NewzIntel.com

Category: Trumpism

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scalise, Cosponsors Celebrate Passage of Rescissions Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Conference Vice Chair Blake Moore (R-Utah), Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.), DOGE Subcommittee Chair Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), and Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) released the following statements after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025:“For too long, Washington has run on reckless, out-of-control spending to the detriment of American families and taxpayers. Through their investigation into government waste, fraud, and abuse, DOGE uncovered shocking foreign aid initiatives funded by the American taxpayer – such as LGBTQ+ initiatives around the world or electric buses in Africa. Additionally, Americans continue to subsidize the Corporation of Public Broadcasting, including NPR and PBS, despite raging political bias,” said Majority Leader Steve Scalise. “American taxpayers shouldn’t be funding woke foreign aid or radical media – their dollars should go to improving the nation they live in. I’m grateful to my colleagues in the House for supporting my legislation codifying the Trump Administration’s rescissions request. House Republicans and President Trump ran on the promise to turn Washington’s spending trajectory around, and with this legislation, we’re following through.”“This $9.4 billion rescissions package is a step in the right direction in reducing waste in our spending, addressing our crippling federal debt issues, and ensuring the American Dream stays within reach for the next generation. If we keep running $2 trillion annual deficits for the next decade, our Treasury bonds will become worthless, and it will be impossible to protect any federal programs in the long haul. I am also pleased that this package maintains live-saving aid provisions in PEPFAR and other Global Health accounts. This effort is critical to scaling back our bloated federal spending,” said Conference Vice Chair Blake Moore. Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole said, “Responsible governance means prioritizing fiscal sanity and holding Washington accountable. Just as everyday Americans make tough choices and cut costs, so should their government. This rescissions request is part of that objective and will advance accountability and save hard-earned taxpayer dollars. It’s another step in fulfilling the promise President Trump and House Republicans made to change the trajectory of our fiscal glide path and restore discipline across federal agencies. I commend Majority Leader Scalise’s work and his willingness to hear various perspectives on the proposal. Taken as a whole, this effort reflects a shared understanding that the status quo on spending cannot remain, and I am steadfast in my support of advancing that comprehensive mission. This is just the start, and we will continue to reevaluate federal spending and target investments where they’re needed most.”DOGE Subcommittee Chair Marjorie Taylor Greene said, “I’m so excited the House has passed its first bill codifying President Trump’s DOGE cuts into law! I’m proud of the work the House Oversight Committee and my DOGE Subcommittee have done to expose the waste, fraud, and abuse at USAID, NPR, and PBS. We led the way. We held the hearings. We’re getting results. But this is only the beginning. We must codify every single DOGE cut into law and keep our promise to the American people to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse for good.”“Taxpayers deserve an efficient, accountable government. H.R. 4, the Rescissions Act of 2025, cuts reckless, politically biased spending identified by DOGE and takes a critical step toward fiscal health. House Republicans are ready to restore responsibility—I urge the Senate to act swiftly. Let’s go get’em!” said Rep. Aaron Bean.“The Rescissions Act of 2025 is a commonsense measure to restore fiscal discipline in Washington. As Co-Chair of the House DOGE Caucus, I’m committed to eliminating waste, reclaiming taxpayer dollars, and upholding conservative principles of responsible governance. Protecting the taxpayer and overseeing the allocation of their hard-earned money is the constitutional duty of Congress,” said Rep. Pete Sessions.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scalise Highlights America First Rescissions Package

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) spoke on the House floor before the passage of the Rescissions Act of 2025, which codifies President Trump’s DOGE cuts to root out waste, fraud, and abuse from federal overspending. Leader Scalise emphasized that Democrats’ ‘no’ vote is a vote to prioritize far-left foreign programs over lowering inflation, paying down our debt, and strengthening social services for Americans.

    Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks. 
    Leader Scalise’s remarks:“I thank my friend, our conference chair, Ms. McClain, for managing this time on this important bill. Mr. Speaker, a lot of people come up here and they talk about trying to get America’s fiscal house in order, about the idea of getting back to balanced federal budgets. I don’t know many people here who are against it. I know when we later in this Congress put a bill on the floor to require a balanced federal budget, there will be many Democrats, Mr. Speaker, who will vote no on that, because when it comes time to actually put your votes on the board to back up the principles that most Americans relish, they walk away. They won’t be there when it actually matters. Everybody could talk about cutting wasteful spending. Even if you don’t necessarily agree that it’s wasteful spending, and what we’re bringing today is wasteful spending, but even if you think, ‘Okay, might not be as bad as some other things you don’t agree with,’ we all have to agree, Mr. Speaker, that as we just saw a few weeks ago, Moody’s downgraded the credit rating of the United States. Wasn’t a recommendation, Mr. Speaker. Wasn’t a warning that, gee whiz, if you folks don’t get your fiscal house in order, this might happen. They actually did it. They downgraded the credit rating in the United States because spending has to get under control. The party over there that spent the last four years under President Biden spending like drunken sailors, and all due respect to drunken sailors, because they don’t spend this bad. But the trillions of dollars of debt that were racked up had consequences, Mr. Speaker. “It had consequences not only in terms of our national debt, it affected the pocketbooks of families all across America because that spending, bloated spending in Washington, money we don’t have, by the way, increased inflation to the point where people couldn’t even go to the grocery store to fill up their carts. They couldn’t afford to go to the gas station to fill up their cars. They couldn’t afford to take out a loan to buy a house because interest rates had gotten so high that today we’re spending more money servicing our interest than we are on America’s national debt. These are all real, dramatic facts that concern most Americans. They say, thank goodness, Congress is finally bringing a bill to the floor to start cutting some spending that aren’t priorities. Call it wasteful if you want, call it whatever you want, but these aren’t things that we can afford to spend, even if you agree with them. Because it’s not money we have in the bank. It’s all borrowed money, Mr. Speaker. And so, where did we start? “Well, the White House laid out a number of things. They looked at that USAID program – they didn’t gut the whole thing, but they said there are a number of things that are being done that just don’t represent the values of the United States. And are being done in foreign countries while we don’t have our fiscal house in order here in America. So, how about we start there? I know the Democrats on the other side are acting like, ‘Oh, my God, the world’s going to stop spinning on its axis if this spending goes away.’ So why don’t we talk about some of the spending that will go away? Again, borrowed money, not money we just took out of the bank, money we borrowed from countries like China to spend on that is a debt to our kids. Each one of these I list, Mr. Speaker, you should ask, if you vote ‘yes,’ you’re finally relieving that debt burden. But if you vote ‘no,’ you think it’s okay to send this bill to our kids. “We’re not paying for it today, Mr. Speaker, but our kids would if we keep doing it. If the other side votes ‘no,’ they want to keep borrowing money from our children to spend a million dollars on voter ID in Haiti. The same party that doesn’t want voter ID in America – calls it racist – wants to fund voter ID in Haiti. $6 million for net-zero cities in Mexico. I know some of their best supporters are waving a Mexican flag at an American city right now, and they support those efforts. Most Americans don’t, Mr. Speaker. “$3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street. The minority leader held up a Sesame Street character here on the floor as if Sesame Street somehow is going to go away. I was just watching a commercial on TV yesterday where the Cookie Monster was actually doing an advertisement for Netflix because a private company is paying money to run Sesame Street. It’s not going away. It’s doing just fine. Very lucrative. What will go away is some of the far-left radical views that are being espoused. By the way, when this goes away at NPR, you can still turn on about six or seven other channels and get the same far-left radical views, but they’re all going to be private companies, Mr. Speaker, not taxpayer-funded entities. If somebody wants to pay money to go on one of their services that they stream or get over the top, or however they get their digital content, they can still do that.And there are a lot of options. Never been more options. Some people joke that they buy their services for their cable or whatever else they get, and that there’s 200 channels, and they might only watch four or five of them. There is still going to be a plethora of options for the American people. But if they’re paying their hard-earned dollars to go get content, why should your tax dollars go to only one thing that the other side wants to promote? Let everybody compete on a fair basis. They can still watch Sesame Street in Iraq, but let the Iraqi people pay for it, not the taxpayers of the United States of America’s children. “Today’s taxpayers aren’t paying for it because it’s all borrowed money. $2.1 million for climate resilience in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and East Africa. Five hundred thousand for electric buses in Rwanda. Rwanda is more than free to go buy all the electric buses they want or diesel buses. Why should the taxpayers of America be borrowing money from our children to buy electric buses for Rwanda? $33,000 for being LGBTQI in the Caribbean. Taxpayer money that a ‘no’ vote today says is more important than strengthening a program like Social Security. I say not. $643,000 for LGBTQI+ programs in the Western Balkans. Borrowed money. $567,000, Mr. Speaker, for LGBTQI+ programs in Uganda. $5.1 million to strengthen the ‘resilience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer global movement.’ Not sure what that global movement is. They can continue that movement in some other way, but just not with the taxpayer dollars of the United States of America’s children. Again, there’s no bank account that $5.1 million came out of. It’s all borrowed money that a ‘no’ vote says is more important than strengthening Social Security. $135 million in contributions to the World Health Organization, which we all saw during COVID, was the mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist Party. I would imagine if we stopped this $135 million funding, the CCP may pick it up because they were regurgitating their talking points during COVID. “At some point, Mr. Speaker, the question we’ve all got to answer is, number one, do you believe in fiscal responsibility? Maybe some people have other priorities than these they’d like to defund. But if you think these are all things that are worth borrowing money from our children to fund, then that’s what the ‘no’ vote represents. If you think it’s time we start somewhere, here’s the place to start, not to finish, just the beginning, to finally start getting control over spending and respecting those families who are working hard, who are working two shifts at the diner to pay taxes on tips that will soon go away if our One Big Beautiful Bill passes. Or somebody who’s working overtime because you want to send your kid to college, and you find out this is where your taxpayer dollars are going, and you’re disgusted and say, ‘When will somebody do something about it?’ Today’s the day to do something about it. Talk is cheap. Put the action on the floor. Let’s finally get control over spending in a small way. Start a bigger picture towards a balanced budget, but it starts here. Vote yes, get this done, and let’s keep moving forward to strengthen this great country. With that, I urge a yes vote and yield back, Mr. Speaker.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Calvert Statement on Israeli Strikes On Iran

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

    Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Defense Appropriations issued the following statement in support of Israel:

    “Israel has taken the necessary steps to ensure their safety and survival. The extensive air strikes against Iran were targeted; intended to take out senior military leadership and nuclear enrichment and military facilities.  

