Category: Trump

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bean Urges NASA to Relocate Headquarters to Florida’s Space Coast

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Aaron Bean Florida (4th District)

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean and a bipartisan group of Florida Members of Congress urged President Donald J. Trump to move NASA’s headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Florida’s Space Coast.

    With NASA’s D.C. building set for demolition and only 8% occupancy, the plans for a costly rebuild are yet another example of unnecessary government waste. Florida is the world leader in space innovation and a thriving aerospace hub with three active spaceports, making it the ideal location for NASA as America reaches for the stars. 

     “The Trump administration has made its priorities clear: decentralize federal agencies, cut waste, and strengthen in-person work,” said Congressman Bean. “The Free State of Florida is a proven leader in space innovation, aerospace commerce, and advanced manufacturing, and moving NASA’s headquarters to Florida checks all the boxes.”

    In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “Relocating NASA’s headquarters to Florida will cultivate a new age in American space achievement. Washington’s bureaucratic environment has hindered NASA’s efficiency, while Florida is the undisputed leader in space operations.”

    Read the full letter to President Trump HERE

     

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    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA News: WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Senate Approves Landmark One Big Beautiful Bill

    Source: US Whitehouse

    The Senate delivered a resounding victory for American workers, farmers, and small businesses by passing President Donald J. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill — a transformative legislative package that locks in historic tax relief, delivers border security, reforms welfare, funds critical infrastructure, and more.

    Industry leaders and stakeholders nationwide hailed the Senate’s vote and called on the House to swiftly send the bill to President Trump’s desk:

    Airlines for America: “We are grateful that the Senate understands the urgent need to overhaul our nation’s air traffic control (ATC) system and included $12.5 billion in their reconciliation package for that cause. This is an important first step as Secretary Duffy works to implement President Trump’s vision of a brand new, state-of-the-art system. We especially appreciate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz for his long-time dedication to the safety and efficiency of our nation’s airspace. We urge the House of Representatives to quickly pass this legislation so President Trump can sign the One Big Beautiful Bill into law, begin the work of upgrading our ATC system and revitalize our airspace.”

    America’s Credit Unions President and CEO Jim Nussle: “We thank the U.S. Senate for securing the credit union not-for-profit tax status and not adding a new tax on 142 million credit union members as part of H.R. 1. Hard working Americans and their communities rely on the competitive rates and personally tailored services offered by credit unions to achieve their American Dream. By preserving the credit union tax status, it provides consumers across the country with more opportunities to achieve financial freedom.”

    American Airlines: “American Airlines strongly supports the much-needed funding to bolster and modernize our air traffic control system in the Senate reconciliation bill. In addition to staffing challenges, the U.S. air traffic control system’s technology and infrastructure have fallen behind much of the world. As President Trump and Secretary Duffy urgently work to build a state-of-the-art air traffic control system, this down payment is an essential first step in making aviation even safer and more efficient. The reconciliation bill also extends other key pro-growth tax policies that provide businesses with the necessary certainty to continue driving the economy. We urge the House to move swiftly and pass the bill.”

    American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “Farm Bureau applauds the U.S. Senate for passing the reconciliation package. Farmers and ranchers are the foundation of America’s food supply chain, and they need the certainty that this legislation will provide. Improvements to farm safety net programs that reflect today’s agricultural economy and maintaining important tax provisions will directly benefit farm and ranch families … Important tax provisions will also help farmers save money that can be used to pay bills, invest in new technologies, and pass the family farm to the next generation. We now urge the House to pass the bill and get it to the president’s desk for his signature to ensure America’s farmers and ranchers can continue putting food on the table for America’s families.”

    American Federation for Children CEO Tommy Schultz: “The mission is clear: deliver school choice to every state in America. Today’s vote marks a monumental step toward that goal for the first time in history … We are eager to see President Trump sign school choice into law!”

    American Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO Rosanna Maietta: “AHLA applauds the Senate’s swift action today to prevent major tax increases on both hotel employees and businesses. The tax provisions included in the Senate bill provide small business hotel owners with the level of certainty they need to effectively operate amidst tremendous uncertainty resulting from years of inflation, trade impacts, and a softening of demand within the broader travel sector. We commend Majority Leader Thune, Senator Crapo, and other Senate champions for securing passage. We urge Congress to swiftly get this package to the President’s desk for his signature to help put businesses back on a pro-growth footing.” 

    American Iron and Steel Institute President and CEO Kevin Dempsey: “Capital investment is crucial for economic growth and job creation in the American steel industry and the manufacturing sector as a whole. Many of the key capital cost recovery provisions of the 2017 tax law have expired or are being phased out. Restoring these provisions is essential to ensuring that many companies will be able to make new investments in steel-intensive facilities and machinery. We applaud Senate passage of this legislation which will permanently restore key provisions that have a proven record of fueling innovation and economic growth, including 100 percent bonus depreciation for business investment, immediate expensing for domestic research and development expenses and the EBITDA-based limitation on business net interest deductions. We urge the House to pass this bill and send it to President Trump this week so that he can sign it into law as soon as possible.”

    American Petroleum Institute President and CEO Mike Sommers: “We applaud the Senate for passing the One Big Beautiful Bill to bolster America’s energy advantage and support economic growth. This historic legislation will help usher in a new era of energy dominance by unlocking opportunities for investment, opening lease sales and expanding access to oil and natural gas development. We will continue to work with policymakers to get this final package to President Trump’s desk.”

    American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland: “ASA applauds the Senate for its support of agriculture and the farm economy in this legislation. Soybean growers have long championed comprehensive revisions to the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, an improved safety net for agriculture, and increased support for research and market expansion. The modified biofuel tax credits, enhancements to crop insurance and support for MAP and FMD, among other agriculture provisions included in this legislation will support U.S. farmers and expand market opportunities domestically. ASA urges the House to maintain these key agricultural provisions that support our rural economies as they consider this legislation.”

    American Trucking Association SVP of Legislative Affairs Henry Hanscom: “The American Trucking Associations is grateful to Senate Republicans for their hard work to craft a package that will guarantee tax certainty for our nation’s trucking companies. Trucking is the backbone of our economy, employing over 8.5 million Americans in companies that range in size from one-truck operators and small family businesses to enterprise carriers.  Enacting pro-business, pro-growth tax policies will ensure that all of those companies are able to better plan for the future, invest in their workforce and equipment, and move freight safely and efficiently.  As the industry that moves 72% of America’s freight by tonnage, and that is the sole source of freight services for more than 80% of American communities, ATA looks forward to President Trump signing this measure into law as soon as possible.”

    Americans for Prosperity Chief Government Affairs Officer Brent Gardner: “We are so close to delivering a generational win to Americans by making pro-growth tax policy permanent. When we pass this bill, job creators and families will have the certainty they need to invest in their businesses and futures, reigniting the American Dream. We are encouraged by the thoughtful and productive discussions that have brought this legislation back to the House and urge members to pass it expeditiously to ensure that Americans start reaping the benefits of this transformative legislation as soon as possible … It’s time to get this bill to the Oval Office for President Trump’s signature. We’re at the goal line, it’s time to punch it in. Let’s fulfill all those campaign promises and secure this victory for hardworking American taxpayers.”

    Associated Builders and Contractors VP of Government Affairs Kristen Swearingen: “Tax certainty and pro-growth policies are not abstract policy goals for construction businesses—they are the foundation that allows ABC members to invest, grow and keep America building. We thank the Senate for passing this important legislation and urge the U.S. House of Representative to take swift action to send it to the president’s desk.”

    Associated Equipment Distributors President and CEO Brian P. McGuire: “By permanently extending and restoring pro-growth, capital investment incentivizing tax policies, the Senate is ensuring long-term tax code certainty that will benefit the equipment sector and the broader economy. AED applauds Senate Majority Leader John Thune and his team for heeding our call for tax permanence, and we urge the House to pass this legislation and send it to the president’s desk expeditiously.”

    Association of Equipment Manufacturers SVP of Government and Industry Relations Kip Eideberg: “The Association of Equipment Manufacturers applauds the U.S. Senate’s passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act — a historic bill that will strengthen U.S. manufacturing, providing the certainty in the tax code necessary for equipment manufacturers to innovate, invest, and create more family-sustaining jobs right here in America. By extending and expanding the tax reforms from 2017, the OBBB will help equipment manufacturers build more in America, while also bolstering our global competitiveness. We commend Leader Thune for his leadership and commitment to ensuring the permanence of President Trump’s pro-growth tax reforms, and applaud the lawmakers involved in driving this effort forward. We urge the U.S. House of Representatives to act swiftly and send the bill to President Trump’s desk.”

    Business Roundtable CEO Joshua Bolten: “Today’s vote puts us on the cusp of extending and strengthening tax reform. Business Roundtable applauds the Senate for passing the One Big Beautiful Bill … The House now has the opportunity to send a swift, decisive signal that America will remain a premier destination for business to invest, hire, and grow. We urge the House to act without delay and send the bill to President Trump’s desk by the Fourth of July.”

    Center for Transportation Policy Executive Director Jackson Shedelbower: “… it’s clear that lawmakers are united in an effort to modernize the country’s aging air traffic control systems. The $12.5 billion that is appropriated in both versions of the package will be a strong down payment towards ensuring that the U.S. maintains its reputation as a global leader in air travel. Lawmakers need to work out the remainder of their differences so the legislation can be swiftly pushed over the finish line.”

    CTIA—The Wireless Association President and CEO Ajit Pai: “CTIA applauds the Senate for passing the One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes a solid spectrum pipeline and smart tax provisions to support wireless investment. Along with restoring FCC auction authority, establishing a robust 800-megahertz pipeline of mid-band spectrum with a specific timeframe for action is critical to meeting growing consumer demand, securing U.S. leadership in 5G, and strengthening national and economic security.  The bill’s targeted tax incentives will accelerate private investment in next-generation networks and support infrastructure deployment, job creation, and economic growth across the country. We thank Senate leadership, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, and Senator Marsha Blackburn for their commitment to securing America’s wireless future, and we urge swift action to pass this legislation so President Trump can sign it into law.”

    Concerned Veterans for America Executive Director John Vick: “This legislation represents a win for American families, small businesses, and veterans across the country―groups that form the backbone of a thriving and resilient nation. This is a monumental moment for Americans who believe in hard work, opportunity, and service. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act sets the stage for lasting prosperity and a stronger future for those who have sacrificed the most.”

    Global Business Alliance President and CEO Jonathan Samford: “I applaud Chairman Mike Crapo, Leader John Thune and their Senate colleagues for advancing international tax policies that keep the U.S. the top destination for global investment. These provisions will help sustain American jobs, drive innovation, and reinforce a stable tax environment that attracts cross-border capital and world-class know-how. I urge swift House action and final passage of this One Big Beautiful Bill Act in order to secure America’s competitive edge.”

    Iowa Biodiesel Board Executive Director Grant Kimberley: “These improvements to the biomass-based diesel tax incentive come at a pivotal moment for the industry, which has seen months of uncertainty, stalled production and investment hesitation. Together with EPA’s proposed increase in Renewable Fuel Standard volumes—projecting more than 2 billion additional gallons of biomass-based diesel in 2026—the tax developments point to a significant resurgence in clean fuel demand. This gives us much-needed certainty for the near future.”

    Information Technology Industry Council President and CEO Jason Oxman: “The One Big Beautiful Bill will advance President Trump’s vision of ensuring America outpaces global competitors and remains the world’s leader in technology. We’re pleased to see the Senate pass the reconciliation text with strong innovation-focused language that will empower companies to invest in America by restoring critical research and development expensing and stimulate economic growth and high-skilled job creation. We urge the House of Representatives to send this critical package to President Trump as quickly as possible.”

    Job Creators Network CEO Alfredo Ortiz: “By passing this tax cut bill, Republican Senators show once again that they are the party of Main Street. By expanding and making permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including restoring full, immediate expensing, the Senate has delivered historic, pro-growth reform that can last for generations. These tax cuts empower small business owners to invest, hire, raise wages, and reinvest in their communities, ushering in America’s next Golden Age. On behalf of Main Street, JCN calls on the House to quickly pass this legislation and get it to President Trump’s desk by July 4, giving America the best birthday present it could ask for.”

    National Association of Home Builders Chairman Buddy Hughes: “NAHB commends the Senate for passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This legislation will help spur economic growth and allow our members to invest more resources in multifamily rental construction, land development to build more single-family homes, and new equipment to expand their businesses. In turn, this will create a better business climate that allows builders to increase the nation’s housing supply, which is crucial to help ease America’s housing affordability crisis. We urge the House to move quickly to pass this bill.”

    National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons: “The Senate just pushed the ball deep into the red zone. Now it’s the House’s turn to finish the drive and deliver a big win for manufacturers in America. The Senate advanced a tax package that will strengthen small businesses, family-owned operations and manufacturing workers across the country. It drives manufacturers closer to the goal line—growing businesses, creating jobs and powering stronger communities. After months of driving, months of endurance and effort, months of playing audacious offense and tenacious defense, months of partnership between manufacturers of every industry and our leaders in Congress and the administration, the House now can finish the job. We call on our partners in the House to send this bill to the president’s desk—the strongest tax bill for manufacturers we have seen in a generation. Because when Congress champions the 13 million people who make things in America, manufacturing wins—and when manufacturing wins, America wins.”

    National Business Aviation Association President and CEO Ed Bolen: “We thank the Senate for recognizing with this initial funding that a safe and efficient national airspace requires a robust, resilient ATC system that bolsters our nation’s global aviation leadership. As leading economists have found, immediate expensing helps companies and entrepreneurs relying on business aviation have access to a critical competitive asset, while strengthening America’s manufacturing base. These provisions represent an important investment in an essential American industry, and the citizens, companies and communities that depend on it. NBAA looks forward to their continued progress.”

    National Cattlemen’s Beef Association SVP of Government Affairs Ethan Lane: “The Senate version of the One Big Beautiful Bill protects family farmers and ranchers across the country from a massive tax hike at the end of the year, increases the Death Tax exemption, makes the Section 199A tax deduction permanent, increases the Section 179 tax deduction, funds foreign animal disease prevention programs, and delivers so many more wins for cattle producers … It’s time for the House to pass this bill and send it to President Trump’s desk so he can sign it into law.”

    National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman, Jr.: “NCGA has worked closely with members of Congress as they drafted and voted on this legislation. We are particularly pleased to see the permanent extension of certain tax provisions, which will provide more certainty to corn farmers around the country as they plan for the future of their businesses.”

    National Cotton Council Chairman Patrick Johnson: “The NCC appreciates the momentous effort that has gone into crafting and passing the One Big Beautiful Bill. We are grateful for the Senate’s commitment to delivering meaningful enhancements to the cotton safety net, which is absolutely critical for the stability and future of our industry.”

    National Council of Farmer Cooperatives President and CEO Chuck Conner: “We commend the Senate for advancing permanent tax relief through the extension of Section 199A, a key priority for farmer co-ops that ensures they are not penalized for doing business together. Equally important are the provisions extending Section 179 expensing and the clean fuel production credit under Section 45Z, which provide producers and co-ops with the incentives and tools they need to innovate, invest, and lead the transition to a more sustainable agricultural future. We also appreciate the Senate’s attention to the needs of production agriculture by updating reference prices and commodity title support to reflect today’s economic realities. Combined with a significant increase in funding for market development programs, these provisions will help producers reach new markets and stay competitive amid global uncertainty. Now, it’s time for the House of Representatives to act. We urge lawmakers to take up the Senate package without delay and send it to the president’s desk before the July 4th recess. America’s farmers can’t afford to wait.”

