themselves at the daunting intersection of a cancer diagnosis and fertility challenges should have access to affordable fertility services. This legislation would require more insurance plans to cover fertility treatments so that Americans no longer face barriers to care when deciding to start a family.”

    “While Republicans have tried to brand themselves as the pro-family party, Senate Democrats are putting forward actual solutions to help the millions of Americans grappling with the financial and medical realities of safely growing their families,” said Leader Schumer. “Infertility can – and does – affect so many in our communities, and while Republicans continue their relentless attacks on reproductive rights, I will keep fighting to protect access to affordable health care and am proud to support this legislation which offers hope and opportunity to many with this deeply personal decision.”

    “Millions of Americans depend on IVF to build a family—and yet, this treatment is too often out of reach for so many because of exorbitant, out-of-pocket costs,” said Senator Duckworth. “If Donald Trump really wants to deliver on his campaign promise to ensure IVF is covered for those who rely on it, he’d call on Republicans to support our bill that would expand coverage for so many more Americans. Otherwise, all the pro-IVF talking points are just more empty promises from people who have proven time and again they have no interest in actually taking any meaningful action to protect IVF access.”

    “Infertility is a painful struggle for millions of people in America, and the steep cost of infertility treatment like IVF prevents many of them from growing their families—that’s just wrong. The Access to Fertility Treatment and Services Act would require more insurance plans, including TRICARE and the VA coverage our veterans and their families rely on, to cover infertility treatment without raising insurance costs or copays. We should be doing everything we can to support families and make it easier to have and raise children in America, and our legislation is one important step in that direction,” said Senator Murray.

    “When people don’t have insurance coverage for fertility care, they are forced to make impossible choices between paying for treatment or affording essentials,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “The emotional and physical toll of trying to build a family is already heavy. We should not add a crushing financial burden on top of it. This bill ensures that all families have the insurance coverage they deserve. Americans should have the opportunity to grow their families without sacrificing their basic needs.”

    “Every day providers encounter patients who need medical treatments like IVF to build their families, but have to forego, delay, or stop treatment because they cannot afford it,” said Sean Tipton, ASRM Chief Advocacy & Policy Officer. “While ASRM has championed progress on state-level IVF mandates, we firmly believe that access to health care should not depend on your zip code. For this reason, we remain grateful to Sen. Booker and Rep. DeLauro for their tireless leadership on the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act. It is well past time for Congress to pass this critical legislation and achieve access to family building care for all Americans.”

    “Every day, millions of Americans face heartbreaking and unnecessary barriers to building their families, simply because they can’t afford the out-of-pocket medical costs. Access to fertility treatment should not depend on your income, your zip code, or your employer. The ‘Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act’ is a critical step toward ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to pursue their dream of having a family. On behalf of RESOLVE and the family-building community, I thank Senator Cory Booker and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro for their steadfast leadership in championing equitable access to care,” said Danielle Melfi, President & CEO, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.

    Despite the prevalence of infertility – a reported one in six couples have challenges conceiving – coverage for treatment options is limited. In 2024, nearly half of large employers voluntarily offered fertility benefits and 97% of those offering benefits reported no significant increase in costs to their medical plans.

    Specifically, the Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act would:

    1. Require most private health insurance plans, as well as plans offered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Medicaid, TRICARE, ERISA, and the VA, to provide coverage for treatment of infertility without raising insurance or copayment costs.
    2. Ensure these plans cover fertility preservation services for individuals who undergo a medically necessary procedure that may cause infertility.

    The bill is endorsed by the following organizations: Alliance for Fertility Preservation, Endocrine Society, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, National Women’s Political Caucus, American Society for Reductive Medicine, Resolve, MomsRising, In Our Own Voice: National Black, Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, National partnership for Women and Families, Invisible Project, Human Rights Campaign, Families USA, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, Service Women’s Action Network, Guttmacher, ACOG, and AllPaths Family Building.

    The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

    The full text of the bill can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Schumer, Duckworth, Murray, DeLauro Reintroduce Bicameral Legislation to Increase Access to Fertility Treatment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Patty Murray (D-WA), along with U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) reintroduced the bicameral Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act, legislation that would require more health insurers to provide coverage for infertility treatment, as well as fertilitypreservation services for individuals who undergo medically necessary procedures that may cause infertility, such as chemotherapy.

    “Everyone’s path to parenthood is different, and the decision to pursue fertility treatments is deeply personal,” said Senator Booker. “Nobody should have to choose between financial stability and the opportunity to have a family. On top of that, people who find themselves at the daunting intersection of a cancer diagnosis and fertility challenges should have access to affordable fertility services. This legislation would require more insurance plans to cover fertility treatments so that Americans no longer face barriers to care when deciding to start a family.”

    “While Republicans have tried to brand themselves as the pro-family party, Senate Democrats are putting forward actual solutions to help the millions of Americans grappling with the financial and medical realities of safely growing their families,” said Leader Schumer. “Infertility can – and does – affect so many in our communities, and while Republicans continue their relentless attacks on reproductive rights, I will keep fighting to protect access to affordable health care and am proud to support this legislation which offers hope and opportunity to many with this deeply personal decision.”

    “Millions of Americans depend on IVF to build a family—and yet, this treatment is too often out of reach for so many because of exorbitant, out-of-pocket costs,” said Senator Duckworth. “If Donald Trump really wants to deliver on his campaign promise to ensure IVF is covered for those who rely on it, he’d call on Republicans to support our bill that would expand coverage for so many more Americans. Otherwise, all the pro-IVF talking points are just more empty promises from people who have proven time and again they have no interest in actually taking any meaningful action to protect IVF access.”

    “Infertility is a painful struggle for millions of people in America, and the steep cost of infertility treatment like IVF prevents many of them from growing their families—that’s just wrong. The Access to Fertility Treatment and Services Act would require more insurance plans, including TRICARE and the VA coverage our veterans and their families rely on, to cover infertility treatment without raising insurance costs or copays. We should be doing everything we can to support families and make it easier to have and raise children in America, and our legislation is one important step in that direction,” said Senator Murray.

    “When people don’t have insurance coverage for fertility care, they are forced to make impossible choices between paying for treatment or affording essentials,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “The emotional and physical toll of trying to build a family is already heavy. We should not add a crushing financial burden on top of it. This bill ensures that all families have the insurance coverage they deserve. Americans should have the opportunity to grow their families without sacrificing their basic needs.”

    “Every day providers encounter patients who need medical treatments like IVF to build their families, but have to forego, delay, or stop treatment because they cannot afford it,” said Sean Tipton, ASRM Chief Advocacy & Policy Officer. “While ASRM has championed progress on state-level IVF mandates, we firmly believe that access to health care should not depend on your zip code. For this reason, we remain grateful to Sen. Booker and Rep. DeLauro for their tireless leadership on the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act. It is well past time for Congress to pass this critical legislation and achieve access to family building care for all Americans.”

    “Every day, millions of Americans face heartbreaking and unnecessary barriers to building their families, simply because they can’t afford the out-of-pocket medical costs. Access to fertility treatment should not depend on your income, your zip code, or your employer. The ‘Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act’ is a critical step toward ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to pursue their dream of having a family. On behalf of RESOLVE and the family-building community, I thank Senator Cory Booker and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro for their steadfast leadership in championing equitable access to care,” said Danielle Melfi, President & CEO, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.

    Despite the prevalence of infertility – a reported one in six couples have challenges conceiving – coverage for treatment options is limited. In 2024, nearly half of large employers voluntarily offered fertility benefits and 97% of those offering benefits reported no significant increase in costs to their medical plans.

    Specifically, the Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act would:

    1. Require most private health insurance plans, as well as plans offered by the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Medicaid, TRICARE, ERISA, and the VA, to provide coverage for treatment of infertility without raising insurance or copayment costs.
    2. Ensure these plans cover fertility preservation services for individuals who undergo a medically necessary procedure that may cause infertility.

    The bill is endorsed by the following organizations: Alliance for Fertility Preservation, Endocrine Society, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, National Women’s Political Caucus, American Society for Reductive Medicine, Resolve, MomsRising, In Our Own Voice: National Black, Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, National partnership for Women and Families, Invisible Project, Human Rights Campaign, Families USA, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund, Service Women’s Action Network, Guttmacher, ACOG, and AllPaths Family Building.

    The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

    The full text of the bill can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Variety Op-Ed: “Elizabeth Warren on Colbert ‘Late Show’ Cancellation: Is the Paramount Trump Payoff a Bribe?”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    July 23, 2025
    “The Paramount payoff is part of a corrupt pattern of Trump exploiting the power of the presidency both to profit personally and to punish his perceived enemies.”
    “The moment we turn a blind eye to these deals is the moment we start to lose our democracy.”
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) published an op-ed in Variety making the case that the Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s cancellation may be another one of Donald Trump’s attempts to get big corporations to buy his favor and bow down before him.
    Senator Warren has been leading the charge to determine if Paramount is bribing President Trump in exchange for approval of its multi-billion-dollar megamerger with Skydance, and has fought relentlessly across the board against President Trump’s corruption.
    Read the full op-ed here and below:
    Variety – Elizabeth Warren on Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ Cancellation: Is the Paramount Trump Payoff a Bribe?July 23, 2025
    President Donald Trump and CBS parent company Paramount want you to think that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was canceled for “purely financial” reasons. Really?
    During the 2024 election, Donald Trump sued CBS, making claims CBS called “meritless.” Legal experts could see from a mile away that Trump’s claims were bogus. Paramount seemed ready to fight the allegations, and it looked like they’d win that fight handily. Then Trump took office in January 2025.
    From the first moments of his presidency, Trump quickly made it clear that he was happy to use his executive power to enrich himself. He was eager to hand out favors — for the right price — and threaten punishment for those who pushed back. There’s a reason that billionaire CEOs paid millions of dollars to get front-row access to his inauguration.
    This is where questions about a Paramount payout to Trump come in. Right now, Paramount is trying to merge with Skydance, another huge media company. This deal is worth $8 billion – and, by the way, it could raise prices for millions of viewers. But here’s the kicker: this merger can only go through if it’s approved by the Trump administration.
    Instead of fighting Trump on his “meritless” lawsuit, Paramount settled, handing $16 million to Trump’s presidential library. This looks like bribery in plain sight, and that’s exactly what Stephen Colbert said on his show: “This kind of complicated financial settlement with a sitting government official has a technical name in legal circles: it’s ‘big, fat bribe.’” Three days later, Paramount-owned CBS canceled Colbert’s show. And Trump didn’t waste a moment before celebrating the news.
    Was it a coincidence that CBS canceled Colbert just three days after he spoke out? Are we sure that this wasn’t part of a wink-wink deal between the president and a giant corporation that needed something from his administration? If CBS made this decision for “purely financial” reasons, why the timing? And why did Trump say “I hope I played a major part in” getting Colbert fired? These are fair questions, and ones that I have asked Paramount and Skydance.
    The Paramount payoff is part of a corrupt pattern of Trump exploiting the power of the presidency both to profit personally and to punish his perceived enemies.
    ABC News handed over $15 million to Trump’s presidential library in a settlement for another questionable defamation lawsuit. Trump was even more direct with Mark Zuckerberg, reportedly telling him that the price for being “brought in the tent” of the new Trump administration was to settle another doubtful lawsuit. Zuckerberg immediately bowed down, ending Meta’s fact-checking program and dumping $22 million into the Trump library. And Trump is running the same play again: immediately after Paramount folded, Trump sued the Wall Street Journal over an article that exposed details about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
    As Trump works to dampen any criticism in the media, he has also launched attacks on other independent institutions. In his first few months in office, Trump has aggressively threatened both universities and law firms in an effort to force them to bend to his will. The pattern is the same: Trump threatens to bring down the weight of the federal government on a single institution, and, too often, the targets feel they have no option but to bow down to an all-powerful Trump.
    And for everyone in the free press, the academic world and the legal system, Trump has delivered his message with ruthless bluntness: If you criticize him, you could be forced to pay dearly.
    The wealthy and well-connected have long had outsized influence in Washington, but Donald Trump is the most corrupt president in American history. He is using that corruption to gain control over independent organizations and people who might hold him to account. Every threat, use of intimidation, and potential bribe undermines our democracy as it moves Trump closer to absolute control.
    I recently introduced my Presidential Library Anti-Corruption Act to close at least one bribery loophole. This bill would block anyone from dumping tens of millions of dollars into a president’s library slush fund while that president still sits in the Oval Office. It would mean Paramount couldn’t funnel nearly $16 million to Trump’s library while it seeks favors from his administration. It would mean Qatar couldn’t “gift” Trump a $400 million private jet destined for some future library. This is a basic, common-sense reform that would help ensure that the government works for the American public, not just for people willing to pay for presidential favors. But that’s just Step One.
    Trump and his billionaire friends may think they can turn the power of the federal government into a tool they can deploy to make themselves richer while the rest of us stand quietly by. But we understand that the moment we turn a blind eye to these deals is the moment we start to lose our democracy.
    In the coming weeks, months, and years, all of us must show Trump that we see his march toward authoritarianism and we will not be silenced. Democrats need to embrace the fight against corruption as a top priority. Republicans need to grow a spine and get behind common-sense anti-corruption measures. All Americans need to speak up. Because yes, it’s a shame that CBS canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, but it is a threat to all of us that the top late-night show in the country may have been canceled in order to curry favor with a wannabe king.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: In Foreign Relations Subcommittee Hearing, Ranking Member Rosen Highlights Urgent Need to Strengthen Middle East Partnerships and Combat Iran

