NewzIntel.com

Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Founding Father’s Words Ring True

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

    From sea to shining sea, millions are taking this week to celebrate America the Beautiful and the opportunity and hope she has brought to her people for 249 years. We also celebrate the historic signing of the Declaration of Independence, our nation’s founding document, which laid the blueprint for the freedoms we enjoy today. Thomas Jefferson, one of the document’s most famous authors, said, “I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth all the means. This is our day of deliverance.” His words still ring true today.

    After months of hard work, bicameral conversations, and late nights in committee markups, our nation has another historic moment to celebrate. House and Senate Republicans passed a once-in-a-generation piece of legislation, delivering on the mandate handed to each member of Congress who was elected in November. Over the past several months, House Republicans have worked tirelessly to put pen to paper in order to craft legislation that delivers on the promises the President and House Republicans made to the American people. 

    This monumental bill takes a step toward restoring fiscal sanity in federal spending, empowering American taxpayers instead of expanding bureaucracy, and fueling freedom from foreign adversaries through unleashing American energy; creating greater domestic opportunity which the abundant natural resources in our own backyard provide. As a proud Arkansan and American, it was a great privilege to have the opportunity to not only cast my vote for a better America, but to cast my vote in order to ensure prosperity, certainty, and hope for Arkansans throughout the Fourth District.

    By curbing wasteful spending, House Republicans have ensured that vulnerable Americans will be able to receive the help they need, while stewarding taxpayer-funded programs responsibly. By creating greater fiscal sanity, House Republicans are delivering the largest tax break to working and middle-class Americans in our nation’s history. By bolstering our border security, House Republicans are keeping communities safe and fighting back against the war on deadly and illicit drugs like fentanyl. And by unleashing America’s energy potential, House Republicans are delivering results to lower costs at the gas pump, creating more jobs in the energy sector, and decreasing American dependence on adverse nations for critical minerals and rare earth elements.

    Thomas Jefferson was right when he said that our founding ideals would take continuous work to protect and preserve. We must never sit idle, for even one moment, and expect that the work we have done is enough to maintain our liberties. For 249 years, our nation’s legislators have fought to continue paving the way for future generations. This week was no different, as the 119th Congress upheld that legacy and delivered the promise of a better tomorrow for the American people. There is no greater honor or anything I take more seriously than representing the people of the Fourth District of Arkansas. The rural communities, farming families, and workers who span across this great congressional district are a top priority every day. I am thankful for the opportunity to bring their voices with me to Washington in order to craft legislation and cast votes to empower every Arkansan with opportunity and security.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Supporting our Servicemembers and Bolstering Military Infrastructure

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

    Americans work hard to earn a living, and it is Congress’ duty to safeguard those resources through setting guidelines for spending, taxes, and planning each fiscal year’s federal budget. Throughout appropriations season, the twelve subcommittees on the House Appropriations Committee hold hearings to examine the budget requests and needs for federal spending in the upcoming fiscal year. Once these subcommittees pass their own crafted legislation, it heads to the House Floor for a vote. This week, the House voted for and passed the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (MilCon-VA), 2026. 

    House Republicans are committed to introducing and voting on numerous pieces of legislation throughout the year to support our service members. The MilCon-VA appropriations bill is no different. This vital piece of legislation supports our veterans, active-duty members, and their families to provide them with the resources and support they need, while also bolstering our national security and readiness capabilities at military facilities at home and abroad.

    Our military heroes stand sentinel at freedom’s gate – sacrificing the comfort of their own homes, time with their family, and even their lives to protect our homeland. The men and women who boldly embraced the call of duty, knowingly heading straight toward conflict instead of shying away from it, are always deserving of our thanks and gratitude. Even now, thousands of active-duty service members are deployed across the globe. Regardless of their circumstances, these service men and women stay the course, remain steadfast, and do their duty to serve their country – no matter the cost. Providing them with the funds they need for better resources and support is a small way for Congress to pay its thanks for their service.

    Providing our armed services with resources to develop and modernize integral military infrastructure and readiness is vital to ensure that our nation can proudly boast the most powerful military in the world. This piece of legislation prioritizes robust funding for infrastructure upgrades, rids obsolete infrastructure currently draining taxpayer dollars, and bolsters infrastructure necessary to support our nation’s advanced weapons systems. Funding will also be provided to enhance the quality of life for our military members currently serving, through planning and designing military housing that addresses barrack deficiencies.

    It is well-known that those who return from the battlefield or retire from active military duties are still paying a weighty price for their service. This is why House Republicans have voted to fully fund veterans’ medical care, benefits, and toxic exposures-related needs for the upcoming fiscal year. Post traumatic stress and substance abuse disorders are common among those who have served in particularly devastating tours of duty and as a result, are in great need for social and emotional support networks within their communities. 

    Affordable housing and a lack of employment opportunities directly impact our veterans’ ability to acquire viable housing, leading to a concerning increase in the national military homelessness crisis. Veterans are faced with countless obstacles in their transition from military life to civilian life, and Congress must do its due diligence to ensure that not a single veteran has to worry about where they will lay their head at night or where they will get their next meal. It is a great honor to vote for a piece of legislation which addresses these very concerns by providing funds for the Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program, an innovative effort to end veteran homelessness.

    Our military heroes are proud to serve our country, and we must be proud to support them in return. Their bravery and unwavering commitment to our country reflect the highest values of service, and while we may not ever be able to thank them fully for what they have done, we can certainly remain committed to crafting legislation that provides them with the care and service they rightfully deserve.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Bicentennial Reflection: Honoring a Charge Worthy to be Remembered

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

    This week marks the 200th anniversary of the only quote which rests in the House of Representatives, just above the Speaker’s rostrum, serving as a weighty reminder of the significant duties and obligations for every legislator in the House of Representatives. 

    On June 17th, 1825, Daniel Webster was joined by another notable figure honored within the walls of this very same chamber: the Marquis de Lafayette. Webster and Lafayette were both in attendance for a memorial of the Battle of Bunker Hill in which more than 200 surviving Revolutionary War veterans were in attendance. Webster was to deliver the dedication speech and Lafayette was to lay the cornerstone for the monument to memorialize the war. 

    Monuments usually stand to encourage reflections of the past, but Daniel Webster’s speech was a challenge to look toward the future. Mr. Webster’s oration included the quote which now hangs in the House chamber and says, “Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also in our day and generation may not perform something worthy to be remembered.”

    Looking up at this quote from Daniel Webster perfectly outlines the role each legislator plays in Congress – to develop our nation’s resources and utilize the vast opportunity which they present. As a licensed forester and engineer, and someone who has dedicated a large portion of time to stewarding the resources of our land in a way that can be conserved, honored, and appreciated for generations to come, this call has always made perfect sense. The tireless work done in the House Natural Resources Community proudly embarks on championing these very ideals, and it is a privilege to serve on such an integral committee.

    Upon the founding of our country, our forefathers crafted something so unique and monumental – establishing a way of life which, in that age, the world had never known. And over time, institutions and ideals were established which inspired watchful nations. Our forefathers drafted the blueprint for a modern-day democracy, and every generation since has taken up the mantle to preserve and defend it. While his original audience may have only been a few hundred people on a field in the middle of summer 200 years ago, that number continues to grow with each generation. As his audience now, in 2025, he calls us to promote our nation’s great interests to see whether we – in our day and generation – may do something worthy to be remembered.

    History’s watchful eye is witness to the decisions that are made in the House chamber and the work done in the halls of Congress. The legacy and mission we have inherited as a legislative body remains as true now as it did in Daniel Webster’s time. And we must never lose sight of the call to develop our nation’s resources, build up our great institutions, and make the work we do in our own day and age something worthy of being remembered.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The Hope of the American Spirit

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

    There are no words to express the deep and sincere grief that our nation has endured over the last week. Homes uprooted and washed away, property damaged beyond repair, and hearts broken by the grief of the loss of a child or loved one. In the aftermath of the natural disaster which occurred in the Texas Hill Country last week, countless families and communities have experienced a tremendous and unimaginable loss that will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark, and my prayers are most certainly with everyone involved.

    In the shadow of loss and devastation, however, the American spirit remains steadfast. In every chapter of our nation’s darkest moments, there has never been a second of hesitation by our fellow countrymen to provide help. This week the nation has watched as neighbors in Texas have lent a helping hand to clean up homes and provide meals. Surrounding communities and states have dispatched their own volunteers to travel to impacted areas to fill in the gaps. And first responders have run straight toward danger, braving relentless and unforgiving waters to ensure every life can be accounted for and brought home. 

    This week, our own Arkansas National Guard was dispatched, sending twenty-two of our finest guardsmen and women to provide aid in the flood recovery efforts in Texas. Even a week after the tragedy, many families are still holding on to hope that their lost loved ones will be found. Our Arkansas National Guard is proud to answer the call of duty and utilize every resource at their disposal to help bring some relief and hope to these families. In addition to search and rescue efforts, these guardsmen will be utilizing their Black Hawks to transport cargo and passengers. Additionally, they will provide medical assistance during search and rescue efforts by reserving one Black Hawk crew for that role specifically. 

