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Category: Trumpism

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 10th, 2025 N.M. Delegation Welcomes Emergency Declaration for Ruidoso Flooding, Maintains Push for Major Disaster Declaration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

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

    “The loss of life and devastation in Ruidoso as a result of this catastrophic flooding is horrific and heartbreaking, with three confirmed fatalities and dozens of homes and businesses already destroyed. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been lost to this flooding and the hundreds of New Mexicans who have had to flee their homes. And our gratitude is with the first responders, local leaders, medical providers, and rescue teams helping respond to this disaster. We’re grateful that this approval will unlock funding needed for immediate disaster response, and we will continue to push President Trump to grant the state’s Major Disaster Declaration request to make sure that all New Mexicans impacted by this disaster are provided with the federal support necessary to rebuild.”

    The emergency declaration opens up access to specific FEMA funds for immediate disaster response, including support for search and rescue and incident management efforts. An emergency declaration does not preclude a subsequent Major Disaster Declaration. Therefore, the N.M. Delegation will continue to push President Trump to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

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

    This news comes on the heels of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation urging the Trump Administration to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 10th, 2025 N.M. Delegation Welcomes Emergency Declaration for Ruidoso Flooding, Maintains Push for Major Disaster Declaration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich
    RUIDOSO, N.M. – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) released the following joint statement, welcoming President Donald Trump’s granting of an emergency declaration for Chaves, Lincoln, Otero, and Valencia Counties, while renewing their call for President Trump to grant a Major Disaster Declaration in the wake of severe flooding that took the lives of three people and damaged homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
    “The loss of life and devastation in Ruidoso as a result of this catastrophic flooding is horrific and heartbreaking, with three confirmed fatalities and dozens of homes and businesses already destroyed. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been lost to this flooding and the hundreds of New Mexicans who have had to flee their homes. And our gratitude is with the first responders, local leaders, medical providers, and rescue teams helping respond to this disaster. We’re grateful that this approval will unlock funding needed for immediate disaster response, and we will continue to push President Trump to grant the state’s Major Disaster Declaration request to make sure that all New Mexicans impacted by this disaster are provided with the federal support necessary to rebuild.”
    The emergency declaration opens up access to specific FEMA funds for immediate disaster response, including support for search and rescue and incident management efforts. An emergency declaration does not preclude a subsequent Major Disaster Declaration. Therefore, the N.M. Delegation will continue to push President Trump to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.
    Through a Major Disaster Declaration request, the State of New Mexico has requested Public Assistance, Category A through G, including Direct Federal Assistance for Lincoln County, Chaves County, Otero County, and Valencia County, as well as Individual Assistance, including Housing Assistance, Small Business Administration Disaster Assistance, Disaster Case Management, Transitional Sheltering Assistance, Serious Needs Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Disaster Legal Services, Disaster Unemployment, and Displacement Assistance for Lincoln County and Valencia County. The State also requested Hazard Mitigation statewide, as facilitated by New Mexico’s Natural Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan.
    This news comes on the heels of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation urging the Trump Administration to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Grills Forest Service Chief on Trump’s Plan to Eliminate State Fire Assistance Funding

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Grills Forest Service Chief on Trump’s Plan to Eliminate State Fire Assistance Funding

    WATCH: USFS Chief: we are “pushing [funding cuts] to the states”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-chair of the bipartisan Senate Wildfire Caucus, pressed U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz on President Trump’s elimination of all funding for critical state fire assistance programs in his Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. Padilla also warned that the Administration still has not finalized funding assistance for this year ahead of its self-imposed August 15 deadline, risking essential wildfire support that vulnerable communities around the country depend on.

    The Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry programs that President Trump is proposing to zero out include state fire assistance, volunteer fire assistance, and the broader state, private, and Tribal forestry initiatives. These programs provide crucial financial and technical support to state and local fire departments for wildland fire prevention, detection, and suppression. Padilla slammed Chief Schultz for the Trump Administration’s delay in disbursing FY25 funding and plan to zero out FY26 funding from these vital fire assistance programs.

    • PADILLA: These programs are essential for building and maximizing the capacity in fire-adapted communities and ensuring the safety of first responders during wildfires. What is the status of FY25 funding for these programs? … What’s your confidence level getting the funding out by the August 15 deadline?
    • SCHULTZ: Sure. Thank you, sir. So Senator the Fiscal Year 25, we’re still working with OMB on that request, so we’re looking to finalize that here, probably, within the next couple of weeks.
    • PADILLA: Look, that worries me. I don’t mean to cut you off. … The deadline to get this out is August 15. We’re a month out, and you’re still finalizing the numbers?
    • SCHULTZ: So Q4 numbers for 25 are still being finalized for some of those programs, yes sir.
    • PADILLA: That should be a big red flag for all of us. … From past fires in California, including Santa Rosa years ago, Los Angeles, more recently — these are the types of programs that we should be supporting. I asked you about the FY25 numbers. Do you know the FY26 numbers? My understanding is the President’s proposed budget zeroes out this program. How does that make any sense?
    • SCHULTZ: So Senator, I think what the intent of that program in ’26 is to transfer that responsibility to the states. That’s the intent of that and then giving that state some heads up that that’s coming.
    • PADILLA: Look as every state that I’m aware of is having a tougher budget picture to face, the threat of fires is real. The threat of fires is growing. How does it make sense for the federal government to zero out these programs that you said are so critical?
    • SCHULTZ: Sir, we would still be partnering with the states in dialog and discussions, but the transfer–
    • PADILLA: But you’re zeroing out their resources. How does that make any sense?
    • SCHULTZ: That’s correct. Well, it’s sharing that responsibility and pushing that to the states.
    • PADILLA: You’re pushing it to the states that have less resources to work with. How does that make any sense?
    • SCHULTZ: In a sense it makes sense because it’s putting that responsibility on the states to make those decisions locally.
    • PADILLA: Look, it may be residents of California or Utah, or other states in between: these are all Americans, communities in the United States of America that are at increased risk because of the actions of this Administration which contradict the supposed goals and objectives.

    Padilla also warned that the Trump Administration’s mass staffing reductions at the Forest Service will hurt their capacity and capabilities to fight increasing wildfire threats. He condemned Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, which diverted them away from critical wildfire response efforts.

    • PADILLA: I’m concerned that this represents a significant reduction in capability and capacity and poses a serious danger to communities, not just in California, elsewhere in the West and across the country. The staffing reductions coupled with the President diverting National Guard units in California mean that those resources are no longer available to support our wildfire response capacity. It’s not just irresponsible, it’s dangerous.

    Video of Senator Padilla’s full questioning is available here.

    More information on the hearing is available here.

    In the aftermath of the catastrophic Southern California fires, Senator Padilla has introduced more than 10 bills to help prevent and respond to future wildfires, including the Senate version of the Fix Our Forests Act, bipartisan legislation to combat catastrophic wildfires, restore forest ecosystems, and make federal forest management more efficient and responsive. Padilla highlighted the Senate Fix Our Forests Act after joining federal and state emergency officials for a tour of the Pacific Palisades fire recovery area led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Padilla and Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) also introduced the FEMA Independence Act, bipartisan legislation to restore FEMA as an independent, cabinet-level agency and improve efficiency in federal emergency response efforts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: American Politicians Try to Shift Their Employment Problems to China — Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Moscow, July 10 /Xinhua/ — The rhetoric of American politicians about “China depriving Americans of manufacturing jobs” is essentially an attempt to attribute the internal structural economic problems of the United States to other countries, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said in an opinion piece published in the Russian newspaper Argumenty i Fakty on Thursday.

    As Zhang Hanhui noted in an article titled “Who ‘stole’ American manufacturing jobs?”, in recent years, American politicians have often promoted the thesis of “China taking away American manufacturing jobs.” From US President Donald Trump’s statement that “China has taken more jobs from the United States than any other country” to US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s unfounded claim of a “China shock,” the US leadership has continued to try to shift responsibility for its own problems to other countries.

    According to the Chinese ambassador, the decline in employment in manufacturing is a global trend in developed economies. “Research by the Groningen Growth and Development Center (GGDC) in the Netherlands shows that employment in manufacturing typically follows an inverted U-shaped trajectory: during the industrialization stage, labor moves from agriculture to industry, but as socio-economic development progresses, consumer spending shifts from finished goods to services, and the labor force accordingly moves from industry to services,” the article notes.

    The United States has long since transitioned to a service-based economy, with manufacturing providing only 10 percent of all jobs in the country. Some experts point out that the process of gradual reduction in manufacturing in developed countries began even before China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO). From 1977 to 2001, manufacturing employment in the United States fell by 41 percent, while in 10 other developed countries, including Japan, Great Britain, France, and Canada, it fell by 20 to 50 percent.

    As Zhang Hanhui pointed out, the main reason for the decline in industrial employment is the technological revolution. For example, some experts point out that from 2001 to 2023, US manufacturing employment fell by 22 percent, while output grew by 50 percent, which convincingly proves how automation and technological progress are replacing a significant part of the workforce. The Chinese diplomat also cites research from the US Brookings Institution, according to which it took 25 jobs to create $1 million in manufacturing in 1980, while today it only takes 6.5.

    The ambassador is confident that the US’s own problems have accelerated the erosion of its industrial potential. First, the negative gap in labor costs in the United States is virtually insurmountable. For example, the hourly wage of a garment worker in the US is about $22, which is many times higher than $2.8 in Bangladesh, while the productivity of an American worker is only about 60 percent of that of a Bangladeshi worker.

    The diplomat also points out the aging US infrastructure, which seriously limits the competitiveness of American industry. Much of the US electrical grid was built in the 1960s and 1970s and has reached or is approaching the end of its useful life; a third of the country’s bridges require major repairs or reconstruction.

    In addition, the unilateral imposition of tariffs on many imported goods has hit American industry hard. The long-term shift of the American economy toward the financial sector has led to a shortage of skilled labor in the labor market, Zhang Hanhui noted.

    “China calls on the United States to immediately stop the erroneous practice of ‘slinging mud at China’, to return to the mainstream of multilateral cooperation and, together with the Chinese side, on an equal basis, to find ways of mutually beneficial cooperation,” the head of the Chinese diplomatic mission in Russia emphasized.

    In a changing world, China and Russia, with their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era, will jointly advance bilateral cooperation along the designated path, uphold the multilateral trading system led by the WTO, and promote the safe, stable and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains through in-depth cooperation, he said.

    “We will consistently promote an equitable and orderly multipolar world and inclusive economic globalization to inject strong impetus and new hope into global development,” Zhang Hanhui concluded. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Honors Texas Flood Victims, Will Join POTUS in Texas Tomorrow

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) honored those who lost their lives in the catastrophic flooding in Texas and highlighted that he will be in Texas with President Trump and the First Lady tomorrow. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

    “For many who are affected by this tragedy, the pain will never go away.”