    US Senate News:

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

    Watch the full opening statement HERE.
    WASHINGTON, DC – During the first hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, & Counterterrorism, Ranking Member Jacky Rosen (D-NV) stressed the urgent need for a coherent U.S. strategy in the Middle East that strengthens regional integration, restores stability, and counters a nuclear Iran. Senator Rosen called on the Trump Administration to work closely with Congress, particularly following recent U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, and criticized cuts to our diplomatic workforce and foreign assistance, warning they undermine national security. Emphasizing the importance of diplomacy and development, she advocated for expanding the Abraham Accords, supporting Israel’s qualitative military edge, increasing humanitarian aid into Gaza, and preventing terrorist resurgence throughout the region. 
    Below is Senator Rosen’s opening statement:
    Thank you, Chair McCormick, for holding today’s important hearing – like you said, this is the subcommittee’s first since you and I were named Chair and Ranking Member, respectively. I am incredibly excited about the work we will be able to do together to support U.S. interests across a broad swath of the globe – from the Middle East and North Africa to Central and South Asia.
    And I want to thank you as well to our witnesses for taking the time to offer your insights today. 
    I’d like to build upon your remarks, Senator McCormick, because as you illustrated the Middle East is at a critical juncture, full of risks, as well as opportunities. How we engage in the region in the coming weeks and months has the potential to alter its trajectory for decades to come. 
    In just the last few weeks, we have seen hostilities between Israel and Iran, we’ve seen increased Houthi attacks on maritime commerce in the Red Sea, skirmishes between Israel and Syria, and a lack of progress in ending the war in Gaza, bringing ALL of the hostages held by Hamas home, and addressing the humanitarian crisis.
    But since the beginning of the year, we have also seen the decline of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic capabilities, Assad’s regime crumble in Syria, Hezbollah be diminished to a shell of its former self in Lebanon, and the significant weakening of Hamas.
    To help set the Middle East on a path towards peace and prosperity, we not only have to deter our adversaries from engaging in harmful actions, we must also work to advance our interests by implementing a coherent strategy and assistance plan for the region. 
    So let me be clear – Iran can never be allowed to acquire or develop a nuclear weapon. I am hopeful our targeted strikes on Iran’s nuclear program earlier this summer will pave the way to a negotiated agreement that makes this a reality. It is critical the Administration works hand in glove with Congress on what comes next.
    We must also ensure that terror groups, especially Iranian proxies, cannot operate freely and threaten stability in the Middle East. And so on that end, I have led bipartisan efforts to freeze Iranian assets, tighten and renew sanctions, and integrate air and missile defenses throughout the region. But we must do more to bolster regional stability to deny extremist groups the instability on which they thrive.
    An integrated Middle East of like-minded partners and allies is essential to advancing our interests, which is why we must widen and deepen the Abraham Accords, including through economic integration and other people-to-people bonds that provide tangible benefits to the region. 
    In Gaza, Hamas remains an impediment to peace and poses a threat to both Israelis and Palestinians. We must continue to support Israel as it works to free the hostages, defeat Hamas, and protect itself against future threats. And we also must allow for more humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and do everything possible to prevent the loss of innocent lives and to support a negotiated end to the war.
    In Syria and Iraq, we cannot cede ground where the U.S.-led coalition has made significant progress in eliminating the ISIS threat. To consolidate our military gains, we need to ensure that terrorists are held accountable for their horrific crimes. But we also must make sure that there is a thoughtful plan for reintegration and rehabilitation of individuals from Al Hol and Al Roj camps. If we fail to reintegrate these populations, it will be at our peril.
    This leads me to my last point. Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis once said “if you don’t fully fund the State Department, then I will need to buy more ammunition.” Diplomacy and foreign assistance is vital to the future of this region. 
    When people don’t have access to food or jobs, terror groups recruit them. When children don’t have access to education, they are more easily radicalized. 
    As this Administration slashes our diplomatic corps, expert civil servants, and foreign assistance programs, we are undeniably less safe and less prosperous. 
    To set the region on the right path, we can’t be afraid to leverage our military strength. But we certainly must also leverage our diplomatic and foreign assistance tools.
    I thank you for being here and I look forward to discussing this with you all further today.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: As a Survivor, Pressley Joins Successful Effort to Subpoena Epstein Files

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Congresswoman Addressed the Subpoena Effort in a Media Availability Earlier Today

    Video (YouTube)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), a member of the House Oversight Committee, issued the following statement after she successfully helped pass a motion by Congresswoman Summer Lee and Ranking Member Robert Garcia to force the Committee to subpoena the Epstein files. Congresswoman Pressley is a survivor of sexual assault and has been an outspoken advocate for survivors’ justice and reproductive freedom.

    Rep. Pressley held a media availability prior to the vote to discuss their effort to subpoena the Epstein Files. Full video of that media availability is available here.

    “As a survivor of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse, I know the pain and trauma that survivors carry. The public and those victimized by Epstein and his co-conspirators deserve transparency, accountability, and healing. That’s why today, I joined my colleagues in passing a motion to subpoena the Epstein files. 

    “For too long, powerful abusers and their enablers have operated in the shadows—shielded by institutions more interested in protecting predators than centering survivors. Today, we changed that. This subpoena is a win for every survivor who has been silenced, dismissed, or harmed. And it is a damning rebuke of those—especially House Republicans—who tried to obstruct our motion and instead do the bidding of Donald Trump. 

    “I do not arrive at this issue lightly. As a survivor, I think about my own experience every single day. It is a life sentence, and we cannot lose sight of the people harmed. The American people deserve to know why the Epstein files are still hidden and who is being protected, and the Trump Administration must release them immediately.  

    “I will never stop fighting for the truth, for justice, and for accountability. Survivors deserve nothing less.”

    Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has been a champion for justice for survivors of sexual violence and reproductive freedom.

    In July 2024, Rep. Pressley reintroduced the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act of 2024. In June 2024, Rep. Pressley renewed her calls for accountability and survivor-focused solutions following the damning reports of a toxic work environment at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  In June 2024, Rep. Pressley also sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) requesting information about the botched closure of FCI Dublin, abuse of women while they were being transferred to other facilities, and BOP’s management of investigations into the staff sexual misconduct and abuse at FCI Dublin and other federal BOP facilities.

    Rep. Pressley is also a lead co-sponsor of H.R. 5388, legislation that would prevent the Secretary of Education from rolling back Title IX protections for survivors, as well as H.Res. 560, a resolution calling for an impeachment inquiry into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, following reporting on new allegations of sexual misconduct committed by the Associate Justice.

    In April 2019, following the passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, Rep. Pressley issued a statement honoring her mother, Sandra Pressley, a survivor of domestic violence. Rep. Pressley is also the lead co-sponsor of an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that would establish the first-ever grant program dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, which passed the House of Representatives in March 2021.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Luttrell Join Forces to Hold Illegal Alien Murderers Accountable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today introduced in the Senate the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act, legislation from U.S. Congressman Morgan Luttrell (TX-08) that would create a new federal offense for an illegal alien or deportable alien who commits murder in the United States, as Rep. Luttrell also introduced in the House of Representatives Sen. Cornyn’s Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act, which would codify President Trump’s Executive Order subjecting illegal immigrants who kill American citizens to the death penalty:

    “Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for illegal immigrants to come into this country and brutally murder innocent Americans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m proud to join forces with Congressman Luttrell in introducing each other’s legislation to deliver justice for the victims who were tragically ripped from their families at the hands of the criminal aliens by holding these perpetrators accountable for their heinous actions and subjecting them to the death penalty.”

    “America will never be a safe haven for violent criminals who enter our country illegally and murder those in our communities,” said Rep. Luttrell. “The Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act ensures accountability and sends a clear message that violence will not be tolerated. I applaud Senator Cornyn’s leadership on this critical issue and am proud to introduce companion legislation in the House.”

    Senators Jim Justice (R-WV), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Tim Scott (R-SC) cosponsored the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act in the Senate.

    Background:

    The Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act aims to prosecute illegal alien murderers in federal courts, and the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act aims to direct juries to administer the death penalty for illegal aliens who commit murders once the case has been prosecuted, tried, and a guilty verdict has been reached. 