    National Council of Textile Organizations President and CEO Kim Glas: “On behalf of the U.S. textile industry, I would like to commend Senate leaders for including an important provision in the broader budget reconciliation bill that would permanently end de minimis for commercial shipments from all countries, effective July 2027. The Senate language mirrors a provision included in the House reconciliation package passed earlier in May … We are also grateful that the Trump administration has already used executive authorities to end de minimis access for Chinese goods—which represent approximately two-thirds of all de minimis shipments—while also laying the groundwork to close de minimis to commercial shipments from all countries.”

    National Foreign Trade Council VP for International Tax Policy Anne Gordon: “We welcome Senate passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill … We welcome the Senate’s decision to retain core international and business provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in its version of the bill, as well as including permanent immediate expensing of research and development and reinstating depreciation and amortization in the interest deduction limitation. We are also pleased to see the Senate make permanent the look-through for controlled foreign corporations and provide other long-needed international tax fixes for U.S. corporations. As the House considers the revised bill, we encourage swift consideration and passage of tax legislation that incentivizes investment, innovation, and global opportunity for America’s job creators.”

    National Milk Producers Federation President Gregg Doud: “Dairy farmers are grateful for legislation that will create several key opportunities for dairy. Following last month’s successful vote in the House, we are excited that the Senate’s legislation also positions these investments to benefit dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own. We hope they are enacted into law as swiftly as possible.”

    National Mining Association President and CEO Rich Nolan: “We urge the House to quickly pass this bill, which increases the competitiveness of the American mining industry and provides vital incentives, including funding to counter China’s mineral dominance. The bill also makes improperly withdrawn lands available for energy production, which is key to supplying a reliable electric grid capable of powering our nation’s future. Through these measures, the bill will directly support U.S. economic growth and security. Mining feeds and fuels virtually every American supply chain; a strong mining industry creates an equally strong foundation for every industry that depends on the products and energy we provide. More can be done, and the NMA will continue to advocate with Congress and the administration on ways to support additional domestic mining, and mineral production and processing.”

    National Pork Producers Council President Duane Stateler: “We appreciate the efforts of Agriculture Chair John Boozman and other Senate leadership to ensure key animal health provisions were included in the bill, along with tax and other measures important to agriculture. Foreign animal diseases (FADs) threaten not only the livelihoods of pork producers but also our food supply chain at large. We thank our congressional leaders for these important steps to help keep our pork supplies safe, secure, and affordable for American families.”

    National Restaurant Association EVP for Public Affairs Sean Kennedy: “This bill includes the most important pro-growth tax policies restaurant operators need to continue to power the national economy. The inclusion of permanent policies for 199A qualified business income deduction, full expensing of capital investments, and the return of depreciation and amortization in the calculation of business interest expense will give restaurant operators working capital to invest in their businesses and employees. We are also pleased to see the inclusion of policies like No Tax on Tips and Overtime that will benefit our workforce. We appreciate the work that has gone into getting this bill through the Senate and encourage the House to quickly pass it, sending it to the President for signature.”

    National Roofing Contractors Association CEO McKay Daniels: “This legislation is critical to providing certainty for all businesses to continue to invest in their employees and grow their companies. In particular, the bill is a huge win for ‘main street,’ family-owned and pass-through entities that represent 95% of all U.S. businesses and employ the majority of private-sector workers. Without passage of this legislation, our industry will face rising tax burdens and diminished global competitiveness. Congress must act now to secure a stable future for America’s job creators.”

    National Small Business Association President and CEO Todd McCracken: “NSBA applauds the Senate for passing H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act which includes NSBA’s #1 priority, permanency for the small-business tax rate cut in the form of the 199A Qualified Business Income deduction. Enacting this provision and several others—including reversing a very problematic change to the R&D tax deduction—is a major win for small business. As our nation celebrates Independence Day, I urge the House to pass the language approved in the Senate and give America’s small businesses the freedom and independence they need and deserve to keep their businesses thriving.”

    National Sorghum Producers Chair Amy France: “These are critical improvements that will help sorghum producers manage risk, plan for the future, and stay competitive. We’re grateful to Chairman Boozman and other leaders in the Senate Ag Committee who ensured these priorities were part of the final bill.”

    Nuclear Energy Institute President and CEO Maria Korsnick: “We applaud the U.S. Senate for advancing policies that recognize the important role of nuclear energy to achieve a reliable, affordable and increasingly clean energy system. The Senate version of the budget reconciliation bill restores the nuclear power production tax credit through 2032, and the tax credits for new nuclear generation through 2033, with transferability retained for both. The Senate version also preserves the viability of the Loan Program Office by extending the program’s authority and funding from 2026 to 2028, although the appropriation of $1B is less than available under current law. Maintaining the tax provisions in the Senate bill will continue to address economic hurdles and provide confidence to invest in today’s nuclear plants, while securing long-term, well-paying jobs. Further the bill allows us to continue down the path to achieve the Administration’s ambitious goals for deploying new, cutting-edge nuclear technologies that will meet the growing demand for more reliable energy.”

    Philanthropy Roundtable COO Elizabeth McGuigan: “Now more than ever, we need a strong, vibrant civil society. Government spending is shrinking – which is a good thing – and generous Americans are ready and willing to support causes and communities around the country. We’re especially grateful for the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, whose pro-growth, pro-America agenda continues to inspire strong economic stewardship. We encourage the House to pass the Senate bill quickly and without changes.”

    RATE Coalition Executive Director Dan Combs: “Today’s vote is a major win for workers, businesses, and the American economy as a whole. By preserving the 21 percent corporate tax rate, the Senate has reaffirmed its commitment to a competitive tax code that drives investment, fuels job growth, and ensures the U.S. remains the best country in the world to start and grow a business.  We applaud this strong, pro-growth action and urge lawmakers to expeditiously finalize the legislation and send it to President Trump’s desk without delay.”

    Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council President and CEO Karen Kerrigan: “We commend Republican Senate leaders for their tireless work in getting the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ to this critical stage for America’s small business owners and entrepreneurs. Their commitment to advancing this powerful package shows incredible dedication to the success of Main Street businesses across the country and to the future of U.S. entrepreneurship. Now, House members must focus on the widespread gains in the legislation for the U.S. economy, workers, families, and small business owners. We urge the House to promptly pass the bill so it can be signed by President Trump.”

    Steel Manufacturers Association: “Congratulations to the @SenateGOP for passing H.R. 1! The bill will make historic investments in Americans, our workers, our communities and our economy will all benefit.”

    The LIBRE Initiative President Daniel Garza: “We commend the Senate for passing H.R. 1 to make the Trump tax cuts permanent—measures that have proven to deliver real benefits to hardworking families, job creators, and entrepreneurs across the country. For Latinos—who are starting businesses at a notable rate and powering local economies—this bill is not just good policy, it’s essential.  By making the low tax rates and small business provisions permanent, this legislation helps ensure that Latino workers, small business owners, and families can thrive with greater certainty, flexibility, and opportunity. Tax relief allows families to keep more of what they earn, invest in their future, and weather economic uncertainty with confidence. We applaud the Senate for sending a clear message that the American Dream remains alive and within reach for all—especially those working hard to build a better life.”

    U.S. Chamber of Commerce EVP and Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley: “With today’s vote, the Senate has taken decisive action to deliver the kind of permanent tax relief the American business community has been calling for. The tax provisions included in this bill will not only drive economic growth and sharpen America’s competitive edge but also put more money in workers’ pockets, increasing prosperity in communities across the country. The Chamber thanks Leader Thune, Chairman Crapo, and all who are working to make the pro-growth reforms of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, including the deduction for domestic R&D expenditures, 100% bonus depreciation for certain business investments, and an expanded business interest limitation. The Chamber applauds the Senate for voting to make these provisions permanent features of the tax code. We urge lawmakers to swiftly pass the OBBBA and deliver it to President Trump to be signed into law.”

    USA Rice Farmers Chair LG Raun: “USA Rice applauds the Senate for passing the OBBB Act including a historic and critical investment in the farm safety net. We urge the House of Representatives to take up and pass this bill with the key ag investments before the 4th of July.”

    Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America President and CEO Francis Creighton: “On behalf of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America, I want to thank the United States Senate for passing President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act under Section 198A. This critical legislation empowers America’s family-owned wholesalers to reinvest, compete, and thrive. We urge the U.S. House to act swiftly and send this bill to the President’s desk without delay.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • US Senate passes Trump’s sweeping tax-and spending bill, setting up House battle

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. Senate Republicans passed President Donald Trump’s massive tax-and-spending bill on Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, advancing a package that would slash taxes, reduce social safety net programs and boost military and immigration enforcement spending while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

    The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for possible final approval, though a handful of Republicans there have already voiced opposition to some of the Senate provisions. Trump wants to sign it into law by the July 4 Independence Day holiday, and House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement that he aimed to meet that deadline.

    The measure would extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, give new tax breaks for income from tips and overtime pay and increase spending on the military and immigration enforcement. It also would cut about $930 billion of spending on the Medicaid health program and food aid for low-income Americans and repeal many of Democratic former President Joe Biden’s green-energy incentives.

    The legislation, which has exposed Republican divides over the nation’s fast-growing $36.2 trillion debtwould raise the federal government’s self-imposed debt ceiling by $5 trillion. Congress must raise the cap in the coming months or risk a devastating default.

    The Senate passed the measure in a 51-50 vote with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie after three Republicans – Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky – joined all 47 Democrats in voting against the bill.

    The vote followed an all-night debate in which Republicans grappled with the bill’s price tag and its impact on the U.S. healthcare system.

    Much of the late horse-trading was aimed at winning over Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who had signaled she would vote against the bill without significant alterations.

    The final Senate bill included two provisions that helped secure her vote: one that sends more food-aid funding to Alaska and several other states, and another providing $50 billion to help rural hospitals cope with the sweeping cuts to Medicaid.

    Following the vote, Murkowski issued a statement calling it one of the hardest of her Senate career said she had voted yes despite some continued reservations.

    “This has been an awful process — a frantic rush to meet an artificial deadline that has tested every limit of this institution,” she said. “This bill needs more work across chambers and is not ready for the President’s desk.”

    ‘NOT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY’

    The vote in the House, where Republicans hold a 220-212 majority, is likely to be close.

    A White House official told reporters that Trump would be “deeply involved” in pushing House Republicans to approve the bill.

    “It’s a great bill. There is something for everyone,” Trump said at an event in Florida on Tuesday. “And I think it’s going to go very nicely in the House.”

    An initial version passed with only two votes to spare in May, and several House Republicans have said they do not support the Senate version, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates will add $800 billion more to the national debt than the House version.

    Republicans have struggled to balance conservatives’ demands for deeper spending cuts to reduce the impact on the deficit with moderate lawmakers’ concerns that the Medicaid cuts could hurt their constituents, including service cutbacks in rural areas.

    The House Freedom Caucus, a group of hardline conservatives who repeatedly threatened to withhold their support for the tax bill, has criticized the Senate version’s price tag.

    “There’s a significant number who are concerned,” Republican Representative Chip Roy, a member of the Freedom Caucus, said of the Senate bill.

    A group of more moderate House Republicans, especially those who represent lower-income areas, have objected to the steeper Medicaid cuts in the Senate’s plan.

    Meanwhile, Republicans have faced separate concerns from a handful of House Republicans from high-tax states, including New York, New Jersey and California, who have demanded a larger tax break for state and local tax payments.

    The legislation has also drawn criticism from billionaire Elon Muskthe former Trump ally who has railed against the bill’s enormous cost and vowed to back challengers to Republican lawmakers in next year’s midterm elections.

    House Democrats are expected to remain unanimously opposed to the bill.

    “This is the largest assault on American healthcare in history,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters. “It’s the largest assault on nutrition in American history.”

    TAX BREAKS, IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN, TIGHTER BENEFITS

    The Senate bill would deliver some of its biggest benefits to the top 1% of U.S. households, earning $663,000 or more in 2025, according to the Tax Foundation. These high earners would gain the most from the bill’s tax cuts, the CBO has said.

    Independent analysts have said the bill’s tightening of eligibility for food and health safety net programs would effectively reduce poor Americans’ incomes and increase their costs for food and healthcare. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office forecast that nearly 12 million more people would become uninsured under the Senate plan.

    The bill’s increase in the national debt effectively serves as a wealth transfer from younger to older Americans, nonpartisan analysts have said.

    Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote “covered this chamber in shame,” adding that the bill would be “ripping health care away from millions of Americans, taking the food out of the mouths of hungry kids.”

    Republicans rejected the cost estimate generated by the CBO’s longstanding methodology and have argued the Medicaid cuts would only root out “waste, fraud and abuse” from the system.

    Following the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the bill “will permanently extend tax relief for hard-working Americans…that will spur economic growth and more jobs and opportunities for American workers.”

    -REUTERS

  • US Senate passes Trump’s sweeping tax-and spending bill, setting up House battle

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. Senate Republicans passed President Donald Trump’s massive tax-and-spending bill on Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, advancing a package that would slash taxes, reduce social safety net programs and boost military and immigration enforcement spending while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

    The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for possible final approval, though a handful of Republicans there have already voiced opposition to some of the Senate provisions. Trump wants to sign it into law by the July 4 Independence Day holiday, and House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement that he aimed to meet that deadline.

    The measure would extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, give new tax breaks for income from tips and overtime pay and increase spending on the military and immigration enforcement. It also would cut about $930 billion of spending on the Medicaid health program and food aid for low-income Americans and repeal many of Democratic former President Joe Biden’s green-energy incentives.

    The legislation, which has exposed Republican divides over the nation’s fast-growing $36.2 trillion debtwould raise the federal government’s self-imposed debt ceiling by $5 trillion. Congress must raise the cap in the coming months or risk a devastating default.

    The Senate passed the measure in a 51-50 vote with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie after three Republicans – Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky – joined all 47 Democrats in voting against the bill.

    The vote followed an all-night debate in which Republicans grappled with the bill’s price tag and its impact on the U.S. healthcare system.

    Much of the late horse-trading was aimed at winning over Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who had signaled she would vote against the bill without significant alterations.

    The final Senate bill included two provisions that helped secure her vote: one that sends more food-aid funding to Alaska and several other states, and another providing $50 billion to help rural hospitals cope with the sweeping cuts to Medicaid.

    Following the vote, Murkowski issued a statement calling it one of the hardest of her Senate career said she had voted yes despite some continued reservations.

    “This has been an awful process — a frantic rush to meet an artificial deadline that has tested every limit of this institution,” she said. “This bill needs more work across chambers and is not ready for the President’s desk.”

    ‘NOT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY’

    The vote in the House, where Republicans hold a 220-212 majority, is likely to be close.

    A White House official told reporters that Trump would be “deeply involved” in pushing House Republicans to approve the bill.

    “It’s a great bill. There is something for everyone,” Trump said at an event in Florida on Tuesday. “And I think it’s going to go very nicely in the House.”

    An initial version passed with only two votes to spare in May, and several House Republicans have said they do not support the Senate version, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates will add $800 billion more to the national debt than the House version.

    Republicans have struggled to balance conservatives’ demands for deeper spending cuts to reduce the impact on the deficit with moderate lawmakers’ concerns that the Medicaid cuts could hurt their constituents, including service cutbacks in rural areas.

