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Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI Global: Coral reefs face an uncertain recovery from the 4th global mass bleaching event – can climate refuges help?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Noam Vogt-Vincent, Postdoctoral Fellow in Marine Biology, University of Hawaii

    The Great Barrier Reef stretches for 1,429 miles just off Australia’s northeastern coast. Auscape/Universal Images Group via Getty Image

    Although tropical reefs might look like inanimate rock, these colorful seascapes are built by tiny jellyfish-like animals called corals. While adult corals build solid structures that are firmly attached to the sea floor, baby corals are not confined to their reefs. They can drift with ocean currents over great distances to new locations that might give them a better chance of survival.

    The underwater cities that corals construct are home to about a quarter of all known marine species. They are incredibly important for humans, too, contributing at least a trillion dollars per year in ecosystem services, such as protecting coastlines from wave damage and supporting fisheries and tourism.

    Unfortunately, coral reefs are among the most vulnerable environments on the planet to climate change.

    Since 2023, exceptionally warm ocean water has been fueling the planet’s fourth mass coral bleaching event on record, causing widespread mortality in corals around the world. This kind of harm is projected to worsen considerably over the coming decades as ocean temperatures rise.

    A healthy coral reef in American Samoa, left, experiencing coral bleaching due to a severe marine heatwave, center, and eventually dying, right.
    The Ocean Agency and Ocean Image Bank., CC BY-NC

    I am a marine scientist in Hawaii. My colleagues and I are trying to understand how coral reefs might change in the future, and whether new coral reefs might form at higher latitudes as the tropics become too warm and temperate regions become more hospitable. The results lead us to both good and bad news.

    Corals can grow in new areas, but will they thrive?

    Baby corals can drift freely with ocean currents, potentially traveling hundreds of miles before settling in new locations. That allows the distribution of corals to shift over time.

    Major ocean currents can carry baby corals to temperate seas. If new coral reefs form there as the waters warm, these areas might act as refuges for tropical corals, reducing the corals’ risk of extinction.

    A close-up of double star corals (Diploastrea heliopora) off Indonesia.
    Bernard DuPont/Flickr, CC BY-SA

    Scientists know from the fossil record that coral reef expansions have occurred before. However, a big question remains: Can corals migrate fast enough to keep pace with climate change caused by humans? We developed a cutting-edge simulation to find the answer.

    Field and laboratory studies have measured how coral growth depends on temperature, acidity and light intensity. We combined this information with data on ocean currents to create a global simulation that represents how corals respond to a changing environment – including their ability to adapt through evolution and shift their ranges.

    Then, we used future climate projections to predict how coral reefs may respond to climate change.

    We found that it will take centuries for coral reefs to shift away from the tropics. This is far too slow for temperate seas to save tropical coral species – they are facing severe threats right now and in the coming decades.

    How coral reefs form.

    Underwater cities in motion?

    Under countries’ current greenhouse gas emissions policies, our simulations suggest that coral reefs will decline globally by a further 70% this century as ocean temperatures continue to rise. As bad as that sounds, it’s actually slightly more optimistic than previous studies that predicted losses as high as 99%.

    Our simulations suggest that coral populations could expand in a few locations this century, primarily southern Australia, but these expansions may only amount to around 6,000 acres (2,400 hectares). While that might sound a lot, we expect to lose around 10 million acres (4 million hectares) of coral over the same period.

    In other words, we are unlikely to see significant new tropical-style coral reefs forming in temperate waters within our lifetimes, so most tropical corals will not find refuge in higher latitude seas.

    Even though the suitable water temperatures for corals are forecast to expand poleward by about 25 miles (40 kilometers) per decade, corals would face other challenges in new environments.

    Our research suggests that coral range expansion is mainly limited by slower coral growth at higher latitudes, not by dispersal. Away from the equator, light intensity falls and temperature becomes more variable, reducing growth, and therefore the rate of range expansion, for many coral species.

    It is likely that new coral reefs will eventually form beyond their current range, as history shows, but our results suggest this may take centuries.

    Fish hide out in the safety of Kingman Reef, in the Pacific Ocean between the Hawaiian Islands and American Samoa. Coral reefs provide protection for many species, particularly young fish.
    USFWS, Pacific Islands

    Some coral species are adapted to the more challenging environmental conditions at higher latitudes, and these corals are increasing in abundance, but they are much less diverse and structurally complex than their tropical counterparts.

    Scientists have used human-assisted migration to try to restore damaged coral reefs by transplanting live corals. However, coral restoration is controversial, as it is expensive and cannot be scaled up globally. Since coral range expansion appears to be limited by challenging environmental conditions at higher latitudes rather than by dispersal, human-assisted migration is also unlikely to help them expand more quickly.

    Importantly, these potential higher latitude refuges already have rich, distinct ecosystems. Establishing tropical corals within those ecosystems might disrupt existing species, so rapid expansions might not be a good thing in the first place.

    A temperate reef near southern Australia, which could be threatened by expansions of tropical coral species.
    Stefan Andrews/Ocean Image Bank, CC BY-NC

    No known alternative to cutting emissions

    Despite enthusiasm for coral restoration, there is little evidence to suggest that methods like this can mitigate the global decline of coral reefs.

    As our study shows, migration would take centuries, while the most severe climate change harm for corals will occur within decades, making it unlikely that subtropical and temperate seas can act as coral refuges.

    What can help corals is reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are driving global warming. Our study suggests that reducing emissions at a faster pace, in accordance with the Paris climate agreement, could cut the coral loss by half compared with current policies. That could boost reef health for centuries to come.

    This means that there is still hope for these irreplaceable coral ecosystems, but time is running out.

    Noam Vogt-Vincent receives funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

    – ref. Coral reefs face an uncertain recovery from the 4th global mass bleaching event – can climate refuges help? – https://theconversation.com/coral-reefs-face-an-uncertain-recovery-from-the-4th-global-mass-bleaching-event-can-climate-refuges-help-255804

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: THE TRUMP EFFECT: 139,000 jobs added in May, surpassing expectations

    Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)

    THE TRUMP EFFECT: 139,000 jobs added in May, surpassing expectations

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EhpfsccTbQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Deluzio Joins 199 Colleagues in Letter to Save the Job Corps Program

    Source: US Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) joined 199 members of Congress in signing a bipartisan letter to urge U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer to continue the Job Corps program.   

    On May 29, the Labor Department issued a notice that it will begin a phased pause in operations at contractor-operated Job Corps centers across the country. The Job Corps Program serves over 20,000 young adults nationally, with over 4,200 Pennsylvanians enrolled since 2023. The program teaches skills for high-demand jobs, specifically targeting 16–24-year-olds who are in need of employment opportunities.  

    In their letter, the Members of Congress emphasize “By filling job openings, Job Corps ensures that young people become productive members of the American workforce. No other program takes homeless youth and turns them into… [the] vocational workers of the future.” They added that Job Corps is one of the few national programs that provides young people “with a direct pathway into employment openings in industries such as manufacturing and shipbuilding. The program also connects these young Americans with apprenticeships, higher education opportunities, or the military.” 

    The Labor Department’s decision to pause the Job Corps program spurred Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato to sign an executive order to create a federal disruption response team comprised of county officials, labor and workforce development organizations, the private sector, and the Community College of Allegheny County. 

    The letter also notes “We are confident that, in collaboration with the Administration and Job Corps Center in our communities, we can strengthen this program, continuing to develop a highly skilled and competitive labor force.” 

    The full letter is available HERE. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ocean Month

    Source: US National Ocean Service News

    Did you know that June is National Ocean Month? As America’s leader in coastal and ocean science, technology, and management, we’re celebrating the ocean and its countless resources that inspire us, nourish us, and benefit our local economies.

    Continue reading →

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 2096, Protecting Our Nation’s Capital Emergency Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    H.R. 2096 would amend sections of the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022 (D.C. Law 24-345), which modified District of Columbia police disciplinary procedures. Because the bill would only affect the District of Columbia, CBO estimates that enacting the bill would have no cost to the federal government.

    H.R. 2096 would impose intergovernmental mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) by preempting two provisions in District of Columbia law. The bill would strike a provision that prohibits collective bargaining with respect to matters of police discipline. The bill also would strike a provision in current law that eliminated a prior statute of limitations on bringing claims against members of the Metropolitan Police Department. Because those preemptions would not impose any direct costs on the government of the District of Columbia, CBO estimates that the cost of the mandates would not exceed the intergovernmental threshold established in UMRA ($103 million in 2025, adjusted annually for inflation).

    The bill would impose no private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.

    The CBO staff contacts for this estimate are Matthew Pickford (for federal costs) and Andrew Laughlin (for mandates). The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carbajal Introduces Bill to Assist Communities Impacted by Space Launch Noise

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

    U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) introduced the Space Launch Noise Mitigation Study Act to require the Department of the Air Force (DAF) to assess the impact of space launch activity on neighboring communities and make recommendations for noise mitigation. The emergence of frequent sonic booms from the increase in space launches is a new phenomenon that requires additional studies to more comprehensively understand the impacts. This legislation will produce recommendations to inform a grant program that allows affected communities to install noise-mitigating technologies. 

    “With space launches occurring more frequently, nearby communities have voiced concern over the intensifying noise and its effect on their quality of life,” said Rep. Carbajal. “This legislation is a crucial step forward in equipping communities with the necessary resources to reduce the disruptive impact of sonic booms and protect their well-being.”

    As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Carbajal has worked to address space launch noise and its effect on local residents.