    Rep. Luttrell introduced the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act last May, and it would:

    • Allow the federal government to prosecute illegal aliens who commit murder in the United States, and if convicted of first-degree murder under this statute, offenders could face the death penalty or life in prison;
    • Close a dangerous loophole by enabling the federal government to step in and vigorously prosecute an illegal alien murder in certain jurisdictions where a prosecutor may fail to seek an adequate penalty due to a lack of resources or partisan views;
    • And ensure those who are unlawfully in the U.S. and commit these heinous crimes do not slip through the cracks of the legal system due to jurisdictional challenges.

    In May, Sen. Cornyn introduced the Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act, which would codify President Trump’s Executive Order subjecting illegal immigrants who kill American citizens to the death penalty. This legislation would:

    • Amend the Criminal Code to create a new aggravating factor for illegal immigrants who murder U.S. citizens;
    • Help direct juries to administer the death penalty when an illegal immigrant murders a U.S. citizen;
    • And fully implement and permanently codify President Trump’s Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, “Restoring the Death Penalty and Protecting Public Safety,” specifically Section 3(b)(i) of the Executive Order, which states that the “Attorney General shall, where consistent with applicable law, pursue Federal jurisdiction and seek the death penalty regardless of other factors for every federal capital crime involving … [a] capital crime committed by an alien illegally present in this country.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, GOP Colleagues Introduce Bill to Hold Illegal Alien Murderers Accountable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    Legislation Would Allow Federal Prosecution of Illegal Immigrants Who Murder Americans

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Jim Justice (R-WV), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Tim Scott (R-SC) today introduced the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act, which would create a new federal offense for an illegal alien or deportable alien who commits murder in the United States:

    “Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for illegal immigrants to come into this country and brutally murder innocent Americans,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m proud to join with my GOP colleagues to deliver justice for the victims who were tragically ripped from their families at the hands of the criminal aliens by holding these perpetrators accountable for their heinous actions and subjecting them to the death penalty.”

    “If you’ve entered into our country unlawfully and take the life of an American, you will face very real consequences handed down by our federal government: plain and simple,” said Sen. Justice. “This legislation serves as the ultimate deterrent to would be violent criminal aliens and represents real justice for those who illegally enter our country and murder our citizens.” 

    “Under President Biden, we saw the deadly effects of wide-open borders that far too often devastated our communities,” said Sen. Britt. “Tragically, too many Americans have lost loved ones at the hands of an illegal alien. I couldn’t be more grateful President Trump is back in control of the security of our borders and continues to take strong action to curb illegal migration and keep Americans safe. However, we still need tools at our disposal to prosecute the most violent illegal aliens, which is why I’m proud to join Senator Cornyn in cosponsoring the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act.”

    “Under the Biden administration’s reckless open border policies, far too many innocent Americans tragically lost their lives at the hands of violent criminals who should not have been in the country,” said Sen. Budd. “Now that President Trump has secured our border, I am committed to putting ironclad policies in place to hold illegal aliens accountable for heinous crimes committed on U.S. soil. I am proud to join Senator Cornyn and my colleagues to bring justice to victims by making an act of murder committed by an illegal or deportable alien a federal offense.” 

    “The open-border policies under President Biden have made our country less safe, resulting in the tragic loss of American lives. In contrast, President Trump has taken swift action to restore border security. Now, we are left to address the consequences of the previous administration’s failures,” said Sen. Scott. “I’m joining my colleagues to protect American citizens and ensure justice for victims by holding any illegal immigrant who commits murder in the U.S. fully accountable.”

    U.S. Congressman Morgan Luttrell (TX-08) is leading this legislation in the House of Representatives.

    Background:

    The Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act would:

    • Allow the federal government to prosecute illegal aliens who commit murder in the United States, and if convicted of first-degree murder under this statute, offenders could face the death penalty or life in prison;
    • Close a dangerous loophole by enabling the federal government to step in and vigorously prosecute an illegal alien murder in certain jurisdictions where a prosecutor may fail to seek an adequate penalty due to a lack of resources or partisan views;
    • And ensure those who are unlawfully in the U.S. and commit these heinous crimes do not slip through the cracks of the legal system due to jurisdictional challenges.

    This legislation complements Sen. Cornyn’s Justice for American Victims of Illegal Aliens Act, introduced in the House of Representatives today by Rep. Luttrell, which would codify President Trump’s Executive Order subjecting illegal immigrants who kill American citizens to the death penalty.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Statement on Supreme Court CPSC Ruling

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statement after the Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to remove three Democratic Consumer Product Safety Commissioners while challenges to their firings continue.

    “For over 50 years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has been free from politics so it can remain focused on its core mission of keeping Americans safe—from banning lead paint, to ensuring electronics aren’t fire hazards, to making swimming pools safe for kids. Last year alone, the Commission recalled 153 million unsafe items.”

    “By firing the three Democratic commissioners, the President has undermined the independent structure of the Commission and its critical work—and the Supreme Court is letting it happen.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: More Than $5 Million Grant to Boost Digital Skills Statewide

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the re-release of the ConnectALL Digital Equity Program Capacity Grant Request for Applications (RFA), committing over $5 million in State funding to continue New York’s digital equity grantmaking after federal funding was terminated by the Trump administration in May 2025. The ConnectALL Digital Equity Program will award grants across the state to support digital equity and inclusion projects that provide New Yorkers with devices, skills, and awareness needed to make use of affordable, reliable broadband service. Applications are due August 25, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET and must be submitted through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application Portal at https://apps.cio.ny.gov/apps/cfa.

    “Digital access is essential for success in today’s world — whether it’s applying for a job, completing schoolwork, accessing health care, or staying connected to loved ones. In New York, we believe that access to affordable, reliable internet is a basic right, not a luxury,” Governor Hochul said. “That’s why we are taking action to ensure every New Yorker has the tools, skills, and support they need to thrive in the digital age. No matter the challenges, we will continue forging ahead — investing in communities, strengthening partnerships, and delivering on our promise of a more connected and equitable future.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Digital equity is essential to economic mobility, educational access, and full participation in modern life. New York State remains unwavering in our commitment to ensuring that every community — urban, rural, and everything in between—can connect to the resources and opportunities the digital world offers. Through continued investment, strong partnerships, and innovative strategies, we are moving forward to close the digital divide and build a more inclusive future for all New Yorkers.”

    Governor Hochul also announced a campaign to educate New Yorkers on the low-cost internet service options available under New York State’s Affordable Broadband Act (ABA) — the nation’s first legally mandated low-cost broadband option. Under the ABA, internet service providers are required to offer internet connections for $20/month or less and to promote and provide enrollment guidance to consumers.

    By re-releasing the Digital Equity Program RFA, ConnectALL reaffirms the Governor’s commitment to address barriers to internet adoption and access and enhance the opportunities and security for New Yorkers using the internet by:

    • Increasing access to affordable broadband subscriptions
    • Providing access to internet devices
    • Expanding digital literacy programs
    • Protecting the privacy and safety of residents, and
    • Ensuring the accessibility of government services

    ConnectALL will work with state and local partners to promote enrollment in low-cost internet options secured for eligible consumers through the Affordable Broadband Act.

    This groundbreaking legislation has earned national recognition, with ConnectALL winning the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) Community Broadband and Digital Equity Award for 2025 Broadband Visionary/Legislative Achievement of the Year.

    ConnectALL will partner with New York City and State agencies to engage with eligible households, make them aware of low-cost internet plans, and support their enrollment. This partnership will implement a multi-channel outreach strategy that includes multilingual flyers, text campaigns to households receiving public benefits, summer street and back-to-school outreach, information via NYC 3-1-1, and a plain language self-enrollment guide, among other actions. In addition, the State is investing $500,000 in 2-1-1 NY, a subsidiary of the United Way New York, to launch ABA support for 2-1-1 callers with screenings and targeted enrollment guidance for up to 10,000 low-income households seeking reduced-cost internet services outside of New York City.

    Expanding New York’s Digital Infrastructure

    Governor Hochul has made expanding broadband access a cornerstone of her administration’s efforts to create a more equitable New York. Through the ConnectALL initiative, New York State is investing over $1 billion to transform the state’s digital infrastructure, enhance competition among providers, and ensure that every New Yorker has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. To date, ConnectALL has overseen the successful launch and implementation of several programs to advance broadband access, including:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 3rd round of Russia-Ukraine talks agrees on prisoner exchange, differs on ceasefire

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

    Russian and Ukrainian delegations held a third round of peace talks on Wednesday evening at the Ciragan Palace, during which the two sides agreed on another prisoner exchange but clashed on ceasefire terms and a potential presidential meeting.

    Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and Secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov led the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, respectively. The closed-door talks were chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

    Following the talks, which lasted for less than one hour, Umerov said at a press conference that Ukraine continues to insist on a full and unconditional ceasefire as the essential foundation for effective diplomacy.

    “We are ready for a ceasefire now and to start substantive peace negotiations, and it is up to the other side to accept this basic step towards peace,” Umerov said.

    “We emphasize that the ceasefire must be genuine. It must include a complete cessation of strikes on civilian and critical infrastructure,” he said.

    Prior to the talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday that Moscow and Kiev are “diametrically opposed” in their positions on how to end the conflict, noting that “much work” still needs to be done.

    The Ukrainian side has proposed to Russia to hold a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “by the end of August,” where the participation of U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be “especially valuable,” he said.

    During a separate press conference after the talks, Medinsky said Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,200 prisoners of war each, including a proposal from Moscow to swap about 30 civilians held by Ukraine in the Kursk region.

    Russia has returned the bodies of 7,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers and is ready to return 3,000 more, he said, requesting the return of any number of deceased Russian soldiers from Ukraine.

    He also said that the Russian side proposed establishing three online working groups with Ukraine to address political, humanitarian, and military issues, and asked Ukraine to consider declaring short ceasefires of 24-48 hours along the contact line to evacuate the wounded soldiers and recover the bodies of fallen troops.

    As to the Putin-Zelensky meeting Ukraine proposed, Medinsky said such a meeting is not being considered until certain processes are completed.

    Meanwhile, Zelensky wrote on social media platform X after the talks that the ninth stage of prisoner exchange took place “today,” which involved more than 1,000 people from the Ukrainian side, including those “seriously ill and severely wounded.”

    “It is important that the exchanges are ongoing,” he wrote.

    In his opening remarks to the talks, Fidan urged the two delegations to engage in result-oriented negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire and ultimately ending the war.

    “Our goal is to end this bloody war, which has come at a heavy cost, as soon as possible,” Fidan said.

    While the previous two rounds of talks in Istanbul — held on May 16 and June 2 — led to the exchange of thousands of war prisoners and the bodies of fallen soldiers, they produced little progress toward a ceasefire.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine, Vindman & Colleagues Introduce Bill to Restore Illegally Withheld Support for Students with Disabilities in Spotsylvania County

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, (D-VA) and U.S. Representative Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07), alongside Senate and House colleagues, introduced the bicameral Charting My Path to Future Success Act, legislation to restore the abruptly discontinued federal program designed to help students with disabilities succeed in adulthood. The funding disruption has impacted 13 school districts across 11 states, including Spotsylvania County Public Schools.