    “At this point in the rescue and recovery efforts, more than 119 deaths so far have been confirmed across the state.”

    “I think it’s important to remember these are not just numbers. These are human lives that were lost in this tragedy and families left behind.”

    “Mary [Stevens] and Linnie [McCown] were just two of the victims of this horrific flooding, but there are many others with their own stories, and families, and futures that were cut far too short.”

    “The President and the First Lady are expected to come to Central Texas tomorrow, and I look forward to joining them.”

    “It’s not hard for each of us to imagine – as parents or grandparents or husbands or wives – what a loss like this must mean.”

    “Now is not the time for partisanship. Now is the time for unity.”

    “While I can’t show the photos of every person who’s died or still missing due to the flooding, I want all who’ve lost loved ones to know that the prayers of those of us here, and I believe across the nation, are lifting them up and are with them during this, their time of unimaginable grief.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Honors Texas Flood Victims, Will Join POTUS in Texas Tomorrow

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) honored those who lost their lives in the catastrophic flooding in Texas and highlighted that he will be in Texas with President Trump and the First Lady tomorrow. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

    “For many who are affected by this tragedy, the pain will never go away.”
    “At this point in the rescue and recovery efforts, more than 119 deaths so far have been confirmed across the state.”
    “I think it’s important to remember these are not just numbers. These are human lives that were lost in this tragedy and families left behind.”
    “Mary [Stevens] and Linnie [McCown] were just two of the victims of this horrific flooding, but there are many others with their own stories, and families, and futures that were cut far too short.”
    “The President and the First Lady are expected to come to Central Texas tomorrow, and I look forward to joining them.”
    “It’s not hard for each of us to imagine – as parents or grandparents or husbands or wives – what a loss like this must mean.”
    “Now is not the time for partisanship. Now is the time for unity.”
    “While I can’t show the photos of every person who’s died or still missing due to the flooding, I want all who’ve lost loved ones to know that the prayers of those of us here, and I believe across the nation, are lifting them up and are with them during this, their time of unimaginable grief.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Rosen Calls Out Senate Republicans for Blocking Bipartisan Fix to Repeal New Tax Burden on Gaming Losses

    US Senate News:

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

    Senator Rosen Joined Senator Cortez Masto In Trying to Pass Their Bipartisan FULL HOUSE Act to Reverse the Provision of the Extreme “Big Beautiful Bill” That Harms Casino Visitors and Nevada’s Economy—Republicans Blocked It

    Watch Senator Rosen’s Full Remarks HERE.
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) took to the Senate floor to condemn Senate Republicans for imposing a new tax burden on casino players who lose money gaming, and for blocking the passage of her bipartisan bill to fix it. Senator Rosen criticized the recently enacted extreme Republican tax law for including a damaging provision that limits Americans’ ability to deduct gaming losses, threatening jobs and economic growth in Nevada. Senator Rosen joined Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) in an effort to seek unanimous consent to pass the FULL HOUSE Act, bipartisan legislation they introduced to fully repeal the harmful provision. Unfortunately, Senate Republicans blocked the effort.
    Below are excerpts of Senator Rosen’s floor remarks:
    I want to start out by thanking my friend and colleague, Senator Cortez Masto, for leading the effort to fix this terrible provision.
    I have to say I’m extremely disappointed in what just happened. Senate Republicans are once again showing that they couldn’t care less about the impacts of their new extreme law.
    Last week, President Trump signed into law Republicans’ disastrous “Big Beautiful Betrayal,” which among all the terrible cuts to health care and food assistance, and all of the rest, the “Big Beautiful Betrayal” included a damaging provision that will impose a higher tax burden for people who play games at casinos, casinos not just in Nevada but all around this country, and lose money.
    So you heard that right. Under Republicans’ new law, individuals who play blackjack or poker, they’re on vacation, or any other games at casinos, will now owe taxes to the government on money they lost.
    That’s because the Republicans’ extreme law placed a new limit on the amount of gaming losses that Americans can deduct.
    So what does this actually mean? This means if someone wins a big jackpot in Las Vegas and then loses that one jackpot later on, they would still be liable for ten percent in taxes on gaming “income”, even though they had not brought home anything! Their loss equals their win. They had no winnings at all! 
    How can that be right? How does it make sense? I don’t know, it’s Senate Republican math. That’s what they seem to use in their “Big Beautiful Betrayal” bill. 
    That’s not just bad math, it’s bad policy.
    So, what makes this even worse is that Senate Republicans snuck this provision in a terrible bill so they can collect more money from people so they can pay for more tax giveaways to billionaires, because that’s exactly what’s happening. It’s shameful. 
    This is going to hurt people who visit casinos and hurt Nevada’s gaming industry more broadly, which supports nearly a third of jobs in our state and generates billions of dollars for the local economy. 
    That’s why Senator Cortez Masto and I agree that we must pass our FULL HOUSE Act and eliminate this new tax burden. 
    I’m extremely disappointed that Washington politicians are refusing to fix a terrible policy they enacted that is going to hurt my state, our state, and our economy. 
    We need to restore the full wagering loss deduction and bring fairness back to our tax system, and I won’t stop working, won’t stop pushing, until this gets done.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Employment – Mental health worker numbers don’t tell full story of service under stress and strain – PSA

    Source: PSA

    The Government’s trumpeting of a rise in numbers of mental health and addiction service workers contrasts the everyday experiences of PSA members at the frontline.
    The Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey today said Health NZ payroll data showed total full-time staff employed in mental health growing by more than 9 per cent year on year between Quarter 3 in 2023 and Quarter 1 2025.
    But PSA members tell a different story.
    “Any increase in numbers is long overdue but this only scratches the surface and vacancies and roster shortages remain. With demand for services growing, partly due to a rise in drug use, we need far more mental health workers,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    “The Minster’s own officials are also telling him something else.”
    In May 3 News obtained a draft report showing the scale of the workforce crisis, but the official report to the Minister removed the numbers. The draft report said 1,485 more frontline mental health and addiction workers were needed right now, including 470 specialist nurses, 145 psychiatrists and 145 clinical psychologists.
    “Conditions and pay must improve or more workers will face assaults, burn-out and depart for Australia where pay and resources are far better.
    “Our members tell alarming stories of the pressure they are under including:
    – Long delays filling vacancies, sometimes more than a year
    – Constant threats to safety from patients at EDs and in patient clinics
    – Concerns falling on deaf ears of managers
    The Government is also relying on data that is more than a year out of date to trumpet a minor fall in the vacancy rate from 11% to 10%.
    “These problems have been exacerbated by the phased police withdrawal of support, which is happening without an increase in resources at the frontline. This needs to be paused immediately.
    “The Minister needs to take his rose-tinted glasses off and properly invest in this critically important health service. New Zealanders deserve better.”
    The PSA represents mental health workers including mental health nurses, community mental health workers, psychologists, social workers, and child and adolescent specialists.
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Markey and Rep. Barragán Introduce Resolution to Confront Rising Public Health Threats from Climate Change

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Resolution Text (PDF)

    Washington (July 10, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Representative Nanette Barragán (CA-44) today introduced a resolution recognizing climate change as a growing threat to public health and calling for a coordinated federal strategy to protect communities from worsening climate-fueled harms. The resolution urges the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies to lead a whole-of-government effort to protect public health and improve resiliency against climate-related threats throughout the health sector. Representatives Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Doris Matsui (CA-07), and Brad Schneider (IL-10) co-led the resolution in the House.

    The climate crisis is here. In 2024, the United States experienced 27 climate disasters that caused more than a billion dollars each in damage. Increasingly frequent and extreme events—like wildfires, floods, and heat waves—are driving spikes in illness, displacement, and death. More than 150 million Americans live in areas with unhealthy air, and people with disabilities are 2 to 4 times more likely to die or be injured in climate-related disasters. Frontline workers in agriculture, construction, delivery, and manufacturing face growing health risks from extreme heat and poor air quality on the job.

    “With deadly extreme weather disasters, devastating heat waves, and pollution that triggers asthma and other health crises all on the rise, climate change is a full-blown public health emergency—and we need to treat it that way,” said Senator Markey. “This resolution calls on our government to protect the people most at risk from climate-related threats—those on the frontlines of the climate crisis, including Black and Indigenous communities, low-income families, and workers, especially those in construction, delivery, manufacturing, and warehouses. While Republicans pass bills that kick people off their health care, we are fighting for a resilient health system that helps everyone survive a warming and increasingly chaotic world.”

    “The climate crisis affects us all, but especially economically disadvantaged communities, communities of color, and other marginalized communities,” said Representative Barragán. “Now more than ever, we see families across the country facing significant health risks as a result of climate disasters such as extreme heat, excessive flooding, and unpredictable storms. Yet the Trump Administration has dangerously chosen to ignore the threat of climate change to our public health – firing staff and canceling programs that were focused on improving our resilience to harmful environmental exposures, such as the HHS Office of Climate Change and Health Equity. That is why I am proud to lead this bicameral resolution with Senator Markey and Representatives Carbajal, Matsui, and Schneider to acknowledge the federal government’s responsibility to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect the health and well-being of all Americans.”

    Specifically, the resolution:

    • Demands the release of funding appropriated by Congress that would help to address climate-related health threats that has been held up by Federal agencies;
    • Details the public health dimensions of the climate crisis, including increased risks of respiratory illness, cardiovascular disease, mental health stressors, pregnancy complications, infectious disease outbreaks, and disaster-related displacement;
    • Highlights the disproportionate health burdens on children, people with disabilities, low-income households, communities of color, Tribal nations, and workers in high-risk occupations;
    • Calls on the Department of Health and Human Services to lead cross-agency coordination to strengthen health system climate resilience, support frontline providers, close gaps in climate-health data, and help the health sector lower its own environmental impact;
    • Affirms the importance of engaging environmental justice and community-based organizations in local climate-health preparedness and response efforts;
    • Urges the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to adopt a national worker heat protection standard; and,
    • Calls for annual public reporting on federal climate-health resilience investments and progress.

    The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Representatives Hank Johnson (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15).

    The resolution is endorsed by Health Care Without Harm, Center for American Progress, Climate Justice Alliance, International Transformational Resilience Coalition, Climate and Community Institute, Earthjustice Action, Public Citizen, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice, Center for Oil and Gas Organizing, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and the American College of Physicians.