    Iran was given numerous chances to abandon their nuclear enrichment and weaponization activities but chose to push forward despite warnings from President Trump and Israel.  The Iranian Regime has been the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world; they have armed Hamas and Hezbollah and have repeatedly threatened our shared interests with Israel.  They were the orchestrators of October 7th which saw 1,195 Israelis and 46 Americans murdered, and hundreds taken hostage. From the Beirut bombing in 1983 to the 2024 drone attacks against U.S. assets in Jordan, which resulted in the death of three American troops, they have the blood of hundreds of Americans on their hands. Their day of reckoning has come.  

    As antisemitism rears its ugly head around the world, the reason for the state of Israel has become abundantly clear.  Israel is the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people, and since its inception they have only wished to live in peace with their neighbors but they will not hesitate to defend their nation, and their people, with every tool in their arsenal – as any nation would. Allowing Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, which would enable them to destroy the state of Israel was a red line.  ‘Never again’ is now, and I support Israel’s continued operations to ensure the survival of their people and their home.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Costa Slams Bill That Risks Farm Exports and Silences Valley PBS, KVPR

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) voted against H.R. 4 – Rescissions Act of 2025, which would revoke $9.8 billion in approved federal funding by Congress. The bill cuts global food aid programs that support U.S. farmers who export food, and it threatens public broadcasting relied on by millions of households. 
    “You don’t reduce the deficit by slashing programs that work—you do it by investing wisely and cutting where it counts,” said Costa.“While Republicans cheer $9.8 billion in so-called savings, their broader agenda balloons the deficit by $3 trillion. This bill would knee-cap tools to advance U.S. interests abroad, pull the rug out from under our farmers and silence trusted local news sources like Valley PBS and KVPR that our communities rely on.” 
    BACKGROUND 
    The Rescissions Act of 2025 is a legislative package introduced by the Trump Administration in partnership with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). It proposes to rescind $9.4 billion in federal funding already approved by Congress, using a rarely invoked process known as a budget rescission. 
    Under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the President may propose rescissions to cancel budget authority previously enacted by Congress. While the law provides this authority, rescission packages are rarely used and passed. Historically, Presidents from both parties have submitted rescission proposals, but Congress has only approved a handful of them.  
    Republicans are celebrating the $9.8 billion in proposed “savings,” yet their Big, Ugly Bill would add at least $3 trillion to our debt. This rescissions package seeks to rescind more than $8 billion for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which funds global food aid programs supporting market development for California farmers. These programs help purchase commodities like almonds, grapes, and citrus for export to address global hunger, which generates an estimated $2 billion in annual revenue for American agriculture, feeding the world while generating good will towards the United States. 
    In addition, it would rescind $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, of which roughly 70% of this funding sustains local NPR and PBS stations across America. This would impact Valley PBS and KVPR-Valley Public Radio, which provide trusted news, educational programming, and emergency information to families across the region. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Swalwell Statement on the Assault of Senator Alex Padilla

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14) issued the following statement on the Assault of Senator Alex Padilla:

    “America is dying. The brutal attack on Senator Padilla puts America closer to a failed democracy. Senator Padilla was physically grabbed and removed from a press conference — that took place in his own office building — for doing his job. Senator Padilla spoke truth to power and was arrested for doing so.

    Secretary Kristi Noem must resign immediately. She has lost the confidence of the American people. We were promised ICE would target violent criminals. Instead, they’re terrorizing families. A four-year-old American citizen battling cancer was deported. A U.S. Marshall was detained over the weekend. And now, two members of congress have been arrested. ICE must also remove its mask. Faceless agents have no business in America. These agents — who resemble KGB officers clearing protests in Russia — are endangering the public and other law enforcement officials.

    The public must show up this weekend at the No Kings Day rallies across 2,000 cities. The size is the point. Not violence. The size. Let’s show Donald Trump there are more decent, freedom-loving Americans than those who support fascism.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Garamendi Statement on Trump’s Budget Claw Backs to Slash USAID and Emergency Broadcast Systems

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

    WASHINGTON DC – Today, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8) released the following statement on President Trump’s budget claw backs, which eliminates $8.3 billion in funding for U.S. foreign assistance and $1.1 billion in funding for public broadcasting:

    “Gutting U.S. foreign assistance and public broadcasting funding will make America less safe.  

    “These budget claw backs don’t just reduce funding, they unravel decades of investment in our communities, both here in America and around the globe. Whether it’s global partnerships building long-lasting relationships or decades of investments in our emergency broadcast systems that millions depend on, these cuts will make us weaker.  

    “Foreign assistance is not just a moral responsibility – it’s a strategic investment. We’re stopping wars and diseases overseas before they reach our borders. The next pandemic could be only a plane flight away. It also undermines our credibility as a reliable partner, and it’s a gift to our adversaries eager to fill the gaps we leave behind. As a former a Peace Corp volunteer, I’m devastated that Trump is taking a chainsaw to our most effective toolkit for preventing and mitigating global crises.

    “Cutting over a billion dollars from public broadcasting will gut local news and it will cripple emergency broadcasting systems which rural communities rely upon. Let me be clear: Trump’s reckless cuts will disproportionately hurt rural Americans.

    “Congress, not the president, has the power of the purse. Trump is unlawfully sidestepping Congress and the Constitution in order to eliminate these funds. These budget claw backs will codify these draconian cuts into law defying the will of Congress and the who elected them. It’s highway robbery at its finest, where House Republicans and Trump are stealing our ability to be safe at home and abroad.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Garamendi Statement on Sen. Padilla’s Forceful Removal

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

    WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) issued the following statement following U.S. Senator Padilla’s handcuffing and detainment during Trump’s Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s press conference:  

    “This is appalling and unacceptable. California’s U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was doing his job of conducting administrative oversight and expressing his right to free speech. Shoving, handcuffing, and throwing a United States Senator on the ground just for asking a question crosses an unprecedented line.

    “This administration is out of control and must be held accountable. These are the actions of an increasingly authoritarian President.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LaMalfa Applauds Trump Executive Order to Overhaul Wildfire Prevention and Response

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California

    Washington, D.C.— Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) joined President Trump at the White House for the signing of a new Executive Order aimed at restoring commonsense to wildfire prevention and response. The order, titled Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response, takes direct steps to improve coordination across agencies, cut unnecessary regulations, and strengthen the tools and partnerships needed to prevent catastrophic wildfires.

    “As peak wildfire season continues, President Trump is continuing to take decisive action to increase preparedness to combat these preventable disasters,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “By consolidating Federal wildland fire programs between agencies and increasing Federal and local partnerships, every firefighter will be part of a stronger and better coordinated response. The President’s action also modernizes the tools available to predict and detect wildfires, which will not only hasten reaction times but also enhance preparation and prevention efforts. Strengthening State and local response, and land management practices will decrease future out of control fires. I look forward to seeing implementation of this Executive Order.”

    Background:

    • Directs the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture to consolidate federal wildland fire programs for better coordination.
    • Modernizes detection and prediction efforts by deploying tools like AI, data-sharing platforms, satellite imagery, and advanced weather forecasting.
    • Removes outdated regulations that delay prescribed fire use, fire-retardant deployment, and other proactive fuel reduction efforts.
    • Promotes the use of woody biomass and other forest byproducts to lower wildfire risk.
    • Prioritizes sale of surplus Department of Defense aircraft and parts to support wildfire response.
    • Declassifies historical satellite data to improve fire modeling and prediction.
    • Strengthens federal partnerships with state and local governments to streamline and improve wildfire mitigation efforts.

    Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Reps. Sharice Davids (D-KS), Frank Lucas (R-OK) Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Food Access on Tribal Lands

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

    Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Frank Lucas (R-OK-03) introduced the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) Act of 2025, a bipartisan bill aimed at improving access to healthy food for tribal communities across the country.

     

    “For many Native families, accessing healthy, affordable food isn’t as simple as driving to the nearest grocery store,” said Davids. “Tribal communities face unique barriers, including long distances to grocery stores and supply chain disruptions that delay or cancel food deliveries. This bipartisan bill helps break down those barriers by ensuring tribal governments can better serve their communities and ensure families don’t go hungry.”