    The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Education to reissue the solicitation and award the contract for the “Charting My Path for Future Success Program,” a $45 million, ten-year initiative originally launched in 2019 during President Donald Trump’s first term, which works to help students with disabilities transition from high school to adulthood. The program was abruptly canceled in February 2025 after more than $25 million had already been spent and just as participating students began receiving services.

    “Ripping away critical funding and resources for students with disabilities is cruel and hurts America’s future,” said Kaine. “The Charting My Path for Future Success Program was established during Trump’s first term, but now Trump and DOGE have cancelled funding with no warning. Not only does this harm students with disabilities who are depending on this support, it also hurts the teachers and Spotsylvania schools whose jobs and school budgets depend on this funding. I’m proud to introduce the Charting My Path for Future Success Act to immediately reissue this funding and ensure all students are set up for success.”

    “Students across Virginia’s Seventh District and our country deserve a real chance to thrive after high school. And yet, the Trump Administration just recklessly cut the ‘Charting My Path for Future Success’ program from Spotsylvania County Public Schools and I cannot let that stand,” said Vindman. “That’s why I am proud to introduce this bill – we owe it to students and families to re-start this program and prohibit the Administration from canceling it without Congressional approval.”

    Designed to support students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) across a wide range of disabilities, the “Charting My Path for Future Success Program” provided one-on-one and small group sessions, mentoring, and year-round tutoring. Over 1,600 high school juniors, seniors, and their families were affected across the 11 states. In addition to Virginia, impacted districts include school systems in Georgia, Utah, Massachusetts, California, Alaska, and New York.

    The bill is endorsed by a coalition of disability advocacy organizations, including the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities Education Task Force, the National Center for Learning Disabilities, The Arc of the United States, the Autism Society of America, the National Disability Rights Network, and the Council of Administrators of Special Education.

    In addition to Kaine, U.S. Senators Edward Markey (D-MA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the legislation in the Senate. In addition to Vindman, U.S. Representatives Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53), and Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10) introduced the legislation in the House.

    The full text of the resolution is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Criminal Illegal Alien Accused of Murdering 15-Year-Old and Attempting to Rape Mother

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    This criminal illegally entered the country three times since 2021

    WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an arrest detainer against Gildardo Amandor-Martinez, a criminal illegal alien accused of murdering a 15-year-old boy and assaulting a minor female with a firearm after he attempted to rape their mother in Morehead, Kentucky. 

    ICE detainers are legal requests to state or local law enforcement to hold illegal aliens in custody until they can be turned over to immigration authorities. 

    According to local reports, on July 20, Amandor-Martinez arrived at an apartment shared with his girlfriend, Aleida Lopez, early in the morning and attempted to rape her. After she fended him off, Amandor-Martinez assaulted her by biting her left hand, right armpit, and injured her arm. Her 15-year-old-son, Luis Lopez, tried to intervene and was shot by Amandor-Martinez three times and murdered. The criminal illegal alien then assaulted Lopez’s daughter with a firearm. 

    15-year-old Luis Lopez who was tragically killed the criminal illegal alien was greatly admired and called a “sweet student” by Rowan County Senior High School. He would have been a sophomore this fall. 

    Amandor-Martinez a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, attempted to enter the country THREE times under the Biden administration in 2021, at the southern border. He successfully illegally entered the country on his third try at an unknown date and location and without inspection by an immigration officer.  

    “15-year-old Luis Lopez died trying to save his mother from this criminal illegal alien who was attempting to rape her. Gildardo Amandor-Martinez is a rapist and cold-blooded killer who should have never been in this country,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “The Biden administration’s open-border policies allowed this monster to walk American streets and commit these evil crimes, including murder, assault, and attempted rape, against a mother and her children. ICE has placed an arrest detainer to ensure Amandor-Martinez will not be released onto America’s streets and allowed to terrorize American families again.” 

    Secretary Noem relaunched the Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement (VOICE) office. The VOICE office was shuttered by the previous administration, which left victims of alien crime without access to many key support services and resources. The office was first launched in 2017 by the Trump administration as a dedicated resource for those who have been victimized by crime with a nexus to immigration. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Promotes the Export of American AI Technologies

    Source: US Whitehouse

    PROMOTING THE EXPORT OF AMERICAN AI: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to support the American AI industry by promoting the export of full-stack American AI technology packages to allies and partners worldwide.

    • The Order directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish and implement the American AI Exports Program to support the development and deployment of U.S. full-stack AI export packages.
      • These full-stack, end-to-end packages include hardware, data systems, AI models, cybersecurity measures, applications for sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and transportation, and more.
      • The packages must comply with export controls and other relevant requirements.
    • The Order directs the Secretary of Commerce to review and select proposals that will receive export support from the Economic Diplomacy Action Group, such as loans, guarantees, and technical assistance.

    SUPPORTING THE U.S. AI INDUSTRY: President Trump is advancing American leadership in AI to secure economic growth, national security, and global competitiveness.

    • AI is a foundational technology that will shape the future of innovation, defense, and prosperity for decades to come.
    • The United States must lead in developing and deploying AI technologies, standards, and governance models to reduce global reliance on systems from adversarial nations.
    • By exporting American AI, the U.S. will strengthen ties with allies, promote U.S. standards and governance models, and maintain technological dominance.
    • This initiative supports U.S. businesses, including small businesses, by facilitating investment in AI development and infrastructure, ensuring America remains the global leader in AI innovation.

    MAKING AMERICA THE GLOBAL LEADER IN AI: President Trump has made American leadership in AI a national priority.

    • President Trump signed the first-ever Executive Order on AI in 2019 recognizing the paramount importance of American AI leadership to the economic and national security of the United States.
      • In historic actions, the Trump Administration established the first-ever national AI research institutes, strengthened American leadership in AI technical standards, and issued the world’s first AI regulatory guidance to govern AI development in the private sector.
    • President Trump also took executive action in 2020 to establish the first-ever guidance for Federal agency adoption of AI to more effectively deliver services to the American people and foster public trust in this critical technology.
    • In January 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to reverse harmful Biden Administration AI policies and enhance America’s global AI dominance.
    • In April 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to advance AI education for America’s youth.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Accelerates Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure

    Source: US Whitehouse

    ACCELERATING DATA CENTER INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to facilitate the rapid and efficient buildout of data center infrastructure.

    • The Order directs the Secretary of Commerce to launch an initiative to provide financial support, such as loans, grants, and tax incentives, for Qualifying Projects.
      • These Qualifying Projects include data centers that require greater than 100 megawatts of new load, infrastructure projects related to data center energy needs, semiconductor facilities, networking equipment, or other data center or related infrastructure projects selected by the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Interior, Secretary of Commerce, or Secretary of Energy.
    • The Order revokes a Biden-era Executive Order that would have saddled AI data center development on Federal lands with pages of DEI and climate requirements.
    • The Order instructs agencies to streamline environmental reviews and permitting for data centers and related infrastructure by leveraging existing exemptions and creating new ones to expedite the construction of Qualifying Projects.
    • The Order enhances transparency and efficiency by designating Qualified Projects for expedited permitting under the FAST-41 framework.
    • The Order promotes the use of Brownfield and Superfund sites for data center development, repurposing these lands for productive use.
    • The Order directs the Department of the Interior, the Department of Energy and the Department of Defense to authorize data center construction on appropriate Federal lands.

    STRENGTHENING AMERICA’S AI AND MANUFACTURING LEADERSHIP: President Trump is promoting the rapid buildout of AI data centers and critical infrastructure to secure economic prosperity, national security, and scientific leadership.

    • AI data centers and supporting infrastructure, such as energy systems and semiconductors, are essential for powering America’s technological and industrial future.
    • Lengthy and complex Federal regulations can delay critical projects, hindering America’s ability to lead in AI and manufacturing.
    • By streamlining permitting and providing financial support, the U.S. will accelerate the development of data centers and enable our global dominance in AI, which will in turn create jobs and enhance national security.
    • This initiative ensures American leadership in AI and critical technologies, positioning the U.S. to outpace global competitors and drive innovation for decades to come.

    USHERING IN A GOLDEN AGE FOR AMERICAN TECHNOLOGICAL DOMINANCE: President Trump has made American leadership in AI a national priority.

    • President Trump signed the first-ever Executive Order on AI in 2019 recognizing the paramount importance of American AI leadership to the economic and national security of the United States.
      • In historic actions, the Trump Administration established the first-ever national AI research institutes, strengthened American leadership in AI technical standards, and issued the world’s first AI regulatory guidance to govern AI development in the private sector.
    • President Trump also took executive action in 2020 to establish the first-ever guidance for Federal agency adoption of AI to more effectively deliver services to the American people and foster public trust in this critical technology.
    • In January 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to reverse harmful Biden Administration AI policies and enhance America’s global AI dominance.
    • In April 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to advance AI education for America’s youth.
    • The Administration is capitalizing on other permitting successes that will also enable data center development, such as dramatically reducing NEPA’s impact on critical infrastructure projects, developing emergency NEPA procedures that can permit major mining projects in under 28 days at the Department of the Interior, revising NOAA’s deep sea mining regulations, and more.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Prevents Woke AI in the Federal Government

    Source: US Whitehouse

    PREVENTING WOKE AI IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to ensure that artificial intelligence (AI) models procured by the Federal government prioritize truthfulness and ideological neutrality.

    • President Trump is protecting Americans from biased AI outputs driven by ideologies like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the cost of accuracy.
    • The Order directs agency heads to procure only large language models (LLMs) that adhere to “Unbiased AI Principles” defined in the Order: truth-seeking and ideological neutrality.
      • Truth-seeking means that LLMS shall be truthful and prioritize historical accuracy, scientific inquiry, and objectivity, and acknowledge uncertainty where reliable information is incomplete or contradictory.
      • Ideological neutrality means that LLMs shall be neutral, nonpartisan tools that do not manipulate responses in favor of ideological dogmas like DEI, and that developers will not intentionally encode partisan or ideological judgments into an LLM’s outputs unless those judgments are prompted by or readily accessible to the end user.
    • The Order instructs the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in consultation with other Federal leaders, to issue guidance for agencies to implement these principles in AI procurement.
    • The Order mandates that Federal contracts for LLMs include terms ensuring compliance with the Unbiased AI Principles, including terms holding vendors accountable for certain costs if contracts are terminated due to noncompliance.

    SAFEGUARDING TRUST IN FEDERAL AI USE: President Trump is advancing trustworthy AI in the Federal government to protect the integrity of information and services provided to the American people.

    • AI is a critical technology that will shape how Americans learn, access information, and navigate their daily lives.
    • Ideological biases, such as those driven by DEI, can distort AI outputs, undermine historical and scientific accuracy, and erode public trust in AI systems.
      • For example, one major AI model changed the race or sex of historical figures—including the Pope, the founding Fathers, and Vikings—when prompted for images because it was trained to prioritize DEI requirements.
      • In another case, an AI model asserted that a user should not “misgender” another person even if necessary to stop a nuclear apocalypse.
    • By requiring truth-seeking and ideologically neutral AI models, the Federal government ensures reliable, objective information for Americans and prevents the spread of biased or misleading outputs.