    “Health Care Without Harm applauds Senator Markey for introducing this important resolution and is pleased to endorse it,” said Jenny Keroack, Director of Program Strategy & Management in the U.S. Climate Program. “Climate change is causing more severe and frequent storms, wildfires, and extreme heat events, creating safety and public health crises across our country. Our government must have a science-based, coordinated approach to prepare for and respond to these growing threats, and the Department of Health and Human Services has an indispensable role to play as the guardian of our nation’s health and well-being. Vital programs have been attacked, including a grant program that assists families with energy costs so they can afford to cool and heat their homes, funding that helps hospitals stay open and operational when the grid goes down, and research on how best to protect farmworkers from increasing heat waves. Such programs and the expert civil servants who help protect our communities from environmental health threats like climate change must be immediately reinstated and supported. Now is not the time to retreat.”

    “With climate change and extreme weather events driving illness, injury, and death across the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services must harness its resources, leverage its authorities, and coordinate its expertise and action to prepare for and respond to the health and financial impact,” said Jill Rosenthal, Director of Public Health at the Center for American Progress.

    “This resolution is crucial because climate change isn’t just an environmental problem; it’s a public health crisis hurting families right now,” said KD Chavez, Executive Director of the Climate Justice Alliance. “Low-income communities bear the brunt – suffering more asthma attacks, heatstroke, and toxic exposure. But these communities also have the answers! They’ve developed practical, replicable solutions. We need bold action: stronger environmental safeguards, smart investments in resilient infrastructure, and policies that prioritize everyone’s health and safety, no matter where they live. Let’s protect our families and build a healthier future for all.”

    “The International Transformational Resilience Coalition (ITRC) strongly endorses this resolution,” said ITRC Founder and Coordinator Bob Doppelt. “We do so because the climate crisis is a public health crisis that requires significant leadership, support, and investments by the federal government to prevent and heal the accelerating climate-generated mental health, psychosocial, and physical health issues experienced by newborns, young children, adolescents, working age, and older adults nationwide.”

    “Our hospitals and clinics are already seeing the devastating health effects of climate change every day – from children struggling to breathe polluted air to seniors collapsing in extreme heat,” said Ranjani Prabhakar, Legislative Director of Healthy Communities, Earthjustice Action. “Over 200 medical journals have called climate change the greatest threat to human health this century, and Senator Markey’s resolution affirms this data by putting health at the center of environmental solutions. Recognizing this crisis for the public health emergency that it is, is essential to protect our families and communities.”

    “As the planet enters a period of increasing climate chaos, our collective response will either deepen disparities or address the drivers of climate breakdown and health inequity together,” said Batul Hassan, Labor Director at the Climate and Community Institute. “This resolution from Senator Markey establishes the urgent need for coordinated action across health and public health systems to ensure all people and generations to come can thrive in a warming world.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Statement on Whistleblower’s Allegations Against Emil Bove

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement following the release of text messages, email exchanges, and documents further corroborating the whistleblower disclosures of Mr. Erez Reuveni, formerly the Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Immigration Litigation at the Department of Justice, about Emil Bove’s nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
    “During his confirmation hearing, Mr. Bove testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee that he had never advised a Department of Justice attorney to violate a court order. These text messages, email exchanges, and documents clearly show Mr. Bove doing just that–crudely discussing defying court orders, leading an effort to deliberately mislead our courts, and demanding DOJ attorneys violate their ethical duties to advance President Trump’s immigration agenda.
    “Anyone who says ‘f*** you’ to a court order is unfit to be a member of the legal profession let alone a federal judge. These documents prove Mr. Bove lacks the character, judgment, and integrity required to serve a lifetime appointment on the Third Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. The people of New Jersey deserve a judge who upholds the rule of law, and I urge my Republican colleagues on the Committee to consider the disastrous implications before voting to confirm Mr. Bove to one of the highest courts in our land.”
    For a summary of Mr. Reuveni’s document production, click here.
    For a PDF of Mr. Reuveni’s first documents production, click here.
    For a PDF of Mr. Reuveni’s second documents production, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Trump’s Tariffs Against BRICS Will Hurt US Trade Positions – Russian Economist

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Moscow, July 10 /Xinhua/ — The introduction of customs duties on goods from BRICS countries by the United States may lead to the country finally losing its role as an arbiter in global trade, Igbal Guliyev, dean of the financial economics department at MGIMO University of the Russian Foreign Ministry, expressed this opinion in an interview with TASS.

    US President Donald Trump’s statement about the possible introduction of 10% tariffs on BRICS goods marks the beginning of a new phase of economic conflict, a Russian economist believes. According to him, the BRICS countries are forming a new architecture in the financial, technological and institutional spheres, challenging the dominance of the dollar. The US response in the form of tariff pressure is intended to destabilize this alternative model. However, such measures may have the opposite effect.

    According to I. Guliyev, the reaction of the BRICS countries will be symmetrical and strategically thought out. This could lead to the acceleration of de-dollarization and the creation of a new system of international settlements, which will become the birth of a truly multipolar trading system. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Crapo Take Bipartisan Action to Secure Clear Guidance for Claimants Following the Recent Extension and Expansion of RECA

    US Senate News:

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

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) urged the Trump administration to swiftly provide detailed guidance for claimants to access the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) program following its expansion and extension by Congress. In letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Senators Luján and Crapo highlight the urgent need to implement guidance quickly and efficiently regarding the expanded RECA program as the current extension of RECA expires in just over two years.

    “After decades of advocacy, communities harmed by radiation exposure are set to finally receive long-overdue recognition and compensation. This achievement marks a significant step toward providing some justice to families who have waited far too long. After decades of struggle, we ask that the Department of Justice move swiftly to issue guidance for claimants to access the program,” the Senators wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi.

    “As you know, the current extension of the program expires in just over two years. This means time is limited to fulfill the promise of this expansion and ensure every eligible uranium miner and onsite participant receives compensation. We urge the Department of Labor to act swiftly and efficiently in developing and posting guidance to implement the expanded RECA and Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) programs,” the Senators wrote to Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

    Since being elected to Congress, Senator Luján has played a leading role in advancing legislation to strengthen the RECA program, introducing RECA legislation in every Congress and twice passing it through the Senate.

    The full text of the letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi is available here.

    The full text of the letter to Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: N.M. Delegation Welcomes Emergency Declaration for Ruidoso Flooding, Maintains Push for Major Disaster Declaration 

    US Senate News:

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

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

    “The loss of life and devastation in Ruidoso as a result of this catastrophic flooding is horrific and heartbreaking, with three confirmed fatalities and dozens of homes and businesses already destroyed. Our thoughts are with the families of those who have been lost to this flooding and the hundreds of New Mexicans who have had to flee their homes. And our gratitude is with the first responders, local leaders, medical providers, and rescue teams helping respond to this disaster. We’re grateful that this approval will unlock funding needed for immediate disaster response, and we will continue to push President Trump to grant the state’s Major Disaster Declaration request to make sure that all New Mexicans impacted by this disaster are provided with the federal support necessary to rebuild.”

    The emergency declaration opens up access to specific FEMA funds for immediate disaster response, including support for search and rescue and incident management efforts. An emergency declaration does not preclude a subsequent Major Disaster Declaration. Therefore, the N.M. Delegation will continue to push President Trump to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

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

    This news comes on the heels of the New Mexico Congressional Delegation urging the Trump Administration to approve a Major Disaster Declaration request from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DelBene Highlights Impact of Trump’s Nutrition Cuts on Washington Families

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

    Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) highlighted the historic and devastating cuts to federal food programs in President Trump’s megabill that he recently signed into law. Joined by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients, nutrition advocates, educators, and local food providers, DelBene underscored that thousands of Washington families and children will go hungry because of the cuts in this law.

    Last week, Congressional Republicans sent a massive bill to President Trump that slashes over $200 billion from SNAP, imposes new burdens on states, and jeopardizes food assistance for families, children, and seniors across the country. These cuts, along with ones made to Medicaid and student loan repayment programs, were made to fund another massive tax giveaway to ultra-wealthy people and large corporations. The law is estimated to add over $4 trillion to the national debt.

    In Washington, 900,000 people receive SNAP with an average benefit of only $6 per day. Because of Trump’s new law, more than 130,000 residents could lose some or all of their benefits under this legislation. The state has said that all SNAP recipients in Washington will see their benefits cut to some degree.

    “No one should go hungry in the wealthiest country on Earth. This Republican megabill imposes cruel, unnecessary cuts that hurt working families, children, veterans, and seniors just to fund tax breaks for billionaires,” said DelBene. “These cuts will make it harder for people to feed their families and for local food banks to meet the growing need. I’ll continue fighting back against these harmful policies.”

    “President Trump’s cruel bill will literally take food away from thousands of Washington children to pay for tax cuts for billionaires,” said Governor Bob Ferguson. “For many families, they’re already working to stretch every dollar. Hunger impacts kids’ performance in school, their health and their physical development. These cuts will adversely impact a generation of kids into the future.”

    “In recent years, we’ve seen firsthand how interconnected food security is with housing, healthcare, education, and employment. SNAP plays a vital role in the safety net. When benefits are reduced—especially at the scale we are now seeing—families don’t just feel the impact, they’re forced into impossible choices: rent or groceries, medication or meals,” said Carla Rankin, Executive Director, Arlington Food Bank. “While food banks like ours work tirelessly to bridge the gap, we are not a substitute for strong federal nutrition programs. We rely on public support, private donations, and an army of volunteers—and those resources are not infinite.”

    “What we anticipate with these SNAP and Medicaid cuts is we’re going to have increased demand on our services, because right now, we’re only serving about 50% of the eligible population for WIC, so we know our caseload is really going to increase,” said Nicole Flateboe, Executive Director, Nutrition First. “The One Big Beautiful Bill has also cut Medicaid, which we rely upon for establishing eligibility for our clients, so, that’s going to just create increased administrative burden and red tape for getting these folks on the program.”

    Organizations represented at the event included Arlington Community Food Bank, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Volunteers of America Western Washington, Arlington School District, Arlington Farmers Market, Washington State University SNAP-Ed, and Nutrition First.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Israel’s relocation plan for Palestinians and fading hopes for a ceasefire

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor

    This article was first published in The Conversation UK’s World Affairs Briefing email newsletter. Sign up to receive weekly analysis of the latest developments in international relations, direct to your inbox.

    It was revealing this week to read reports of Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with Donald Trump (his third White House visit since Trump’s inauguration in January). There was no sense that the US president upped the pressure on the Israeli prime minister to soften Israel’s conditions in order to secure a ceasefire. Instead the pair appears to have discussed the prospect of moving large numbers of Palestinians out of the Gaza Strip to countries what would, as Netanyahu put it, “give Palestinians a better future”.

    If Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, has his way, the future for those Palestinians who want to stay put does indeed look pretty bleak. And the 57,000 people who, according to figures collated by the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, have lost their lives since the Israeli assault on Gaza began back in October 2023, have no future at all.