    It’s likely that there is hardly an Arkansan keeping up with the news out of Texas who hasn’t been reminded of the devastating loss our own community experienced fifteen years ago when surging floods swept through the Albert Pike campgrounds on the Little Missouri River. Twenty lives were lost in this tragedy – all folks looking to enjoy some time away in the outdoors, and all who are certainly remembered and missed every day. 

    This week, there has undoubtedly been time to reflect on each life lost – the campers who never went home, the families eagerly anticipating a river trip to celebrate the Fourth of July, and the brave individuals who went into harm’s way to save the lives of others, in turn losing their own. There has also been time to reflect on the resiliency of the American spirit – the neighbors and friends who have dropped everything to volunteer their time and energy to searching and supporting those around them, and moments of sincere gratitude for the first responders who have risked their own safety to be a beacon of hope for the rescued and their families. 

    As this week of solemn reflection ends, may we remember that in the darkness of devastation, we desperately need each other and rely on each other for hope. President Reagan once said, “The spirit of neighbor helping neighbor flows like a deep and mighty river through the history of our Nation. We are proud of our strong and uniquely American tradition of voluntarism. Compassion, vision, and a fundamental sense of decency are the hallmarks of our national character and are reflected in the charitable works of our citizens.” There is certainly no doubt that we have seen this character reflected in every helping hand, phone call, message of encouragement, or donation given by friends, neighbors, and strangers from across the country and around the world. While my heart breaks for everyone impacted by the devastating flooding, it is encouraged by the stories of heroism and hospitality that make me proud to be an Arkansan and an American.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Golden statement on passage of GOP’s partisan reconciliation bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

    So-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ hurts the working poor and undermines America’s future to pay for tax cuts for the rich

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement after the House GOP gave final passage to H.R. 1, their reconciliation budget bill, in a party-line 218-214 vote.  

    Golden voted against the bill. 

    “This year, we had a real opportunity to pass a budget that put the middle class first. The reality of slim majorities in both chambers of Congress should have created an incentive to work across the aisle. The parties could have worked together to extend middle-class tax cuts without giveaways to corporations and the wealthy. We could have built on the success of $35 insulin and Medicare drug price negotiations to make health care more affordable. We could have reduced the deficit — something both parties agree should be a priority.

    “Instead, from the very beginning, this GOP majority has used a broken, partisan process where the only choices put on the floor seemed to be ‘bad’ or ‘worse.’ 

    “As a result, we have a law that will take health care away from tens of thousands of Mainers, close rural hospitals across the country, and blow up the national debt — all to pay for tax cuts that mostly benefit those at the top. While I am proud to join the entire Maine delegation in voting against this bill, the truth is Mainers will suffer because of this partisan, harmful budget.” 

    Background on H.R. 1, the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill Act”:

    • Lost Coverage, Increased Health Care Costs: The bill cuts Medicaid by $930 billion, and eliminates tax credits that help individuals afford insurance on the ACA marketplace (coverME.gov in Maine). Estimates on the impact on coverage rates vary, but Maine DHHS says as many as 31,000 Mainers will lose MaineCare coverage in the first year. Mainers who buy insurance plans on the marketplace will see premiums rise by $1,280 on average, and tens of thousands are expected to lose coverage in the face of those steep premium increases.
    • Rural Hospitals to Close: Medicaid cuts and other provisions that target support for rural health care will put the squeeze on hospitals in places like Maine, many of which are already facing a budget crisis. One study found that two hospitals in ME-02 — one in Ellsworth and another in Presque Isle — are among the more than 300 rural hospitals nationwide most at risk of closure because of the cuts.
    • A System Rigged for the Top: The bill extends the lopsided tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, among other tax provisions.That includes nearly $1 trillion in tax cuts for the top 1 percent, while cuts for health care and food assistance mean the bottom 20 percent will see their after-tax income decrease.
    • Exploding National Debt: The bill will add up to $3.9 trillion to the debt through Fiscal Year 2034. In 10 years, the bill could see the national debt climb to 130 percent of GDP — a new record high. Payments on the debt are already the third-highest line item in the federal budget, behind only Medicare and Social Security.
    • A Precedent for Dishonest Accounting: The bill uses an accounting trick known as the “current policy baseline” to artificially reduce the legislation’s cost in Congress’ accounting of revenues and expenditures. This never-before used gimmick sets a dangerous precedent by which majority parties can enact costly agendas without a fair and honest accounting of the price. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Craig Urges Administration to Follow Through on Promise to Deliver High-Speed Internet to Rural Communities

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Rob Wittman (R-VA) and Adam Gray (D-CA) in urging the Administration to follow through on its promise to deliver high-speed internet to rural communities through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program. 

    In a letter to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, the lawmakers expressed concerns about the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) recent guidance that could set back broadband deployment in rural areas.

    “We remain committed to ensuring the BEAD Program delivers on its promise to strengthen the U.S. economy and connect rural Americans with the opportunities enabled by high-speed internet,” the Members wrote. “However, recent guidance from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) raises concerns that the program could be slowed just as states are gaining momentum.” 

    “This program was intended to strengthen underserved areas by providing the highest-performance and most scalable networks, so they can compete in the modern economy,” the Members continued. “In many of our districts, higher deployment costs are a reality. A one-size-fits all model puts rural communities at a disadvantage.

    The Members concluded, “We urge NTIA to preserve the program’s original intent while streamlining deployment efforts to avoid further disruptions.”

    As a co-chair of the Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus, Rep. Craig has led the effort to connect Minnesota’s rural communities to high-speed internet. 

    Last Congress, Rep. Craig led a group of Members in urging Speaker Johnson to take action to extend funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provided 23 million American households – and over 244,000 Minnesota households – with access to affordable high-speed internet. She later introduced the Secure and Affordable Broadband Extension Act to increase funding for federal broadband accessibility programs like the ACP, which expired in June of 2024.

    Last year, she secured a $1 million federal investment to improve internet access in Le Sueur County, Minnesota.

    You can read the full text of the letter here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Craig, Kean Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Transparency in Congress, Prevent Lawmakers from Profiting from Insider Information

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – As part of her continued efforts to fight corruption and reform Washington, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined Rep. Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ) in introducing the No Shorting America Act to restore transparency to Congress and prevent lawmakers from using insider information to short-sell American companies. 

    Their bipartisan bill would prohibit Members of Congress and their families from profiting off the downfall of American companies, require Members of Congress to report stock investments to the supervising ethics office and prevent conflicts of interest by allowing the Attorney General to impose a fine of up to $50,000 if a Member is found short-selling American companies.

    “Too many Minnesotans don’t trust that their representatives are working for them, and that’s because for too long, Members of Congress have been able to use their positions for personal gain,” said Rep. Craig (MN-02). “Since I was elected to the House of Representatives, I’ve been working to clean up Washington and increase transparency in Congress. I’m proud to be introducing this bipartisan bill with Rep. Kean to hold Members of Congress accountable and ensure they aren’t using insider information to play the stock market.” 

    Since she came to Congress, Rep. Craig has led the charge to fight corruption and restore integrity to Washington, DC. 

    She recently reintroduced her NO STOCK Resolution, which would require Members of Congress to immediately sell their individual stocks and refrain from future stock ownership while in office.

    Earlier this month, Rep. Craig joined her colleagues in introducing the End Corruption Now legislative agenda, which aims to confront political corruption and clean up government by introducing six bills that will put power back in the hands of the American people. These bills will prevent the President, Executive Branch officials, and Members of Congress from personally benefiting from their offices.

    As part of the End Corruption Now agenda, Rep. Craig reintroduced her Restoring Integrity to Democracy Resolution to ban Members of the House from serving on corporate boards while serving in office.

    Earlier this Congress, she reintroduced her Halt Unchecked Member Benefits with Lobbying Elimination (HUMBLE) Act — a broader package of reforms that would ban Members of Congress from owning or trading individual stocks, prohibit the use of taxpayer funds for first-class airline tickets, prevent Members from serving on corporate boards while they are in Congress, eliminate access to Members-only perks for former Members and eliminate automatic pay raises for Members of Congress. Rep. Craig first introduced the HUMBLE Act during her first term in Congress in 2019.

    You can read Rep. Craig’s No Shorting America Act here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Craig Memorializes Melissa and Mark Hortman in Speech on House Floor

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig took to the House floor to honor the late Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, who were killed in Minnesota earlier this month in a politically motivated attack. Rep. Craig remembered the Hortmans as a force for good, who were deeply involved in their community. She also acknowledged State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who nearly lost their lives in the attack. 

    “Anyone who knew Melissa and Mark knew that together, they were a force for good,” Rep. Craig said. “Melissa was a dedicated public servant, and both she and her husband devoted their lives to improving the lives of Minnesotans.”