    The House Freedom Caucus, a group of hardline conservatives who repeatedly threatened to withhold their support for the tax bill, has criticized the Senate version’s price tag.

    “There’s a significant number who are concerned,” Republican Representative Chip Roy, a member of the Freedom Caucus, said of the Senate bill.

    A group of more moderate House Republicans, especially those who represent lower-income areas, have objected to the steeper Medicaid cuts in the Senate’s plan.

    Meanwhile, Republicans have faced separate concerns from a handful of House Republicans from high-tax states, including New York, New Jersey and California, who have demanded a larger tax break for state and local tax payments.

    The legislation has also drawn criticism from billionaire Elon Muskthe former Trump ally who has railed against the bill’s enormous cost and vowed to back challengers to Republican lawmakers in next year’s midterm elections.

    House Democrats are expected to remain unanimously opposed to the bill.

    “This is the largest assault on American healthcare in history,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters. “It’s the largest assault on nutrition in American history.”

    TAX BREAKS, IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN, TIGHTER BENEFITS

    The Senate bill would deliver some of its biggest benefits to the top 1% of U.S. households, earning $663,000 or more in 2025, according to the Tax Foundation. These high earners would gain the most from the bill’s tax cuts, the CBO has said.

    Independent analysts have said the bill’s tightening of eligibility for food and health safety net programs would effectively reduce poor Americans’ incomes and increase their costs for food and healthcare. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office forecast that nearly 12 million more people would become uninsured under the Senate plan.

    The bill’s increase in the national debt effectively serves as a wealth transfer from younger to older Americans, nonpartisan analysts have said.

    Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote “covered this chamber in shame,” adding that the bill would be “ripping health care away from millions of Americans, taking the food out of the mouths of hungry kids.”

    Republicans rejected the cost estimate generated by the CBO’s longstanding methodology and have argued the Medicaid cuts would only root out “waste, fraud and abuse” from the system.

    Following the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the bill “will permanently extend tax relief for hard-working Americans…that will spur economic growth and more jobs and opportunities for American workers.”

    -REUTERS

  • US Senate passes Trump’s sweeping tax-and spending bill, setting up House battle

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. Senate Republicans passed President Donald Trump’s massive tax-and-spending bill on Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, advancing a package that would slash taxes, reduce social safety net programs and boost military and immigration enforcement spending while adding $3.3 trillion to the national debt.

    The legislation now heads to the House of Representatives for possible final approval, though a handful of Republicans there have already voiced opposition to some of the Senate provisions. Trump wants to sign it into law by the July 4 Independence Day holiday, and House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement that he aimed to meet that deadline.

    The measure would extend Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, give new tax breaks for income from tips and overtime pay and increase spending on the military and immigration enforcement. It also would cut about $930 billion of spending on the Medicaid health program and food aid for low-income Americans and repeal many of Democratic former President Joe Biden’s green-energy incentives.

    The legislation, which has exposed Republican divides over the nation’s fast-growing $36.2 trillion debtwould raise the federal government’s self-imposed debt ceiling by $5 trillion. Congress must raise the cap in the coming months or risk a devastating default.

    The Senate passed the measure in a 51-50 vote with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie after three Republicans – Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky – joined all 47 Democrats in voting against the bill.

    The vote followed an all-night debate in which Republicans grappled with the bill’s price tag and its impact on the U.S. healthcare system.

    Much of the late horse-trading was aimed at winning over Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who had signaled she would vote against the bill without significant alterations.

    The final Senate bill included two provisions that helped secure her vote: one that sends more food-aid funding to Alaska and several other states, and another providing $50 billion to help rural hospitals cope with the sweeping cuts to Medicaid.

    Following the vote, Murkowski issued a statement calling it one of the hardest of her Senate career said she had voted yes despite some continued reservations.

    “This has been an awful process — a frantic rush to meet an artificial deadline that has tested every limit of this institution,” she said. “This bill needs more work across chambers and is not ready for the President’s desk.”

    ‘NOT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY’

    The vote in the House, where Republicans hold a 220-212 majority, is likely to be close.

    A White House official told reporters that Trump would be “deeply involved” in pushing House Republicans to approve the bill.

    “It’s a great bill. There is something for everyone,” Trump said at an event in Florida on Tuesday. “And I think it’s going to go very nicely in the House.”

    An initial version passed with only two votes to spare in May, and several House Republicans have said they do not support the Senate version, which the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates will add $800 billion more to the national debt than the House version.

    Republicans have struggled to balance conservatives’ demands for deeper spending cuts to reduce the impact on the deficit with moderate lawmakers’ concerns that the Medicaid cuts could hurt their constituents, including service cutbacks in rural areas.

    The House Freedom Caucus, a group of hardline conservatives who repeatedly threatened to withhold their support for the tax bill, has criticized the Senate version’s price tag.

    “There’s a significant number who are concerned,” Republican Representative Chip Roy, a member of the Freedom Caucus, said of the Senate bill.

    A group of more moderate House Republicans, especially those who represent lower-income areas, have objected to the steeper Medicaid cuts in the Senate’s plan.

    Meanwhile, Republicans have faced separate concerns from a handful of House Republicans from high-tax states, including New York, New Jersey and California, who have demanded a larger tax break for state and local tax payments.

    The legislation has also drawn criticism from billionaire Elon Muskthe former Trump ally who has railed against the bill’s enormous cost and vowed to back challengers to Republican lawmakers in next year’s midterm elections.

    House Democrats are expected to remain unanimously opposed to the bill.

    “This is the largest assault on American healthcare in history,” House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters. “It’s the largest assault on nutrition in American history.”

    TAX BREAKS, IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN, TIGHTER BENEFITS

    The Senate bill would deliver some of its biggest benefits to the top 1% of U.S. households, earning $663,000 or more in 2025, according to the Tax Foundation. These high earners would gain the most from the bill’s tax cuts, the CBO has said.

    Independent analysts have said the bill’s tightening of eligibility for food and health safety net programs would effectively reduce poor Americans’ incomes and increase their costs for food and healthcare. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office forecast that nearly 12 million more people would become uninsured under the Senate plan.

    The bill’s increase in the national debt effectively serves as a wealth transfer from younger to older Americans, nonpartisan analysts have said.

    Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the vote “covered this chamber in shame,” adding that the bill would be “ripping health care away from millions of Americans, taking the food out of the mouths of hungry kids.”

    Republicans rejected the cost estimate generated by the CBO’s longstanding methodology and have argued the Medicaid cuts would only root out “waste, fraud and abuse” from the system.

    Following the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the bill “will permanently extend tax relief for hard-working Americans…that will spur economic growth and more jobs and opportunities for American workers.”

    -REUTERS

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tonko: Republicans Betrayed Working Americans in Favor of Billionaire Donors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

    ALBANY, NY — At the Albany-Rensselaer Train Station before heading back to Washington, Congressman Paul D. Tonko blasted Republicans in the Senate for advancing President Trump’s budget, the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” that exacts the largest cut to health care and food assistance in American history, all to bring massive tax breaks to the wealthiest 0.1 percent. Tonko now heads to DC, where he will vote ‘NO’ on this budget.
    To view Tonko’s opening remarks at today’s press availability, click HERE.

    “On each and every page of this disgrace of a budget, the GOP’s utter distain for lower- and middle-income Americans could not be clearer.

     

    “Ripping away healthcare from millions of working families with cuts to Medicaid and Medicare is bad enough. Taking food out of the mouths of veterans, mothers, and children with cuts to SNAP and food assistance is bad enough. Forcing hundreds of rural hospitals to close their doors is bad enough. Killing countless jobs and raising utility bills by halting clean energy investments is bad enough.

     

    “But to do it all to fund a tax break for the wealthiest corporations and billionaire donors is despicable.

     

    “What’s more, Republicans had to cut last-minute backroom deals in an attempt to squeeze this bill forward. The reality is Republicans rammed through this a disgrace of a bill, knowing the pain it would cause Americans, all to meet some arbitrary deadline set by President and would-be king Donald Trump.

     

    “I remind my Republicans colleagues that they do not work for President Trump, they are beholden to the American people. The people have shared how much they hate this bill. To ignore their calls is complete abdication of duty. I urge any member who cares about the lives and livelihoods of their district and millions of Americans to join Democrats in the House in opposing this cruel budget.”

     

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tonko: Republicans Betrayed Working Americans in Favor of Billionaire Donors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

    ALBANY, NY — At the Albany-Rensselaer Train Station before heading back to Washington, Congressman Paul D. Tonko blasted Republicans in the Senate for advancing President Trump’s budget, the so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” that exacts the largest cut to health care and food assistance in American history, all to bring massive tax breaks to the wealthiest 0.1 percent. Tonko now heads to DC, where he will vote ‘NO’ on this budget.
    To view Tonko’s opening remarks at today’s press availability, click HERE.

    “On each and every page of this disgrace of a budget, the GOP’s utter distain for lower- and middle-income Americans could not be clearer.

     

    “Ripping away healthcare from millions of working families with cuts to Medicaid and Medicare is bad enough. Taking food out of the mouths of veterans, mothers, and children with cuts to SNAP and food assistance is bad enough. Forcing hundreds of rural hospitals to close their doors is bad enough. Killing countless jobs and raising utility bills by halting clean energy investments is bad enough.

     

    “But to do it all to fund a tax break for the wealthiest corporations and billionaire donors is despicable.

     

    “What’s more, Republicans had to cut last-minute backroom deals in an attempt to squeeze this bill forward. The reality is Republicans rammed through this a disgrace of a bill, knowing the pain it would cause Americans, all to meet some arbitrary deadline set by President and would-be king Donald Trump.

     

    “I remind my Republicans colleagues that they do not work for President Trump, they are beholden to the American people. The people have shared how much they hate this bill. To ignore their calls is complete abdication of duty. I urge any member who cares about the lives and livelihoods of their district and millions of Americans to join Democrats in the House in opposing this cruel budget.”

     

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Rep. Barragán Blasts Senate Passage of Trump’s Big Ugly Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 1, 2025

    Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

    Rep. Barragán Blasts Senate Passage of Trump’s Big Ugly Bill

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Senate Republicans advanced Donald Trump’s Big Ugly Bill — a budget reconciliation package that includes the largest Medicaid cuts in American history, strips health care from nearly 17 million Americans, slashes food assistance for children, seniors, and veterans, andadds $3.9 trillion to the national debtto fund more tax breaks for billionaires.

    To secure the votes, some Republican Senators carved out last-minute deals for themselves to ensure their states and industries escaped the worst of the cuts, while millions of other Americans are left to bear the brunt.

    Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) issued the following statement following Senate passage of the bill:

    “The Senate took the largest health care cuts in history and made them even worse. The Senate’s version of Trump’s Big Ugly Bill would take health care away from nearly 17 million Americans, including nearly 2 million Californians, and raise health care costs for more than 20 million people who rely on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. 

    It slashes $1.1 trillion from Medicaid and the ACA, and still finds a way to give millionaires an average annual tax cut of $90,000.

    “This bill is a direct attack on working families. Kids will go hungry. Seniors will lose care. Hospitals in vulnerable communities will reduce services or close their doors. And all of that devastation will pay for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts for billionaires and corporations.

    “Senate Republicans made sure their own states were shielded from the worst, carving out protections for their hospitals and industries, while throwing the rest of the country under the bus. That’s not leadership. That’s a backroom deal at the expense of people’s lives.

    “Democrats are united against this bill. I urge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to think hard about the people they represent and whether they’re willing to trade their constituents’ health and food security for tax breaks for billionaires.”

    The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will add at least $3.9 trillion to the national debt, a staggering cost that makes clear this isn’t about fiscal responsibility. 

    The bill now returns to the House of Representatives. Congresswoman Barragán voted NO on the original version and will vote NO again.

    La Congresista Barragán Critica la Aprobación de Trump’s Big Ugly Bill en el Senado

    Washington, D.C. — Hoy, los republicanos del Senado avanzaron Trump’s Big Ugly Bill — un paquete que incluye los recortes más grandes a Medicaid en la historia de Estados Unidos, elimina la cobertura médica para casi 17 millones de personas, reduce la asistencia alimentaria para niños, adultos mayores y veteranos, y agrega $3.9 billones de dólares a la deuda nacional para financiar más recortes de impuestos para los multimillonarios.

    Para asegurar los votos, los republicanos del Senado negociaron acuerdos de último minuto, como excluir a estados con altas tasas de error como Alaska y Florida de los nuevos requisitos de reparto de costos del programa SNAP. Estas excepciones garantizaron que ciertos estados e industrias evitaran los peores recortes, mientras que millones de estadounidenses cargarán con las consecuencias.

    La Congresista Nanette Barragán (CA-44) emitió la siguiente declaración tras la aprobación en el Senado:

    “El Senado tomó los recortes más grandes al sistema de salud en la historia y los empeoró aún más. La versión del Senado del ‘Gran y Horrible’ proyecto de Trump eliminaría la cobertura médica para casi 17 millones de estadounidenses — incluyendo a casi 2 millones de Californianos — y aumentaría los costos de salud para más de 20 millones de personas que dependen del mercado de la Ley de Cuidado de Salud a Bajo Precio (ACA). Este proyecto recorta $1.1 billones de dólares a Medicaid y a la ACA, y aún así encuentra la manera de darle a los millonarios un recorte promedio de impuestos de $90,000 dólares al año.

    “Este proyecto de ley es un ataque directo a las familias trabajadoras. Niños pasarán hambre. Personas mayores perderán atención médica. Hospitales en comunidades vulnerables reducirán servicios o cerrarán sus puertas. Y toda esa devastación financiará $4.5 billones de dólares en recortes de impuestos para multimillonarios y grandes corporaciones.”

    “Los republicanos del Senado se aseguraron de proteger a sus propios estados de lo peor, negociando protecciones para sus hospitales e industrias, mientras abandonan al resto del país. Eso no es liderazgo. Es un trato turbio a puerta cerrada a costa de vidas humanas.”

    “Los demócratas estamos unidos en contra de este legislación. Espero que mis colegas del otro lado del pasillo a reflexionen sobre a quién representan y si están dispuestos a intercambiar la salud y la seguridad alimentaria de sus constituyentes por recortes de impuestos para los multimillonarios.”

    La Oficina de Presupuesto del Congreso, una entidad no partidista, estima que el proyecto de ley agregará al menos $3.9 billones de dólares a la deuda nacional — un costo asombroso que deja claro que esto no se trata de responsabilidad fiscal.