    But the plan for the future of Gazan Palestinians that Katz unveiled this week will horrify many too. It involves the construction of a “humanitarian city” at Rafah, close to the Egyptian border at the very southern end of the Strip. Under the plan, people entering the city will be searched for weapons and checked for affiliation to Hamas. Once in, they will not be allowed to leave, except to depart from Gaza altogether.

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    This immediately prompted critics to accuse the Israeli government of ethnic cleansing. James Sweeney, an expert in human rights and international law at the University of Lancaster, believes that, if Israel were to carry out Katz’s plan, there would be strong case against political and military leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity. He argues that the plan amounts at the very least to the forcible transfer of civilians prohibited under the Geneva conventions and the Rome statute, which underpins the International Criminal Court (ICC).

    The snag, as Sweeney sees it, is going to be enforcing international law. While there is an ICC warrant out for the arrests of Netanyahu and his former defence minister, Yoav Gallant, the Israeli prime minister was able to visit Washington without fear of being apprehended. The US doesn’t recognise the ICC and, indeed, the prosecutor that issued the warrant against Netanyahu and Gallant is now subject to US sanctions.



    Read more:
    Plans to relocate Gazans to a ‘humanitarian city’ look like a crime against humanity – international law expert

    Of course, what happens in Gaza tends to reverberate throughout the region. If hundreds of thousands of Palestinian citizens are moved out of Gaza, it’s likely to be to one of the neighbouring countries. When the idea of a Trump Riviera was first mooted earlier this year, the US president said the Palestinian population could be rehomed in Egypt or Jordan – something both those countries pushed back against with alacrity.

    And the powerful Gulf States, which Trump was keen to woo as business partners when he made a tour of the region in May, are also deeply concerned about Israel’s conduct of its military campaign in Gaza. Geopolitics aside, their populations are broadly sympathetic to the Palestinian people, so a plan to force them out of their homes is unacceptable for Gulf leaders.

    Scott Lucas, an expert in Middle East politics at University College Dublin, gives us a broader view of the region. He describes what he calls two “kaleidoscope moments” when one event has changed the entire region. The first was the Hamas attack of October 7. This brought to an abrupt end the process of normalisation of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The second was the 12-day war between Israel and Iran, which has further isolated Israel. Lucas believes for there to be any hope of regional stability and the furthering of Israeli relations with the rest of the region, the war in Gaza must end.



    Read more:
    As Netanyahu meets Trump in Washington, what hope for peace in Gaza? Expert Q&A

    Ali Mamouri, a Middle East scholar at Australia’s Deakin University doesn’t believe there’s much chance of this happening any time soon. Part of this is political: Netanyahu still depends on the far-right elements of his coalition represented by national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich. They remain steadfastly opposed to even a ceasefire and want to see Israel expel Palestinians by hook or by crook.

    Also, by prolonging the war, Netanyahu can keep delaying his corruption trial (incidentally, Donald Trump has called for the charges to be dropped altogether).

    And the idea of full statehood for Palestine remains anathema for Israel, as Netanyahu made clear this week talking with journalists after his meeting with Trump when he made clear his insistence that far from pulling Israeli troops out of Gaza, Israel would keep full control of all security matters there: “Now, people will say: ‘It’s not a complete state, it’s not a state.’ We don’t care,” he said.

    Mansour concludes: “The coming weeks will reveal whether Israel chooses the path of compromise and coexistence, or continues down a road that forecloses the possibility of lasting peace.”



    Read more:
    The US has high hopes for a new Gaza ceasefire, but Israel’s long-term aims seem far less peaceful

    Europe must step up over Ukraine

    Just as the picture remains bleak in Gaza, the prospects for peace remain very slim in Ukraine. Although given Donald Trump’s mercurial approach to foreign affairs, it’s also fair to say that anything is possible.

    This week the US president decided to recommence US arms supplies to Ukraine, having previously frozen military aid (although he insists this was done by his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and that he was “blindsided” by the move). His relationship with Putin appears to have soured – for the present at least. He said: “We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth. He’s very nice all of the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”

    And at the most recent Nato summit in The Hague on June 25, Trump put his signature to a declaration that Russia poses “long-term threat … to Euro-Atlantic security” and that Nato member states retain “their enduring sovereign commitments to provide support to Ukraine”.

    But Stefan Wolff, an expert in international security at the University of Birmingham, believes that Nato’s European members cannot bank on the US as a reliable long-term partner. There are few signs that the US is pressuring Russia to compromise on its maximalist aims, which remain unchanged since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. So Russia remains the most urgent threat to European security. And it’s a threat that Europe will need to prepare to confront, if necessary without US assistance.

    But there are signs that many European countries are preparing to do just that, Wolff writes. Increased commitments to defence spending are a strong start. As he concludes: “They will not turn Europe into a military heavyweight overnight. But they will buy time to do so.”



    Read more:
    US backs Nato’s latest pledge of support for Ukraine, but in reality seems to have abandoned its European partners

    Understandably, much of the reporting of the war in Ukraine has focused on the human tragedy unfolding in the war-torn country: the enormous casualty list on both sides, civilians killed or forced from their homes in the fighting, and the Ukrainian citizens forced to live under Russian occupation.

    But a new film, which premiered recently at the Tribeca film festival, looks at War Through the Eyes of Animals. Janine Natalya Clark, an expert in transitional justice at the University of Birmingham, has done similar. Clark interviewed a number of Ukrainian natural scientists including botanists, ornithologists, herpetologists (who study reptiles and amphibians) and a marine biologist. She asked them to make sound recordings in their area to reflect on how the war is affecting Ukraine’s flora and fauna.

    What emerged was extraordinary and reflects how the conflict has affected the natural world in both positive and negative ways. Clark believes that this information will be invaluable when it comes to rebuilding Ukraine and in securing justice and reparations for the damage done – not just to humans, but to Ukraine’s animals and the habitats in which they live.



    Read more:
    Sound recordings can give us an animal-eye view of the war in Ukraine

    In Russia, meanwhile, a controversial measure introduced by the Putin government is dividing public opinion. In some parts of the country, schoolgirls who become pregnant are being paid more than 100,000 roubles (nearly £900) for giving birth and raising their babies.

    Jannifer Mathers, a Russia expert at Aberystwyth University, looks at the rise of pronatalism in the face of declining populations and finds it’s not just an issue in Russia, but for many other countries as well, including the US.



    Read more:
    Russia is paying schoolgirls to have babies. Why is pronatalism on the rise around the world?

    World Affairs Briefing from The Conversation UK is available as a weekly email newsletter. Click here to get updates directly in your inbox.

    – ref. Israel’s relocation plan for Palestinians and fading hopes for a ceasefire – https://theconversation.com/israels-relocation-plan-for-palestinians-and-fading-hopes-for-a-ceasefire-260933

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following Push from Senator Hassan, VA to Preserve Thousands of Jobs Critical to Veteran Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan

    WASHINGTON – Following repeated advocacy by U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), as well as other Senate Democrats, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced this week that it will no longer pursue its planned reduction in force of roughly 80,000 employees, representing nearly 1 in 5 VA employees. Since the Trump Administration announced its plans to fire 80,000 VA employees, Senator Hassan has consistently pressed VA leadership about the proposed reductions, warning that mass firings would jeopardize veterans’ access to the health care, support, and benefits that they have earned. While the announcement from the VA is an important step forward, the VA still expects to shed 30,000 employees this year through retirements and attrition.

    “I am encouraged to see that the VA has listened to the concerns expressed by me and my colleagues, as well as the concerns expressed by veterans in New Hampshire and is no longer pursuing its large-scale reduction of the force at VA. Though I support efforts to eliminate waste and fraud in government, blindly cutting one-fifth of VA’s workforce does not make our government more efficient and instead threatens the care and services that veterans have earned and deserve,” said Senator Hassan. “While this announcement reflects movement in the right direction, the VA has still pushed out thousands of employees who were critical to serving those who have served our country without any clear analysis of the impact. I will continue to push back against any attempts to weaken the VA and dismantle the critical services that it provides for New Hampshire veterans. I will closely monitor the VA’s staffing decisions and speak out against any decisions that result in longer wait times or reduced quality of care.”

    Senator Hassan has voiced strong opposition to the planned workforce reductions at the VA, speaking out about the ways in which the firings would weaken services for America’s veterans and pressing VA officials on the issue in recent months. Following the Trump Administration’s announcement of its plans to cut roughly 80,000 VA staff – nearly 1 in 5 employees – Senator Hassan pressed the VA’s head of human resources and top VA doctor at the time to answer questions about the planned firings, but the answers they provided made clear that the VA had come up with an arbitrary number of employees to fire without first analyzing  the consequences.

    The proposed cuts were particularly concerning given the increased demand for VA services following the implementation of the PACT Act, landmark legislation that Senator Hassan helped develop and pass into law to fundamentally reform how veterans exposed to toxic substances receive health care and benefits. To date, more than 2.4 million PACT Act-related claims have been filed and over 220,000 veterans have enrolled for VA health care under the expanded law, including almost 1,900 Granite Staters. The VA hired thousands of additional staff to meet this intended increase in demand – the very same staff that the Trump Administration planned to fire, threatening to undermine PACT Act veterans’ ability to receive the timely care and benefits they have earned and deserve.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Trump Admin Is Withholding Approx. $20M From WA For The 2025 Wildfire Season. Cantwell: “Why Aren’t We Releasing The Funds?”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    07.10.25

    The Trump Admin Is Withholding Approx. $20M From WA For The 2025 Wildfire Season. Cantwell: “Why Aren’t We Releasing The Funds?”

    During a potentially dire PNW wildfire season, Trump’s Office of Management and Budget claims they are still “evaluating” resources already set aside for the region; Funding being withheld could be spent NOW on firefighting training & equipment, forest management, & landscape restoration

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, questioned U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz about why the Trump Administration is withholding an estimated $20 million from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the 2025 firefighting season and future fire seasons.  

    President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not disbursed over $280 million in FY25 State, Private, and Tribal Forestry (SPTF) program funds. This includes grants to states to help train and equip state, local, and volunteer emergency responders and firefighters with the tools and resources they need to put wildfires out safely and quickly. This includes funding for fire academies, personal protection equipment, fire pumps, hoses, nozzles, and other safety gear. Nationally, state, local, and volunteer fire departments respond to roughly 80% of all wildfires each year. Last year DNR, along with local first responders, successfully kept over 93% of fires in Washington state at 10 acres or less.

    Funds from the SPTF can also be used for hazardous fuels work on non-federal land in the wildland urban interface (WUI), to recover land that has been burned, and for forest health management.

    “So where is the resource for the state? I think it’s a budget that’s already been approved. So why aren’t we releasing the funds that go to the community so that they can best prepare for this fire season?” Sen. Cantwell asked during a committee hearing this morning.