     

    Davids’ bipartisan bill would give tribal governments permanent control over running the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), which provides food to eligible families living on reservations and in nearby approved areas, including parts of Oklahoma. It serves as a critical alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for many tribal households that face challenges accessing grocery stores.

     

    The FDPIR pilot program was originally authorized for five years by the 2018 Farm Bill. Participating tribes have indicated that while the pilot program has been successful, the five-year authorization limit makes it difficult for small and mid-sized tribal producers to scale their operations confidently. Permanent authorization would provide the stability needed for long-term planning and strengthen tribal food sovereignty.

     

    “I am very pleased to join my colleague from Kansas to introduce legislation that will ensure we honor our trust and treaty obligations,” said Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK-03). “Tribes should be able to self-contract to administer quality, domestically produced food. Through the USDA’s FDPIR Demonstration Project, the tribes have proven that they are willing and able to successfully administer this program – now it is time to expand access to all tribes.”

     

    Recent challenges with FDPIR have included delays, canceled shipments, and shortages in food deliveries, partly due to supply chain disruptions and contract management issues. By permanently authorizing the program, this legislation addresses these issues by empowering tribes to manage their food procurement directly, enhancing program reliability and responsiveness.

     

    In 2024, nearly 650,000 tribal members relied on FDPIR to gain access to healthy food. USDA purchases and ships USDA Foods to administering agencies, which then store and distribute the foods, determine applicant eligibility, and provide nutrition education to recipients. USDA also provides administering agencies with funds for program administrative costs.

     

    Each month, participating households receive a nutritionally balanced food package. Participants may select from over 90 products including:

    • Fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

    • Protein foods, including beef, chicken, fish, pork, eggs, bison products, dried or canned beans, soups, peanuts, and peanut butter.

    • Grains, including pastas, cereals, rice, cornmeal, and flour.

    • Dairy, including cheese and milk.

    • Cooking essentials, including vegetable oil, extra virgin olive oil, and butter.

    • Seasonal foods, including pumpkin, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes.

    Additional tribal-related quotes:

    “The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma strongly supports the bill to authorize self-determination and self-governance authored by Reps. Davids and Lucas,” said Chief Gary Batton, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. “The Choctaw Nation and other Tribes have demonstrated experience successfully administering the food distribution program. Permanently authorizing self-determination contracts and self-governance agreements will provide greater flexibility and autonomy and expanded sourcing of local foods. Most importantly, it would help us allocate resources where they are most needed to build strong economies and improve the overall health of people in our communities.”

    “Red Lake has long been committed to achieving food sovereignty and diversifying our agricultural operations,” said Chairman Darrel G. Seki Sr., Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians. “Through our commercial fishery, cultivation of wild rice over more than 1,000 acres of our Reservation, eight-acre farm known as Gitigaan Acres, and 300-acre buffalo ranch, Red Lake provides our members access to local, traditional, and healthy foods. We appreciate Rep. Davids and Rep. Lucas for introducing this bill so that we can incorporate these foods into our Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations food packages for our members who need access to affordable food the most.”

    “Oneida Nation is proud to be part of the FDPIR Self-Determination demonstration project, and we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from our clients and vendors,” said Chairman Tehassi Hill, Oneida Nation. “Through this demonstration project, Oneida Nation and Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin partnered together to replace USDA products in our food packages with local, high-quality products from our own tribal communities. This project allows local, indigenous vendors to build capacity while providing healthy foods to our community. Tribal producers have historically faced barriers to accessing markets given their small size, remote locations and lack of infrastructure. Having reliable orders allows producers like Oneida Nation Farms to plan ahead and invest in equipment, staff, and infrastructure to expand capacity. This project demonstrates how federal nutrition funding can be channeled to support local and regional producers, expanding economic opportunity in tribal communities. The current demonstration project is limited in scope and only gives tribes the authority to procure a few specific products in pre-determined quantities. Currently, making any changes to the products we order requires budget modifications and burdensome, time-consuming approvals from the USDA. Expanding to full Self-Governance authority will provide tribes the flexibility we need to quickly adapt and respond to disruptions in food supply, unpredictable growing seasons, and the unique and changing needs of our clients. Through permanent expansion of the demonstration project with full Self-Governance authority, Congress can recognize tribal sovereignty, reduce federal bureaucracy, support tribal economies, increase local control, and help tribes maintain food security in our communities.”

    “Tribes are not truly sovereign until they are food sovereign. This is why we, as co-chairs of the Native Farm Bill Coalition, support the expansion of self-determination contracting and self-governance compacting authorities to the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” said Chairman Cole Miller, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and Kari Jo Lawrence, CEO of the Intertribal Agriculture Council, co-chairs of the Native Farm Bill Coalition. “When Tribes have the authority to decide what food they purchase and where they purchase the food from for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), Tribes are empowered to prioritize purchasing locally produced, fresh foods that promote the well-being of their members. This authority also opens new Tribal economic development and capacity-building opportunities to Tribes that choose to procure FDPIR products from Tribal farmers and ranchers located in and near Indian Country by supporting new markets and strengthening regional food systems. Tribes have shown time and time again that tribally administered programs are more efficient and effective, and this bipartisan bill is an important step towards food sovereignty.” 

    “The National Congress of American Indians supports the efforts of Rep. Davids and Rep. Lucas to further expand self-determination contracting and self-governance compacting to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR),” said Larry Wright Jr., Executive Director, National Congress of American Indians Executive Director. “To-date, 16 Tribal Nations have utilized the 638 FDPIR pilot program authorized by the 2018 Farm Bill with great success. Not only have Tribal Nations built regional food economies that support Tribal producers, but they have provided access to healthy, traditional foods that promote the health and well-being of Tribal members throughout the country.” 

    “This legislation is a vital step forward in honoring Tribal sovereignty and expanding the proven success of Self-Governance,” said W. Ron Allen, Tribal Chairman/CEO, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, and President, Board of Directors, Self-Governance Communication and Education Tribal Consortium. “By authorizing both Self-Determination and Self-Governance authority for the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), this bill affirms the right of Tribal Nations to design and deliver food assistance in ways that reflect our values, traditions, and community needs. The expansion beyond procurement to the full administration of the program is long overdue and will empower more Tribes to feed their people with dignity and self-determination. I strongly support this effort and urge Congress to act without delay.” 

    “Cherokee Nation strongly supports the expansion of self-determination and self-governance policies throughout the Federal government and applauds Reps. Davids and Lucas for introducing this important bill,” said Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., Cherokee Nation. “The Trump Administration and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle wholeheartedly back the growth and enhancement of tribal self-governance, and we see no reason why the upcoming Farm Bill should not include provisions to strengthen tribal sovereignty within the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Cherokee Nation joins tribes across the country in calling for permanence and expanded tribal authority over this successful program and will continue to advocate for its inclusion in the next Farm Bill.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Craig Statement on EPA RVO Announcement

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

    EAGAN, MN – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement on proposed volumes for the 2026 and 2027 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs).

    “Today’s RVO proposal from EPA is a step in the right direction as we continue working to invest in homegrown biofuels, lower prices at the pump and expand markets for Minnesota producers. As always, there is more work to be done, and I look forward to carefully reviewing any future proposals – including pending decisions on small refinery exemptions – to ensure that these frameworks work for the Minnesota producers and refiners who fuel the world.”

    In Congress, Rep. Craig has led the charge to promote domestic biofuels and expand markets for Minnesota producers and refiners.

    Last month, Rep. Craig, alongside Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), led 26 of her bipartisan colleagues in calling on the Administration to expand annual Renewable Volumes Obligations for biomass-based diesel in their upcoming rulemaking for 2026. In a letter to President Donald Trump, Rep. Craig urged the Administration to support a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) by adopting timely, robust blending requirements in the upcoming “Set 2” rule establishing Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for 2026 and beyond.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Science, Space and Technology Committee Leaders Amo, Sykes Lead 64 Colleagues in Demanding Trump Keep Tracking Weather Disasters That Cause More Than $1 Billion in Damage

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    With increased storms due to climate change, more and more communities are hit by storms causing more than $1 billion in damage.

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Ranking Members Gabe Amo (D-RI) and Emilia Sykes (D-OH) led 64 Democratic colleagues in calling on the Acting National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Laura Grimm to reinstate the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters Report to ensure America has a record of the increasing number of storms that cause catastrophic financial damage to communities.

    READ THE FULL LETTER HERE. 

    Excerpts of the letter: 

    “It is clear this cancellation is just another attack in the Trump administration’s crusade against climate science and NOAA. From proposing massive budget cuts to firing climate scientists to retiring multiple critical datasets and products, the Trump administration is trying to hide the true cost and impact of climate change from the American people. Preventing scientists from studying climate change and educating the public will not lessen the damage caused by more frequent extreme weather events. It will simply make us less prepared to respond to them, increasing climate change’s human and economic cost.”

    “We cannot respond to a problem if we do not understand it. Without the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters report, it will be significantly more difficult for scientists and policymakers to understand and respond to the economic effects of climate change. Since its inception, hundreds of peer-reviewed studies have cited or used data from the report for analysis on climate impacts, economic losses, and policy recommendations. In addition to painting a picture of climate change’s economic impact, the report details disaster frequency and duration trends and maps risk and vulnerability levels by county and census tract. Americans rely on this data to understand climate risks and potential insurance rates before purchasing a home.”

    The Members urge Acting Administrator Grimm to reinstate the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters product.