    SERVING AMERICA, NOT IDEOLOGICAL AGENDAS: President Trump is terminating DEI across the Federal government and advancing American leadership in AI to ensure technology and policies serve the public, not ideological agendas.

    • President Trump is harnessing AI to strengthen national security, economic prosperity, and technological leadership.
      • In January 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to reverse harmful Biden Administration AI policies and enhance America’s global AI dominance.
      • In April 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to advance AI education for America’s youth.
      • Today, President Trump also signed Executive Orders on facilitating the rapid and efficient buildout of data infrastructure and promoting the export of American AI technologies.
    • President Trump is restoring fairness and merit by dismantling radical DEI programs
      • In January, President Trump signed executive actions to end radical and wasteful DEI programs and preferencing, terminate radical DEI preferencing in Federal contracting and spending, eliminate DEI and restore excellence and safety within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and abolish DEI bureaucracy within the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security.
      • In March, President Trump signed a Memorandum removing DEI from the Foreign Service.
      • In April, President Trump signed an Executive Order to ensure school discipline policies are based on objective behavior, not DEI.
      • President Trump: “We will terminate every diversity, equity, and inclusion program across the entire Federal government.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Pressley Lead Colleagues in Renewing Push to Protect Access to Reproductive Care for Low-Income Americans, Servicemembers and Millions More

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    July 23, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D–IL) and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) led their fellow Senate and House Democratic colleagues in reintroducing legislation to protect Americans’ right to access reproductive health care, regardless of income, insurance or zip code. The Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Healthcare (EACH) Act would end the discriminatory Hyde Amendment and help lift unjust abortion coverage restrictions for those who depend on Medicaid and other government-sponsored plans—reaffirming the right to access reproductive health care after Donald Trump signed his Big, Beautiful Betrayal into law that will rip health care away from over 15 million Americans.

    “Ever since Trump’s far-right Supreme Court majority struck down Roe, Republicans have made it their mission to strip away a woman’s right to reproductive health care—a right they have no place to stand in the way of,” said Senator Duckworth. “As Republicans’ Big, Beautiful Betrayal kicks millions off their health care, we must act to help strengthen access to abortion coverage for low-income Americans, servicemembers and millions more—no matter their zip code. I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation alongside my colleagues so we can do just that.”

    “Abortion care is health care, and health care is a human right. With Trump and Republicans advancing a cruel, coordinated assault on our bodily autonomy—gutting Medicaid, defunding Planned Parenthood, and decimating access to care—we must use every tool available to protect and expand reproductive healthcare,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “The EACH Act would help us do just that. By repealing the racist and discriminatory Hyde Amendment, which has denied necessary care for vulnerable communities for nearly half a century, our bill would help ensure everyone in America can get the reproductive healthcare they need, regardless of income, insurance, or zip code. I’m grateful to Senator Duckworth and our colleagues for their partnership on this critical priority.”

    Along with Duckworth, the legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Coons (D-DE), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), John Fetterman (D-PA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM).

    Along with Pressley, the legislation is cosponsored in the House by more than 150 U.S. Representatives.

    Copy of the bill text is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

    Throughout her time in the Senate, Duckworth has made protecting reproductive freedom a top priority in the face of Republicans’ anti-choice crusade. Two weeks ago, Duckworth successfully included her provision to expand access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) for military families in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that passed through the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee.

    Duckworth has also long pushed to pass her Right to IVF Act—which Senate Republicans blocked not once, but twice last year. This legislation would both establish a right to IVF and other assisted reproductive technology (ART), expand access for hopeful parents, Veterans and federal employees, as well as lower the costs of IVF for middle-class families across the country. Last September’s vote marked the fourth time Senate Republicans blocked Duckworth-led legislation that would protect access to IVF nationwide.

    Duckworth was the first Senator to give birth while serving in office and had both of her children with the help of IVF. In 2018, she advocated for the Senate to change its rules so she could bring her infant onto the Senate floor.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Michigan Receives Disaster Declaration from President Trump for Northern Michigan Ice Storm Recovery Efforts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

    Today, Rep. Jack Bergman joined Governor Gretchen Whitmer announcing that President Donald Trump has approved Michigan’s request for a disaster declaration to help communities impacted by the historic ice storm in Northern Michigan earlier this year. The devastating storm knocked out power and communications and left hundreds of miles of roads blocked by fallen trees and debris. 

    “President Trump’s approval of a Major Disaster Declaration for the counties impacted by March’s devastating ice storm is welcome news,” said U.S. Representative Jack Bergman. “I’m grateful to his Administration for working to get this done. This long-awaited decision unlocks critical resources to help our communities recover and rebuild as quickly as possible. It’s been a true team effort – from local agencies to state and federal partners. Northern Michigan is no stranger to tough times – but it’s in moments like these, when our communities rally and move forward together, that the true spirit of Northern Michigan shines brightest.”

    “Yesterday, I spoke to President Trump who confirmed that communities in Northern Michigan impacted by the historic ice storm damage earlier thisnyear will start to receive federal disaster funding,” said Governor Whitmer. “With this initial support, we can help communities recover costs associated with cleanup efforts. I want to thank the president and our congressional delegation for supporting our request, and I look forward to collaborating further on much-needed additional resources. Michiganders across the state stepped up to help our neighbors, and while other parts of our request remain under review, we will continue advocating together to help Northern Michigan recover and rebuild.”

    “Many Northern Michigan individuals, families, and small businesses are still recovering from the historic ice storms that hit our state earlier this year,” said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. “This federal emergency declaration will help local leaders, communities, and Northern Michigan families get back on their feet and move forward with their lives. While this storm was devastating, Michiganders are strong, and we will Stand Tall together.” 

    “I’m pleased that funding is coming to Northern Michigan to bolster the ongoing recovery efforts following the ice storm this March,” said U.S. Senator Gary Peters. “The State of Michigan and local emergency managers continue to work hard because this job is not finished, and I’ll keep fighting to help our communities get the resources they need to bounce back stronger.” 

    “The Michigan State Police has supported response efforts from the moment this storm began, coordinating statewide resources through the State Emergency Operations Center to assist local communities impacted by the storm,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “This federal declaration is a crucial next step. It allows us to continue supporting our partners through long-term recovery.” 

    Federal Disaster Declaration

    The declaration opens the path to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance in Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Kalkaska, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle Counties and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. The administration continues to review the request for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance under Schedule F. 

    Advocating for Northern Michigan

      On June 25th, Rep. Jack Bergman led a letter with the entire Michigan Congressional Delegation, urging President Donald J. Trump in the strongest possible terms,to approve Governor Whitmer’s May 16 request for a Major Disaster Declaration.

    On May 30th, Rep. Jack Bergman joined Michigan USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Director Joel Johnson to announce that assistance through the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) is on the way for Northern Michigan. Both programs are designed to help landowners recover from severe storm damage and restore their operations.

    On May 19th, Rep. Jack Bergman expressed his full support for Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration in response to the ice storm that struck Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula in March.

    On April 5th, Rep. Bergman visited the affected counties and met with local emergency leaders, linemen, and first responders to discuss the needs across the region.

    State Actions 

    On March 31, Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency to respond to the storm’s impact. The declaration initially covered 10 counties and was expanded to include 12 counties: Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle counties. Governor Whitmer also deployed the Michigan National Guard to provide more personnel and specialized equipment to help with ice storm recovery efforts in northern Michigan. Lastly, the Governor Whitmer declared an energy emergency in the Upper Peninsula to help expedite delivery of fuel and other critical supplies to impacted areas. 

    On May 16, Governor Whitmer submitted a formal request for a major disaster declaration to help Northern Michigan recover and rebuild from the historic ice storms that hit the region hard in late March. The governor also traveled to the White House to meet with President Trump, advocating for federal assistance for Northern Michigan. The governor previously asked for an Emergency Declaration, which would authorize up to $5 million in immediate public assistance to support emergency efforts, including debris management needs.  

    She will continue working with the administration to pursue further relief from FEMA, and her request for individual assistance (IA) remains under review by the federal administration. IA can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster. She will also seek resources for hazard mitigation measures statewide.  

    Resources

    Residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated areas can begin applying for assistance at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA App. Anyone using a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, can give FEMA the number for that service.  

    On June 11, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) separately granted an administrative disaster declaration for Cheboygan County and the contiguous counties of Charlevoix, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Otsego, and Presque Isle. SBA established two Disaster Loan Outreach Centers for one-on-one assistance, open now through July 26 at 2:00pm:  

    229 Court St. 

    Cheboygan, MI 49721 

    8288 S. Pleasantview Rd. 

    Harbor Springs, MI 49740 

    Loan applications are also available online or by mail. For additional information on low-interest SBA loans or the application process, visit the MySBA Loan Portal or call 1-800-659-2955. The physical loan application deadline is Aug. 8. Small businesses and non-profits have until March 9, 2026, to apply for EIDLs (working capital loans). So far SBA has disbursed $572,322 in loans for this disaster. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Senator Peters Advocates for Policies to Support Truck Drivers, Safer Roads in Michigan

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    WASHINGTON, DC – During a hearing in the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) advocated for Michigan’s truck drivers, which make up roughly 1 in 15 jobs throughout the state, according to the Michigan Trucking Association. As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Peters delivered opening remarks where he underscored his commitment to ensuring Michigan truck drivers receive the wages and benefits they deserve.
    “Our nation’s truck drivers are the backbone of our economy. These frontline workers spend long hours, often away from their families and at all times of day and night, transporting goods across the country to America’s communities… It’s not an exaggeration to say that the trucking industry touches every American’s daily life,” said Senator Peters, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Surface Transportation, Freight, Pipelines, and Safety. “That’s especially true for Americans who have made trucking their career. There are nearly 250,000 trucking jobs in Michigan alone, making up 1 in 15 jobs throughout my state. From long and short-haul drivers, to mechanics, dispatchers, and logistics coordinators, these jobs provide key economic opportunities for Michiganders, and I am committed to making sure that these jobs live up to their promise for Michiganders by providing fair wages, health care, and retirement benefits. That’s why I am proud to have one of the foremost leaders of that fight here to testify today, Teamsters President Sean O’Brien.”
    During the hearing, Peters also advocated for policies to improve roadway safety to protect both truckers and the drivers they share the road with.
    “Mr. O’Brien and the members of this panel know very well that the single most important factor in the success of our truck drivers and this industry, as well as road users across this country, is safety,” Peters continued. “I believe this committee must prioritize safety in the next surface transportation reauthorization bill for both truckers and those they share the road with, from the deployment of advanced safety technology and driver assistance systems, to investing in safer streets and stronger bridges, to tackling truck parking issues and defending drivers’ access to rest and bathrooms, to addressing freight fraud and theft.”
    Peters also highlighted the current challenges that truck drivers and businesses face as the industry navigates the Trump Administration’s tariff policies.
    “I want to acknowledge that today’s trucking industry, as well as all freight and multimodal industries, is facing an incredibly challenging economic environment with this Administration’s chaotic approach to tariffs. This doesn’t just impact truckers and consumers, changing rules, rising prices, and economic uncertainty impacts the manufacturers that build the trucks that move our goods and keep drivers safe,” said Peters. “In Michigan, the commercial vehicle manufacturing supply chain relies on cross border trade with Canada, and with a global supply chain. Many of these businesses have been forced to consider laying off workers or pausing investments due to a lack of certainty created by constantly shifting tariff policies.”
    “We can and should pursue policies to create commercial trucking manufacturing jobs here at home, but this continued chaos will only serve to harm U.S. manufacturers, consumers, and our intermodal freight system,” Peters continued.