    Rep. Craig also took the opportunity to condemn the inflammatory political rhetoric that played a role in the attack and encouraged Minnesotans to find common ground with one another. 

    “It is still difficult to comprehend the violent attacks on the Hortmans and Hoffmans, but what I do know is that we got here in part because of the divisive rhetoric that we have allowed to seep into our politics and into our communities,” said Rep. Craig. “It will take our entire community coming together. We must hold ourselves and each other accountable. It’s the only way forward, and it’s how we honor the legacy of Melissa and Mark.”

    You can watch Rep. Craig’s full remarks here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Craig Votes Against Republicans’ Disastrous Budget Bill That Takes Food and Health Care from Minnesotans and Betrays the Middle Class

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig voted against the Republicans’ catastrophic budget bill that will add trillions to the national debt, take food and health care from hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans and betray the middle class – in order to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.

    As ranking member of the House Committee on Agriculture, Rep. Craig testified before the House Rules Committee for five hours on Tuesday about the negative impacts of the bill on Minnesotans.

    Following her “no” vote on the House floor, Rep. Craig released the following statement:

    “Today, Republicans showed us once again that they are the party of billionaires and wealthy corporations – not everyday Americans. Instead of working to lower costs and reduce the national debt, which they promised to do, my Republican colleagues passed a budget bill that balloons the deficit and takes food and health care from hundreds of thousands of hard-working Minnesotans – all to line the pockets of the ultra-rich. 

    “Taking basic needs away from Minnesota’s kids, seniors, veterans, single mothers and people with disabilities is not an option. So, while the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress chip away at Minnesotans’ access to critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP, I will keep working with state and local officials to ensure that every Minnesotan is able to get the care they need and put food on the table.”

    The Republicans’ budget cuts nearly $200 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), threatening to impact critical food assistance from 42 million Americans, and cuts $930 billion from Medicaid, which could result in over 173,000 Minnesotans losing access to health care. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office estimates that the Republicans’ budget bill will increase the deficit by $3.5 trillion over 10 years – or $4 trillion including interest. Shifting the burden of SNAP costs onto states put Minnesota’s counties in the position to raise property taxes to make up for the millions of dollars of an unfunded mandate from the federal government. 

    The bill passed the House with 218 Republican votes and not a single Democratic vote.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: [VIDEO] Rep. Omar Sounds Alarm on Catastrophic Big Ugly Budget Bill on Minnesotans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    MINNEAPOLIS– Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) hosted a press conference in Minneapolis to sound the alarm on the catastrophic impacts the Big Ugly budget bill will have on Minnesotans. The Congresswoman was joined by local and state leaders to share the widespread impacts this bill will have across our state. 

    The full video can be found here.

    Full transcript below:

    “I wish we were gathered under different circumstances. 

    “But today, we’re here to speak the truth about the GOP budget bill that will devastate the very people we fight for.

     “The bill Republicans passed is one of the most harmful, immoral budgets we’ve seen in modern American history. 

    “It is a direct assault on working families in Minnesota and across this country. 

    “Let me tell you what this bill does. 

    “It slashes Medicaid, kicking 17 million Americans off their healthcare plans, thousands of whom are in this district. 

    “The bill rips 186 billion dollars from SNAP. 

    “That’s food off the tables of seniors, children, and single moms.

    “People who are already struggling to get by. 

    “Here in the 5th district, nearly 90,000 people rely on SNAP.  

    “I’ve spoken to them and many are now asking how do I feed my kids and still pay bills? 

    “This is the United States of America. 

    “No one should ever have to make that choice.

    “And while families are being told to tighten their belts, billionaires are getting a windfall. 

    “Permanent tax cuts for the rich.  

    “Temporary scraps for everyone else.  

    “This is the largest upward transfer of wealth in our lifetime. 

    “It makes the rich richer and leaves working people behind.

     “Republicans love to call themselves the party of the working class but this bill proves otherwise.  

    “It threatens nearly 2 million construction jobs, including 800,000 green jobs, and could erase 148 billion dollars in wages and benefits. 

    “That’s not a working-class agenda.

    “It also cuts 300 billion dollars in education programs. 

    “It drives up student debt and slams the door shut on millions of young people who simply want a chance at a better future.  

    “This district is home to one of the youngest constituencies in the country, including the University of Minnesota. 

    “This bill tells them you’re on your own.

    “And for what? 

    “To hand over 150 billion dollars to immigration enforcement.  

    “45 billion dollars for ICE jails, more than 13 times their current budget.  

    “We’re already seeing reports of new detention centers like “Alligator Alcatraz” being built in Florida.  

    “We are being told, again and again, that we can’t afford universal healthcare, quality education, or universal school meals. 

    “But somehow, we can always afford another detention center or tax cuts for the rich.

    “The American people do not want this budget.  

    “But Republicans rammed it through anyway in the middle of the night because they know it won’t stand up to public scrutiny.

    “And here’s the kicker, they delayed most of the cuts until 2027.  

    “Why? Because they know just how deeply unpopular this bill is.

    “We’ve seen what happens when the powerful put profits over people. 

    “But we’ve also seen what happens when working people, immigrants, students, parents, and neighbors come together and refuse to be ignored. 

    “That’s the spirit of Minnesota’s Fifth District.

    “We do have people power and we’re going to keep fighting for a country that invests in children, that feeds families, and expands opportunity. 

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Omar’s Statement on Voting NO on Final Big Ugly GOP Budget Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON—Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) released the following statement after voting “no” on the final version of the GOP budget bill.

    “This bill is one of the most cruel, immoral pieces of legislation that Congress has ever voted on. Not only did this bill get worse from the last time the House voted on it, it will be remembered as one of the most catastrophic bills passed in modern history.

    “Because my Republican colleagues cowered to special interests and their billionaire donors, 17 million Americans will lose their health coverage. This passage could cause 50,000 Americans to die each year because Republicans shamefully voted to kick millions off Medicaid and failed to extend the premium tax credits in the Affordable Care Act. It will also increase healthcare costs and endanger access to care for all Americans. Rural hospitals will be forced to shut down. Nursing homes and community health centers will be gravely impacted.

    “This bill is the biggest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in history. While working people will be devastated, billionaires will receive massive tax cuts. Not only are the tax cuts permanent for the ultra-wealthy, any benefit to low-income families is only temporary. It will deepen the wealth and income inequality gap.

    “In poll after poll, the American people are clear in their disdain for this bill. From cuts to nutrition assistance to increasing the cost of college to higher utility bills – the American people are clear-eyed in opposing it. Donald Trump and Republicans know this, which is why they rammed this bill through. Every single American will remember who chose to side with billionaires instead of working people.

    “This bill is morally bankrupt and an attack on working people. For those reasons, I voted NO.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Ilhan Omar and Anna Paulina Luna Introduce Syria Sanctions Relief Act to End Broad U.S. Sanctions on Syria

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON — Today, Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) unveiled the Syria Sanctions Relief Act, bipartisan legislation that would repeal existing sanctions programs for Syria.

    The bill would also strike related statutory references, effectively ending the Congressionally-mandated sweeping sector-wide sanctions that humanitarian organizations, United Nations experts, and economists say have worsened Syria’s economic collapse and left millions unable to rebuild their lives. Since their enactment, these sanctions have blocked access to food, fuel, and medical supplies, with devastating consequences for the Syrian people. 

    “Syria’s remarkable transition, and the end of the decades-long Assad dictatorship, presents new opportunities for engagement for the betterment of the Syrian people. This is the right time to lift sanctions,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar. “This is also a good time to reflect on a broader truth: sanctions should never be used as a blunt instrument to starve a population or collapse an entire economy. They do little to improve human rights or democratic outcomes and instead devastate civilian populations and fuel instability. If we are serious about supporting peace and regional stability, we must end the failed policy of economic warfare. This bill is about giving the post-Assad Syria a fighting chance.

    “The new Syrian government has demonstrated a commitment to religious freedom, peace with our allies, and a strong alliance with the United States,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. “By codifying the lifting of sanctions, we aim to empower Syria’s leadership to rebuild a stable, inclusive society that benefits its people and strengthens U.S. interests. I look forward to meeting the new president of Syria and his wife, and to fostering a continued, robust relationship with the Syrian government to advance mutual prosperity and security.”

    The Syria Sanctions Relief Act would encourage diplomatic and economic engagement and offer Syrians a path toward rebuilding shattered communities. Recent executive actions, including the sanctions relief and Treasury waivers, only provide temporary relief and are subject to future revocation. Only Congress can enact permanent repeal, which is what this bill seeks to do. 

    Full bill text can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Muslim American Members of Congress Call Out Vile, Anti-Muslim, Racist Attacks on Zohran Mamdani

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), André Carson (IN-07), and Lateefah Simon (CA-12) released the following joint statement:

    “The vile, anti-Muslim, and racist smears from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle attacking Zohran Mamdani cannot be met with silence. 