    Background

    Climate change has caused an increase in the frequency and severity of natural disasters, with more and more communities facing fatalities and billions of dollars in damages caused by extreme weather. 

    Since 1980, 403 weather and climate disasters have caused more than $1 billion in damage each for a cumulative total of $2.195 trillion in damage. Thanks to the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters report, we know that the extreme flooding that rocked Rhode Island in December 2023 was part of a forceful East Coast storm that caused $1.3 billion in damage from Florida to Maine and took 5 lives. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on the Escalating Conflict in the Middle East

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

    (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement on the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

    “I am closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East following Israel’s decision to strike Iran’s military leadership and nuclear capabilities.

    “My highest priority remains the safety of American citizens and servicemembers in the region. While the president’s decision in his first term to withdraw from the JCPOA has led to this extraordinarily alarming moment and made diplomacy substantially more difficult, it is imperative that the Trump administration focus on de-escalation before U.S. armed forces are dragged into another lengthy and lethal quagmire.

    “I continue to support Israel’s right to exist and their right to defend themselves. I urge the leadership of both nations to de-escalate and come to the negotiating table to end this conflict before it spirals out of control.”

    ###

    Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McCaul Statement on Israel’s Preemptive Strikes on Iran

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

    WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs — released the following statement after Israel preemptively struck Iran’s nuclear program and military leadership.

    “President Trump gave Iran every chance to negotiate in good faith and to dismantle their nuclear program.

    “Prime Minister Netanyahu was also clear: The alternative to diplomacy would be strikes on Iran — a message he reiterated to me when I met with him this month. Unfortunately, the regime chose not to take the path of peace — to prioritize their own interests over their people’s. They brought this calamity on themselves.

    “One thing is certain: Iran will not acquire a nuclear weapon, and our world is safer for it. They would be wise to come to the table and make an agreement with President Trump while the offer still stands. If they instead choose to harm U.S. troops in the region, they will once again regret it.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Chu, Cisneros, and Tran Demand Answers from Homeland Security and ICE After Being Illegally Denied Entry to Adelanto Detention Facility

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA-31), and Rep. Derek Tran (CA-45) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons condemning the agencies for unlawfully blocking their legally authorized oversight visit to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County, California. On June 8, 2025, the Members attempted to conduct an inspection of the facility in response to a wave of immigration raids across Los Angeles County. Despite federal law guaranteeing Members of Congress unfettered access to DHS facilities for oversight purposes, the delegation was denied entry, even after waiting outside for nearly two hours.

    “For nearly a decade, I’ve visited Adelanto because of its notorious history of violating detainees’ basic human and constitutional rights. Unfortunately, it appears that Adelanto’s inhumane track record continues as we hear reports that detainees rounded up after Trump’s ICE raids in Los Angeles are being denied their right to due process and that even U.S. citizens may have been detained. And yet, our attempts as Members of Congress to conduct oversight at Adelanto, which is expressly permitted by law, were unlawfully denied, blocking us from getting the truth about what’s going on behind illegally closed doors. Regardless of immigration status, everyone has a right to due process. We need answers now,” said Rep. Chu.

    “This past weekend, I joined Reps. Chu and Tran to conduct Congressional oversight at the Adelanto ICE Detention Center, but instead we were met with locks on the gate, no answer to our calls, and denied entry,” said Rep. Cisneros. “We have a responsibility to ensure ICE is abiding by the law, but they refused to even let us in. We will not stop pressing for answers.” 

    “On Sunday, I visited the Adelanto ICE Facility with Reps. Chu and Cisneros to perform my constitutional oversight responsibility for the health and safety conditions of the detention center. Despite having the right to enter, my colleagues and I were locked out,” said Rep. Derek Tran. “I won’t stand by while private facilities continue to deny lawful oversight requests. We demand transparency and accountability from all facilities holding detainees.

    To read the full letter click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 14, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 14, 2025.

    Fijian in Abu Dhabi worried about Pacific communities in Middle East
    By Susana Suisuiki, Presenter/producer of RNZ Pacific Waves Fiji’s Embassy in Abu Dhabi says it is closely monitoring the situation in Iran and Israel as tensions remain high. Israel carried out a dozen strikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites on Friday, claiming it acted out of “self-defence”, saying Iran is close to building a

    Eugene Doyle: Team Genocide and the West’s war on Iran
    COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle I have visited Iran twice. Once in June 1980 to witness an unprecedented event: the world’s first Islamic Revolution. It was the very start of my writing career. The second time was in 2018 and part of my interest was to get a sense of how disenchanted the population was —

    Greta Thunberg tried to shame Western leaders – and found they have no shame
    ANALYSIS: By Jonathan Cook in Middle East Eye If you imagined Western politicians and media were finally showing signs of waking up to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, think again. Even the decision this week by several Western states, led by the UK, to ban the entry of Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir, two far-right

    News of the Air India plane crash is traumatic. Here’s how to make sense of the risk
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Deakin University simonkr/Getty Images On Thursday afternoon local time, an Air India passenger plane bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff from the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad. There were reportedly 242 people onboard, including two pilots and ten cabin crew. The

    News of the Air India plane crash is traumatic. Here’s how to make sense of the risk
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Deakin University simonkr/Getty Images On Thursday afternoon local time, an Air India passenger plane bound for London crashed shortly after takeoff from the northwestern Indian city of Ahmedabad. There were reportedly 242 people onboard, including two pilots and ten cabin crew. The

    Selwyn Manning Analysis: Israel clearly saw an opportunity to strike Iran. Here’s the trip-wire… UPDATED
    Analysis and Notes by Selwyn Manning: Prep for Radio New Zealand – Israel Strikes Against Iran – June 13, 2025. Listen to the audio from 3:00 minutes in. Over the last 24 hours, the atomic control agency IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) formed a view at its UN Geneva meeting, that there was so-called evidence

    Selwyn Manning Analysis: Israel clearly saw an opportunity to strike Iran. Here’s the trip-wire…
    Analysis and Notes by Selwyn Manning: Prep for Radio New Zealand – Israel Strikes Against Iran – June 13, 2025. Listen to the audio from 3:00 minutes in. Over the last 24 hours, the atomic control agency IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) formed a view at its UN Geneva meeting, that there was so-called evidence

    Why did Israel defy Trump – and risk a major war – by striking Iran now? And what happens next?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Victoria University Alarmed by an intelligence assessment that Iran will be able to produce nuclear weapons within months if not weeks, Israel has launched a massive air campaign

    Just one man survived the Air India crash. What’s it like to survive a mass disaster?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Smith, Associate Professor and Discipline Lead (Paramedicine), La Trobe University Vishwashkumar Ramesh, a British citizen returning from a trip to India, has been confirmed as the only survivor of Thursday’s deadly Air India crash. “I don’t know how I am alive,” Ramesh told family, according to

    Speculation about the cause of Air India crash is rife. An aviation expert explains why it’s a problem
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natasha Heap, Program Director for the Bachelor of Aviation, University of Southern Queensland It has only been a few hours since Air India flight AI171 crashed in Ahmedabad, killing more than 260 people, yet public speculation about the causes of the disaster is already rife. Parts of

    What do we know about the Air India crash? How did one man survive? What now? An aviation safety expert explains
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Guido Carim Junior, Senior Lecturer in Aviation, Griffith University The back of Air India flight 171 after it crashed into a residential building in Ahmedabad. Sam Panthaky / AFP via Getty Images An Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad in northwest India on Thursday

    The Daily Blog calls for NZ to immediately expel Israeli envoy for unprovoked attack on Iran
    OPINION: By Martyn Bradbury, editor of The Daily Blog The madness has begun. We should have suspected something when the cloud strike shut down occurred. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu needs to continue war so that he is never held to account. This madness is the last straw. NZ must immediately expel the Israeli Ambassador

    Trump may push Albanese on defence spending, but Australia has leverage it can use, too
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Corben, Research Fellow, Foreign Policy and Defence, University of Sydney Ahead of a prospective meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump at the G7 Summit Canada, two key developments have bumped defence issues to the top of the alliance agenda. First, in

    How long is a vagina? And how do I know if mine is ‘short’?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Keersten Fitzgerald, Lecturer in General Practice, University of Sydney Jarrod Simpson/Getty We often use the word vagina to describe everything “down there”, but that’s not actually anatomically correct. The vagina is the stretchy, muscular tube that connects the external genitalia, or vulva, to the cervix, which is

    ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 13, 2025
    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 13, 2025.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Peters Introduces Bill to Prevent Renaming of Navy Ships Named for Great Americans Like Harvey Milk

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) introduced the “Preserving Great Americans’ Legacies Act,” legislation to prevent the United States Navy from renaming the USNS Harvey Milk and other ships named for other great Americans and civil rights leaders. Reports from earlier this month indicate that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the Secretary of the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk during national Pride Month as part of the Administration’s broader efforts to demonize American citizens it does not like. Milk was a veteran, political leader, and advocate for the LGBT community. He served as a diving officer during the Korean War before being forced out of service with an “other than honorable” discharge due to his sexual orientation.  

    Secretary Hegseth also ordered the review of other ships, including those named for American icons such as abolitionist Harriet Tubman, labor organizer Cesar Chavez, and former Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, among others. Every one of these ships was built in San Diego, which is a proud military town and partner in the national defense. 