    “We are evaluating that right now. We’ve had a lot of feedback from the State Foresters. We’re working with OMB on that question right now, looking at that issue. So, we have not made a determination yet, but that’s something that is being evaluated,” Schultz responded.

    Sen. Cantwell: “So when do you expect that to go out?”

    Schultz: “We expect there probably to be [a] determination in the next several weeks, would be my expectation […] But we don’t– again, we can’t commit that that’s for sure going to go out yet. That’s still under discussion.”

    Sen. Cantwell: “We want to follow the normal process so that the Forest Service is working with others to get the resources into those communities and do the work that they need to do.”

    Last year, DNR received $20,509,589 of SPTF funding and is expecting a similar allocation this year. If FY25 is not apportioned and distributed by the U.S. Forest Service by Sept. 30, DNR may have to reduce Fire Academy Training sessions, which could result in 400 wildland firefighters not receiving training. Also, DNR may not be able to provide financial assistance for hazardous fuels reduction for non-federal lands in the WUI.

    Wildfire risk is above normal for the entire state of Washington, according to the National Interagency Fire Center’s forecast for July through September 2025, with the high risk predicted to persist in Eastern and Central Washington through October.

    The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is currently at Preparedness Level 3 (out of 4 possible levels), with five large wildfires burning in the state. So far this year the department logged 667 wildfires and 16,465 acres burned.

    Video of Sen. Cantwell’s questioning of Schultz is HERE; a transcript is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Urges Support of Tennessean Whitney Hermandorfer, Trump’s Nominee to be Judge on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    Hermandorfer is the first judicial nominee in President Trump’s second term
    WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) spoke on the Senate floor urging his colleagues to support the nomination of Whitney Hermandorfer, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*
    Remarks as prepared for delivery:
    Thank you, Mr. President.
    I urge my colleagues to support the confirmation of Whitney Hermandorfer, who President Trump has nominated to be a Judge on the Sixth Circuit.
    This is a defining moment for the second Trump Administration. Ms. Hermandorfer is the very first judicial nominee to come before the Senate. 
    She will set a benchmark of excellence for future judicial nominees — indeed, President Trump could not have made a better choice.
    Ms. Hermandorfer is eminently qualified, graduating first in her law school class, then clerking on the District Court for D.C., the D.C. Circuit, and not once – but twice – at the Supreme Court of the United States.
    Whitney served as the lead strategist and advocate for the State of Tennessee, representing the Volunteer state in its most complex and important cases. And – unsurprisingly to those who know her – she distinguished herself in that role. 
    Ms. Hermandorfer has the experience and the demeanor that our very best judges possess, along with a genuine humility, kindness, and infectious optimism.
    Most importantly, Ms. Hermandorfer will faithfully discharge the solemn duties of a judge.
    She will interpret the Constitution according to its original meaning.
    She will administer justice without fear or favor.
    She will rule without preference to the poor or rich, weak or powerful. 
    She will protect the precious rights recognized in the Constitution, and safeguard the delicate separation of powers our Founders established.
    Whitney Hermandorfer is an outstanding nominee —any delay in confirmation deprives our courts of the very best and brightest our nation can offer.
    I urge my colleagues to support her nomination on today’s procedural vote, and encourage this body to quickly proceed to her confirmation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall: We Have Secured Huge Wins for Kansas Farmers and Ranchers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Senator Marshall Joins RFD-TV to Talk About the Plan to Ban U.S. Farmland Purchases by China and Key Wins in the Reconciliation Bill
    Washington – On Thursday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Tammi Arender on RFD-TV’s Market Day Report to discuss the importance of protecting American farmland from hostile foreign nations like China and the major wins for farmers and ranchers in the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill.
    Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full remarks.
    On the necessity of preventing China from buying American farmland:
    “Tammi, it’s great to be with you, and for the last several years, we’ve been trying to scream as loud as we could that China’s buying more and more farmland in America. And it’s not just the quantity, it’s where they’re purchasing it. If you could imagine, Whiteman Air Force Base is where those B2 bombers took off and took out the Iranian nuclear facilities. The Chinese have purchased land next to that base. Same way at Fort Riley – at many of the military bases, the Chinese have purchased property.
    “And beyond that, it’s the Chinese owning a significant part of Smithfield and Brazilian JBS, the meatpacking industry as well. So what we announced yesterday, the Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, who by the way is doing an incredible job, is that she’s now going to be on CFIUS. This is the committee on foreign land purchases by foreign entities. So she’ll be at that level, and then trying to decide if someone that China or their proxies are here, trying to buy land in America, that she’ll get to decide that is a national security issue. The bottom line: food security is national security.”
    On whether there will be any retaliatory measures taken by China:
    “Think about this – you and I, your listeners, we cannot go to China and purchase land. We cannot go to China and make a pork processing plant. So I think it’s fair. You know, President Trump talks about fair and reciprocal trade agreements. And by the way, there’s a lot that states can do. State Governors in their legislatures can do this. Already in Arkansas, Governor Huckabee Sanders is actually buying back this land that the Chinese have purchased. And not only has she banned future purchases, but she’s actually forcing them to sell land as well – sometimes the states can move a little bit quicker than the federal government can.”
    On what the One Big Beautiful Bill will do for farmers and ranchers:
    “Tammi, I’m so proud we did almost a whole farm bill within this reconciliation bill. We allocate $50 billion more for crop insurance as well as the Title I funding. We increased the reference prices, so we funded that for the next five years, and we’ll take that off the table as we go forward with the rest of the Farm Bill. The crop insurance is the backbone of every Farm Bill.
    “But beyond that, even more, I think about beyond the reference prices… we also got the 199A pass-through for all those folks, farmers that are part of co-ops, we got that taken care of. Bonus depreciation, writing off interest, all those things are so important to go buy this million-dollar combine in today’s world, to be able to write that off with bonus depreciation is a big game changer.
    “We doubled the death tax exemption to over $30 million, so we doubled the tax exemptions so you don’t have to sell a fourth of your farm to pass it on to future generations as well. And don’t forget, we got 45Z done in this as well. I think the 45Z market for taking commodities turning into jet fuel, I think that could be bigger, maybe four or five times bigger than the entire ethanol industry right now. So huge, huge wins for farmers. So proud of the work we got done.”
    On what can be added to the next Farm Bill:
    “There’s a lot of division up here right now. My friends across the aisle are upset that we went forward with that. And I’m sorry, but we give them every chance a year or two to get it finished. I wish we could, but I hope so. I think even next week, we’re going to be working with Secretary Kennedy and Rollins and talking about soil health. And love to come back and talk about that. And part of improving soil health is going to cost money. If you want to go into regenerative agriculture in your first year or two, your crop, maybe your production, goes down. So we’re trying to work on a farm bill, especially the Conservation component. There’s great opportunity there, and we’ll hopefully sort it out this fall.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Welch Lead Colleagues in Calling Out Trump Administration’s Hypocrisy Over Accepting Qatari Plane Amid National Security Probe Into Foreign Aircraft Imports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) led Senate colleagues, including Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), in demanding that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick provide clarification of the Department of Commerce’s ongoing Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of imports of commercial aircraft given that the Trump administration has accepted and plans to import an aircraft from Qatar.
    Specifically, the Senators press Secretary Lutnick whether the aircraft being acquired by President Trump from Qatar will be evaluated as part of the Department of Commerce’s ongoing national security investigation into the import of commercial aircraft.
    “We write to request clarification regarding the scope of the Department of Commerce’s ongoing Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, initiated on May 1, 2025,” wrote the Senators.
    “In light of this, we ask whether the aircraft reportedly being acquired by President Trump from Qatar will be evaluated as part of the Department’s ongoing investigation,” continued the Senators. 
    “Given President Trump’s repeated emphasis on curbing foreign influence in U.S. supply chains and reducing reliance on foreign-owned assets, it would be inconsistent for a high-profile foreign acquisition of this nature to go unexamined, especially as the Department of Commerce is actively analyzing the national security implications of such imports,” the Senators concluded. 
    The full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Lutnick,
    We write to request clarification regarding the scope of the Department of Commerce’s ongoing Section 232 investigation into the national security implications of imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, initiated on May 1, 2025.
    This investigation, initiated under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, purportedly aims to assess whether these imports threaten the national security of the United States. In recent days, you have indicated that the Department expects to complete its investigation soon. Given the significance of this investigation—and its potential implications for trade policy and national security—it is essential that the process be conducted transparently.
    In light of this, we ask whether the aircraft reportedly being acquired by President Trump from Qatar will be evaluated as part of the Department’s ongoing investigation. While the aircraft is understood to be a Boeing 747-8 jetliner originally manufactured in the United States, its recent use by a foreign government and its reentry into the U.S. as a privately acquired aircraft raise serious national security concerns. It also raises questions about how such a case is categorized under the Section 232 framework.
    The aircraft, reportedly valued at $400 million, would represent one of the largest foreign gifts ever accepted by a former U.S. president—or by the U.S. government more broadly—if acquired at little or no cost. This transaction potentially conflicts with the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause, as well as the Foreign Gifts and Decorations Act. Members of Congress have written to the Department’s Inspector General and introduced a resolution and legislation addressing these concerns. While these constitutional and statutory questions are significant and pressing, we raise a different query. Specifically, we seek clarity on whether and how this transaction is being considered and factored into the Department’s ongoing national security investigation into the import of commercial aircraft.
    Given President Trump’s repeated emphasis on curbing foreign influence in U.S. supply chains and reducing reliance on foreign-owned assets, it would be inconsistent for a high-profile foreign acquisition of this nature to go unexamined, especially as the Department of Commerce is actively analyzing the national security implications of such imports. The public deserves clarity on whether and how this transaction will be factored into your department’s review.
    Accordingly, we request answers to the following:
    Will the Boeing 747-8 previously owned by the Qatari royal family and gifted to President Trump be considered within the scope of the Department’s ongoing Section232 into the national security implications of imports of commercial aircraft?
    If not, what criteria or exemptions govern that determination?
    Does the aircraft’s prior foreign government ownership affect its classification or relevance under the investigation?
    Thank you for your attention to this matter. We appreciate your commitment to completing this important review in a transparent manner.
    Sincerely, 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Crypto – Bitcoin hits all-time high as political will and institutional action accelerate – deVere Group

    Source: deVere Group

    July 10 2025 – Bitcoin surged above $112,000 this week for the first time, driven by mounting political momentum, regulatory repositioning, and strategic allocations from both corporations and sovereign entities, says deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory and asset management organizations.

    “The shift is clear and aggressive,” said Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group. “Bitcoin is being pulled into the core of national economic thinking in the US – the world’s largest economy – and also corporate treasury policy, and institutional portfolios. This isn’t hype. This is capital following political will.”