    El proyecto ahora regresa a la Cámara de Representantes. La Congresista Barragán votó NO a la versión original y volverá a votar NO.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 1st, 2025 Heinrich Votes Against Republicans’ Big, Beautiful Betrayal of New Mexico Families to Give Tax Handouts to Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) stood up for New Mexico families by voting against Senate Republicans’ budget reconciliation that funds Republicans’ tax handouts for billionaires at the expense of working people.
    For over 27 hours, Heinrich pushed to amend Republicans’ reconciliation legislation, repeatedly voting to lower costs for families, block cuts to Medicaid, protect rural hospitals in New Mexico, extend tax credits for health care premiums, and prevent millions of Americans from losing their health insurance.
    “The largest cut to Medicaid in American history. The largest transfer of wealth to the rich in American history. The largest cut to food assistance in American history. The largest increase to the national deficit in American history: That’s what this bill represents. And it has one effect — billionaires win, American families lose. It’s a betrayal of working families masquerading as legislation.
    “If signed into law, this bill will hike electricity bills, leave tens of millions uninsured, cut food assistance for millions more, shutter hundreds of nursing homes, force rural hospitals to close, and send health insurance premiums soaring. The consequences of this bill will be deadly — and Republicans will own every single one.
    “Senate Republicans had a choice: stand with working families or bend to billionaires. They chose greed, cruelty, and a callous disregard for the people they represent. New Mexicans and all Americans will suffer for it. I urge all Americans to raise their voices and call on their elected leaders in the House of Representatives to stop this disaster before it becomes law.”
    Last night, Senate Republicans blocked Heinrich’s efforts to:
    Fight Increasing Costs
    Senate Republicans voted against:
    Lowering health care costs for working families and small businesses and ensuring the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share in taxes.
    Protecting food assistance for kids, veterans, and seniors, including 223,000 New Mexicans from losing all or part of their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in just the first year this bill is enacted into law.
    Preventing cuts to Medicaid that could lead to increased costs for people with private insurance.
    Increasing the Child Tax Credit by ensuring the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share in taxes.
    Lower energy prices for families and small businesses by preserving the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits.
    Providing permanent tax relief for overtime wages for working class Americans.
    Protect families and small businesses from cost increases by ending the trade war with Canada.
    Preventing any policy changes that raise the cost of electricity prices.

    Protect Rural Hospitals
    Senate Republicans voted against:
    Preventing rural hospitals from closing, converting, reducing, or stopping services, including emergency care, mental health care, and labor and delivery services.
    As a result, this bill could cause 6 to 8 rural hospitals to close in New Mexico, according to the New Mexico Hospital Association.

    Protect Medicaid
    Senate Republicans voted against:
    Stopping cuts to Medicaid and preventing over 90,000 New Mexicans from losing their coverage within the first year alone.
    Stopping cuts to Medicaid that put 4 four nursing homes in New Mexico at risk of closure.
    Stopping cuts to Medicaid that help fund substance use disorder treatment.
    Protecting millions of Americans from losing their health care as a result of new administrative burdens and paperwork requirements.
    Extending the health care premium tax credits created in the Affordable Care Act to prevent millions of people from losing health insurance.
    Keeping labor and delivery units open by stopping cuts to Medicaid that fund 40% of births nationwide and nearly 50% of births in rural communities.
    Ensuring access to reproductive care — including cancer screenings and birth control – by keeping Planned Parenthood funded.
    Expanding Medicaid to cover dental, vision, and hearing and to cut the price of prescription drugs under Medicare in half.

    Protect Our National Security
    Senate Republicans voted against:
    The financial, health, and well-being of our nation’s veterans by prohibiting any federal agency from carrying out mass firings of veterans.

    Prioritize Working Families Over Billionaires
    Senate Republicans voted against:
    Preventing tax handouts for people making over $10 million a year.
    Preventing tax handouts for people and corporations making over $100 million a year.
    Preventing tax handouts for people making over $500 million a year.
    Preventing tax handouts for people making over $1 billion a year.
    Preventing tax handouts for corporations making over $1 billion a year.
    Preventing more than $37 trillion from being added to the debt in 30 years—more debt than has accumulated over the past 249 years.

    Below is a list of amendments that Heinrich filed to amend Republicans’ budget resolution to cut taxes for billionaires at the expense of working people:
    Amendment to stop a new burdensome requirement that could strip health care from 64,000 New Mexicans on Medicaid.
    Amendment to stop a $268 million cost shift that could force New Mexico to cut SNAP benefits and kick families off their food assistance.
    Amendment to protect food assistance for hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans by stopping harsh, burdensome work requirements that would cut SNAP benefits for families, including 39,790 New Mexicans who could lose their benefits altogether.
    Amendment to expand Medicare to cover dental, vision and hearing and cut prescription drug prices under Medicare by 50%.
    Amendment to ensure no increase in cost for middle class families or individuals using Medicaid, CHIP, or private insurance marketplaces established by the ACA.
    Amendment to lower student loan payments by blocking a plan to force borrowers into a more expensive repayment option.
    Amendment to protect students from losing their Pell Grants to cover the cost of rising tuition costs.
    Amendment to protect a tax credit that helps families keep energy costs low by incentivizing clean energy upgrades like installing home heat pumps.
    Amendment to protect a tax credit that helps families save on energy bills and make their homes more comfortable and energy efficient.
    Amendment to protect a tax credit that incentivizes developers and home builders to build energy-efficient homes.
    Amendment to remove a provision in the bill that bars workers providing Medicaid home- and community-based services from obtaining job-based health insurance, retirement benefits, skills training, and the option to have a voice on the job through a union.
    Amendment to save the Inflation Reduction Act’s EPA Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicles grant program that makes our air cleaner, improves public health, spurs important energy and fuel savings for public school districts, and creates high-quality jobs.
    Amendment to protect funding for air pollution reductions, greenhouse gas corporate reporting, methane emissions and waste reduction, environmental and climate justice block grants.
    Amendment to protect the $7,500 clean vehicle tax credit to help Americans with the upfront cost of electric vehicles.
    Amendment to provide $200 million in economic assistance for facilities and businesses harmed by the New World screwworm outbreak.
    Amendment to provide $500 million to combat the spread of and eradicate the New World screwworm through surveillance, training, biosecurity, research, and the construction of sterile fly production and dispersal facilities.
    Amendment to protect mixed-status families by removing unjust new vetting rules that discourage adults from sponsoring unaccompanied children in need of care.
    Amendment to eliminate $2 billion in wasteful spending for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which would fund unjust, extreme immigration enforcement measures that target vulnerable migrants and expand deportation efforts.
    Amendment to block nearly $30 billion from funding U.S. Immigration and Customs’ (ICE) extreme and unconstitutional immigration enforcement agenda.
    Amendment to stop steep new immigration fees that would block immigrants from applying for legal status and push more strain onto New Mexico border communities and law enforcement.
    Amendment to stop $46 billion in wasteful spending on President Trump’s border wall, which bypasses environmental regulations and threatens important wildlife habitats for dozens of endangered species, including Mexican gray wolves in New Mexico and Arizona.
    Amendment to shift funding away from unproductive, invasive background checks on immigrant families and instead invest in child welfare professionals at DHS to ensure unaccompanied kids receive safe, supportive care.
    Amendment to ban the President, Vice President, Senate-appointed Executive Branch Officials, Members of Congress, Special Government Employees, and their spouses and children from directly or indirectly issuing or profiting from cryptocurrencies.
    Below is a total list of amendments that Heinrich filed in his capacity as Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to amend Republicans’ budget resolution to cut taxes for billionaires at the expense of working people:
    Amendment to ensure meaningful Tribal consultation occurs on federal oil and gas leasing projects.
    Amendment that decouples Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) oil and gas leasing from renewable energy approvals.
    Amendment to protect clean energy manufacturing jobs.
    Amendment striking metallurgical coal from 45X Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit, which has no phase out.
    Amendment prohibiting companies from receiving a royalty rate reduction authorized under OBBB if the price of oil rises above the price at the time of enactment, protecting taxpayers from high oil prices and pain at the pump.
    Amendment to strike provisions that would increase electricity prices on American households and force a debate on how OBBB raises costs.
    Amendment to strike the new Loan Program Office (LPO) title named “Energy Dominance Financing, which will give $1 billion to fund only coal, oil and gas projects, instead of opening financing to cleaner, cheaper energy options.
    Amendment reserving $100 million for Tribal Energy Projects from the $1 billion provided for “Energy Dominance Financing” program.
    Amendment to strike $1 billion from “Energy Dominance Financing,” which primarily finance coal, oil, and gas projects.
    Amendment grandfathering LPO pipeline projects in “Energy Dominance Financing,” ensuring that projects currently in LPO’s pipeline are still considered under the new program.
    Amendment eliminating Inflation Reduction Act recissions.
    Amendment to strike provision that expands oil and gas leasing in the National Preserve in Alaska, to protect Alaskan lands from additional leases.
    In February, Heinrich attempted to amend Republicans’ resolution by offering an amendment to reinstate blocked grants for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence and ensure law enforcement can hold predators and abusers accountable. Republicans voted against his amendment. Watch Heinrich’s video here.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Statement on Senate Passage of Republicans’ “Big Betrayal”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    Published: 07.01.2025

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement on Senate passage of Congressional Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill: 
    “I’m deeply disappointed that my Republican colleagues passed a bill that will rip away health care and food assistance for millions of Americans, spike health care premiums and increase energy costs for millions more, all so that the President can cut taxes for the ultra wealthy. What’s worse, they’re doing it on the backs of hardworking American families – making life even more expensive for the middle class to benefit the richest among us, all while driving our national debt through the roof. 
    “Americans want, expect and deserve elected representatives who work side-by-side to deliver solutions to the challenges they’re facing. This disaster of a bill does the exact opposite. When my Republican colleagues were scrambling to find support for their big betrayal, the President encouraged them to ‘close your eyes and get there.’ That’s no way to govern – and I can assure President Trump that Granite Staters’ eyes are wide open as we continue calling attention to each and every outrageous provision Washington Republicans crammed into this bill.” 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Shaheen Forces Vote on Amendment to Keep Energy and Housing Costs from Skyrocketing; All But 2 Senate Republicans Reject Commonsense Proposal

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    (Washington, DC) – During the Senate “Vote-A-Rama” on Republicans’ “Big Beautiful Bill,” U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, forced a vote on an amendment to preserve four longstanding bipartisan consumer energy efficiency and clean energy tax credits that lower energy costs for families, make housing more affordable, protect American jobs and help give businesses the certainty they need to thrive. All but two Senate Republicans—Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)—voted to block Shaheen’s amendment. Click here to watch Shaheen’s remarks on the Senate floor ahead of the vote. 
    “A vote for this amendment is a vote to make energy and housing more affordable and support American jobs and businesses,” said Senator Shaheen. “Last year, these credits helped build 350,000 new efficient homes that save families about $450 a year on energy. […] These credits create good jobs in a sector that is growing at twice the rate of jobs in the overall economy. If we vote to adopt this amendment, we can keep that job creation going.” 
    Shaheen’s amendment would have kept four bipartisan tax incentives—the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, the Residential Clean Energy Credit, the New Energy Efficient Home Credit and the Energy Efficient Commercial Building Deduction—as they are in current law, preventing the Republican megabill from jacking up costs for middle-class families. 
    Shaheen leads legislative action in the U.S. Senate to support energy efficiency projects and initiatives. Last month, Shaheen pushed back on the Trump administration’s plans to scrap the Energy Star Program, which helps Americans save on energy costs. 
    Shaheen was a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provided an approximately $6 billion investment in energy efficiency, including funding for residential, municipal, industrial and federal entities to implement efficiency upgrades based upon her longstanding bipartisan legislation with former U.S. Senator Rob Portman. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Releases Bombshell Records Showing FBI Headquarters Interfered with Alleged Chinese Election Interference Probe to Shield Christopher Wray from Political Blowback

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released internal Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) emails revealing the FBI suppressed intelligence of alleged Chinese interference in the 2020 election to insulate then-FBI Director Christopher Wray from criticism, after Wray provided inaccurate and contradictory testimony to Congress.
    The FBI declassified and provided the requested records to Grassley, along with an accompanying cover letter, after Grassley initially received some information from whistleblower disclosures. The FBI emails offer an inside look at the Bureau’s decision to recall and suppress an Intelligence Information Report (IIR) from the FBI’s Albany Field Office on September 25, 2020. The IIR contained information from an FBI Confidential Human Source (CHS) alleging the Chinese government was producing “tens of thousands” of fraudulent drivers’ licenses to manufacture mail-in votes for then-presidential candidate Joe Biden in the 2020 election. 
    According to the FBI, these allegations, despite showing initial signs of credibility, were allegedly never fully investigated due to the FBI’s sudden and “abnormal” decision to halt the investigation and bury the IIR’s existence, preventing any additional FBI field offices, as well as other Intelligence Community elements, from accessing or studying the document. The FBI’s stated reason for doing so was because “the reporting will contradict Director Wray’s testimony.” 
    “These records smack of political decision-making and prove the Wray-led FBI to be a deeply broken institution. Ahead of a high-stakes election happening amid an unprecedented global pandemic, the FBI turned its back on its national security mission,” Grassley said. “One way or the other, intelligence must be fully investigated to determine whether it’s true, or if it’s just smoke and mirrors. Chris Wray’s FBI wasn’t looking out for the American people – it was looking to save its own image. Now’s the time to rebuild the FBI’s trust. Director Patel’s willingness to work with me to establish renewed transparency and accountability is a critical part of that process, and I applaud him for his efforts.” 
    Political ReasoningFollowing the IIR’s recall, an FBI Albany intelligence analyst summarized the concerning series of events that led to the suppression:
    “Most concerning to me, is stating the reporting would contradict with Director Wray’s testimony. I found this troubling because it implied to me that one of the reasons we aren’t putting this out is for a political reason, which goes directly against our organization’s mission to remain apolitical and simply state what we know. Likewise, at the field operational level, I do not feel it is our job to assess whether or not our intelligence aligns with the Director…. My concern is that I think it gets dangerous if we cite potential political implications as reasons for not putting out our information.” 
    Source CredibilityAn FBI Albany official noted “the IIR was coordinated and disseminated in textbook fashion.” Further, a re-interview of the FBI CHS yielded additional context that supported the initial IIR’s findings. An FBI Albany official described the CHS as “competent” and “authentic in his/her reporting.” The CHS described the confidence in his/her sub-sourcing as a “9-10 range. [V]ery, very confident.”
    Decision for RecallAccording to an Assistant Section Chief in the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, the IIR immediately generated “a lot of attention from all [Headquarter] divisions.” 
    Upon receiving the IIR, an FBI Albany official stated, “We have no reason to recall at this point.” Minutes later, the Albany Field Office was commanded to recall the IIR at the direct request of officials at FBI Headquarters, including Nikki Floris, then-Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. Months before dismissing the IIR, Floris provided an unnecessary briefing to Grassley and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) regarding their investigation into the Biden family. The briefing – though classified – was later leaked to the press in an effort to falsely smear the senators’ investigation as Russian disinformation.
    Following the IIR’s recall, FBI Headquarters informed field offices that “all raw reporting concerning the election will now require [Headquarters] coordination,” which had not been previously required. 
    Contradictory TestimonyDuring sworn testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee (HSGAC) on September 24, 2020, Wray stated: 
    “I think what I would say is this: We take all election-related threats seriously, whether it is voter fraud, voter suppression, whether it is in person, whether it is by mail. And our role is to investigate the threat actors. Now, we have not seen historically any kind of coordinated national voter fraud effort in a major election, whether it is by mail or otherwise… [B]ut people should make no mistake we are vigilant as to the threat and watching it carefully, because we are in uncharted new territory.” 
    Wray doubled down on his assertion in response to further questioning from HSGAC Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-Mich.).
    Peters: “Right, but your answer is clear. You have not seen any widespread fraud by mail. It is something the FBI watches continuously to make sure that that is not happening.” 
    Wray: “That is something that we would investigate seriously.” 
    Peters: “Absolutely.” 
    Wray: “And aggressively.” 
    FITF-China Prevents Further Follow-upOn October 8, 2020, an official with the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force (FITF)-China division confirmed FITF-China had still not approved a reissue of the IIR. Despite FITF-China offering to “discuss next steps” for the IIR, the FBI on June 27, 2025 confirmed to Grassley that they had “found no information to indicate that FITF-China aggressively investigated the reported information, despite corroborating intergovernmental reporting and logical investigative leads.” 
    Wray established FITF with the stated goal to “identify and counteract malign foreign influence operations targeting the United States.” Grassley called the Trump administration’s recent decision to close FITF “a positive step, given what the task force had been twisted into,” noting specifically its conduct against his and Senator Johnson’s Biden family investigation.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Votes to Deliver Tax Relief for Iowa Families and Small Businesses, Secure the Border and Enact America First Agenda