    “Secretary Hegseth claims that this hateful move would return a ‘warrior ethos’ to the force, but renaming these ships won’t help better train or equip a single servicemember,” said Rep. Scott Peters.  “While Hegseth works to erase the names of these important civic leaders from the fleet, the President also publicly commits to renaming military bases for Confederate leaders. That is a clear values statement by the Administration about the America it envisions and asks our servicemembers and their families to serve. It is unacceptable and unreflective of our country. Every sailor deserves to serve on and fight from a ship named after an American who embodies those values we wish to see in our military. That is why the Navy named these ships after such important leaders.”  

    The Preserving Great Americans’ Legacies act is co-sponsored by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-12), House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member and Equality Caucus Chair Mark Takano (CA-39), and Representatives Juan Vargas (CA-52), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Mike Levin (CA-49), Hank Johnson (GA-4), Jill Tokuda (HI-2), Troy Carter (LA-2), Linda Sanchez (CA-39), John Garamendi (CA-8), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-8), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (Del-DC).  

    It is also supported by Equality California, Silver State Equality, and VoteVets.  

    “Just days into Pride Month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed plans to strip Harvey Milk’s name from a Navy ship. Milk is a global civil rights icon for LGBTQ+ civil rights, and this move is a petty and political act of erasure from the Trump administration,” said Equality California Executive Director Tony Hoang. “We’re proud to support Rep. Peters’ Preserving Great Americans’ Legacies Act, which would block efforts to rename ships honoring leaders in civil rights, labor, and social justice. We must protect these legacies.”  

    “The Preserving Great Americans’ Legacies Act is about honoring the legacies of Americans who expanded freedom, justice, and equality — values that every service member swears to defend. Renaming ships that bear the names of Harvey Milk, Harriet Tubman, or Ruth Bader Ginsburg is not just unnecessary — it’s a political stunt that disrespects the very principles they stood for. We applaud Representative Peters for leading this important effort to ensure our Navy continues to reflect the diversity, courage, and moral leadership that defines the best of our country.” – VoteVets 

    Read the full text of the bill here.  

    Read a one-pager of the bill here.  

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Brownley, CA Delegation Members Demand Trump Withdraw National Guard and Marines from LA

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

    Washington, DC – This week, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26), Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), and 38 members of the California Delegation demand that President Donald Trump immediately withdraw the National Guard and U.S. Marines from Los Angeles, California. In a bicameral letter sent today, the lawmakers condemn the deployments as an unlawful overreach that bypassed state and local authority and urge the immediate withdrawal of the National Guard and Marines.

    “We are writing to express grave concern regarding the deployment of the National Guard and the activation of 700 Marines to Los Angeles. These actions were taken without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom and over the objections of local law enforcement. It constitutes a clear violation of constitutional principles and law, and a grave overreach of executive authority,” wrote the lawmakers.

    “This deployment does not appear to be motivated by any public safety emergency that could not be dealt with successfully by local authorities. Instead, it coincides with a broader federal enforcement escalation involving mass ICE raids, militarized immigration tactics, and the use of tear gas and riot control methods in civilian areas. These actions undermine civil liberties, destabilize communities, erode public trust in government institutions, and violate the law,” continued the lawmakers.

    As protests erupted in Los Angeles in response to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and detentions, the Trump administration escalated the situation by authorizing the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines, without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom and over the objections of local elected and community leaders. They argue the legal authority Trump cited doesn’t apply, making the deployment plainly unlawful.

    “As federal officials, we must prioritize de-escalation and adherence to the constitutional principles that govern the balance of power between federal and state and local governments. For these reasons, we urge you to immediately withdraw the National Guard and U.S. Marines from Los Angeles and to refrain from further deployments of any military personnel in circumstances that violate constitutional boundaries and escalate domestic tensions,” stated the lawmakers.

    The bicameral letter was also signed by Representatives Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Ami Bera (CA-6), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros Jr. (CA-31), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-8), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jared Huffman (CA-2), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Doris Matsui (CA-7), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Scott Peters (CA-50), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Thompson (CA-4), Norma Torres (CA-35), Derek Tran (CA-45), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Maxine Waters (CA-43), and George Whitesides (CA-27).

    The full letter can be found here and below: 

    President Donald J. Trump

    The White House

    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

    Washington, D.C. 20500

    RE: Deployment of National Guard Troops to Los Angeles 

    Mr. President, 

    We are writing to express grave concern regarding the deployment of the National Guard and the activation of 700 Marines to Los Angeles. These actions were taken without the consent of California Governor Gavin Newsom and over the objections of local law enforcement. It constitutes a clear violation of constitutional principles and law, and a grave overreach of executive authority. 

    On June 6 and 7, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out a series of immigration raids in downtown Los Angeles, which were met with widespread public protests. On the evening of June 7, you issued a formal memorandum titled “Department of Defense Security for the Protection of Department of Homeland Security Functions,” authorizing the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard personnel to Los Angeles for a 60-day period. This action bypassed the state governor’s authority and proceeded despite active objections from local law enforcement already managing the situation. By the time National Guard troops arrived on Sunday morning, protests had largely subsided, and the streets were calm. Instead, the National Guard presence contributed to a renewed escalation of tensions. The overwhelming majority of protestors have done so peacefully. State and local authorities have already said that they can and will arrest and prosecute the very few who have committed acts of violence. 

    This deployment does not appear to be motivated by any public safety emergency that could not be dealt with successfully by local authorities. Instead, it coincides with a broader federal enforcement escalation involving mass ICE raids, militarized immigration tactics, and the use of tear gas and riot control methods in civilian areas. These actions undermine civil liberties, destabilize communities, erode public trust in government institutions, and violate the law. 

    Your memorandum cited 10 U.S.C. §12406 as the legal basis for your actions. That provision allows the President to call the National Guard into federal service only in three specific circumstances: 

    (1) the United States, or any of the Commonwealths or possessions, is invaded or is in danger of invasion by a foreign nation; 

    (2) there is a rebellion or danger of a rebellion against the authority of the Government of the United States; or 

    (3) the President is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States 

    10 U.S.C. §12406 also requires that “Orders for these purposes shall be issued through the governors of the States.” None of these enumerated circumstances exist and no order was issued through the governor of our state. Therefore, your order is plainly unlawful. 

    In addition, on June 8, U.S. Northern Command announced the activation of 700 active-duty U.S. Marines to the Los Angeles area under the same Task Force. The deployment of active-duty Marines marks a significant escalation in the federal government’s response, blurring the line between military and civilian law enforcement roles. The deployment of active-duty military personnel into domestic operations raises serious legal and constitutional questions. Marines are trained for combat, not law enforcement. The introduction of Marines in securing largely peaceful protests is an unnecessary escalation in a situation that has already been inflamed because of escalatory actions. 

    As federal officials we must prioritize de-escalation and adherence to the constitutional principles that govern the balance of power between federal and state and local governments. For these reasons, we urge you to immediately withdraw the National Guard and U.S. Marines from Los Angeles and to refrain from further deployments of any military personnel in circumstances that violate constitutional boundaries and escalate domestic tensions.

    ###

    Issues: 119th Congress, Immigration, Military

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of DACA Anniversary, Rosen Joins Push to Urge Trump Administration to Resume Processing DACA Applications

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senate Democratic colleagues in urging U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to resume processing applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, following a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that limited a nationwide injunction to only Texas.
    “[Dreamers] are American in every way but their immigration status,” wrote the Senators. “Many only know this country as their home, and they contribute every day to this great nation by paying taxes and serving in critical roles, such as police officers, teachers, and nurses. Americans overwhelmingly support providing Dreamers a path to citizenship, and in December 2024, President Trump stated that he supported protections for Dreamers to remain in the United States.”
    “Consistent with this statement, we implore you to use your authority at United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to resume processing initial applications for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and provide such protections for Dreamers immediately,” they continued. “Pursuant to the order, in Texas, DACA must resume as a limited program providing protection from deportation for current DACA recipients, but without access to work authorization or driver’s licenses as part of those renewals. This order went into effect on March 11, giving USCIS the authority to start processing initial DACA applications from states other than Texas. However, nearly three months later, USCIS has not made any public announcement on whether new DACA applications will be processed; nor has the agency begun processing initial applications that have been pending with the agency for years. We urge you to begin processing these DACA applications immediately, consistent with the Fifth Circuit decision and existing regulations, and to ensure Dreamers eligible to file initial DACA applications can do so as soon as possible.”
    Senator Rosen has been outspoken in her strong support for immigrant communities, including DACA recipients and their families. This week, she took to the Senate floor to mark the thirteenth anniversary of the DACA program and deliver a forceful defense of Nevada’s Dreamers in light of the Trump Administration’s attacks on immigrant communities across the country. In a committee hearing last year, Senator Rosen raised concerns over the significant application delays impacting DACA recipients. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: June 13th, 2025 N.M. Delegation Demands Trump Administration Restore Digital Equity Grants That Help New Mexicans Connect to the Internet

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    Passed by Congress, the Digital Equity Act Provides Funding to Help Connect Americans in Tribal, Rural, and Urban Communities to the Internet;

    Trump Administration is Blocking Over $8 Million in Funding Appropriated by Congress to Expand Broadband Access and Digital Resources in New Mexico

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) demanded U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and National Telecommunications and Information Administration Acting Administrator Adam Cassady immediately reverse the decision to abruptly terminate the Digital Equity Act grant programs that help New Mexicans access the internet. In the letter, the lawmakers highlight how Digital Equity Act grant programs help provide reliable broadband access and digital resources across New Mexico and call on the Trump administration to restore funding appropriated by Congress for this vital program.