    “These hateful, Islamophobic, and racist tropes have become so entrenched and normalized in our politics. We know these attacks all too well. At a time of increased violence against elected officials, we cannot allow the attacks on Zohran Mamdani to continue. They directly contribute to the ongoing dehumanization and violence against Muslim Americans. We unequivocally reject the normalization of anti-Muslim hate and fearmongering and call on elected leaders across our country to speak out.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Rep. Ilhan Omar Pens Op-Ed in Minnesota Star Tribune Sounding the Alarm on Republicans’ Cruel Budget Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    MINNEAPOLIS– Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) authored an op-ed in the Minnesota Star Tribune on how the passage of the Republican “One Big, Beautiful Bill” will be devastating for her constituents in Minnesota’s Fifth District and across the nation. Her op-ed focuses on the historical funding cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and higher education programs. She also discussed how the bill facilitates the largest upward wealth transfer in American history, all while giving ICE a higher budget than almost all of the world’s militaries.

    You can view the op-ed here and below. 

    U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar: Republican ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ is best characterized by how it harms

    My House colleagues Tom Emmer, Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber should be ashamed.

    By Ilhan Omar

    President Donald Trump just signed the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” one of the most cruel, immoral pieces of legislation ever passed. Every single Republican member of the Minnesota congressional delegation voted to greenlight this catastrophic bill. Tom Emmer, Brad Finstad, Michelle Fischbach and Pete Stauber should be ashamed. They voted to take away health care for 173,268 Minnesotans in the biggest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in history. It will be remembered as one of the most harmful pieces of legislation ever signed into law.

    Because my Republican colleagues cowered to special interests and their billionaire donors, 17 million Americans, including thousands of Minnesotans, will lose their health coverage. This passage could cause 50,000 Americans to die each year because Republicans shamefully voted to kick millions off Medicaid and failed to extend the premium tax credits in the Affordable Care Act. Even Republicans have acknowledged the harm this will cause, one Senate Republican even wrote a New York Times commentary titled “Don’t Cut Medicaid” before caving to Trump at the expense of his constituents. It will also increase health care costs and endanger access to care for all Americans. Rural hospitals will be forced to shut down. Nursing homes and community health clinics will be severely affected. The damage will have far-reaching, incomprehensible consequences.

    This bill contains $186 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These cuts mean vulnerable families will go hungry. At a time when food insecurity is rising across the country, Republicans chose to gut lifesaving nutrition assistance. In my district, nearly 90,000 people rely on SNAP to put food on the table. These are single parents, seniors and essential workers who depend on this assistance to afford groceries. Recently, I hosted a roundtable discussion with Minnesota’s U.S. Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar on the impact of these catastrophic cuts to SNAP. I heard from many of my constituents that they will now have to make the painstaking decision between paying their rent or affording groceries. Others shared they don’t know how they will be able to feed their kids without the lifeline of SNAP. Cutting nutrition assistance for the most at-risk communities is one of the most egregious and unconscionable actions the Republicans included in their betrayal budget.

    This bill is the biggest upward wealth transfer in American history. While working people will be devastated, billionaires will walk away with massive benefits. Low- and middle-income families may see tiny tax cuts and temporary scraps, such as no tax on tips, but they will be quickly wiped out by rising costs from tariffs, benefit cuts, and higher interest rates. Meanwhile, millionaires and billionaires will rake in massive, permanent windfalls. The bill makes the appalling estate tax giveaway permanent, which only applies to a few thousand ultra-wealthy heirs, and expands it to $15 million and $30 million for couples. It also locks in the costly, inefficient passthrough deduction, a loophole that overwhelmingly benefits millionaire business owners while doing little for small businesses. These wasteful provisions have been criticized by experts across the ideological spectrum for being too expensive, poorly targeted and ineffective at promoting economic growth. All together, the bill’s tax changes are projected to cost at least over $3 trillion and will ultimately deepen the already wide wealth and income inequality gap.

    The budget is the largest job-killing legislation ever passed. It threatens nearly 2 million construction jobs, including 800,000 green jobs. It could also erase $148 billion in annual wages and benefits to working people. The Republican Party loves to claim that it is the party of the working class, but its budget clearly debunks that lie.

    It will now make it harder for working-class young people to go to college. I represent one of the youngest constituencies in the country, including many who attend the University of Minnesota. The rising cost of college is already a top concern for our district. Not only does this bill cut $300 billion in federal higher-education programs, it raises the cost of student loan repayment and cuts protections for student borrowers. This bill is a direct attack on those seeking a higher education. Every single person deserves access to higher education without any barriers. Now that dream for young people to not be shackled by student loan debt is farther out of reach.

    What are all these cuts paying for? This bill gives $150 billion for immigration enforcement and another $150 billion to the Pentagon to fund a police state. It contains a slush fund for even more Immigration and Customs Enforcement abductions and mass detention. Shamefully, it includes $45 billion just for ICE jails, including family detention. This is more than 13 times ICE’s current annual detention budget. ICE facilities have little to no oversight and have already resulted in nine deaths in less than four months. Their leadership has begun banning members of Congress from conducting oversight in the facilities. And they’re building concentration camps in the Everglades. This budget gives ICE a higher budget than almost all of the world’s militaries. It runs counter to the very ideals of our country.

    In poll after poll, the American people are clear in their opposition to this bill. Donald Trump and Republicans know this, which is why they rammed this bill through in the middle of the night. Every single American will remember who chose to side with billionaires instead of working people.

    We will never forget that Republicans sold out the American people for their billionaire donors.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Stauber Votes to Send One Big Beautiful Bill Act to President Trump’s Desk

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) voted to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that delivers President Trump and the American people’s full agenda. It will now go to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. 

    Stauber made the following statement after the vote: 

    “In November, the American people elected President Trump and gave him the majorities in both the House and Senate with a clear mandate: to restore safety and unleash prosperity across our nation. Today, the House took a significant step in enacting the American people’s agenda, and I am proud to have helped deliver this historic legislation to the President’s desk. President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill will put America’s families and workers first by delivering the largest tax cuts in our nation’s history, unleashing American energy dominance, permanently securing our borders, modernizing air traffic control, and strengthening our military. I look forward to seeing the One Big, Beautiful Bill deliver a new Golden Age for the American people.”

    Specifically, this legislation will do the following: 

    • Makes the successful 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, delivering the largest tax cut for middle- and working-class Americans in history.
    • Doubles and makes permanent the Child Tax Credit, supporting over 40 million families.  
    • Implements no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and cuts taxes for Social Security recipients.  
    • Doubles small business expensing, helping local businesses hire more workers and expand their operations.
    • Incentivizes Made-in-America manufacturing by rewarding companies that build new factories in the U.S. and lowering taxes for businesses producing domestically.
    • Supports family farms by raising the death tax exemption, protecting two million family farms from punitive double taxation.
    • Improves national security by delivering funding to complete the border wall, hire new frontline personnel (10,000 new ICE personnel, 5,000 new Customs officers, and 3,000 new Border Patrol agents), and carry out at least one million annual removals.
    • Unleashes American energy, driving down the cost of living and restoring energy independence.
    • Provides $12.5 billion to overhaul air traffic control.
    • Funds the Golden Dome missile defense system to protect the homeland and modernizes our military.
    • Protects taxpayer dollars by removing waste, fraud, and abuse from federal programs, so they can better serve the American people. Specifically, it will remove 1.4 million illegal aliens from Medicaid and SNAP benefits and establish work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Jamaican National Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Aggravated Illegal Reentry Charges

    Source: US FBI

    Greenbelt, Maryland – Sarah Maud Jess, 62, a Jamaican national living in Capitol Heights, Maryland, pled guilty to two counts, distributing more than 40 grams of fentanyl and re-entry of an alien removed after conviction for an aggravated felony.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the plea with Acting Special Agent in Charge Evan Campanella, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; Special Agent in Charge Ibrar A. Mian, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Washington Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Amanda M. Koldjeski, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office; Chief Marc R. Yamada, Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD); and Chief George Nader, Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD).

    According to her guilty plea, Jess disseminated at least 40 grams of fentanyl in Maryland and elsewhere between at least November 2023 and October 2024. Jess distributed the fentanyl in the form of pressed fentanyl pills – round, light blue pills imprinted with “M30.” As part of the investigation, a DEA undercover (UC) agent purchased fentanyl pills from Jess. Law enforcement also seized fentanyl pills from her vehicle as she was en route to distribute to the UC and recovered additional fentanyl pills and a firearm from Jess’s residence. In total, law enforcement recovered more than 3,000 fentanyl pills, totaling more than 350 grams of fentanyl, from Jess.

    During the investigation, on June 21, 2024, after coordinating with Jess via text message, the UC conducted a controlled purchase of approximately 600 fentanyl pills from Jess in a Greenbelt, Maryland restaurant parking lot for $3,600. Jess provided the UC with a black sock containing a clear plastic baggie with pills totaling more than 65 grams of fentanyl.