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today voted to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to protect Iowans from being hit with the largest tax increase in history and provide historic investments in border security and law enforcement. The legislation will now receive a vote in the House of Representatives before heading to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. 
    “In November, Americans gave President Trump a mandate to fix the economy and secure the border. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers a resounding victory for the American people, enacting the America First policies that President Trump and congressional Republicans promised. Together, we’re preventing the largest tax increase in the history of our country and giving relief to the small businesses that are the backbone of our economy. As a lifelong family farmer, I’m proud our bill will also deliver a modernized farm safety net that gives Iowa farmers the certainty they need,” Grassley said. 
    “As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I oversaw the bill’s measures to make monumental investments in our immigration system, border security and law enforcement. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will provide safety and prosperity for American families for generations, and I urge my colleagues in the House to quickly get this bill to the President’s desk,” Grassley continued. 
    Background:
    This legislation prevents a more than $4 trillion tax hike on American families and workers by making the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, ahead of their previously projected expiration on December 31, 2025. Moreover, it further reduces their taxes by increasing the child tax credit, eliminating taxes on tips and overtime and providing additional tax relief to seniors.  
    It also updates the farm safety net to provide family farmers certainty, so they can continue producing crops to feed and fuel America and the world. 
    The legislation includes many additional wins for Iowa, such as an extension and reforms to the Clean Fuels Production Tax Credit that puts farmers first by eliminating subsidies for foreign feedstocks. It also provides relief to help small biodiesel plants in Iowa get back up and running. Grassley secured an important victory for the wind and solar industries by getting the creation of a punitive new tax on wind and solar stricken from the bill.
    In his capacity as Judiciary Chairman, Grassley spearheaded large portions of the legislation that strengthen America’s border security and immigration system and support law enforcement. 
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven: Senate Passes One Big Beautiful Bill, Providing Permanent Tax Relief for American Families and Small Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

    07.01.25

    Legislation Will Grow Economy, Bolster Border Security, Rebuild Military, Empower Energy Dominance and Support Farmers and Ranchers

    WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today helped secure passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, legislation to provide permanent tax relief for American families and small businesses, while delivering on key promises, including:

    • Securing the border. 
    • Rebuilding our military.
    • Supporting farmers and ranchers.
    • Unleashing American energy dominance.

    At the same time, the legislation finds savings of $1.6 trillion through common sense reforms and reducing waste, fraud and abuse, ultimately reducing the deficit by $507 billion.

    “The One Big Beautiful Bill will provide permanent tax relief, ensuring that Americans can keep more of their hard-earned dollars,” said Hoeven. “This legislation delivers on promises made by President Trump, including securing the border, investing in our military, empowering American energy dominance and supporting our farmers and ranchers. These are the priorities that will make our nation more prosperous and more secure.”

    Tax Relief for Families and Small Businesses

    The legislation permanently extends current individual tax rates and bracket changes of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, preserving $2.6 trillion in tax breaks for those earning under $400,000 per year, and preventing a $1,700 tax hike on the average family of four.

    The bill provides new and expanded tax deductions and credits for individuals, families and seniors, including:

    • No taxes on tips or overtime for millions of American workers.
    • Increasing and making permanent the enhanced child tax credit at $2,200, with $1,700 of that amount being refundable, adjusted for inflation.
    • Permanent relief from the death tax by setting the exemption to $15 million or $30 million for those married filing jointly, adjusted for inflation.
    • Savings accounts for newborns to help build financial security.
    • A new $6,000 tax deduction for millions of low- and middle-income seniors. Combined with other deductions, this will result in the average beneficiary paying zero taxes on Social Security

    The legislation helps small businesses, including agricultural producers and manufacturers invest in their operations by:

    • Permanently extending the Section 199A pass-through deduction for small businesses, farmers and ranchers.
      • Permanently extending the Section 199A(g) deduction used by agricultural cooperatives.
    • Increasing the Section 179 expensing amount to $2.5 million and increasing the phaseout for qualified property at $4 million.
    • Establishing a 100 percent accelerated depreciation for new industrial and manufacturing facilities that begin construction between 2025-2028.
    • Making permanent the 30 percent interest expense allowance.
    • Permanently extending the 100 percent domestic research and development deduction.
    • Making permanent 100 percent bonus depreciation.

    Support for Farmers and Ranchers

    The legislation provides strong support for the nation’s farmers and ranchers, and improves the farm-safety net to meet today’s markets and input costs by:

    • Increasing reference prices for ARC and PLC by 10% to 20% (specific increase varies by commodity).
    • Providing built-in future reference price increases with an inflation adjuster and improved price escalator formula to prevent reference prices from becoming outdated when market and input costs change.
    • New safety net begins right away – producers can receive the higher of the ARC or PLC payment for this crop year, 2025, with the new updated reference prices. North Dakota farmers will see tens of millions of dollars in relief in 2025 alone thanks to these updates.
    • Includes key provisions of Hoeven’s FARMER Act to strengthen and expand access to affordable crop insurance
      • Increases premium support for individual-based coverage across nearly all levels – starting at 55% — by an additional 3-5%.
      • Enhances the Supplemental Coverage Option by raising the coverage level from 86% to 90%, and boosts premium support from 65% to 80%.
    • Extends the sugar program through 2031, while increasing the sugar loan rate to meet current market conditions.
    • Improves livestock disaster programs
      • Sets Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) payments at 100% of market value for losses from federally protected predators and 75% for weather and disease losses.
      • Improves the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) to provide one monthly payment to eligible producers with grazing land in counties rated D2 (severe drought) for at least four consecutive weeks and two payments if D2 persists during any seven of eight consecutive weeks within the normal grazing period.

    Unleashing U.S. Energy Dominance

    The One Big Beautiful Bill will help restore American energy dominance by rolling back burdensome Green New Deal policies and empowering domestic energy production, including:

    • Increasing the value of the 45Q tax credit for captured carbon used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and utilization to match that of sequestration.
    • Requiring the Interior Department to hold regular oil and gas lease sales across federal lands and waters.
    • Requiring the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to act timely on coal lease applications.
    • Reducing the royalty rate for oil, gas and coal produced on federal land to their levels prior to the Biden administration’s tax-and-spend legislation.
    • Stopping the Biden-era natural gas tax.
    • Investing in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
    • Providing regulatory relief for energy producers and repeals Biden-era Green New Deal policies and programs.

    Bolstering the Military

    • $25 billion to support the Golden Dome initiative, with investments in hypersonic testing, ground-based radars, and space-based sensors that support North Dakota-based missions and capabilities.
    • $15 billion to enhance nuclear deterrence, including the nuclear missions based at Minot Air Force Base:
      •  $2.5 billion for the new Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program.
      • $500 million to sustain the existing Minuteman III ICBM.
      • $200 million for additional MH-1139 Grey Wolf helicopters.
    • Improves servicemembers’ quality of life through increased allowances and special pays, as well as improvements to housing, health care, childcare, and education.

    Securing the Border

    • Completes construction of the border wall, and upgrades barrier systems including access roads, cameras, lights, and sensors.
    • Improves border screening technology to help prevent drug trafficking and human smuggling.
    • Strong funding to hire and train more border security personnel.
    • Funds the Operation Stonegarden grant program to equip state and local law enforcements to cooperate with Border Patrol.
    • Invests in state and local capabilities to detect threats from unmanned aerial systems.

    Supporting Water Infrastructure

    • Provides $1 billion in funding for Bureau of Reclamation Water Conveyance Projects, including for eligible projects like the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply Project (ENDAWS).

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch Statement on the Senate Passage of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) today released the following statement on advancing President Trump’s America First agenda through the passage of the Senate budget reconciliation bill.

    “The American people gave us a mandate—secure the border, make the Trump tax cuts permanent, dismantle the Green New Deal, and address wasteful spending. While no bill is perfect, the One, Big, Beautiful Bill delivers on these priorities and provides working Americans with the largest tax cut in history,” said Risch.“Congress is not done tackling out-of-control spending. I remain committed to reining in the national debt and ending the waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.”

    Key achievements of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill include:

    • Cutting $1.6 trillion in federal spending;

    • Providing the largest tax relief in U.S. history for working Idahoans and making the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent;

    • Directing historic funding to secure the southern border, finish border wall construction, and strengthen immigration enforcement;

    • Protecting Idaho’s public lands from being sold to the highest bidder;

    • Repealing Green New Deal subsidies for unreliable, intermittent renewable wind and solar and preventing Idaho tax dollars from bankrolling unwanted projects like Lava Ridge;

    • Modernizing and extending Farm Bill safety net programs to support Idaho farmers and ranchers;

    • Preserving Medicaid for vulnerable Americans by enacting common-sense reforms that prioritize resources for those who need care;

    • Eliminating taxes on most firearms under the National Firearms Act, including suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns; and

    • Enhancing national security through investments in servicemember quality of life, Golden Dome for America, and military procurement.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • Trump escalates feud with Musk, threatens Tesla, SpaceX support

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to cut off the billions of dollars in subsidies that Elon Musk’s companies receive from the federal government, in an escalation of the war of words between the president and the world’s richest man, one-time allies who have since fallen out.

    The feud reignited on Monday when Musk, who spent hundreds of millions on Trump’s re-election, renewed his criticism of Trump’s tax-cut and spending bill, which would eliminate subsidies for electric vehicle purchases that have benefited Tesla, the leading U.S. EV maker. That bill passed the Senate by a narrow margin midday Tuesday.

    “He’s upset that he’s losing his EV mandate and … he’s very upset about things but he can lose a lot more than that,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.

    Though Musk has often said government subsidies should be eliminated, Tesla has historically benefited from billions of dollars in tax credits and other policy benefits because of its business in clean transportation and renewable energy. The Trump administration has control over many of those programs, some of which are targeted in the tax bill, including a $7,500 consumer tax credit that has made buying or leasing EVs more attractive for consumers.

    Tesla shares dropped more than 5.5% Tuesday.

    The Tesla CEO renewed threats to start a new political party and spend money to unseat lawmakers who support the tax bill, despite campaigning on limiting government spending. Republicans have expressed concern that Musk’s on-again, off-again feud with Trump could hurt their chances to protect their majority in the 2026 midterm congressional elections.

    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pushed back on Musk’s criticism that the bill would balloon the deficit, saying, “I’ll take care of” the country’s finances.

    Musk spearheaded the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aimed at cutting government spending, before he pulled back his involvement in late May. Trump on Truth Social on Tuesday suggested Musk might receive more subsidies “than any human being in history, by far,” adding: “No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE.”

    Trump later doubled down, telling reporters with a smile, “DOGE is the monster that might have to go back and eat Elon.”

    In response to Trump’s threats, Musk said on his own social media platform X, “I am literally saying CUT IT ALL. Now.” He later added that he could escalate the exchange with Trump but said, “I will refrain for now.”

    CHALLENGES TO TESLA

    The feud could create new challenges for Musk’s business empire, particularly as the electric automaker — his primary source of wealth — bets heavily on the success of its robotaxi program currently being tested in Austin, Texas. The speed of Tesla’s robotaxi expansion depends heavily on state and federal regulation of self-driving vehicles.

    “The substance of Tesla’s valuation right now is based on progress towards autonomy. I don’t think anything is going to happen on that front, but that is the risk,” said Gene Munster, managing partner at Tesla investor Deepwater Asset Management.

    Analysts expect another rough quarter when the EV maker reports second-quarter delivery figures on Wednesday. Sales in major European markets were mixed, data showed Tuesday, as Musk’s embrace of hard-right politics has alienated potential buyers in several markets worldwide. The elimination of the EV credit could hit Tesla’s earnings by as much as $1.2 billion, about 17% of its 2024 operating income, J.P. Morgan analysts estimated earlier this year.

    Gary Black, a longtime Tesla investor who manages money for the Future Fund LLC, sold his shares recently as car sales declined. He told Reuters he is considering when to reinvest and that eliminating electric vehicle credits would harm Tesla. In a separate post on X, Black said: “Not sure why @elonmusk didn’t see this coming as a result of him speaking out against passage of President Trump’s big beautiful bill.”

    The U.S. Transportation Department regulates vehicle design and will play a key role in deciding if Tesla can mass-produce robotaxis without pedals and steering wheels, while Musk’s rocket firm SpaceX has about $22 billion in federal contracts.

    Tesla also gets regulatory credits for selling electric vehicles, and has reaped nearly $11 billion by selling those credits to other automakers who are unable to comply with increasingly strict vehicle emissions rules. Without those sales, the company would have posted a first-quarter loss in April.

    Trump had in early June threatened to cut Musk’s government contracts when their relationship erupted into an all-out social media brawl over the tax-cut bill, which non-partisan analysts estimate would add about $3 trillion to the U.S. debt.

    Asked if he was going to deport Musk, a naturalized U.S. citizen, Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Tuesday: “I don’t know. We’ll have to take a look.”

    -Reuters

  • MIL-OSI USA: 07.01.2025 Sen. Cruz Statement on Senate Passage of One, Big, Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). The OBBB includes key language authored by Sen. Cruz, including Trump Accounts, the No Tax on Tips Act, and two historic school choice initiatives.
    Sen. Cruz said, “Today, we delivered on our promise to the American people to cut taxes, create jobs, support working Americans, and transformationally invest in our children.
    “For over a decade, I have led the fight in the U.S. Senate for school choice. Today, the Senate passed my legislation to provide billions of dollars in K–12 scholarships for kids across the nation. This historic investment represents the largest federal school choice program ever passed.
    “The OBBB also includes my No Tax on Tips Act to help waiters and waitresses, bartenders, taxi drivers, barbers, and hairdressers all across America. We also mandated the auction of 800 MHz of spectrum, which will enable us to beat China in the race to 6G—resulting in billions in new investments and the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs.
    “The Senate also passed my legislation creating Trump Accounts—personal investment accounts for every child in America—which will unleash the power of compound growth and create new generations of capitalists.
    “I am also pleased to see the inclusion of our State Border Security Assistance Act, which is crucial for reimbursing the state of Texas for funds spent during the Biden administration’s illegal alien invasion.
    “I strongly urge my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to put American families first and retain these vital provisions in the final version of the One Big, Beautiful Bill.”

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Wyden, Sanders, Gillibrand Demand Answers on “Reckless” AI Tool Rollout at SSA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    July 01, 2025

    Reporting revealed AI program delayed Social Security retirement claims processing by 25 percent

    “We are concerned that SSA will make even bigger mistakes in incorporating AI into higher-risk tasks, particularly in roles that could jeopardize Americans’ financial security.”

    Text of Letter (PDF)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee, Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) sent a letter to  Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano, demanding answers on the reckless installation of artificial intelligence (AI) into SSA’s phone systems, which have blocked people from accessing their earned Social Security benefits—all while leaving Congress, advocates, and the American people in the dark.  

    “This lack of communication from your agency undermines its efforts to improve services by sowing chaos and confusion, which breeds distrust in the agency and its leadership,” wrote the senators.