    “We write to express our opposition to your attempts to abruptly terminate the Digital Equity Act grant programs and urge you to immediately restore these funds awarded for digital inclusion efforts in New Mexico. The cessation of these funds will have an outsized impact on New Mexico where the digital divide is vast and remains a defining barrier to opportunity,” wrote the lawmakers.

    The lawmakers highlighted the importance of Digital Equity Act grant programs to connect New Mexicans to reliable broadband access, “With the administration’s attempt to terminate these programs, New Mexico expects to lose the majority of the over $8 million it had been awarded to support efforts to address the significant challenges to providing reliable broadband access and digital resources across our state. This funding is essential to serving 1,939,000 people in New Mexico who continue to face significant challenges in securing and maintaining internet connectivity.”

    “Ending these grants is like abandoning a bridge when it is only halfway built – it leaves communities stranded and in the digital dark, with opportunity just out of reach. We urge the Department of Commerce to reverse this decision immediately and restore funding appropriated by Congress for this vital program,” the lawmakers concluded.

    Read the full letter here or below:

    Dear Secretary Lutnick and Acting Administrator Cassady:

    We write to express our opposition to your attempts to abruptly terminate the Digital Equity Act grant programs and urge you to immediately restore these funds awarded for digital inclusion efforts in New Mexico. The cessation of these funds will have an outsized impact on New Mexico where the digital divide is vast and remains a defining barrier to opportunity.

    Passed by Congress and signed into law under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the grants provide a one-time infusion of $2.75 billion to close the digital divide in Tribal, rural and urban communities, support telemedicine, cybersecurity, and AI education programs, strengthen connections between loved ones, and allow people to acquire the digital skills and necessary technology to participate in the digital economy regardless of their ZIP Code. The programs created by these grants would fund tested and proven strategies like digital navigator programs that provide tailored digital skills training that meet the unique needs of seniors, veterans, low-income families, Tribal and rural communities, people with disabilities, and other historically underserved groups.

    With the administration’s attempt to terminate these programs, New Mexico expects to lose the majority of the over $8 million it had been awarded to support efforts to address the significant challenges to providing reliable broadband access and digital resources across our state. This funding is essential to serving 1,939,000 people in New Mexico who continue to face significant challenges in securing and maintaining internet connectivity. This funding, that has been needlessly stalled, would have expanded workforce development, improved online safety, cybersecurity and privacy training, and several other training programs.

    Permanently terminating these funds will exacerbate the difficulties for individuals and families to use the internet to improve their lives and fully participate in an increasingly digital world. Ending these grants is like abandoning a bridge when it is only halfway built – it leaves communities stranded and in the digital dark, with opportunity just out of reach. We urge the Department of Commerce to reverse this decision immediately and restore funding appropriated by Congress for this vital program.

    We appreciate your attention to this urgent matter.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Greenpeace USA Slams U.S. Seabed Mining Plans off American Samoa

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Victor Pickering, a Greenpeace International activist from Fiji displays a banner reading “Our Pacific Is Not Yours To Destroy” in front of the Maersk Launcher, a ship chartered by DeepGreen, one of the companies spearheading the drive to mine the barely understood deep sea ecosystem. The Rainbow Warrior is in the Clarion Clipperton Zone in the Pacific to bear witness to the deep sea mining industry. Part of the ongoing ‘Protect the Oceans’ campaign.
    © Marten van Dijl / Greenpeace

    Washington, D.C. (June 13, 2025) — In response to the Department of the Interior’s announcement yesterday of the publication of a Request for Information and Interest to explore the potential for seabed mineral leasing offshore American Samoa, Arlo Hemphill, Greenpeace USA’s Deep Sea Mining Campaign Lead, said: “Greenpeace USA is deeply disappointed that the Department of Interior is considering seabed mineral leasing near American Samoa — a U.S.territory that has placed a moratorium on the industry in its waters. This move disregards the sovereignty and voices of Pacific communities and opens the door to an industry that threatens their environment, culture, and livelihoods. 

    “The Pacific is not a sacrifice zone. Its people should not be forced to host a destructive industry they’ve clearly rejected. We urge the American public to stand in solidarity with those communities and send a resounding message during the public comment period: the deep sea is not for sale.” 

    This announcement follows President Trump’s executive order advancing deep sea mining in both U.S. and international waters — a move widely condemned by environmental organizations, Pacific Indigenous leaders, and other nations, including France, China, and the European Commission. Deep sea mining company, Impossible Metals, submitted a request to commence a leasing process for the exploration and potential mining of critical minerals in the deep sea off the coast of American Samoa in April. 

    Deep sea mining poses irreversible threats to biodiversity, imperils fragile ecosystems, and could have unforeseen impacts on the ocean’s carbon cycle, potentially impacting the climate crisis.

    Despite U.S. backpedaling, momentum for ocean protection continues to grow. As of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, which concluded today in Nice, 37 countries have now publicly supported a moratorium on deep sea mining. There has also been significant progress toward ratifying the Global Ocean Treaty, a key agreement towards the goal of protecting at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 — a critical threshold scientists say is needed to restore marine health and safeguard biodiversity.

    To meet this target, protection must extend across both national and international waters. Countries must not only ratify the Global Ocean Treaty, but also take bold domestic action to ban unsustainable extractive industries, such as deep sea mining, and ensure that local and Indigenous communities are at the center of marine conservation planning and decision-making processes.

    Contact: Tanya Brooks, Senior Communications Specialist at Greenpeace USA, [email protected]  

    Greenpeace USA is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Statement on Trump’s Military Parade

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army paratrooper who served in the 82nd Airborne, issued the following statement:

    “The U.S. Army and our military personnel are worthy of celebration and recognition each and every day.  They have our unwavering gratitude and support. 

    “As a proud Army veteran, I, like all Americans, understand that the strength of our military is its people – generations of brave men and women who defend our nation and stand a post for freedom.  They are not props.  They serve the American people and deserve principled policy, leadership, and action that demonstrates our support for them and matches their enduring sacrifice.

    “While this parade is a reminder that a president gets to give the military its marching orders, it’s really a demonstration of how this president prioritizes his own image above the needs of the American people, particularly those in uniform, whom he has frequently ridiculed. 

    “Given the chaotic state of affairs – with Marines deployed in Los Angeles, President Trump threatening to “have troops everywhere” within the United States, and unfolding attacks in the Middle East — locking down the nation’s capital to parade tanks and military hardware through the streets is not an appropriate way to honor servicemembers.  That sounds like something an isolated, insecure despot would do for his own aggrandizement.  

    “Our military has important missions to accomplish.  The tens of millions of dollars expended for this event could be better allocated to improve the lives and readiness of our servicemembers and their families.

    “I think we should be celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary, but doing it in the dignified way that the Army itself had originally planned, which was an appropriate, right-sized, static celebration on the Mall and a fitting salute to the generations of brave Americans who have served and continue to serve our nation with great courage and distinction.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Regarding the Proposed Acquisition of the United States Steel Corporation by Nippon Steel Corporation

    Source: US Whitehouse

    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (section 721), 50 U.S.C. 4565, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.  (a)  On March 14, 2024, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) received a voluntary notice describing the proposed acquisition by (1) Nippon Steel Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of Japan (Nippon Steel); (2) Nippon Steel North America, Inc., a New York corporation (Nippon Steel NA); and (3) 2023 Merger Subsidiary, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with Nippon Steel and Nippon Steel NA, the Purchasers), of United States Steel Corporation, a Delaware corporation (U.S. Steel, and such proposed acquisition, the Proposed Transaction).  CFIUS subsequently initiated a review and investigation of the Proposed Transaction, which ultimately concluded with a referral to the President on December 23, 2024, for decision pursuant to section 721(d).
    (b)  On January 3, 2025, pursuant to section 721(d)(1), then-President Biden issued an order titled “Regarding the Proposed Acquisition of United States Steel Corporation by Nippon Steel Corporation” (January 3 Order), which prohibited the Proposed Transaction.
    (c)  The statutory provision on which the January 3 Order was based authorizes the President to “take such action for such time as the President considers appropriate to suspend or prohibit any covered transaction that threatens to impair the national security of the United States.”  50 U.S.C. 4565(d)(1).  Consistent with that authority, section 3 of the January 3 Order reserved the President’s authority to issue further orders as “necessary to protect the national security of the United States.”
    (d)  Pursuant to the authority referred to in subsection (c) of this section, and the President’s authority to reconsider prior actions, on April 7, 2025, I issued a Presidential Memorandum, entitled “Review of Proposed United States Steel Corporation Acquisition” (April 7 Memo), which directed CFIUS to conduct a de novo review of the Proposed Transaction to assist me in determining whether further action in this matter may be appropriate.
    (e)  CFIUS submitted a recommendation to me on May 21, 2025, which, in accordance with the April 7 Memo, described CFIUS agency views regarding the risks to national security arising as a result of the Proposed Transaction, and included views on whether any measures proposed by U.S. Steel and the Purchasers are sufficient to mitigate those national security risks.  The recommendation included a statement describing the position of each member agency of CFIUS, including the reasons for such position.