    The Trump administration is sending unmistakable signals. Senior Treasury officials have confirmed internal reviews are underway on the potential inclusion of Bitcoin in US reserve strategy.

    Also committees continue to receive Bitcoin contributions, discussions between policymakers and digital asset custodians are ongoing, and new legislation supporting digital asset classification, custody, and tax treatment is gaining bipartisan support on Capitol Hill.

    “When a sitting administration is weighing Bitcoin as part of sovereign reserves, that reshapes the global risk framework,” said Nigel. “It doesn’t just legitimize Bitcoin, it forces others—institutions and governments alike—to act.”

    Elon Musk’s newly formed America Party has pushed Bitcoin further into the national conversation.

    In his Independence Day speech, Musk positioned Bitcoin as the foundation of economic resilience.

    This has reignited interest across retail platforms and triggered increased flows from politically aligned investor groups.

    “Musk is giving Bitcoin further ideological weight and policy relevance,” says the deVere CEO.

    “That moves markets. His reach is unmatched, and he’s aligning it with a monetary vision that resonates with a generation raised on decentralized tech.”

    At the regulatory level, the SEC has softened its stance. Several enforcement actions have been withdrawn, and spot Bitcoin ETFs are moving through review with renewed agency engagement. Regulators are now focused on operational safeguards and disclosure standards. “The era of blanket resistance appears to be over,” notes Nigel Green.

    “Regulatory friction held back institutional involvement for years. Now that it’s easing, we’re seeing fresh inflows from asset managers who were waiting for exactly this moment.”

    Corporates are moving aggressively. MicroStrategy added $2 billion in Bitcoin in June, pushing its total above 300,000 BTC. Seventeen publicly listed companies disclosed Bitcoin holdings in recent filings, with more deploying capital through custodial structures and ETFs. Firms are integrating it into liquidity and risk frameworks.

    “Boards are acting to preserve value through a cycle of rising debt and monetary uncertainty,” explains Nigel Green. “Bitcoin gives them optionality, mobility, and a non-correlated reserve that holds its form under stress.”

    Sovereign institutions are advancing too. Pakistan has begun holding state-mined Bitcoin through its central bank.

    The Czech National Bank is reviewing Bitcoin for potential inclusion in foreign reserves.

    Sovereign wealth funds across Southeast Asia and Latin America are now engaged in operational discussions with digital custodians. While not all activity is being publicized, it is being closely tracked by global capital.

    “These are central banks, state treasuries, and sovereign wealth funds treating Bitcoin as a strategic asset. They’re not chasing headlines. They’re preparing for what comes next.”

    Market data supports the shift. More than $340 million in short liquidations were triggered around the $112,000 breakout, according to data. Spot ETF inflows remain steady. Institutional buyers are dominating recent volume, with fewer retail-driven spikes and more structured accumulation.

     “Governments and political figures are reshaping the environment Bitcoin operates in, and institutions—including corporate treasuries—are responding with deliberate allocation,” concludes Nigel Green.

     “The new all-time highs are being powered by political and regulatory will that are unlocking new channels for capital, and by the growing acceptance that Bitcoin now plays a strategic role in global finance.”

    deVere Group is one of the world’s largest independent advisors of specialist global financial solutions to international, local mass affluent, and high-net-worth clients.  It has a network of offices around the world, more than 80,000 clients, and $14bn under advisement.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carbajal Statement Following ICE Raid in Carpinteria

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

    U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) issued the statement below following the ICE raid on Casitas Pass Road in Carpinteria, CA. 

    “Today, I was at Casitas Pass Road in Carpinteria where ICE was conducting a raid using disproportionate displays of force against local farm workers and our agricultural community,” said Congressman Salud Carbajal. “As a member of Congress and representative of the Central Coast, I have the right to conduct oversight and see first-hand what ICE was doing here. As soon as I walked up, I was denied entry and was not allowed to pass. This was completely unacceptable. There’s been a troubling lack of transparency from ICE since the Trump Administration started, and I won’t stop asking questions on behalf of my constituents. I will be demanding answers from the Department of Homeland Security to find out who they detained and where the detainees are being taken. And let me be clear: these militarized ICE raids are not how you keep our communities safe. This kind of chaos only traumatizes families and tears communities apart. They are also a gross misuse of limited resources and a betrayal of the values that define us as Americans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Invites Trump “Border Czar” to Participate in Multnomah County Town Hall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    July 10, 2025
    If Tom Homan wants to visit Portland for an honest, local discussion on immigration, Wyden says he should hear from Oregonians directly in community gathering.
    Washington, D.C. – Amid reports that Trump-designated “border czar” Tom Homan wants to visit Portland, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today invited the administration official to participate in the senator’s open-to-all Multnomah County town hall next month if he truly cares about local feedback on immigration policy featuring masked and unidentified agents snatching people off the streets.
    “I would certainly welcome your participation at my next Multnomah County town hall, which I am working to schedule next month, so you can hear directly from Oregonians,” Wyden wrote Homan, Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations. “I have held more than 1,100 town halls in all of our state’s 36 counties, and these town halls provide Oregonians the opportunity to ask questions and share their views.  Participating in one of these town halls would be helpful as you shape immigration and border security policies back in Washington D.C.”
    Wyden noted in his letter that in his town halls since Trump took office in January and in other settings in rural, suburban and urban parts of the state, Oregonians have expressed serious concerns about the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to immigration policy.
    “In these few short months, Oregonians have seen Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials detaining and deporting key members of our community, essential workers and entrepreneurs, without due process and in defiance of court orders,” Wyden wrote. “In our universities and colleges, students have seen their visas revoked without warning, disrupting their education and valuable research contributions.  They have seen immigrant laborers with appropriate documentation stopped and questioned by federal agents on their way to work.  All across the state, our immigrant communities have stated their justifiable concerns with seeking out healthcare, attending school, and requesting the support of law enforcement out of fear that masked and unidentifiable people claiming to be federal agents may target them.”
    He also wrote that he has heard throughout the year from Oregon employers across several sectors—agriculture, healthcare, childcare, technology, and more—about the Trump administration’s hostile approach to immigrants and foreign-born students and workers has driven out talented and skilled professionals to seek opportunities outside of the United States. 
    “As a result, many critical positions remain unfilled at these companies and organizations, whose work support and sustain our state and national economies,” Wyden wrote. “As my constituents know, I have regularly voted for billions of dollars to enforce a secure border and have worked across the aisle on comprehensive immigration reform, all while pushing for a humane approach to immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and visitors from around the world.  Oregonians share those goals, but they do not want to see federal agents and their military suppressing free speech and assembly, ICE and private contractors mistreating immigrants, and their leadership in D.C. wasting their taxpayer dollars detaining and deporting families who present no threat to public safety.” 
    The entire letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Invites Trump “Border Czar” to Participate in Multnomah County Town Hall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 10, 2025

    If Tom Homan wants to visit Portland for an honest, local discussion on immigration, Wyden says he should hear from Oregonians directly in community gathering.

    Washington, D.C. – Amid reports that Trump-designated “border czar” Tom Homan wants to visit Portland, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today invited the administration official to participate in the senator’s open-to-all Multnomah County town hall next month if he truly cares about local feedback on immigration policy featuring masked and unidentified agents snatching people off the streets.

    “I would certainly welcome your participation at my next Multnomah County town hall, which I am working to schedule next month, so you can hear directly from Oregonians,” Wyden wrote Homan, Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations. “I have held more than 1,100 town halls in all of our state’s 36 counties, and these town halls provide Oregonians the opportunity to ask questions and share their views.  Participating in one of these town halls would be helpful as you shape immigration and border security policies back in Washington D.C.”

    Wyden noted in his letter that in his town halls since Trump took office in January and in other settings in rural, suburban and urban parts of the state, Oregonians have expressed serious concerns about the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to immigration policy.

    “In these few short months, Oregonians have seen Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials detaining and deporting key members of our community, essential workers and entrepreneurs, without due process and in defiance of court orders,” Wyden wrote. “In our universities and colleges, students have seen their visas revoked without warning, disrupting their education and valuable research contributions.  They have seen immigrant laborers with appropriate documentation stopped and questioned by federal agents on their way to work.  All across the state, our immigrant communities have stated their justifiable concerns with seeking out healthcare, attending school, and requesting the support of law enforcement out of fear that masked and unidentifiable people claiming to be federal agents may target them.”

    He also wrote that he has heard throughout the year from Oregon employers across several sectors—agriculture, healthcare, childcare, technology, and more—about the Trump administration’s hostile approach to immigrants and foreign-born students and workers has driven out talented and skilled professionals to seek opportunities outside of the United States. 

    “As a result, many critical positions remain unfilled at these companies and organizations, whose work support and sustain our state and national economies,” Wyden wrote. “As my constituents know, I have regularly voted for billions of dollars to enforce a secure border and have worked across the aisle on comprehensive immigration reform, all while pushing for a humane approach to immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and visitors from around the world.  Oregonians share those goals, but they do not want to see federal agents and their military suppressing free speech and assembly, ICE and private contractors mistreating immigrants, and their leadership in D.C. wasting their taxpayer dollars detaining and deporting families who present no threat to public safety.” 

    The entire letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Invites Trump “Border Czar” to Participate in Multnomah County Town Hall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 10, 2025

    If Tom Homan wants to visit Portland for an honest, local discussion on immigration, Wyden says he should hear from Oregonians directly in community gathering.

    Washington, D.C. – Amid reports that Trump-designated “border czar” Tom Homan wants to visit Portland, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today invited the administration official to participate in the senator’s open-to-all Multnomah County town hall next month if he truly cares about local feedback on immigration policy featuring masked and unidentified agents snatching people off the streets.

    “I would certainly welcome your participation at my next Multnomah County town hall, which I am working to schedule next month, so you can hear directly from Oregonians,” Wyden wrote Homan, Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations. “I have held more than 1,100 town halls in all of our state’s 36 counties, and these town halls provide Oregonians the opportunity to ask questions and share their views.  Participating in one of these town halls would be helpful as you shape immigration and border security policies back in Washington D.C.”

    Wyden noted in his letter that in his town halls since Trump took office in January and in other settings in rural, suburban and urban parts of the state, Oregonians have expressed serious concerns about the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to immigration policy.

    “In these few short months, Oregonians have seen Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials detaining and deporting key members of our community, essential workers and entrepreneurs, without due process and in defiance of court orders,” Wyden wrote. “In our universities and colleges, students have seen their visas revoked without warning, disrupting their education and valuable research contributions.  They have seen immigrant laborers with appropriate documentation stopped and questioned by federal agents on their way to work.  All across the state, our immigrant communities have stated their justifiable concerns with seeking out healthcare, attending school, and requesting the support of law enforcement out of fear that masked and unidentifiable people claiming to be federal agents may target them.”