    Then on September 4, the UC conducted another purchase of approximately 1,000 pills from Jess for $6,000. Jess again met the UC in the Greenbelt restaurant parking lot and provided the UC with a black sock containing a clear plastic baggie with fentanyl pills comprised of more than 100 grams of fentanyl.

    On September 30, Jess texted the UC asking how many pills he or she wanted to purchase. Jess agreed to sell the UC 700 pills. Then on October 2, Jess and the UC spoke and arranged to meet at a Silver Spring, Maryland mall parking lot. Law enforcement officers surveilled Jess while she drove to the mall. As Jess drove to meet the UC, law enforcement officers conducted a traffic stop.

    Law enforcement found the pills Jess intended to sell to the UC and took her into custody. Jess provided the officers with a fake driver’s license with a fake name and an address that was not her actual residence. However, law enforcement saw her visit that address during the investigation. While searching the vehicle, law enforcement officers recovered a black sock with a clear plastic baggie inside containing approximately 700 blue pills — weighing more than 75 grams of fentanyl — that Jess intended to distribute to the UC.

    Additionally, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Jess’s residence. During the search, law enforcement discovered a plastic baggie containing 46 fentanyl pills — weighing more than five grams — and a handgun loaded with nine rounds of ammunition in Jess’s bedroom.

    Throughout this timeframe, Jess was an alien illegally in the United States. Jess was previously convicted of Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Based on the conviction for an aggravated felony, Jess was previously removed from the United States after proceedings before an immigration judge. As part of her removal, Jess was advised that she was permanently excluded from re-entering the United States because of her prior conviction.

    Jess voluntarily and unlawfully re-entered the United States without inspection or permission. She never sought nor obtained the consent of the Attorney General of the United States or the Secretary of Homeland Security to apply for re-admission.

    Jess faces a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison for the fentanyl charge. She faces a maximum sentence of 20 years for the illegal re-entry charge.

    Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.  A federal district court judge determines sentencing after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. Sentencing is scheduled for Wednesday, October 29, at 2 p.m.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended HSI, the DEA, FBI, MCPD, and PGPD for their work in the investigation.  Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elizabeth Wright and Nicholas Potter who are prosecuting the federal case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit justice.gov/usao-md and justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Seven Chinese Nationals Charged for Alleged Roles in Multimillion-Dollar Money Laundering, Alien Smuggling, and Drug Trafficking Enterprise

    Source: US FBI

    Defendants allegedly smuggled Chinese nationals into the United States to work at grow houses in suburban neighborhoods, cultivating and distributing kilogram-sized quantities of marijuana

    BOSTON – Seven Chinese nationals were charged today in connection with a multi-million-dollar conspiracy to cultivate and distribute marijuana across the Northeast that used interconnected grow houses concealed inside single-family properties in Massachusetts and Maine. It is alleged that Chinese nationals were smuggled into the United States to work in these grow houses without access to their passports until they repaid their smuggling debts.

    The following individuals have been indicted on one count each of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, as well as additional charges listed respectively:

    1. Jianxiong Chen, 39, of Braintree, Mass. also indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy, 11 counts of money laundering and one count of bringing aliens into the United States;
    2. Yuxiong Wu, 36, of Weymouth, Mass. also indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy and four counts of money laundering;
    3. Dinghui Li, 38, of Braintree, Mass. also indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy and two counts of money laundering;
    4. Dechao Ma, 35, of Braintree, Mass. also indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy and two counts of money laundering;
    5. Peng Lian Zhu, 35, of Melrose, Mass. also indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy;
    6. Hongbin Wu, 35, of Quincy, Mass.; and
    7. Yanrong Zhu, 47, of Greenfield, Mass. and Brooklyn, N.Y.

    Six defendants were arrested this morning. Yanrong Zhu remains a fugitive.

    “This case pulls back the curtain on a sprawling criminal enterprise that exploited our immigration system and our communities for personal gain. These defendants allegedly turned quiet homes across the Northeast into hubs for a criminal enterprise – building a multi-million-dollar black-market operation off the backs of an illegal workforce and using our neighborhoods as cover. That ends today,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley.

    “Today, we arrested members of an alleged Chinese-run drug trafficking organization who are accused of running a massive marijuana cultivation and distribution scheme that has raked in millions and contributed widely to the illegal drug trade here in the Northeast,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Equally disturbing is that Jianxiong Chen – the accused ringleader of this organization – is charged with paying to smuggle a Chinese national across the Mexican border to work at his grow houses. This takedown highlights the need for a sustained law enforcement effort, across all levels, to shut down and thoroughly investigate the organized criminal enterprises behind these unlicensed and illegal operations.”

    “The Massachusetts State Police share the resolve of our federal and local partners to support safer communities across the Commonwealth,” said Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police. “Troopers assigned to our Special Services Section used their training and skill in this Operation to respond to the concerns of our neighbors, disrupt these illicit growing activities, and improve the quality of life across Massachusetts. Each of these properties can now return to their intended purpose as homes which our communities desperately need.”

    According to the charging documents, from in or about January 2020, the defendants allegedly owned, operated or partnered with a network of interconnected grow houses in Massachusetts and Maine to cultivate and distribute kilogram-sized quantities of marijuana in bulk. Specifically, the enterprise allegedly operated grow houses in Braintree, Mass.; Melrose, Mass.; and Greenfield, Mass., among other locations in Massachusetts, Maine and elsewhere. It is alleged that the grow house operators maintained contact with each other through a list of marijuana cultivators and distributors from or with ties to China in the region called the “East Coast Contact List.”

    It is alleged that Chen controlled several grow houses in Maine as well as a home in Braintree, Mass., which served as a base of operations for the enterprise. Marijuana manufactured by the interconnected grow house network, as well as bulk cash from dealers, was allegedly delivered to and redistributed by Chen at this Braintree residence. It is further alleged that co-conspirators concealed the marijuana and cash they were delivering to Chen inside the engine compartments of their vehicles. During a search of the home in October 2024, over $270,000 in cash was allegedly recovered from the house and from a Porsche in the driveway, as well as several Chinese passports and other identification documents inside a safe.

    Data extracted from Chen’s cell phone allegedly revealed that he helped smuggle Chinese nationals into the United States – putting the aliens to work at one of the grow houses he controlled while keeping possession of their passports until they repaid him for the cost associated with smuggling them into the country.

    It is alleged that profits from the marijuana sales, which totaled in the millions of dollars, were used to purchase luxury homes, automobiles, jewelry and other items in Massachusetts including to expand the enterprise through the purchase of real estate.

    Additional October 2024 searches of grow houses located in Braintree and Melrose where Ma and Zhu resided, respectively, allegedly resulted in the seizure of over 109 kilograms of marijuana, nearly $200,000 in cash and numerous luxury items including a gold Rolex watch with a $65,000 price tag still on it.

    It is further alleged that the enterprise conducted bulk cash transactions with operators located in the Eastern District of New York. According to court documents, in June 2023, Hongbin Wu and Yanrong Zhu were stopped by law enforcement after leaving a grow house in Greenfield, Mass., during which $36,900 in cash was seized from the defendants.

    The charge of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, at least two years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the amount involved, whichever is greater. The charges of money laundering each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the amount involved, whichever is greater. The charge of bringing aliens into the United States provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of three years and up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    U.S. Attorney Foley, FBI SAC Docks and MSP Superintendent Colonel Noble made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration; New York State Police; Maine State Police; and the Braintree, Westchester County and New York Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Pohl of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Seven Chinese Nationals Charged for Alleged Roles in Multimillion-Dollar Money Laundering, Alien Smuggling, and Drug Trafficking Enterprise

    Source: US FBI

    Defendants allegedly smuggled Chinese nationals into the United States to work at grow houses in suburban neighborhoods, cultivating and distributing kilogram-sized quantities of marijuana

    BOSTON – Seven Chinese nationals were charged today in connection with a multi-million-dollar conspiracy to cultivate and distribute marijuana across the Northeast that used interconnected grow houses concealed inside single-family properties in Massachusetts and Maine. It is alleged that Chinese nationals were smuggled into the United States to work in these grow houses without access to their passports until they repaid their smuggling debts.

    The following individuals have been indicted on one count each of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, as well as additional charges listed respectively:

    1. Jianxiong Chen, 39, of Braintree, Mass. also indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy, 11 counts of money laundering and one count of bringing aliens into the United States;
    2. Yuxiong Wu, 36, of Weymouth, Mass. also indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy and four counts of money laundering;
    3. Dinghui Li, 38, of Braintree, Mass. also indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy and two counts of money laundering;
    4. Dechao Ma, 35, of Braintree, Mass. also indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy and two counts of money laundering;
    5. Peng Lian Zhu, 35, of Melrose, Mass. also indicted on one count of money laundering conspiracy;
    6. Hongbin Wu, 35, of Quincy, Mass.; and
    7. Yanrong Zhu, 47, of Greenfield, Mass. and Brooklyn, N.Y.

