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Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cotton Introduces Bill to Ban Blacklisted Firms from Sensitive DOE Contracts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Contact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353
    June 4, 2025

    Cotton Introduces Bill to Ban Blacklisted Firms from Sensitive DOE Contracts

    Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Securing our Energy Supply Chains Act, legislation that would establish a Department of Energy non-procurement list for critical minerals, battery production, and other related energy needs. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) is cosponsoring the legislation.

    “Supply chains for our country’s critical minerals and battery production are a cut-and-dry national security issue. Firms that are banned from doing business with the Department of Defense and other federal agencies should face significant restrictions when working in these sensitive areas,” said Senator Cotton.

    “Organizations that threaten our national security have no business engaging in American energy production,” said Senator Risch. “The Securing our Energy Supply Chains Act protects the energy sector, which is critical to both our economy and security, from bad actors while advancing domestic needs.”

    Full text of the bill may be found here.

    The Securing our Energy Supply Chains Act would:

    • Establish a master energy non-procurement list for DOE projects prioritizing critical minerals and battery production
    • Establish a waiver process for contracts or projects that require exceptions
    • Require a federal study to pull all similar lists of entities of concern from Commerce, DOD, Energy, State, Treasury, DNI, and other agencies and make recommendations for harmonization.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lee Bill Cuts Drug Prices and Red Tape

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the bipartisan Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act today to cut drug prices for consumers and increase competition in the pharmaceutical market by categorizing generic-brand “biosimilar” drugs as interchangeable with their name-brand counterparts. Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) cosponsored the legislation.
    “Americans are missing out on lower drug prices thanks to bureaucratic red tape that protects big pharma monopolies,” said Senator Mike Lee. “Many consumers would choose a cheaper generic-brand version of their medications, but technicalities from Congress have kept these out of reach. Our legislation will cut the red tape to bring drug prices down, break up the big pharma monopolies, and let Americans make their own medication choices.” 
    “I’m proud to support Senator Lee’s Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act. Americans pay too much for prescription treatments because of outdated FDA requirements. This bill would give pharmacists more options, subject to state law, to substitute unaffordable therapeutics with lower-cost alternatives. I offered similar reforms in the past because health care reform starts with giving patients more affordable choices. It’s time we stop letting red tape stand between patients and lower prices.” said Dr. Rand Paul
    “Too many Americans face sky-high prescription drug costs. This bipartisan legislation will cut unnecessary red tape and help biosimilar drugs get to the market faster, creating more competition in the market, and cutting costs for consumers,” said Senator Hassan. “I will continue to work to lower prescription drug and health care costs for Granite Staters and all Americans.”
    “Limited competition drives up drug prices, making it harder for people to afford the medications they need to survive. Expanding access to biosimilar drugs can improve patients’ lives and reduce costs. But too often, access can be limited due to regulatory red tape that scientists agree is not necessary,” said Senator Luján. “This bipartisan bill will help simplify that process while maintaining rigorous safety and effectiveness standards. By increasing competition, this legislation will allow more patients and families to access the treatments they need.”
    “As the FDA has made clear, there is no clinically meaningful difference between biosimilars and interchangeable biosimilars,” said John Murphy, President and CEO of the Association for Accessible Medicines. “The Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act will expand competition and generate savings for patients and taxpayers, while preserving FDA’s ability to ensure the safety and efficacy of medicines for America’s patients. The Biosimilars Council and AAM thank Senators Lee and Luján for their work on behalf of American patients and we look forward to working with Congress to eliminate this outdated and unnecessary barrier to lower-priced biosimilar medicines.”
    Background:
    “Biosimilars” – generic alternatives to name-brand medications – have the potential to significantly reduce the cost of biologic drugs through increased competition. Choosing biosimilars over their name-brand counterparts could save consumers an estimated $42.9 billion by 2027. Americans deserve to hold this decision-making power, but red tape around biosimilars keeps them from being widely used. The FDA’s complex approval system has confused physicians, patients, and states about biosimilars’ safety and efficacy.
    Biosimilars must undergo extensive testing to prove they provide no meaningful difference from their name-brand version. Bringing a new biosimilar to market costs as much as $300 million and can take as long as 9 years. Even after this approval, patients may not be able to access biosimilars because Congress created a separate designation: interchangeability. To be classified as truly “interchangeable” with the name-brand version, a biosimilar must undergo further testing called “switching studies.” This type of research has proven unnecessary for biosimilars, as it repeatedly shows no meaningful difference or relevant new data. 
    The Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act would remove these extra steps so that a biosimilar will immediately be classified as interchangeable upon its initial approval by the FDA. Foregoing unnecessary switching studies would no longer disqualify biosimilars as alternatives to their name-brand counterparts. 
    This legislation will streamline the regulatory pathway for biosimilar approval by aligning the law with the current scientific reality, giving Americans the option to save billions and increasing competition in the pharmaceutical market.
    The Biosimilar Red Tape Elimination Act would:
    Amend the federal code to state that all biosimilars, upon approval, shall be deemed interchangeable. The bill still uses the term “interchangeable” because states have crafted their own laws around interchangeability. Retaining that word would provide for minimal disruption to current biosimilar distribution.
    Strike the current requirement in code that has been used to justify switching studies.
    Create a cooldown period for certain biologics that were already granted exclusive interchangeable status. 
    Instruct HHS and FDA to issue or retract relevant guidance. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn: Work of DOGE Will Live On Through One Big Beautiful Bill, Rescissions Package, Appropriations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) praised the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and highlighted how Congress can carry on its legacy of reining in frivolous spending through the One Big Beautiful Bill, rescissions package, and annual appropriations process. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

    “I don’t see the work of DOGE being finished, but rather being the starting place.”

    “The DOGE recommendations now embraced within this rescissions package cuts millions of dollars for Green New Deal style programs not in America, but around the world.”

    “The bill rescinds $6 million appropriated for net zero cities in Mexico, a half a million dollars for electric busses in Rwanda, and $2.1 million for climate resilience in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and East Africa.”

    “It rescinds $4 million for Legume Systems Research and $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street.”

    “We also have savings opportunities in the big, beautiful bill. Things like eliminating the Inflation Reduction Act, which was inappropriately named.”

    “The third means by which we are going to begin this process of controlling our out-of-control spending in our national debt is the appropriations process.”

    “While we often think of the appropriations process as strictly a spending process, it does not have to be that way. We can also use this appropriations process to enact further spending reductions.”

    “I hope the House and Senate will take full advantage of each of these three opportunities to begin the process of reducing our deficit and debt.”

    “While the formal Department of Government Efficiency Task Force may have concluded, the work of DOGE lives on.”

    “As a founding member of the DOGE caucus, I’ll keep doing my part, along with all of my colleagues, to bend the spending curve, and I urge all of my colleagues to join us in that effort, particularly by passing this rescissions package, and then eventually in the coming weeks, the big, beautiful bill.”  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Statement on House Passage of SUPPORT Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2483, the SUPPORT for Patients & Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025. This legislation helps continue important health programs that fight substance use disorder and promote recovery resources.

    Following House passage of the bill, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

    “We are seeing real progress in terms of treatment opportunities as well as recovery resources for those affected by substance use disorder. I am proud to support reauthorization of the SUPPORT Act, further strengthening our ability to combat the opioid crisis in Appalachia and giving Americans hope to rebuild their lives.”

    BACKGROUND

    Given the opioid epidemic hitting Appalachia, and Virginia’s Ninth District bordering the states of West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina, Congressman Griffith introduced during the last Congress the RECONNECTIONS Act of 2023.

    Language from Congressman Griffith’s bill is now Section 103 of the SUPPORT for Patients & Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025. This section reauthorizes the prescription drug monitoring program, which is an important tool to track where prescription drugs are being dispensed at.

    Congressman Griffith’s recent remarks in the Rules Committee on the SUPPORT for Patients & Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 can be found here.

    SUPPORT for Patients & Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025 now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

    Congressman Griffith is the House sponsor of the HALT Fentanyl Act. The HALT Fentanyl Act passedthe House in February of 2025.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Announces Action Against Wisconsin Elections Commission for Lacking Complaint Procedure Required by Federal Law

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Today, the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division sent a letter to the Wisconsin Elections Commission regarding its failure to provide a complaint process or hearing for Wisconsin voters, in violation of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA).

    The letter states that the Wisconsin Elections Commission failed to meet HAVA’s requirement of a state-based administrative complaint procedure. Compliance with all federal elections laws is mandatory, and the receipt of federal funds under HAVA is conditioned on compliance with the Act.

    Election integrity and compliance with federal elections laws are essential to protect our constitutional republic. Wisconsin’s refusal to give complainants any recourse to report violations they may have observed or experienced while voting is a significant violation of federal law, and a betrayal of the confidence of the American people.

    “Courts across the land, including our highest court, have repeatedly defended measures to ensure election integrity,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, “We have made it our highest priority to identify jurisdictions that fail to follow our elections laws and vigorously enforce the law by all means available.”

    The letter issued today also notifies the U.S. Election Assistance Commission of Wisconsin’s unlawful actions and calls for the withholding of federal funds to Wisconsin for violating HAVA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Amends Call to Special Session

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JUNE 4, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe amended his call to convene the One Hundred Third General Assembly in the First Extraordinary Session of the First Regular Session to include legislation that provides additional tools and funding for disaster relief, new property tax relief, a tax incentive program for economic development, and additional funding for critical budget appropriations.

    The Governor’s special message to the General Assembly issued today replaces the previous call issued on May 27, 2025.

    “After productive conversations with members of the Missouri General Assembly this week, we are amending our special session call to allow for additional legislation in the areas of disaster relief, tax policy, and budget investments,” said Governor Kehoe. “We appreciate legislators working together to use this as an opportunity to show up for our communities by acting swiftly to help those in crisis, while also making smart decisions that secure opportunity for the future.”

    The call now authorizes the General Assembly to:

    1. Enact legislation establishing a tax credit against an individual’s income tax liability for the insurance deductible incurred as a direct result of a disaster for which a presidential disaster declaration has been requested by the Governor, up to an amount of five thousand dollars per homestead per year; the credit to be non-refundable and to be issued only for tax year 2025 with a first-come first-served redemption cap of $90,000,000 tax year 2025 and a $45,000,000 redemption cap for tax years 2026 through 2054; and

    2. Enact legislation enhancing the utility of the Missouri Housing Trust Fund in areas included in a request for presidential disaster declaration by the Governor by (1) expanding eligibility to include persons or families whose household adjusted gross income is equal to or less than 75% of the median family income in the geographic area in which the residential unit is located, or the median family income for the state of Missouri, whichever is larger, and (2) removing administrative burdens and costs to expedite support for such persons and families; and

    3. Appropriate money to the Department of Economic Development for the Missouri Housing Development Commission for general administration of affordable housing activities and for emergency aid in an amount not to exceed $25,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund transferred to the Missouri Housing Trust Fund, to be expended only as provided in Article IV, section 28 of the Missouri Constitution for the fiscal period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026; and

    4. Appropriate money to the appropriate department or departments for a Disaster Relief Fund to provide relief from a disaster for which a presidential declaration has been requested by the Governor in an amount transferred not to exceed $100,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund, to be expended only as provided in Article IV, Section 28 of the Missouri Constitution for the fiscal period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026; and

    5. Enact legislation providing relief from residential real estate property tax for households that have become uninhabitable due to damage incurred as a direct result of a disaster for which a presidential disaster declaration has been requested by the Governor, to be pro-rated for the portion of 2025 in which the household of 2025 in which the household is uninhabitable; and

    6. Enact legislation limiting increases in property tax assessments for residential real property in 2025 to no more than five percent compared to the prior year, with exceptions for new construction and improvements; and

    7. Appropriate money to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development for the University of Missouri for the planning, design and construction of the Radioisotope Science Center at the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) on the Columbia campus, in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund, to be expended only as provided in Article IV, section 28 of the Missouri Constitution for the fiscal period beginning July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2026; and

    8. Enact legislation providing for procedures, withholding of county moneys by the Director of Revenue, remedies, and judicial review where the State Tax Commission issues an order requiring a county to equalize or modify assessments; and

    9. Enact legislation authorizing counties to impose a tax credit for increases in real property tax liabilities over five percent per year; and

    10. Appropriate money from funds other than the General Revenue Fund for purposes provided for in the Senate Substitute for Senate Committee Substitute for House Committee Substitute for House Bill 19 in the 2025 regular legislative session, to be expended only as provided in Article IV, section 28 of the Missouri Constitution for the fiscal period beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026; and

    11. Enact legislation modifying tax credits for sporting events; and

    12. Enact legislation establishing economic development incentives for athletic and entertainment facility projects of a professional sports franchise that is a member of Major League Baseball or the National Football League; and

    13. Add an emergency clause to necessary legislation enacted by the One Hundred Third General Assembly of the State of Missouri in the First Extraordinary Session of the First Regular Session; and

    14. Such additional and other matters as may be recommended by the Governor by special message to the General Assembly after it shall have been convened. 
     

    To view the special message to the General Assembly, visit this link. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: ATTENTION!!!

    Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)

    —————
    Members of the @UsAirforce and civilians from the 711th Human Performance Wing stand tall in formation at the @USAFmuseum.

    For more on the Department of Defense, visit: http://www.defense.gov
    —————
    Keep up with the Department of Defense on social media!

    Like the DoD on Facebook: http://facebook.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on Instagram: http://instagram.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/DeptofDefense

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcxA3GPGnt0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Joins RFD-TV to Discuss Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, MAHA, and the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) joined Market Day Report on RFD-TV today to highlight the Senate Agriculture Committee advancing his legislation, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, which will put whole milk back in schools. He detailed the next steps to get the bill across the finish line and to President Trump’s desk.
    The Senator also discussed the recent Make America Healthy Again Commission report and President Trump’s ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill.’

    [embedded content]

    Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full interview.
    On the importance of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act:
    Senator Marshall: “This is so important to me, to my family. My dad grew up on a dairy [farm] where every day for 25 years, they milk cows twice a day. And some of your listeners know exactly what that’s like, but milk is the most nutritious drink known to mankind, and for whatever reason, the federal government took whole milk out of our schools over a decade ago.
    “Because of that, we have a generation of young adults now whose bones will never reach their peak mass. We’re going to have an epidemic of osteoporosis and osteopenia. Look, whole milk just tastes better. So we need to focus on the quality of the nutrition as opposed to just the calorie count. And again, milk [is] the most nutritious drink known to mankind.”
    On the next steps for the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act:
    Senator Marshall: “I think very easily we could go to the Senate floor and ask unanimous consent, and as long as not one senator stands up objects to it, we’ll get it across the Senate floor. Hopefully, they can do a similar effort over on the House side and get it to the President’s desk. So we’ll do our very best to give the President a win here.”
    On the MAHA Commission report:
    Senator Marshall: “As you look at that MAHA commission report, I didn’t write it, but certainly I agree with the same goals that they have, that we want healthy, nutritious food out there for everybody, a special emphasis on children…
    “My emphasis is soil health. Soil health is where agriculture meets healthy food. Healthy soil means healthy food. And so many of our farmers are out there doing regenerative agriculture. They’ve been doing it for decades. We’ve got to share what we’ve been doing. You know, you showed a little aerial report of a person using drones to grow more with less to grow more. Instead of blanketing that field with the fungicide, they were able to spot-spray it.
    “… Regenerative agriculture, healthy soil, what that means to me is, number one is using no-till farming, coming back and using the least amount of fertilizers, pesticides. That means precision agriculture. It means putting a cover crop on and then grazing cattle over it, maybe bringing in some manure from the local dairy or the local feedlot as well, and then measuring the quality of that soil as well, and showing our customers out there… they’re who is driving this, I’m not driving this, the MAHA moms out there that are driving this, and I know that American agriculture is doing incredible jobs in this area, and they but they need to be reimbursed for it, because it’s expensive to undertake all these efforts.”
    On the hurdles President Trump’s ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill’ may face:
    Senator Marshall: “Well, there’s always hurdles. We have 53 Republican senators and 53 opinions. But it’s important for your listeners to know why this is so important to them. This will take care of the reference price issues on the title one, funding, and open the doors for us to be able to get the Farm Bill across the finish line. 
    “From the business tax perspective on this, we’re going to take care of permanently, the 199a, which your listeners will be excited about, as well as the R and D deduction, capital appreciation, bonus depreciation as well, and writing off their interest expenses. So all those are important to every one of your listeners and making those permanent will be so, so important to the financial viability of the future farmers of America.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Questions FDA’s Acting Director About Steps to Remove Harmful Ingredients from OTC Drugs and Replace Animal Testing with AI

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) today questioned Dr. Jacqueline Corrigan-Curay, Acting Director at the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research for United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), during the most recent Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing.

    Click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full exchange with Dr. Corrigan-Curay.
    Highlights from the hearing include: 
    On inactive ingredients in over-the-counter drugs:
    Senator Marshall: “Let’s talk about inactive ingredients. As you know, the OTC monographs only list active ingredients. A lot of MAHA [Make America Healthy Again] moms out there are concerned about inactive ingredients, artificial flavors, sweeteners, etc. What is going on in the world of over-the-counters [medications] as far as identifying those inactive ingredients, and is there an effort to get the ones that are not safe out of these over-the-counters?”
    Dr. Corrigan-Curay: “Thank you for that question. We certainly, anytime we identify that there’s an issue with an inactive ingredient, we would review it and we would look to make changes in that inactive ingredient. We do have ways and guidances. We just did one on color additives to allow firms to a pathway if they want to change their inactive ingredients or their color additives, and we can get back to you with more information.”
    On animal studies and AI:
    Senator Marshall: “Alright, let’s talk about… studies. More and more, it would seem that AI can replace animal studies. And probably even more accurate. So often you read, well, what works, what happened in monkeys and dogs, has nothing at all to do with the biology of human beings. Is there any effort in your department to convert over to AI and do less animal studies?”
    Dr. Corrigan-Curay: “Thank you. We’re engaged on the new initiative to reduce animal studies in monoclonal antibodies, and we previously have been working on looking for alternatives to animal studies. We already do. We no longer use animal studies for eye irritation or skin irritation, and we certainly will, you know, are looking at both AI as we’re looking at these non-animal approaches. There are still challenges in coming out with validated studies, when you’re looking at you’re looking for an effect that would affect multi-organ systems. That doesn’t mean that we won’t get there, and we’ll continue to work on that.”
    Senator Marshall: “Okay, again, if there’s a way that you could measure that and show us – we were doing so many animal studies five years ago, this is how many we did last year, this is how many we’re doing this year. You know, prove to me that you’re making progress in that, that would be very helpful.”
    Dr. Corrigan-Curay: “We can get back to you.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Applauds Key Union Endorsements of Credit Card Competition Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) issued the following statement today after numerous major unions, representing over four million American workers, endorsed the Credit Card Competition Act – legislation that would enhance competition and choice in the credit card network market, which is currently dominated by the Visa-Mastercard duopoly. 
    “Visa-Mastercard and Wall Street banks are charging American families the highest swipe fees in the world — nearly five times higher than those in other countries,” said Senator Marshall. “These excessive fees cost the average hardworking American household over $1,200 a year. No one understands the burden of these costs better than our trade unions, and I’m proud to have their support as we fight to bring fairness and competition back to the payments market.”
    The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union (RWDSU), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), wrote a letter detailing their endorsement, saying:
    “We, the undersigned labor unions, who together represent over 4.5 million American workers, write to express our support for the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) and urge its passage into law.
    “While our memberships are diverse, hail from different industries, and different parts of the country, all unions know that working people are reeling from an affordability crisis on everyday goods.  This crisis is especially challenging for low-wage workers who often need to make necessary purchases like gasoline, groceries, and clothing on credit cards.
    “We embrace the Credit Card Competition Act as a means to return more buying power to hard-working Americans by curbing the outrageous rise in fees charged by Visa and Mastercard to merchants in the United States.
    “In the past decade, the fees charged by the two dominant credit card companies have nearly tripled. And because almost 90% of Visa/Mastercard credit cards are issued by the largest 10 banks, some of whom also sit on the boards of Visa and Mastercard, arguments about the risk of swipe fee reform to small community banks ring hollow.”
    Read the full letter here. 
    Background:

    Building off of debit card competition reforms enacted by Congress in 2010, the bill would direct the Federal Reserve to ensure that the largest credit card-issuing banks offer a choice of at least two networks over which an electronic credit transaction may be processed. 
    Visa and Mastercard wield enormous market power in credit cards; according to the Federal Reserve, they account for nearly 576 million cards, or about 83 percent of general-purpose credit cards.  
    Visa’s and Mastercard’s market power and network structure have enabled them to impose fees on U.S. merchants that are among the world’s highest, charging a total of $93 billion in U.S. merchant credit card fees in 2022. 
    These fees include interchange or swipe fees, which Visa and Mastercard require merchants to pay to issuing banks, as well as network fees that Visa and Mastercard require merchants to pay directly to them.  
    Consumers ultimately pay for these fees in the price of the goods and services they buy.
    The legislation is estimated to save merchants and consumers $15 billion each year.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis Helps Secure Helene Recovery Funding for North Carolina

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis applauded the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) announcement of its Fiscal Year 2025 Disaster Supplemental Notice of Funding Opportunity, which allocates approximately $1.45 billion in federal funding for disaster-impacted communities, including those in Western North Carolina affected by Helene. 

    “This critical EDA funding will help ensure that communities in Western North Carolina still reeling from the impacts of Helene have the resources they need to recover and rebuild stronger than before,” said Senator Tillis. “I remain fully committed to making sure North Carolina receives its fair share of this funding and that Western North Carolina is made whole again.” 

    The announcement follows a bipartisan letter led by Senator Tillis and members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation to the Trump Administration urging the U.S. Economic Development Administration to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity as quickly as possible. 

    Background:

    Senator Tillis has been pushing for federal assistance for Western North Carolina since the moment Helene made landfall.

    On October 1, 2024, Senator Tillis led a bipartisan letter to Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Vice Chair Susan Collins (R-ME) on the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and the urgent need to pass an appropriations package to support the millions of Americans affected by the storm.  

    On October 16, 2024, Senator Tillis led a bipartisan group of senators in urging the White House to rapidly submit a government funding request to Congress that will fully cover costs associated with clean-up and recovery following Hurricanes Helene and Milton so that affected communities could begin to heal. The Senators called for Congress to return to Washington from the October in-state work period to approve federal disaster relief legislation. 

    On October 23, 2024, The Hill published an op-ed by Senator Tillis addressed to members of Congress to step up and be proactive with long-term disaster recovery assistance.   

    On October 29, 2024, Senator Tillis and his colleagues announced plans to introduce legislation that would replenish the Small Business Administration (SBA) Disaster Loan Program with families and small businesses across WNC unable to get loans approved until then. The Senators outlined their plan to seek passage of the legislation when Congress returned to session.

    On November 14, 2024, Senator Tillis attempted to pass legislation to replenish the SBA Disaster Loan Program through a unanimous consent request on the Senate floor, but was blocked by another Senator. 

    On November 15, 2024, Senator Tillis led a bipartisan letter to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) immediately send a supplemental appropriation request to Congress to support the communities we represent, which were devastated after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The OMB sent the request to Congress a few days later.

    On November 18, 2024, Senator Tillis introduced the standalone RELIEF Act to provide Hurricane relief to small businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene.  

    On November 20, 2024, Senator Tillis called on Congress to quickly pass Hurricane Helene relief during his testimony to the Senate Appropriations Committee.  

    On November 21, 2024, Senator Tillis met with Governor Cooper, Governor-Elect Stein, members of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation and the North Carolina General Assembly, and local leaders from Western North Carolina to discuss efforts to provide federal assistance to North Carolinians affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. 

    On December 5, 2024, Senator Tillis joined Fox News’ Your World with Neil Cavuto where he discussed the urgent need for Congress to provide federal assistance to North Carolinians affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.  

    On December 10, 2024, Senator Tillis hosted N.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, N.C. House of Representatives Speaker-elect Destin Hall, State Senators Bill Rabon and Ralph Hise, and State Representative Dudley Greene to discuss efforts to provide immediate assistance to North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene’s devastation.   

    On December 18, 2024, Senator Tillis committed to filibustering any continuing resolution that did not include disaster aid for Western North Carolina. 

    On December 21, 2024, Senator Tillis voted to pass a bipartisan government funding bill that included more than $100 billion in disaster relief for states and communities hit by natural disasters, including North Carolina during Hurricane Helene.

    On January 7, 2025 Senator Tillis announced $1.65 billion in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds to help rebuild communities devastated by Hurricane Helene.  

    On January 24, 2025, Senator Tillis released a statement thanking President Trump for his visit to Western North Carolina to survey the devastation left behind by Helene. 

    On January 31, 2025, Senator Tillis introduced the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2025, legislation that excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, any qualified catastrophe mitigation payment made under a state-based catastrophe loss mitigation program. 

    On March 11, 2025 Senator Tillis reintroduced the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act, bipartisan legislation to simplify the application process for federal disaster recovery assistance. 

    On April 1, 2025 Senator Tillis sent a letter urging U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to work with Congress to quickly distribute the more than $23 billion Congress passed in December to assist farmers, ranchers and rural Americans in responding to devastating natural disasters in 2023 and 2024.

    On April 3, 2025 Senator Tillis (R-NC) introduced the FEMA Independence Act, bipartisan legislation to restore the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an independent cabinet-level agency and improve efficiency in federal emergency response efforts. 

    On April 24, 2025 Senator Tillis introduced the Helene Recovery Small Business Act and the Loans in Our Neighborhoods (LIONs) Act of 2025, legislation that would provide much-needed relief to small businesses as they work to recover from the devastation of Helene.

    In addition to Senator Tillis’ legislative efforts the Senator has met with local leaders, residents, and elected officials across Western North Carolina including in: Asheville, Black Mountain, Boone, Burnsville, Canton, Clyde, Fairview, Flat Rock, Hendersonville, Hot Springs, Marshall, Morganton, Spruce Pine, Swannanoa, Waynesville and Wilkesboro.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Klobuchar Lead Senate Spotlight Forum on Devastating Impact of GOP SNAP Cuts

    US Senate News:

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

    Spotlight Forum Follows CBO Analysis Warning That Millions of Food-Insecure Americans Will Face Higher Food Costs;

    Lawmakers, Experts Warn of National Hunger Crisis and State Budget Shortfalls Under GOP Proposal

    More photos available HERE.

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research, and U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, led a Senate Spotlight Forum titled “Hunger by Design: The GOP’s Assault on SNAP,” bringing together national experts and advocates to highlight the dangerous consequences of Congressional Republicans’ proposal to slash the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by $300 billion.

    SNAP is a lifeline for over 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, 8 million seniors, 4 million people with disabilities, and 1.2 million veterans. The forum followed House Republicans’ Big, Beautiful Betrayal of American families – cutting SNAP by 30% – the largest cut in the program’s history. These cuts will raise grocery costs for more than 4 million Americans in need by taking away or reducing their food assistance.

    “The House Republican bill proposes the deepest cuts to SNAP in American history – gutting $300 billion in nutrition assistance and forcing states to take on more than $150 billion in costs. This would dismantle one of our most effective anti-poverty programs and hurt millions of Americans – including children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities,” said Senator Luján. “In New Mexico, I’ve heard directly from food banks, farmers, and families already stretched thin. These cuts would only make it harder for them to get by.

    “I was honored to lead this forum alongside Senator Klobuchar and to stand with my Democratic colleagues in fighting these extreme GOP cuts. I was especially proud to elevate the voice of Katy Anderson from Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico, who brought critical insight into how these cuts would impact communities on the ground. The testimony of our witnesses reminded us what’s really at stake – and why we have to keep fighting,” continued Senator Luján. 

    “House Republicans’ bill will rip the rug out from under families who count on SNAP to put food on the table. It will mean more seniors, children, veterans, and people with disabilities will go to bed hungry,” said Senator Klobuchar.

    “The House Republican bill will upend state budgets – forcing states to make impossible choices between food assistance and other priorities, like education, health, and public safety. It will devastate our farmers, who stand to lose $35 billion in revenue over the next decade. It will mean more food pantries with empty shelves. These cuts will cost jobs and wages for everyone who is a part of the food system – from truck drivers to local grocers. SNAP supports nearly 390,000 jobs and $20 billion in wages every year for workers. We are fighting this in the Senate every step of the way,” continued Senator Klobuchar.

    Witnesses warned that the House bill would reduce or terminate food assistance for millions and shift over $150 billion in costs to states, forcing them to cut benefits or restrict eligibility. These changes could strain state budgets, particularly when combined with similar proposed Medicaid cuts.

    The forum featured testimony from:

    • Dr. Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, Margaret Walker Alexander Professor, Northwestern University
    • Barbara C. Guinn, Commissioner, NY State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
    • Katy Anderson, Vice President of Strategy, Partnerships and Advocacy, Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico
    • Jade Johnson, Mother and Student

    “SNAP provides very important help to a very wide range of Americans who struggle to put food on the table. The provisions in the recently passed House bill would cause substantial harm to children, older Americans, and low-wage workers. This new requirement for states to pay for up to 25% of SNAP benefits would substantially reduce the effectiveness of the program in times of economic downturn,” said Dr. Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach in her opening statement.

    “The cuts put forward by the recently passed House reconciliation bill would harm individuals and states nationwide by forcing billions of dollars in annual cost shifts alongside unprecedented administrative hurdles that will harm households that rely on SNAP,” said Barbara C. Guinn in her opening statement.

    “SNAP continues to be our country’s most important and effective anti-hunger program. It plays an important role in New Mexico, with 21 percent of the state’s residents relying on the program in order to ensure access to food. More than 61 percent of participants are in families with children, 31 percent are in families with members who are older adults or are disabled, and 43% are in working families. The vast majority of SNAP recipients in New Mexico and across the country are children and seniors,” said Katy Anderson in her opening statement. 

    “SNAP benefits are the only way we can regularly afford to put food on the table. I would never have time to work a third job to make up for the loss of my SNAP benefits and care for my child effectively. With costs going up on things like rent and other basic necessities, my income gets completely eaten up before I am able to even think about buying food,” said Jade Johnson in her opening statement. 

    The lawmakers and experts warned that an estimated 500,000 children would lose school meals tied to SNAP eligibility; emergency food providers, already stretched thin, would be unable to meet the increased demand; and farmers, rural grocery stores, and small businesses would see declines in revenue.

    Since its creation, SNAP has operated with a consistent national benefit structure that ensures Americans, no matter where they live, can access basic nutrition. The proposed changes would undermine that structure and deepen hunger across the country.

    Footage of the full forum can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Whitehouse, Durbin, Blumenthal, Coons Question DOJ Decision to Shutter Specialized Unit for Cracking Down on Transnational Crime

    US Senate News:

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

    The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces program has helped arrest fentanyl traffickers, seize hundreds of tons of narcotics, and confiscate billions in dirty money

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Chris Coons (D-Del.) sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi questioning the Department of Justice’s plan to end the successful Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program. 

    “As the Department’s website notes, OCDETF ‘is the centerpiece of the Attorney General’s strategy to combat transnational-organized crime and to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics in the nation.’ OCDETF oversees coordination of thousands of federal, state, and local law enforcement officials to implement a national strategy to dismantle transnational drug cartels, the financial networks that support them, and the flow of drugs from these cartels into the United States,” wrote the senators.

    The OCDETF program is the largest anti-crime task force in the country. In just the past two months, OCDETF program resources have been used to secure prison sentences for two individuals operating a clandestine fentanyl lab in South Carolina and to take down three prolific Chinese money launderers who pleaded guilty to laundering tens of millions of dollars in drug proceeds. Many OCDETF investigations target the cartels’ financial networks, an often-overlooked component of the U.S. strategy to combat drug-trafficking organizations. In Fiscal Year 2023, OCDETF investigations resulted in forfeitures and seizures totaling more than $423 million. 

    Reporting from Bloomberg in May revealed that the Trump Administration plans to eliminate the OCDETF program, including its support for specialized investigators and prosecutors, in a move that would kneecap America’s ability to dismantle cartels trafficking illicit fentanyl. 

    “We seek to fully understand the Department’s plans to cease OCDETF operations.  We also seek to ensure that the federal government continues to have a coordinated strategy for working with state and local stakeholders to investigate and hold accountable transnational criminal organizations operating in, or financing the operations of organizations that operate in, the United States,” added the senators.

    The senators requested answers to the following questions by June 13, 2025:

    1. How many cases has OCDETF led, or supported with funds, intelligence, or other resources, that disrupted fentanyl traffickers’ production, distribution, financing, or money laundering networks?
    1. Does the Department intend to cease or significantly reduce OCDETF operations?  If so, please specify how.
    1. If the Department intends to cease or significantly reduce OCDETF operations:
    1. Why is the Department choosing to cease or significantly reduce OCDETF operations?
    1. How will the Department ensure that ongoing OCDETF investigations and prosecutions continue uninterrupted?
    1. According to GAO, “OCDETF cases must have a financial component” to facilitate the targeting of financial networks underpinning drug trafficking organizations.  How will the Department ensure that OCDETF-enabled inter-agency coordination on investigations into the financial networks of fentanyl traffickers and transnational criminal organizations continues uninterrupted?
    1. How will the Department ensure that federal, state, and local law enforcement relying on OCDETF’s Fusion Center intelligence products are not hampered by a cessation or reduction of OCDETF operations? 
    1. Does the Department intend to designate another entity to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of transnational criminal organizations, unrelated to low-level offenders?  If so, which entity?

    The text of the letter is below and a PDF is available here.

    Dear Attorney General Bondi:

    We write to request information on the Department of Justice’s plans to terminate its Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program.  On May 5, 2025, Bloomberg reported that DOJ has begun the process of “closing down” OCDETF and “zeroing” out its budget in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

    As the Department’s website notes, OCDETF “is the centerpiece of the Attorney General’s strategy to combat transnational-organized crime and to reduce the availability of illicit narcotics in the nation.”  OCDETF oversees coordination of thousands of federal, state, and local law enforcement officials to implement a national strategy to dismantle transnational drug cartels, the financial networks that support them, and the flow of drugs from these cartels into the United States.  By leveraging resources from its participating and partner agencies, OCDETF can pursue investigations into the highest-level criminal actors behind these drug crime networks.

    OCDETF’s intelligence products and insights enhance the capacity of federal, state, and local law enforcement.  In FY 2023, OCDETF Fusion Center analysts disseminated 4,141 intelligence products to 36,693 law enforcement personnel across the country.  These resources buoy state and local agencies that may otherwise lack the expertise or funds to launch longer, more complex investigations. 

    According to DEA, “since OCDETF’s inception tens of thousands of arrests have been made and hundreds of tons of narcotics and billions in currency, real property, and conveyances have all been seized.”  And as the Department of Justice noted upon the 40th anniversary of President Reagan’s establishment of OCDETF, “[s]ome of the department’s most notable successes against drug cartels have resulted from OCDETF coordinated investigations and prosecutions.”  These successes include “taking down the powerful Colombian cartels of the 1980s, the notorious and violent Mexican cartels . . . in the 1990s; and the methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and opioid threats from all over the world in the last two decades.”

    OCDETF investigations continue to deliver.  This month, DOJ announced that “three members of a prolific Chinese money laundering organizations plead[ed] guilty to laundering tens of millions of dollars in drug proceeds.”  In April, DEA reported that two individuals operating a clandestine fentanyl lab in South Carolina “were each sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl.”  OCDETF resources were used for both cases.     

    Many OCDETF-supported investigations that result in financial forfeitures or seizures channel money into government funds, which can be used to pay for the expenses associated with forfeiture operations, as well as certain investigative costs.  In FY 2023, closed OCDETF investigations resulted in forfeitures and seizures totaling $423.1 million.  These benefits are in addition to money judgments resulting from ODCETF investigations, which ranged between $125 million to over $750 million from FY 2019 to FY 2023. 

    We seek to fully understand the Department’s plans to cease OCDETF operations.  We also seek to ensure that the federal government continues to have a coordinated strategy for working with state and local stakeholders to investigate and hold accountable transnational criminal organizations operating in, or financing the operations of organizations that operate in, the United States.  Thus, we request that you provide answers to the following questions.

    1. How many cases has OCDETF led, or supported with funds, intelligence, or other resources, that disrupted fentanyl traffickers’ production, distribution, financing, or money laundering networks?
    1. Does the Department intend to cease or significantly reduce OCDETF operations?  If so, please specify how.
    1. If the Department intends to cease or significantly reduce OCDETF operations:
    1. Why is the Department choosing to cease or significantly reduce OCDETF operations?
    1. How will the Department ensure that ongoing OCDETF investigations and prosecutions continue uninterrupted?
    1. According to GAO, “OCDETF cases must have a financial component” to facilitate the targeting of financial networks underpinning drug trafficking organizations.  How will the Department ensure that OCDETF-enabled inter-agency coordination on investigations into the financial networks of fentanyl traffickers and transnational criminal organizations continues uninterrupted?
    1. How will the Department ensure that federal, state, and local law enforcement relying on OCDETF’s Fusion Center intelligence products are not hampered by a cessation or reduction of OCDETF operations? 
    1. Does the Department intend to designate another entity to coordinate investigations and prosecutions of transnational criminal organizations, unrelated to low-level offenders?  If so, which entity?

    Please provide your response to our questions no later than June 13, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representative Smith statement on SUPPORT Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rep. Smith (D – Wash.) released the following statement regarding the SUPPORT Act, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today.
     
    “Today I voted for the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025, which would renew funding for drug prevention and treatment programs, as well as key mental health initiatives, and behavioral health care programs.

    “Improving our response to mental and behavioral health is a key priority of mine. This bill has historically provided a bipartisan investment in addressing these issues. I am glad to support the authorization of important disorder treatment programs and opioid response grants.

    “Unfortunately, this historically bipartisan bill is being knee-capped by an Executive Branch that has unlawfully gutted the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) which would be responsible for running these vital programs. The Administration is also preparing to eliminate 40 different mental health and substance use programs, including eight programs reauthorized by the SUPPORT Act.

    “It is incredibly hypocritical of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to vote for this bill while maintaining ardent support for the cutting of SAMHSA and other programs by the “Big Ugly Bill” and the Trump Administration.

    “Congress must take the problems of mental and behavioral health care seriously. I urge all who also vote “yea” on this bill to also take a long, hard look at the proposed cuts to SAMHSA and HHS from the Trump Administration. This bill could do important things to address substance use disorders, the opioid crisis, and our mental and behavioral health care crisis, if only the Trump Administration would faithfully implement it.” 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tgd Cuts, LLC Initiated Voluntary Recall of Cucumber from Bedner Growers Inc., Which Had the Potential to Be Contaminated with Salmonella

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    June 04, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    June 04, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & Beverages
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

    Company Name:
    TGD Cuts, LLC.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Multiple brands

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Fresh cucumbers and salsa and salads containing fresh cucumbers

    Company Announcement
    TGD Cuts, LLC of Jessup, MD has initiated a voluntary recall of the specific tub and tray items listed below because they contained cucumber from Bedner Growers Inc., which had the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
    Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and sometime fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare instances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
    This recall includes the tub and tray items listed below with use by dates ranging from 5/20/2025 – 5/28/2025. Products were distributed to retail and foodservice locations in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and North Carolina. No other products were affected.
    There have been no reported illnesses to date associated with the affected items. These products are beyond their usable shelf life and are no longer expected to be in commerce.
    TGD Cuts, LLC takes the safety and integrity of the products it sells seriously. If customers have product affected by this voluntary recall, they should discard it immediately or return it to their local store for a full refund.
    Consumers with questions may contact the company at (410)-799-5700 M-F between the hours of 6:30am-3:00pm EST.
    TGD Cuts, LLC Contact Information mediarelations@classproduce.com(410)-799-5700Monday thru Friday 6:30am–3:00pm EST
    Attention Customer Care
    Jennifer Henderson-AdamsM-F 6:30am-2:00pmExt. #4305
    Stephanie LyonsM-F 7:30am-3:00pmExt. #4308

    Item
    UPC
    Use By/Julian Date Start
    Use By/Juliant Date End

    Salsa, Hot 6/12 oz.
    840219170534
    5/25/2025
    5/25/2025

    Salsa, Mild 6/12oz.
    840219170541
    5/24/2025
    5/25/2025

    Salsa, Mild 5lb.
    840219140445
    25134
    25136

    Salsa, Mild 5lb.
    840219140445
    5/27/2025
    5/28/2025

    Cucumber Sliced/Grape Tomato 50/2oz.
    840219184784
    5/22/2025
    5/23/2025

    Cucumber Sliced Unpeeled 5lb.
    840219160733
    25129
    25129

    Cucumber Sliced Unpeeled 50/2oz.
    840219170657
    5/19/2025
    5/19/2025

    Cucumber Spears 50/2oz.
    840219179971
    5/19/2025
    5/19/2025

    Outbreak Investigation of Salmonella: Cucumbers (May 2025) | FDA 

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    Jennifer Henderson-Adams
    (410)-799-5700 Ext. #4305

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    06/04/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Firehook of Virginia Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Sesame in Classic Sea Salt Crackers

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    June 04, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    June 04, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & Beverages
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Undeclared Sesame

    Company Name:
    Firehook of Virginia
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Firehook

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Crackers

    Company Announcement
    Firehook of Virginia is recalling one lot of Firehook brand Classic Sea Salt Organic Crackers because they may contain undeclared sesame. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to sesame run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
    The Firehook artisan baked Classic Sea Salt Crackers 8oz come in a clear package with a Best By Date of 09/29/25, and a UPC code 8 99055 00063 5.
    The crackers were sold at retail stores in CT, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, and VA.
    The recall was initiated on 5/30/2025 after it was discovered that the sesame-containing product was distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of sesame. Subsequent investigation indicates that the problem was caused by a temporary breakdown in the company’s production and packaging processes causing the wrong labels to be applied to the product.
    No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. Please see the pictures below for further identification.
    Consumers who have purchased 8 ounce packages of Firehook brand Classic Sea Salt Crackers with a Best By Date of 9/29/25 are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-888-580-0745 Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm EST.

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    Firehook of Virginia
    888-580-0745

    Media:
    Brent Fowler
    888-580-0745

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    06/04/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Public Servants Sentenced for COVID-19 Relief Fraud

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

    MIAMI – Angelo Stephen, 33, a former Federal Bureau of Prisons Correctional Officer, and George Arestuche, 47, a former Miami-Dade County Aviation Department employee, were sentenced in separate cases after pleading guilty to defrauding COVID-19 relief programs. 

    Angelo Stephen

    On May 22, Stephen was sentenced to four months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $75,513 in restitution by Chief U.S. District Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga. Chief Judge Altonaga also entered a forfeiture money judgment against Stephen in the additional amount of $71,166. The sentence follows Stephen’s conviction for wire fraud in connection with his fraudulent applications for two Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and one Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), as well as his participation in two bank account takeover schemes.

    During his change of plea hearing, Stephen admitted that on August 4, 2020, he submitted a false and fraudulent EIDL application in his own name to the Small Business Administration (SBA), claiming to be an independent contractor and the sole owner of a business that provided event planning and entertainment services with 10 employees.  The EIDL application falsely certified that for the applicable 12-month period, the business had approximately $62,018 in gross revenue and a cost of goods sold of $0. Based on his false and fraudulent application, Stephen received $20,000 in EIDL proceeds from the SBA. 

    Stephen additionally admitted to fraudulently obtaining two PPP loans. On April 24, 2021, Stephen submitted a first-draw PPP loan application, claiming to be the sole proprietor of a non-existent business with $106,554 in gross income in 2020. In support of the application, Stephen submitted a fraudulent IRS Form 1040 Schedule C. Based on his false and fraudulent application, Stephen received $20,833 in PPP loan proceeds from an SBA-approved lender.  On May 11, 2021, Stephen submitted a second-draw PPP loan application, making the same false claims about his nonexistent business that was supported by submission of the identical false Schedule C. Based on his false and fraudulent application, Stephen obtained $20,833 in PPP loan proceeds from a different SBA-approved lender. 

    Stephen also admitted to taking part in two bank account takeover schemes. On March 30, 2023, Stephen received a $20,000 wire transfer from the account of an unsuspecting victim in Virginia. Stephen quickly withdrew all illegally obtained money through a series of cash withdrawals and Zelle transfers to others. In the second takeover scheme, Stephen and his accomplices obtained new checks from the credit union account of a different unsuspecting victim. Stephen subsequently used one of those checks to obtain $8,500 in cash that he was not entitled to. 

    George Arestuche

    On May 28, Arestuche was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Paul C. Huck to five years of probation to include 210 days in home detention and ordered to pay $114,679 in restitution, plus community service. The sentence follows Arestuche’s conviction for conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with his fraudulent application for an EIDL.

    According to the facts admitted at the change of plea hearing, Arestuche and a co-conspirator devised a scheme to defraud the SBA by submitting a false and fraudulent application for Arestuche to obtain an EIDL and EIDL advance. As part of the conspiracy, Arestuche agreed to pay the co-conspirator a large fee.

    On July 9, 2020, Arestuche’s co-conspirator submitted a false and fraudulent EIDL application to the SBA on behalf of Arestuche, claiming that Arestuche was an independent contractor and the sole owner of an automotive repair business with 10 employees. The EIDL application falsely certified that for the applicable 12-month period, the business had $600,000 in gross revenue and a cost of goods sold of $184,000. In reality, Arestuche was not an independent contractor and did not own any type of business.  The EIDL application was supported by a fraudulent IRS Form 1040 Schedule C. As a result of this false and fraudulent EIDL application, Arestuche obtained $149,900 in EIDL proceeds and a $10,000 EIDL advance from the SBA. Arestuche subsequently paid his co-conspirator $17,275 for helping him fraudulently obtain the money from the SBA. Since pleading guilty, Arestuche has paid $50,000 in advance restitution payments. 

    U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida; acting Special Agent in Charge Amber Howell of the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General’s Fraud Detection Office (DOJ-OIG); Special Agent in Charge Amaleka McCall-Brathwaite, U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG), Eastern Region; acting Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of FBI Miami; and Inspector General Felix Jimenez of the Miami-Dade County Office of Inspector General (MDC-OIG) made the announcement.

    DOJ-OIG and SBA-OIG investigated the Stephen case.  SBA-OIG and the FBI’s Miami Area Corruption Task Force, which includes task force officers from the MDC-OIG, investigated the Arestuche case. 

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward N. Stamm prosecuted both cases. 

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika Miranda is handling forfeiture matters in the Stephen case.

    In March 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted. It was designed to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among other sources of relief, the CARES Act authorized and provided funding to the SBA to provide EIDLs to eligible small businesses, including sole proprietorships and independent contractors, experiencing substantial financial disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow them to meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could otherwise have been met had the disaster not occurred.  EIDL applications were submitted directly to the SBA via the SBA’s on-line application website, and the applications were processed and the loans funded for qualifying applicants directly by the SBA.

    On May 17, 2021, the Attorney General established the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to marshal the resources of the Department of Justice in partnership with agencies across government to enhance efforts to combat and prevent pandemic-related fraud. The Task Force bolsters efforts to investigate and prosecute the most culpable domestic and international criminal actors and assists agencies tasked with administering relief programs to prevent fraud by, among other methods, augmenting and incorporating existing coordination mechanisms, identifying resources and techniques to uncover fraudulent actors and their schemes, and sharing and harnessing information and insights gained from prior enforcement efforts. For more information on the Department’s response to the pandemic, please visit https://www.justice.gov/coronavirus.

    On September 15, 2022, the Attorney General selected the Southern District of Florida’s U.S. Attorney’s Office to head one of three national COVID-19 Fraud Strike Force Teams. The Department of Justice established the Strike Force to enhance existing efforts to combat and prevent COVID-19 related financial fraud. For more information on the department’s response to the pandemic, please click here.

    Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

    Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov, under case numbers 25-cr-20014 (Stephen) and 25-cr-20001 (Arestuche).

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Eight Sentenced in Eastern Panhandle Fentanyl Drug Trafficking Operation

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

    MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Eight people have been sentenced for their roles in an Eastern Panhandle drug trafficking organization.

    The indictment, returned in January 2024 against Gary Brown, Jr. and eighty-one others, charged that the defendants caused substantial amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine to be distributed in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties.

    Those sentenced this week include:

    • Eric Garner, also known as “Pops,” age 58, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced to 300 months.
    • Gary Rodriguez, also known as “Mr. T,” age 34, of Lanham, Maryland, was sentenced to 240 months in prison.
    • Benjamin Paul Knotts, age 49, of Charles Town, West Virginia, was sentenced to 235 months in prison.
    • Damian Costello, age 28, of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, was sentenced to 180 months in prison.
    • Michael Bradley Decker, age 44, of Inwood, West Virginia, was sentenced to 97 months.
    • Gary Brown, III, age 20, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced to 36 months.
    • Wendy Diane Crites, age 58, of Charles Town, West Virginia, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison.
    • Michael Regale Luckett, age 47, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, was sentenced to 9 months in federal prison.

    Of the 82 defendants, 81 have been convicted. Including this week’s eight, 70 defendants have been sentenced. One defendant, Charles Delroy Singletary, age 44, of Baltimore, Maryland, remains a fugitive.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Omps-Botteicher and Kyle Kane prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government.

    U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.

    Investigative agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (Pittsburgh Field Division and Baltimore Field Division); the Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the United States Marshals Service;  the Eastern Panhandle Drug Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative; the West Virginia State Police; the West Virginia Air National Guard; the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office; Ranson Police Department; Martinsburg Police Department; Charles Town Police Department; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; Stafford County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia); Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (Maryland); Frederick County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia); Winchester Police Department; and the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office (Virginia).

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tampa Man Sentenced To 20 Years For The Sex Trafficking Of Two Minors And Producing Child Sex Abuse Material

    Source: United States Department of Justice (Human Trafficking)

    Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Dontae D. Burton (40, Tampa) to 20 years in federal prison for sex trafficking a minor and production of child sex abuse material.  A federal jury found Burton guilty on January 15, 2025.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Burton arranged commercial sexual activity for two minors, ages 16 and 17, by creating and posting ads for them on adult escort websites. Burton handled all communications with clients, scheduled dates, determined the amount of money to be paid for the sex acts, and transported the victims to and from the dates. Burton managed the money and kept approximately half of what the clients had paid for the sex acts. Burton also recorded and edited a video of one of the victims performing a sex act on him.

    “This sentence reflects the severity of Dontae Burton’s crimes of exploiting two vulnerable minors for commercial sex and creating child sexual abuse material in the process,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tampa assistant Special agent in Charge Kristopher Pagitt. “Protecting children from predators who traffic and abuse them remains one of HSI’s highest priorities, and we will continue to pursue justice for the victims.”

    This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney Derry.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Key Unions Announce Endorsement Of Durbin, Marshal Credit Card Competition Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    June 04, 2025

    The Teamsters, RWDSU, SEIU, and UFCW announced their support for the bipartisan legislation in a letter to Durbin and Marshall

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) today announced that key unions, representing 4.5 million American workers, have endorsed their Credit Card Competition Act, which would enhance competition and choice in the credit card network market that is currently dominated by the Visa-Mastercard duopoly.  The International Brotherhood of Teamsters; the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union (RWDSU); Service Employees International Union (SEIU); and the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) wrote a letter detailing their endorsement, emphasizing that swipe fees harm hardworking Americans.

    “Unions understand Americans’ concerns about inflation and the rising costs of necessities like groceries and gas.  As Americans are trying to make ends meet, the biggest Wall Street banks, Visa, and Mastercard, are lining their pockets by charging outrageous swipe fees on each credit card transaction.  For the benefit of working Americans being charged for swiping their credit card, we must inject competition into the credit card market,” Durbin said.  “I wholeheartedly welcome the endorsement of these unions who are looking out for their members and American consumers.”

    “Visa-Mastercard and Wall Street banks are charging American families the highest swipe fees in the world — nearly five times higher than those in other countries,” said Marshall. “These excessive fees cost the average hardworking American household over $1,200 a year. No one understands the burden of these costs better than our trade unions, and I’m proud to have their support as we fight to bring fairness and competition back to the payments market.”

    “While our memberships are diverse, hail from different industries, and different parts of the country, all unions know that working people are reeling from an affordability crisis on everyday goods.  This crisis is especially challenging for low wage workers who often need to make necessary purchases like gasoline, groceries and clothing on credit cards,” unions wrote in their endorsement letter.  “We embrace the Credit Card Competition Act as a means to return more buying power to hard working Americans by curbing the outrageous rise in fees charged by Visa and Mastercard to merchants in the United States.”

    Building off debit card competition reforms enacted by Congress in 2010, Durbin and Marshall’s Credit Card Competition Act would direct the Federal Reserve to ensure that the largest credit card-issuing banks offer a choice of at least two networks over which an electronic credit transaction may be processed.  The legislation is estimated to save merchants and consumers $17 billion each year.

    Visa and Mastercard wield enormous market power in credit cards; they account for more than 726 million cards or about 84 percent of general-purpose credit cards.  Visa’s and Mastercard’s market power and network structure have enabled them to impose fees on U.S. merchants that are among the world’s highest, charging a total of $101 billion in U.S. merchant credit card fees in 2023.  Thesefees include interchange or swipe fees which Visa and Mastercard require merchants to pay to issuing banks, as well as network fees that Visa and Mastercard require merchants to pay directly to them.  Consumers ultimately pay for these fees in the price of the goods and services they buy.

    A copy of the endorsement letter is available here.

       

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Meets With Three Federal Judges To Discuss Judicial Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    June 04, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after discussing judicial security with Judge Beth Bloom of the Southern District of Florida, Judge Mark Norris of the Western District of Tennessee, and Judge Esther Salas of the District of New Jersey, whose son was murdered at the family’s home by a former litigant who posed as a deliveryman:

    “President Trump is openly threatening judges with over-the-top rhetoric and even calling for their impeachment for ruling against him. Just as bad: Republicans seem to be keeping quiet about—or even enabling—his threats. If President Obama or President Biden had said these things, Republicans would’ve thrown a fit.

    “Americans are welcome to disagree with judicial decisions on the merits, but we must all agree that we cannot undermine our Constitution by allowing threats to the officers of our judicial branch in an attempt to weaken it.

    “Judges Salas, Bloom, and Norris are helping to shed light on the threats faced by our judges in a heightened political environment, and I thank them for having the courage to speak about their experiences and carry on the legacy of Judge Salas’s son Daniel.”

    New reporting found that USMS has seen a spike in threats against federal judges, including 197 federal judges threatened between March 1 and May 27 of this year. One report identified more than 600 posts on social media and right-leaning message boards since February targeting family members of judges who ruled against the Trump Administration—with the posts viewed more than 200 million times. Another report described federal judges and their family members receiving anonymous deliveries to their homes intended to show that those seeking to intimidate the targeted judge know the judge’s address or their family members’ addresses. Some of these deliveries were made using the name of Judge Salas’s son.

    The spike in threats coincides with escalating, threatening language by President Trump and his allies, including calls for impeaching judges who don’t rule in the President’s favor.

    Durbin has urged Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Patel to investigate the ongoing and increasing threats against federal judges. Durbin asked for a response by May 20, but has yet to receive one.

    In 2023, the Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act was signed into law as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation provided additional intelligence analysts and deputy Marshals to the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and allowed judges to remove sensitive personal information from government websites and private publications.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Targa Resources Corp. Prices $1.5 Billion Offering of Senior Notes

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, June 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Targa Resources Corp. (“Targa” or the “Company”) (NYSE: TRGP) announced today the pricing of an underwritten public offering (the “Offering”) of $750 million aggregate principal amount of its 4.900% Senior Notes due 2030 and $750 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.650% Senior Notes due 2036 at a price to the public of 99.870% and 99.700% of their face value, respectively. The Offering is expected to close on June 18, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

    The Company expects to use a portion of the net proceeds from the Offering to redeem the 6.500% Senior Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”) issued by Targa Resources Partners LP and to use the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including to repay borrowings under its unsecured commercial paper note program, to repay other indebtedness, to repurchase or redeem securities or to fund capital expenditures, additions to working capital or investments in its subsidiaries.

    This Offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement and prospectus filed by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and may be made only by means of a prospectus and prospectus supplement related to such Offering meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). This announcement shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities, except as required by law.

    About Targa Resources Corp.

    Targa Resources Corp. (NYSE: TRGP) is a leading provider of midstream services and is one of the largest independent infrastructure companies in North America. The Company owns, operates, acquires, and develops a diversified portfolio of complementary domestic infrastructure assets and its operations are critical to the efficient, safe and reliable delivery of energy across the United States and increasingly to the world. The Company’s assets connect natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGL(s)”) to domestic and international markets with growing demand for cleaner fuels and feedstocks. The Company is primarily engaged in the business of: gathering, compressing, treating, processing, transporting, and purchasing and selling natural gas; transporting, storing, fractionating, treating, and purchasing and selling NGLs and NGL products, including services to liquified petroleum gas exporters; and gathering, storing, terminaling, and purchasing and selling crude oil.

    The principal executive offices of Targa Resources Corp. are located at 811 Louisiana, Suite 2100, Houston, TX 77002 and its telephone number is 713-584-1000.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this release are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements, including the expected closing date and use of proceeds from the Offering, such as the redemption of the 2027 Notes. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of uncertainties, factors and risks, many of which are outside the Company’s control, which could cause results to differ materially from those expected by management of the Company. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those described more fully in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake an obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Targa Investor Relations
    InvestorRelations@targaresources.com
    (713) 584-1133

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim Remembers Tiananmen Square Massacre 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Washington, DC – Today, House Foreign Affairs Indo-Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman Young Kim (CA-40) and Ranking Member Ami Bera (CA-06) introduced a bipartisan resolution to remember the victims of the Tiananmen Square Massacre on June 4, 1989, and condemn the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s continued crackdown on human rights and basic freedoms in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Hong Kong. 

    “Tiananmen Square showed the world 36 years ago that Chinese Communist Party leaders will do anything to maintain power and control, even at the expense of their own citizens’ lives. The courageous victims remain in our hearts and reaffirm our fight for freedom on the world stage, especially as the CCP continues to get away with torturing Uyghurs, imprisoning Hong Kongers, stealing our intellectual property, and conducting mass surveillance on the Chinese people,” said Chairwoman Kim. “This bipartisan resolution sends a unified message that the United States Congress supports fundamental human rights and freedoms for the people of China and Hong Kong.” 

    “As we mark the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, we remember the countless individuals who risked—and in many cases lost—their lives in the pursuit of democracy and basic human rights,” said Ranking Member Bera.  “Decades later, the Chinese Communist Party continues its relentless crackdown on dissent—jailing human rights lawyers, silencing journalists, persecuting religious and ethnic minorities, and dismantling democratic institutions in Hong Kong. This bipartisan resolution sends a powerful message: the United States Congress stands with those fighting for freedom, dignity, and democratic values in China and Hong Kong.” 

    Read the resolution HERE.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kim, Raskin Introduce Legislation to Feed Shelter Animals, Support Shelters and Prevent Waste 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Jamie Raskin (MD-08) introduced bipartisan legislation to incentivize pet suppliers to donate leftover and usable food and supplies to animal shelters.  

    The Bring Animals Relief and Kibble (BARK) Act could help the recovery of millions of pounds of pet food to feed shelter animals. In addition to food, the law would make it easier to donate beds, blankets, crates, leashes, toys and more gear for animals in need. This legislation is especially crucial as animal shelters face rising operational costs. 

    “Across the country, many animal shelters face food and supply shortages while over a million pounds of useable pet supplies are wasted each year. The BARK Act will help reduce this waste, supply shelters in need, and feed animals,” said Congresswoman Kim. “I am happy to lead this commonsense bipartisan effort to support shelters and reduce waste in landfills.” 

    “Every day, viable pet food goes to waste and blankets, crates and other supplies end up in the trash,” said Rep. Raskin. “Our legislation helps suppliers and people donate leftover food and supplies rather than toss them out. I’m glad to partner with Rep. Kim to ensure perfectly good pet supplies go to shelter animals in need.” 

    “I’ve seen the bags of perfectly usable pet foods that retailers put in the trash—all of which could benefit an animal in a shelter,” said Sally Tom of Silver Spring, Rep. Raskin’s constituent and the inspiration behind the BARK Act. “After taking this problem to my Congressman, Jamie Raskin, he immediately crafted the BARK Act to help pet retail stores send shelters, rescue groups, and most importantly, millions of hungry animals the food they need. Let’s rescue food for the rescues!” 

    “The ASPCA applauds Representatives Raskin, Kim, and McBath, as well as Senators Warnock and Tillis for reintroducing the BARK Act, which will make it easier for individuals and businesses to donate food and supplies to nonprofits and government agencies that care for dogs, cats, and other vulnerable animals in need,” said Maggie Garrett, vice president of federal affairs for the ASPCA. “This bill will help shelters across the country who are facing an ongoing capacity crisis, caused by animals staying in shelters longer, staffing and veterinary shortages, and an increase in the number of animals with significant medical and behavioral needs.” 

    “The BARK Act is a commonsense way to boost pet food and supplies for animal shelters” said Tracie Letterman, Vice President, Humane World Action Fund.“This bill gives rescued animals a chance to find their forever families by helping those animal shelters struggling to operate.” 

    “Pets are an essential part of our families, and the BARK Act will make it easier for organizations to accept and distribute donations of pet food and supplies to people in need of support”, said Amanda Arrington, Vice President of Access to Care, Humane World for Animals. “We applaud Reps. Kim and Raskin for expanding the availability of these donations as it will make it easier for more pets to stay in their loving homes.” 

    “The Pet Food Institute, whose members make the vast majority of dog and cat food and treats in the U.S., applauds Rep. Jamie Raskin for reintroducing the BARK Act, which will make it easier to donate pet food and supplies to our nation’s animal shelters, while reducing waste,” said PFI’s president and CEO, Dana Brooks.“Helping eliminate barriers to donating pet food will ensure shelters are better able to provide pets awaiting their forever homes with the complete and balanced nutrition that cats and dogs need to live long and happy lives.” 

    The following organizations endorse the BARK Act: Best Friends Animal Society, Pet Food Institute, ASPCA, Humane World Action Fund, and Maryland Nonprofits. 

    Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) are introducing companion legislation in the Senate.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lummis, Cruz Introduce Resolution Designating June as “Life Month”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) joined Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) in introducing a resolution to designate June as “Life Month” to celebrate the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

    “Life is God’s greatest gift,” said Lummis. “Wyoming fiercely defends the sanctity of human life, and I am proud to reaffirm America’s commitment to the unborn. We must protect our most vulnerable, and this designation is a powerful reminder that every life is worthy of protection.”

    The resolution is cosponsored by Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Kennedy (R-LA), Ted Budd (R-NC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), Roger Marshall (R-KS),  Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Rick Scott (R-FL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Todd Young (R-IN), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Jim Risch (R-ID), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tim Scott (R-SC), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Jim Justice (R-WV).

    This resolution is supported by ADF, Heritage Action, SBA Pro-life, National Right to Life, Human Coalition, Heartbeat International, Family Research Council, Students for Life, Americans United for Life, Family Policy Alliance, Concerned Women for America, Catholic Vote, March for Life, 40 Days for Life, National Pro-Life Alliance, NIFLA, Citizens for Life, Christian Broadcasting Network, Focus on the Family, Liberty Counsel Action, and Eagle Forum.

     Read the full resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tonko Slams Republicans’ Hypocrisy in Protecting Addiction & Mental Health

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Addiction, Treatment, and Recovery (ATR) Caucus Co-Chair, Congressman Paul D. Tonko, spoke on the House floor today to call out Republicans for failing to respond to Trump administration attacks on addiction and mental health resources.

    Tonko’s speech came ahead of the vote on the bipartisan Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act. Tonko decried the hypocrisy of Republicans in bringing up this bill to pay lip service to the mental health and addiction crises while at the same time enabling the Trump administration to make devastating cuts to the very programs, services, and staff the SUPPORT Act needs to function, including decimating the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

    Earlier this year, Tonko held a virtual press conference with ten former SAMHSA employees who were fired as a result of cuts from this administration. Participants spoke about the detrimental impact that these cuts will have on addressing mental health, and ensuring access to substance use disorder treatment, services, prevention and recovery.
    Tonko’s full remarks can be viewed HERE or read below as prepared for delivery.

     

    SAMHSA’s stated mission is to lead public health and service delivery efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring access and better outcomes for all.

     

    It is not an exaggeration to say that the public servants at SAMHSA work every day to prevent overdoses and suicides and save lives.

     

    As a longtime champion for behavioral health parity and access to treatment and as Co-Chair of the Congressional Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus, bipartisan in nature, there have been a few questions on my mind.

     

    For instance, how many public servants need to be fired at SAMHSA before we say enough?

     

    How many suicide prevention trainings need to be cancelled before Republicans can speak out?

     

    How many lifesaving naloxone trainings need to be cancelled for Republicans to say something… say anything?

     

    How many lives need to be lost before Republicans tell the Trump Administration to stop the decimation of SAMHSA?

     

    I have other questions too, simple ones like how many people work at SAMHSA currently? What divisions have no staff left at all? What programs have they had to cut in local communities?

     

    In February, following the firing of probationary employees, I started asking these questions and since the firing of nearly 50 percent of SAMHSA’s staff I have continued asking those questions.

     

    To date I have gotten zero answers. Zero.

     

    Currently, we have lost 50 percent of SAMHSA staff and it’s not HHS or the Trump administration who shared that with Congress.

     

    We only have confirmation that SAMHSA lost half its staff from the press and from the former SAMHSA employees.

     

    That is unacceptable.

     

    As a Congress if we say we care about behavioral health, then we should be ashamed that we are okay not knowing this. For four months we have been asking questions and instead of answers we have even more concerning questions.

     

    I shared with our Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman that as the committee that has jurisdiction over SAMHSA, how do we not have these answers?

     

    This affects every community in the country and our first action should be finding out these answers. If the administration refuses to come in, then let’s bring in the fired employees.

     

    These people are some of the most dedicated public servants who did this work for all the right reasons and they served an incredible need. On behalf of all Americans, I thank all of the fired SAMHSA employees for their service to our nation. You deserved better. And frankly all Americans deserve better.

     

    Our loved ones should have access to effective addiction treatment, prevention and recovery support and behavioral health support and services. 

     

    The recent actions of this Trump Administration are betraying the goal of access to behavioral health treatment and support.

     

    RFK and Donald Trump have proposed to eliminate SAMHSA as an independent agency, burying it in the so-called “Administration for a Healthy America or AHA”

     

    Let’s remember that the whole reason Congress moved SAMHSA into an independent agency was to ensure that behavioral health was prioritized despite the longstanding stigma.


    Instead, AHA would take us back to the time that behavioral health is tucked away in another agency and deprioritized.

     

    When the agency is gutted, the programs and the mission suffers, and ultimately, the individuals we are trying to help with their mental health and substance use struggles will simply not get the support they need.

     

    People will die.

     

    I beg my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, let’s reverse course. We have an obligation to protect SAMHSA’s mission and all of our constituents who SAMHSA serves.

     

    Like many of my colleagues, I support the programs in this package; but it’s completely disingenuous and frankly outrageous that Republicans are here today trying to pat themselves on the back as doing something meaningful for those struggling with addiction while the entire agency we are authorizing programs for is being dismantled – the people doing the work we are authorizing have all been fired – and the Administration is proposing even more draconian cuts for mental health and substance use programs in the 2026 budget.

     

    Give me a break. 

     

    It’s like we’re trying to heal a bullet wound with a band aid.


    So I’m regrettably going to have to vote no and would respectfully ask my Republican colleagues to pause today’s vote and instead focus our intention on responding to the actual crisis at SAMHSA.

     

    Let’s stop this performance and instead let’s do the right thing and walk out right now and meet, make calls and work together to stop this madness. Let’s actually do something to meet this moment before it’s too late and we no longer have an agency focused on behavioral health.

     

    This is a truly a performative vote if Republicans are too scared to say anything when the agency is being decimated and the mission is on the line but they want to go home and say they voted for SUPPORT.


    But they won’t mention that it will never be implemented because the funding and staff are gone. 

     

    Let’s return to my initial question: how many lives need to be lost before Republicans tell the Trump Administration to stop the decimation of SAMHSA?

     

    If Republicans go forward with this vote today while staying silent as this administration takes the chainsaw to SAMHSA then it’s clear that they are willing to let SAMHSA lose all capacity to serve its mission to save lives.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Nanette Barragán Leads Letter Demanding Protections for Multilingual Weather Alerts and Forecasts

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

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    June 4, 2025

    Rep. Nanette Barragán Leads Letter Demanding Protections for Multilingual Weather Alerts and Forecasts

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) led a letter to National Weather Service (NWS) Director Ken Graham urging immediate action to protect and strengthen access to multilingual weather alerts and forecasts. The letter was co-led by the current and most recent chairs of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), and Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)— key caucuses whose members represent communities most impacted by language-access failures.

    Rep. Barragán’s letter follows a recent disruption in the NWS’s multilingual alert services, which occurred when NWS allowed its contract with a third-party translation firm to lapse. Although the service has since been restored, the letter highlights that the gap placed millions of Americans with limited English proficiency at risk and exposed dangerous vulnerabilities in the country’s emergency communication system.

    “Ensuring that all Americans, regardless of the language they speak, have access to life-saving weather information is not optional—it is a core responsibility of the National Weather Service,” said Rep. Barragán. “In a nation as diverse as ours, language access must be treated as an essential component of emergency preparedness and public communication— not an expendable service.”

    In the letter, CHC, CAPAC, and CBC members posed specific questions to the NWS about how it plans to prevent future lapses, evaluate translation service providers, and ensure inclusive outreach to limited-English-proficient communities. The lawmakers also pressed for transparency on the criteria used to select which languages are included in multilingual alerts and how the agency plans to update those lists to reflect shifting demographics.

    Nearly 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home— roughly one in five Americans, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The letter underscores that access to accurate weather information in one’s language is essential, not just during emergencies, but also for everyday decisions that affect safety, health, and economic security.

    Rep. Barragán has long championed language accessibility and continues to lead efforts in Congress to ensure that language is never a barrier to safety or survival. 

    The letter was signed by the following Tri-Caucus leaders and members: Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Judy Chu, Grace Meng, Steven Horsford, Yvette Clarke, Robin Kelly, Maxwell Frost, Debbie Dingell, Dan Goldman, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Danny Davis, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Robert Menendez, Nydia Velázquez, Lizzie Fletcher, Kevin Mullin, Doris Matsui, Frederica Wilson, Gilbert Cisneros, Andrea Salinas, Dave Min, Emilia Sykes, Jill Tokuda, Robert Garcia, Sara Jacobs, and Senator Ben Ray Luján.

    The full letter to NWS Director Graham can be found here and below:

    Director Graham:

    We write to express our serious concern regarding the National Weather Service’s (NWS) recent decision to discontinue the translation of weather alerts and forecasts into languages other than English. This change, purportedly prompted by the lapse of a contract with a third-party provider, created a dangerous gap in access to information for the many Americans who rely on multilingual alerts and forecasts to stay safe during critical emergencies and make everyday decisions that impact their families, livelihoods, and our nation’s economy.

    We are relieved that multilingual translation services have now been restored. However, the disruption highlighted the vulnerabilities in the current system and the unacceptable risk created by lapses in language access. For tens of millions of Americans, receiving weather alerts in a language they understand can mean the difference between life and death. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 68 million people in the United States speak a language other than English at home.[1]That number has nearly tripled since 1980 and now represents one in five Americans.[2]For these individuals and families, multilingual alerts are critical for preparing for severe weather events, which increase in frequency and intensity every year. The absence of accessible warnings can—and likely will—lead to avoidable tragedy. ​

    The real-world consequences of inaccessible alerts are not hypothetical. Take, for example, the 2021 deadly tornado outbreak that hit Mayfield, Kentucky, a city with a large Spanish-speaking population. According to news coverage of the outbreak, a Spanish-speaking family in the impacted area had initially ignored a tornado alert delivered only in English because they could not read the warning.[3]It was not until the family received a Spanish-language alert that they quickly took shelter​ on the first floor of their home—shortly before the second floor of their home was wiped out. If they had not received the alert in Spanish, the outcome could have been fatal.[4]Communities across the United States — including speakers of Vietnamese, Chinese, Tagalog, Korean, French, Haitian Creole, and many African languages — also face significant barriers during emergencies when alerts are not available in their primary language. No one should be left without life-saving information simply because of the language they speak.

    Beyond the immediate risk to public safety, this abrupt lapse in translation services also risked creating operational challenges for those on the front lines of weather communication. During the lapse, local meteorologists and alert originators—who rely on NWS-provided multilingual content—were forced to fill the gap themselves. Unfortunately, on-site translation is something not many have the staff or resources to do quickly and accurately. Many communities that rely on NWS-provided multilingual content are unlikely to continue sending multilingual weather alerts should NWS’s centralized translation support halt or lapse again.

    Multilingual access to weather forecasts is not only critical during emergencies—it is equally vital for day-to-day planning and economic stability. Families rely on accurate, understandable forecasts to decide whether it’s safe to send their children to school or for parents to travel to work. Businesses across key sectors—including agriculture, construction, transportation, energy, and tourism—depend on timely weather information to operate safely and efficiently. When forecasts are delivered in clear, accessible language, they empower individuals and industries alike to make informed decisions, reduce risk, and maintain productivity. Stripping away multilingual access undermines this everyday functionality and places non-English-speaking communities and families at a great disadvantage.

    Ensuring that all Americans—regardless of the language they speak—have access to life-saving weather information is not optional; it is a core responsibility of the NWS. In a nation as diverse as ours, language access must be treated as an essential component of emergency preparedness and public communication—not an expendable service.

    In light of the recent disruption and the restoration of multilingual services, we respectfully request responses to the following questions no later than August 1, 2025, to better understand how NWS plans to ensure long-term, uninterrupted language access for all communities:

    What is the scope of the new contract for multilingual translation services? Does it include options for renewal or extension to ensure service continuity beyond the initial term?

    What safeguards has NWS put in place to prevent future gaps in translation services, particularly during contract transitions or vendor changes?

    Has NWS conducted a risk assessment or after-action review to identify what led to the previous lapse and how similar disruptions can be avoided in the future? If so, what were the findings and resulting action steps?

    Is there a contingency plan or backup system in place to provide uninterrupted translation services in the event of a contract lapse, provider failure, or other unexpected disruption?

    How does NWS evaluate and monitor the performance and reliability of its language service providers? Are there benchmarks or quality assurance measures to ensure timely and accurate translations in all covered languages?

    What criteria does NWS use to determine which languages are included in its multilingual alerts? How frequently is this list updated to reflect demographic shifts and community needs?

    How is NWS engaging with non-English-speaking communities and local emergency managers to ensure that multilingual weather communication is effective, culturally appropriate, and broadly accessible?

    We strongly urge NWS to institutionalize safeguards to prevent future interruptions to multilingual services and to treat language access as a permanent, non-negotiable aspect of public safety.

    We stand ready to support your efforts to secure the necessary resources to sustain and strengthen language access in weather communications. The safety, preparedness, and economic resilience of our communities depend on it.

    Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sanders, AGFC Announce Arkansas Outdoor Education Pilot Program

    Source: US State of Arkansas

    LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders today joined First Gentleman and Natural State Initiative Advisory Council Chair, Bryan Sanders, Mary Beth Hatch, Chief of Education for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Doug Schoenrock, to announce Arkansas’ new Outdoor Education Pilot program.

    The pilot will be a partnership between the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and will help equip students for a future career in outdoor recreation such as becoming an ecologist or researcher. 30 schools from across the state will be selected to participate in the program during its first year, after which the State will evaluate the program’s effectiveness and prepare for a statewide launch.

     “A student’s education should not be fully reliant on technology and smart devices,” said Governor Sanders. “This program emphasizes another reason why my husband, Bryan, and I started the Natural State Initiative: to get kids off screens and outside. Thank you to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for investing in our kids’ future and promoting outdoor education.”

    “Getting kids outside is one of the best things we can do for them, improving their education, health and quality of life,” said First Gentleman and Natural State Initiative Advisory Council Chair Bryan Sanders. “This program will inspire our kids to develop a greater appreciation for the Natural State, and help Arkansas build a pipeline of future workers and entrepreneurs to support our growing tourism industry and outdoor economy.”

     “The Arkansas Outdoor Education initiative is a way for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to lead the way in the integration of conservation and outdoor recreation experiences into the educational journey for every student in Arkansas,” said Mary Beth Hatch, Chief of Education for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. “We have designed this with resources that are built around the standards taught in core and elective content areas, experiences in outdoor learning and engagement, and projects that empower students to think critically and solve problems about the world around them. These outdoor learning experiences that are connected to what is being taught in the classroom will provide opportunities for students to improve mental and physical health, learn new knowledge and skills in the natural state, gain confidence and independence, and reduce screen time. We are excited to collaborate with these other state agencies to bring this conservation and outdoor recreation-focused learning model to all schools in the state.” 

     “The Arkansas Department of Education, in partnership with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, is excited to support this outdoor education initiative,” said Arkansas Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva. “Arkansas’ natural landscapes offer powerful opportunities for hands-on learning that inspire curiosity, support academic growth, and build a lasting connection to the environment. As the Natural State, we are uniquely positioned to make the outdoors an essential part of every student’s education, while also building a strong talent pipeline for rewarding, in-demand careers in outdoor recreation and conservation.”

    “Arkansans serve a vital role in keeping the Natural State Natural,” said Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Doug Schoenrock. “The knowledge and experiences gained from this initiative will provide students with a connection to the woods and waters of Arkansas, building future outdoor recreationists and conservationists. The Governor and First Gentleman’s vision to incorporate the outdoors in everyday classroom content is truly revolutionary and speaks volumes about how natural resources and outdoor activities are woven into the fabric of The Natural State.

    Tourism is Arkansas’ second-largest industry, and, under Governor Sanders’ leadership, Arkansas’ outdoor economy has grown from $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion. In the most recent year for which data is available, Arkansas welcomed more than 50 million visitors who spent nearly $10 billion, much of it on outdoor recreation opportunities.

    Governor Sanders has made expanding Arkansas’ outdoor economy a priority and launched the Natural State Initiative, under the leadership of First Gentleman Bryan Sanders, to bring together the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. This education pilot program is one of the Initiative’s key objectives, identified as part of the report they issued in 2023.

    Applications for the pilot program are now open. Please visit here to apply.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Proposition 123 Equity Program to Support 1,017 Affordable Housing Units Across Colorado

    Source: US State of Colorado

    DENVER – Today, Gov. Jared Polis, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) announced eleven recipients of voter-approved Proposition 123 Equity funds. This funding is intended to provide investment capital for an estimated 1,017 low- and middle-income multifamily affordable rental housing units in communities across the state including Buena Vista, Denver, Monte Vista and Trinidad. 

    “We are focused on building more housing Coloradans can afford and these funds are an important step in building more homes across the state so Coloradans can live where you choose, close to jobs, schools, in the communities we love,” said Gov. Jared Polis. 

    Among the recipients, the Fieldhouse Apartments in Idaho Springs plans to serve residents earning 70% – 100% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and will offer a preference to local school district employees. The proposed Holy Trinity Apartments is an adaptive reuse of the Historic Holy Trinity Convent and School, located in downtown Trinidad. The development of St. Louis Landing Phase I will include a purpose-built Early Childhood Learning Center and offer units for residents earning 30% – 120% AMI in Fraser. Denver’s Blue Room House plans to offer rental apartments between 30% – 80% AMI, using modular construction. 

    Five recipients plan to utilize modular and off-site construction, including Colorado manufacturers Vederra Modular, Aboda, and Fading West, all companies supported by the Innovative Housing Incentive Program (IHIP) and Proposition 123’s Modular and Factory-built Finance program as part of the state’s efforts to support and grow this industry. 

    “We’re committed to strengthening economies across Colorado by ensuring everyone has a place to call home. These investments will strengthen communities while providing residents the opportunity to benefit directly from the success of these developments through the Tenant Equity Vehicle, expected to launch this year,” said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director. 

    The Proposition 123 Equity program offers below-market-rate equity investments for developers focused on building low- and/or middle-income housing. The recipients announced today prioritized the State’s strategic land use goals including transit oriented development or walkability to a community job center, water and energy efficient or all electric design, plus demonstrating a readiness to proceed. In addition, residents will benefit from the Tenant Equity Vehicle (TEV), a program being designed to share Proposition 123 program earnings with tenants to assist with building up savings that can be used for down payment assistance or other important needs. 

    “These investments will support the development of quality affordable housing in communities located throughout Colorado,” said Thomas Bryan, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of CHFA. “In addition, the Tenant Equity Vehicle is an exciting innovation to further support housing stability and economic prosperity for residents supported by the Equity program.” 

    A total of $67,500,074 has been preliminarily approved for the eleven recipients. Final award details will be determined during the underwriting process for each project. The AMIs proposed by the recipients range from 30% – 120% AMI. 

    The awardees include: 

    Alpine Valley Apartments – $3,700,00 – Monte Vista 2
    6 units for tenants earning 80%-120% of the AMI 

    Balsam Townhomes – $1,881,360 – Lakewood 
    20 units for tenants earning 90% of the AMI 

    Blue Room House One – $3,800,000 – Denver 
    54 units for tenants earning 30%-80% of the AMI 

    Cityline Station Phase II – $8,049,671 – Greeley 
    310 units for tenants earning 70%-90% of the AMI Exodus at 

    Green Valley Ranch – $9,000,000 – Denver 
    205 units for tenants earning 70%-90% of the AMI 

    Fieldhouse Apartments – $8,500,000 – Idaho Springs 1
    20 units for tenants earning 70%-100% of the AMI 

    Holy Trinity Apartments – $6,889,956 – Trinidad 
    46 units for tenants earning 80%-100% of the AMI 

    St. Louis Landing Phase I – $12,900,000 – Fraser 
    129 units for tenants earning 30%-120% of the AMI 

    Teller Street Apartments – $6,500,000 – Arvada 
    54 units for tenants earning 70%-90% of the AMI 

    The Crossing Apartments – $4,279,087 – Buena Vista 
    33 units for tenants earning 90% of the AMI 

    The Flour Mill – $2,000,000 – Salida 
    20 units for tenants earning 80%-100% of the AMI 

    The Equity program is funded by the Affordable Housing Financing Fund established by Proposition 123, which is managed by OEDIT and administered by CHFA to distribute 60% of Proposition 123 funding in support of land banking, equity and concessionary debt for affordable housing. With the projects announced today, approximately $252 million has been awarded through the Affordable Housing Financing Fund. 

    Ongoing updates on funding are available at coloradoaffordablehousingfinancingfund.com and by signing up to receive newsletter updates. 

    About the Colorado Affordable Housing Financing Fund 

    Passed by voters in November 2022, Proposition 123 established the State Affordable Housing Fund to advance the development and preservation of affordable housing in Colorado. The measure directs 40% of those funds to the Colorado Affordable Housing Support Fund administered by the state Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and 60% of funds to the Colorado Affordable Housing Financing Fund managed by OEDIT. OEDIT selected Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) to serve as the Affordable Housing Financing Fund third-party administrator. The Affordable Housing Financing Fund consists of three programs: Land Banking, Equity and Concessionary Debt. 

    About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) 

    The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT. 

    About Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) 

    For more than 50 years, CHFA has strengthened Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development. CHFA invests in affordable homeownership, the development and preservation of affordable rental housing, helps small- and medium-sized businesses access capital, offers technical assistance and financial support to strengthen local communities, and supports mission-aligned nonprofits through philanthropic investment. CHFA is not a state agency. CHFA is a self-sustaining public enterprise. For more information about CHFA, please visit chfainfo.com or call 1.800.877.chfa (2432).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Sterling Heights Man Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Assaults on Federal Officers While Resisting Arrest

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DETROIT – Carl Emerson Travis, 52, of Sterling Heights, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to aggravated assaults on federal officers, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.

    Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan.

    According to court documents, on March 29, 2024, members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Apprehension Team tried to arrest Travis, who was wanted in multiple jurisdictions. Travis resisted and attempted to escape with a moving car, endangering the surrounding officers. At the end of the struggle, Travis sped his car in reverse, dragging two officers and nearly running over another with his car. The officers sustained injuries during the assault. Travis only stopped resisting when his car slammed into a parked vehicle, pushing it through the wall of an occupied hotel room.

    Sentencing is scheduled for October 15, 2025. A conviction for assault on a federal officer carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case with assistance from Michigan State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nhan Ho and Eaton Brown are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. 

    MIL Security OSI –