    He also wrote that he has heard throughout the year from Oregon employers across several sectors—agriculture, healthcare, childcare, technology, and more—about the Trump administration’s hostile approach to immigrants and foreign-born students and workers has driven out talented and skilled professionals to seek opportunities outside of the United States. 

    “As a result, many critical positions remain unfilled at these companies and organizations, whose work support and sustain our state and national economies,” Wyden wrote. “As my constituents know, I have regularly voted for billions of dollars to enforce a secure border and have worked across the aisle on comprehensive immigration reform, all while pushing for a humane approach to immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and visitors from around the world.  Oregonians share those goals, but they do not want to see federal agents and their military suppressing free speech and assembly, ICE and private contractors mistreating immigrants, and their leadership in D.C. wasting their taxpayer dollars detaining and deporting families who present no threat to public safety.” 

    The entire letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Demands Trump Administration Release $7 Billion In Federal Funding For Schools

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Withheld Funding Will Force Schools To Cancel Free And Affordable After-School Care For Low-Income Kids And Other Critical Programs 

    Last Year, New York State Received $464 Million From These Federal Programs 

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a virtual press conference demanding that the Trump administration release $7 billion in federal funding for schools nationwide. The administration is currently withholding the resources, which fund before- and after-school programs, professional development for teachers, STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, and school-based mental health services. Last year, this federal funding amounted to 13.5% of total K-12 funding for New York. Gillibrand sent a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon and OMB Director Russell Vought demanding answers on how long the administration plans to withhold this funding and when, if ever, they will release it. 

    “President Trump is once again playing games with our kids’ futures,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The funds he is withholding go toward commonsense programs that help our kids thrive in school and prepare to get good-paying jobs in the future. They pay for before– and after-school programs that let parents stay in the workforce and professional development programs that make sure teachers are using cutting-edge strategies to reach students. Losing this funding will be catastrophic for our schools, our kids, and our families. The Trump administration must release these funds immediately.” 

    Among others, the following grant programs are having their disbursements withheld by the Trump administration:  

    • Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants, which support professional development and other activities to improve the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders, including reducing class size. New York State received almost $126 million from this grant program last year.
    • 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which support high-quality before- and after-school programs focused on providing academic enrichment opportunities for students. New York State received over $102 million from this grant program last year.
    • Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, which provide flexible funding for school districts for a wide range of activities, including supporting STEM education, accelerated learning courses, college and career counseling, school-based mental health services, and improving school technology, among many others. New York State received over $107 million from this grant program last year.

    The letter was also signed by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Representatives Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-08), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), George Latimer (D-NY-16), Gregory Meeks (D-NY-05), John Mannion (D-NY-22), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03).

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

    Dear Secretary McMahon and Director Vought:

    As members of the New York congressional delegation, we write to respectfully raise urgent concerns regarding the Department of Education’s decision to withhold nearly $7 billion dollars in already enacted federal funding for Fiscal Year 2025 that states, local governments, and schools across the country rely on to provide critical resources and services to millions of students.

    On June 30th, state educational agencies were informed that the following five grant programs authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act1 and one program sixth under the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act would not receive their anticipated disbursements on July 1st:

    1. Migrant Education Program (Title I, Part C) – State Grants: Funds support migratory children in reaching challenging academic standards and graduating from high school.

    2. Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II, Part A): Funds support increasing student achievement by improving the quality and effectiveness of educators and underserved students’ access to effective educators.

    3. English Language Acquisition State Grants; Title III, Part A: Funds help students learn English and meet challenging state academic standards.

    4. Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program (Title IV, Part A): Funds support improving student academic achievement, including by providing students with access to a well-rounded education, improving school conditions for student learning, and improving the use of technology.

    5. Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV, Part B): Funds provide academic enrichment opportunities such as literacy and other educational services during non-school hours (e.g., through after-school or summer programs) for students and families—particularly those in underserved and low-performing schools.

    6. Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants (including Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education State Grants): Funds support adult education and literacy services programs locally, including workplace literacy services; family literacy services; English literacy programs and integrated English literacy-civics education programs.

    The funds currently being held up by review were not only approved by Congress in the FY24 appropriations law, but they were also extended under the FY25 full-year continuing resolution that President Trump signed into law. While summer programming can continue because New York public schools are funded through August, this reckless delay of over $400 million dollars 2 , which accounts for 10% of federal K-12 funding in New York is alarming local educators and program directors throughout the state. It is also disrupting school and district planning, jeopardizing programming for millions of students, and could result in layoffs and program cancellations.

    Based upon a recent survey from Boys & Girls Clubs of America, 926 Boys & Girls Clubs could be forced to shut their doors, and more than 220,000 kids – including over 2,700 youth and teens in New York – will lose access to healthy meals, meaningful mentorship, and safe spaces during the most vulnerable hours of the day. It would also mean the loss of over 5,900 jobs at Boys & Girls Clubs around the country, specifically more than 182 youth development professionals in New York, that are currently operating current summer learning camps and fall learning programs.

    In response to informal outreach from congressional offices, states, and stakeholders, the Department of Education has directed all questions to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as the source of the delay. However, this attempt to redirect inquiries does not abdicate the Department of its statutory obligation to distribute authorized and appropriated funds in a timely manner. As highlighted in a recent article from the non-partisan Learning Policy Institute3 , the Administration’s withholding of these funds appears to violate both the Impoundment Control Act and the plain language of the FY25 appropriations law.

    Accordingly, we respectfully request the Department of Education and Office of Management and Budget to respond to the following questions:

    1. As of July 1st, current withholding of funds appears to violate the Impoundment Control Act. What legal justification is the Department and OMB relying on to delay disbursement of these formula grant funds, despite clear statutory direction?

    2. Are the Department and OMB aware of the service interruptions for students and educators in New York as funds are being reviewed?

    3. What communication has been shared with state educational agencies to help them and their partners navigate this period of uncertainty, especially regarding staffing and programming for September?

    4. When does the Administration anticipate it will have completed its review and will release the enacted funding to states to use for the school year starting next month? Or does the Administration plan to submit a request to Congress to rescind this enacted funding?

    The Department of Education’s mission is to promote student achievement and ensure equal access to education. Delaying congressionally approved funding deeply undermines that goal and threatens to widen existing opportunity gaps particularly for English learners, low-income families, and communities of color.

    We urge you to disburse all $6.9 billion dollars currently being reviewed and provide immediate clarity to states, districts, and community partners who are now facing chaos in their planning and programming. Our students deserve better.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump has flagged 200% tariffs on Australian pharmaceuticals. What do we produce here, and what’s at risk?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joe Carrello, Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne

    Tanya Dol/Shutterstock

    US President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Australia’s pharmaceutical exports to the United States has raised alarm among industry and government leaders.

    There are fears that, if implemented, the tariffs could cost the Australian economy up to A$2.8 billion. That’s both in direct exports and as inputs to third countries that produce drugs also hit by tariffs.

    The proposed tariffs come amid growing pressure from pharmaceutical lobby groups in the US for Trump to use trade negotiations as a tool to make changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and raise Australian drug prices.

    In response, Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated the government would not compromise the integrity of the PBS to do a deal with the Trump administration. Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie also confirmed bipartisan support for the PBS.

    Our largest export market for pharmaceuticals

    The US is Australia’s biggest pharmaceutical export market, accounting for 38% of total Australian pharmaceutical exports and valued at $2.2 billion last year.

    About 87% of exports to the US consist of blood plasma products, mainly from manufacturing giant CSL. These are used for transfusions in a range of medical and surgical situations.

    In a submission to the US Commerce Department, which is reviewing the sector, CSL called for tariffs to be phased in over five years, and for an exemption for certain biotech equipment.

    Trump floated proposed tariffs potentially as high as 200%. But he also said these would not be imposed for “about a year, a year and a half” to allow negotiations to take place.

    If tariffs are eventually implemented, there are fears domestic manufacturing may suffer, with negative flow-on effects for Australian research and innovation in the sector.

    How does the PBS work?

    The PBS is an Australian government program aimed at providing affordable prescription medicines to Australians.

    It helps reduce the cost of essential medications, ensuring access to treatments for a wide range of medical conditions. Medicines included on the PBS are subsidised by the government, with the patient making a capped co-payment. More than 900 medicines were listed on the scheme in 2023–24, costing the government $17.7 billion.

    Decisions to list medications on the PBS are made by the health minister based on recommendations from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. The committee evaluates the clinical effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness (“value for money”) and estimated financial impact of new medications.

    If approved, the PBS uses this information to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies, helping to keep prices affordable.

    How does the US system compare?

    This contrasts with the US system, which operates more under free-market principles. In the US, pharmaceuticals are subsidised through private health insurance or government programs such as Medicaid. Neither directly negotiates with pharmaceutical companies.

    The fragmented nature of the US system enables pharmaceutical companies to maintain higher prices, as there is no central authority to enforce cost controls. Studies have shown that prices for pharmaceuticals in the US are, on average, 2.78 times those in 33 other countries.

    In addition, in the US pharmaceutical companies are granted extensive patent protections. These provide exclusive rights to sell their drugs for a certain period.

    This exclusivity often leads to monopolistic pricing practices, as generic competitors are barred from entering the market until the patent expires.

    In Australia, patents also exist. But the PBS mitigates their impact by negotiating prices and promoting the use of cost-effective alternatives, such as generics, once they become available.

    Industry lobbying

    US pharmaceutical industry bodies have long criticised the PBS. They claim the scheme “undervalues new innovative medicines by setting prices based on older inferior medicines and generics, and through use of low and outdated monetary thresholds per year of life gained from clinically proven treatments”.

    The slow process to list drugs on the PBS has also attracted criticism. The advisory committee meets only three times a year, with resources currently being stretched beyond capacity.

    In response to these criticisms, the Australian government commissioned a review, which was completed in 2024. It provided 50 recommendations to ensure Australians can continue to access effective, safe and affordable medicines in an equitable and timely way.

    The government has established an advisory group to work on implementing these recommendations. However, it is unclear whether proposed changes will appease the powerful US pharmaceutical industry.

    I am responsible for evaluating new health technologies for consideration of government subsidy through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)

    – ref. Trump has flagged 200% tariffs on Australian pharmaceuticals. What do we produce here, and what’s at risk? – https://theconversation.com/trump-has-flagged-200-tariffs-on-australian-pharmaceuticals-what-do-we-produce-here-and-whats-at-risk-260909

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Trump has flagged 200% tariffs on Australian pharmaceuticals. What do we produce here, and what’s at risk?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joe Carrello, Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne

    Tanya Dol/Shutterstock

    US President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on Australia’s pharmaceutical exports to the United States has raised alarm among industry and government leaders.