    Six defendants were arrested this morning. Yanrong Zhu remains a fugitive.

    “This case pulls back the curtain on a sprawling criminal enterprise that exploited our immigration system and our communities for personal gain. These defendants allegedly turned quiet homes across the Northeast into hubs for a criminal enterprise – building a multi-million-dollar black-market operation off the backs of an illegal workforce and using our neighborhoods as cover. That ends today,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley.

    “Today, we arrested members of an alleged Chinese-run drug trafficking organization who are accused of running a massive marijuana cultivation and distribution scheme that has raked in millions and contributed widely to the illegal drug trade here in the Northeast,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston Division. “Equally disturbing is that Jianxiong Chen – the accused ringleader of this organization – is charged with paying to smuggle a Chinese national across the Mexican border to work at his grow houses. This takedown highlights the need for a sustained law enforcement effort, across all levels, to shut down and thoroughly investigate the organized criminal enterprises behind these unlicensed and illegal operations.”

    “The Massachusetts State Police share the resolve of our federal and local partners to support safer communities across the Commonwealth,” said Colonel Geoffrey D. Noble, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police. “Troopers assigned to our Special Services Section used their training and skill in this Operation to respond to the concerns of our neighbors, disrupt these illicit growing activities, and improve the quality of life across Massachusetts. Each of these properties can now return to their intended purpose as homes which our communities desperately need.”

    According to the charging documents, from in or about January 2020, the defendants allegedly owned, operated or partnered with a network of interconnected grow houses in Massachusetts and Maine to cultivate and distribute kilogram-sized quantities of marijuana in bulk. Specifically, the enterprise allegedly operated grow houses in Braintree, Mass.; Melrose, Mass.; and Greenfield, Mass., among other locations in Massachusetts, Maine and elsewhere. It is alleged that the grow house operators maintained contact with each other through a list of marijuana cultivators and distributors from or with ties to China in the region called the “East Coast Contact List.”

    It is alleged that Chen controlled several grow houses in Maine as well as a home in Braintree, Mass., which served as a base of operations for the enterprise. Marijuana manufactured by the interconnected grow house network, as well as bulk cash from dealers, was allegedly delivered to and redistributed by Chen at this Braintree residence. It is further alleged that co-conspirators concealed the marijuana and cash they were delivering to Chen inside the engine compartments of their vehicles. During a search of the home in October 2024, over $270,000 in cash was allegedly recovered from the house and from a Porsche in the driveway, as well as several Chinese passports and other identification documents inside a safe.

    Data extracted from Chen’s cell phone allegedly revealed that he helped smuggle Chinese nationals into the United States – putting the aliens to work at one of the grow houses he controlled while keeping possession of their passports until they repaid him for the cost associated with smuggling them into the country.

    It is alleged that profits from the marijuana sales, which totaled in the millions of dollars, were used to purchase luxury homes, automobiles, jewelry and other items in Massachusetts including to expand the enterprise through the purchase of real estate.

    Additional October 2024 searches of grow houses located in Braintree and Melrose where Ma and Zhu resided, respectively, allegedly resulted in the seizure of over 109 kilograms of marijuana, nearly $200,000 in cash and numerous luxury items including a gold Rolex watch with a $65,000 price tag still on it.

    It is further alleged that the enterprise conducted bulk cash transactions with operators located in the Eastern District of New York. According to court documents, in June 2023, Hongbin Wu and Yanrong Zhu were stopped by law enforcement after leaving a grow house in Greenfield, Mass., during which $36,900 in cash was seized from the defendants.

    The charge of conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute marijuana provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, at least two years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of money laundering conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the amount involved, whichever is greater. The charges of money laundering each provide for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $500,000, or twice the amount involved, whichever is greater. The charge of bringing aliens into the United States provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of three years and up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    U.S. Attorney Foley, FBI SAC Docks and MSP Superintendent Colonel Noble made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Drug Enforcement Administration; New York State Police; Maine State Police; and the Braintree, Westchester County and New York Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Pohl of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: H Block Gang Member Sentenced to Over Six Years in Prison for Drug Conspiracy

    Source: US FBI

    BOSTON – A long-time member of the violent Boston-based gang, H-Block, was sentenced today in federal court for drug conspiracy offenses.

    Dennis Wilson, a/k/a “Deuce,” 36 of Boston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin to 77 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. In April 2025, Wilson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

    Wilson was one of 10 H-Block gang members and associates charged in August 2024 following a multi-year investigation that began in 2021 in response to an uptick in gang-related drug trafficking, shootings and violence. According to court documents, over 500 grams of cocaine, cocaine base (crack cocaine) and fentanyl, as well as over 20,000 doses of drug-laced paper were seized during the investigation.

    According to the charging documents, the H Block Street Gang is one of the most feared and influential city-wide gangs in Boston. Originally formed in the 1980s as the Humboldt Raiders in the Roxbury section of Boston, the gang re-emerged in the 2000s as H Block. Current members of H Block have a history of violent confrontation with law enforcement, including an incident in 2015 when a member shot a Boston Police officer at point blank range without warning or provocation.

    From 2022 through 2023, Wilson participated in a conspiracy to distribute various controlled substances, including fentanyl, powdered cocaine and cocaine base (crack). On numerus occasions, Wilson accompanied a co-conspirator on various drug deals with undercover officers.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; Special Agent in Charge Andrew Murphy of the U.S. Secret Service Boston Field Office; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. The investigation was supported by the Massachusetts State Police; Massachusetts Department of Corrections; Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office; and the Braintree, Quincy, Randolph and Watertown Police Departments. Assistant United States Attorney John T. Dawley of the Organized Crime & Gang Unit and Jeremy Franker of the Justice Department’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section are prosecuting the cases.

    The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Following Bipartisan Push from Reps. Cleaver & Davids, Congress Passes $625 Million for World Cup Security

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

    (Kansas City, MO) – Following a months-long bipartisan push to secure federal funding to strengthen security services at host cities during the 2026 World Cup, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) announced today that Congress has passed $625 million to support safety and security efforts during the event. 

    “The 2026 World Cup is an opportunity to showcase Kansas City on the world stage, demonstrating our status as a welcoming, beautiful, and first-rate city to hundreds of thousands of people from around the globe. However, with this temporary swell in population, it is imperative that we also increase security services for the safety of visitors and residents alike, which is no small task for an event this large,” said Congressman Cleaver. “After joining with representatives from across the country to push for federal investments that will ensure a safe and orderly event, I’m very happy that we were able to secure $625 million to support security efforts in the 11 host cities, including Kansas City.”

    “Hosting the World Cup is an incredible opportunity for Kansas City — not just to welcome the world, but to show the world who we are. With hundreds of thousands of visitors expected, ensuring public safety must be a top priority. I’ve been proud to work with Congressman Cleaver and a bipartisan group of colleagues to advocate for these much-needed resources, and I’ll keep working to make sure Kansas City is ready to shine on the global stage,” said Representative Sharice Davids.

    Kansas City will host six matches, as well as a minimum of eight teams, during the FIFA 2026 World Cup. According to estimates, Kansas City is expected to welcome 650,000 visitors during the month-long event. 

    Over the past year, Representatives Cleaver and Davids, Co-Chair of the Congressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus, have worked across party lines to build support for federal investments in World Cup host cities. 

    Last September, the lawmakers called on the Biden administration to establish a White House Task Force on Global Sporting Events to oversee preparation for events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics. In December, Cleaver and Davids joined a bipartisan coalition to call on Congress to provide $625 million to support security efforts during the 2026 World Cup. In April, led by Rep. Davids, the lawmakers again called on the Trump administration to provide $625 million in federal funding to strengthen security services at World Cup host cities. 

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on Vote Against Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill

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

    (Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted against Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, which betrays working families by making the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in history to fund more tax breaks that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest Americans, while adding trillions to the national debt.

    “Despite Democratic warnings about electing a billionaire with a long history of failed businesses and a reputation for stiffing workers, the American people re-elected Donald Trump under the guise that he would protect programs like Medicaid and fight for hardworking families and forgotten communities. With the passage of President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, those lofty promises will go unfulfilled and American families will experience the largest transfer of wealth from the working-class to the exorbitantly wealthy in American history—a travesty that could take decades to undo.

    “According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, nonpartisaneconomists, and even a handful of courageous Republicans willing to speak the truth, the Big Ugly Bill makes the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in the history of these vital programs. It will rip healthcare away from 17 million Americans, including 265,000 in Missouri, take food assistance away from five million families, and eliminate access to school meals for 18 million children. 

    “For those who do not lose access to these programs, it will send energy prices and healthcare costs soaring, as it makes massive cuts to critical investments in clean energy and the Affordable Care Act. For our kids and grandkids, it will saddle them with at least another three trillion dollars in additional debt. And it enacts all of these painful and pitiful policies to provide more tax breaks to the wealthiest families in our communities, ensuring the widening chasm in income inequality accelerates to a dangerous degree.