    SSA is rushing to incorporate a new AI tool into its national 1-800 number and the phone systems of 1,200 field offices—without having sought input from advocates, Congress, or the American people. SSA made this rash decision just a month after it was forced to abandon its fraud-detection AI chatbot, which slowed claims processing by 25%—and found that fraud is essentially non-existent. 

    The senators emphasized that the Trump administration failed to develop comprehensive AI policies and follow basic IT guidelines. Under previous SSA Commissioner O’Malley, the agency developed policies that would foster Americans’ trust in SSA’s use of AI. 

    “As the Senate committee with jurisdiction over the Social Security and SSI programs, we have a responsibility to ensure SSA pays the right benefit amount to the right person at the right time, provides the public with the level of customer service they expect, and is a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, including overseeing SSA’s development and adoption of emerging technology like AI,” concluded the senators.

    To further understand how SSA will change its reckless actions of implementing AI systems without consultation, the senators requested answers to the following questions by July 18, 2025:

    1. Please provide a detailed description of the new AI-based chatbot, including how it determines whether it has successfully answered a caller’s questions before hanging up? 

    2. What metrics is SSA using to determine whether this AI-based chatbot is successful at improving service delivery at the national 1-800 number?

    3. What metrics did SSA use to evaluate the successes or challenges of this AI-based chatbot before rolling it out nationwide to field offices?

    4. What stakeholders, especially those who represent beneficiaries and employees, were consulted pre- and post-deployment of this AI-based chatbot?

    5. Is SSA planning to procure, develop, or implement any new AI systems this year? If so, please list and provide a detailed description of these AI systems, their expected implementation dates, how they are expected to improve service delivery, and what steps SSA will be taking to prevent disruptions to services during the transition. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Statement Denouncing Senate Republicans’ Passage of Billionaire-First Tax Bill

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Statement Denouncing Senate Republicans’ Passage of Billionaire-First Tax Bill

    WATCH: Padilla blasts President Trump’s “Big Ugly Bill” cutting health care and clean energy investments to provide tax cuts to billionaires

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement after Senate Republicans narrowly passed their billionaire-first budget reconciliation bill to gut critical programs, kick 17 million Americans off their health care, explode the debt by over $3.5 trillion, and skyrocket energy costs for Californians:

    “Senate Republicans just voted to let President Trump and his billionaire buddies steal from working families in order to cut their own taxes by trillions of dollars.

    “Americans are struggling to keep up with rising costs from Trump’s chaotic tariffs. Instead of trying to reduce costs, Senate Republicans have chosen to cut a trillion dollars from Medicaid, kicking 17 million people — including over 2.3 million Californians — off their health insurance. Their votes will cause rural hospitals across the country to close. They’re decimating SNAP nutrition assistance that parents count on to feed their children. And electricity bills will go up while our energy system becomes less reliable.

    “One thing is clear: Republicans are voting for this bill knowing full well it will hurt their constituents, all in an effort to please Donald Trump and enrich the billionaire class.”

    Overnight, Senator Padilla proposed an amendment to the reconciliation bill to force Republicans to make changes to ensure it would not increase the deficit. Republicans rejected the amendment, highlighting their complete hypocrisy on the national debt. Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill adds more to the debt than the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, American Rescue Plan Act, CARES Act, and CHIPS and Science Act combined — all to pay for yet another round of tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations.

    As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Padilla previously circulated a memorandum outlining Senate Republicans’ hypocritical violation of filibuster rules in order to exploit the expedited reconciliation process while hiding the true cost of their tax bill. Padilla also spoke on the Senate floor against the Republican budget resolution in April, and voted against advancing it in the Senate in both February and April. He condemned House Republicans’ passage of the reconciliation bill in May.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Fox News Opinion: “JD Vance and Trump personify political theater. And we’re watching their biggest act yet”

    US Senate News:

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

    ICYMI: Fox News Opinion: “JD Vance and Trump personify political theater. And we’re watching their biggest act yet”

    Fox News Op-Ed

    Padilla: “The Trump administration wants this spectacle. They want to distract from their failures, while giving them an excuse to push the boundaries of Trump’s power.”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, published an op-ed on Fox News’ website where he slammed President Trump and Vice President Vance for creating a militarized spectacle and scapegoating immigrants to distract from their failed and unpopular policies, including their “Big Ugly Bill” that will add trillions to the federal deficit and kick tens of millions of Americans off their health care in order to fund tax cuts for billionaires.

    Padilla emphasized that Trump’s deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines draws them away from important core missions and puts them in an “impossible position” of being “political props.” He also warned about how Trump’s manufactured crisis in Los Angeles sets a dangerous precedent for presidents abusing the military for their own partisan goals, causing chaos to suppress Americans’ fundamental rights.

    Key Excerpts:

    • “Last month, Vice President JD Vance visited Los Angeles. No, not to better coordinate with local law enforcement frustrated after the dangerous lack of communication coming from the Trump administration as they keep Marines and National Guardsmen in Los Angeles. Instead, the vice president came to escalate a crisis of President Trump’s own making and to disparage California’s elected officials.
    • “The vice president, my former colleague and the current president of the U.S. Senate intentionally chose to call me ‘Jose’ instead of ‘Alex.’ He knows my name. But sadly, his behavior in June is indicative of a larger trend from this administration. In 2025, there is no one who personifies political theater better than JD Vance and Donald Trump. In fact, we’re in the middle of their biggest act yet — as they use service members and federal law enforcement in Los Angeles as props to justify their latest power grab. None of this is new.”
    • “It was no coincidence that at the lowest point of his presidency yet, Donald Trump turned to his break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option, federalizing and deploying 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles along with hundreds of Marines. The Trump administration wants this spectacle. They want to distract from their failures, while giving them an excuse to push the boundaries of Trump’s power.
    • “This isn’t just about how the Trump administration treats blue states or immigrants. It’s about how they treat our military, too. Anyone who applauds President Trump’s militarization of Los Angeles is also applauding a politician tearing away our service members from critical missions any time the president begins to feel some political pressure. And applauding putting every Guardsman and Marine in an impossible position. No one enlists to become a political prop.
    • “While you might not care to speak up today, imagine if a Democratic president returns to office and chooses to deploy our military to your state. It doesn’t matter that the overwhelming majority of protestors remain peaceful — one bad actor who chooses to exploit a protest to cause chaos, and the president could militarize your community, too.”
    • “In the end, this doesn’t come down to Republican versus Democrat, or Trump and Vance versus Los Angeles. It comes down to the basic question: do you believe that in America, an attack on anyone’s rights is an attack on everyone’s rights? Or, if you’re like J.D. Vance, are you just here for the show?

    Senator Padilla has been outspoken in calling out the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles and Trump’s misguided deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marine Corps. Padilla recently led the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in demanding that President Trump immediately withdraw all military forces from Los Angeles and cease all threats to deploy the National Guard or active-duty servicemembers to American cities. He and Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) also demanded answers regarding the Trump Administration’s decision to deploy approximately 700 Marines to Los Angeles. Padilla has spoken at a spotlight hearing and on the Senate floor multiple times to blast President Trump for manufacturing a crisis by launching indiscriminate ICE raids across Los Angeles and deploying the National Guard and active-duty servicemembers to the region. He also joined all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats last month in calling on Chairman Grassley to schedule Department of Homeland Security Secretary Noem for a broad oversight hearing for testimony before the committee.

    Full text of Senator Padilla’s Fox News op-ed is available here and below:

    Fox News Digital: Sen Alex Padilla: JD Vance and Trump personify political theater. And we’re watching their biggest act yet

    By U.S. Senator Alex Padilla

    Last month, Vice President JD Vance visited Los Angeles.

    No, not to better coordinate with local law enforcement frustrated after the dangerous lack of communication coming from the Trump administration as they keep Marines and National Guardsmen in Los Angeles.

    Instead, the vice president came to escalate a crisis of President Trump’s own making and to disparage California’s elected officials.

    How else would you describe the vice president’s conduct, when three days after Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass lifted the curfew downtown and protests were dissipating, he staged a press conference to attack state and local leaders, falsely claiming they had ‘decided to go to war against’ law enforcement.

    That’s a far cry from lowering the political temperature. But for this administration, it’s standard operating procedure.

    Yet, one thing the vice president said did surprise me. It came when one of his handpicked reporters lobbed yet another softball question, asking for his comment on the string of Democratic lawmakers — myself included — that the Trump administration has handcuffed for speaking out.

    ‘Well, I was hoping Jose Padilla would be here to ask a question, but unfortunately I guess he decided not to show up because there wasn’t the theater,’ he said, smirking. ‘That’s what this is: it’s pure political theater.’

    Political theater. Huh.

    The vice president, my former colleague and the current president of the U.S. Senate intentionally chose to call me ‘Jose’ instead of ‘Alex.’ He knows my name. But sadly, his behavior in June is indicative of a larger trend from this administration.

    In 2025, there is no one who personifies political theater better than JD Vance and Donald Trump. In fact, we’re in the middle of their biggest act yet — as they use service members and federal law enforcement in Los Angeles as props to justify their latest power grab.

    None of this is new.

    Time and time again, when the Trump administration finds itself in hot water, it returns to the same tired playbook: pick a fight to distract people. Scapegoat immigrants. Threaten the use of force. Do whatever you can to create a spectacle and change the news cycle. And as it turns out, just a few short weeks ago, things were going terribly wrong for Donald Trump.

    He was facing failures on nearly every front: failing to bring prices down or to secure a wave of trade deals despite his trade adviser’s promise to secure “90 deals in 90 days” Failing to quickly pass his “Big, Beautiful Bill” as allies and adversaries alike began to warn of the trillions of dollars it would add to the federal deficit. And perhaps most embarrassing of all, he was facing a messy public break-up with Elon Musk.

    So no, it was no coincidence that at the lowest point of his presidency yet, Donald Trump turned to his break-glass-in-case-of-emergency option, federalizing and deploying 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles along with hundreds of Marines.

    The Trump administration wants this spectacle. They want to distract from their failures, while giving them an excuse to push the boundaries of Trump’s power.

    But this isn’t just about how the Trump administration treats blue states or immigrants. It’s about how they treat our military, too. Anyone who applauds President Trump’s militarization of Los Angeles is also applauding a politician tearing away our service members from critical missions any time the president begins to feel some political pressure. And applauding putting every Guardsman and Marine in an impossible position.

    No one enlists to become a political prop.

    But to Americans watching from home who still think this doesn’t concern them because they’re not a Californian, not an immigrant, not a Democrat, or not from a military family: think hard about what comes next.

    The Trump administration has argued the president alone can deploy the military to put down protests over the wishes of the governor. Of the mayor. Even of local law enforcement.

    While you might not care to speak up today, imagine if a Democratic president returns to office and chooses to deploy our military to your state. It doesn’t matter that the overwhelming majority of protestors remain peaceful — one bad actor who chooses to exploit a protest to cause chaos, and the president could militarize your community, too.

    In the end, this doesn’t come down to Republican versus Democrat, or Trump and Vance versus Los Angeles. It comes down to the basic question: do you believe that in America, an attack on anyone’s rights is an attack on everyone’s rights?

    Or, if you’re like J.D. Vance, are you just here for the show?

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley, DeGette File Amendment to Big, Ugly Bill to Protect and Expand Reproductive Healthcare

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

    Amendment Would Strip Republican Provisions Defunding Planned Parenthood and Essential Care, and Replace It with Bill to Repeal Hyde Amendment

    Amendment Text (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), Co-Chairs of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, filed an amendment to Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill to protect and expand reproductive healthcare.

    The amendment would strip the bill’s language prohibiting Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood and other essential reproductive healthcare providers, and replace it with the text of the EACH Act, bold legislation to repeal the Hyde Amendment and lift unjust abortion coverage restrictions for those who depend on Medicaid and other government-sponsored plans.

    “Trump and Republicans are doing everything they can to attack Planned Parenthood and other essential healthcare providers as part of their extremist march toward a nationwide abortion ban—and their Big, Ugly Bill is just the latest example of that,” said Congresswomen Pressley and DeGette, Co-Chairs of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “While we fight to stop this bill in its tracks, our amendment would protect Planned Parenthood while helping ensure everyone in America can get the reproductive healthcare they need, regardless of income, insurance, or zip code.”

    Full text of the amendment is available here.

    Congresswoman Pressley has been an outspoken critic of this harmful legislation since its inception.

    • Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Senate’s passage of the Big, Ugly Bill and vowing to continue fighting it using every tool available.
    • Ahead of the third anniversary if the Dobbs decision, Rep. Pressley and her colleagues stood in solidarity with Planned Parenthood and condemned the proposed cuts to reproductive healthcare under Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill.
    • Rep. Pressley and author Darrick Hamilton authored a Washington Post op-ed in which they discussed the regressive, ineffective “Trump Accounts” provision of Republicans’ reconciliation bill and urged Congress to instead embrace Baby Bonds to advance economic justice.
    • Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates from Caring Across Generations, Care Can’t Wait, and partner organizations to protest Trump’s and Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill that proposes disastrous cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential programs and would leave communities sicker, poorer, and more vulnerable.
    • Ahead of the House’s vote on the bill, Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned speech on the House floor in which she made a direct appeal to her Republican colleagues to oppose this cruel and harmful bill.
    • Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she slammed the bill’s proposed Medicaid cuts, which would decimate reproductive healthcare in America and worsen maternal health outcomes.
    • Rep. Pressley co-hosted a press conference with Color of Change to oppose the Republicans’ cruel and harmful budget reconciliation package, which would gut critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP.
    • Rep. Pressley rallied with caregivers, advocates, and fellow lawmakers at a 24-hour vigil to protect Medicaid from Republicans’ cruel budget cuts that would devastate communities across this country.
    • In the House Oversight Committee’s markup of the Republican reconciliation bill, Rep. Pressley demanded Republicans answer to the families who would go hungry by way of this reconciliation bill – and she was met with silence.
    • In the House Financial Services Committee’s markup of the Republican reconciliation bill, Rep. Pressley condemned the bill’s proposed cuts to Medicaid and shared the story of Mary Marinelli, a 70-year-old hospice nurse from a Republican district in Michigan whose family depends on Medicaid to care for their autistic son.
    • In an impassioned speech on the House floor, Rep. Pressley slammed Republicans’ cruel and callous budget resolution that would slash Medicaid and other critical government services to pay for trillions of dollars in tax giveaways for Donald Trump’s billionaire donors.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Secretary Chavez-DeRemer promotes One Big Beautiful Bill during ‘America at Work’ tour stops in Michigan, Indiana

    Source: US Department of Labor

    GOSHEN, IN – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer continued her swing across the country as part of her “America at Work” listening tour to promote President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, which passed the U.S. Senate today in a huge win for the American people. 

    Secretary Chavez-DeRemer visited Shafer, a ready-mix concrete supplier in Lansing, Michigan, and Brinkley RV, a manufacturing start-up in Goshen, Indiana, to hear directly from American workers who stand to benefit most from this legislation. 

    “I continue to be inspired by the American entrepreneurial spirit shown by the hardworking men and women I’ve met on my listening tour,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “From the concrete crews at Shafer in Michigan to the RV manufacturers at Brinkley in Indiana, these workers are exactly who this Administration is fighting for as we work to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill. President Trump’s historic proposal will deliver the largest tax cut in history for working families, no tax on overtime, and a lower tax burden on small businesses – ensuring they keep more of their hard-earned money to drive America’s economic comeback.”

    “It’s an honor to be in America’s heartland, hearing directly from the workers who form the backbone of our economy,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “For the first time in decades, American workers have a President who is fighting to put them first. By passing the One Big Beautiful Bill, we’ll deliver on President Trump’s promise to grow our economy and give hardworking Americans a fair shot at the American Dream.”

    Michigan

    In Lansing, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Sonderling were joined by Reps. John James and Tom Barrett for a tour of Shafer’s facilities, where they learned more about the company’s on-the-job training program and saw how concrete crews use cutting-edge technology to ensure precise mixture, consistency, and top-tier quality across all plants. They also toured the quality control room, repair shop, and operations center, offering insight into Shafer’s role in keeping the region’s construction industry strong.

    “It was an honor to welcome my friend and U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to Michigan on her America at Work tour,” said Rep. James. “She confirmed what job creators deserve to hear: President Donald J. Trump is focused on growth, not red tape. In just six months, they’ve cut over 60 labor regulations – nearly twice what they did in Trump’s first term – and working to boost apprenticeships to one million strong! When government’s an ally, not an adversary, American workers lead.”

    “Years of overregulation and excessive red tape have crushed businesses in mid-Michigan, discouraged economic growth, and sent the costs of new construction through the roof,” said Rep. Barrett. “Secretary Chavez-DeRemer understands these challenges, which is why I was honored to host her in Lansing to meet with the hard-working team at Shafer and discuss the ways that she and President Trump are jumpstarting job creation across our state. I appreciate her making the trip and look forward to continuing our work together to slash the red tape slowing our economy, cut taxes for hard-working families, and bring high-paying jobs back to our community.”

    Indiana

    Secretary Chavez-DeRemer concluded her two-week, seven-state swing with a stop at Brinkley RV in Goshen alongside Rep. Rudy Yakym, where they met with workers building fifth wheels and travel trailers for families across America.

    “It’s an honor to welcome my friend, Secretary of Labor Chavez-DeRemer, to the Manufacturing Capital of America,” Rep. Yakym said. “Her dedication to strengthening our workforce, fueling job creation, and cutting red tape is exactly what we need to lead the next chapter of American manufacturing. I’m especially grateful to Brinkley RV for hosting us today and showcasing the kind of innovation and excellence that defines Indiana’s Second District.”

    Launched in early April, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s “America at Work” listening tour is bringing real-world feedback from American workers to policymakers in Washington. Recent stops have included visits to Montana and Louisiana, highlighting how the Trump Administration’s pro-growth agenda will unlock trillions in new investments, strengthen the workforce, and a spark a new era of American economic resurgence.

    Learn more about Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s efforts to deliver real results for hardworking Americans.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEA reacts to Trump administration withholding critical education funding

    Source: US National Education Union

    By: Celeste Fernandez, NEA Communications

    Published: July 1, 2025

    WASHINGTON—Almost $6.9 billion in federal K–12 education funding, normally released to states on July 1, is being withheld from students and classrooms, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Despite Congress passing a continuing resolution in March—which President Trump signed extending previous funding levels through fiscal year 2025—the is taking a first step toward “impoundment the illegal withholding of money appropriated by Congress to fund federal programs and activities.

    These billions of dollars would be used for curriculum, technology, and other critical services. The loss of these funds affects thousands of school districts and every state in the nation. If the funds are not released soon, this move will force schools to cut educators’ salaries as well as reading and math supports, student services, including summer and after-school programs, and support for migrant students and English learners. Educators will face layoffs leading to significantly larger class sizes.

    The following can be attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle:

    “School hasn’t even started and this administration is robbing our students and classrooms. It’s shocking, but not surprising, considering the lack of concern for students that this administration has displayed since 1

    and states had planned to use to support children in their statesis a cruel betrayal of students, especially those who rely on critical support services. Schools are already grappling with severe teacher shortages, burnout, and under-resourced classrooms, and here comes the federal government ripping resources away from public schools. It is outrageous and unconscionable.

    “Sadly, this is part of a broader pattern by this administration of undermining public education—starving it of resources, sowing distrust, and pushing privatization at the expense of the nation’s most vulnerable students. And they are doing this at the same time as they push a budget bill that will devastate our schools and communities—all to finance massive tax breaks for billionaires.

    “Educators and parents will not be silent while students are undervalued, unheard, and unsupported. The Trump administration must release these critical funds as required by law. We will stand up, speak out, and take action to ensure every classroom is a place of dignity, opportunity, and respect.” 

    # # # 

    Follow us on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/neapresident.bsky.social & https://bsky.app/profile/neatoday.bsky.social 

    The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, health care workers, and public employees. Learn more at nea.org. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Coalition moves for injunction stopping Trump administration’s actions to dismantle the Department of Education

    Source: US National Education Union

    Washington, D.C. — Today, in the case of NAACP v. US, the coalition of plaintiffs and supporters are moving for a preliminary injunction preventing Linda McMahon and the Trump administration from continuing their unlawful actions to dismantle the Department of Education.   

    Those actions include the Department’s announcement yesterday that it planned to withhold nearly $6.8 billion in appropriated education formula funding from states, almost all of which supports students through their local school districts. That illegal decision, like the other steps this administration has taken to shut down the Department, is unlawful and will harm students and families across the country. 

    The case was brought in March by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), public school parents, the National Education Association (NEA), and AFSCME Maryland Council 3. They are supported by Student Defense and Education Law Center (ELC). Today’s filing asks the Court to block multiple unlawful actions the administration has taken that harm students, schools and communities across the country. Those actions include:   

    • Terminating grants that support the recruitment and retention of teachers and other education professionals in high needs schools and school districts by way of the elimination, without Congressional approval, of the Teacher Quality Partnership, Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED), and School-Based Mental Health Services Grant Programs, among many others. These programs supported students and educators and met critical needs in schools across the country. They have now been unlawfully shut down.   
       
    • Eliminating the Department’s capacity to award the correct amounts of federal formula grant aid to high needs schools and districts through the ESEA Title I programs, the rural school supports program under REAP, and other critical federal education programs in future school years. Defendants’ abolition of the Institute of Education Sciences and other critical Department offices leaves the Department unable to produce the data inputs and carry out other functions necessary to accurately calculate schools’ and districts’ federal funding awards after this year.
       
    • Gutting the vendor oversight and institutional accountability functions in the Office of Federal Student Aid, which had exercised the critical oversight necessary to make Congressionally mandated student loan forgiveness programs, like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, work and which certified schools’ eligibility to participate in federal student financial aid programs by ensuring that college and universities actually provide the services that they advertise.
       
    • Shuttering seven of the twelve regional enforcement offices of the Office for Civil Rights, terminating over half that Office’s investigative workforce, and doubling and even tripling the caseloads of the remaining investigators so as to effectively eliminate OCR’s ability to timely respond to, and remedy, civil rights complaints filed by students, parents, and educators.   

    Today’s filing is supported by record evidence in excess of 1,000 pages, including over 60 individual declarations in support of the plaintiffs’ claims and in opposition to the devastation wrought by the defendants. Declarants include Former Secretaries of Education Miguel Cardona and John King, Former Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine Lhamon, former Institute for Education Sciences Director John Easton, and many more. In addition, school communities and districts are in support of the motion, including the Lemon Grove School District in CA.  

    The motion seeks a remedy for the serious harm that the Trump Administration has inflicted on students, educators, schools, and colleges and universities, and asks the Court to direct the Department to fulfill its statutory obligations to students nationwide. 

    # # 

    About the National Education Association 

    The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org  

    About the NAACP 

    The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities. NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity. 

    About AFSCME Maryland Council 3 
    AFSCME Maryland Council 3 represents more than 50,000 public service workers in local, city, county and state government as well as in higher education and the private sector who provide the valuable public services that our communities rely on. From Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore, we make Maryland happen. 

    About Education Law Center 

    Education Law Center pursues justice and equity for public school students by enforcing their right to a high-quality education in safe, equitable, non-discriminatory, integrated, and well funded learning environments. We seek to support and improve public schools as the center of communities and the foundation of a multicultural and multiracial democratic society. To achieve these goals, we engage in litigation, research and data analysis, policy advocacy, communications, and strategic partnerships and collaborations. https://edlawcenter.org/ 

    About Student Defense 

    The National Student Legal Defense Network (“Student Defense”) is a non-profit organization that works, through litigation and advocacy, to advance students’ rights to educational opportunity and to ensure that higher education provides a launching point for economic mobility. 

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Calls on Trump Admin to Immediately Release Billions in Funds K-12 Schools Across America are Counting On

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Nearly $7 billion in funding approved by Congress in March is blocked just weeks away from the start of the school year
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement demanding the prompt release of billions of dollars in funding for K-12 schools across America that the Trump administration is blocking just weeks away from the start of the new school year. These funds largely go out the door to states on July 1 each year and support school districts in every state. This year, however, the Trump administration is blocking the funding and signaling it may simply seek to illegally impound them.
    “Today, billions of dollars that Congress has already provided to support students across America should be going out the door—but President Trump is blocking these investments and putting school districts in every zip code in a bind with the new school year just weeks away.
    “President Trump himself signed this funding into law—but that isn’t stopping him from choking off resources to support before and after school programs, help students learn, support teachers in the classroom, and a lot more. The uncertainty he has created has already forced districts to delay hiring and other initiatives to help students. The only question left now is how much more damage this administration wants to inflict on our public schools.
    “President Trump and Russ Vought need to stop sabotaging our students’ futures and get these resources out the door. Local school districts can’t afford to wait out lengthy court proceedings to get the federal funding they’re owed—nor can they make up the shortfall, especially not at the drop of a pin. Every day that this funding is held up is a day that school districts are forced to worry about whether they’ll have to cut back on afterschool programs or lay off teachers instead of worrying about how to make sure our kids can succeed.”
    The Trump administration has confirmed it is blocking funding for the following programs from being available to school district across America:
    Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size.
    21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), which support high-quality before and after-school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students.
    Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services, and improving school technology, among many others.
    English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), which supports language instruction to help English language learners become proficient in English.
    Migrant Education (Title I-C), which supports the educational needs of migratory children, including children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
    Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants), which support adult education and literacy programs to provide the basic skills to help prepare adults and out-of-school youth for success in the workforce.
    Notably, the Trump administration has proposed to eliminate each of these programs in its fiscal year 2026 budget request, and it has so far refused to commit to spending the funding already provided for this fiscal year. When pressed in early June by Senator Murray about whether the Department of Education would release the funds to school districts, Secretary Linda McMahon refused to make any commitment to get the funds out. At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing last week, Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought similarly refused to commit to getting the funding out—and even suggested to Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) the funds could be part of a future rescissions request, or illegally impounded.
    In total, the Trump administration is blocking nearly $7 billion in approved funding for these programs from going out the door to K-12 schools. A state-by-state breakdown of how much funding is at stake is below.
    FUNDING BLOCKED BY TRUMP ADMIN
    State
    Fiscal Year 2024 Funding
    Fiscal Year 2025 Funding
    Alabama
    $100,392,656
    ???
    Alaska
    $47,665,907
    ???
    Arizona
    $134,262,493
    ???
    Arkansas
    $64,255,707
    ???
    California
    $927,965,332
    ???
    Colorado
    $79,619,065
    ???
    Connecticut
    $53,561,846
    ???
    Delaware
    $28,585,105
    ???
    District of Columbia
    $26,683,109
    ???
    Florida
    $398,177,922
    ???
    Georgia
    $223,888,870
    ???
    Hawaii
    $33,290,327
    ???
    Idaho
    $36,493,633
    ???
    Illinois
    $243,191,750
    ???
    Indiana
    $107,174,260
    ???
    Iowa
    $44,494,874
    ???
    Kansas
    49,946,530
    ???
    Kentucky
    96,495,478
    ???
    Louisiana
    119,812,747
    ???
    Maine
    27,630,253
    ???
    Maryland
    110,193,772
    ???
    Massachusetts
    107,694,933
    ???
    Michigan
    173,716,752
    ???
    Minnesota
    74,106,362
    ???
    Mississippi
    71,654,231
    ???
    Missouri
    93,962,471
    ???
    Montana
    27,978,071
    ???
    Nebraska
    38,149,509
    ???
    Nevada
    61,212,651
    ???
    New Hampshire
    27,004,029
    ???
    New Jersey
    162,462,714
    ???
    New Mexico
    49,847,565
    ???
    New York
    463,833,139
    ???
    North Carolina
    185,874,769
    ???
    North Dakota
    26,573,545
    ???
    Ohio
    203,510,265
    ???
    Oklahoma
    77,827,922
    ???
    Oregon
    80,991,681
    ???
    Pennsylvania
    230,714,211
    ???
    Rhode Island
    29,371,806
    ???
    South Carolina
    94,118,605
    ???
    South Dakota
    27,200,921
    ???
    Tennessee
    118,985,396
    ???
    Texas
    738,537,697
    ???
    Utah
    40,402,965
    ???
    Vermont
    26,125,325
    ???
    Virginia
    123,536,510
    ???
    Washington
    150,695,542
    ???
    West Virginia
    32,494,457
    ???
    Wisconsin
    80,333,097
    ???
    Wyoming
    25,545,207
    ???
    Total
    6,880,834,000
    ???

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Stands with President Trump, Passes One Big Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today released the following statement after voting to pass President Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
    “President Trump and I want to preserve the American Dream for working and middle America,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We keep taxes low, cut taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security, extend the Child Tax Credit, fix our broken education system, support our military, secure our border, and build a business environment that creates better paying jobs – especially in Louisiana.” 
    As chair of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Cassidy led the Committee’s portion of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which fixes America’s broken higher education system and addresses the root causes of the student debt crisis.
    Cassidy pushed to secure provisions in this historic legislation that:
    Make higher education more affordable by eliminating inflationary loan programs that have resulted in higher tuition costs.   
    Prevent taxpayer-subsidized loans for degrees that leave students worse off than if they never went to college.  
    Reform the current federal student loan program that transfers debt onto the 87 percent of Americans who chose to not go to college or already paid off their loans.
    Ensure low-income Americans can access higher education by strengthening Pell Grants and addressing the program’s budget shortfall. As it currently stands, the Pell Grant program faces a mounting budget shortfall that threatens its future.  
    Expand education freedom and opportunity for students by providing a charitable donation incentive for individuals and businesses to fund scholarship awards for students to cover expenses related to K-12 public and private education. 
    Increase access to career or technical-based education for low-income students by establishing Workforce Pell Grants. This is crucial to achieving President Trump’s goal of bringing skilled jobs back to America from China and Mexico. 
    Boost U.S. manufacturing and crack down on China and other countries abusing our trade loopholes (de minimis). In 2023, Cassidy introduced similar legislation. 
    Provide beauty industry small businesses with access to the tip credit, which would create jobs.
    Eliminate the $200 tax stamp for short-barreled firearms. 
    Raise the annual cap on offshore energy revenue sharing with Gulf states from $500 million to $650 million through 2034. 
    Require the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to hold no fewer than two lease sales every year for fifteen years in the Central and Western areas of the Gulf of America—something the Biden administration refused to do. 
    Invest $389 million in America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to bolster U.S. energy security. 
    Unleash American energy by allowing energy companies to deduct costs, including labor and safety, associated with oil and gas exploration. 
    Expand access to direct primary care arrangements, by allowing the use of Health Savings Account (HSA) dollars to pay for such services. 
    Click here for the HELP section-by-section.
    Click here for the HELP one-pager.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Votes Against Republican Tax Scam That Will Raise Costs and Cut Health Care for Millions of Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) voted against the final passage of H.R. 1, the Republican tax scam which cuts Medicaid, clean energy tax credits, food assistance, and more in order to lower taxes for the wealthiest Americans. The bill now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives for a vote.