    Last December, Rep. Carbajal secured language in the annual defense policy bill that – for the first time – acknowledged the impact of space launch noises on nearby communities and called for more resources to be allocated to communities impacted by the launches. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Innovation and Market Structure: Keynote Address by Acting Chairman Caroline D. Pham, Piper Sandler Global Exchange and Trading Conference 2025

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    Thank you for the invitation to speak at the Piper Sandler Global Exchange and Trading Conference.[1]  I’m honored to be asked to provide the keynote address here today during a time of rapid innovation and transformation of market structure—both in new products and new markets.
    When I became acting Chairman this year, I said we have to get back to basics. For the past half century, the CFTC has proudly served our mission to promote market integrity and liquidity in U.S. derivatives markets—markets that are critical to the real economy and global trade—ensuring American farmers, producers, merchants and other commercial end-users can mitigate risks to their business and support strong U.S. economic growth.  You—this audience in this room—are the leaders of those markets who ensure that they are deep, liquid, and well-functioning each and every day.  Our markets work best because there is a partnership between the regulator and our self-regulatory organizations (SROs): National Futures Association (NFA) and CFTC-registered designated contract markets (DCMs), derivatives clearing organizations (DCOs), and swap execution facilities (SEFs) for the derivatives markets, and Financial Industry Regulatory Association (FINRA) and SEC-registered national securities exchanges and clearing agencies.
    Today, I will discuss how the CFTC is promoting regulatory policy that supports U.S. economic growth and American competition, and approaching innovation and market structure.  First, I will highlight the CFTC’s regulatory agenda that was submitted pursuant to the President’s executive orders.  Next, I will discuss the work of our operating divisions and questions about the self-certification process for new or changed contracts or rules. Finally, I will share some observations on the CFTC’s recent requests for comment on 24/7 trading and perpetual derivatives, and direct access and non-intermediated clearing.
    Unified Regulatory Agenda 
    I am pleased to announce the CFTC has submitted its 2025 Spring Unified Regulatory Agenda and will highlight a few items.  In accordance with Executive Order 13771, Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs,[2] I have identified the following rulemaking initiatives to provide regulatory certainty, eliminate unnecessary cost burdens, and unleash a golden age for markets:

    Improving the SEF “Made Available to Trade” (MAT) process for swaps

    Expanding access to markets for insured depository institutions by broadening the scope of products excluded from the swap dealer de minimis threshold calculation 

    Expanding access to markets by no longer requiring associated person registration for personnel of introducing brokers that only refer swaps to a wholly owned affiliate de minimis dealer

    Codifying foreign exchange product interpretation that window FX forwards and package spot FX transactions are not FX swaps 

    Codifying no-action relief from both the pre-trade mid-market mark disclosure requirement and certain documentation requirements for cleared swaps and prime brokerage transactions for swap dealers 

    Codifying no-action relief from the clearing requirement for legacy swaps resulting from multilateral portfolio compression exercises 

    Codifying no-action relief from ownership and control reporting under Parts 17, 18, and 20 of CFTC regulations

    Codifying no-action relief for DCMs and DCOs from duplicative reporting of fully collateralized binary options to swap data repositories (SDRs) under Parts 43 and 45 of CFTC regulations 

    Sunsetting duplicative and burdensome Part 20 large trader reporting obligations for physical commodity swaps, as required under Regulation 20.9 

    Eliminating the burdensome and costly cotton-on-call reporting requirements and related CFTC Cotton-on-Call Report

    These items have been longstanding issues regarding CFTC regulatory overreach and administrative burden, some for over a decade.
    New or Amended Product and Rule Submissions
    I want to commend CFTC staff in the Division of Market Oversight (DMO) and Division of Clearing and Risk (DCR) for the day-to-day work that supports growth and innovation in our markets.  Under my leadership in my first 100 days as acting Chairman (even without a majority on the Commission), and the leadership of acting DMO Director Rahul Varma, acting DCR Director Richard Haynes, and former acting DMO Director Amanda Olear, our hard working and dedicated DMO and DCR staff have engaged in the following activities, in addition to performing examinations and ongoing monitoring:
    DMO

    670 new products filed by exchanges

    43 product filings submitted by foreign boards of trade (FBOTs) 

    315 rule filings submitted by exchanges (211 market rules, 104 product related rules)

