NewzIntel.com

Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI USA: Norton Says Anti-Home Rule Riders on Subcommittee-Passed D.C. Appropriations Bill are “Appalling” and “Unsurprising”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Committee on Appropriations marked up and passed the fiscal year 2026 (FY 26) Financial Services and General Government (FSSG) Appropriations bill tonight, which Norton said includes an outrageous and irresponsible number of anti-home rule riders. Republicans try to attach the riders to the annual D.C. spending bill to exert control over local D.C. matters, despite their positions as federal officials who do not represent D.C. residents. Significantly, the bill would halve funding for DCTAG, a program established by a 1999 Norton bill. DCTAG makes up the difference for D.C. residents between in-state and out-of-state tuition up to $10,000 at public institutions of higher education in the U.S.

    “It is unsurprising that at a time when there are more frequent Republican attacks on D.C. home rule than any time since the 1990s, the D.C. appropriations bill reported out of a Republican-controlled subcommittee contains numerous and extensive riders that would overrule the expressed will of D.C. residents,” Norton said. “I am particularly appalled by the 50% cut in funding for DCTAG, a program created in 1999 by a bill I authored that simply helps pay for students who are D.C. residents to attend college.

    “I will use every tool at my disposal to stop these riders from becoming law, and I commit to reminding my fellow lawmakers across the aisle that D.C. residents deserve consideration equal to that given to as their own constituents.”

    As reported out of the subcommittee today, the bill:

    • Would provide $20 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG), a 50% decrease from the current funding level.
    • Would permit anyone with a concealed carry permit from any state or territory to carry a concealed handgun in D.C. and on WMATA.
    • Would prohibit D.C. from spending its own local funds on abortion services for low-income women.
    • Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to carry out its Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014.
    • Would repeal D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act and prohibit enacting any similar act.
    • Would require D.C. to submit a report on its enforcement of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act.
    • Would prohibit D.C. from spending its own local funds to enforce its vehicle emission standards.
    • Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to carry out its automated traffic enforcement law.
    • Would prohibit D.C. from using its local funds to enact or carry out any law which prohibits motorists from making right turns on red.
    • Would repeal the provision of D.C.’s Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation law, or Anti-SLAPP law, that exempts from that law any claim brought by the D.C. government.
    • Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to implement its law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections or on activities related to enrolling or registering noncitizens into voter rolls for local elections.
    • Would prohibit D.C. from using local funds to implement its Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
    • Would repeal parts of the Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 2018 that allows courts to use sentencing alternatives for a person who was sentenced as an adult but was under the age of 24 at the time the person committed a crime, changing that age back to 22.
    • Would prohibit the use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce any COVID–19 mask or vaccine mandate.
    • Would prohibit the use of funds to commercialize recreational marijuana.
    • Would prohibit the use of funds to implement the Insurance Regulation Amendment Act of 2024, which relates to reproductive health care and gender-affirming care.
    • Would prohibit funds to implement or enforce provisions of the Consumer Protection Act against oil and gas companies for environmental claims.

    Despite Republican control of the House, Norton secured several key victories for D.C., including the first increase in the annual and lifetime award caps for DCTAG recipients since the program was created in 1999.

    “I was pleased the bill that passed out of subcommittee tonight maintained several wins I secured for D.C., including increasing the DCTAG yearly cap from $10,000 to $15,000 and lifetime award cap from $50,000 to $75,000, a change I have requested for many years. Even in the face of funding for the overall program being cut by half, these increases are a positive for DCTAG recipients. I will continue to work to secure full funding for DCTAG.”

    The bill also maintains the provision to exempt the D.C. government from a federal government shutdown in FY 2027, a provision Norton has gotten enacted every year since FY 2015. It also approves D.C. to spend under its FY 26 local budget.

    Norton secured the following victories in the bill:

    • Increasing the yearly cap on DCTAG to $15,000 from $10,000 and increasing the lifetime cap from $50,000 to $75,000.
    • Requiring ratably reducing the amount of tuition and fee payment of each eligible DCTAG student who receives more than $10,000 for the award year if there are insufficient funds.
    • Exempting D.C. from federal government shutdowns in FY 2027.
    • Providing $5.7 million for D.C. Water Clean Rivers Project.
    • Providing $70 million for the Emergency Planning and Security Fund. The fund pays for the unique public safety and security costs the District incurs as the nation’s capital, and is designed to cover the District’s costs upfront so D.C. does not need to expend local funds and then seek an appropriation to be reimbursed for such costs after the fact.
    • Providing $600,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program.
    • Providing $4 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Norton Introduces Bill to Give D.C. Control Over Operations of Local D.C. Courts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.–– Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act today, which would give the D.C. Council authority over the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. The D.C. Home Rule Act expressly prohibits D.C. from enacting any law with respect to any provision of the D.C. Code that relates to the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. Congress can give D.C. this authority even before the District becomes the 51st state.

    “The District has never had authority over its local courts, even before 1997 when it was responsible for paying for the courts’ operations,” Norton said. “As the duly elected and accountable local legislature for the District, it is irresponsible for the D.C. Council to be left on the sidelines while Congress, which could not care less about the local D.C. courts, remains in charge of improving their operations. My bill would correct this wrong and increase democratic autonomy and self-government for the District.”

    Under the Home Rule Act, the D.C. Council has no authority to “enact any act, resolution, or rule with respect to any provision of title 11 of the District of Columbia Code (relating to organization and jurisdiction of the District of Columbia courts).”

    In 1997, under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act, the federal government assumed the costs for several state-level functions from D.C., including the local D.C. courts. This bill would not affect the authority of the President to nominate, or the Senate to confirm, local D.C. judges, which has been within their purview since the creation of the District’s modern local court system in 1970.

    Norton’s introductory statement follows.

    Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

    on the Introduction of the District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act

     

    July 21, 2025

    Today, I introduce the District of Columbia Courts Home Rule Act.  This bill would give the Council of the District of Columbia authority over the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts.  The D.C. Home Rule Act (HRA) prohibits the Council from enacting any law with respect to title 11 of the D.C. Code, which relates to the jurisdiction and organization of the local D.C. courts. 

    More than 50 years after passage of the HRA and notwithstanding the importance of the local D.C. courts to D.C., the Council, which is the legislative body accountable to D.C. residents, is left on the sidelines while Congress, which could not care less about the local D.C. courts, remains the only legislative body that can amend title 11 of the D.C. Code.

    Under the HRA, the Council has no authority to “enact any act, resolution, or rule with respect to any provision of title 11 of the District of Columbia Code (relating to organization and jurisdiction of the District of Columbia courts).”  Title 11 of the D.C. Code primarily relates to the rules of criminal and civil procedure, court administration, the branches of the courts, jury service and admission to the bar. 

    D.C. has never had authority over its local courts, even when it was responsible for paying for them.  Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, the federal government assumed from D.C. the costs for several state-level functions, including the courts.  This bill would not change the federal government’s responsibility for funding the local D.C. courts or the authority of the President to nominate, and the Senate to confirm, local D.C. judges.

    This bill is an important step to increase self-government for D.C.  I urge my colleagues to support it.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sánchez, colleagues to Trump administration: Restore immigrants’ wrongly invalidated SSNs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez and nine of her colleagues called on the Trump administration to restore Social Security numbers of more than 6,300 legally present immigrants that were listed as “unverified,” months after declaring them deceased. 

    “These people are our neighbors, our friends, and our community members,” the members wrote. “Invalidating their Social Security numbers will wreak havoc on their lives. SSA’s action could bar them from receiving federal benefits, working, or opening a bank account, and could even cut their citizen children off from survivor benefits in the event of their death. Using intimidation and manipulation to oust law-abiding, legally present individuals from our country is cruel and un-American.”