    There are fears that, if implemented, the tariffs could cost the Australian economy up to A$2.8 billion. That’s both in direct exports and as inputs to third countries that produce drugs also hit by tariffs.

    The proposed tariffs come amid growing pressure from pharmaceutical lobby groups in the US for Trump to use trade negotiations as a tool to make changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and raise Australian drug prices.

    In response, Treasurer Jim Chalmers stated the government would not compromise the integrity of the PBS to do a deal with the Trump administration. Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie also confirmed bipartisan support for the PBS.

    Our largest export market for pharmaceuticals

    The US is Australia’s biggest pharmaceutical export market, accounting for 38% of total Australian pharmaceutical exports and valued at $2.2 billion last year.

    About 87% of exports to the US consist of blood plasma products, mainly from manufacturing giant CSL. These are used for transfusions in a range of medical and surgical situations.

    In a submission to the US Commerce Department, which is reviewing the sector, CSL called for tariffs to be phased in over five years, and for an exemption for certain biotech equipment.

    Trump floated proposed tariffs potentially as high as 200%. But he also said these would not be imposed for “about a year, a year and a half” to allow negotiations to take place.

    If tariffs are eventually implemented, there are fears domestic manufacturing may suffer, with negative flow-on effects for Australian research and innovation in the sector.

    How does the PBS work?

    The PBS is an Australian government program aimed at providing affordable prescription medicines to Australians.

    It helps reduce the cost of essential medications, ensuring access to treatments for a wide range of medical conditions. Medicines included on the PBS are subsidised by the government, with the patient making a capped co-payment. More than 900 medicines were listed on the scheme in 2023–24, costing the government $17.7 billion.

    Decisions to list medications on the PBS are made by the health minister based on recommendations from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee. The committee evaluates the clinical effectiveness, safety, cost-effectiveness (“value for money”) and estimated financial impact of new medications.

    If approved, the PBS uses this information to negotiate directly with pharmaceutical companies, helping to keep prices affordable.

    How does the US system compare?

    This contrasts with the US system, which operates more under free-market principles. In the US, pharmaceuticals are subsidised through private health insurance or government programs such as Medicaid. Neither directly negotiates with pharmaceutical companies.

    The fragmented nature of the US system enables pharmaceutical companies to maintain higher prices, as there is no central authority to enforce cost controls. Studies have shown that prices for pharmaceuticals in the US are, on average, 2.78 times those in 33 other countries.

    In addition, in the US pharmaceutical companies are granted extensive patent protections. These provide exclusive rights to sell their drugs for a certain period.

    This exclusivity often leads to monopolistic pricing practices, as generic competitors are barred from entering the market until the patent expires.

    In Australia, patents also exist. But the PBS mitigates their impact by negotiating prices and promoting the use of cost-effective alternatives, such as generics, once they become available.

    Industry lobbying

    US pharmaceutical industry bodies have long criticised the PBS. They claim the scheme “undervalues new innovative medicines by setting prices based on older inferior medicines and generics, and through use of low and outdated monetary thresholds per year of life gained from clinically proven treatments”.

    The slow process to list drugs on the PBS has also attracted criticism. The advisory committee meets only three times a year, with resources currently being stretched beyond capacity.

    In response to these criticisms, the Australian government commissioned a review, which was completed in 2024. It provided 50 recommendations to ensure Australians can continue to access effective, safe and affordable medicines in an equitable and timely way.

    The government has established an advisory group to work on implementing these recommendations. However, it is unclear whether proposed changes will appease the powerful US pharmaceutical industry.

    I am responsible for evaluating new health technologies for consideration of government subsidy through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS)

    – ref. Trump has flagged 200% tariffs on Australian pharmaceuticals. What do we produce here, and what’s at risk? – https://theconversation.com/trump-has-flagged-200-tariffs-on-australian-pharmaceuticals-what-do-we-produce-here-and-whats-at-risk-260909

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Albanese’s China mission – managing a complex relationship in a world of shifting alliances

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Laurenceson, Director and Professor, Australia-China Relations Institute (UTS:ACRI), University of Technology Sydney

    Prime Minister Anthony Albanese leaves for China on Saturday, confident most Australians back the government’s handling of relations with our most important economic partner and the leading strategic power in Asia.

    Albanese’s domestic critics have lambasted him for meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping before United States President Donald Trump. They are also aggrieved at his refusal to label China a security threat.

    But neither criticism really stacks up.

    An Albanese-Trump meeting would have happened last month on the sidelines of a G7 gathering in Canada. It was Trump who left early, standing up more leaders than just Albanese.

    Nor is Albanese the first Australian prime minister to meet a Chinese president before an American one. His predecessor Tony Abbott caught up with Xi a few weeks after coming to office in 2013, before he had a chance to meet President Barack Obama.

    ‘Friends, not foes’

    Meanwhile, polling indicates just one in five Australians see the relationship with China first and foremost as “a threat to be confronted”. Rather, a clear two-thirds majority see it as “a complex relationship to be managed”.

    Albanese is also regarded as more competent than his opposition counterpart in handling Australia’s foreign policy generally – and better at managing the China relationship specifically.

    The prime minister’s Chinese hosts also have an incentive to ensure his visit is a successful one.

    In the past fortnight, China’s ambassador in Canberra, Xiao Qian, has penned opinion pieces in two of Australia’s biggest media outlets, insisting Australia and China are “friends, not foes” and touting the “comprehensive turnaround” in bilateral ties since Labor won government in May 2022.

    Beijing and Washington view each other as their geopolitical priority. Beijing can make it harder for Washington to enlist security allies such as Canberra in this rivalry by maintaining its own strong and constructive bilateral ties with Australia.

    And quite apart from the competition with the US, China relied on Australia last year as its fifth largest import source.

    Plenty of complaints

    None of this is to say Albanese’s visit will be easy, because Australia-China relations are rarely smooth.

    Canberra continues to have many complaints about China’s international behaviour.

    For example, Foreign Minister Penny Wong recently signed a joint statement with her counterparts in Washington, Tokyo and New Delhi expressing “serious concerns regarding dangerous and provocative actions” by China in the East and South China Seas, and the “abrupt constriction […] of key supply chains”.

    Wong has also said the government remains “appalled” by the treatment of Australians imprisoned in China, including Dr Yang Jun, who is facing espionage charges he strongly denies.

    Defence Minister Richard Marles has voiced Canberra’s alarm at Beijing’s “no limits agreement” with Moscow, and claimed China has

    engaged in the biggest conventional military build-up since the end of the second world war.

    However, this assessment is contested by independent Australian analysts.

    Beijing also has plenty of complaints. They include Canberra’s ongoing pursuit of closer military cooperation with the US and UK through the AUKUS pact.

    There is also the commitment to forcing the sale of the lease to operate the Port of Darwin that is currently held by a Chinese company.

    Reliable trading partner

    Albanese has already made clear his visit to China will have a strong economic focus.

    While grappling with security challenges, any Australian government, Labor or Coalition, must face the reality that last year, local companies sold more to China – worth A$196 billion – than our next four largest markets combined.

    China is also, by far, Australia’s biggest supplier, putting downward pressure on the cost of living.

    Research produced by Curtin University, commissioned by the Australia-China Business Council, finds trade with China increases disposable income of the average Australian household by $2,600, or 4.6% per person.

    In an ideal world, Australia would have a more diversified trading mix.

    But again, any Australian government or business must grapple with the reality that obvious major alternative markets, like the US, are not only less interested in local goods and services, but are walking away from their past trade commitments.

    Under the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement signed two decades ago, Australian exporters selling to the US faced an average tariff of just 0.1%. But nowadays Washington applies a baseline tariff of 10% on most Australian imports.

    Meanwhile, owing to the China-Australia Free Trade Agreement struck in 2015, Beijing applies an average tariff of just 1.1%.

    No wonder more Australians now say China is a more reliable trading partner than the US.

    This also explains Alabese’s response when he was asked in April if he would support Trump’s trade war against China:

    It would be extraordinary if the Australian response was “thank you” and we will help to further hurt our economy

    Likewise, Trade Minister Don Farrell is adamant Australia’s interests will determine the Albanese government’s choices, not “what the Americans may or may not want”.

    We don’t want to do less business with China, we want to do more business with China.

    Deeper trade ties with Asia, including China, are not just about making a buck. Wong has stressed the national security implications of a strong economic relationship:

    [It is] an investment in our security. Stability and prosperity are mutually reinforcing.

    All of this means Albanese’s six-day visit to China is shaping up to be time well spent.

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

    – ref. Albanese’s China mission – managing a complex relationship in a world of shifting alliances – https://theconversation.com/albaneses-china-mission-managing-a-complex-relationship-in-a-world-of-shifting-alliances-260404

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PASSED: Cortez Masto’s Bipartisan Bill to Help Americans Recover from Natural Disasters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Passage of this bipartisan legislation comes as Texas and states across the U.S. experience devastating flooding. In Nevada, wildfires have already burned over 60,000 acres this year.

    Washington D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev), John Kennedy (R-La.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) passed their bipartisan bill to provide relief for impacted taxpayers in states that have issued state-level disaster declarations. The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act allows the IRS to postpone filing deadlines for taxpayers affected by state declared natural disasters, instead of only presidentially declared federal disasters. The legislation passed the House earlier this year and now heads to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. 

    Each year, states across the country declare emergencies for events like floods and wildfires. Currently, 21 counties in Texas are under a state-level disaster declaration, but only one county has received a federal disaster declaration. Since January of 2024, the state of Nevada has also issued numerous county disaster declarations following wildfires. But, under current law, families impacted by floods and fires in areas with a state-level disaster declaration are not eligible for any tax relief because the disaster was not also declared by the President of the United States. Cortez Masto’s legislation will change that, ensuring that everyone impacted by fires, floods, and storms gets the tax relief they need.

    “A natural disaster is devastating for anyone. Impacted taxpayers should not have to worry about whether their state’s natural disaster has been recognized by the President for them to receive the support they deserve,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure that anyone impacted by state-level emergencies can have some peace of mind when filling their taxes.”

    The Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act would now allow a governor of a state or territory to request the IRS extend federal tax filing deadlines in the event of a state declared emergency or disaster. The legislation would also expand the mandatory federal filing extensions from 60 to 120 days. 

    This bill is just a piece of Senator Cortez Masto’s efforts to ensuring Nevadans have access to resources in the face of natural disasters. Cortez Masto has worked to deliver funding to help improve the resiliency of state infrastructure and has led legislation protect electric grids at military bases and rural water utilities from the effects of extreme weather. She also secured key provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which provided billions to fund wildfire prevention efforts in Nevada.

    MIL OSI USA News –