    “This morning, Senate Republicans voted to raise costs on working families, rip health care from Nevadans who need it, and kill good-paying jobs across our state to ensure their billionaire friends save on their taxes,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Make no mistake: Republicans are responsible for the devastating impacts that will come from this bill. I will continue to put a spotlight on how these disastrous cuts are causing harm to Nevadans.”

    According to reports, the Republican tax bill would:

    • Add almost $4 trillion to the national debt
    • Cut more than $1.1 trillion in health care funding, including $930 billion from Medicaid
    • Kick 17 million Americans off health insurance, including 114,500 Nevadans
    • Threaten 21,000 clean-energy jobs in Nevada
    • Raise the cost of Nevadans’ energy bills by $400 per year
    • Slash food assistance programs that will raise grocery costs, threaten free school lunches, and make it harder for over 40 million Americans, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, and 1.2 million veterans to put food on the table.
    • Gut BrandUSA, a long-standing bipartisan public-private partnership to support international tourists coming to Nevada
    • Further President Trump’s cruel mass deportation agenda instead of focusing on targeting criminals 
    • Provide a $118,630 tax boost for the top 0.1% of Americans while raising costs for working families

    Senator Cortez Masto has repeatedly called out President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ attempts to slash Medicaid and harm Nevada families to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. She has also continued to push the Trump Administration to address the impacts of Trump’s tariffs on working families, small businesses, and Nevada’s travel and tourism economy.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Passes President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Advancing Agenda for a Strong, Prosperous America

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
    ***Click here for audio.***
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate voted today to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) by a vote of 51 to 50. This legislation permanently extends the 2017 Trump tax cuts, accelerates American energy dominance, supports the nation’s farmers and ranchers, reduces federal spending, invests in generational defense capabilities such as President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome missile-defense shield, and delivers the largest single border-security investment in U.S. history.
    Within 10 years, OBBBA will cut the total deficit nearly in half and primary deficits will become surpluses. It builds upon the 2017 Trump tax cuts with incentives for investing in America to create new jobs and revive domestic manufacturing. The pro-growth policies are reflected in the recent Congressional Budget Office score indicating the legislation will reduce the deficit by $507 billion. The Council of Economic Advisors estimates it will slash the deficit by over $2 trillion over the next decade and lead to higher worker wages and increased GDP.
    U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the legislation:
    “What we did with this vote today is took a decisive step toward implementing President Trump’s agenda and restoring some fiscal sanity to Washington, D.C. which has been missing for several decades. It delivers on our promise as Republicans to extend pro-growth tax policy permanently, not just another extension, but make it permanent, and it gives much-needed certainty to American families, and businesses, and investment of all types. We are really aligning federal spending with North Dakota pragmatism, quite honestly. We’re slashing Green New Deal gimmicks, boosting reliable energy sources, delivering unprecedented resources to the border, which we know is in high demand, and then bringing defense efforts like the Golden Dome and nuclear modernization to complete fruition. It’s really a win for every American who believes prosperity, security, and fiscal responsibility all go hand in hand.”
    Prevents a $4 Trillion Tax Increase
    ***Click here for audio on OBBBA tax provisions***
    This legislation permanently extends the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to provide relief for working Americans and job creators. Without this bill, Americans would receive a $4 trillion tax hike, the largest increase in American history. It supports families by expanding the standard deduction, which is utilized by more than 90% of taxpayers, and the Child Tax Credit, and making both improvements permanent.
    The OBBBA includes pro-growth provisions to support small businesses by preserving the small business deduction to support job creation and local economic growth. It also includes efforts to boost domestic production and investment, including full expensing for domestic research and development, and new capital investments. To support financing for domestic investments, the OBBBA reinstates a globally competitive interest deduction.
    Promotes Energy Dominance
    To promote American energy dominance, the legislation rapidly phases out tax credits for intermittent wind and solar projects while boosting reliable domestic energy sources like nuclear, geothermal, and hydropower. The OBBBA also improves the 45Q credit, a critical tool for North Dakota’s lignite coal and oil producers, by indexing the value of the credit to inflation and equalizing the rate for all users of the credit. It promotes oil and gas development by requiring the Bureau of Land Management to hold quarterly leases, reduces royalty rates to pre-Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) levels, ensures timely leasing of federal coal resources, pauses the IRA natural gas tax for a decade, and creates an opt-in program at the Council on Environmental Quality for expedited environmental reviews. Finally, the OBBBA repeals costly Biden-era green energy efforts including the electric vehicle tax credit, rescinds unobligated IRA funds, nixes the costly methane tax, and fully repeals the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
    Delivers the Largest Border Security Package in American History
    In the few months since President Trump’s return to the White House, illegal border crossings have dropped precipitously. The OBBBA provisions support these efforts and include funding for over 2,300 miles of border walls and barriers while also giving U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) resources to carry out the mission of protecting the border. This funding will allow ICE to hire additional officers and agents to patrol the border. The bill invests $46.55 billion to complete the Trump Wall and upgrade its barriers and intrusion sensors alongside $4.1 billion for hiring and training agents, officers, pilots, and support staff, as well as incentives to retain top talent. It ends the previous administration’s catch-and-release policy, deploys artificial intelligence (AI)-powered non-intrusive inspection systems, drones, counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems radar, and a nationwide biometric entry-exit network to stop fentanyl at the border.
    Curbs Immigration Abuse & Makes the System Pay for Itself
    The legislation flips the “everything is free” asylum pipeline on its head, imposing an inflation-indexed minimum $100 asylum-application fee that is split evenly between immigration courts and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to attack the backlog without touching taxpayers. Aliens removed in absentia now face a $5,000 fee upon apprehension—half of which flows directly into ICE’s Detention & Removal Office Fee Account to fund beds and removals.
    Makes Long Overdue Improvements to the Farm Safety Net
    To address the absence of a new Farm Bill, the OBBBA supports farm country by raising reference prices for covered commodities under the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. For crop year 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will pay farmers the larger of ARC or PLC, regardless of which program they enrolled in for the year. It boosts premium support for the individual-based crop insurance and the Supplemental Coverage Option. The bill increases marketing assistance loan rates, improves disaster and animal disease prevention programs for livestock, and funds a supplemental agricultural trade promotion program. The OBBBA also modifies work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility and sets in place reforms to improve efficiency and management of the program. 
    Implements Commonsense Medicaid Reforms
    The bill reduces waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicaid program and puts Medicaid on a fiscally sustainable path. It establishes sensible work requirements for able-bodied adults and provides exemptions for individuals with dependent children or medical needs. It increases the frequency of eligibility verifications and limits the use of financing gimmicks such as provider taxes to ensure Medicaid remains available for the most vulnerable into the future. The bill also establishes a rural health transformation fund to support critical rural hospitals and clinics across the country. 
    Invests in Generational Defense Capabilities
    President Trump’s Golden Dome initiative, unmanned ships, drones, AI and other recent investments in new defense technology in North Dakota and across the country, are included in the OBBBA. The legislation allocates $25 billion for the Golden Dome missile defense system and $210 million for MH-139 helicopters. Additionally, it provides $15 billion to accelerate nuclear modernization programs specifying $2.5 billion for the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program and $600 million for the Minuteman III ICBM, both of which are housed in North Dakota. It also includes $90 million for APEX Accelerators and significant improvements in quality of life for troops and their families. 
    Modernizes Commerce & Transportation Infrastructure
    The OBBBA injects more than $34 billion into the arteries of American commerce—keeping goods, data, and people moving safely and on time. It fully recapitalizes the Coast Guard with $24.593 billion for new Offshore, Fast-Response, Polar, and Arctic cutters, long-range UAVs, autonomous surface vessels, and critical shore-facility upgrades. Another $12.57 billion modernizes the Federal Aviation Administration’s radars, telecom backbone, runway-safety tech, and controller displays to cut delays and boost air-travel safety nationwide. The bill restores the Federal Communications Commission’s auction authority through 2034 and directs the auction of mid-band spectrum within two years—part of a plan which ultimately reallocates 500 MHz for 5G/6G—and gives National Telecommunications and Information Administration the resources to value and relocate Federal users.
    Click here for bill text. Click here for one-pagers.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Supports Passage of Republican Reconciliation Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, issued the following statement after passage of the Republican reconciliation bill. With Chairman Capito’s support, the legislation passed and now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives.
    “Today, the Senate moved President Trump’s agenda forward and acted on the mandate given to Congress by the American people. Included in this bill are provisions I worked to craft through the EPW Committee that will lower energy costs for American families, return remaining taxpayer dollars spent recklessly by Democrats, and create more efficiency for infrastructure investments into our communities. Americans need reliable and affordable energy, wasteful spending needs to be cut, and our country needs to be able to build again. Together, we passed legislation to do that and more for American families and communities across our great nation,” Chairman Capito said. 
    EPW HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED IN THIS LEGISLATION:
    Stops the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) natural gas tax for 10 years, bringing certainty to American energy producers, preserving energy jobs, and incentivizing domestic production that will lead to lower costs for American consumers.
    Rescinds unspent dollars from the IRA in EPW’s jurisdiction that were put towards duplicative and wasteful initiatives with little oversight or accountability to the American taxpayer.
    Repeals the IRA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and rescinds all of that program’s unobligated dollars.
    Creates an opt-in fee program at the Council on Environmental Quality for expedited environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act.The fee is set at 125 percent of the costs to prepare the environmental document or supervision and preparation of the environmental document when the project sponsor opts to prepare the document. Once the fee is paid, the provision sets a one-year timeline for completion of an Environmental Impact Statement and six-month timeline for an Environmental Assessment. 
    Click HERE to view a section-by-section on EPW’s portion of this legislation.
    Click HERE to view a one-pager on EPW’s portion of this legislation.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford Secures Major Wins for Oklahoma Families, Energy Producers, and Small Businesses in One Big Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford
    WASHINGTON, DC — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK), a member of the Senate Finance and Homeland Security Committees, released the following statement after the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which delivers the largest tax cut in history for hardworking Americans, secures the border, strengthens Medicaid program integrity, and rebuilds the military, all while cutting out-of-control spending.
    “This is a big, beautiful win for Oklahoma families, workers, seniors, and small businesses,” said Lankford. “This bill halts the largest tax increase in history, secures the border, and contains the most significant entitlement reform in years. I fought to make sure Oklahoma values were reflected in this package – protecting charitable giving, supporting energy jobs, and making it easier for businesses to grow and hire American workers.”
    Lankford secured key wins in the One Big Beautiful Bill to support Oklahoma families, job creators, and charitable giving.
    He secured the charitable deduction for non-itemizers, allowing couples to deduct up to $2,000 in donations. This will help more Americans support local churches, charities, and non-profits.
    Lankford also led the repeal of the Biden administration’s tax penalty on oil and gas producers by restoring key investment deductions. This will allow energy producers to reinvest, create jobs, and keep energy prices stable.
    He also worked to make full, immediate expensing permanent so businesses can deduct the full cost of equipment and technology up front. This will drive expansion, innovation, and job creation across Oklahoma. 
    Background
    Lankford has been outspoken on what it would have meant for Oklahomans if the One Big Beautiful Bill hadn’t passed the Senate and if President Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts expire:
    A staggering 63,000 jobs were projected to be lost.
    The average Oklahoma family faced a $2,013 tax increase.
    Nearly 449,000 households would have seen their child tax credit reduced by 50%.
    Over 233,000 small business owners would have been hit with significant tax hikes.
    More than 1.5 million families would have had their standard deduction cut in half.
    To read more about how this bill helps families, seniors, the vulnerable and disabled, farmers and ranchers, small businesses, as well as strengthens our national defenses, unleashes American energy, and secures the border, see below: 
    How this bill helps families
    This bill delivers the largest tax cut in history, which will result in higher wages and higher take home pay. This is also the most substantial entitlement reform in years, which will help our safety net programs stay viable for those in need.
    The average family will save about $5,000 in additional taxes next year.
    There will be no tax on tips, an increased standard deduction for seniors, no tax on overtime, and a tax break for those who buy new cars made in America.
    This bill will also give families $2,200 per child up to 16 years old every year. It will also create a savings account for every child born between 2025 and the end of 2028 – each account would start with a $1,000 deposit that parents can invest for their kids, giving kids a financial boost from birth.
    In Oklahoma, the long-run wage increase is projected to go from $4,800 to $9,100 according to the Council of Economic Advisers.
    In Oklahoma, the take-home pay increase for a family of four is projected to go from $6,500 to $10,800 according to the Council of Economic Advisers.
    This bill also expands the adoption tax credit and indexes it for inflation. It also allows for tribal governments to decide when a child qualifies as having special needs to extra help under the credit. When adoption can cause as much as $60,000, this tax credit will make it easier for families to welcome a child in need into their lives and homes.
    Police officers, firefighters, truckers, linemen, and others who work overtime will take home an average of more than $1,300 a year because of the no tax on overtime in this bill.
    Those who buy a new American-made car will be able to write off some of the interest from their car loan, which will help families and American manufacturing.
    How this bill helps seniors
    Seniors who make less than $75,000 as an individual or a couple who makes less than $150,000 will see a $6,000 increase in their standard deduction regardless of whether they are receiving Social Security yet or not.
    How this bill helps vulnerable and disabled patients
    This bill is good news for vulnerable and disabled patients because it protects the aged, blind, and disabled from changes to Medicaid. It also blocks Biden’s nursing home staffing mandate that threatened rural care facilities, it boosts physician payments to offset cuts that the Biden administration had implemented, and it ensures continued access to care and incentivizes innovation, especially for those with rare diseases or who need access to telehealth options. It also prohibits tax dollars from going to Planned Parenthood through Medicaid.
    How this bill helps farmers and ranchers
    This bill delivers wins for rural America by expanding the farm safety net, strengthening crop insurance, and supporting agricultural trade. The bill also restores accountability in nutrition programs and ensures food assistance serves Americans in need, not illegal immigrants. 
    This bill would keep two million family farms safe from the death tax by making permanent death tax exemptions from the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
    How this bill incentivizes giving to charity
    Sen. Lankford was proud to lead on restoring a tax deduction for non-itemizers – up to $2,000 per couple – which will help more Americans support charities, houses of worship, and non-profits, especially those that serve the most vulnerable. 
    How this bill helps energy production
    Sen. Lankford also led a repeal of the Biden administration’s unfair tax penalty on oil and gas producers by restoring key investment deductions, which will allow domestic energy producers to reinvest, create jobs, and keep energy costs stable. 
    How this bill helps businesses
    Sen. Lankford worked to make full, immediate expensing permanent, so businesses can deduct investments like equipment and technology up front, which will help fuel job creation and business expansion.
    How this bill cracks down on illegal immigration
    This bill devotes $160 billion to hire more Border Patrol Agents, more ICE officers, and to finish the border wall and invest in technology to secure the border.
    How this bill helps our air traffic control system
    The bill invests $12.5 billion to modernize America’s air traffic control system, by replacing outdated equipment, upgrading safety infrastructure, and expanding controller training so we continue to have the safest skies in the world. 
    How this bill strengthens our national defense
    This bill provides $150 billion to strengthen our military, rebuild our defense industrial base, and support border security missions. It also funds the Golden Dome initiative, boosts efforts to counter China, improves the quality of life for our servicemembers, invests in the tools needed to improve Pentagon accountability and delivers a clean audit.

    MIL OSI USA News