    Issued 3 certification letters to FBOTs under Regulation 30.13

    DCR

    This is a snapshot of our dynamic and vibrant derivatives markets, which serve the national public interest mandated in our statute by providing price risk mitigation, price discovery, and price dissemination.[3] 
    These day-to-day activities are in addition to the over 20 CFTC staff letters and other guidance, issued in just four months, to provide regulatory clarity and reduce regulatory burden.  DMO and DCR were involved in over half of those, and I want to commend the Market Participants Division (MPD) staff for all of their tremendous efforts as well.  This level of productivity from CFTC staff has not been seen since the first Trump Administration.
    Self-Certification Process for Exchanges and Clearinghouses
    As I have said before, our system of self-regulation works because our SROs take their role seriously in upholding the CFTC’s regulatory framework and ensuring market integrity.[4]  Self-regulation is effective when it is cooperative.  I commend DCMs, SEFs, DCOs, and SDRs (registered entities) that recognize and support the efforts of our DMO and DCR staff, and I urge these registered entities to do their best to assist staff and make the review process as efficient as possible.
    But even more important is that our registered entities must be committed to the rule of law, the public interest, and doing what’s right.  As you know, the CFTC has a principles-based regulatory framework that is designed to provide maximum autonomy and flexibility to our exchanges and clearinghouses.  This enables exchanges to launch self-certified new contracts and issue new rules one business day after submission to the CFTC.  In fact, the CFTC cannot stay or halt trading of a self-certified contract,[5] or suspend or revoke the registration of an exchange or clearinghouse,[6] without conducting an adjudicatory hearing—an in-house trial before the Commission as an administrative tribunal exercising our quasi-judicial authority.  In our entire history, the CFTC has never done so.  And we cannot force compliance with the law and CFTC regulations without obtaining a court order in litigation, whether by an enforcement action or otherwise.
    In the past, registered entities have ignored and failed to comply with Commission orders with impunity[7]—presumably because they know that the CFTC has much more limited authority to take action against exchanges and clearinghouses, in contrast to our authority over registered futures commission merchants (FCMs) and other intermediaries.
    That means that the self-certification process is built on trust, and it is bad for our markets, for market participants, and for the American people when this trust is broken.  For the CFTC’s hands-off self-certification process to work, registered entities must commit to operate in a “no surprises” environment and work through issues in partnership with CFTC staff.  On our part, the CFTC must commit to engaging in good faith with registered entities and be transparent about our processes. Nobody should be playing games.
    Part 40 regulations
    I will provide some background in response to questions that have been raised about the CFTC’s self-certification process.  Part 40 was established pursuant to the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000 and has been in place since 2001.  Part 40 created a new framework for the certification and approval of new products, rules, and rule amendments that are submitted to the CFTC by registered entities such as DCMs, SEFs, DCOs, and SDRs.  It was again amended in 2011 pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act.  The Part 40 Proposal preamble states that Part 40 “govern[s] how registered entities submit self-certifications, and requests for approval, of their rules, rule amendments, and new products for trading and clearing, as well as the CFTC’s review and processing of such submissions.”[8]
    As I have noted before, the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA or Act) mandates that the Commission serve the public interest through our oversight of “a system of effective self-regulation of trading facilities, clearing systems, market participants and market professionals.” Part 40 is the cornerstone of effective self-regulation in our derivatives markets because it sets forth the standards for listing new contracts and issuing or amending rules for registered entities, including those that are SROs and have rulebooks that are enforceable against SRO members.  The penalties for violating SRO rules can be severe, including fines, suspension, or revocation of membership.[9]
    Stay of self-certification or extension of review period
    For example, regarding new products, under Regulation 40.2 the Commission can stay the self-certification of a new product only in circumstances involving a false certification, or a petition to alter or amend the contract terms and conditions pursuant to Section 8a(7) of the CEA.  The self-certification process does not involve Commission approval.  However, under Regulation 40.3, new products can be submitted to the Commission for review and approval, and the review period can be extended if the product raises novel or complex issues.[10]
    Similarly, regarding new rules or rule amendments submitted under Regulation 40.5 for Commission review and approval, the Commission can extend the review period for (1) novel or complex issues, (2) major economic significance, (3) incomplete submissions, and (4) not responding completely to CFTC questions in a timely manner.  And under Regulation 40.6, the Commission can stay the self-certification of new rule or rule amendment filings involving (1) novel or complex issues, (2) inadequate explanation, or (3) potential inconsistency with the CEA or CFTC regulations.[11]
    These checks and balances are integral to the CFTC’s oversight of registered entities, and I support DMO and DCR staff’s use of all these provisions to extend or stay the review period if any of these criteria have been met—especially if there are, as applicable, incomplete submissions, inadequate explanation, or for not responding completely to CFTC questions in a timely manner.  As I said two years ago, registered entities must ensure that they dot their i’s and cross their t’s, and show their work, when submitting product or rule filings.[12]
    Non-approval of new products or new rule or rule amendments
    I want to emphasize that the existing Part 40 regulations provide for Commission non-approval of new products, or new rule or rule amendments, only if submitted for review under Regulation 40.3 or 40.5, respectively.  Obviously, a product or rule will not be approved if it violates or is inconsistent, respectively, with the CEA or CFTC regulations.  The Commission can determine that “it will not, or is unable to approve” the product or rule, including for form and content requirements for submission, because the product “violates, appears to violate or potentially violates but which cannot be ascertained from the submission,” or the rule or rule amendment “is inconsistent or appears to be inconsistent” with the CEA and CFTC regulations.[13]
    These standards and criteria under Regulations 40.3 or 40.5 grant the Commission and CFTC staff considerable discretion in conducting reviews of product and rule filings for approval or non-approval. Again, I support the Commission issuing a notice of non-approval if any of these criteria have been met. 
    However, the Commission’s approval process does not apply to self-certified product or rule filings.  If an exchange or clearinghouse ignores a Commission order or notice of non-approval, the Commission cannot enforce compliance without either conducting an in-house trial or going to federal court to obtain a court order.[14]
    Requests for Public Comment on Innovation and Market Structure
    There is a line, often not very bright, between what is “business as usual” done in a new way and a truly different and innovative market practice.  The CFTC’s current regulations for DCMs and DCOs are very flexible—they allow for expansion into new ways of trading and clearing without major regulatory changes, but this is coupled with the need to use that flexibility responsibly.  Because our regulations are flexible, the CFTC is typically not focused on writing new regulations.  Instead, the CFTC is focused on how current regulations should best apply to actual proposals that have been submitted to us in a few innovative, but complex, areas.  To inform and assist the CFTC with its regulatory approach to innovation and market structure, we want to make sure to gather, and consider, the expertise and wisdom of the marketplace through requests for public comment. 
    24/7 Trading
    Many of the main issues raised by 24/7 trading and clearing that will need to be addressed are already clear.  No changes to CFTC regulations are necessary to enable 24/7 trading, which recently went live on Coinbase Derivatives (a DCM) and Nodal Clear (a DCO) in May 2025.  CFTC staff appreciate the firms that engaged with us for over a year to work through these issues, in a great example of the partnership in our markets.
    Nonetheless, because of the broader implications for market structure, the CFTC issued a request for comment in April 2025 on the uses, benefits, and risks of derivatives trading and clearing on a 24/7 (or almost 24/7) basis.[15]  That comment period recently closed and CFTC staff are currently evaluating the many helpful responses. 
    Collateral exchange
    To an extent, derivatives are already trading during low activity time periods and positions are already being held over weekends absent collateral exchange, so a more comprehensive move to 24/7 trading and clearing would bring with it both known and novel characteristics.  The novelties are, in part, related to the different schedules of specific market operations.  For example, trading may be continuous, but parts of the clearing process, such as exchange of collateral, require point-in-time calculations and periodic finality while risk continues to accrue.  This risk may be mitigated where client clearing takes place through FCMs that are highly capitalized and thus central counterparties (CCPs) can accept short-term credit exposure.
    Practices must be adapted for trading over weekends where (at least for the moment) collateral exchange is not possible.  Without on-call collateral, CCPs need pre-funded collateral to address credit and related liquidity risks that arise over a weekend. This raises questions about calibrating the possible exposures, such as the appropriate “margin period of risk” (MPOR) where collateral access is lost for more than one trading day.  Related, other risks like those associated with market liquidity may be mitigated if other similar markets are also open during the weekend, emphasizing the value and need for 24/7 spot market access for a broader liquidity pool.
    Operational challenges
    Many commenters to the CFTC’s request for information make a related but much broader point—24/7 trading must be evaluated holistically due to the effects not only on trading platforms and clearing houses but also the changes that would be required of FCMs, market participants, asset managers, third-party service providers, and others to account for changes in liquidity, price transparency, collateral access, and default management during non-traditional business hours.  These commenters stress that significantly increased costs would likely be borne by all market participants, not just those that choose to trade (or intermediate) 24/7.  For example, they note that these changes in market structure may also require renegotiation and redocumentation of relationships between market participants, such as between asset managers and FCMs.
    Many commenters point out that trading on a 24/7 basis may require CCPs, exchanges, intermediaries, their third-party service providers, asset managers, and others to have staffing virtually 24/7.  It will be important to maintain focus and resources on platform maintenance while markets are open, including dealing with unplanned outages, patch management, live change deployments, and rollback mechanisms, though some commenters suggested that some of these difficulties could be mitigated by having a maintenance window each day (such as 24/6 or 24/5 trading instead of true 24/7 trading).
    Market conditions, liquidity risk, and credit risk
    Concerns have been raised that low volume periods during weekends will cause diminished liquidity, wider spreads, increased volatility, and reduced price transparency, raising risk coverage questions similar to those noted above.  CFTC staff will need to address whether, on a product-by-product basis, other markets (cash markets, repo markets) will be available to make derivative pricing practicable.  In sum, there are concerns that risk management will be significantly challenged when high volatility and low liquidity paired with limited collateral asset mobility leads to increased defaults during a period when there may be limited ability of FCMs and CCPs to close-out positions or hedge associated risks.
    Solutions to these issues are always informed by anticipated benefits and costs of paths ahead.  The liquidity and credit risk concerns noted above drive the need for additional collateral or other measures to protect against weekend market moves, and a need to reduce or mitigate the effects of auto or manual liquidations.  This, of course, comes at a cost; posting excess margin, potentially at multiple exchanges, may have a negative impact on the efficient use of capital by market participants.  Moreover, some commenters expressed fears that, in times of high volatility, additional costs could rise to the fore.  For instance, elevated volatility could erode posted collateral to such an extent that positions may be unexpectedly auto-liquidated, leaving end-users without critical hedges.
    One view to consider, if sufficient data allows, would be to limit trading to only specified contracts that have sufficient customer demand for weekend trading to help ensure liquidity and appropriate pricing.  A number of commenters suggested that some products would be more appropriate for weekend trading than others.  I have previously noted the value of having already existing spot markets that trade 24/7, broadening the liquidity pool over the weekend period.  Consistent with this view, the proposals that the CFTC staff have seen so far have only focused on crypto asset products, where spot markets exist with continuous trading and sufficient depth of liquidity.  The CFTC is not aware of any plans to offer 24/7 trading beyond the crypto asset class at this time.
    For more traditional commodities, like agricultural commodities, liquidity and pricing concerns would likely need much deeper review, since the listing of contracts with limited open interest or trading volume for weekend trading may distort pricing and increase the risk of liquidations over the weekend—a fear expressed by many commentors who rely on the ability to maintain carefully constructed portfolios to achieve success in their trading strategies.
    CFTC staff are starting to get some informative data on market innovation towards more continuous trading hours.  Last month, 24/7 trading started on Coinbase Derivatives for a few crypto asset derivatives contracts, where the spot market is already open 24/7.  These first few weeks of trading have provided a useful window into the level of interest and viability.  In the last few weeks, weekend trading has been averaging over a thousand individual traders, across volumes that fall in the hundreds of thousands of lots, similar to an average (or even somewhat active weekday).  So, it may be the case that for markets already used to 24/7 trading, the extension to futures is less unbridgeable than it may be for other contracts.
    While there is a natural tendency to focus on the risks created by 24/7 trading, CFTC staff is also aware that weekend trading may allow for more real-time risk-reducing trades in response to unexpected events. These events—whether geopolitical, weather-related, or otherwise—can happen over the weekend, and forcing market participants to wait until Sunday afternoon in the U.S. to deal with them creates risks of its own.  That is why it is imperative to consider the benefits of market innovation, and not to only focus on the downsides.
    Other regulatory changes that CFTC staff may consider to address clearing member credit risk might allow for the use of tokenized assets such as non-cash collateral[16] or stablecoins, or other forms of margin that are not dependent on banks being open.
    Other considerations
    On the regulatory side, CFTC staff is also aware of other open questions such as existing definitions, like CFTC regulations that reference a “business day” that does not include weekends and holidays.  In addressing these cases, we would need to identify ways to both maintain the regulatory status quo for non-continuous markets and find flexible but effective procedures for 24/7 markets.
    Perpetual Derivatives
    A key trend in derivatives markets is an increase in retail trading.  In addition to the exponential growth in non-intermediated direct access retail trading and clearing, markets are keen to launch new retail-focused products.
    There has been much confusion about perpetual derivatives in CFTC-regulated markets.  Contrary to public reports, perpetual derivatives have already been trading in our markets for several months.  In April 2025, Bitnomial Perpetual Bitcoin USD Centi Futures went live and started trading. 
    Since the beginning of this year, a number of DCMs have self-certified the listing of perpetual derivatives.  (Again, under the CFTC’s self-certification process, no Commission approval is needed.)  CFTC staff appreciates the ongoing and active engagement with exchanges seeking to self-certify perpetual derivatives and their assistance in responding to questions and providing information.  To benefit from public input, CFTC staff also issued a request for comment on the potential uses, benefits, and risks of trading and clearing of perpetual derivatives contracts in CFTC-regulated markets (Perpetuals RFC).[17]  That comment period recently closed and CFTC staff are currently evaluating the many helpful responses.
    Comments in response to the Perpetuals RFC included a variety of viewpoints, reflecting the complexity of introducing a very different product type into markets that remain conceptually organized around intermediated, margined trading in physical delivery commodities. Nonetheless, the comments received reflect several themes that may be helpful in organizing market and regulatory perspectives going forward.
    A number of commenters were supportive of perpetual derivatives in the context of crypto asset markets.  They noted that perpetuals provide a continuous, lower cost spot-like exposure that does not need to roll out of an expiring futures contract to retain a position.  Commenters also noted potential advantages to bringing crypto asset perpetual derivatives to the U.S. market and under the U.S. regulatory umbrella.
    At the same time, several commenters raised concerns around the suitability of perpetual derivatives involving traditional physical commodities.  They expressed concern about a potential lack of convergence with the physical market given the absence of expiration, potentially making perpetuals ineffective for hedging longer term price risk.  Some thus see perpetuals as inconsistent with the risk management and price discovery function of futures markets.  Some commenters also argue that perpetual derivatives may present increased risk relative to traditional futures, including increased volatility, funding rates, leverage risk, and heightened potential for manipulation.
    Basis risk
    As a spot-market substitute, there is the usual risk management question around basis risk:  perpetual prices vs. spot prices, perpetual prices vs. futures prices. Many major market events in the last few decades involved mismanagement of basis risk, often due to liquidity differences leading to divergence.  Basis risk can rapidly increase when liquidity providers are different across two similar products or when the balance of buyers and sellers are significantly different across two similar products.  Accordingly, CFTC staff are interested in how the participant mix for perpetuals will be similar or different from that for related spot or traditional futures, especially if one market is dominated by institutional investors and the other dominated by retail.  Will we see a “tail wagging the dog” phenomenon, with retail investors driving the price movements of institutional positions?
    What the CFTC usually sees in traditional futures markets is that there is balance between institutional hedgers and institutional speculators in a primary market, with related retail markets (i.e., mini and micro futures) much smaller than the institutional market.  What happens in a case where the retail contract (perpetuals) becomes much larger than the related institutional product (traditional futures)?  Should there be concern that this may harm traditional roles of risk transfer and price discovery?
    Direct Access and Non-Intermediated Clearing
    Many of these same issues may also apply to non-intermediation in derivatives markets—providing direct access to market participants (particularly to retail traders) and clearing by CCPs of such direct access customers’ positions in individual accounts.
    In intermediated markets, FCMs clear customer positions as DCO clearing members and guarantee their customers’ positions to the DCO.  Those DCOs build trust in their clearing members by setting and monitoring membership requirements, including capital requirements that match capital to risk, and requiring the review of their members’ risk management procedures.  This trust is enhanced because clearing members protect not only their own and their customers’ positions but also, through mutualization, provide a backstop for the positions of all other clearing members—a defense-in-depth approach that has served the U.S. derivatives markets almost flawlessly for decades.
    FCMs clearing for their customers provide a check on the appropriate setting of margin by CCPs through their own risk management processes.  FCMs know their customers, their businesses, and their resources, and will often call for additional margin from specific customers based on their independent credit risk assessments.
    In a case where a CCP has thousands of direct participants, many of them retail, this detailed knowledge and associated trust is much more challenging.  As a result, all presently operating direct clearing retail DCOs are clearing only fully collateralized contracts where there is no need to accept credit exposure (or to call for additional collateral).
    Auto-liquidation and tear-ups
    CFTC staff are now being asked to consider whether this low trust/no trust model can be extended to a leveraged world where risk management will need to look very different.  In a world like this, the “heartbeat” of CCP risk management will likely need to match that same cadence in trading, at least implying the need for real-time posting of collateral—a “pay in cash, not in credit” model.  When the cash is insufficient—for example, when a customer’s margin has eroded below maintenance margin level as the market moves against them—the account will need to be closed, leading at first to a rules-based liquidation process.
    Unfortunately, this process to protect the CCP from individual participants may, in certain severe circumstances, harm the system as a whole.  Some commenters pointed out the possibility that auto-liquidations in volatile or illiquid weekend markets could be procyclical, leading to additional liquidations, and broader market instability.  These feedback effects may be especially pronounced during times of extraordinary stress, when liquidation is paired with unusually low available liquidity.
    A number of questions are yet to be answered for risk management in a leveraged, direct model:  What should the default waterfall look like in a direct access world? Should the risk of one retail trader be mutualized by other retail traders?  If not, are there other resources that can play the role of the traditional mutualized resource tranche?  What is the equivalent of the key “Cover 2” requirement in a world of direct access retail trading, where a CCP’s clearing members number in the thousands rather than the dozens?  How does one define “extreme but plausible” in such a world?  Many fundamental principles need to be re-analyzed where the credit risk and capital structure of clearing members is much different than today’s intermediated model.
    If traditional protections like prefunded mutualization are not feasible, or feasible only to a reduced extent, then it appears CCPs may need to shift more quickly to other default solutions like “variation margin gains haircutting” (VMGH) and tear-ups.  This might leave markets to grapple with a situation where solvent market participants may not get money they are expecting or find that they don’t hold the positions that are expecting.
    While these tools are already baked into the rules of most existing CCPs, they’ve not been used during this century.  If they are invoked at one direct-access CCP, what would that do to market confidence at other CCPs?  All of which leads to the most important question—can these markets still reliably play a role for hedgers who need position continuity? Will the value of futures markets be fundamentally changed, and not for the better?
    Technology innovation
    Given the pace of innovation, it’s clear that direct clearing models will also be impacted by impending changes, like 24/7 trading and clearing.  CFTC staff are now contemplating whether 24/7 trading and a direct clearing model where collateral needs to be exchanged in real time is even possible without the creation and adoption of new forms of collateral, like tokenization, which are not limited by banking hours.
    Here, CFTC staff think operational resiliency will be essential because market downtime will result in the loss of the needed real-time exchange of collateral.  There will also need to be an extensive customer engagement and education process to deal with large numbers of relatively small traders, paired with robust surveillance and operational and volatility controls to handle potentially highly disruptive activities like gamification, meme-ification, and other digital engagement practices likely to follow on to thousands of retail participants in these markets.
    Customer protection
    On the regulatory side, CFTC staff are tasked with determining where, in non-intermediated markets, the crucial obligations traditionally handled by intermediaries will be fulfilled.  I proposed last year that a captive FCM model would achieve the direct clearing market structure for DCMs/DCOs while preserving the important regulatory obligations that intermediaries perform, such as the laborious task of creating and disseminating risk disclosures, trade confirmations, and monthly account statements, complying with AML/KYC obligations, and of course, the bedrock of customer protections: segregation of customer funds, limited investments, acknowledgements from depositories, and daily seg reporting.[18]  Because a CCP is already an SRO, it does not make sense for it to be a member of an SRO such as NFA, FINRA, or similar organization, which are designed to be member organizations for intermediaries such as FCMs or broker-dealers and their personnel.
    Partnership and Trust
    I would like to share a message from CFTC staff to those seeking to innovate or significantly improve the traditional way of operating a market or CCP: 
    We are open to ideas, open to changes that will help the processes of price discovery and risk management.  But, please, engage the CFTC early in the development of novel and innovative products and market operations.  Too often, the CFTC is brought into the conversation long after crucial decisions have been made and resources expended, only to face regulatory obstacles that could have been avoided.  Self-certification should be the end of a dialogue with the CFTC, not the beginning.  Come talk to us.  Get a preliminary view before you commit to a particular course of action.  We are here not as an opponent or enemy, but as a sounding-board, someone who can help identify how innovations can be made consistent with our regulations or point to open questions that need to be answered.
    The CFTC staff have the expertise and knowledge to assist in identifying the challenges of innovations like the ones I have discussed. CFTC staff can help, often even at early stages, noting requirements that need to be accounted for in product and operational designs.
    Most importantly: Help us, help you.  CFTC staff are happy to discuss and provide preliminary views.  But this is often most helpful when innovators come to these discussions prepared, having reviewed CFTC regulatory requirements with knowledgeable professionals and thus ready to offer helpful solutions or alternatives.  Have answers to the questions you know we’ll ask. Consider and develop your trading, clearing, product, staffing, system, and operational plans early in the process. Engage with all relevant CFTC offices and divisions.  Don’t surprise us—don’t wait until the last minute to approach us before submitting an application, product, or rule filing.
    Conclusion
    Let me conclude by saying that the innovation and market structure that I have discussed appears to be just the beginning.  The pace is likely to increase in the coming years. We can only imagine the future of the derivatives markets and the business processes used in today’s trading and clearing systems.  That’s why it is critical that the CFTC must engage in smart regulation that is balanced with input from all stakeholders.  I believe that we can work cooperatively with both new entrants and traditional markets to incorporate innovation while maintaining market integrity.
    Markets operated smoothly throughout the recent volatility and all-time high volumes, and that’s a testament to the strength of U.S. capital markets and our regulatory framework that has been in place for almost a hundred years.  Since the 1930s, both derivatives and securities markets have gone through many transformative changes, from open outcry trading in the pits, to all-electronic trading on screens in fractions of a second.  Each transformation has resulted in the continuing dominance of U.S. capital markets and American innovation.  I look forward to seeing what’s next as we transform our markets again to create greater efficiencies and drive prosperity for American businesses and the American people.

    [1] I would like to thank Frank Fisanich, Richard Haynes, Sebastian Pujol Scott, Tom Smith, Rahul Varna, and Bob Wasserman for their contributions and assistance.

    [3] Section 3(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), 7 U.S.C. § 5(a).

    [5] 17 C.F.R. § 40.2.

    [6] CEA section 5e, 7 U.S.C. § 7b.

    [7] This does not refer to situations involving litigation where Commission actions have been contested.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Kansas Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Adverse Weather

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Kansas of the July 7, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring May 19, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Kansas county of Harvey.

    Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs impacted by financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than July 7.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to California Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the Boyles Fire

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses  and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in California of the July 7, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the Boyles Fire occurring Sept. 8-11, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the California counties of Colusa, Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Sonoma and Yolo.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs impacted by financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than July 7.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to San Carlos Apache Tribe Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by the Watch Fire

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in the San Carlos Apache Tribe of the July 7, 2025 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the Watch Fire occurring July 10–17, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Arizona counties of Gila, Graham and Pinal as well as the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than July 7.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Labrador Announces Arrest of Custer County Man for Alleged Sexual Exploitation of a Child

    Source: US State of Idaho

    Home Newsroom AG Labrador Announces Arrest of Custer County Man for Alleged Sexual Exploitation of a Child

    BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced investigators within his Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force assisted the Idaho State Police in arresting seventy-four-year-old William Lindburg on Thursday, May 29, 2025 , for 10 counts of possession of child exploitation material.
    “The arrest in this case underscores the critical role our Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force plays in investigating serious allegations of child exploitation,” said Attorney General Labrador. “Our team will continue working with our law enforcement partners to protect children and pursue justice wherever the evidence leads.”
    The Idaho ICAC Task Force, Idaho Falls Police Department, Pocatello Police Department, and Custer County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Idaho State Police with the arrest.
    Anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children is encouraged to contact local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
    The Attorney General’s ICAC Unit works with the Idaho ICAC Task Force, a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, to investigate and prosecute individuals who use the internet to criminally exploit children.
    Parents, educators, and law enforcement officials can find more information and helpful resources at the ICAC website, ICACIdaho.org.
    The charges listed above are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Career Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Federal Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOISE – Nicole Ann Kettler, 41, of Grayling, Michigan was sentenced to 139 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced.

    According to court records, Kettler was travelling to Portland, Oregon on a regular basis to purchase large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl for distribution in Idaho.  On May 2, 2024, Kettler was pulled over for a traffic violation in Nampa, Idaho.  During the traffic stop, officers observed drug paraphernalia in the vehicle.  A canine trained in the detection of the odor of controlled substances positively alerted on the vehicle.  A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered approximately 4,300 fentanyl pills, more than a half-pound of fentanyl powder, more than a quarter-pound of methamphetamine, and a variety of other controlled substances. After Kettler was arrested, she admitted to investigators that she frequently travelled to Portland to purchase significant quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl for distribution in Idaho.  Kettler has two prior convictions for possession with intent to deliver controlled substances.

    U.S. District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford also ordered Kettler to serve five years of supervised release following her prison sentence.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott commended the work of the Idaho State Police Department, the Oregon State Police Department, and the High Desert Drug Task Force, which led to Kettler’s arrest and subsequent charges.  Assistant U.S. Attorney David Morse prosecuted this case.

    The High Desert Drug Task Force is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach.  They are supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA).

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada introduces legislation to build One Canadian Economy

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Ottawa, Ontario, (June 6, 2025) – Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy, introduced new legislation to build a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient Canadian economy.

    One Canadian Economy: An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act, will remove federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility, and advance nation-building projects crucial for driving Canadian productivity growth, energy security, and economic competitiveness.

    Advancing Major Projects

    The proposed legislation will accelerate the realization of major, nation-building projects that will help Canada become the strongest economy in the G7, deepen our trade relationships with reliable partners, and create good Canadian jobs. The federal government will determine whether a major project is in the national interest based on consultations with provinces, territories and Indigenous Peoples.

    Projects will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria:

    • Strengthen Canada’s autonomy, resilience and security;
    • Provide economic or other benefits to Canada;
    • Have a high likelihood of successful execution;
    • Advance the interests of Indigenous Peoples; and
    • Contribute to clean growth and to Canada’s objectives with respect to climate change.

    Projects will only be designated following full consultation with affected Indigenous Peoples.

    When a project is designated, it is conditionally approved upfront. The project will go through existing review processes, with a focus on “how” the project will be built as opposed to “whether” it can be. The federal major projects office will coordinate and expedite these reviews.

    The results, along with consultation with Indigenous Peoples, will inform a single set of binding federal conditions for the project. These conditions would include mitigation and accommodation measures to protect the environment and to respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. The federal major projects office will include an Indigenous Advisory Council with First Nation, Inuit, and Métis representatives. The federal government will also allocate capacity funding to strengthen Indigenous Peoples’ participation in this process.

    This legislation aligns with the Government of Canada’s commitment to a ‘one project, one review’ approach, which means realizing a single assessment for projects and better coordination of permitting processes with the provinces and territories. The ultimate objective is to reduce decision timelines on major projects from five years down to two years.

    Canada will uphold its constitutional obligations to consult Indigenous groups to ensure projects proceed in ways that respect and protect Indigenous rights. We are committed to working in a way that respects our commitments to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and the principles of reconciliation, including economic reconciliation.

    Removing Internal Trade and Labour Mobility Barriers

    This new legislation builds one economy out of thirteen. It removes federal barriers to free trade within our borders while protecting workers, the environment and the health and safety of all Canadians.

    In cases where there is a federal barrier, the legislation will allow a good or service that meets comparable provincial or territorial rules to be considered to have met federal requirements for internal trade. For Canadian businesses, this will make it easier to buy, sell and transport goods and services across the country.

    On labour mobility, the new legislation will provide a framework to recognize provincial and territorial licenses and certifications for workers. This means that a worker authorized in provincial or territorial jurisdiction can more quickly and easily work in the same occupation in federal jurisdiction.

    This new legislation will make it easier to do business across Canada by removing regulatory duplication and cutting federal red tape. It will also reduce costs or delays for Canadian businesses who follow comparable provincial and territorial rules.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jayapal Demands Information on the Status of Unlawfully Disappeared Immigrants

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, is leading dozens of  Members of Congress in demanding information from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem regarding the kidnapping and disappearances of immigrants with no due process who have been removed to third countries including Panama, Costa Rica, South Sudan, and Libya.

    “While we can all agree that the immigration system is badly outdated and in need of comprehensive reforms from Congress, it is not an appropriate solution to simply ignore the Constitutionally-protected right to due process, the laws that currently exist, and judges’ orders,” wrote the Members. “We have laws and procedures in place to remove people from this country. The administration cannot willfully ignore those laws and send people to third countries, in some cases, countries suffering from humanitarian disasters and armed conflict.”

    In its efforts to quickly deport immigrants, regardless of legal status, criminal record, or any national security threat, the administration has been removing individuals with protection claims to countries they did not come from. The administration sent hundreds of non-Panamanian migrants and asylum seekers to Panama, including Artemis Ghasemzadeh, an Iranian national who secretly converted to Christianity, a crime punishable by death in Iran.

    All persons in the United States are entitled to due process under the law, regardless of immigration status. These deportations have subverted that process and put people in potentially life-threatening situations.

    You can read the full letter here. 

    The letter was signed by Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Dwight Evans (PA-03), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Adam Smith (WA-09), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), and Nikema Williams (GA-05). 

    Issues: Civil Rights, Immigration

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Lois Frankel Warns Trump’s Foreign Aid Cuts Are Dangerous and Self-Defeating

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Lois Frankel (FL-22) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s proposal to drastically slash international affairs funding—endangering Americans’ safety, economic security, and global standing:

    “President Trump’s extreme plan to gut diplomacy and foreign assistance isn’t fiscal responsibility—it’s reckless and short-sighted. It will raise costs for American families, fuel global instability, and weaken our leadership in the world. Foreign assistance—less than one percent of our federal budget—prevents deadly diseases from reaching our shores, creates markets for American businesses, and helps keep our troops out of costly conflicts by addressing the root causes of violence and extremism. Meanwhile, China and other adversaries are ready to step in and fill the void we would leave behind.

    Instead of rubber-stamping these dangerous cuts, Congress must work in a bipartisan, responsible way to pass a budget that reflects our values, protects our national interests, and strengthens our global leadership,”  said Rep. Frankel.

    Rep. Frankel is a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee and serves as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, which oversees funding for the State Department and foreign assistance.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Slams Trump for Corruption, Bribery in Crypto Schemes

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

    “Under Trump, the SEC isn’t protecting anyone. It’s not regulating. Its cases are being dictated by whoever is paying the president tens of millions of dollars’ worth of crypto bribes.”

    “If this isn’t the definition of corruption, then what is?”

    Video (YouTube)

    WASHINGTON – In a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) slammed Donald Trump over his corrupt crypto venture for personal financial gain and his indirect and improper acceptance of bribes from companies being sued by the SEC who have later had their charges dropped.

    The Congresswoman laid out how Trump’s moves are a clear abuse of power over the SEC and blatantly enrich himself and his allies at the expense of everyday American investors.

    A transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks, as delivered, is available below, and the full video is available here.

    Transcript: Pressley Slams Trump for Corruption, Bribery in Crypto Schemes

    House Financial Services Committee

    June 4, 2025

    REP. PRESSLEY: Now in normal times, a U.S. president trafficking in corruption would be condemned by both Republicans and Democrats. In normal times, the appearance of bribery – even the hint of it – would be universally denounced. 

    But these are not normal times. 

    In fact, in this season of reverse Robin Hood culture, these are the worst of times.

    The Trump family is engaging in mind-boggling levels of corruption – so blatant, so numerous, that we’re overwhelmed and can’t keep up, which is, in fact, the strategy.

    Today I want to shed light on, specifically, the crypto bribery scheme happening in plain sight. 

    Now, Trump launched World Liberty Financial, a crypto platform where 75% of revenues go straight to the Trump family’s pockets. This has become a pay-to-play corruption game. 

    Trump has – Occupant Trump has – zero interest in lowering costs for working families but remains vigilant in his efforts to enrich himself. 

    Now, further evidence of this pay-to-play corruption game.

    Player one is Justin Sun. In 2023, the SEC sued him and his companies for defrauding investors, manipulating token prices, and secretly paying celebrities to promote tokens without disclosing payments. All of that is illegal.

    But after Sun purchased $75 million worth of Trump’s tokens, he was appointed as an advisor to World Liberty Financial and, magically, Trump’s SEC dropped their case against him. 

    Maybe that’s just a coincidence. But it sure does look like crypto-bribery. 

    Then there’s Binance. The company’s founder, Changpeng Zhao, or CZ, was convicted for failing to prevent terrorists, child abusers, and cybercriminals from using his crypto-exchange. Binance paid a $4 billion fine and the SEC also sued Binance for running an unlicensed exchange. 

    Now that would have been a slam dunk case. 

    One Binance executive literally messaged another: quote, ‘We are operating as a f—ing unlicensed securities exchange in the USA, bro’ end quote.

    I must say, the constituency of ‘bros’ are certainly living their best life in Donald Trump’s America. But I digress. 

    But yet again, that case magically disappeared after a $2 billion investment in Binance using Trump’s stable coin. And we’re supposed to think that this is just a coincidence. 

    So let me ask a very simple question. I promise you, this is not a ‘gotcha’ question. This is straightforward. So, I’m looking for a straightforward answer. 

    Should companies be able to bribe the President of the United States to make SEC lawsuits go away? Yes or no?

    And we’ll begin with Mr. Massad and work back. 

    MR. TIMOTHY MASSAD: Absolutely not. 

    MS. KATHERINE MINARIK: No. Bribery is a crime. 

    MR. ROSTIN BEHNAM: No.

    MR. VIVEK RAMAN: No.

    MR. ELAD ROISMAN: I’m not here to talk about –

    REP. PRESSLEY: Let me just – let me say the question again, sir. Again, there’s no gotcha here. This is very straightforward. 

    MR. ELAD ROISMAN: Okay.

    REP. PRESSLEY: Should companies be able to bribe the President of the United States to make SEC lawsuits go away? Yes or no? 

    MR. ELAD ROISMAN: I don’t think anyone should bribe anyone to make lawsuits go away. 

    REP. PRESSLEY: Yes or no? 

    MR. ELAD ROISMAN: That’s my answer, ma’am.

    REP. PRESSLEY: Yes or no? 

    MR. ELAD ROISMAN: I think I just answered it.

    REP. PRESSLEY: Under Trump, the SEC isn’t protecting anyone. It’s not regulating. Its cases are being dictated by whoever is paying the president tens of millions of dollars’ worth of crypto bribes.

    And who pays the price? It’s not the billionaires or the foreign actors cutting deals behind closed doors. It’s the average Americans who use crypto for legitimate reasons, like remittances, who are left unprotected in a rigged system. 

    And to be clear, these crypto scams are not simply about Trump and his billionaire friends making money. 

    It’s even worse than that. 

    It’s about them stealing money from everyone else. 

    If this isn’t the definition of corruption, then what is?

    I yield back.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Visualizing the Collections: United States Treaties and Other International Agreements

    Source: US Global Legal Monitor

    If you are interested in international law and have browsed our foreign legal collections, you may have encountered our United States Treaties and Other International Agreements collection. These digitized documents, encompassing American history from 1776 to 1984, are split into two multi-volume categories.

    The first and earliest documents in the collection were compiled by Charles I. Bevans, and span the years 1776 through 1949. The bilateral treaties (volumes 5-12) comprise 2,312 individual agreements over 125 individual jurisdictions. While those numbers sound overwhelming, I wanted a visual understanding of the scope of the collection. Each graphic will have a caption explaining the sizing and color choices, as well as what they represent.

    The first model:

    One example of a network graph depicting the Bevans treaty collection; dark blue, thick edges and larger nodes indicate a higher amount of treaties with the United States, and lighter colored, thinner edges with smaller nodes indicate fewer treaties.

    And the second:

    An alternative depiction of the network graph, where all the labels are the same size. This graph uses three colors – thin blue edges representing few treaties, medium purple edges representing a fair number of treaties, and thick red lines representing the largest amount of treaties.

    Though these two graphics are quite different in nature, they help us draw a few important conclusions: the United States and the United Kingdom share the largest number of treaties, with Canada, France, and Mexico following behind. The first graphic helps us to focus on the jurisdictions with the most treaties, while the second draws our attention to the instances of fewer treaties.

    Looking closely, we can see how the different nodes (the jurisdictions) reflect changes to political entities over time. For example, there are multiple, older treaties with present-day cities and provinces of Germany (ex. “Germany (Hanover)”), each represented as an individual jurisdiction. While we may associate these names with modern political boundaries, they represent former states with which the United States signed treaties. Others show supranational entities (“Central America Federation”; Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union) while the individual jurisdictions might have their own node.

    These models would certainly look different had Bevans compiled these treaties differently. In any case, we see an incredible variety in the United States’ international agreements over nearly 200 years from these graphics. This also gives us a helpful place to start – should you be interested in what the United States and the Two Sicilies agreed upon in the past, you can browse the volumes of Bevans’s treaties, arranged in alphabetical order by jurisdiction, and follow your curiosity.

    Which graphic do you find more engaging? What visual elements inspire you the most?

    Subscribe to In Custodia Legis – it’s free! – to receive interesting posts drawn from the Law Library of Congress’s vast collections and our staff’s expertise in U.S., foreign, and international law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Killer Sentenced for Possession of Loaded Gun and Cocaine While Still on Probation

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

               WASHINGTON – Jayvon Gattison, 24, a previously convicted killer and resident of the District of Columbia, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 40 months in prison for being in possession of a loaded gun and a bag full of marijuana and cocaine when he was arrested by police for smoking a joint while still on probation. 

               The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department. 

               Gattison pleaded guilty Jan. 15, 2025, to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Jia M. Cobb ordered Gattison to serve three years of supervised release.

               According to court documents, in October 2018, Gattison shot and killed man who tried to rob him during a drug transaction. On October 9, 2024, just three months after he was released from prison in that case and while he was still on probation, Gattison was arrested with the loaded firearm and bag full of drugs.

               About 7 p.m on Oct. 9, members of the MPD Robbery Suppression Unit were patrolling on the 3000 block of Channing Street NE, when they observed a group of five individuals smoking next to a silver Lexus. As the investigators approached the group, which included Gattison, the officers recognized the smell of burning marijuana. All the individuals were detained.

               An officer took the marijuana cigarette from Gattison’s hand, removed a bag from Gattison’s shoulder, and arrested Gattison for public consumption of marijuana. The joint field-tested positive for THC. Another officer looked into the open top of Gattison’s bag with a flashlight and saw a large bag of suspected marijuana and a loaded black Glock 17 9mm pistol. 

               Also in the bag was a clear plastic bag containing 12 grams of a white rock substance which field tested positive for cocaine base, a black digital scale, and $320.80 in cash.

               Gattison has a prior criminal felony conviction. On December 5, 2019, he was sentenced to a 10-year term, four years suspended, followed by three years of probation for voluntary manslaughter in Prince Georges County, Maryland.

               This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan McFadden and was previously prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Mirabelli.

    24cr476

    An an image captured on a body-worn camera, an MPD officer reaches to take a marijuana cigarette from the hand of Jayvon Gattison on Oct. 9, 2024. Gattison subsequently was found to be in possession of a loaded Glock 17 9mm pistol, additional cannabis, and crack cocaine. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley holds change of command ceremony

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 06/06/2025 01:00 PM EDT

    News Release

    		  

    U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska
    Contact: 17th District Public Affairs
    Office: (907) 463-2065
    After Hours: (907) 463-2065
    17th District online newsroom

     

    06/06/2025 12:32 PM EDT

    Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley (WMEC-39) and crew held a change of command ceremony, Thursday, in Kodiak.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: New features in Microsoft Store on Windows focus on personalization, faster search

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: New features in Microsoft Store on Windows focus on personalization, faster search

    The Microsoft Store on Windows is used by over 250 million users each month – and we take the responsibility we have to you, our customers, seriously. We use the feedback you send to ensure we’re focusing on the most important things our customers care about. Last December, we announced a variety of product quality improvements, and in February, we shared how we’re evolving our Store into an AI marketplace. And we’re excited to keep the momentum going, with many more updates planned for this year.

    Today, we’re excited to announce a variety of newly available features that we believe will level up your Store experience.

    Let’s jump in!

    Home page, curated for you

    The Microsoft Store homepage will now be personalized for you. Whether you’re a gamer chasing the next big hit, a productivity enthusiast looking for time-hacks or a developer in search of tools, the newly redesigned homepage will elevate the content most meaningful to you. In the coming weeks, you’ll see fresh recommendations based on recent activities, what’s trending in your region and the most recent deals. Personalized recommendations are controlled by your Store settings.

    Find what you’re looking for, faster

    We are making four big improvements to help you to search for and discover new content faster. First, search in Store just got a whole lot smarter. We have rearchitected how search works – it is now more intent-aware, leverages signals like app updates and ratings more diligently for ranking and addresses language-specific nuances. This translates to results that are more relevant to what you are looking for – try it out today!

    Second, for users in the United States, Copilot is now available in the bottom right corner to answer questions while you’re browsing product pages. You can open it up to ask questions about the page you’re viewing or select two products for comparisons.

    Third, when you’re browsing product pages, you’ll now see a new “Discover More” section that includes related content that you may be interested in. And fourth, we have added product page badges to help you easily tell which apps have AI features, and which apps are great for Copilot+ PCs.

    Deeper Windows integration

    One of the superpowers of Store apps is their ability to integrate into the rest of Windows – so here are two new ways we’re trying to meet you where you are. First, if you’re like us and use Windows search to look for most things on your PC, we have exciting news! You’ll now be able to launch Windows search, search for an app or game from the Store and install it quickly1.

    Second, we’re experimenting with offering app suggestions to open select file extensions, which is particularly helpful if you don’t have an app for that extension, or haven’t selected a default app. If you’re a Windows Insider in the U.S. or China regions, you’ll soon be able to try this out by using the context menu to select an app to “Open With” and browsing our recommendations. If you’ve already selected a default app, that will show up first.

    More fixes under the hood

    The Store is getting faster. After rigorous performance investments, the Store launches two times faster than it did six months ago2. We have also significantly improved installation reliability and speed over the last six months. To make sure you see the latest improvements, please ensure you have the latest Windows update.

    Other goodies in Store

    There’s a long list of fit and finish improvements for you to go try, including: a new capability that lets you install individual components for games; faster in-apps rating dialogs for when you want to share your feedback with developers; and a new field on product pages to let you know when an app or game was last updated.

    And we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the importance of our Store developers. Since last December, we’ve welcomed new partners like Notion, Perplexity, Docker and Day One. And more are on the way – including Manus, an autonomous AI agent (productivity tool) designed to perform and deliver complex tasks for knowledge workers across various domains – so please keep checking for new releases.

    Built with care and tested with precision, the Microsoft Store on Windows is here to help you find what you’re looking for. As always, we are listening to your feedback, so please submit via Feedback Hub (WIN + F) under Microsoft Store. We still have a lot more in the pipeline, so visit the “What’s New” section in the Store to stay connected on new releases.

    1Feature availability varies by market.

    2 Data based on internal testing and subject to factors such as device, location, Windows and Store app versions.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders, 39 Senators Fight Trump’s Cuts to the Job Corps Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, June 6 – After the Trump administration attempted to shutter the nation’s largest jobs training program for low-income and at-risk young people, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and 39 Senate colleagues, today sent a letter to Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer urging her to reverse the illegal and unconstitutional cuts to the Job Corps program that are harming students and communities in every state in the country. 
    “The Administration’s decision to illegally and abruptly terminate Job Corps center operations has left 25,000 students and thousands of staff across 99 Job Corps centers in the lurch,” wrote Sanders and the senators. “The sudden ‘pause’ of operations at Job Corps centers puts young people’s lives at risk, especially a significant number of students who were experiencing homelessness before arriving to the program. Local communities will pay a steep price, especially the thousands of individuals who work at the centers and will lose their livelihoods.” 
    For more than 60 years, Job Corps has helped millions of young people in rural communities and cities alike to finish high school, learn technical skills and get good-paying jobs while providing stable housing, medical and mental health care, and other supportive services. Through Job Corps programs, young people receive the training they need to start in good-paying jobs that support their communities after graduation – including as wildland firefighters, nurses, electricians, machinists, pipefitters, and welders. Last month, however, the Trump administration indefinitely ‘paused’ operations at Job Corps sites across the country. 
    “We urge you to immediately reverse this decision to prevent a lapse in education and services for Job Corps students. We further urge that the Department restart enrollments, expeditiously restart background checks, and make any contract extensions or modifications necessary to ensure no interruptions or delays for students or program operations,” concluded Sanders and the senators. 
    Joining Sanders on the letter are Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Angus King (I-Maine), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.). 
    Read the letter here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Dan Goldman Pushes for the Federal Trade Commission to Investigate Stadium and Airport Concession Prices for Potential Price Gouging

    Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    Stadium and Airport Concessions Charge New York Captive Audiences Double the Street Price, Despite Receiving Tens of Millions in Public Subsidies Every Year 

      

    Read the Letter Here 

    Washington, D.C – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) led nine House Democrats in urging the House Appropriations Committee to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate stadium and airport concession prices to increase transparency and prevent potential price gouging practices. 

    New Yorkers are paying some of the highest concession prices in the country at publicly subsidized sports venues. At Madison Square Garden, the average price of a beer is $16—more than twice the citywide average—making it the third most expensive among NBA arenas. At Highmark Stadium, home of the Buffalo Bills, beer costs $10 on average, double the price fans would pay elsewhere. These costs come despite substantial public support. Madison Square Garden receives an estimated $42 million annually from New York City through a property tax exemption, while 60% of the Bills’ new stadium is being financed with public funds from the state. 

    “Despite the significant public investment into airports and sports venues, through direct grants, state and local tax credits, economic development incentives, and tax-exempt bonds, the cost of concessions at a ballgame or an airport remains unaffordable for the average American family,” the Members wrote. 

    Some stadiums have seen great success in implementing so-called “street pricing”, which pegs concessions prices to the average cost of food and drink to the average cost in the surrounding area. The Atlanta Falcons’ Mercedes-Benz stadium specifically lowered concession costs by 50% and saw a 30% increase in sales after implementing street pricing. The members request that the FTC survey stadiums across the country to determine what sustainable, affordable practices work best. 

    “A nationwide survey of concession prices and street pricing practices at these venues would allow the FTC, lawmakers, and most importantly, fans and travelers, to gain more transparency into potential price gouging by venues and determine what sustainable, affordable practices work best. We urge you to include the report language below to direct the FTC conduct such a survey and provide a report to Congress on its findings,” the Members wrote. 

    Read the full letter here or below:  

    Dear Chairman Joyce and Ranking Member Hoyer,  

    As you begin to work on the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Financial Services and General 

    Government (FSGG) Appropriations bill, we write to request that you include report language to direct the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to conduct a survey of concession prices and affordable pricing practices across major airports and sports stadiums. 

    In 1985, the average fan at the Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game in Minneapolis spent about $5 on beer and other concessions (a little less than $15 in 2025 dollars). Today, this does not even cover the cost of a single beer at Nationals Park. Inside the stadium, fans across major sports, including at National Basketball League (NBA), National Football League (NFL), and National Hockey League (NHL) games, face exorbitant prices for concessions after paying high ticket fees. While serving very different purposes, airports share many of the same dynamics as sports stadiums. Travelers often arrive at airports hours before departure and face 

    restrictions on bringing in outside food and beverages. With few options, travelers face extreme markups for drinks and food before their flights. Despite the significant public investment into airports and sports venues, through direct grants, state and local tax credits, economic development incentives, and tax-exempt bonds, the cost of concessions at a ballgame or an airport remains unaffordable for the average American family. 

    According to a recent report by the Groundwork Collaborative, most large U.S. airports 

    implement some policies to seek to curb excessive pricing. Even then, the most common approach, known as “street pricing plus,” allows vendors to charge 10 to 18 percent more than off-airport prices. Set by state and local transit authorities, these policies vary widely across airports and leave high prices to compound the already high costs of air travel. Similarly, several individual sports teams have begun introducing “value deals,” offering a handful of basic items (such as bottled water, pretzels, and hot dogs) at lower prices. Following their move to Mercedes-Benz stadium in 2017, the Atlanta Falcons implemented significant concession price cuts – about 50 percent – aligning their prices with what fans may pay on the street. After this cut, the Falcons saw a 30 percent increase in overall transactions, a 20 percent increase in merchandise sales, and a 20 percent increase in the number of items per transaction. The Falcons’ move and other case studies, including Portland International Airport and Salt Lake City Airport, reveal that these “street pricing” practices can be a win-win for businesses and consumers. 

    With housing, food, and other everyday costs already so high, families visiting airports or sports stadiums – venues supported by their tax dollars – should not have to worry about drastic price markups. It’s clear that some form of street pricing is effective to make concessions more affordable while remaining sensible for businesses at these venues.  

    A nationwide survey of concession prices and street pricing practices at these venues would allow the FTC, lawmakers, and most importantly, fans and travelers, to gain more transparency into potential price gouging by venues and determine what sustainable, affordable practices work best. We urge you to include the report language below to direct the FTC conduct such a survey and provide a report to Congress on its findings. 

    “Airport and Sports Stadium Concessions.–The Committee is concerned about the high cost of concessions at airports and sports stadiums that receive public financing. While the Committee is pleased to see some venues make certain concessions more affordable through street pricing practices (i.e. aligning vendor prices inside the venue with prices that one may pay across the street), travel and sports remain unaffordable for most families. The Committee directs the FTC to conduct a survey of concession prices and street pricing practices across airports and major stadiums. The FTC shall provide a report to the Committee no later than 180 days of enactment of this act on its findings.” 

    Thank you for your consideration of this important request. 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: UN – American sanctions against four International Criminal Court judges (June 6, 2025)

    Source: Republic of France in English
    The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

    France learned of the establishment of new U.S. sanctions against four International Criminal Court judges, in addition to those already imposed on its chief prosecutor.

    Once again, it calls on the United States to withdraw all of these measures.

    France expresses its solidarity with the judges targeted by this decision and reaffirms its unwavering support for the ICC and its staff, who play a vital role in the fight against impunity. Together with its European partners and other States Parties to the Rome Statute, it will remain committed to ensuring that the Court can independently and impartially continue its efforts to obtain justice for the victims of the most serious crimes.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Latta Meets with General Steven S. Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and Ohio Native

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

    Latta Meets with General Steven S. Nordhaus, Chief of the National Guard Bureau and Ohio Native

    Washington, June 6, 2025

    Yesterday, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH-5) met General S. Nordhaus at the House Guard and Reserve Caucus Reception, to discuss his distinguished military service and leadership both in Ohio and across the nation. General Nordhaus was raised in Putnam County in Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District.

    General Nordhaus currently serves as the 30th Chief of the National Guard Bureau and is a member of the Joint Chiefs Staff. His decorated career includes serving as Commander of the 180th Fighter Wing at Toledo Air National Guard Base from January 2011 to December 2013. In October, he was promoted to the rank of four-star general.

    “It was an honor to meet General Nordhaus, who now serves as Chief of the National Guard Bureau here in Washington. He has had a stellar career serving our nation, and I thank him for his continued service and leadership,” Latta said.

    Read more about General Steven S. Nordhaus here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Latta Receives Icon Award for Leadership in Energy

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

    Latta Receives Icon Award for Leadership in Energy

    Washington, June 6, 2025

    Last night, the Congressional Energy Engagement Foundation (CEEF) presented Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH-5) with its Icon Award in recognition of his leadership on energy policy in Congress. Congressman Latta currently serves as the chairman of the Energy Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.  

    The Congressional Energy Engagement Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the understanding and adoption of advanced nuclear energy.   

    “I’m honored to be recognized by the Congressional Energy Engagement Foundation for my work in advancing American energy policy. The fact is, we need more energy produced here in the United States, not less. I look forward to working with CEEF as I continue to champion legislation to strengthen U.S. energy production and unleash America’s energy potential,” said Latta. 

    “Congressman Bob Latta has long demonstrated thoughtful leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing America’s energy future. His support for innovation, reliability, and bipartisan engagement makes him a true champion—not only of nuclear energy, but, for his longstanding support of the mission of the Congressional Energy Engagement Foundation. We are proud to recognize him as a CEEF ICON for his enduring contributions on Capitol Hill and beyond,” said Michelle Amante-Harstine, CEO, Congressional Energy Engagement Foundation.  

    From left to right: Michelle Amante-Harstine, Congressman Latta, Gard Clark. Photo courtesy of Matt Vines.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republican Study Committee Launches Rescissions Task Force, Rep. Moore to Serve as Chair

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, the Republican Study Committee (RSC) launched the Rescissions Working Group, a team of RSC Members who will serve as the tip of the spear for House conservative’s efforts to codify President Trump’s $9.4 billion rescissions package. Chaired by Congressman Riley Moore (R-WV), the task force will also work to educate members and staff about the rescissions process & the President’s impoundment authority, as well as make the case for additional rescissions packages to be sent to Congress.

    The RSC has long supported the use of rescissions to rein in out of control spending, formally endorsing President Trump’s first rescissions package when it was sent to Congress in 2017. Recognizing the need to honor the commitment we made to the American people to eliminate woke, wasteful, and weaponized spending, the RSC has decided to accelerate our efforts by establishing the Rescissions Working Group.

    The committee is grateful to former RSC Chair and current House Majority Leader Steve Scalise for leading the effort to shepherd the rescissions package through the House, and our Rescissions Working Group stands prepared to support the Majority Leader in his determined efforts to get this package over the finish line.

    “I’m thrilled to be chairing this task force for RSC and thank Chairman Pfluger for his support,” said Congressman Moore. “President Trump was given a historic mandate by the American people to restore common sense and end waste, fraud, and abuse. This rescission package is a key first step in codifying necessary cuts, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and the White House as we continue to deliver for the American people.”

    “The RSC’s Rescissions Working Group is the first of its kind, and signals to the American people that House conservatives are ready to meet the moment and assist President Trump in delivering on his historic mandate,” said RSC Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11). “The rescissions package sent to Congress serves as a critical opportunity for Congress to take immediate and decisive action to slash federal spending, and our Working Group will fight to make the case that this and future packages must pass.”

    Watch Rep. Riley Moore highlight the importance and timeliness of this RSC Rescissions Working Group

    WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:

    Heritage Action: “The Republican Study Committee’s Rescissions Task Force will play a vital role to ensure the President’s mandate is enacted and corrupt government spending is cut. Heritage Action fully supports eliminating $9.4 billion in woke and wasteful spending from the likes of USAID, NPR and PBS. The time for fiscal sanity is now, and we look forward to working with this Task Force to ensure these rescissions are passed and signed into law. Heritage Action applauds RSC Chairman August Pfluger and Rescissions Task Force Chairman Riley Moore for their leadership.”

    Citizens for Renewing America: “Citizens for Renewing America applauds RSC’s launch of this Recissions Taskforce to ensure that the $9.4 billion recission package is passed in full. It is imperative that the entire rescissions package, just sent to Congress by the White House, passes. If Congress fails to pass the rescissions package we lose our ability to rescind those funds later. The eyes of America are on Congress to see if, as a whole, they are serious about addressing the deficit and debt problem endangering the future for our children and grandchildren.”

    Brent Gardner, Chief Government Affairs Officer at Americans for Prosperity: “Our nation’s debt crisis wasn’t created overnight, and it will take more than one bill to solve this problem. We’re grateful to the President for proposing a first wave of commonsense cost-cutting measures, and we hope to see Congress approve them soon. It’s reassuring that RSC is standing up a Rescissions Working Group to address spending and taking a holistic approach to adopt a new culture of cost-cutting in Washington.”

    David McIntosh, President of Club for Growth: “With the national debt now at $37 trillion, it’s critical that lawmakers use every available tool to reduce wasteful government spending and rescissions are a commonsense step in that effort. Club for Growth applauds the leadership of the Republican Study Committee and Rep. Riley Moore, and we encourage all conservatives to support this important initiative.”

    BACKGROUND:

    The Republican Study Committee is the oldest and largest conservative caucus in the House and represents the leading voice for conservative values in Congress. The RSC is home to over 180 strong members, fighting every single day for the American people. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Georgia Man Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Possessing Machinegun at Hospital

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant, a Rap Musician Known as Quez 2RR, Had Stolen Weapon in Labor and Delivery; Federal Case Linked to Ongoing Metro Atlanta Shooting Investigation

    MACON, Ga. – A Henry County resident who had a stolen Glock 9mm handgun with a loaded 30-round extended magazine capable of converting to a fully automatic weapon while at the Labor and Delivery unit of a hospital was sentenced to serve more than five years in prison—above federal sentencing guidelines—for his crime.

    Terrell Monquez Searcy, 21, of McDonough, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 66 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self on June 4. Searcy previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a machinegun on March 21, 2025. There is no parole in the federal system.

    “Holding people found in possession of machineguns and with illegal conversion devices accountable for breaking federal law remains a top priority in the Middle District of Georgia,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “This case exemplifies how law enforcement and prosecutors work together to effectively remove illegal firearms and other dangerous destructive devices from the streets in order to make our communities safer.”

    “Machinegun conversion devices are fueling a deadly uptick in gun violence, turning routine firearms into weapons of war,” said ATF Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Thomas Crawford of the Atlanta Field Division. “This case is yet another example of why ATF is committed to aggressively identifying and removing these illegal devices from our communities.”

    According to court documents, the stipulation of facts and other statements made in Court, Monroe Police Department officers were dispatched to Piedmont Walton Hospital on Aug. 17, 2023, after a nurse observed Searcy in a Labor and Delivery room with a handgun, which is prohibited in the hospital. When hospital security came to the room, Searcy admitted he did have a handgun and that he put it under the couch cushion. He gave the firearm—a Glock Model 17 9mm handgun with a loaded 30-round extended magazine—to security and remained in the room. Hospital security noticed that a full auto sear pin appeared to have been attached to the rear of the slide, making the firearm a machinegun, prompting the call by hospital security to police. Police ran the serial number on the firearm and found out it was reported stolen from Walton County, Georgia. Searcy was taken into custody.    

    ATF agents tested the firearm and confirmed it did function as a machinegun. Further investigation revealed that Searcy, a rapper known as Quez 2RR, had showcased a pistol with what appeared to be a machinegun conversion device in music videos on a YouTube channel. In a music video titled “Traffic,” Searcy rapped, “I pop out a switch on the back of my Glock” and “I put a switch on the back of my Glock, just to clean up the street when it’s time for that action.” At one point in the video, Searcy’s holding a pistol in his waistband with what appears to be a machinegun conversion device attached to the back.

    Following the federal indictment charging Searcy with possessing a machine gun in August 2024, agents located Instagram messages between Searcy and a female law enforcement officer with the Clayton County Police Department. Between January and March 2023, Searcy asked the police officer to run his information to see if there were any warrants for his arrest. The police officer also provided information to Searcy regarding an active homicide investigation. During an interview with Clayton County Police Department detectives, the officer admitted to providing Searcy with information on an active homicide investigation and advising Searcy when she located active warrants for his arrest.

    On Feb. 11, 2025, members of the ATF, McDonough Police Department and Henry County Sheriff’s Office executed a federal search warrant at Searcy’s residence in McDonough, Georgia. Searcy and two other men were in the home along with several firearms. The defendant told agents that he had been living at the residence for a couple of months, that he slept with a Draco firearm under his bed and that the Glock 17 found in the living room belonged to him. ATF agents submitted test fires from both firearms to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) to determine if either firearm had been used in other crimes. The Micro Draco recovered from Searcy’s bedroom returned with several NIBIN leads, including two from the DeKalb County Police Department. Both DeKalb County incidents indicated that the Micro Draco was used in a drive-by shooting in DeKalb County where four people, including two juveniles, were shot inside their homes. Each shooting occurred within just days of Searcy receiving information from the Clayton County police officer on the active Clayton County homicide where his friend was shot and killed.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case, with assistance from the City of Monroe Police Department, Clayton County Police Department, McDonough Police Department, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Dekalb County Police Department and the Piedmont Walton Hospital Security Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Peach prosecuted the case for the Government.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: California Attorney Guilty of Federal Contempt Charge for Failing To Ensure Distribution of Settlement Funds to Relatives of Victims of Lion Air Flight 610

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHICAGO — A California attorney has pleaded guilty to a contempt of court charge for willfully disobeying a court order that called for settlement funds to be distributed to relatives of victims killed in the crash of Lion Air Flight 610.

    DAVID R. LIRA, 65, of Pasadena, Calif., entered the plea on Thursday before U.S. District Judge Mary M. Rowland in the Northern District of Illinois. Judge Rowland set sentencing for Oct. 8, 2025.

    Lira worked for the California personal injury law firm Girardi Keese, which represented five clients who were relatives of passengers killed in the 2018 crash in the Java Sea.  Girardi Keese filed lawsuits in federal court in Chicago against the plane’s manufacturer, Boeing Co., and settled the suits in 2020.  In connection with the settlements, U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Durkin ordered that the settlement funds, which included a total of $7.5 million for four of the clients, be sent to each client as soon as practicable. Although Boeing wired the settlement funds for those four victims into Girardi Keese’s client trust account, Lira admitted in a plea agreement that he knew for several months that the firm failed to distribute the money to the clients, in contravention of Judge Durkin’s order.

    During those months, Lira admitted that the victims demanded their money but were not paid, and that there was nothing about the Covid-19 pandemic that precluded the firm from paying the money.  Lira confronted another attorney at the firm, THOMAS GIRARDI, who was also Lira’s father-in-law, and demanded that Girardi pay the money to the clients, Lira’s plea agreement states.  Lira admitted in his plea that he knew Girardi had misappropriated the money and that Lira was willfully violating Judge Durkin’s orders.

    Lira ultimately resigned from the firm.  The Lion Air Victims eventually received their settlement funds following a hearing before Judge Durkin when another law firm’s insurer paid the amount that Girardi had misappropriated.

    Girardi, 86, of Seal Beach, Calif., was convicted last year by a federal jury in Los Angeles of embezzling millions of dollars in settlement funds from other clients.  In connection with Girardi’s sentencing in that case, prosecutors in Los Angeles apprised the Court about Girardi’s misappropriation of settlement funds in the Lion Air matter.  Girardi was sentenced earlier this week to more than seven years in federal prison.

    Lira’s guilty plea was announced by Andrew S. Boutros, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Office of the FBI.  The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jared Hasten, Emily Vermylen, and Thomas Peabody.

    “The willful failure to ensure distribution of settlement funds compounded the grief and anguish of the clients who lost loved ones in the Lion Air crash,” said U.S. Attorney Boutros.  “Attorneys who violate the trust of their clients and breach the fiduciary duty that is paramount to the practice of law will be held accountable.”

    “The FBI stands committed to protecting victims of crime and holding those who have violated federal laws accountable, no matter how much time may have passed,” said FBI SAC DePodesta.  “The FBI is thankful for our continuing partnerships with law enforcement and our prosecutorial partners who have ensured justice in this case.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaptur Condemns $3.7 Billion In DOE Cuts To American Manufacturing Nationwide

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Toledo, OH – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development released the following statement upon the news that the Department of Energy has cancelled 24 projects nationwide, totaling $3.7 Billion in investment in American manufacturing, including a $45.1 Million investment in an Industrial Demonstration Project for Libbey Glass LLC’s Toledo, Ohio facility.

    “The abrupt termination of $3.7 Billion in clean energy investment is shortsighted and malicious. This decision will raise energy costs for American families and undermine our nation’s competitive edge. In Northwest Ohio, it endangers jobs, and undermines manufacturing in our critical glass industry, while empowering China and our global competitors,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “Nationwide, DOE is not only raising the cost of energy in Red Districts and Blue Districts — we’re ceding ground to global competitors racing ahead in innovation and energy efficiency. This decision undercuts American innovation, discourages private-sector investment, and harms workers like the ones I represent who are counting on these projects for jobs and economic revitalization. The American people deserve leadership that meets the moment — not one that backs away from the challenge of a clean, affordable energy future. If the Trump Administration was looking to give Communist China everything they wanted, they are well on their way.”

    Below are a list of actions Ranking Member Kaptur has taken related to DOE’s frozen funding and award cancelations

     since the start of the Trump Administration:

    1. Jan. 31, 2025: Sent letter to DOE Acting Secretary regarding funding freeze
      1. Kaptur, Murray Demand Answers on Trump Administration Freezing Energy Department Investments to Lower Americans’ Energy Costs
      2. Rep. Kaptur co-led a letter with Sen. Murray.
    2. Feb. 13, 2025: Released factsheets on funding freeze impacts
      1. Kaptur, DeLauro Release Seven Fact Sheets Detailing How Trump’s Funding Freeze is Raising Energy Prices and Undermining Energy Dominance
      2. Seven factsheets were released which detail how the funding freeze impacts each state for the programs listed below.
        1. Home energy rebate program
        2. Electric grid programs
        3. Hydrogen hubs program
        4. Battery manufacturing programs
        5. Industrial demonstrations program
        6. Weatherization assistance program
        7. Loan program
    3. Feb. 26, 2025: Sent follow-up letter to Jan. 31 letter on funding freeze
      1. Kaptur, Murray Follow-Up, Demand Answers from Trump DOE as it Continues to Block Investments to Lower Americans’ Energy Costs
      2. Rep. Kaptur again co-led a letter with Sen. Murray to Secretary Wright..
    4. Apr. 2, 2025: Sent letter to DOE Acting Inspector General regarding award cancelations
      1. House Energy Leaders Call for Investigation into Department of Energy’s Scheme to Cancel Awards and Contracts
      2. Rep. Kaptur co-led a letter with Rep. DeLauro, Rep. Pallone, Rep. Castor, Rep. Lofgren and Rep. Ross calling for an investigation into the agency’s scheme to cancel competitively awarded contracts and potential for political targeting.
    5. May 7, 2025: Pushed Secretary Wright at Department of Energy budget hearing on funding freezes and cuts at DOE
      1. Ranking Member Kaptur Remarks at Fiscal Year 2026 US Department of Energy Budget Hearing
      2. Transcript of Ranking Member Kaptur exchange with Secretary Wright:

    RANKING MEMBER MARCY KAPTUR:

    So one of the things I have to ask about is my own district. I don’t understand why there was a project that was to be awarded to a glass company. And for some reason, it was pulled or it’s sitting somewhere over there, and it has caused all kinds of problems for the company. You’re a businessman. You would understand this if I can find the right sheet here.

    There’s so many sheets of paper. It’s called Libbey glass and they have two furnaces. I come from an industrial part of America and life there has been hell for a long time because we forgot what the defense industrial base of this country really is. And we’ve been trying to catch up, but it’s been hard.

    And oh, here it is. OK. So the department had $6 billion in DOE investments that were leveraged with $14 billion of private sector investment. And one of those companies, Libbey Glass, which gave me permission to even use their — I’m even afraid to use their name in public. They’re a great company. They’re a legacy company in our community.

    I’ll start to cry. They’re generous and they work hard. And they are to replace four regenerative furnaces with two larger hybrid electric furnaces to reduce the carbon intensity of its Toledo Ohio facility by up to 50 percent. And the department is considering canceling more than 60 percent of their industrial demonstration projects, which would be devastating to our community.

    And this is a company that never left the city. They didn’t go out into the suburbs, OK, and break more ground. They’re a responsible company. And for this award review and cancellation process, how is DOE or any part of your administration assessing which DOE projects will be canceled or continued? What criteria are you using?

    And even if DOE chooses not to cancel any of these awards, these actions are creating mass confusion. Unemployment is going up in our area, by the way, and companies have canceled almost $8 billion in energy manufacturing projects so far just this year, five times more than was canceled last year. So given your private sector background, what can you do to help me understand what is happening to this particular company in the review process? Where are they?

    SECRETARY CHRIS WRIGHT:

    Representative Kaptur, I appreciate your passion for industrial America, keeping the industries we have, bringing new industries home. We are so aligned on that. It’s one of the things I’m excited about this administration. We’ve outsourced so many of those jobs overseas. I was lucky. I grew up in suburban America and got a great education.

    I’ve had a dreamy life. I could have been born somewhere else. I could have had a very different life. I share your passion.

    RANKING MEMBER MARCY KAPTUR:

    Thank you.

    SECRETARY CHRIS WRIGHT:

    I share your passion. So I think I mentioned briefly, I walk into a department that I am very passionate about energy and all that. I want to support as many activities and projects as we can, to save American industry and grow American industry. So fully aligned on that. I think I gave the numbers before, but I walked into a thing where $100 billion had been shoveled out the door in 76 days.

    SECRETARY CHRIS WRIGHT:

    I’m responsible for that money now, either in money out the door or committed to money to go out the door. I can’t look at American taxpayers, including taxpayers in your district and say, yes, we invested $2 billion and we built a bridge to nowhere. We built something and now it’s just closed because it had no marketplace, it had nowhere to go. So let me give you a quick little summary. So the answer is we haven’t canceled any projects because we’ve been slow and careful and deliberative. We’ve developed a process. And in the next few months, we will run hundreds of projects, including those through our thing.

    And if it’s viable and it’s going to create jobs and it’s going to do these great things, we’re going to support that project. And the simple little criterion we’re looking at is legal, um, that technology, is the technology viable? Is the engineering done competently? Is there a market for the thing that’s being built?

    Is there a financial model that that co-funding is coming in together with the DOE funding, so the project can be complete? And does it add to national or economic security? It sounds like that one, if all the other things work certainly would. And it is aligned with this agenda?

    RANKING MEMBER MARCY KAPTUR:

    Mr. Secretary, thank you for that, putting that on the record, but that was already approved. You are reviewing something that was — all the appropriated money was already there. Those decisions had been made. So that is a very — this is a very strange process because that — those dollars weren’t to be spent, um, already as we work toward the ’26 budget.

    1. May 12, 2025: Released factsheet highlighting Secretary Wright’s Lies at Hearing
      1. Kaptur and DeLauro Expose Energy Secretary’s Lies

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Kaptur Announces $10,000 Award For Way Public Library In Perrysburg

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

    Perrysburg, OH — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) today announced the award of a $10,285 Guiding Ohio Online award to Way Public Library in Perrysburg. The funding is made possible through the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), administered by the State Library of Ohio with support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

    This award will allow Way Public Library — Wood County’s first library and a pillar of learning since 1881 — to provide a dedicated technology trainer to serve the digital needs of the community. The trainer will assist with one-on-one tech tutoring, computer classes, and community outreach, helping ensure interested residents, regardless of age or background, can confidently navigate today’s digital world.

    “Way Public Library has stood as a beacon of knowledge and service for nearly a century and a half,” said Congresswoman Kaptur (OH-09). “With this federal support, the library will continue to adapt and lead — ensuring that every citizen, young or old, rural or urban, has access to the digital tools and skills needed to succeed. In a time when digital literacy is essential to economic opportunity, civic engagement, and lifelong learning, this investment is truly an investment in people.”

    “We hired a technology trainer who takes technology training outside our walls. She does some in-house training, but she also goes outside our walls and takes digital literacy to some people that can’t get here,” said Janel Haas, Director of the Way Public Library. “It’s a wonderful, wonderful grant for us to offer that, and we’re super appreciative of it.”

    The Guiding Ohio Online initiative supports libraries serving rural and underserved populations, providing critical resources to bridge the digital divide. The program empowers local libraries to offer accessible, hands-on digital education, especially for communities with limited broadband or digital resources.

    MIL OSI USA News –