    “At a time when American families are struggling with the cost of living, it is morally reprehensible and supremely sinful to take from the poor to give more handouts to the richest among us—but that is precisely what President Trump and Republicans have chosen to do. As Democrats in Congress continue the fight to rollback these deeply regressive policies so that we can invest in communities and lower costs for hardworking families in the years to come, this betrayal will not be forgotten by the American people.”

    According to independent estimates, Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill will:

    • Kick 17 million Americans off their health insurance and make premiums, deductibles, and copays soar for millions more: The bill cuts more than $1 trillion from healthcare, including the largest cut to Medicaid in history, and could cause a $500 billion cut to Medicare. According to one analysis, more than 50,000 people will die annually because of these cuts.
    • Cut staff and close hospitals and nursing homes in communities nationwide: As many as 300 hospitals, especially those in rural areas, will have to cut services and staff – if not close completely. One in four nursing homes are estimated to close.
    • Make largest cut to nutritional assistance in history: The bill cuts SNAP by 20 percent, while forcing states to cover more of SNAP’s cost – which could lead to dozens of states eliminating SNAP entirely. Red tape requirements will cause 5 million people to lose food assistance and put roughly 18 million kids at risk of losing school breakfast and lunch.
    • Increase energy costs: With devastating cuts to clean energy, families will pay an average of $400 more per year in energy costs nationwide. Seniors and low-income people will also have an even harder time getting assistance to pay their energy bills.
    • Kill more than a million jobs: Data show that massive cuts to clean energy will cost more than 840,000 jobs in just the next five years and an additional 790,000 jobs over the next ten years.
    • Weaken our public schools and make higher education more expensive: The bill creates a permanent, unlimited tax credit for private school vouchers that undermine our public schools, while attacking protections for student borrowers and cutting Pell grants for working class students.
    • Add more than $3.3 trillion to the national debt: This does not include an additional estimated $700 billion in interest payments expected over the next ten years. The bill will cause our debt to rise to as much as 128% of our GDP by 2034, threatening to bankrupt our country and mortgaging our children’s futures.
    • Overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest 1% of Americans: The bill gives almost a trillion dollars in tax cuts to the top 1% of households, transferring money from the poorest Americans to the wealthiest. People making over $1 million will have an average tax cut of at least $80,000 a year while the bottom 20% of families will see their taxes rise.

    According to the House Committee on the Budget, the Big Ugly Bill will have the following impact on Missouri’s 5th Congressional District:

    • Rip healthcare away from Missouri families and raise healthcare costs: An estimated 265,298 Missourians will lose health insurance, and Missourians covered under the Affordable Care Act will see an average increase of $710 in premiums. Four rural hospitals across the state will be at risk of closing due to Medicaid cuts.
    • Raise food costs: At least 58,000 Missourians are at risk of lose some or all food assistance.
    • Kill manufacturing jobs and raise energy costs: 37,000 manufacturing and energy jobs in Missouri will be eliminated. Missourians will see an $800 average yearly increase in energy bills due to cuts to clean energy.
    • Increase the cost of higher education: 66,960 students in Missouri could have their Pell grants cut or eliminated entirely.

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cleaver Announces $3.5 Million Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant Awarded to Kansas City

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

    (Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced the City of Kansas City has been awarded a $3.5 million federal grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to clean up brownfield sites within the city. The federal funding, which Cleaver helped secure through his support for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, will invest in Kansas City’s Brownfields Supplemental Revolving Loan Fund, which provides loans and subgrants to remediate and redevelop projects at brownfield sites throughout Kansas City.

    “From investments in new roads and bridges to funding that enables the cleanup and redevelopment of brownfield sites like the Hardesty Federal Complex, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to fuel a remarkable economic comeback in Kansas City,” said Congressman Cleaver. “While we’ve come a long way since the dark days of the global pandemic, thanks in part to investments like this, there is still so much work that can be done to boost economic development in underserved communities across the metro area – and this funding will help support those efforts. I’m proud to have helped secure this $3.5 million for Kansas City, and I’ll continue fighting every day to bring more investments that support Missouri workers and small businesses back to the Fifth Congressional District.”

    Specifically, this funding will assist in re-capitalizing Kansas City’s Revolving Loan Fund from which the City can make loans and subgrants to clean up brownfield sites, ensuring more projects can be funded.

    Thanks to the historic $1.5 billion boost from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, EPA’s Brownfields program is helping more communities than ever before begin to address the economic, social, and environmental challenges caused by brownfields and stimulate economic opportunity and environmental revitalization in historically overburdened communities.

    Since passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Kansas City has received more than $18.5 million in brownfields grants, supporting over a dozen remediation projects across the city. In 2022, Rep. Cleaver announced $5.5 million in federal brownfields grants awarded to Kansas City, supporting the cleanup of the Hardesty Federal Complex Buildings. Last September, Congressman Cleaver joined EPA Region 7 to announce $4.5 million in federal brownfields grants for Kansas City’s Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund. This May, Congressman Cleaver announced a $4 million brownfields grant to clean up 47 vacant parcels known as the Washington Wheatley Vacant Lots Site, as well as the former Benson Manufacturing Company Site.

      

    Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance. For more information, please contact Matt Helfant at 202-590-0175 or matthew.helfant@mail.house.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott Votes Against GOP’s Big, Ugly Bill. Again.

    Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: Scott Votes Against GOP’s Big, Ugly Bill. Again.

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce and a member of the House Committee on the Budget, issued the following statement after voting against the Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill: 

    “Once again, Republicans rushed to jam their Big, Ugly Bill through Congress. Their bill will have serious consequences for America’s working families. The Congressional Budget Office predicts that 17 million people will lose their health insurance, including over 322,000 Virginians. It will make college less affordable.  Three million people will lose access to food assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). And up to 16 million students could lose access to free school meals. The Republican bill does all of this to fund tax breaks for millionaires, billionaires and corporations. And it makes annual deficits and the national debt worse than they would be if we did nothing. 

    “For years, we have heard Congressional Republicans preach about fiscal responsibility and complain about deficits and the national debt. Yet they just voted for a bill that will add an estimated 3.4 trillion dollars to our deficitand that does not even include the cost of interest. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, because every Republican administration since President Nixon has left for their Democratic successors a worse budget deficit than the one they inherited. And every Democratic administration since President Kennedy has left for their Republican successors a better deficit situation than the one they inherited. All without exception.

    “This bill is a collection of policies that will harm America’s working families, bestow tax breaks on the wealthy, and significantly increase the national debt. Every single Democrat in Congress voted against it, while almost every Republican in Congress voted for it while having the audacity to try to call the legislation ‘beautiful.’” 

    For more information about cuts to education and nutrition programs, click here and here.

    For more information about how the bill betrays the middle class, click here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott Votes Against GOP’S FY26 MilCon-VA Appropriations Bill

    Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: Scott Votes Against GOP’S FY26 MilCon-VA Appropriations Bill

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 3944, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill for FY 2026.

    “While there are some provisions I support in the FY2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Bill, ultimately, this legislation fails to prioritize care for our veterans or adequately fund military construction. The bill will enact the Project 2025 goal of privatizing medical care for veterans by transferring billions of dollars away from the VA to private hospitals and clinics. This will force more veterans into an overburdened private health care system, leading to worse outcomes and longer wait times. This legislation also contains a provision that restricts access to reproductive health care for veterans.

    “The bill worsens quality-of-life for our servicemembers and their families by underfunding critical military construction projects by $904 million below what is needed, and it leaves out critical funding for installation resilience and climate-related damage mitigation. The Hampton Roads region’s bases and military installations are already seriously at-risk of extreme weather events and flooding due to climate change. 

    “I am hopeful that as the bill moves to the Senate, the final enacted version of this legislation will ensure our veterans and their families receive the quality health care they earned. We must also make the necessary capital investments to improve quality-of-life for our servicemembers and mitigate the impact of climate-change on our military installations.”

    CLICK HERE for a fact sheet on the legislation. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott Statement on Braidwood Management SCOTUS Decision

    Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: Scott Statement on Braidwood Management SCOTUS Decision

    As originally released by the Committee on Education & Workforce, Democrats

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the Supreme Court’s ruling inKennedy v.Braidwood Management, in which plaintiffs sought to weaken a provision in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that requires private health plans to cover preventive care services at no cost.

    “Access to preventive care saves lives. By detecting health problems early on, preventive care helps us address serious diseases—such as colon cancer and high cholesterol—before they become complicated and more expensive to treat.  For more than a decade, over four million people in my home of Virginia have been able to count on the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to access these services without having to pay anything out of pocket.

    “I am pleased that the Supreme Court recognized what we all know: that the structure of the ACA’s preventive services requirement is fundamentally sound. We cannot go back to a time when far too many Americans were forced to choose between financial stability and the care they needed to avert life-threatening diseases. 