    To watch video of Senator Peters’ opening remarks and question at the hearing, click here.
    Peters has consistently advocated for investments and legislation to support truckers and the trucking industry. In the bipartisan infrastructure law, Peters secured more than $4.6 billion to improve roads, bridges, and highways throughout Michigan, including over $1.8 million for the improvement of the Blue Water Bridge to reduce freight delays and ensure the efficient movement of goods across the bridge via truck. In 2024, Peters’ bipartisan Strengthening the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS) Act was signed into law to protect funding for the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS), a crucial, nationwide computer system that ensures commercial drivers have only one license and one complete driver record.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor applauds President Trump’s ‘AI Action Plan’ to achieve global dominance in artificial intelligence

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling today praised the release of President Trump’s artificial intelligence policy strategy, “Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan.”Developed in response to the President’s January Executive Order “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence,” the AI Action Plan sets a clear policy roadmap of the specific actions needed to help the U.S. achieve global AI dominance. The plan illustrates how American workers will be central to the Trump Administration’s AI policy and includes two areas outlining the Labor Department’s integral role in creating a future-ready workforce: “Empower American Workers in the Age of AI” and “Train a Skilled Workforce for AI Infrastructure.”“Since day one, President Trump has made it his top priority to put American Workers First by expanding opportunity and ensuring all are prepared for the challenges of the future,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “By boosting AI literacy and investing in skills training, we’re equipping hardworking Americans with the tools they need to lead and succeed in this new era. The Department of Labor is proud to help deliver on the President’s vision for global AI dominance by building a stronger, more resilient American workforce.”“The AI Action Plan demonstrates President Trump’s bold leadership in driving forward a worker-centric AI strategy that will create a new era of economic prosperity for American workers,” said Deputy Secretary Sonderling. “The Department of Labor looks forward to executing the critical AI Action Plan efforts that will support our workforce, including expanding AI literacy nationwide, creating a new hub to analyze AI’s impact on the labor market, and piloting innovative models to help workers succeed in an AI-driven economy.”The “Empower American Workers in the Age of AI” initiative includes proposed actions for the Department of Labor, in collaboration with other federal agencies, to:Prioritize AI skills development as a core objective of education and workforce funding streams, including career and technical education, apprenticeships, and other federally supported skills initiatives.Establish the AI Workforce Research Hub to lead a sustained federal effort to evaluate AI’s impact on the labor market and the American worker, including recurring analysis, scenario planning, and actionable insights for workforce and education policy.Study AI’s impact on the labor market by providing the AI Workforce Research Hub with analysis to support tracking of AI adoption, job creation, displacement, and wage effects.Fund rapid retraining for individuals impacted by AI-related job displacement, as well as issue guidance clarifying how funds can be used to proactively upskill workers at risk of future displacement.Pilot new approaches to meet workforce challenges created by AI, which may include areas such as rapid retraining models to respond to labor market shifts and new models to support pathways into entry-level roles.The “Train a Skilled Workforce for AI Infrastructure” initiative includes proposed actions for the Department of Labor, in collaboration with other federal agencies, to:Create a national initiative identifying high-priority occupations critical to AI infrastructure.Partner with state and local governments and workforce system stakeholders to support the creation of industry-driven training programs for priority AI infrastructure occupations.Partner with education and workforce system stakeholders to expand early career exposure programs and pre-apprenticeship opportunities for middle and high school students in AI infrastructure occupations.Expand Registered Apprenticeships for occupations critical to AI infrastructure.Learn more about President Trump’s AI Action Plan. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Fights for National Lab Science Funding, Presses Trump Administration to Protect America’s Scientific Innovation and Reverse Course on Cuts to Research and Development Programs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Co-Chair of the Senate National Labs Caucus, called on President Trump to reverse course on proposed reductions in the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget to research and development programs within the Department of Energy (DOE), including cuts to programs at National Laboratories. In the letter to President Trump, Senator Luján highlights the successful economic impacts by these DOE research and development programs, including our National Laboratories’ critical role in driving global scientific leadership.

    Senator Luján wrote, “These proposed changes jeopardize not only our nation’s economic competitiveness but also our national security, energy independence, and capacity for innovation. Slashes to these programs undermine the core principles and opportunities that America promises its citizens: through bold investment in knowledge and innovation, we build a stronger, safer, and more just future.”

    “Without adequate support, the United States risks ceding leadership in emerging industries to nations with more consistent and centralized science investment strategies. Slashing funding to these programs is not fiscal responsibility – it is strategic negligence,” continued Senator Luján.

    “As a proud and steadfast champion of the groundbreaking innovation coming out of the national labs in my state, I’m constantly reminded of their extraordinary contributions,” concluded Senator Luján.

    The full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear President Trump:

    I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the proposed reductions in the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget to research and development programs within the Department of Energy (DOE), including significant cuts to the Office of Science, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), and the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA–E). These proposed changes jeopardize not only our nation’s economic competitiveness but also our national security, energy independence, and capacity for innovation. Slashes to these programs undermine the core principles and opportunities that America promises its citizens: through bold investment in knowledge and innovation, we build a stronger, safer, and more just future.

    The national laboratories are not just the Department of Energy’s research hubs; they are engines of economic empowerment. These nearly 80,000 scientists, engineers, and staff are at the forefront of pioneering technologies in advanced energy systems, life-saving medical isotopes, next-generation manufacturing, and national defense. The proposed 14% reduction to the Office of Science and 74% cut to EERE will have an immediate and destabilizing impact – threatening the continuation of critical research programs, leading to the loss of thousands of skilled jobs. Investments in science ARE investments in American leadership.

    Specifically, EERE has been responsible for more than $624 billion in net economic benefits, heavily contributing to U.S. energy bill reductions of over $800 billion since 1980. These cuts will impede 100s of ongoing lab-based projects in clean energy, grid modernization, and industrial decarbonization, while endangering 1,000s of jobs across multiple national laboratories, and undermine a network that has historically returned over $10 in economic output for every dollar of federal R&D investment. We don’t just silence the potential for future discoveries that could deliver heat and power to every corner of the country, we squander the ingenuity of the very Americans who have the knowledge and drive to make it happen.

    Similarly, proposed budget reductions would scale back fellowships, internships, and research grants that support tens of thousands of graduate and postdoctoral researchers. Around half of STEM graduate students rely on federal support to complete their training. The elimination of these opportunities would be devastating to early-career researchers and erode our long-term competitiveness, particularly in fields like quantum, biotechnology, and energy.

    For decades, DOE’s national laboratories have played a critical role in translating federal research into commercial success. The DOE national labs outperform other agencies in innovation productivity, producing 3.5x more patents per dollar and 1.4x higher licensing rate per patent than the federal agency average. Every year the labs execute 1000s of partnership agreements, including 100s of agreements to commercialize technology. These efforts are part of a larger ecosystem that has enabled the United States to maintain global leadership in critical technologies such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, advanced computing, and energy efficiency. This innovation culture, rooted in federally funded basic and applied science, has given the United States a durable advantage over strategic competitors, including China, whose state-led investments are rapidly closing the gap.

    Programs like ARPA-E, which the budget proposes to cut by 57%, have been instrumental in maintaining this leadership. The agency has funded over 1,000 high-risk projects, resulted in over 700 patents, and attracted over $12 billion in follow-on private investment. Reducing federal investments in ARPA-E and DOE lab commercialization programs could shift the global balance of innovation. Without adequate support, the United States risks ceding leadership in emerging industries to nations with more consistent and centralized science investment strategies. Slashing funding to these programs is not fiscal responsibility – it is strategic negligence.

    The United States did not become a global leader in science and technology by retreating from bold investment. We became that leader by making deliberate, courageous decisions to fund basic and applied research, to believe in our academic institutions, and to empower our national laboratories as centers of excellence. At a time when other nations are dramatically increasing their R&D investments, it would be short-sighted and strategically dangerous for the United States to step back.

    As a proud and steadfast champion of the groundbreaking innovation coming out of the national labs in my state, I’m constantly reminded of their extraordinary contributions. At Sandia National Laboratories, researchers invented clean rooms, a technology essential to manufacturing microchips that power high performance computing and artificial intelligence, while also revolutionizing hospital operating room safety. Sandia isn’t just refining the economics of LED light bulbs, they’re re-engineering light itself to promote human health and increase agricultural yields. At Los Alamos, during the Human Genome Project, scientists developed GenBank, the genetic sequence database that has become indispensable to modern drug discovery and our understanding of disease. Los Alamos also remains one of the nation’s only sources of critical medical isotopes used in targeted cancer therapies – treatments that can destroy breast cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. Slashing funding to these transformative institutions isn’t just short-sighted – it’s an assault on the standard of living, health, and opportunity for every American.

    America’s scientific capacity is one of its most valuable assets. We must treat it accordingly – with care, with vision, and with the full weight of federal support. I respectfully urge you to reconsider these reductions and restore full funding for DOE research and innovation programs – including ARPA-E, EERE, the Office of Science, the associated workforce, and their commercialization initiatives.

    Thank you for your consideration and commitment to the future of American science, security, and prosperity.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: HHS, FDA and USDA Address the Health Risks of Ultra-Processed Foods

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:
    July 23, 2025

    Under the leadership of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture are accelerating federal efforts to address the growing concerns around ultra-processed foods and the current epidemic of diet-related chronic disease that is plaguing America. The agencies are announcing a joint Request for Information (RFI) to gather information and data to help establish a federally recognized uniform definition for ultra-processed foods—a critical step in providing increased transparency to consumers about the foods they eat.
    “Ultra-processed foods are driving our chronic disease epidemic,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “We must act boldly to eliminate the root causes of chronic illness and improve the health of our food supply. Defining ultra-processed foods with a clear, uniform standard will empower us even more to Make America Healthy Again.”
    Currently, there is no single authoritative definition for ultra-processed foods for the U.S. food supply. Creating a uniform federal definition will serve as a key deliverable on the heels of the recently published Make Our Children Healthy Again Assessment, which recognizes that the overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is one of the driving factors of the childhood chronic disease crisis.
    “President Trump has made it a priority to improve health outcomes for American families and communities. And this Request for Information is yet another step in seeking commonsense ways to foster improved and more informed consumer choice. A unified, widely understood definition for ultra processed foods is long overdue and I look forward to continued partnership with Secretary Kennedy to Make America Healthy Again. As this process unfolds, I will make certain the great men and women of the agriculture value chain are part of the conversation,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.
    “I am delighted to lead this critical effort at the FDA,” said FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H. “The threats posed to our health by foods often considered ultra-processed are clear and convincing, making it imperative that we work in lockstep with our federal partners to advance, for the first time ever, a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods.”
    It is estimated that approximately 70% of packaged products in the U.S. food supply are foods often considered ultra-processed, and that children get over 60% of their calories from such foods. Dozens of scientific studies have found links between the consumption of foods often considered ultra-processed with numerous adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity and neurological disorders. Helping to address overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is a key element to Make America Healthy Again.
    A uniform definition of ultra-processed foods will allow for consistency in research and policy to pave the way for addressing health concerns associated with the consumption of ultra-processed foods. The RFI will be publicly available in the federal register on July 24 and seeks information on what factors and criteria should be included in a definition of ultra-processed foods.
    Alongside developing a uniform definition, the FDA and National Institutes of Health are investing in high-quality research to help answer remaining questions about the health impacts of ultra-processed foods through its recently announced Nutrition Regulatory Science Program. The Department will also continue to pursue developing and implementing other key policies and programs that seek to, collectively, dramatically reduce chronic disease and help ensure a healthy future for our nation.

    Consumer:888-INFO-FDA

    ###

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

    Content current as of:
    07/23/2025

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 23rd, 2025 N.M. Delegation Announces President’s Approval of Major Disaster Declaration for Lincoln County, Maintains Push for Major Disaster Declaration for Chaves, Otero, & Valencia Counties

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) released the following joint statement, welcoming President Donald Trump’s granting of a Major Disaster Declaration for Lincoln County, while renewing their call for President Trump to grant a Major Disaster Declaration for Chaves, Otero, and Valencia Counties and authorize Public Assistance Categories C-G in the wake of severe flooding that took the lives of three people and damaged homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

    “The loss of life and devastation in Ruidoso as a result of this catastrophic flooding is horrific and heartbreaking. After seeing the destruction firsthand and hearing from families who have lost everything, our thoughts remain with those mourning loved ones and the hundreds of New Mexicans forced to flee their homes or watch their businesses be destroyed. We are deeply grateful to the first responders, local leaders, medical providers, and rescue teams working tirelessly to help their communities recover.

    “This Major Disaster Declaration for Lincoln County will unlock funding needed for disaster response, and we will continue to push President Trump to grant the State’s Major Disaster Declaration request for Chaves, Otero, and Valencia Counties and authorize additional Public Assistance to make sure that all New Mexicans impacted by this disaster are provided with the federal support necessary to rebuild.”

    On July 10, the N.M. Delegation welcomed an emergency declaration for Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, and Valencia Counties. The emergency declaration opened up access to specific FEMA funds for immediate disaster response, including support for search and rescue and incident management efforts. An emergency declaration does not preclude a subsequent Major Disaster Declaration. Therefore, the N.M. Delegation pushed President Trump to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

    Through a Major Disaster Declaration request, the State of New Mexico has requested Public Assistance, Category A through G, including Direct Federal Assistance for Lincoln County, Chaves County, Otero County, and Valencia County, as well as Individual Assistance, including Housing Assistance, Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Transitional Sheltering Assistance, Serious Needs Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, Disaster Unemployment, and Displacement Assistance for Lincoln County and Valencia County. The State also requested Hazard Mitigation statewide, as facilitated by New Mexico’s Natural Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan.

    The N.M. Delegation will continue to push President Trump to authorize Public Assistance Categories C-G and approve a Major Disaster Declaration request for Chaves, Otero, and Valencia Counties from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

    Additionally, on July 15, the N.M. Delegation called on the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Director David Richardson to disburse critical and overdue funds that would provide immediate assistance in response to the catastrophic flash flooding in and around Ruidoso.

    In a letter to OMB Director Vought and FEMA Acting Director Richardson, the Delegation urged OMB to release reimbursement funds from a project undertaken in the wake of last year’s South Fork and Salt Fires — currently stalled in “Large Project Review” — so they can be redirected to Lincoln County after recent severe flooding. The project in question was completed last year, has been fully reviewed by FEMA, and has an estimated cost of $7.7 million. These funds could be deployed immediately to assist Lincoln County and impacted residents as they continue to assess and respond to the recent severe flooding. But with no timeline provided to Lincoln County or the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) for completing the “Large Project Review” by the Administration, the Delegations is demanding answers. Read the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Grassley Ask For Unanimous Consent To Pass Their Bill To Crack Down On Pharmaceutical Advertisements

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    July 23, 2025

    The Senators’ bill would force Big Pharma to disclose prices when advertising prescription drugs, the UC request was blocked by a Senate Republican

    WASHINGTON – Today on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) asked for unanimous consent (UC) to pass their bipartisan Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act, a bipartisan bill that would require price disclosures on advertisements for prescription drugs in order to empower patients and reduce Americans’ colossal spending on medications. The United States is one of only two industrialized countries in the world that allow drug advertising. Despite prior support for the measure from the Trump Administration, the request was blocked by a Senate Republican.

     

    “You know the ads with the catchy jingle and flashy images of patients rock climbing, golfing, dancing, [or] parading? Big Pharma spends more than $6 billion a year to flood the airwaves with ads for the latest wonder-drug. Why? Why would they spend this much money to advertise [these drugs]? They [Big Pharma] spend such astronomical sums to promote their drugs because it increases their profit margins. Big Pharma thinks that if they hit you hard enough and often enough ad on TV, not only will you be able to pronounce but [you’ll also be able to] spell Xarelto. You’ll also [be able to] tell your doctor ‘that is my favorite blood thinner, I’ve seen that ad over and over again.’ Don’t take my word for it. The American Medical Association said ‘direct-to-consumer advertising inflates demand for new and expensive drugs, even when these drugs may not be appropriate,’” Durbin said.

     

    “When President Biden announced the 15 drugs that Medicare will negotiate for discounts, most Americans knew the names, maybe even knew the jingle: Ozempic, Trelegy, Ibrance, and Otezla. Sound familiar? Pharma spent hundreds of millions of dollars each year for you to ‘ask your doctor’ about these drugs. The result? Medicare spent $22 billion last year alone on these four heavily advertised medications,” said Durbin.

     

    Last week, Durbin released a report about a new telehealth-advertising scheme launched by Pfizer and Eli Lilly. The report revealed relationships between drug companies seeking to sell their medications, and the telehealth companies hand-picked by these pharmaceutical giants, appear intended to steer patients toward particular medications. As the pharmaceutical industry floods the airwaves with commercials to increase demand for high-cost medications, these new telehealth platforms appear intended to churn out prescriptions to patients with just a few clicks online.

     

    Durbin continued, “With online promotions and new websites, Pharma is urging patients to ‘click here’ to speak with a doctor. But those telehealth doctors are handpicked, they’ve been recruited, and paid for by the drug companies. Pharma is funneling patients to their chosen health care providers, to influence prescriptions for costly drugs. This raises concerns about conflicts of interest and inappropriate prescribing of drugs. All of this is a result of Pharma’s rampant advertising spree.”

     

    Since 2017, Durbin has worked with Grassley to introduce bipartisan legislation to crack down on DTC advertisements. One-third of all commercials displayed on TV are of drugs from prescription drug companies. In 2023, Illinois company AbbVie spent $315 million on TV ads for Rinvoq, an eczema and arthritis drug. Nowhere in the commercial do they disclose it’s more than $6,100 per month.

     

    Durbin continued, “It’s time to end Big Pharma’s secrecy. If they are going to advertise a drug, they also need to [mention] to the American public how much it costs. It’s basic. No gimmicks, no tricks. Just the truth by advertising [what]… the drug companies publish as the official price.”

     

    Durbin continued, “Our common sense plan to require price disclosures in direct-to-consumer drug ads has already passed the Senate once before, in 2018… we knew that 88 percent of Americans support what we’re doing: disclosure of price. In fact, because of our work on this measure, Donald Trump made a statement: ‘Big announcement today: Drug companies have to come clean about their prices in TV ads. Historic transparency for American patients is here. If drug companies are ashamed of those prices—lower them!’”

    “Big Pharma hates being honest with patients about the price of their drugs. They fear it’s going to cut into their profits. Patients, American citizens, and others deserve lower drug prices. The Trump Administration has called on Congress to rein in these deceptive drug advertisements. But Big Pharma is looking for one Senator to come down and object to the passage of this common sense bill. I hope we can pass it right now to deliver real relief at the pharmacy counter,” Durbin concluded.

     

    The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that prescription drugs advertised directly to consumers accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s spending on drugs between 2016 and 2018, while a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that two-thirds of advertised drugs offered “low therapeutic value.” By requiring direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements forprescription drugs to include a disclosure of the list price, patients can make informed choices when inundated with drug commercials and pharmaceutical companies may reconsider their pricing and advertising tactics. In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has sued to keep the prices of their drugs out of their TV advertisements.

     

    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.

     

    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here.

     

    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the floor is available here for TV Stations.

     

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Graham Statement on Largest Seizure of Fentanyl in South Carolina History

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after the U.S. Attorney for South Carolina Bryan Stirling announced what is believed to be the largest seizure of fentanyl in South Carolina history. The drug bust, part of the Department of Justice’s nationwide Operation Take Back America, resulted in multiple arrests and the seizure of 156 pounds of fentanyl and 44 pounds of methamphetamine.
    “Well done to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, South Carolina’s U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling, and everyone else involved in this historic drug bust.
    “The fentanyl seized in this investigation, equivalent to 36 million lethal doses, is believed by investigators to have originated in Mexico. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump and the historic investment in border security he just signed into law, the days of fentanyl pouring across our border and into our communities unfettered are over.
    “What a difference six months can make. South Carolina is being kept safe under the leadership of President Trump.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts on the Senate Floor: Iran Doesn’t Need More Time – It Needs More Pressure.  The E3 Should Snapback As Soon As Possible.