    In April, the SSA improperly classified these immigrants as deceased to encourage them to self-deport. Although the agency later reclassified them as “unverified,” their Social Security numbers remain flagged in systems used by federal agencies, employers and financial institutions.

    This misclassification reportedly stems from an enforcement policy implemented during the Trump administration targeting immigrants. As a result, thousands now face financial and legal uncertainty – many with U.S. citizen children who may now be denied essential survivor benefits.

    In addition to Sánchez, the letter was signed by Representatives Gwen Moore (D-Wis.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Paul D. Tonko (D-N.Y.) and Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.)

    Full text of the letter is available here and follows: 

    July 18, 2025

    The Honorable Frank Bisignano
    Commissioner
    Social Security Administration
    6401 Security Blvd.
    Baltimore, MD 21235

    Dear Commissioner Bisignano: 

    We write out of grave concern for the 6,300 immigrants who the Social Security Administration (SSA) first listed as dead, and who have now had their Social Security numbers rendered unverifiable. We are alarmed that SSA took this unprecedented action with the punitive intent of “terminating” immigrants’ financial lives to encourage them to self-deport, and we urge you to restore these individuals’ Social Security numbers as soon as possible.

    These 6,300 individuals have reportedly been targeted in a Trump Administration immigration enforcement effort focused on people who were legally present and eligible to work until the Administration abruptly terminated their lawful status.

    In April, SSA wrongfully classified these legally present, living immigrants as dead – a shocking and unprecedented action by SSA designed to throw people into financial limbo. Almost three months later, SSA has now reportedly reclassified these individuals: they are no longer “dead” but will instead be flagged as “unverified” by the systems used by other agencies, financial institutions, employers, and others to check Social Security numbers.

    These people are our neighbors, our friends, and our community members. Invalidating their Social Security numbers will wreak havoc on their lives. SSA’s action could bar them from receiving federal benefits, working, or opening a bank account, and could even cut their citizen children off from survivor benefits in the event of their death. Using intimidation and manipulation to oust law-abiding, legally present individuals from our country is cruel and un-American.

    We ask that within two weeks you provide answers to the following questions regarding SSA’s action to render the Social Security numbers of 6,300 immigrants unverifiable, these individuals’ status, and your future plans:

    1. Who requested that SSA take this action? Was the request made or supported by Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi L. Noem or any employee of the White House?
       
    2. Who at SSA authorized this action? Please provide copies of all signed memoranda regarding this action, including any between the Department of Homeland Security and SSA.
       
    3. What flags or special indicators have SSA placed in agency systems for the Social Security numbers of these 6,300 individuals?
       
    4. When a third party such as another federal agency, an employer, or a financial institution uses one of SSA’s Social Security number verification systems or data exchanges, what response will be provided for the 6,300 individuals as a result of these flags?
       
    5. What is your assessment of how this action will affect the 6,300 individuals, including potential financial loss?
       
    6. Has SSA been asked to take similar action against additional immigrants, beyond the 6,300? If so, who has requested this action, how many additional individuals may be affected, and when?

    We urge you to restore these individuals’ Social Security numbers as soon as possible. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    Sincerely,

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sánchez: Brazil trade investigation politically motivated, anti-democratic

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

    WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez released the following statement in response to the Trump administration announcing a Section 301 trade investigation of Brazil:

    “It is unacceptable that President Trump is weaponizing the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and Section 301 authority to subvert democracy, prop up his friends and target his foes. 

    “This investigation is clearly being driven by the president’s own political motives. You need to look no further than his letter to Brazil, citing grievances that range from Brazil’s treatment of his far-right ally Bolsonaro to the country’s efforts to crack down on hate speech. 

    “And it’s rich to focus on Brazil’s anti-corruption efforts when President Trump’s administration is refusing to enforce the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and is engaging in blatant self-dealing and grifting.

    “It’s completely anti-democratic and corrupt for American trade policies to benefit one individual’s personal interests. House Republicans must join Democrats in reclaiming our constitutional trade authority and stop enabling this president’s incessant abuses of power.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman DeSaulnier Statement on FDA Reversal of Ban on Dangerous Juul E-Cigarettes

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) made the following statement about the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) reckless reversal of its ban on the sale of Juul e-cigarettes.

    “Juul is Big Tobacco with sleeker marketing. It is outrageous and dangerous that the FDA would approve Juul e-cigarettes for sale while in the same breath conceding that the reversal of the ban ‘does not mean these tobacco products are safe,’ especially when we know these products pose a particular threat to the health and safety of young people whom Juul has targeted with predatory marketing,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I have been at the forefront of trying to protect American consumers, particularly children, from greedy tobacco companies, including Juul, who care more about profits than public health. I will continue the fight in Congress to ban these products as long as they threaten the health of children and the general public.”

    Congressman DeSaulnier is a member of the Congressional Caucus to End the Youth Vaping Epidemic and has previously introduced legislation to immediately halt the sale of all e-cigarettes nationwide until the FDA conducts a pre-market review of these products. He has been a long-time advocate of policies to reduce the public health impacts of tobacco products, including as mayor of Concord, California where he helped enact one of the nation’s first efforts to curb secondhand smoke in public places.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Progressive Caucus Launches New Task Forces Aimed at Reclaiming a Democratic Majority in 2026

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

    Washington, D.C. — Today, the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) announced four newly constituted Task Forces aimed at helping Democrats reclaim the House majority in 2026—with a sharp, populist, pro-working-class agenda that meets the moment.

    These four Task Forces—focused on lowering costs, ending corporate greed, fighting corruption, and securing better pay and benefits—are part of a broader effort by the CPC to define a Democratic governing agenda that is clear, popular, easy to understand, and quickly delivers material benefits to working people. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) was named Vice Chair of the Task Force on Better Pay and Benefits.

    Among other work, the Task Forces will be focused on advancing a slate of policy proposals members have been working on internally for several months that are not only progressive, but also enjoy support from voters across the ideological and demographic spectrum—from suburban voters to non-college-educated to independents—and could be passed by a Democratic House after the midterms. New polling from Data for Progress finds these policies enjoy a supermajority and give a 9-point advantage for Democrats who lead with these themes compared to a generic Democratic message against a Republican opponent.

    The four new Task Forces are:

    • Lowering Costs

      Chair: Rep. Yassamin Ansari

    • Fighting Corruption

      Chair: Rep. Dave Min
      Vice Chair: Rep. Hank Johnson

    • Ending Corporate Greed

      Chair: Rep. Becca Balint

    • Better Pay and Benefits

      Chair: Rep. Emily Randall
      Vice Chair: Rep. Mark DeSaulnier

    “In a time of record-breaking income inequality and rampant corporate greed, it is more important than ever that we as Democrats reassert and reinforce our commitment to working people,” said Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10). “As both a former union member and small business owner, I have seen firsthand how American workers have for too long been taken advantage of by big corporations and greedy CEOs. I am proud to help lead the Task Force for Better Pay and Benefits as Vice Chair to restore power to working people, the engine of our economy, so they can continue to be the best, most productive labor force in the world while living with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

    “In my family and in my community, I’ve seen firsthand how good Union wages and pensions open doors to stability, to opportunity, to economic security. I’ve seen my grandparents, my teachers, my neighbors afford homes and vacations and childcare because they had good jobs. But over the years, affording a good life has gotten harder and harder,” said Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06). “Our neighbors deserve leaders who put people before profits and stand up for what’s right. They deserve leaders who understand that an economy that is centered on working people is a stronger economy for everyone. As Chair of the Better Pay and Benefits Task Force, I’m committed to fighting for fairer wages, stronger benefits, safer workplaces, and an economy that puts working people first – right at the center of our policies.”

    Video from the press conference available HERE.
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: US exits UNESCO again, agency calls move ‘regrettable’ but ‘expected’

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

    The United States announced Tuesday its decision to pull out of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization two years after rejoining.

    According to a statement by the U.S. State Department, the withdrawal was due to what Washington saw as the UN cultural agency’s policy to “advance divisive social and cultural causes” over the Israel-Palestine conflicts.

    “UNESCO’s decision to admit the ‘State of Palestine’ as a member state is highly problematic, contrary to U.S. policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization,” the statement said.

    The U.S. exit will take effect at the end of December 2026.

    Meanwhile, UNESCO said Tuesday the U.S. exit was regrettable but came as no surprise.

    “However regrettable, this announcement was expected, and UNESCO has prepared for it,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said in a statement.

    This will be the third time that Washington has left UNESCO, and the second time during the administration under Donald Trump. Since his second term in office started early this year, the Trump administration had announced its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change, the World Health Organization, and the United Nations Human Rights Council.

    Washington has long had a contentious relationship with UNESCO, repeatedly withdrawing over political grievances. In 1984, the Ronald Reagan administration pulled the United States out of the agency, citing what it called the UN body’s ideological tilt toward the former Soviet Union against the West, and the United States stayed away till 2003.

    In November 2011, the Barack Obama administration cut off funding for the UN cultural agency, after its member countries defied a U.S. warning and approved a Palestinian bid for full membership in the body. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump announces trade deal after meeting Philippine president

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

    U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd L) welcomes Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. (2nd R) at the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on July 22, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    U.S. President Donald Trump met his Philippine counterpart, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., on Tuesday at the White House over trade and bilateral relations.

    “We concluded our Trade Deal, whereby The Philippines is going OPEN MARKET with the United States, and ZERO Tariffs. The Philippines will pay a 19 percent Tariff,” said Trump in a post on Truth Social, his social media platform.

    In a recent letter to Marcos, Trump said the United States would raise tariffs on Philippine goods to 20 percent starting Aug. 1.

    The White House has not released more details about the trade deal with the Philippines.

    Marcos said their bilateral ties have “evolved into as important a relationship as is possible to have.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Spain to host Ryder Cup for second time in 2031

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

    The Ryder Cup golf tournament which pits Europe against the United States every two years, will return to Spain in 2031, the organizers announced on Tuesday.

    A post from the Ryder Cup on social media said the competition will be held at Camiral Golf and Wellness, which is close to the city of Girona.

    Spain hosted the Ryder Cup at Valderrama in Andalusia in 1997, with Europe emerging victorious under Seve Ballesteros as captain.

    “As well as being one of the most prestigious competitions in the sporting calendar, the Ryder is an exceptional platform to show the capacity Spain has to host important events,” said Jose Manuel Rodriguez Uribes, president of Spain’s sports council.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MATSUI CONDEMNS REPUBLICAN CUTS TO PUBLIC MEDIA

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, released the following statement in response toRepublicans passing the Trump administration’s $9 billion rescission package, including clawing back $1.1 billion in funding for public radio and television.

    “By ripping away funding for local radio and television stations, Republicans are jeopardizing Americans’ ability to access free, community-supported access to news, educational programming, and lifesaving emergency alerts,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “This is an attack on the over 1500 local stations nationwide—and the millions of Americans who rely on them—all to satisfy President Trump’s obsession with silencing dissenting voices and bullying our press into becoming his personal mouthpiece. Stations, especially those serving our most rural and remote communities, will be forced to cut back on programming, lay off staff, and even go off air.”

    “I will keep fighting against President Trump’s deliberate and dangerous assault on our free press,” Matsui continued. “Congress must fully restore funding to public media and protect it from political interference. We must stand up for Americans’ ability to access no-cost, trusted educational resources, nonpartisan journalism, and public safety content that connect the local communities they serve.”

    The Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 established the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) as a private, non-profit corporation to provide non-commercial educational programming to the public. For 50 years, Congress has provided advance appropriations for CPB to protect public media from political interference and provide the essential lead time to plan and develop high-quality programming. CPB provides grants to 1,216 public radio stations and 365 public television stations across the country, to provide nearly 99 percent of the U.S. population with free programming and services.

    Congresswoman Matsui has actively pushed back against the Trump administration’s attacks on a free and independent press. In March, Congresswoman Matsui introduced the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act, legislation that would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from revoking broadcast licenses or taking action against broadcasters based on the viewpoints they disseminate. The legislation would reaffirm the importance of the independence of the FCC, including that the President should not mandate the FCC’s agenda.

    That same month, Congresswoman Matsui, along with Congressman Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, opened a probe into the Trump FCC’s sham investigations into media outlets. Congresswoman Matsui also led a bipartisan letter emphasizing the importance of federal funding for public radio and television.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MATSUI AND COLLEAGUES SLAM REVISED GUIDANCE FOR BROADBAND, EQUITY, ACCESS, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

    WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, led a group of 22 lawmakers in a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Secretary Howard Lutnick, expressing deep concerns regarding the recent restructuring of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program. 

    The BEAD Program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment, and adoption programs in all 50 states. Over 40 states and territories, including California, had partially or fully completed the process of selecting projects for deployment. But last month, DOC released new guidelines through their BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice (BPRN) that threatens to derail progress. The notice would force states to reopen the application process and rescind preliminary and provisional awards—substantially delaying efforts to get shovels in the ground and broadband to the communities that need it most.

      

    “Despite your stated goals of removing burdensome requirements from the BEAD Program and ensuring American taxpayers receive the ‘benefit of the bargain,’ the BRPN actually further complicates and delays the program for all stakeholders, violating congressional intent” wrote the lawmakers. “Worst of all, American families and businesses will be left with inferior connectivity.”

    The new guidelines impose burdensome scoring requirements that would hamstring states’ flexibility to choose the most effective mix of technologies to deliver reliable, scalable, and future-proof internet service.  On top of that, the Trump administration’s changes would gut key safeguards—slashing protections for affordability, good-paying jobs, climate-resilient infrastructure, and a free and open internet. These changes will drive up costs for consumers while driving down the quality of service.

    “The BEAD Program you inherited on January 20, 2025, was on track to get shovels in the ground months ago to deliver reliable, high-speed internet to communities on the wrong side of the digital divide. Nothing about the BRPN simplifies the BEAD Program for state broadband offices or providers, and the changes you insist upon will only lead to indefinite delays and worse internet service for Americans,” the lawmakers continued. 

    The full letter is available HERE. 

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: THOMPSON RELEASES STATEMENT ON CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS’ BILL TO RIP FUNDING FROM PUBLIC MEDIA, FOREIGN AID: “AN ATTACK ON PUBLIC SAFETY”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) released the following statement after the passage of Congressional Republicans’ bill to take back federal funding from public media stations and foreign aid programs that was already approved by Congress and signed into law:

    “Make no mistake: These clawbacks are an attack on public safety. Our public radio and TV stations, especially those in rural communities, are often the only trusted local news source. Publicly funded media stations are the ones covering our kids’ high school sports games, providing high-quality educational programming to our kids, and distributing essential public safety information during natural disasters. To slash this funding is to attack these important services.  

    “At the same time, Congressional Republicans are pulling funding from Ukraine and other allies. When our allies are unsafe, we are all unsafe. Cuts to foreign aid undermine our national security.

    “Congressional Republicans’ claims that this is about saving money are laughable considering they just passed a bill that will add nearly $5 trillion to our national debt in order to give tax breaks to their billionaire donors who don’t need the help. They are pulling the rug out from under our allies and our local news stations. The American people will pay the price.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Aderholt Celebrates Grand Opening of Nauvoo Capstone Rural Health Clinic

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

    Nauvoo, Alabama — Congressman Robert Aderholt joined community leaders, healthcare professionals, and residents today for the official ribbon cutting and grand opening of the newly constructed Capstone Rural Health Clinic in Nauvoo.

    Standing inside the clinic’s state-of-the-art facility, Congressman Aderholt marked the occasion as a moment of progress and renewed commitment to rural health care. He praised the Capstone team for their steadfast dedication to delivering both medical and behavioral health services in the community — even while operating for years out of an inadequate and non-ADA-compliant building.

    “When my office received the request to help secure funding for this project, I knew it was the kind of investment that makes a real difference,” Aderholt said. “That’s why I was proud to request and secure $725,000 in federal funding to help bring this facility to life.”

    The new clinic addresses longstanding infrastructure limitations and significantly expands the services available to the Nauvoo community. Features of the upgraded facility include:

    • Expanded access to both primary and behavioral health care;
    • Space to add an additional primary care provider;
    • On-site case management to help patients navigate complex health and social needs;
    • A dedicated Telehealth suite for increased provider access;
    • ADA-compliant access throughout, including to the pharmacy.

    Within a 30-mile radius, Capstone’s clinic may be the only source of consistent, community-based care. With this expansion, the clinic expects to handle an additional 1,000 to 1,500 patient visits annually — in addition to the 3,600 visits already served each year. The on-site pharmacy currently fills over 2,500 prescriptions each month.

    “This clinic is more than a building — it is a beacon of hope for rural families,” said Aderholt. “Congressional earmarks sometimes get a bad name, but this is a shining example of how smart, community-driven investments can improve lives and strengthen the fabric of our towns.”

    Congressman Aderholt concluded his remarks by thanking Capstone’s leadership and staff for their vision, and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting rural health initiatives across Alabama’s 4th District.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Robert Aderholt Introduces Accelerate Revenue for Manufacturing and Sales (ARMS) Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and Ryan Zinke (R-MT) introduced the Accelerate Revenue for Manufacturing and Sales (ARMS) Act, a bipartisan proposal to expedite the delivery of U.S.-made critical defense capabilities to allies and partners, by expanding the Special Defense Acquisition Fund (SDAF).

    “This bipartisan bill will help ensure that America’s allies and partners can receive critical defense equipment in a timely manner,” said Congressman Aderholt. “By strengthening the SDAF, this legislation not only supports national security interests abroad, but invests in our industrial defense base at home.”

    This bill addresses the inefficiencies and delays in the current Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. The urgency to address these has increased in recent years, as the combined value of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) has significantly exceeded domestic defense procurement budgets, with international demand for U.S. defense products approaching two-to-one over domestic acquisition.
    “The ARMS Act is a win-win for our economic and national security, investing in both our critical manufacturing here at home and our allies’ defense abroad. As we continue to combat the threatening influence of foreign adversaries like Russia and China, this bill will help our allies stay safe while maintaining our leadership around the globe,” said Rep. Jared Moskowitz.

    “It’s unfortunate, but unnecessary and burdensome bureaucratic delays slow down the ability of the United States to fully support our democratic allies when they need it the most,” Rep. Jimmy Panetta added. “The expansion of the bipartisan Special Defense Acquisition Fund would provide a more efficient way to meet urgent demand and counter global threats, while strengthening our domestic manufacturing base.  As we push back against isolationism, this legislation is a smart, strategic, commonsense step to bolster American leadership and enhance global stability.”

    “I’ve made it my mission to eliminate the bureaucratic delays that prevent America’s life-saving defense capabilities from reaching our allies and partners. This bill delivers on that mission,” said Rep. Ryan Zinke. “The Special Defense Acquisition Fund is a vital but historically under-resourced tool that strengthens our defense industrial base and accelerates the delivery of critical arms and equipment to our allies. This legislation restores the SDAF to its original purpose supporting our partners and advancing American interests around the globe, without costing taxpayers a dime. I applaud Congressman Aderholt for his leadership in drafting this commonsense, strategic legislation.”

    The SDAF continues to have strong bipartisan support in Congress and from current and past Administrations.

    The Accelerate Revenue for Manufacturing and Sales Act is supported by leading defense organizations, including the Professional Services Counsel, National Defense Industrial Association, and Aerospace Industries Association.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Lauren Underwood Demands Answers from ICE and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on Alleged ICE Activity in Joliet Last Week

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Lauren Underwood, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, wrote to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons after receiving no response to previous inquiries regarding alleged ICE activity in Joliet, Illinois last week.

    Multiple witnesses report that on Wednesday, July 9th, an unmarked black truck taking part in alleged ICE enforcement actions rammed a civilian vehicle in a high-traffic public area, trapping it near a youth center, high school, and minor league baseball stadium. Witnesses report that four individuals in military-style fatigues then allegedly exited the vehicle and pointed automatic weapons at the vehicle’s occupants, removing one of them and telling him he would “be removed on the 22nd.”

    “If true,” Underwood wrote, “these allegations are a flagrant violation of law enforcement’s responsibility to prioritize community safety, minimize potential risks to civilians and officers involved in operations, and operate with extreme care and sensitivity for child welfare. The reckless use of vehicle assault and weapons of war on our streets – especially in areas near schools and youth centers where these actions pose heightened risks to children – is completely unacceptable.” 

    People who need help with federal agencies like ICE and DHS are always encouraged to contact Rep. Underwood’s office for free assistance at (630) 549-2190 or https://underwood.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency. 

    Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

     

    July 17, 2025

     

    The Honorable Todd Lyons

    Acting Director

    U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    500 12th Street SW

    Washington D.C. 20536                                            

    Dear Acting Director Lyons,

    I write to urgently request a detailed briefing regarding reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement action last week in Joliet, Illinois that allegedly put the community’s safety at risk. My office reached out to your office via email and phone last week immediately after hearing these reports but has not received any response from ICE despite repeated follow-ups.  

    Multiple witnesses report that on Wednesday, July 9th, an unmarked black extended cab truck taking part in ICE enforcement actions allegedly rammed the rear of a civilian vehicle and forcibly trapped it near the intersection of Cass and Arch Street in Joliet. This location is adjacent to a youth center, a high school, and a minor league baseball stadium, and is considered a high-traffic public area. 

    Witnesses further report that four individuals, reportedly dressed in military-style fatigues with black bulletproof vests labeled “Police,” allegedly exited the vehicle and pointed what were described as automatic weapons at the vehicle’s occupants. Witnesses then report seeing one man being removed from the vehicle that was rammed and detained. We have since been informed that the individual was told he would be “removed on the 22nd.” 

    These allegations, if true, are egregious. They appear to be a flagrant violation of law enforcement’s responsibility to prioritize community safety, minimize potential risks to civilians and officers involved in operations, and operate with extreme care and sensitivity for child welfare. The reckless use of vehicle assault and weapons of war on our streets – especially in areas near schools and youth centers where these actions pose heightened risks to children – is completely unacceptable.  

    Given the nature, location, and urgency of these allegations, I request a comprehensive briefing from you or senior leadership on your team on this incident no later than July 20, 2025. Please contact my office at 202-570-2381 or il14.scheduling@mail.house.gov as soon as possible to schedule this. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter and I look forward to your timely response.

    Sincerely,

    Lauren Underwood

    Member of Congress

    CC: The Honorable Kristi Noem, Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Lauren Underwood Delivers Remarks at the Full Committee Markup of the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

    WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) delivered the following remarks at the House Appropriations Committee markup of the fiscal year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies funding bill:

    “Families in northern Illinois are in a cost-of-living crisis. The price of rent is through the roof. Actually buying a home feels more out of reach than ever. And working people are paying more—and waiting longer —to get to work and back home every single day.

    We heard Republicans talk endlessly about inflation and the cost of living before the election. But what have they done since? Nothing to lower costs. Nothing to help families. Nothing to make housing more affordable or transit more reliable.

    Instead, they’ve pushed through their “Big Ugly Bill,” which gives tax breaks to the same corporations and private equity firms that are driving up the cost of housing and construction.

    And now, the bill in front of us today continues the Republican agenda of stealing from the poor to give to the rich.

    This bill cuts nearly $1 billion from effective, data-backed housing programs.

    While rents skyrocket, Republicans are gutting the very programs that help the lowest-income families keep a roof over their heads and pushing more families into homelessness.

    These policies don’t just ignore the housing crisis—they’re fueling it.

    This bill also includes more poison pills that, once again, do nothing to help families in northern Illinois.

    This bill includes language to block HUD from building energy-efficient housing. It also strips away basic protections for tenants, making it easier for families to be evicted in violation of their rights.

    And the transportation cuts in this bill are just as harmful.

    Families in my district depend on Metra every day to get to work, pick up their kids, and get downtown without sitting in hours of traffic.

    Yet the bill we are debating today cuts federal funding programs that Metra uses to improve service, capacity, and reliability by 98 percent.

    That means slower trains, longer waits, worse service, more traffic on our roads, and more pollution for everyone.

    Republicans are also slashing Amtrak—another essential service for Illinois families, especially in rural towns like Mendota, where Amtrak is a lifeline. These communities will be hit the hardest.

    But once again, the Republican answer to popular government services is: cut it, dismantle it, or give it away to big corporations who will charge us more. 

    Republicans will tell you this is about cutting waste. But the truth is, this is about taking resources away from working families, so they can hand the reins to their billionaire friends who want to keep making money off public services. 

    Families in my district, and across the country, deserve safe, affordable housing and reliable, efficient public transportation. 

    They deserve a government that shows up for them, not one that guts the programs they depend on.

    With this bill, Republicans are once again failing to address the cost-of-living crisis that is crushing families in northern Illinois.

    I urge my colleagues to reject this cruel, out-of-touch bill.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Harder Calls for National Aging Conference to Fast-Track Solutions for Seniors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

    Senior population skyrocketing while resources, health care access dwindling

    Last convened in 2015, time running out for 10-year Aging Conference this year

    WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) called for immediate action to fast-track solutions to address unprecedented challenges for seniors. As the senior population grows, long-term care becomes less accessible and more unaffordable, leaving many seniors without the critical care they need.

    The White House Conference on Aging is traditionally held every ten years and was last convened in 2015. With time running out to hold the conference this year, Rep. Harder introduced legislation to demand the federal government take this long-term care crisis seriously and immediately convene the 2025 Conference. 

    The aging crisis by the numbers:

    • By 2034, seniors will outnumber children under 18 years old for the first time ever.
    • 70% of seniors need long-term care at a time when the long-term care workforce is short nearly 8 million workers.
    • More than 53 million Americans currently provide unpaid caregiving services to family members, and nearly one-third of unpaid caregivers report experiencing mental health challenges.

    “A caregiver collapse is coming, and we’re running out of time to prevent it,” said Rep. Harder. “Seniors can’t get the care they need, and now many parents are being squeezed to provide for their parents and their kids at the same time. We need an all-hands-on-deck approach to change course before it’s too late – that’s why I’m calling for the 2025 Aging Conference to immediately convene and put long term care at the top of the agenda.”  

    Harder’s top priorities for the 2025 White House Conference on Aging:

    • Protect health care access, including Medi-Cal and the Affordable Care Act.
    • Tackle workforce shortages facing the nation’s health care system.
    • Reduce barriers to quality, affordable in-home care.

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Hosts Annual Job Fair in Aurora

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

    AURORA — Today, Congressman Crow hosted his annual Job Fair for Coloradans looking for work. The event featured more than 30 local employers from across the Denver metro area, and hundreds of Coloradans looking for a new job attended the event.

    “Connecting Coloradans with important resources is one of the most important parts of my job,” said Congressman Crow. “That’s why I’m proud to host an annual job fair that brings our community together, and connects Coloradans with valuable employment opportunities. I’m thankful to the hundreds of job seekers and more than 30 local employers who made this year’s job fair a great success.”

    The event included employers from across an array of industries, including: Buckley Space Force Base, the U.S. Navy, Thrivent, Littleton Public Schools, Arapahoe County Human Services, Target, STRIDE Community Health Center, Troops Into Transportation, Arapahoe/Douglas Works!, and Rocky Mountain Human Services.

    The event took place on Friday, July 18th from noon to 5 PM MT at Arapahoe/Douglas Works in Aurora. Veterans and spouses of servicemembers were granted early access at 11:30 AM MT.

    Through his time in Congress, Congressman Crow has made it a priority to connect Coloradans with important community resources. Since his first term in Congress, Congressman Crow has held an annual job fair; his 2024 Job Fair helped connect over 500 Coloradans with employers.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Secures Key Wins in Annual Defense Bill for Colorado

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

    WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06), a former Army Ranger who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, announced today that more than 15 provisions he championed have been successfully included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Congressman Crow’s provisions focused on improving the lives of servicemembers and their families, modernizing our military to make America more safe, and investing in Colorado’s space industry to make us more competitive.

    “I served in combat and know the critical role Congress plays in improving the quality of life for servicemembers, strengthening our military readiness, and keeping Americans safe,” said Congressman Crow. “As a Member of the Armed Services Committee, I’ve worked in a bipartisan fashion to secure key wins for Colorado and support our men and women in uniform.”

    Congressman Crow’s provisions included in this year’s Pentagon budget include:

    Improving the Lives of our Servicemembers:

    • Upgrading Digital Health Technologies for Traumatic Brain Injury: Improves care for active-duty servicemembers suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) by identifying ways that digital technology can be used to better deliver care.
    • Preventing Traumatic Brain Injuries in Fighter Pilots: Directs the Department of Defense to create a strategy to better identify, document, and treat TBIs in active duty pilots.
    • Providing Dental for Our Troops: Ensures no-cost dental care for all reservists, which will help recruiting, retention, and readiness.
    • Securing affordable health care for servicemembers: Ensures children’s hospitals that serve a large population of active duty families can continue providing high quality, affordable healthcare for servicemembers and their children.

    Investing in Colorado’s Space Industry & Making America More Competitive:

    • Bolstering Crucial Space Programs: Provides U.S. Space Systems Command with the resources needed to compete tactically and technologically with our adversaries in outer space.
    • Modernizing Rocket Launches: Requires the Space Force to report to Congress on how it will modernize standards and processes around rocket launches so they are safer and more efficient.
    • Supporting Space Domain Awareness: Improves our ability to track objects, like satellites, and activities happening outside of our atmosphere.
    • Increasing competition when the government buys space technology: Ensures that all companies have a fair shot when the U.S. government is looking to purchase technology that we use in space.

    Modernizing our Military:

    • Updating Air Force’s Flying Communications System: Authorizes support for mobile communications platforms to ensure continuity of government and national military command and control during a crisis
    • Protecting Assets Against Climate Change: Ensures climate shocks don’t negatively impact military installations, training, operations, and readiness.
    • Ensuring the Military Protects Civilians in Combat: Compels the Department of Defense to produce a report on how civilian harm could impact the success of military operations.
    • Improving the Defense Supply Chain: Encourages changes to the way DoD buys equipment so the supply chain that supports our defense is stronger and more efficient.
    • Strengthening the Afghanistan War Commission: Gives them more tools to complete their bipartisan assessment of key decisions made over twenty years of war in Afghanistan and to produce their final report.
    • Maintaining a global security footprint: Prevents the elimination or consolidation of US Southern Command.
    • Bolstering our strategy in Eastern Europe: Requires DoD to provide Congress an updated strategy related to NATO, and provide a detailed update on Russia’s actions. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Crow Statement on Being Denied Access to Aurora’s ICE Detention Facility

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

    AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) today was denied entry by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the Aurora Detention Facility in his district. This denial is in violation of federal law, which grants Members of Congress the right to provide oversight of such federal detention facilities.

    Congressman Crow’s office regularly conducts oversight of the facility, including publishing public reports on his website of oversight visits and conditions at the facility.

    Since being elected to Congress, Crow has fought to promote transparency, oversight, and accountability in government. In February 2019, following multiple reports of a disease outbreak at the Aurora Detention Facility operated by GEO Group, Congressman Crow made an unannounced visit to the federal facility where he was initially denied entry. Afterward, he led the push for Members of Congress to be able to conduct unannounced, in-person oversight visits of ICE facilities, including to check on any concerns related to public health and the humane treatment of detained individuals. 

    In a statement, Congressman Crow said:

    “Today I attempted to visit the federal detention facility in Aurora in order to conduct critical oversight as a Member of Congress. I was unlawfully denied access by ICE and the Trump Administration.

    “Providing oversight is critical to my job in Congress. The law is clear that Members of Congress have the legal right to conduct unannounced oversight of federal detention facilities.

    “Since President Trump was elected, this administration has tried to intimidate Members of Congress from doing their jobs. I will not be deterred from conducting lawful oversight. I will continue working to hold the Trump administration accountable for its actions.”

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Veterans’ Access to Non-Opioid Medications

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity (EO) Subcommittee of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC), joined Congressman Greg Landsman (OH-01), Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Congresswoman Terri Sewell (AL-07), Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-01), and Congressman Abraham Hamadeh (AZ-08) in introducing the NOPAIN for Veterans Act, bipartisan legislation to increase veterans’ access to non-opioid pain medications.

    “Veterans served and sacrificed for our country, and they shouldn’t face barriers to accessing the medications and treatments they need and prefer. Making non-opioid pain management more affordable and accessible to veterans is common sense for their health and for preventing addiction,” said Congressman Pappas. “This bipartisan legislation will close the gap on VA’s non-opioid drug coverage to help our veterans stay safe and healthy.”

    The opioid epidemic has impacted nearly every demographic in the United States. In response, Congress passed the Non-Opioids Prevent Addiction in the Nation (NOPAIN) Act in 2022 so seniors on Medicare have access to and never pay more for non-opioid pain management medications.

    To ensure veterans have the same access, the NOPAIN for Veterans Act would reform the way the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers and covers non-opioid pain management drugs. The legislation would require VA to furnish and cover non-opioid pain management drugs under VA pharmacy benefits if those drugs are covered by Medicare.

    “Our veterans deserve the very best care, which includes access to safer options for managing pain,” said Congressman Landsman. “Our bipartisan bill is a commonsense step to make non-opioid treatments more affordable and available to those who’ve served our country, and a way to prevent addiction before it starts. We can protect our veteran’s health and keep pushing forward in the fight to end the opioid epidemic.”

    “I thank the VA for taking the issue of opioid administration mismanagement seriously and the great strides they have made over the years to improve care for our vets,” said Congressman Van Orden. “Veterans must have access to comprehensive medical treatment plans, and the NOPAIN for Veterans Act will provide pain management alternatives that are safer, more effective, and promote long-term recovery.” 

    “As a police chief in Southwestern Ohio, we are on the front lines of the opioid addiction epidemic. As a veteran myself, I know that veterans face additional risks for developing a substance use disorder and prevention is critical for these individuals. This bill will go a long way towards preventing addiction in our veteran community,” said Tom Synan, Board Member of Voices for Non-Opioid Choices:

    The full text of the NOPAIN for Veterans Act can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas, Weber Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen U.S.-Israel Medical Innovation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14) introduced the United States-Israel Bilateral Innovation for Research and Development in (BIRD) Health Act of 2025. The legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to partner with the successful Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation to create a dedicated BIRD Health Program, modeled after existing collaborations in energy, cyber, and homeland security.

    The BIRD Health Act deepens U.S.-Israel collaboration in the development of next-generation health technologies, fortifies domestic supply chains, and reduces our reliance on adversarial nations for critical medical products by leveraging Israel’s world-class biotech ecosystem and America’s unmatched research infrastructure.

    “U.S. and Israeli doctors, scientists, and researchers are leading the world in groundbreaking medical advancements, including regenerative medicine, disease prevention, and cancer research,” said Rep. Pappas. “The health technology and innovation program created through this bipartisan legislation will strengthen the bilateral partnership between the U.S. and Israel to address emerging health issues, develop innovative solutions, and save lives.”

    “The United States and Israel share one of the strongest, most enduring alliances in the world, and it just makes sense to join forces in advancing life-saving health technologies that benefit both our nations,” said Rep. Weber. “The BIRD Health Act of 2025 builds on our shared strengths to support cutting-edge medical innovation, strengthen supply chains, and improve health outcomes for American families.”

    The bill supports:

    • Joint U.S.-Israel research and development in medical devices, digital health, diagnostics, vaccines, and biotechnology
    • Manufacturing partnerships to boost U.S.-based production of critical medicines
    • Innovation ecosystems that promote startups, clinical trials, and the commercialization of new treatments
    • Data-sharing and cybersecurity protocols to protect patient privacy and medical infrastructure

    Read the bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas Continues to Underscore the Negative Impact of the Big, Ugly Bill on New Hampshire Communities and Seniors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) met with staff and residents of Hillsborough County Nursing Home (HCNH) to discuss how the Republican’s so-called “One Big, Beautiful Bill”, which is now law, makes devastating cuts to Medicaid funding that is essential to New Hampshire nursing homes, their operations, and patient care.

    “People deserve to retire with dignity and live peacefully. Nursing homes are key to ensuring our seniors can do so while getting the care they need. Medicaid is the primary payer for about six in ten nursing home residents. The Big, Ugly Bill, which is now law, makes devastating cuts to Medicaid funding that New Hampshire nursing homes rely on to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. Without these resources, their services and care are in real jeopardy,” said Congressman Pappas. “Today I joined staff and residents of Hillsborough County Nursing Home to hear directly from them about these impacts. I fought against the passage of this cruel legislation, and I will continue working to protect health care access and other essential programs for New Hampshire families and seniors.”

    “Our nursing homes try our best to provide quality, affordable care to seniors. The cuts to Medicaid threaten our operations, will increase costs for residents, push the burden onto county taxpayers, and ultimately, could lead to loss of care throughout our state,” said David Ross, Administrator of the Hillsborough County Nursing Home. “Ahead of the reconciliation bill’s passage, I reached out to the Congressman’s office about my concerns. I’m grateful for him voting no, for coming to us today to hear from staff and our residents, and for his work to protect and strengthen access to care.”

    Background:

    Pappas voted against Republicans’ reconciliation bill every timeit came to the floor. Pappas filed two amendments to the Senate-passed Republican reconciliation bill to protect Granite Staters’ access to Medicaid and food assistance and to prevent Congress from passing the burden of cuts to these programs onto the state; neither was adopted.

    Now law, this legislation included deep cuts to health care and food programs for working families to cover the cost of $5 trillion in tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. It will leave an estimated 17 million Americans uninsured, including at least 46,388 Granite Staters; trigger $500 billion in cuts to Medicare; increase monthly out-of-pocket costs for families and leave more Americans with overwhelming medical debt; defund Planned Parenthood, leaving more than 1.1 million women without access to needed care like cancer screenings and birth control; and kick millions of Americans off SNAP, leaving them unable to put food on the table.

    In February, Pappas held a roundtable with New Hampshire health care advocates and community leaders to highlight the devastating impact the Republican budget would have on New Hampshire residents’ access to health care and local community health centers’ ability to serve their patients. In April, he held another discussion to highlight the negative impact the legislation would have on people who access care through the Medicaid program and New Hampshire’s Medicaid Expansion. Pappas spoke on the floor several times in opposition to the reconciliation bill and on behalf of his constituents on Medicaid and SNAP.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas Statement on Passage of Cryptocurrency Legislation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) released the following statement after voting in support of H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act, and S.1582, the Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins (GENIUS) Act:

    “In order for New Hampshire and the United States to remain innovation leaders, we must embrace emerging technologies and establish baseline rules and guardrails for cryptocurrency. The legislation considered today is necessary to begin to provide common-sense safeguards, establish consumer protections, and allow entrepreneurs and small businesses to spur economic growth.”

    “Today’s action is just the start of this process. I remain committed to working with regulators, industry stakeholders, and my constituents to ensure that new policies are written in a way that drives innovation, protects consumers, and prevents bad actors and U.S. adversaries from abusing this technology. I am deeply concerned by President Trump’s disregard for existing ethics standards and laws, and I urge Congress to strengthen anti-corruption rules and enforcement that prevent public officials from violating the public trust.”

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Pappas Joins Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers, Advocates to Condemn Shutdown of 988 LGBTQ+ Crisis Lifeline

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

    Today, in response to the LGBTQ+ subline of the 988 crisis support hotline being shut down as previously ordered by the Trump Administration, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined a bipartisan group of federal lawmakers and national mental health advocates to speak out against the harmful decision and called for its immediate reversal. Today’s event follows an earlier plea to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., urging his office to “scrap this ill-advised plan.” WATCH HERE.

    Since its launch in 2022, the LGBTQ+ subline under the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has been a critical, life-saving resource for LGBTQ+ youth and adults facing mental health crises. The line has handled nearly 1.3 million calls, texts, and chats from LGBTQ+ individuals seeking support. Its closure comes at a time of growing need — just last year, nearly 40 percent of LGBTQ+ youth seriously considered suicide, according to national surveys.

    “LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. It should not be a political issue, but a matter of basic human decency to restore the 988 hotline’s specialized services that have been proven to save LGBTQ+ children’s lives,” said Rep. Pappas. “We all know someone who struggles with their mental health. We will continue to call on the administration to right this wrong and make them see why they must fund these critical services for LGBTQ+ youth.” 

    The decision to shut down the LGBTQ+ subline has drawn widespread concern from mental health experts and civil rights organizations, including The Trevor Project, which helped establish the dedicated line in partnership with the federal government. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ own data shows the subline has significantly expanded access to crisis care for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially youth in underserved communities.

    Today’s press conference included Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Mike Lawler (NY-17), and representatives from The Trevor Project, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). The bipartisan group emphasized that the LGBTQ+ subline is not duplicative or political — it is a proven, specialized tool that meets a real and growing public health need. 

    “The 988 Lifeline’s ‘press 3’ option represents a landmark, bipartisan achievement that has connected more than 1.5 million LGBTQ+ youth in crisis with life-saving care during their darkest moments,” said Jaymes Black, CEO, The Trevor Project. “Ending our country’s suicide crisis is about people, not politics — and we are devastated that the federal government has prioritized a political agenda over saving the lives of at-risk young Americans. Even in the wake of this difficult news, we express our enormous gratitude to the champions in Congress and across the mental health space who have fought to protect these life-saving services — and who continue to fight for a country that supports the health, happiness, and safety of LGBTQ+ young people everywhere. For any LGBTQ+ young person who needs help or support, The Trevor Project’s counselors are still here for you 24/7 — no matter what. Visit TheTrevorProject.org/Get-Help.” 

    “LGBTQ+ youth face unique challenges — including stigma, discrimination, and elevated stress — that contribute to a suicide attempt rate more than four times higher than their non-LGBTQ+ peers,” said Robert Gebbia, Chief Executive Officer, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “Recognizing the urgent need for culturally competent support, Congress established a dedicated crisis line for LGBTQ+ youth in 2022. Since then, usage has grown steadily, with over 1.4 million contacts as of June 2025. We are grateful to Representatives Moulton, Krishnamoorthi, Davids, Matsui, Salinas, Tonko, Pappas, Fitzpatrick, and Lawler for championing continued support for this life-saving resource. At a time when youth, including LGBTQ+ youth, are facing a mental health crisis, eliminating specialized services would endanger lives.” 

    “Since its launch, over 1.3 million individuals have reached out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. The importance of talking to someone who understands your experience or has a shared experience with you is invaluable, and it has saved countless lives,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “NAMI urges the Administration to immediately reverse its decision eliminating these specialized services and to support resources for the mental health of our LGBTQ+ friends and family, who are tragically at a higher risk of suicide.” 

    If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Guest Opens Hearing on How NGOs Fueled the Border Crisis: “Tax Dollars Were Used to Form the Final Link in Cartels’ Human Smuggling”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael Guest (MS-03)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Today, Rep. Michael Guest (R-MS), chairman of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement, delivered the following opening statement in a full committee hearing to examine how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) helped facilitate and benefited from the historic Biden-Harris border crisis, as well as how far-left NGOs are still working to help inadmissible aliens undermine federal immigration law under the Trump administration. 

      

       

    Watch Subcommittee Chairman Guest’s full opening statement in a hearing entitled, “An Inside Job: How NGOs Facilitated the Biden Border Crisis.”

     
    As prepared for delivery:
     
    For four years, the Biden-Harris administration created the worst border crisis in American history. From day one, Biden, Harris, and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas implemented a policy of mass catch-and-release, dismantled effective border-security policies, and gutted interior enforcement. As a result, roughly 13 million inadmissible aliens were either encountered at our borders or entered as gotaways. The consequences have been devastating.   

    Thousands of Americans were lost to fentanyl poisonings. Gang members wreaked havoc in local communities. Young women like Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, and Rachel Morin were raped, abused, and murdered by illegal aliens. 

    This committee led the way in impeaching Secretary Mayorkas for his willful and systemic refusal to enforce longstanding immigration laws—laws passed and amended over the years by bipartisan majorities in Congress. The American people also emphatically rejected the open-borders policies at the ballot box last November.  

    What is not known by many, and what will be highlighted today at this hearing, is that the Biden-Harris administration could not execute an open borders policy on its own. They needed help, and that help came from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) funded by the federal government.  

    These groups that received billions in taxpayer funding would prove instrumental in helping the Biden-Harris administration process and release a historic number of illegal aliens into our communities.  