    “While this decision is a victory for working people’s health, we cannot let our guard down.  Right now, Congressional Republicans are attempting to make the largest cut to Medicaid in history in their ‘Big Ugly Bill.’  Under this legislation, 19 people will lose their health insurance for every millionaire who gets a tax break.  Additionally, over four million Americans will lose access to their health coverage if Congressional Republicans do not extend the subsidies included in the Inflation Reduction Act. I am working with Congressional Democrats to stop these harmful and unfair cuts to working families’ health coverage.

    “Moreover, after today’s ruling, it will also be more important than ever to hold the Trump Administration accountable for faithfully implementing this requirement to save lives, reduce racial and ethnic health inequities, and reduce the nation’s health care costs.”

    In September 2022, Committee Democrats released a report examining how the preventive services requirement under the ACA has helped provide access to preventive care for the millions of people with health coverage under the ACA, as well as the vast majority of people with coverage through their job.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Scott Statement on Resignation of UVA’s President

    Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: Ranking Member Scott Statement on Resignation of UVA’s President

    As originally released by the Committee on Education & Workforce, Democrats

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, issued the following statement after James E. Ryan, the President of the University of Virginia resigned. 

    “The University of Virginia (UVa) has consistently been recognized as one of the nation’s premier public universities because of its commitment to academic excellence.  However, today’s decision of UVa President James E. Ryan to resign because of the Trump Administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) threat to withhold federal funds is an attack on due process, the independence and integrity of ‘academic freedom’ in higher education, and the UVa’s effort to address its own history.

    “Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the DOJ is not authorized to impose sanctions until it has concluded that the university violated the law, and it would not redress the abuse.  The DOJ’s demand that Ryan step down was both premature and a perversion of the civil rights resolution practice. 

    “During Trump’s first administration, UVa was the scene of white supremacists’ Unite the Right march where white supremacists’ chanted ‘you will not replace us, Jews will not replace us.’ Then-President Trump’s response to the violence and the death of Heather Heyer was that there were ‘very fine people on both sides.’

    “As a result, President Ryan was brought to UVa in 2018 to improve the university’s racial climate, learning environment, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) efforts.  Under President Ryan’s tenure, UVa has been recognized for its commitment to free speech, financial aid among public universities for the fourth year in a row, and this year, 10,000 first-generation students applied to UVa. All indications are that President Ryan was very popular among the academicians and students alike.

    “As a country, we are all worse off because of the Trump Administration’s crusade against diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, while there has been no crusade against racial discrimination.  Ryan’s resignation, therefore, signals to the higher education community that diversity as a positive value is now diminished and that segregation is to be celebrated.  This situation is made worse because of the willingness of universities and businesses to quickly capitulate.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott Statement on Supreme Court Decision in Trump v. Casa Limiting National Injunctions

    Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

    Headline: Scott Statement on Supreme Court Decision in Trump v. Casa Limiting National Injunctions

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision in Trump v. Casa, Inc. limiting the ability of federal judges to issue national injunctions:

    “The Supreme Court’s conservative supermajority has again delivered a decision that further erodes the ability of an equal branch of the federal government to check the abuse of power of President Trump and his administration. While the Court did not address the merits of the President’s executive order ending birthright citizenship, contrary to the plain language of the 14th amendment of the Constitution, this decision effectively ends the ability of federal judges to stop illegal executive actions through national injunctions. 

    “In practice, this decision to limit the nationwide injunction regarding the birthright status of a person creates an absurd situation where a person who resides in one state can be a citizen, but if he moves to another state, can become a non-citizen, just by virtue of the federal judicial orders in effect at the time. And could a non-citizen gain citizenship by moving to the right state? It would be ridiculous to have the determination of citizenship based on the state you live in or move into.

    “I believe the Supreme Court will ultimately find the President’s executive order unconstitutional. However, without the ability of lower courts to issue a national injunction to stay this executive order as the case continues to move through the judicial process, this decision will lead to significant and irreparable harm for the individuals impacted in the 28 states that have not challenged the executive order creating a significant administrative and legal nightmare.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McCaul Votes to Pass The One Big Beautiful Bill

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

    Bill contains McCaul’s provision to reimburse border states for costs incurred under the Biden administration

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security — voted to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill to deliver on President Trump’s agenda.  

    “The American people elected a Republican House, Senate, and White House because they were tired of a raging border crisis, a weak national security, and a broken economy,” said McCaul. “The One Big Beautiful Bill delivers on their mandate by funding President Trump’s border security efforts, bolstering the Department of Defense at a crucial time in history, and making permanent the largest tax cut in history. I’m proud to have joined my Republican colleagues in voting to restore our great nation and put this historic bill on the president’s desk just in time for Independence Day.” 

    The One Big Beautiful Bill also includes a McCaul-authored provision, which now sits at $13.5 billion, to reimburse border states — primarily Texas — for costs incurred to secure the border under the Biden administration. McCaul championed the provision and advocated for its passage for months, working hand-in-hand with House GOP leadership, Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.), and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

    “When the Biden administration abdicated its federal responsibility to secure the border, Texas stepped up,” said McCaul. “Our state bore the brunt of this unnecessary crisis for four years — fighting tirelessly on the front lines to defend all 50 states. That’s why I worked so hard to reimburse our border states for the costs they incurred over the past four years. On behalf of a grateful nation, I’m proud to have secured this provision to finally pay Texas back!”

    The provision, which was initially added to House Republicans’ reconciliation package through a manager’s amendment and later edited in the Senate, sets aside $13.5 billion in grants for states to secure the border, apprehend illegal aliens, and counter drug and human trafficking that occurred on or after January 21, 2021.

    Most of these funds are expected to reimburse Texas, as no state did more to secure the border over the past four years. Operation Lone Star spent $11.1 billion on border security, including $5.87 billion on personnel costs associated with border security and $4.75 billion on border wall barriers.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McCaul, Meeks Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Calling For the Return of Abducted Ukrainian Children

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

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs Committee — and Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-N.Y.) introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning Russia’s abduction and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children and calling for their return before a peace agreement is finalized.  

    “Since the beginning of Putin’s war of aggression, Russia has abducted at least 19,500 Ukrainian children from their homeland — with some estimates putting the true number as high as 200,000,” said Chair Emeritus McCaul. “These children have been stripped of their national identity, adopted into Russian families, or indoctrinated as soldiers for the Kremlin. As a father, I can’t imagine the pain their families have experienced. Russia’s mass-scale child abduction is nothing short of evil; the United States must demonstrate moral leadership by demanding every child be returned to his or her family in Ukraine before true peace can be achieved.”

    “Putin is a war criminal and, under his watch, the Russian military has cruelly abducted and illegally deported tens of thousands of Ukrainian children from their homeland. These atrocities are not isolated incidents; they are the direct result of Putin’s war of choice. The United States has a responsibility to condemn these unconscionable acts by Russia and to demand the immediate return of each and every one of the children Russia has taken,” said Ranking Member Meeks.

    Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the resolution in the Senate.

    Background:

    Ukrainian authorities have received at least 19,546 confirmed reports of unlawful deportations and forced transfers of Ukrainian children to Russia, Belarus, or Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory. The abductions aim to erase the children’s Ukrainian names, language, and identity. As of April 16, Ukraine and its partners have only managed to return 1,274 abducted children.

    The State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report found Russia recruits or uses child soldiers, has a state-sponsored policy or pattern of human trafficking and is among the worst hubs for human trafficking in the world.

    The full text of the resolution can be found here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Chair Emeritus McCaul on CBS’ “Face The Nation”

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

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committees — joined Margaret Brennan on CBS’ “Face The Nation” to discuss the latest on Iran, the One Big Beautiful Bill, and President Trump’s efforts to secure our border.

    Click to watch

    Excerpts from the interview:

    On his support for the One Big Beautiful Bill: 

    “What I’m voting for is a border security measure, $80 billion, [including] $12 billion to reimburse states like mine. I’m voting for $150 billion that will go to our Department of Defense — at a time when what we saw with Iran [this] is desperately needed. The world is on fire: Eastern Europe and Indo-Pacific. Then the tax cuts. I mean, if we don’t extend these tax cuts, it’ll be the largest tax increase in American history. For those three reasons, I’m a yes.”

    On the significance of President Trump’s limited strike in Iran:

    “The world in the Middle East is safer today than it was seven days ago, a week ago. That is highlighted by the fact that the proxies didn’t light up — Russia didn’t come to their aid, [and] China basically ran back for cover. Iran is on its own and psychologically is very damaged. The deterrence is real. The damage was real. This was a masterful military operation, the likes of which I haven’t seen since my father’s war, World War II.”

    On President Trump’s border security efforts:

    “… [F]ifteen to 20 million people came in under the Biden administration, and [the Trump administration is] trying to get some sanity involved in the United States. I think deterrence is the key here. And Margaret, it is working. You know, the apprehension rate at the border — and Texas is the biggest one — has gone down to almost zero. I mean, the border is just about secure. Catch-and-release is over, and the threats are going away.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –