NewzIntel.com

Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former CIA Analyst Pleads Guilty to Transmitting Top Secret National Defense Information

    Source: US FBI

    A former CIA analyst pleaded guilty today to retaining and transmitting Top Secret National Defense Information to people who were not entitled to receive it, information which was publicly posted on a social media platform in October 2024.

    According to court documents, Asif William Rahman, 34, of Vienna, was an employee of the CIA since 2016 and had a Top-Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

    “Mr. Rahman betrayed the trust of the American people by unlawfully sharing classified national defense information he swore an oath to protect,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “Today’s guilty plea demonstrates that the Justice Department will spare no effort to swiftly find and aggressively prosecute those who harm the United States by illegally disclosing our national security secrets.”

    “Asif Rahman is pleading guilty in federal court three months to the day that he disclosed top secret American documents in violation of his oath, his responsibility, and the law,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “This District, in partnership with federal law enforcement and the intelligence community, exemplified dedication, skill, and speed to bring him to justice expeditiously. Mr. Rahman’s actions placed lives at risk, undermined U.S. foreign relations, and compromised our ability to collect vital intelligence in the future.”

    “With today’s plea, Asif Rahman acknowledges he betrayed the trust of his country by sharing classified information in spite of the risk to the United States and our allies,” said Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI’s National Security Branch. “Government employees who are granted security clearances and given access to our nation’s classified information must promise to protect it. Rahman blatantly violated that pledge and took multiple steps to hide his actions. The FBI will use all our resources to investigate and hold accountable those who illegally transmit classified information and endanger the national security interests of our country.”

    “Today’s plea demonstrates the FBI’s resolve to deploy the necessary tools and authorities to identify, locate, and bring to justice a government clearance holder who violated the oath he took to support and defend the U.S. Constitution,” said Assistant Director David Sundberg of the FBI Washington Field Office. “This is a good reminder to all clearance holders that the FBI and our Intelligence Community partners will spare no resource to immediately find and hold accountable those who violate the law and disclose classified information without authorization, no matter where in the world they are located.”

    According to court documents, on Oct. 17, 2024, Rahman accessed and printed two Top Secret documents containing National Defense Information regarding a U.S. foreign ally and its planned actions against a foreign adversary. Rahman removed the documents, photographed them, and transmitted them to individuals he knew were not entitled to receive them. By Oct. 18, 2024, the documents appeared publicly on multiple social media platforms, complete with the classification markings.

    After Oct. 17, 2024, Rahman deleted and edited journal entries and written work product on his personal electronic devices to conceal his personal opinions on U.S. policy and drafted entries to construct a false narrative regarding his activity. Rahman also destroyed multiple electronic devices, including a personal mobile device and an internet router he used to transmit classified information and photographs of classified documents, and discarded the destroyed devices in public trash receptacles in an effort to thwart potential investigations into him and his unlawful conduct.

    Beginning in the spring of 2024 and continuing through November 2024, Rahman repeatedly accessed and printed classified National Defense Information, including documents classified up to the Top Secret level, to take them to his residence. There, Rahman reproduced the documents and, while doing so, altered them in an effort to conceal their source and his activity. Rahman then communicated Top Secret information that he learned in the course of his employment to multiple individuals he knew were not entitled to receive it.

    Rahman was indicted by a grand jury on Nov. 7, 2024, and was arrested by the FBI as he arrived to work on Nov. 12, 2024. He has remained in custody since his arrest.

    Rahman pleaded guilty to two counts of willful retention and transmission of classified information related to the national defense. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15, 2025. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for both counts in the plea agreement. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy A. Edwards Jr. for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Brett Reynolds of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI Sacramento Celebrates 2024 Graduates of the FBI National Academy

    Source: US FBI

    Did you know that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) began providing standardized, professional training to law enforcement professionals in 1935? Since its founding, the FBI National Academy has trained 55,797 law enforcement professionals from across the globe. This training aims to enhance the administration of justice in police departments and agencies both domestically and abroad, raising law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide.

    The FBI Sacramento Field Office referred 16 law enforcement professionals to this program in 2024. They represent law enforcement agencies based within the 34-county region the FBI Sacramento Field Office serves. FBI National Academy graduates in 2024 include:

    • Deputy Division Chief Luke Blehm
      California Alcoholic Beverage Control
    • Captain Andrew Beasley
      California Highway Patrol
    • Lieutenant Noah Hawkins
      California Highway Patrol
    • Captain Anthony Horner
      California Highway Patrol
    • Lieutenant Lou Wright
      Folsom Police Department
    • Captain Brandon Pursell, Jr.
      Fresno County Sheriff’s Office
    • Lieutenant Jerardo “Charlie” Chamalbide
      Fresno Police Department.
    • Chief Deputy Erik Levig
      Kern County Sheriff’s Office
    • Captain Ray Reyna
      Modesto Police Department
    • Chief Brandon Gillespie
      Modesto Police Department
    • Chief Investigator Mary Green
      Placer County District Attorney’s Office
    • Lieutenant Mark Lopez
      Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office
    • Captain Vance Chandler
      Sacramento Police Department
    • Chief Rudolfo Alcaraz
      Selma Police Department
    • Lieutenant Craig Collins
      Solano County Sheriff’s Office
    • Octavio Lopez
      Tracy Police Department.

    Following graduation, each officer may join the FBI National Academy Associates, Inc., a dynamic organization of more than 14,000 law enforcement professionals who continue improving the level of competency, cooperation, and integrity among the global law enforcement community.

    Courses during the rigorous, 10-week program include intelligence theory, terrorism and terrorist mindsets, management science, law, behavioral science, law enforcement communication, and forensic science. Students and their respective law enforcement agencies receive tuition, books, equipment, meals, lodging, or travel to and from the training facility at no cost.

    The FBI National Academy program was originally launched as the “FBI Police Training School” in response to the 1930 Wickersham Commission report recommending standardization and professionalization of law enforcement in the United States through centralized training. At the time, courses included scientific aids in crime detection, preparation of reports, and criminal investigation techniques as well as administration and organization. To learn more about the FBI National Academy, visit https://www.fbi.gov/services/training-academy/national-academy.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Sentenced to 40 Months for Participating in International Money Laundering Scheme Involving More Than $3 Million in Fraud Proceeds

    Source: US FBI

    NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – September 9, 2024

    SAN DIEGO – Juan Pablo Prada Bernal of Colombia was sentenced in federal court today to 40 months in prison for participating in an international money laundering conspiracy involving more than $3 million in proceeds obtained through phone scams.

    At today’s hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Andrew G. Schopler also ordered Bernal to pay $327,040.72 in restitution to 27 victims of the offense.

    According to his plea agreement, between June 2018 and March 2020, Bernal was a member of an international conspiracy that laundered large amounts of money. The conspiracy involved two sides: Those responsible for contacting victims by phone and tricking them into sending thousands of dollars to U.S.-based bank accounts, and those responsible for laundering the proceeds through those bank accounts. The money launderers received and transferred the ill-gotten gains to their co-conspirators in Colombia and the United States, and in the process concealed the nature, source, location, ownership and control of the proceeds.

    The money launderers opened bank accounts at various financial institutions using false mailing addresses. Shortly after the accounts were opened, the phone scammers – many of whom lived in Colombia – made unsolicited phone calls to victims in the United States using spoofed phone numbers. This allowed callers to conceal their identity and make it appear as if the calls originated from locations in the United States, such as a police station where the victim lived or had lived in the past.

    During calls with victims, the scammers impersonated federal and local law enforcement officers and made the victims believe they were implicated in a crime. Using this as leverage, the conspirators coerced victims to make large wire transfers or other payments to purportedly resolve their criminal liability. The scammers instructed victims to wire funds to the various bank accounts opened by the money launderers. Once the money was deposited into the accounts, the money launderers quickly moved to withdraw the funds, purchase cashier’s checks to send to other conspirators, and drain the balance of the accounts before the funds could be frozen.

    According to the United States’ sentencing memorandum, Bernal opened bank accounts at 10 different financial institutions to carry out the money laundering scheme. In many instances, Bernal received the fraud proceeds shortly after he opened the bank accounts and drained the balance of the accounts in a matter of days. After banks stopped allowing Bernal to open new accounts, he began to receive and launder cashier’s checks sent from his co-conspirators that were purchased with fraud proceeds obtained from other victims. To carry out this new role, Bernal and his co-conspirators traveled to multiple Moneytree locations in the same day for the purpose of laundering large amounts of fraud proceeds over a short period of time.

    Over the course of approximately two years, Bernal received and laundered fraud proceeds more than 30 times from 27 different victims, including varying amounts of cashier’s checks from 14 of his co-conspirators, totaling an amount of $327,040.72.

    “These scammers are sophisticated and will prey on emotion and fear,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “This defendant turned deceit into profit, so we turned his profit into a conviction.”

    “FBI Los Angeles works closely with our law enforcement partners to combat money laundering in our communities. Mr. Bernal’s sentence should serve as a deterrent to those who seek to prey on innocent victims” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI reminds the public to be vigilant and never send money, gift cards, or share personal identifying information with a caller and to verify that the caller is a legitimate business or organization. The public is urged to report these calls to 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.”

    “The U.S. Border Patrol is an all-threats agency, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect our citizens from any and all threats,” said Chief Patrol Agent Patricia McGurk-Daniel. “I couldn’t be prouder of the work done by these agents to secure a significant and successful prosecution.”

    This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), a partnership that brings together the combined expertise and unique abilities of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt, dismantle and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and enterprises.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Swan.

    DEFENDANT                                   Case Number             23-cr-1483-AGS

    Juan Pablo Prada Bernal                     Age: 24                       Columbia

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Money Laundering Conspiracy – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1956(h)

    Maximum Penalties: Twenty years in prison and a $250,000 fine or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction

    INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

    U.S. Department of Homeland Security

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection

    U.S. Border Patrol

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force

    U.S. Secret Service

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Court-Authorized Operation Disrupts Worldwide Botnet Used by People’s Republic of China State-Sponsored Hackers

    Source: US FBI

    Note: View the affidavit here.

    The Justice Department today announced a court-authorized law enforcement operation that disrupted a botnet consisting of more than 200,000 consumer devices in the United States and worldwide. As described in court documents unsealed in the Western District of Pennsylvania, the botnet devices were infected by People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-sponsored hackers working for Integrity Technology Group, a company based in Beijing, and known to the private sector as “Flax Typhoon.”

    The botnet malware infected numerous types of consumer devices, including small-office/home-office (SOHO) routers, internet protocol (IP) cameras, digital video recorders (DVRs), and network-attached storage (NAS) devices. The malware connected these thousands of infected devices into a botnet, controlled by Integrity Technology Group, which was used to conduct malicious cyber activity disguised as routine internet traffic from the infected consumer devices. The court-authorized operation took control of the hackers’ computer infrastructure and, among other steps, sent disabling commands through that infrastructure to the malware on the infected devices. During the course of the operation, there was an attempt to interfere with the FBI’s remediation efforts through a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack targeting the operational infrastructure that the FBI was utilizing to effectuate the court’s orders. That attack was ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the FBI’s disruption of the botnet.

    “The Justice Department is zeroing in on the Chinese government backed hacking groups that target the devices of innocent Americans and pose a serious threat to our national security,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As we did earlier this year, the Justice Department has again destroyed a botnet used by PRC-backed hackers to infiltrate consumer devices here in the United States and around the world. We will continue to aggressively counter the threat that China’s state- sponsored hacking groups pose to the American people.”

    “Our takedown of this state-sponsored botnet reflects the Department’s all-tools approach to disrupting cyber criminals. This network, managed by a PRC government contractor, hijacked hundreds of thousands of private routers, cameras, and other consumer devices to create a malicious system for the PRC to exploit,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today should serve as a warning to cybercriminals preying on Americans – if you continue to come for us, we will come for you.”

    “This dynamic operation demonstrates, once again, the Justice Department’s resolve in countering the threats posed by PRC state-sponsored hackers,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the National Security Division. “For the second time this year, we have disrupted a botnet used by PRC proxies to conceal their efforts to hack into networks in the U.S. and around the world to steal information and hold our infrastructure at risk. Our message to these hackers is clear: if you build it, we will bust it.”

    “The disruption of this worldwide botnet is part of the FBI’s commitment to using technical operations to help protect victims, expose publicly the scope of these criminal hacking campaigns, and to use the adversary’s tools against them to remove malicious infrastructure from the virtual battlefield,” said FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate. “The FBI’s unique legal authorities allowed it to lead an international operation with partners that collectively disconnected this botnet from its China-based hackers at Integrity Technology Group.”

    “The targeted hacking of hundreds of thousands of innocent victims in the United States and around the world shows the breadth and aggressiveness of PRC state-sponsored hackers,” said U.S. Attorney Eric G. Olshan for the Western District of Pennsylvania. “This court-authorized operation disrupted a sophisticated botnet designed to steal sensitive information and launch disruptive cyber attacks. We will continue to work with our partners inside and outside government, using every tool at our disposal, to defend and maintain global cybersecurity.”

    “The FBI’s investigation revealed that a publicly-traded, China-based company is openly selling its customers the ability to hack into and control thousands of consumer devices worldwide. This operation sends a clear message to the PRC that the United States will not tolerate this shameless criminal conduct,” said Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy of the FBI San Diego Field Office.

    According to the court documents, the botnet was developed and controlled by Integrity Technology Group, a publicly-traded company headquartered in Beijing. The company built an online application allowing its customers to log in and control specified infected victim devices, including with a menu of malicious cyber commands using a tool called “vulnerability-arsenal.” The online application was prominently labelled “KRLab,” one of the main public brands used by Integrity Technology Group.

    The FBI assesses that Integrity Technology Group, in addition to developing and controlling the botnet, is responsible for computer intrusion activities attributed to China-based hackers known by the private sector as “Flax Typhoon.” Microsoft Threat Intelligence described Flax Typhoon as nation-state actors based out of China, active since 2021, who have targeted government agencies and education, critical manufacturing, and information technology organizations in Taiwan, and elsewhere. The FBI’s investigation has corroborated Microsoft’s conclusions, finding that Flax Typhoon has successfully attacked multiple U.S. and foreign corporations, universities, government agencies, telecommunications providers, and media organizations.

    A cybersecurity advisory describing Integrity Technology Group tactics, techniques and procedures was also published today by the FBI, the National Security Agency, U.S. Cyber Command’s Cyber National Mission Force, and partner agencies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. 

    The government’s malware disabling commands, which interacted with the malware’s native functionality, were extensively tested prior to the operation. As expected, the operation did not affect the legitimate functions of, or collect content information from, the infected devices. The FBI is providing notice to U.S. owners of devices that were affected by this court-authorized operation. The FBI is contacting those victims through their internet service provider, who will provide notice to their customers.

    The FBI’s San Diego Field Office and Cyber Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and the National Security Cyber Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division led the domestic disruption effort. Assistance was also provided by the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section. These efforts would not have been successful without the collaboration of partners, including French authorities, and Lumen Technologies’ threat intelligence group, Black Lotus Labs, which first identified and described this botnet, which it named Raptor Train, in July 2023.

    If you believe you have a compromised computer or device, please visit the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or report online to CISA. You may also contact your local FBI field office directly.

    The FBI continues to investigate Integrity Technology Group’s and Flax Typhoon’s computer intrusion activities.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tonko Statement on Republicans’ “Big, Beautiful” Budget Betrayal

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Paul D. Tonko today issued a statement following the narrow passage of Republicans’ budget, which makes the deepest cuts to healthcare, food assistance, and environmental protections in American history.

    Tonko spoke against this budget on the House floor in the early hours of the morning ahead of the House vote. His remarks can be viewed HERE.

    “Ripping away healthcare from 13.7 million individuals. Snatching food out of the mouths of children, mothers, and veterans. Opening the door for polluters to pour toxic, cancer-causing chemicals into our air and water. These are what my Republican colleagues voted to pass this morning with their monstrosity of a budget. Even worse, they are making all of these ruthless cuts to essential services for working class Americans and adding trillions in new debt just so they can give more tax handouts to the wealthiest Americans.

    “Over the last week, I have spent multiple sleepless nights in committee rooms, on the House floor, and in the halls of Congress condemning in every possible way the horrors of this bill. I was compelled to speak up and speak out about the harms that these cuts would have on my constituents and on Americans across the nation. Despite this effort, and the incredible public outcry from folks demanding Republicans keep their hands off Medicaid, SNAP, and other basic needs programs, My GOP colleagues denied and ignored these pleas to advance a budget they couldn’t even be bothered to negotiate in the light of day.

    “This bill now heads to the Senate, where in all likelihood it will be revised and sent back to the House. Make no mistake, I won’t stop using every tool at my disposal to fight against this cruel budget and on behalf of the lives who would be destroyed by its enactment.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Latta Urges Senate to Vote to Strengthen Medicaid, Prioritize American Energy Dominance, and Reduce Fraud and Abuse in Federal Government

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

    Latta Urges Senate to Vote to Strengthen Medicaid, Prioritize American Energy Dominance, and Reduce Fraud and Abuse in Federal Government

    Washington, May 22, 2025

    Today, the House of Representatives passed the Reconciliation Bill, with Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH-5) voting in favor as it now heads to the Senate. Congressman Latta released the following statement:  

    “I am proud to have joined my colleagues in voting in favor of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill that will help the United States get back on track. House Republicans will continue to stay unified and deliver on the promises made to the American people. Today’s vote takes us one step closer to strengthening Medicaid, prioritizing American energy dominance, keepings Americans’ tax rates lower, cutting wasteful spending, and reducing fraud and abuse in the Federal government through the reconciliation process. I urge my Senate colleagues to act quickly to get this bill across the finish line.”  

    Congressman Latta voted in favor of the Energy and Commerce budget reconciliation markup. Read his statement HERE.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kelly, Colleagues Reintroduce Critical Prior Authorization Reform Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Representative Mike Kelly (PA-16) reintroduced H.R. 3514, the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act along with Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01),and Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), and John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) and Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (KS) and Mark Warner (VA).

    “With nearly 33 million Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage, modernization of the prior authorization process is long overdue. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, hundreds of health care organizations, and Americans from all corners of the country agree – streamlining this process will allow our Nation’s seniors to receive the care they are entitled to more efficiently. I am proud to reintroduce the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act of 2025, which would move the health care sector into the 21st century by giving doctors and Medicare Advantage plans the tools to make health coverage decisions in a timely manner. I thank my House and Senate colleagues for their years of hard work and for joining me on the reintroduction of this critical legislation,” said Representative Mike Kelly (PA-16).

    “We’ve made important incremental headway in helping seniors get the medical care they deserve with the administration’s prior authorization regulations. However, we must go further and enshrine these advancements into law. By passing the bipartisan, bicameral Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, we can make it much easier for seniors to receive the care they’re entitled to while also alleviating unnecessary burdens on physicians and hospitals,” said Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01).  

    “When decisions on patient care are made by bureaucrats with no experience treating patients, care is often delayed or denied altogether, which results in worse outcomes for patients,” said Rep. John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13). “By streamlining the prior authorization process through the bipartisan Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, we can ensure that American patients receive the care they need without unnecessary barriers.”

    “As a doctor, I’ve seen firsthand how the broken prior authorization process delays needed care and frustrates both seniors and their physicians,” said Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06). “The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act cuts through red tape and makes it easier for seniors on Medicare Advantage to access the treatments and services they need, when they need them. This bipartisan legislation is a common-sense fix that puts patients over paperwork, restores trust in the system and helps physicians focus on delivering quality care. I’m proud to reintroduce this bill alongside my colleagues and am grateful for the broad coalition of support behind it.”

    BACKGROUND

    Prior authorization is a tool used by health plans to reduce unnecessary care by requiring health care providers to get pre-approval for medical services. But it’s not without fault. The current system often results in unconfirmed faxes of a patient’s medical information or phone calls by clinicians which takes precious time away from delivering quality and timely care. Prior authorization continues to be the #1 administrative burden identified by health care providers, and three out of four Medicare Advantage enrollees are subject to unnecessary delays due to prior authorization. In recent years, the Office of the Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) raised concerns after an audit revealed that Medicare Advantage plans ultimately approved 75% of requests that were originally denied. More recently, HHS OIG released a report finding that MA plans incorrectly denied beneficiaries’ access to services even though they met Medicare coverage rules.

    Health plans, health care providers, and patients agree that the prior authorization process must be improved to better serve patients and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens for clinicians. In fact, leading health care organizations released a consensus statement to address some of the most pressing concerns associated with prior authorization.

    Specifically, the bill would:

    – Establish an electronic prior authorization process for MA plans including a standardization for transactions and clinical attachments.
    – Increase transparency around MA prior authorization requirements and its use.
    – Clarify HHS’ authority to establish timeframes for e-prior authorization requests including   expedited determinations, real-time decisions for routinely approved items and services, and other prior authorization requests.
    – Expand beneficiary protections to improve enrollee experiences and outcomes.
    – Require HHS and other agencies to report to Congress on program integrity efforts and other ways to further improve the e-PA process.
    – Previously, Rep. Kelly led similar legislation in the 118th Congress. The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act unanimously passed the House in the 117th Congress and was cosponsored by a majority of members in the Senate and House of Representatives. 

    The bill text can be found here and a section-by-section can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES ON HOUSE FLOOR: “IF THEY WON’T FIGHT FOR YOU, WE WILL”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Washington, DC – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries spoke on the House Floor in opposition to the dangerous GOP Tax Scam passed by House Republicans to strip healthcare and nutritional assistance from the American people in order to enact massive tax breaks for billionaires.

    JEFFRIES: Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this reckless, regressive and reprehensible GOP Tax Scam. This is One Big Ugly Bill that House Republicans are trying to jam down the throats of the American people under the cover of darkness. This legislation will not make life better for the American people. The GOP Tax Scam represents an assault on the economy, an assault on healthcare, an assault on nutritional assistance, an assault on tax fairness and an assault on fiscal responsibility. There are more than 100 other reasons to vote against this One Big Ugly Bill that can be found by reading this more than 1000-page document. Those reasons are too numerous to mention, but this legislation also undermines reproductive freedom, undermines the progress that we have made in combating the climate crisis, undermines gun safety, undermines the rule of law and the independence of the federal judiciary. It even undermines the ability of hardworking and law-abiding immigrant families to provide remittances to their loved ones who may just happen to live abroad. There are more than 100 different reasons to vote against the GOP Tax Scam. And in the days and the weeks and the months to come, all of those reasons will be exposed for the American people, in each and every one of your districts.

    But this bill represents a failed promise. Last year, Donald Trump and House Republicans spent all of their time talking about their promise to lower the high cost of living in the United States of America. In fact, Donald Trump and Republicans promised that costs would go down on day one. We’re now more than 120 days past the inauguration. Costs aren’t going down. They’re going up. Inflation is out of control. Insurance rates remain stubbornly high. Our Moody’s rating, our credit rating has been downgraded. And you’ve got people losing confidence in this economy. Republicans are crashing this economy in real time and driving us toward a recession. But beyond that, costs are actually going up. The trade war that Donald Trump has recklessly launched—his tariff scheme—will raise the cost of goods and groceries and gas for everyday Americans, the Americans that you claimed you were going to help, but the Americans that you are clearly hurting. You’ve destabilized the business environment. Small businesses are at risk of closing. Farmers—small family farmers are in distress. Businesses can’t invest. People are not hiring. You are actively crashing the economy, driving America toward a recession. You promised to lower costs on day one. Costs aren’t going down. They are going up.

    Now, as House Democrats, we believe that we have to build an affordable economy for hardworking American taxpayers. We’re committed to lowering housing costs and grocery costs and insurance costs and child care costs and utility costs. America, the wealthiest country in the history of the world—there are far too many people living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to make ends meet. Here in this country, no American should find themselves in that situation. And you promised that you would do something about it. But things are not getting better. They’re getting worse. We could have partnered together to try to find a bipartisan path toward building an affordable economy for hardworking American taxpayers, but you chose to go it alone, to try to drive your extreme right-wing policies down the throats of the American people. And that’s what this One Big Ugly Bill represents. 

    Not simply a broken promise, as it relates to your failures on the economy. And despite the gentleman from Louisiana trying to articulate all of the so-called successes that have taken place, we know that this presidency has already been a failure, filled with crisis and chaos, cruelty and corruption. And the American people know it, which is why Donald Trump, at the 100-day mark, was the most unpopular President in American history. The American people understand it’s unfolding right before their eyes, no matter what kind of MAGA spin you try to put on the situation. And things are going to get worse. Why? Because of this Big Ugly Bill. Not simply an assault on the economy, a broken promise, it’s an assault on the healthcare of the American people. You see, as Democrats, we believe, in this country, healthcare is not simply a privilege, healthcare is a right. And from Medicare to Medicaid to the passage of the Affordable Care Act and subsequently enhancing it, we’ve begun to move America to a place where every single person in this land can have access to the healthcare that they need to live a life of dignity and respect.

    At this moment in America, we have the lowest rate of uninsured people in our nation’s history. But this GOP Tax Scam will reverse that, with this assault on healthcare, the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. And here’s what it will mean for the American people. Children will get hurt. Women will get hurt. Older Americans who rely on Medicaid for nursing home care and for home care will get hurt. People with disabilities who rely on Medicaid to survive will get hurt. Hospitals in your districts will close. Nursing homes will shut down. And people will die. That’s not hype. That’s not hyperbole. That’s not a hypothetical. The people that you all represent have been writing to us to make that clear. Thousands of people who’ve written to us—everyday Americans—have made that clear. And let me just present a few of those stories into the record.

    I have Type 1 diabetes and was diagnosed when I was seven years old. I’ve had jobs with private insurance in the past, but I lost my job during the pandemic. With child care becoming a major challenge, it made more sense for me to stay home with the kids, but that also meant losing my health benefits. Right now, we’re all on Medicaid. It’s crucial for me to stay alive and healthy. I need insulin and supplies to manage my diabetes every single day. Without it, I could die. That’s Shauna, who lives in Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District.

    My youngest son has leukemia. He was a self-employed handyman, and therefore, he didn’t have sufficient insurance. When the cancer became more debilitating, he could no longer work. He has undergone radiation, stem cell transplant and then more radiation. He is still fighting the cancer. And without Medicaid and the fine physicians, he would surely die. That’s Greg, who lives in the Eighth Congressional District of Colorado.

    As a cancer survivor with chronic illnesses, I rely heavily on Medicaid and food stamps to get by. Without these essential programs, people like me would suffer. I’m currently taking expensive medication to stay in remission, but my condition and the side effects of my treatment make it impossible for me to work. Unfortunately, my work history also disqualifies me from receiving Social Security benefits. I’m not alone in my dependence on these Medicaid and food stamps benefits. Children, elders and many others who are sick or struggling, also rely on them to survive. I urge you to do the right thing for the people you represent. Without food stamps and Medicaid, the consequences would be painful and even deadly. That’s Julisa, who had a message for her Representative in Pennsylvania’s Eighth Congressional District.

    But we’re here to say, as House Democrats, to Shauna, to Greg and to Julisa, that if your representatives won’t fight for you, we will. We will. We will. If they won’t fight for you, we will fight for you, for your healthcare, for your decency, for your well-being, for your grace and for your dignity.

    Full remarks can be watched here.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Titus Prevents Federal Land Grab in Southern Nevada

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

    Congresswoman Dina Titus announced today that she has successfully removed language from the Republican budget bill that would have sold off at least 65,000 acres of land in Southern Nevada. Rep. Titus has been leading the effort to remove the provision since Rep. Mark Amodei introduced an amendment in the early morning hours of May 7th to sell off public lands and direct the proceeds to the federal government to pay for tax breaks for the rich.

    “This is the right decision,” Congresswoman Titus said. “The Republican budget bill already forces states to deal with billions of dollars in federal cuts to Medicaid, as well as to education, food, and housing assistance programs. The Amodei amendment would have created an additional burden on taxpayers who would have ultimately had to front the costs of infrastructure improvements needed for developments in distant areas. It would have further strained our limited water resources. On top of that, this provision would have broken precedent by sending money back to Washington D.C. rather than keeping it in Southern Nevada to invest in conservation, preserving critical ecosystems, wildfire prevention efforts, and public schools.”

    Just after midnight on Monday morning, Rep. Titus was ready to defend Southern Nevadans by introducing her amendment to nullify the proposed land sales in Clark County. The language was removed in the manager’s amendment, however, after the Congresswoman worked successfully with her colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure the provision was struck.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Dina Titus Statement on House Passage of Budget Bill Harming Nevadans

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

    Rep. Dina Titus Statement on House Passage of Budget Bill Harming Nevadans

    Congresswoman Dina Titus today released the following statement after the House voted to approve the budget reconciliation bill:

    “Passage of the disastrous Republican budget bill threatens every Nevadan. Sixty-four thousand Nevadans will go without health insurance because tax credits for the Affordable Care Act will be allowed to expire. Households able to keep their coverage will see their premiums double, paying an extra $3,690 per year. In my congressional district alone, 19,000 adults and children will be immediately kicked off their Medicaid coverage, and 33,000 people will lose some or all of their SNAP benefits. And while billionaires will get tax breaks of $762 per day, average Nevadans making $50,000 per year or less will get less than $1 per day. While House Republicans march in lockstep with Donald Trump, Nevadans are being left behind – poorer, sicker, and hungrier.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Beyer Floor Remarks On H.R. 1

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

    Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) issued the following remarks this morning during the Ways and Means Committee’s portion of House floor debate on H.R. 1. Beyer’s remarks as delivered follow below, and video is available here:

    Mr. Speaker, our dearly departed friend and colleague Gerry Connolly used to say that “our job is to comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.” This bill does the opposite.

    My Republican friends say this act is about “helping the working families in America,” but nothing could be further from the truth.

    This monstrous bill strips health care from 14 million Americans.

    It cuts $300 billion in food and nutrition from working Americans.

    While giving a temporary head fake to those working on overtime and those working for tips, it actually raises taxes on the poorest 20 percent of Americans – exactly the folks my Republican friends pretend it helps.

    The overwhelming benefits of H.R. 1 flow to the wealthiest Americans, the largest transfer of wealth from working Americans to rich in the history of our country.

    Mr. Speaker, Gerry Connolly was a devout Catholic who studied to be a priest. He and I agreed that the essence of this bill sent the opposite message of the New Testament, which is to give our lives to help the poor.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Norma Torres Votes Against Republican Budget Reconciliation Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    May 22, 2025

    Voted No to Protect Critical Healthcare, Food Security, and Fair Tax Policies for California Families

    WASHINGTON, D.C. —   Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres voted against the Republican Budget Reconciliation bill, which harms millions of Americans. The bill includes devastating provisions that would cut healthcare coverage for nearly 14 million people, reduce SNAP benefits by $300 billion, and leave 42 million Americans facing cuts to their benefits. Congresswoman Torres has been at the forefront of efforts to protect vital programs and services for working families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities.

    “I cannot in good conscience support a bill that undermines the basic needs of our nation’s most vulnerable,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “This bill would slash critical healthcare coverage, make it harder for families to put food on the table, and further burden Californians already struggling with the high cost of living. 

    “Almost half of my district relies on Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid.  More than 110,000 residents of my district rely on food assistance programs.”

    “The Republican Budget Reconciliation is an outright assault on these families, and on working American families across the nation. I’ll keep fighting for Californians, pushing back against these harmful cuts and standing up for policies that protect healthcare, food security, tax fairness, and a stronger future for all. It’s shameful that my Republican colleagues are prioritizing billionaires over the needs of their own constituents.”

    Congresswoman Torres proposed amendments were not included by Republicans but would have significantly improved the bill and protected healthcare, food security, and fair tax policies.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC – No watches are valid as of Thu May 22 14:06:01 UTC 2025

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Current Convective Watches (View What is a Watch? clip)Updated:  Thu May 22 14:36:05 UTC 2025 No watches are currently valid

    Archived Convective ProductsTo view convective products for a previous day, type in the date you wish to retrieve (e.g. 20040529 for May 29, 2004). Data available since January 1, 2004.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Dakota Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PIERRE – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that U.S. District Judge Charles B. Kornmann has sentenced a Mandan, North Dakota, man convicted of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death. The sentencing took place on May 19, 2025.

    Carlin Mellette, age 29, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to forfeit the firearm, pay a $1,000 fine, and pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.

    Mellette was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023. He pleaded guilty on September 30, 2024.

    This conviction stemmed from events that occurred during the early morning hours of February 26, 2023, when the victim and friends were socializing with a co-defendant and others at a residence in Aberdeen, South Dakota. Mellette arrived at the residence and provided the co-defendant with three pills containing fentanyl. The co-defendant took the pills inside the residence where the pills were then ingested by the co-defendant and the victim, who ingested only half of a pill, resulting in the fentanyl overdose death of the victim. Later that day, Walworth County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to conduct an unrelated traffic stop of Mellette’s vehicle for speeding in an area west of Aberdeen. Mellette led law enforcement on a 26-mile pursuit with speeds in excess of 100 mph. Mellette was apprehended after getting his vehicle stuck in a snowbank. A search of his vehicle revealed 99 grams of methamphetamine, additional fentanyl pills, drug ledgers, scales, other drug paraphernalia, and a Ruger .45 caliber pistol.

    This case was investigated by the FBI Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force, the Aberdeen Police Department, the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, the Campbell County Sheriff’s Office, the Corson County Sheriff’s Office, the Potter County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gettysburg Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Dilges prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    Mellette was immediately remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Alien Sentenced To 15 Years For Armed Fentanyl Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron has sentenced Alberto Ismael Salinas Valencia (21), an Ecuadorian national residing illegally in Orlando, to 15 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Salinas Valencia pled guilty on January 23, 2025.

    According to the plea agreement, between August 2023 and August 2024, Salinas Valencia ran an online business selling firearms, fentanyl, and cocaine in the Orlando area. An undercover law enforcement officer found Salinas Valencia’s online store and set up several undercover transactions. Over the course of the investigation, Salinas Valencia sold the undercover officer several firearms, including two machineguns, fentanyl pills, and cocaine. 

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Richard Varadan.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Harvard Morgue Manager Pleads Guilty To Trafficking Stolen Human Remains

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SCRANTON – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Cedric Lodge, age 57, of Goffstown, New Hampshire, pled guilty yesterday before Chief United States District Judge Matthew W. Brann to interstate transport of stolen human remains. 

    According to Acting United States Attorney John Gurganus, Lodge admitted that, from 2018 through at least March 2020, he participated in the sale and interstate transport of human remains stolen from Harvard Medical School morgue, located in Boston, Massachusetts.  Lodge, who was then employed as the manager of the Harvard Medical School Morgue, removed human remains, including organs, brains, skin, hands, faces, dissected heads, and other parts, from donated cadavers after they had been used for research and teaching purposes but before they could be disposed of according to the anatomical gift donation agreement between the donor and the school. Lodge took the remains without the knowledge or permission of his employer, the donor, or the donor’s family, and transport the remains to his home in New Hampshire.  After he and his wife Denise Lodge sold the remains, they would ship the remains to the buyers in other states or the buyer would take possession directly and transport the remains themselves.  Remains stolen and sold by Lodge were transported from the morgue in Boston to locations in Salem, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.

    Lodge admitted to having sold remains to Joshua Taylor and Andrew Ensanian, among others.  Many of the remains purchased from Lodge were resold for a profit, including to Jeremy Pauley, who previously entered a guilty plea to conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen human remains.

    Several other defendants have previously entered guilty pleas in related cases, including Lodge’s wife, Denise Lodge, Joshua Taylor, Andrew Ensanian, Matthew Lampi, and Angelo Pereyra.  Lampi was sentenced to 15 months in prison and Pereyra was sentenced to 18 months.  Denise Lodge and Joshua Taylor are still awaiting sentencing.  Additionally, Candace Chapman-Scott, who stole remains from an Arkansas crematorium where she was employed and sold them to Pauley in Pennsylvania, entered a plea of guilty in Arkansas federal court and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

    The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the East Pennsboro Township Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alisan Martin is prosecuting the case. 

    The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years of imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

    # # #

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Watertown Man Found Guilty of Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Sexual Abuse of a Minor within the Lake Traverse Reservation

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ABERDEEN – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that a jury has convicted Gokoh Frank Brown, age 29, from Watertown, South Dakota, of one count of Aggravated Sexual Abuse by Force and one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor following a two-day jury trial in federal district court in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The verdict was returned on May 21, 2025.

    The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, and up to a lifetime term of supervised release.

    Brown was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2024. 

    From January 2023 to August 2023, Brown sexually assaulted a 12–13-year-old girl while living in Red Iron Housing on the Lake Traverse Reservation. Brown was 26-27 years old at the time.

    This case was investigated by the FBI, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Law Enforcement, and the DCI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case.

    A presentence investigation was ordered, and a sentencing date has been set for August 18, 2025. The defendant was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Brooklyn Center Woman Pleads Guilty for Her Role in a Black-Market Travel Agent Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS – Reginae Calhoun of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota has pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identify theft, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, from at least April 2024 to June 2024, Reginae Calhoun, 23, operated as a black-market travel agent.  She  purchased credit card information—including name, address, card numbers, expiration date, and CV2 code—of approximately 216 different victims on the dark web, which she used to book hotel rooms and rental cars for others.  Calhoun’s customers paid her a fraction of the actual booking costs through peer-to-peer payment applications or in cash.

    According to court documents, on June 2, 2024, Calhoun attempted to purchase airline tickets by using several different credit cards until the purchase was successful.  Due to the several attempts, the airline reported suspected credit card fraud to the airport police.  Airport police confirmed with the credit card owners that Calhoun was not authorized to use their cards.

    “The ingenuity of Minnesota’s fraudsters seems to know no bounds,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.  “Calhoun stole hundreds of victim identities and used them to conduct a black-market travel agent fraud scheme—stealing from others to enrich herself. She will now be held accountable in federal court.”     

    “Criminals who turn to the dark web to buy and sell stolen information are part of a growing threat to our digital security,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “This defendant built a business by exploiting the stolen identities and financial information of over 200 of innocent victims. The anonymity of the internet does not protect offenders from detection. The FBI and our partners will continue to find and expose these schemes and hold offenders accountable.”

    Calhoun pleaded guilty on May 19, 2025, in U.S. District Court before Judge John R. Tunheim to one count of access device fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the MSP Airport Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew C. Murphy prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Shakopee Felon Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Discharging a Firearm During and in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime and Possession of a Firearm

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS – Yancy Hall of Shakopee, Minnesota, has been sentenced to 144 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime and felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents, in October 2023, a search warrant was executed at Hall’s two apartments and vehicle. The execution of the search warrant resulted in the seizure of three guns, over $75,000 in cash, and a large amount of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

    In August 2024, Hall, while dealing drugs near a mosque, got into an argument with a mosque congregant who had just left prayer services. Hall escalated the argument by shooting the congregant multiple times, as well as at another mosque congregant. Though Hall fled the scene, he was quickly apprehended by law enforcement.

    “Everyone in Minnesota deserves the ability to practice their religion, free from violence and threats of violence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.  “The attack by Hall on two congregants was vicious, violent, and unacceptable.  I appreciate the hard work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department in bringing Hall to justice.”  

    On January 2, 2025, Hall pleaded guilty to one count of discharging a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and one count of felon in possession. He was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge David S. Doty. 

    This case is a result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Minneapolis Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan B. Gilead prosecuted the case.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Minneapolis Woman Sentenced to 51 Months in Prison for Role in Feeding Our Future $250 Million Fraud Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MINNEAPOLIS – Sahra Nur of Minneapolis has been sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by 2 years of supervised release for her role in a $250 million fraud scheme that exploited a federally funded child nutrition program during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. Nur was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $5,000,240.

    According to court documents, from December 2020 through January 2022, Sahra Mohamed Nur, 63, knowingly and willfully conspired with others in a fraudulent scheme to obtain and misappropriate millions in federal child nutrition funds. As the owner and operator of S & S Catering Inc., Nur initially enrolled in the Federal Child Nutrition Program as a food distribution site under the sponsorship of Feeding Our Future. As the fraud scheme progressed, S & S Catering operated as a vendor for other food distribution sites affiliated with Feeding Our Future.

    Between September 2020 and April 2021, Nur claimed to have served over 1.2 million meals to children from S & S Catering alone. Between December 2020 and December 2021, sites who used S & S Catering as a vendor reported serving more than eight million meals through the food program. Based on their fraudulent claims, S & S Catering received more than $10 million in payment from these companies they purportedly served food to, and over $16 million in reimbursements from Feeding Our Future. Rather feed children during the pandemic, Nur misappropriated the funds for her own personal benefit, such as commercial real estate.

    Nur was one of eight defendants charged in a 23-count indictment in September 2022. On September 7, 2023, Nur pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. She was sentenced today in U.S. District Court by Judge Nancy E. Brasel.  In imposing sentence, Judge Brasel called the loss amount “staggering” and explained that “public trust in government programs has significant decreased” as a result of the defendant’s fraud.  Judge Brasel noted that it was “tragic” how the fraud scheme has damaged the reputation of Somali-American community.

    The case is the result of an investigation by the FBI, IRS – Criminal Investigations, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Minnesota Joseph H. Thompson, Harry M. Jacobs, Matthew S. Ebert, and Daniel W. Bobier prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Baune is handling the seizure and forfeiture of assets.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Massage Therapist Indicted for First Degree Sexual Abuse of a Client

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Andrew Ramirez, 42, of Jefferson, MD, was arraigned in Superior Court yesterday on one count of first-degree sexual abuse of a client and one count of second-degree sexual abuse of a client, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                The case is currently scheduled for a status hearing on July 11, 2025. 

                According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 12:15 p.m. on July 2, 2023, the victim arrived at the Salamander Hotel in Washington, D.C. to receive spa services. The victim met the defendant, who was a masseuse at the hotel, in the spa room. During the massage and with a towel covering his back, the defendant asked him to turn around. As the victim turned over, the towel fell off, leaving the victim naked on his back, with a towel covering his head. Ramirez continued the body oil massage. The victim reported feeling what he believed to be the defendant performing oral sex on him. He reported what had happened to members of the hotel team and called 911.   The defendant as linked to the alleged sexual assault of the victim through DNA testing and other investigative tools.

                This case is being investigated by the MPD. Anyone with information on this matter, or who believes they were assaulted by the defendant, can call the MPD Sex Assault Unit at 202-727-3700.

                This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Kelley of the Sex Offense and Domestic Violence Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

                An indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Jury Convicts South Boston Man on Drug and Gun Charges

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

    ROANOKE, Va. – A federal jury sitting in Roanoke convicted a man from South Boston, Virginia, yesterday of federal drug and gun charges.

    Following a two-day trial, the jury found Richard Elijah Jacobs, 27, guilty of possessing cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute it, possessing machineguns in furtherance of drug trafficking, and possessing firearms as a convicted felon.

    According to the evidence presented at trial, on February 3, 2024, police received a report that two men brandished guns from a newer white Jaguar in downtown South Boston.  An officer saw the Jaguar park in a shopping center, and he approached as Jacobs exited the driver’s side of the car.  Meanwhile, the passenger, James Alexander Hiett, evaded the officer and quickly walked away.  Hiett was later identified by store surveillance cameras.

    Other officers arrived on scene and spotted a gun protruding from the backseat of the car, prompting them to search it.  Ultimately, officers found three loaded guns: a Glock 21 pistol with a 40-round drum magazine beneath the driver’s floormat; a Radical Firearms RF-15 pistol behind the driver’s seat; and a Glock 19 pistol under the passenger seat.  The Glock 21 and RF-15 pistols were equipped with machinegun conversion devices that allowed for fully automatic fire.

    Inside the Jaguar’s trunk, officers also found thousands of dollars’ worth of cocaine powder, cocaine base, and marijuana, as well as paraphernalia for packaging and selling the drugs.

    Hiett previously pled guilty to related charges and was sentenced to 33 months in prison. 

    Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Anthony A. Spotswood, Special Agent in Charge of the Washington Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives made the announcement.

    The South Boston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Halifax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Drew Inman and Kelly McGann prosecuted the case for the United States. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Two Charged in $227M Medicare Fraud Scheme

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    WASHINGTON — An Illinois man and a foreign national were arrested yesterday on criminal charges related to their alleged submission of more than $227 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare.

    According to court documents, Syed Murtuza Kablazada, 34, of Arlington Heights, and Syed Mehdi Hussain, 32, of Carol Stream, owned and operated purported medical laboratories that submitted fraudulent claims to Medicare for the reimbursement of over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits allegedly provided to Medicare beneficiaries. The defendants allegedly installed foreign nationals to act as nominee owners at the laboratories to submit fraudulent claims to Medicare for the provision of over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits, with the understanding the nominee owners would flee the United States when they learned that their laboratory was under investigation.

    “As alleged, the defendants used straw owners at multiple laboratories to cause the submission of more than $200 million in fraudulent claims to Medicare for COVID-19 test kits,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Health care fraud harms Americans by squandering taxpayer money and diverting limited resources from those who need them most. The Criminal Division will continue to aggressively prosecute these crimes to hold fraudsters accountable, protect victims, and recover financial losses.”

    “The overwhelming fraud uncovered in this investigation details a blatant disregard for America’s critical health care program, Medicare, and puts all patients at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas S. DePodesta of the FBI Chicago Field Office. “The FBI and our partners will not tolerate anyone who abuses the health care system for personal gain and will aggressively pursue justice on behalf of both patients and taxpayers.”

    As alleged in the indictment, the defendants rarely provided Covid-19 test kits to Medicare beneficiaries but instead submitted reimbursement claims on behalf of beneficiaries who had not requested COVID-19 test kits, including individuals who were deceased. Further, the defendants allegedly paid a marketing company to provide the names of hundreds of thousands of Medicare beneficiaries that the defendants used to submit fraudulent claims. In total, between September 2022 and June 2023, the defendants’ labs billed Medicare approximately $227 million in fraudulent claims, of which Medicare paid approximately $136 million in reimbursements.

    Kablazada and Hussain are both charged by indictment with four counts of health care fraud. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each of the four counts.

    The FBI Chicago Field Office and HHS-OIG are investigating the case.

    Trial Attorney Andres Q. Almendarez of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section is prosecuting the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Jasmina Vajzovic for the Northern District of Illinois.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of 9 strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,800 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $30 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with the Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Ezell Applauds Passage of “One Big Beautiful Bill” Advancing President Trump’s America First Agenda

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Ezell (Mississippi 4th District)

    Today, U.S. Representative Mike Ezell (MS-04) issued the following statement after the House passed the One Big Beautiful Bill, a sweeping legislative package that delivers key wins for the American people and reinforces President Donald J. Trump’s America First agenda.

    “Today marks a pivotal moment for our country. With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, we are delivering on the promises made to the American people and advancing President Trump’s bold America First agenda,” Ezell said. “This bill makes the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, preventing the average taxpayer from seeing a 22% tax hike, strengthens our borders, revitalizes American industry, and restores the values that made our nation great. I was proud to support this legislation, and I will continue fighting every day to put our citizens first and ensure our government works for the people — not the other way around.”

    The One Big Beautiful Bill includes provisions aimed at securing the southern border, promoting domestic energy independence, cutting bureaucratic red tape, and protecting American jobs.

    Rep. Ezell has been a consistent supporter of pro-growth, pro-security policies and remains committed to standing with President Trump to deliver meaningful results for Mississippi’s Fourth District and the nation.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Alford Applauds House Passage of Republicans’ One Big, Beautiful Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mark Alford (Missouri 4th District)

    Alford Applauds House Passage of Republicans’ One Big, Beautiful Bill

    Washington, May 22, 2025

    Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) released the following statement after House Republicans passed the One Big, Beautiful Bill:

    Watch Congressman Alford’s remarks on the House floor in support of the legislation here or by clicking the image above.

    “Under President Trump’s leadership, Republicans are one step closer to enacting the generational change demanded by the American people,” said Congressman Alford. “The One Big, Beautiful Bill will reset the direction of our great nation on behalf of hardworking Americans—not bureaucrats, special interests, or illegal immigrants. Republicans are taking bold action because the moment demands it. This bill is a win for the Fourth District, Missouri, and all of America. It’s a shame every single House Democrat voted for the largest tax increase in American history, open borders, and an uncertain financial future for Medicaid.”

    Background:

    Republicans’ One Big, Beautiful Bill:

    • Stops the largest tax increase in American history, while ending taxes on tips and overtime and providing relief for seniors—allowing hardworking Missourians to keep more of their hard-earned money.
    • Strengthens Medicaid for those who need it most by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, removing more than a million illegal immigrants from the program, and ensuring able bodied adults with no dependents are pursuing work.
    • Permanently securing our southern border with funding for wall construction, new border agents, and additional security measures.
    • Strengthens and restores the integrity of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to ensure it is a temporary life vest for the needy—not a lifestyle.
    • Modernizes air traffic control, making our skies safer and air travel more efficient.
    • Boosts defense funding to ensure the U.S. military remains the most lethal on earth.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Becca Balint Slams House Passage of Republican Budget

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL)

    Washington, D.C. – Early this morning, Rep. Becca Balint (VT-AL), member of the House Budget Committee, released the below statement after the passage of the Republican budget that guts Medicaid, food assistance and other critical programs that Americans rely on. 

    The Republican plan includes over $800 billion in cuts that would decimate Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act. These cuts will put rural hospitals at risk of immediate closure. It would kick nearly 14 million Americans off their health insurance and throw at least 3 million people off food assistance, all to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires and massive corporations. The bill passed the House with all Democrats voting no. 

    “A budget is a reflection of our values: what we view as the most important and who we view as the most important. And it’s not you and your family or me and mine. It’s about propping up billionaires and kicking the rest of us in the teeth while they do it,” said Rep. Balint. “This bill comes after the poorest among us to give to the richest. Americans are already struggling to put food on the table, afford for medications, and pay rent in an economy rigged against working people. This bill stands to make that reality much more painful.” 

    “And this massive wealth transfer, passed in the middle of the night, will only exacerbate the already obscene wealth inequality in this country. I was sent to Congress to fight for the needs of working people, to stand up for the rights of every Vermonter and every American. I voted ‘hell no’ on this devastating budget because lives are on the line. Americans deserve so much better than this awful bill. I promise to keep fighting. It’s not over yet.”

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s Bipartisan Zip Code Bill Passes Through Committee

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lauren Boebert (Colorado, 3)

    EATON, CO— Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) successfully passed her bipartisan Zip Code bill, H.R. 3095, through the House Oversight Committee this morning. H.R. 3095 directs the United States Postal Service to create unique zip codes for more than 65 cities, towns, and communities across the country. The bill, which includes a dozen communities in Colorado and 30 cosponsors, is a reintroduction of the Congresswoman’s similar effort in the 118th Congress which passed through the U.S. House in December 2024.

    Cities and towns like Castle Pines, Lone Tree, and Severance all have their sales tax revenue, insurance rates, mail delivery rates, and response times for first responders negatively impacted by the lack of a unique zip code for their community. This legislation will address these issues and directly improve the quality of life for Coloradans and Americans living in these communities.

    “For too long, small cities and towns across Colorado and America have been stuck with higher insurance rates, longer response times, inconsistent mail delivery, and less revenue for public services because they lack their own unique zip code,” said Congresswoman Boebert. “It may not be an issue that draws headlines, but zip code reform is a topic I continue to be passionate about because it impacts the daily lives of so many small-town residents in the 4th District and beyond. Mayors and community leaders from every part of Colorado have made it clear fixing this problem is a priority for them and I am determined to finish the job this Congress after getting our bill through the House Oversight Committee this morning.”

    “We are so appreciative of Congresswoman Boebert’s leadership in addressing the vast number of challenges communities face with the USPS across the country,” said Castle Pines Mayor Tracy Engerman. “Lauren’s bill includes over 65 communities that have worked for years, and in some cases decades, to get a unique zip code from the USPS. We value our relationship with the Congresswoman and, on behalf of our National Zip Code Coalition, I personally want to thank her for unwavering leadership on this issue. Lauren knows this is not a partisan issue and has worked across the aisle to make this bill happen. I believe this will be the year that she gets this bill through Congress.”

    “The Postal Service structures the delivery of mail around ZIP Codes—five-digit numbers that organize how to deliver the mail. H.R. 3095, which will create new ZIP Codes for communities across the nation, is the product of various Members’ advocacy. I thank Rep. Boebert for her work on this bill,” said House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (KY-01).

    BACKGROUND:

    The full text of Congresswoman Boebert’s H.R. 3095 can be read HERE. The Congresswoman’s remarks from today’s Committee hearing can be found HERE.

    The following news stories are a mixture of recent news articles and coverage on Congresswoman Boebert’s previous effort on zip codes in the 118th Congress:

    Fox 31: Proposed bill could give these Colorado areas a new zip code

    CBS News Colorado: New zip codes could improve Colorado towns’ income, safety

    The Orange County Register: Could North Tustin get its own zip code? Proposed congressional effort underway to do that

    The Zip Code system was instituted in America in the 1960s. The Postal Service utilizes the zip code system to deliver mail, but it is also heavily used and relied on by economic developers, insurers and emergency personnel. 

    Communities that do not have a unique Zip Code often experience associated problems that include the loss of economic development, loss of sales tax, unjustifiably high insurance rates, tax remittance and commercial licensing issues, diminished public safety and reduced emergency response times, identity issues, and efficiency issues.

    For example, first responders often go to the wrong streets and people needing help experience delays due to Zip Code issues that would be addressed by this legislation.

    Small towns and cities can petition the Postal Service for a new Zip Code but it is rarely approved and if it is denied they cannot appeal this decision for up to 10 years. Congress has intervened on these matters and last passed a law enacting four new Zip Codes through the Post Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. 

    The current list of 30 cosponsors for H.R. 3095 includes Rep. Young Kim [CA-40], Rep. Brittany Pettersen [CO-07], Rep. Jason Crow [CO-06], Rep. Gabe Evans [CO-08], Rep. Joe Courtney [CT-02], Rep. Byron Donalds [FL-19], Rep. Mikie Sherrill [NJ-11], Rep. Nancy Mace [SC-01], Rep. Jared Moskowitz [D-FL-23], Rep. Keith Self [TX-03], Rep. Brandon Gill [TX-26], Rep. H. Morgan Griffith [VA-09], Rep. Bryan Steil [WI-01], Rep. Gwen Moore [WI-04], Rep. Scott Fitzgerald [WI-05], Rep. Harriet M. Hageman [WY-AL], Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes [D-OH-13], Rep. Andy Barr [KY-06], Rep. Nicholas A. Langworthy [NY-23], Rep. Nick LaLota [NY-01], Rep. Troy E. Nehls [TX-22], Rep. Mark Harris [NC-08], Rep. Pat Fallon [TX-04], Rep. Clay Higgins [LA-03], Rep. Mark E. Amodei [NV-02], Rep. Brad Finstad [MN-01], Rep. Sean Casten [IL-06], Rep. Gilbert Ray Cisneros [CA-31], Rep. Linda T. Sanchez [D-CA-38], and Rep. Julia Letlow [R-LA-5].

    The full list of communities included can be found below:

    (1) Canyon Lake, California.

    (2) Hidden Hills, California.

    (3) Industry, California.

    (4) North Tustin, California.

    (5) Tehachapi, California.

    (6) Castle Pines, Colorado.

    (7) Centennial, Colorado.

    (8) Cherry Hills Village, Colorado.

    (9) Greenwood Village, Colorado.

    (10) Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

    (11) Keystone, Colorado.

    (12) Lone Tree, Colorado.

    (13) Mountain Village, Colorado.

    (14) Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado.

    (15) Severance, Colorado.

    (16) Silver Cliff, Colorado.

    (17) Sterling Ranch, Colorado.

    (18) Superior, Colorado.

    (19) Telluride, Colorado.

    (20) Hollywood, Florida.

    (21) Oakland Park, Florida.

    (22) Lighthouse Point, Florida.

    (23) Coconut Creek, Florida.

    (24) Parkland, Florida.

    (25) Deerfield Beach, Florida.

    (26) Wilton Manors, Florida.

    (27) Burr Ridge, Illinois.

    (28) Carmel, Indiana.

    (29) Noblesville, Indiana.

    (30) Westfield, Indiana.

    (31) Zionsville, Indiana.

    (32) Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

    (33) Montz, Louisiana.

    (34) Springwater Township, Minnesota.

    (35) Grass Valley, Nevada.

    (36) Swanzey, New Hampshire.

    (37) Kinnelon, New Jersey.

    (38) Flanders, New York.

    (39) Glendale, New York.

    (40) Riverside, New York.

    (41) Pendleton, New York.

    (42) Harnett County, North Carolina.

    (43) Weddington, North Carolina.

    (44) Goose Creek, South Carolina.

    (45) Fairview, Texas.

    (46) Fate, Texas.

    (47) Heath, Texas.

    (48) Murphy, Texas.

    (49) Northlake, Texas.

    (50) Parker, Texas.

    (51) Sargent, Texas.

    (52) Fairlawn, Virginia.

    (53) Caledonia, Wisconsin.

    (54) Franklin, Wisconsin.

    (55) Glendale, Wisconsin.

    (56) Greenfield, Wisconsin.

    (57) Village of Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.

    (58) Village of Somers, Wisconsin.

    (59) Village of Harrison, Wisconsin.

    (60) Hochatown, Oklahoma.

    (61) Green, Ohio.

    (62) Rochester, Wisconsin.

    (63) Quartzite Township, Minnesota.

    (64) Frederick, Colorado.

    (65) Camargo, Kentucky.

    (66) Wheatfield, New York.

    (67) Mauldin, South Carolina.

    (68) Josephine, Texas.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Fitzgerald Statement on the Passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statement in response to the passage of the House Republican budget bill, better known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

    “This legislation is a victory for working Americans across the nation and delivers on our promise to bring tax relief, reduce government waste, and secure our border. It delivers the largest tax cut in American history—returns an average of $5,000 in annual take-home pay to hardworking Americans, makes the Trump Tax Cuts permanent, and increases the child tax credit. By eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay, we’re ensuring that workers keep more of their hard-earned income.

    “The reconciliation bill also provides significant relief to seniors through a deduction of taxes on Social Security benefits. It protects America’s family farmers by preventing the death tax from impacting nearly two million farms—safeguarding generational livelihoods. 

    “It also strengthens Medicaid by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse. It removes 1.4 million illegal aliens who are fraudulently receiving benefits—ensuring that Medicaid serves those who need it most: the disabled, children, pregnant women, and seniors. Additionally, by implementing work requirements for able-bodied, working-age adults, we are prioritizing policies that lift Americans out of poverty and promote self-sufficiency. Improving the federal funding formula ensures that states like Wisconsin, who took a responsible/conservative approach to funding Medicaid, are not unfairly treated, allowing BadgerCare to better serve the most vulnerable residents.

    “Recognizing that border security is national security, this bill fully funds the completion of President Trump’s border wall, increases the hiring of additional Border Patrol and ICE agents, and invests in large-scale deportation operations to remove illegal aliens and keep our communities safe.

    “By passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, we’re delivering on the promises made to the American people and putting President Trump’s America First agenda where it belongs—front and center.”

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson Condemns Republican Tax Scam Slashing Social SafetyNet, Harming Illinois Chicago Families; Introduces Amendments to Protect Constituents

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01) fiercely denounced the Republican budget proposals that prioritize massive tax giveaways for corporations and the wealthiest Americans, funded by devastating cuts to essential social safety net programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and Medicare. These cuts would directly harm hundreds of thousands of residents in Illinois’ First Congressional District and the City of Chicago.

    “The Republican budget is a morally bankrupt document that seeks to balance the books on the backs of our most vulnerable citizens – our children, our seniors, and our working families. To propose a tax scam that lavishes benefits on the ultra-rich while snatching food from hungry mouths and denying essential healthcare to those in need is an outrage,” said Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson. “In the First District and across Chicago, these are not abstract numbers; these are our neighbors, our grandparents, and the children in our communities. I grew up understanding the importance of a strong community and a supportive safety net. Gutting SNAP, Medicaid, and Medicare is a direct assault on the well-being of the people I represent and a betrayal of our nation’s values. I will fight these catastrophic cuts every step of the way.”

    In a direct effort to shield his constituents and vulnerable Americans from the most damaging aspects of these proposals, Congressman Jackson introduced three amendments to the bill. Notably, his Amendment #31 sought to prevent Republicans from raising the age of work requirements to receive SNAP benefits, a change that would disproportionately harm older workers and those nearing retirement.

    The Republican budget outlines draconian cuts that would have severe consequences:

    • Slashing SNAP: The plan calls for a $300 billion cut to SNAP nationally, which would strip food assistance from millions.
      • Impact on IL-01 & Chicago: In Illinois’ First Congressional District, 139,900 households, representing 233,900 people, relied on SNAP as of March 2024. These families, including many children and seniors, would face increased hunger and hardship. Across Cook County, hundreds of thousands more depend on this vital program to put food on the table. Proposed changes, such as increasing work requirement ages, which Congressman Jackson fought against, would exacerbate this crisis.
    • Devastating Medicaid: Proposed cuts to Medicaid range from $715 billion to over $880 billion nationally, potentially forcing millions to lose their health coverage, including essential long-term care for seniors.
      • Impact on IL-01 & Chicago: As of October 2023, 321,000 individuals in the First District were enrolled in Medicaid. In Cook County, approximately 154,719 seniors (aged 60+) rely on Medicaid (May 2024 data), many for nursing home care and in-home support. These proposed cuts threaten their access to critical medical services.
    • Undermining Medicare: Republican tax plans could trigger automatic cuts to Medicare exceeding $500 billion nationally due to PAYGO rules, jeopardizing the healthcare security of seniors who have paid into this program their entire working lives.
      • Impact on IL-01 & Chicago: In Illinois’ First Congressional District alone, 120,682 residents are Medicare beneficiaries (December 2023). Across Cook County, 729,299 individuals rely on Medicare (May 2024). These cuts could mean higher out-of-pocket costs and reduced access to doctors and treatments for our seniors.

    These proposed cuts are not about fiscal responsibility; they are about funding tax breaks for the wealthiest 1% and large corporations at the expense of everyday Americans. Cutting these essential programs will lead to increased poverty, worse health outcomes, and greater economic instability for families in Chicago and across the country. 

    Congressman Jackson stands firmly against this Republican Tax Scam and calls on his colleagues to reject these cruel and counterproductive measures. He remains committed to protecting and strengthening the social safety net that provides a lifeline for so many, ensuring that every resident of the First District has the opportunity to live with dignity and security.
     

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Opposes House Republican Bill That Slashes Health Care and Essential Services for New Mexicans

    Source: US Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) voted against the House Republican reconciliation package, titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” citing its devastating impact on working families, rural communities, and public health in New Mexico. The bill imposes deep cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, and rural hospitals, while handing permanent tax breaks to billionaires and corporations.

    “This bill takes food and health care away from our families so the ultra-wealthy can get another tax cut,” said Vasquez. “In my district, it would rip away Medicaid from 29,000 people, slash food assistance for nearly 50,000 families, and put rural hospitals on the brink of closure. I came to Congress to fight for working people—not to help Elon Musk and his billionaire friends get richer.”

    The reconciliation package would:

    • Cut $698 billion from Medicaid, threatening care for over 35,000 New Mexicans.
    • Eliminate enhanced ACA tax credits, raising premiums and risking coverage loss for thousands.
    • Slash $267 billion from SNAP, cutting benefits for 120,000 New Mexicans—including 49,000 in NM-02—and costing New Mexico  $270 million.
    • Puts rural hospitals in New Mexico at risk of closure.
    • Add $3.8 trillion to the deficit while delivering 66% of tax breaks to the top 20% of earners.

    While Republicans push tax cuts that overwhelmingly favor the rich, Vasquez has introduced and supported legislation that puts working families first:

    • The Boost the Middle Class Act – Expands the Earned Income Tax Credit by 10% and indexes it to inflation, putting more money into the pockets of working families.
    • The Tax Relief from Tariffs and High Costs Act – Offers a fully refundable 10% tax credit to households making under $100,000 to offset rising prices.
    • The Honor and Hire Veterans Act – Increases tax incentives for businesses to hire veterans.

    As Congress debated the bill, Rep. Vasquez also fought for improvements, including his Honor Farmer Contracts Act to ensure USDA upholds contracts with farmers and the Affordable Insulin Now Act to cap insulin costs at $35/month for people with private insurance. However, Republicans blocked both amendments. 

    This vote underscores Rep. Vasquez’s commitment to protecting New Mexico’s working families, veterans, and rural communities. As House Republicans prioritize tax breaks for the wealthy at the expense of essential services, Vasquez continues to champion legislation that lowers costs, expands access to care, and delivers real relief to the people of southern New Mexico.

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