    Sec. 2.  Findings.  (a)  I hereby affirm the following findings, made initially in the January 3 Order:
    (i)   there is credible evidence that leads me to believe that the Purchasers, through the Proposed Transaction, might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States; and
    (ii)  provisions of law other than section 721 and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) do not, in my judgment, provide adequate and appropriate authority for me to protect the national security in this matter.
    (b)  Based on the recommendation of and my review of the materials provided by CFIUS, including re-review of the prior assessment of risk, I additionally find that the threatened impairment to the national security of the United States arising as a result of the Proposed Transaction can be adequately mitigated if the conditions set forth in section 3 of this order are met.

    Sec. 3.  Actions Ordered and Authorized.  On the basis of the findings set forth in section 2 of this order, considering the factors described in subsection 721(f) of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as appropriate, and pursuant to my authority under applicable law, including section 721, I hereby order that:
    (a)  Section 2(a) of the January 3 Order is amended to read as follows:  “The Proposed Transaction, and any substantially similar transaction between the Purchasers and U.S. Steel, whether effected directly or indirectly by the Purchasers, through the Purchasers’ shareholders or shareholders’ immediate, intermediate, or ultimate foreign person beneficial owners, or through the Purchasers’ partners, subsidiaries, or affiliates, is prohibited, unless the Purchasers and U.S. Steel execute with the Department of the Treasury and any other appropriate member agencies of CFIUS, on or before the closing date of the Proposed Transaction, and remain in compliance thereafter with, a national security agreement (NSA) that is materially consistent, as so determined by the Department of the Treasury, with the draft NSA submitted to the Purchasers and U.S. Steel by the United States Government on June 13, 2025.”
    (b)  Section 2(e) of the January 3 Order is amended to read as follows:  “Without limitation on the exercise of authority by any agency under other provisions of law, and until such time as the Purchasers and U.S. Steel have either abandoned the Proposed Transaction to the satisfaction of CFIUS or entered into the NSA referred to in subsection (a) of this section, CFIUS is further authorized to implement measures, including monitoring and enforcement measures, it deems necessary and appropriate with regard to the Proposed Transaction to protect the national security of the United States, including measures available to it under section 721 and its implementing regulations, which include the remedies available for violations of any order, agreement, or condition entered into or imposed under section 721.”
    (c)  Sections 2(b) and 2(c) of the January 3 Order are stricken.

    Sec. 4.  Reservation.  I hereby reserve my authority to issue further orders with respect to the Purchasers or U.S. Steel as shall in my judgment be necessary to protect the national security of the United States.

    Sec. 5.  Publication and Transmittal.  (a)  This order shall be published in the Federal Register.
    (b)  I hereby direct the Secretary of the Treasury to transmit a copy of this order to the parties to the Proposed Transaction named in section 1 of this order.

                                   DONALD J. TRUMP

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        June 13, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: 250th Anniversary of the Founding of the United States Army

    Source: US Whitehouse

    class=”has-text-align-center”>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
     
    A PROCLAMATION

     On June 14, 1775, the sword and shield of our Republic were forged when the Second Continental Congress voted to establish what would later become the United States Army.  Today, our Nation proudly celebrates 250 years of our Army’s strength, service, valor, and discipline.  We honor its heroic legacy as the guardian of our sovereignty and our fortress against tyranny — and we pay tribute to the millions of warriors who live by the motto:  This We’ll Defend.

    Following the first shots of the Revolutionary War at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, it became clear to the patriots that — despite their persistent efforts for peace — war against the British was necessary as a final recourse in defense of their freedom.  In the wake of the Boston Massacre, the Intolerable Acts, and the enduring injustice of taxation without representation, they established the First Continental Congress in the fall of 1774 to formally address their grievances.  After dozens of patriots perished at Lexington and Concord, the Colonies reconvened — and by June 14, the delegates had decided that there was only one path forward.

    On that spring day, in a momentous act of unity and resolve, the Congress passed a resolution to formally establish the instrument of our national defense in the form of the Continental Army.  “Resolved, that six companies of expert riflemen, be immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia” the resolution reads.

    With the passing of that fateful resolution, the scattered militias of the American Colonies banded together as a single force — boldly declaring that they would never waver in defense of their liberty and their home.  The next day, George Washington was unanimously appointed as the Continental Army’s Commander-in-Chief.  Weeks later, on July 3, 1775, he took charge of his Army in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  “It is hoped that all Distinctions of Colonies will be laid aside so that one and the same Spirit may animate the whole, and the only Contest be, who shall render, on this great and trying occasion, the most essential service to the Great and common cause in which we are all engaged,” he wrote.

    In the days, weeks, and years that followed, that very same Army shocked the Redcoats at Trenton and Princeton, won their first great victory at Saratoga, secured the cause of independence at Yorktown, preserved the Union at Gettysburg, held the line at Chateau-Thierry, stormed the bloody beaches of Normandy, and to this day, gallantly defends our inheritance of freedom against every foe with unmatched tenacity, courage, and strength.  What was first formed as a ragtag army of farmers, frontiersmen, blacksmiths, and merchants now stands as the most dominant military force ever born of human will — guided by the promise to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

    To ensure our Army’s storied legacy continues well into the future, as President, I have purged the sinister ideology of “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” from the ranks of our military.  I directed the Department of Defense to update its guidance regarding transgender — identifying medical standards to ensure our military remains the most lethal in the world.  In a long overdue redress of injustice, I reinstated American service members who were dismissed for refusing the COVID vaccine, with full back pay and benefits.  Every day, I am restoring a foreign policy of peace through strength — and as a result, military recruitment is soaring to historic highs.  Under my leadership, the United States military will remain the mightiest, fiercest, boldest, and most revered in the entire world.

    On this 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Army, we pay tribute to every legend of liberty who sacrificed their life to keep America safe, sovereign, and free.  As my Administration continues the work of protecting our homeland and upholding our way of life, we proudly summon the spirit, confidence, and resolve of the intrepid men who won our independence on the battlefield 250 years ago — and we vow that their legacy of courage will never perish, and that our sacred birthright of freedom will never, ever die.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2025, as a day in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States Army.  This We’ll Defend.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
    thirteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
     
     
     
                                   DONALD J. TRUMP

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Flag Day and National Flag Week, 2025

    Source: US Whitehouse

    class=”has-text-align-center”>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
     
    A PROCLAMATION

    On June 14, 1777, a banner of red, white, and blue was woven into history when the Second Continental Congress passed the First Flag Resolution, making our beloved Stars and Stripes the official flag of our emerging Republic.  This Flag Day and National Flag Week, we pause to revere the star-spangled emblem of our freedom — and we honor the nearly 250 years of valor, sacrifice, and patriotism it has gloriously inspired.

    In the summer of 1777, more than 2 years into the Revolution and nearly 1 year after the American Colonies declared their Independence from Great Britain, the need for unity, strength, and national identity was essential.  On June 14, the Congress convened to adopt a momentous resolution that galvanized the Colonies under a majestic and commanding insignia and proclaimed “the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”  In the midst of revolution, the emblem of our freedom was born — and the mightiest symbol for sovereignty and justice ever conceived by human hands was sewn into existence.

    For nearly 250 years, Old Glory has presided over every chapter of the American story.  It gallantly flew as General George Washington crossed the Delaware, as President Abraham Lincoln spoke at Gettysburg, and as American forces raised it on the summit of Iwo Jima, the shores of Inchon, and in the jungles of Vietnam.  It waved from the moon on July 20, 1969 and rose from the ashes at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001 — and time and again, it has been valiantly defended by patriots when extremist bands of anti-American agitators have sought to desecrate and destroy it.

    Through every trial and triumph, the American flag has stood as an enduring symbol of courage, unity, and the unwavering belief that nothing will ever stand in the way of our beloved homeland, heritage, history, and values.  This week, as we pause in grateful allegiance to our beautiful flag, we pray for God’s continued providence and protection.  May the red, white, and blue forever reign over the greatest Nation in the history of the world — and may it always prevail over those who seek to tear it down.

    To commemorate the adoption of our flag, the Congress, by joint resolution approved August 3, 1949, as amended (63 Stat. 492), designated June 14 of each year as “Flag Day” and requested that the President issue an annual proclamation calling for its observance and for the display of the flag of the United States on all Federal Government buildings.  The Congress also requested, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966, as amended (80 Stat. 194), that the President issue annually a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as “National Flag Week” and calling upon all citizens of the United States to display the flag during that week.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim June 14, 2025, as Flag Day, and the week starting June 8, 2025, as National Flag Week.  I direct the appropriate officials to display the flag on all Federal Government buildings during this week, and I urge all Americans to observe Flag Day and National Flag Week by displaying the flag.  I also encourage the people of the United States to proudly observe with all due ceremony those days from Flag Day through Independence Day, set aside by the Congress (89 Stat. 211), as a time to honor America, to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings and activities, and to publicly recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
    thirteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.
     
     
                                  DONALD J. TRUMP

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Father’s Day, 2025

    Source: US Whitehouse

    class=”has-text-align-center”>By the President of the United States of America

    A Proclamation

    America’s fathers are the custodians of our strength, the leaders of our families, and the protectors of our security and safety.  This Father’s Day, my Administration pays tribute to every father whose fierce love, heroic devotion, and inspiring example are molding the next generation.

    Whether by birth, adoption, or father figures, America’s dads help shape the character and future of our Nation.  Through their example, they instill strength, integrity, and perseverance in their children.  They rise early, work late, make sacrifices, and remain steadfast in their love and commitment to their families.  Fathers lead through action, speak with purpose, and impart wisdom honed by experience.  From their children’s earliest days as infants through their journey into adulthood, fathers leave a lasting influence that reaches far beyond the walls of their homes.

    The presence of a father also serves to plant the seeds of virtue and instill American values in their children.  For many, dads are the first to teach the value of hard work, love of country, and the importance of living with conviction.  With every generation, these lessons are carried forth. 

    As President, I am fighting every day for America’s fathers and families — preserving the Child Tax Credit, expanding school choice, and restoring the fundamental rights of parents to raise their children free from Government interference.  I will always stand with our dads in shielding children from the toxic lies of gender ideology, and I will never stop working to keep our neighborhoods safe by backing our law enforcement, crushing violent crime, and ensuring our southern border remains sealed and secure.  Together, we are building a Nation where fathers can lead with strength, protect their families, and pass on the timeless values that make America great.

    Today, we celebrate the invaluable role our fathers play in shaping our families, guiding our communities, and strengthening our country — and we offer our unending thanks for their leadership, selflessness, and inspiration.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, in accordance with a joint resolution of the Congress approved April 24, 1972, as amended (36 U.S.C. 109), do hereby proclaim June 15, 2025, as Father’s Day.  I call on United States Government officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on Father’s Day and invite State and local governments and the people of the United States to observe Father’s Day with appropriate ceremonies.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

    DONALD J. TRUMP

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Trump is gutting police and public safety funding in California

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jun 13, 2025

    What you need to know: Donald Trump is raiding public safety funds to bankroll his militarized birthday party this Saturday, while stripping local police departments, first responders, and communities across the country of the tools they need to keep Americans safe.

    Los Angeles, California – Donald Trump, a convicted felon who has prioritized pardoning individuals convicted of assaulting police, is gutting public safety funding — slashing billions from programs that help police departments, fight terrorism, prevent gun violence, and protect women and children from domestic violence — all while he adds to the nation’s debt to pay for militarizing Los Angeles and his ego-driven birthday party this Saturday.

    Trump doesn’t respect the rule of law and taxpayers. He uses our members of the military — our heroes — as his own chess pieces and he’s stacking the deck against our own state and local law enforcement. We’ve had enough.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Trump is defunding public safety

    President Trump is proposing to gut public safety funding across the country — putting the safety and lives of all Americans at risk.

    At a time when violent crime is dropping, Trump’s so-called “big beautiful bill” threatens to erase substantial progress on public safety, at a time when exactly the opposite is needed. 

    The President’s proposed funding cuts include: 

    • $1 billion from police departments to reduce violent crime, hate crime, and crime against women.
    • $646 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for violence and terrorism prevention.
    • $545 million from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), cutting its workforce by more than 2,000 personnel and reducing its capacity to keep criminals off the street. 
    • $491 million from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), making our cyber and physical infrastructure more vulnerable to attack.
    • $468 million from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), greatly reducing its ability to crack down on firearm trafficking and reduce gun violence.
    • $212 million from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), greatly reducing its capacity to help state and local law enforcement and weakening efforts to fight international drug smuggling impacting the United States.
    • $107 million from Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Public Safety and Justice, exacerbating current understaffing and making tribal communities less safe. 

    $134 million reasons why this is wrong

    As the federal government adds to the open deficit tab, taxpayers are footing the $134 million militarization display in Los Angeles where Trump illegally took control over state National Guard units. Trump federalized 4,000 National Guard soldiers and deployed 700 Marines to use as pawns in Los Angeles.

    Even as tensions rise in the Middle East, in an unprecedented move, there are now more American troops deployed in Los Angeles than in Iraq and Syria combined.

    Trump is adding to the national debt

    Trump’s budget proposal would push the country further into debt. Although he proposes cutting public safety funding, he proposes even more massive tax cuts for the wealthy, pushing the federal government further into the red. According to the Congressional Budget Office, his proposal would add $2.4 trillion to the deficit, before even considering interest costs. 

    Birthday display

    And, in a scene more common in authoritarian dictatorships, Trump is holding a massive $45 million birthday party for himself in Washington, D.C.

    Trump’s parade, set to destroy streets in Washington DC due to heavy military vehicles rolling through, including 28 M1A1 tanks, 28 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 28 Stryker armored fighting vehicles and vehicles towing artillery, is being thrown in the face of Americans reeling from his attempt to militarize Los Angeles.

    The festivities will be visible on the ground and in the air – with more than 50 helicopters participating in a large flyover in the nation’s capital. See the Governor’s response to this fete here. 

    Hypocrisy on full display

    In 2020, Trump said he wouldn’t federalize National Guard members without the approval of a state’s Governor first. The head of his own Department of Homeland Security said just last year that federalizing the National Guard would be a direct attack on state rights. But now his administration is adding more National Guard soldiers and Marines to an already charged situation in Los Angeles when they are unneeded. There are 1,600 soldiers waiting for commands at armories in the area.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Joins Senators Hawley and Lee in Introducing Legislation to Increase Penalties Against Criminal Flag Burners

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – On Thursday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) joined fellow Republican Senators Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) to introduce the Enhanced Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners Act, which would enact sentencing enhancements for individuals who burn the American flag in the course of committing a federal offense. 
    If signed into law, the Enhanced Penalties for Criminal Flag Burners Act would ensure that criminals who burn flags to further their delinquent schemes serve an extra year in prison. It would also formally recognize the danger to people and property posed by burning the American flag.
    “While the First Amendment safeguards free expression, it does not shield those who commit federal crimes. Burning the flag as part of such lawlessness, especially when it endangers lives or property, warrants a harsher penalty, as it compounds the offense with a deliberate affront to our nation’s symbol,” said Senator Marshall. “I am proud to join Senator Hawley in introducing this commonsense legislation that protects the vital symbols that unite us all.”“Committing a crime is not protected under the First Amendment. If you are putting people and property in danger and burning our flag in the process, you should serve extra time in prison,” said Senator Hawley. “I encourage all of my Republican colleagues to join President Trump in supporting this legislation. It’s time to restore law and order in America and demand our flag be treated with respect.”
    Click here to read the full bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall: We Are Unleashing America’s Energy Dominance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – On Friday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) applauded the announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish required Renewable Fuel Standard (RSF) volumes and percentage standards for 2026 and 2027, as well as to partially waive the 2025 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement and revise the associated percentage standard due to a shortfall in cellulosic biofuel production. 
    This will fulfill the Trump Administration’s goal of strengthening support for American farmers and biofuel producers in rural communities. While also eliminating the electric vehicle mandate by removing electricity as an eligible pathway under the RFS (e-RINS). Additionally, foreign feedstocks from countries like Brazil and China will no longer be infringing on American commodity markets, as this rule mandates that biofuels generated using foreign feedstocks will generate only 50% of the value of the incentive given to biofuel producers who use them.
    “Today’s announcement from President Trump and EPA Administrator Zeldin delivers on a promise to put American farmers first, while reducing our reliance on foreign energy sources to strengthen domestic agriculture and energy production,” said Senator Marshall “Renewable fuels deliver cleaner and more affordable fuel at the pump, as well as long-term profitability for our farmers and rural communities. This is a huge win for rural America and the future of our energy sector. Thanks to President Trump for not only removing the disastrous Biden EV mandates but also supporting our hard-working farmers and ranchers. Once again, Promises Made, Promises Kept.”
    Background:

    The EPA released an announcement today that sets the proposed volume obligation for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) at 5.61 billion gallons by 2026 and 5.86 billion gallons in 2027, the highest renewable volume obligation (RVO) ever announced.
    Senator Marshall raised concerns about foreign imports in our biomass-fuel supply last year to the Biden Administration.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Statement on Israel

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus, released the following statement:
    “Join me in praying for Israel and the protection of Americans in the region and around the world. President Trump gave Iran an option for peace, but the regime proved it cannot be trusted by continuing to enrich its nuclear supply. This enrichment is only possible because the Biden administration refused to enforce sanctions on the world’s largest sponsor of terror that has American blood on its hands. Make no mistake, Iran cannot threaten the United States with nuclear weapons.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Celebrates U.S. Army’s 250th Birthday

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a combat veteran who served in the Iowa Army National Guard, released the following statement ahead of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday tomorrow:
    “From Bunker Hill and Gettysburg to the Beaches of Normandy and the Iraqi desert, the U.S. Army has fought to secure and protect the freedoms that we hold so dearly as Americans,” said Ernst. “The real story behind the 250 years of the Army is revealed in the brave young men and women who have stepped up and answered the call to serve our country. My own time in the Army opened my horizons to a life of service, and I am honored to have played a small part in the decorated history of America’s oldest military branch. I will continue working to ensure our military remains the most lethal, efficient, and effective fighting force the world has ever seen.”
    Click here to download this image.
    Background:
    Senator Ernst, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has been a leading voice in Washington supporting the new Army Transformation Initiative emphasizing the need to bring greater efficiency and readiness to our armed forces.
    Ernst has also led the charge to build upon the success of military recruitment under the Trump administration through her SERVE Act that promotes the benefits of service by expanding access for high school students.

    MIL OSI USA News –