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) urged European allies to reject Iran’s threats and delaying tactics during upcoming talks on the Iranian nuclear program. The speech was given in support of a resolution, cosponsored by 19 other Senators, that calls for the E3 (United Kingdom, France, and Germany) to trigger the snapback of UN sanctions against Iran as soon as possible.
    Watch the video here
    “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” said Ricketts.  “This has been a red-line for decades, going back to President Clinton.  And the reason is because the results would be catastrophic.”
    “Iran is as weak now as it has ever been since the 1980s, and probably weaker,” said Ricketts.  “[Trump’s] strikes have delayed Iran’s path to a nuclear weapon by a few years.  But in order to seize this moment, the U.S. and our allies must impose maximum pressure to the highest extent possible to force Iran to agree to permanently and verifiably end its nuclear program, including its capacity to enrich uranium.”
    “Our European allies have said they are prepared to trigger snapback by the end of August if no firm, tangible, and verifiable nuclear commitments from Iran are in place,” said Ricketts.  “This is being done in close coordination with the Trump administration, which continues to pursue diplomatic talks with Iran.  I commend our allies for setting a deadline.  However, this path is under a timeline that leaves little room for error.  Unsurprisingly, the Iranian regime is resorting to its longstanding playbook to delay, to delay, to delay and prevent snapback from happening.  Later this week, the Iranians are scheduled to meet with the E3 in Istanbul.  There are rumors that discussions could center on what conditions the E3 would postpone snapback.  But I stand today to urge our European friends to hold the line and not bend to Iranian threats or be fooled by Iranian assurances.”
    “A window now exists to completely change the trajectory of the Middle East for the better,” concluded Ricketts.  “But that window will close unless we convince Iran that its nuclear weapons program will never be tolerated, period.  That’s why this resolution urges the E3 to snapback sanctions as soon as possible.  We must not let Iran off the hook.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Smith Op-Ed: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act and Trump’s Trade Policy Will Do What ‘Bidenomics’ Never Could

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    WASHINGTON — Today, Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith published an op-ed in the Washington Examiner highlighting how the One Big Beautiful Bill and President Trump’s trade policy will do what ‘Bidenomics’ NEVER could.

    “Democrats in Washington like to push a narrative that you cannot cut taxes and decrease the deficit. But economic growth fueled by The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, combined with common-sense government spending cuts and President Donald Trump’s successful America First trade policy, will prove them wrong once again,” Chairman Smith wrote.

    Read Chairman Smith’s full op-ed in Washington Examiner here or below:

    For four years, Democrats in Washington pushed a reckless tax-and-spend agenda known as “Bidenomics” that blew a hole in the U.S.’s national debt. More than $10 trillion later, and along with 20% inflation that federal spending created, our nation is at a fiscal crossroads. The status quo is not acceptable or sustainable.

    Democrats in Washington like to push a narrative that you cannot cut taxes and decrease the deficit. But economic growth fueled by The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, combined with common-sense government spending cuts and President Donald Trump’s successful America First trade policy, will prove them wrong once again.

    In fact, it is already happening. June saw the first federal budget surplus in more than nine years, with revenues exceeding spending by $26 billion, thanks to a windfall of $18 billion in new tariff revenue. While deficits are likely to continue in the near term, this is a start in the right direction.

    The myth that you cannot cut taxes and restore fiscal sanity depends on dismissing the tax incentives in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that will drive investment, create jobs, and grow our economy. The simple truth: They will, and they have before.

    Even though the 50-year historic average GDP growth is over 2.7%, the “nonpartisan” Congressional Budget Office forecasts economic growth will be just 1.8% in the coming years, and the projected deficit impact of the “big, beautiful bill” based on that growth would be $3.3 trillion over ten years. However, if our nation’s economic growth rises just 0.1% above the historic average and clocks in at 2.8%, federal deficits will actually be reduced by over half a trillion dollars.

    Is this possible? We know it is because in the years following the passage of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, the United States’s economy grew by 2.8%. It can and will happen again.

    Increased federal revenues driven by economic growth are just one piece of the equation. Trump’s successful America First trade policy is not only forcing our trading partners to the table to deliver better deals for American manufacturers and farmers, but it is also providing tens of billions of dollars for deficit reduction each month.

    Even the CBO predicts that the new tariff policies will generate $2.5 trillion in new revenue for the federal government over the next 10 years. That is no small sum.

    Putting direct tariff revenue aside, as countries come to the table and more markets open for American producers, our economic growth will accelerate further. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act and America First trade policies will turbocharge our entrepreneurs to produce more, hire more, and invest more here at home. This will only boost revenues flowing into the federal government further.

    While economic growth and tariffs are part of the solution, Congress must be forced to address the elephant in the room: federal spending. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act took a massive turn down the correct path by cutting over $1.5 trillion in mandatory spending — the most in American history.

    Complacency and lax oversight for years have allowed spending to explode, mostly in our nation’s social safety net programs. Fraud and abuse were allowed to run rampant, putting these programs at risk for the people who truly rely on them.

    Through common-sense reforms such as work requirements, which more than 80% of the public supports, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act has eliminated wasteful spending and protected these programs for future generations. But more must be done.

    Economic growth and tariff revenue alone will not save us, but they are certainly a start. Congress must make responsible decisions in the years to come to prevent saddling the next generation with even more crippling debt and economic decline.

    Addressing our nation’s debt crisis will require a multifaceted, holistic approach, but Republicans are already taking America down the right track.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Wicker: The Pentagon needs major reform. Now is our chance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker

    Fox News Opinion

    Read the full opinion editorial below.

    Last year, I released two plans for reforming the military. The first, 21st Century Peace through Strength, focused on the need for additional defense funding to produce what the U.S. military needs to keep the peace.

    The second, Restoring Freedom’s Forge, outlined a plan to change fundamentally the Pentagon’s business processes away from a Soviet-style bureaucratic mess to a modern process that rewards commercial innovation and fosters competition. 

    Fortunately, President Donald Trump campaigned on both these issues. He promised a defense spending boost, and we are well on our way after the $150 billion military infusion included in the reconciliation bill.  And the president promised to pursue wholesale Pentagon reform, getting rid of red tape and instead freeing our innovators to build weapons better, faster and at lower cost.

    In Congress, we recognize that we have no time to waste. The Senate Armed Services Committee recently voted overwhelmingly (26-1) to advance Congress’ annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill contains the most significant reforms to the Pentagon’s weapons-buying process in generations.

    For decades, we have paid defense companies to develop weapons primarily with taxpayer money. While this process will still be necessary for some systems, there are thousands of innovative companies who are developing weapons using private capital. This bill is written to encourage acquisition by those companies, who are often outpacing the Pentagon’s processes by years. 

    We have also spent many years under a broken weapons buying process. At dozens of stages, officials can say “No” and slow programs down. As it stands, program managers decide what to buy but shortly thereafter lose authority over the process. From there, contracting officers under a separate reporting structure can take 18 months to run a compliance-based process. This NDAA would create portfolio acquisition executives who are empowered to make decisions, take risk and then be held accountable for decisions.

    For decades, we have levied a crazy, years-long bureaucratic process to qualify new parts and types of weapons for military use. That process rewards the status quo and severely discourages competition. This bill will create a new streamlined process for qualification, pairing it with a new $1 billion fund from the reconciliation bill. Taken together, we will dramatically improve competition at the Pentagon and protect against price-gouging.

    The United States has a legacy of building some of the most advanced munitions in the world. The track records of our GMLRS surface-to-surface missiles and Patriot air defense interceptors are undeniable. But not every one of our weapons needs to be “exquisite,” a term of art for systems that are sophisticated, intricate and difficult to build. Instead, we are providing nearly $5 billion in defense reconciliation for new lower-cost munitions, many of which will be produced through advanced manufacturing. 

    We are living in the most dangerous moment since World War II. To enable an American-led 21st century, we need a military and a defense industrial base capable of maintaining the peace. The defense reconciliation bill made a big bet on American innovation, and the Senate’s 2026 NDAA introduces fundamental Pentagon reforms. With both, we can achieve a generational rebuilding of the U.S. military.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren Secures Key Commitments from Social Security Chief to Protect Americans’ Benefits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    July 23, 2025

    Bisignano agrees to independent investigation into data and metrics, no Schedule F, and more

    Bisignano admits responsibility for inaccurate email about Big Beautiful Bill, says doesn’t know whether White House Office of General Counsel (OGC) reviewed before SSA sent to all beneficiaries

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a leader of the Senate Democrats’ Social Security War Room, secured key commitments and admissions from Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano during a private meeting. The commitments relate to data and metrics, staffing, paper checks, and more. She also pressed Bisignano for information on his politicization of the SSA.

    “It’s my job as a United States Senator to conduct oversight, ask tough questions, and get real answers for the American people. The commitments I secured in today’s meeting with Commissioner Bisignano will make it easier for people to get their checks and get help with their benefits,” said Senator Warren. “I’ll keep pressing on these issues and fighting to protect Americans’ Social Security.”

    Senator Warren secured the following commitments and admissions from Commissioner Bisignano:

    • Commissioner Bisignano agreed to an independent IG investigation of Social Security service data and metrics. Recent reporting highlighted that under Bisignano’s watch, SSA has removed key service metrics, such as call wait times, from its website. An investigation from Senator Warren’s office revealed that the remaining metrics appear to be inaccurate and misleading. In the meeting with Senator Warren, Commissioner Bisignano agreed to an independent audit of both the collecting and reporting of data. He also committed that specific data will be publicly reported, such as the number of dropped calls, how often calls are transferred to incorrect departments, and what percentage of callers actually resolve their issue over the phone.
    • Commissioner Bisignano committed that SSA will not shift workers to Schedule F. Previous Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek publicly called for entire SSA offices to be converted to Schedule F, which would, in effect, make it easier for leadership to fire workers with little cause. In today’s meeting, Senator Warren secured a commitment from Commissioner Bisignano to change course and not shift SSA workers to Schedule F. However, Senator Warren was concerned that Bisignano confirmed SSA has no plans to hire back workers who have been gutted from the agency — even amid reported capacity issues.
    • Commissioner Bisignano admitted he was responsible for the inaccurate SSA email about Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill that went out to all beneficiaries, that his team had discussed the email with the White House, and that he was not sure whether the SSA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) had reviewed it. Immediately following Congressional Republicans passing Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” SSA sent an inaccurate email to all beneficiaries with inaccurate information about benefits they could expect as a result of the bill. After receiving backlash, SSA quietly added a few lines at the bottom of the online version of their press release and sent out no correction email to beneficiaries.In the meeting with Senator Warren, Commissioner Bisignano revealed that his team at SSA was responsible for the initial email. He confirmed that it was discussed with the White House, but admitted that he didn’t know whether it had been run by SSA’s Office of General Counsel (OGC) before it was sent out to all beneficiaries. When Senator Warren asked whether he planned to send out a correction to all beneficiaries given the inaccurate and misleading information provided to them about their benefits, Bisignano said he did not know why they had not initially sent out a correction but believed the email had “aged” and did not require a follow-up.
    • Commissioner Bisignano committed not to entirely remove the option for beneficiaries to receive paper checks, backtracking on the agency’s own recent announcement to “stop issuing” them. SSA recently announced that it would stop issuing paper checks, which would significantly disrupt services for some of the most vulnerable Americans. In the meeting with Senator Warren, Commissioner Bisignano backtracked, confirming that paper checks will remain an option for beneficiaries who need them.

    Senate Dems’ Social Security War Room is a coordinated effort to fight back against the Trump administration’s attack on Americans’ Social Security. The War Room coordinates messaging across the Senate Democratic Caucus and external stakeholders; encourages grassroots engagement by providing opportunities for Americans to share what Social Security means to them; and educates Senate staff, the American public, and stakeholders about Republicans’ agenda and their continued cuts to Americans’ Social Security services and benefits.

    MIL OSI USA News –