    Under a DHS program called the Emergency Food and Shelter Humanitarian Program (EFSP-H), which later became the Shelter and Services Program, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided grants to numerous NGOs, many of whom were operating at the Southwest border.  These groups spent billions of taxpayer dollars given to them by the Biden and Harris administration to provide all manner of benefits to illegal aliens “recently released from DHS custody,” according to the department. 

    Our taxpayer dollars were spent on purchasing tens of thousands of nights in hotel rooms for illegal aliens, instead of using existing ICE detention facilities to house those detained individuals. The Biden-Harris Administration sent taxpayer dollars to NGOs to put them in hotels at the cost of hundreds of dollars per night, often without any ICE supervision. 

    Even worse, our tax dollars were used to form the final link in the cartels’ human smuggling operation, paying to help illegal aliens travel to their preferred destination—Chicago, New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and other destinations of choice.   

    Jason Owens, then-chief of the Border Patrol’s Del Rio Sector, told us in an official interview, “ICE would then turn [illegal aliens] over to NGOs for them to travel to wherever they were going to go while they await their hearing.”   

    Recent studies have shown that illegal aliens who passed through the doors of these NGOs at the border ended up in effectively every congressional district in this country. Many of the NGOs served as a launching pad for mass illegal immigration.   

    The abuse was so widespread that even the Biden-Harris administration and the NGOs couldn’t deny what was happening. In June 2022, one DHS official said the department “will continue to closely coordinate with and support…NGOs to facilitate the movement of any individual encountered at the Southwest border…” John Martin with the Opportunity Center for the Homeless, an NGO in El Paso, said that his organization works with illegal aliens to “facilitate travel to the destination of their choice.”  

    These actions appear to constitute a violation of Section 274 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which prohibits any individual from encouraging or inducing someone to enter the country unlawfully, or helping transport them in the interior. 

    Corruption and waste were rampant in the spending by NGOs. Under Biden and Harris, DHS’s top watchdog audited millions of dollars that had gone to local grant recipients over a six-month period in 2021. They found that a lack of proper documentation kept them from determining how more than half of that money had been spent. In some cases, they discovered that funds had been used to pay for benefits for individuals who were legally ineligible to receive them.    

    The Biden border crisis proved to be a profitable business model for NGOs. According to the Free Press, three large NGOs involved in handling unaccompanied alien children—Global Refuge who received 85 percent of its revenue from government grants, Endeavors who received 97 percent of its funding from government grants and Southwest Key Programs who received an astonishing 99 percent of its revenue from government funding — these three groups saw “their combined revenue grow to an astonishing $2 billion by 2022.”   
     
    They had a vested interest in prolonging the crisis. One NGO, Southwest Key Programs, used the increase in government funding to raise salaries of officers across the board, including an over $675,000 salary increase for their CEO, according to media reporting.  

    Many NGOs tried to mislead the public in how these funds were being allocated, as documented by a recent Florida grand jury investigation, “actively obstructed” efforts to determine how they were spending federal dollars. The grand jury also noted that some NGOs received the vast majority of their funding from federal grants—pretty interesting for groups calling themselves “non-governmental organizations.”  

    The American people are tired of being told that we should fund the actions of those breaking our laws. They are tired of groups encouraging people to cross the border illegally, and organizations that facilitate the release of illegal aliens into the interior.   

    When would-be border crossers know that a host of benefits awaits them immediately after crossing the border, they are more likely to make the deadly journey. That’s exactly what happened on Biden and Harris’s watch as millions of vulnerable people put themselves in the hands of the cartels and smuggling groups.

    An untold number perished along the route. Tens of thousands more suffered physical and sexual assault on the way, and many are still trapped paying off their cartel debts through forced labor or working in the sex trade.   

    We can and should look for ways to care for the vulnerable and less fortunate. But using taxpayer dollars to undermine our laws and the well-being of Americans and migrants alike is not the way to do it. We cannot let taxpayer dollars be used to facilitate lawbreaking. Shining a light on this disgrace is the first step in accountability. This can never happen again.   

      

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Amo Calls Out Trump’s Cuts to Vital Weather Services After Tragic Texas Floods

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    Trump’s Cuts to the NOAA and the NWS Undercut American Disaster Readiness in the Midst of Atlantic Hurricane Season

    Washington, D.C. – TODAY, Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI) of the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on the Environment highlighted the devastating impact of  President Trump ’s cuts to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and National Weather Service.

    “Dedicated public servants work around the clock, ensuring our communities are warned and protected in real time. These experts are the backbone of America’s weather enterprise. But this Administration is taking a sledgehammer to that backbone,” said Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI). “We need a fully staffed and well-resourced National Weather Service and continued funding for the critical research capacities at NOAA. Not just to help predict storms, but to help communities prepare, coordinate emergency response, and warn Americans when minutes matter.”

     

    Watch Congressman Amo’s Opening Remarks Here

     

    Background

    Congressman Amo, serves as the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Environment on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. This subcommittee has jurisdiction over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which administers the National Weather Service.

    Ranking Member Amo, Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee Ranking Member Greg Stanton (D-AZ) sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) and NOAA seeking answers on federal activity in preparation for and in response to the tragic floods in Texas.

    Amo and Ranking Member Lofgren alsosent a letter calling on Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to testify before the Committee about the staffing shortages at the National Weather Service and their potential impact on the Texas flash floods.

    Amo and CongresswomanEmilia Sykes (D-OH) led 64 Democratic colleagues in calling on the Acting NOAA Administrator Laura Grimm to reinstate the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters Report to ensure America has a record of the increasing number of storms that cause catastrophic financial damage to communities.

    On Earth Day, April 22nd 2025, Amo led colleagues on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee to express alarm over Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and NOAA Acting Administrator Laura Grimm’s proposal to slash NOAA’s budget and cripple the agency.

     

    Ranking Member Amo’s Remarks as Delivered

    Thank you, Chair Franklin, for convening today’s hearing on how innovative technologies can strengthen weather forecasting and protect communities across the country. I also want to thank our witnesses for joining us, especially given the rescheduling of this hearing.

    As we all know, this hearing comes at a devastating time. Just last week, catastrophic flooding struck Texas, New Mexico, and North Carolina. Texas lost at least 134 lives, 37 of whom were children, and at least 101 people remain missing. In New Mexico, a man and two children, ages 7 and 4, were killed. Tropical Storm Chantal, and at least 2 tornadoes, hit North Carolina with one woman confirmed dead.

    Entire families were lost. Livelihoods destroyed. Communities shattered. To the families grieving unimaginable loss, and to the first responders still working through the wreckage, our hearts are with you.

    Unfortunately, this won’t be the last disaster we face. Climate change is accelerating extreme weather, and we must do more to prepare our communities.

    We need to confront a hard truth: the United States cannot lead in weather prediction, cannot harness innovation, and cannot protect lives and property — without people.

    Meteorologists who issue forecasts and warnings.

    Hydrologists who model flood risks.

    Climate scientists who analyze long-term trends.

    Data analysts and modelers who improve forecast accuracy.

    Emergency managers who translate forecasts into action.

    Dedicated public servants, many represented here today, who work around the clock, ensuring our communities are warned and protected in real time. These experts are the backbone of America’s weather enterprise. But this Administration is taking a sledgehammer to that backbone.

    On May 2nd, five former directors of the National Weather Service wrote to President Trump with a warning: “Our worst nightmare is that forecast offices will be so understaffed that there will be needless loss of life.”

    This Administration has already haphazardly gutted 15% of the National Weather Service’s workforce. These were career public servants. Scientists and forecasters. People who devoted their lives to keeping Americans safe.

    Now the remaining staff are being asked to do the impossible: operate at full capacity, with reduced numbers, during an above-average Atlantic hurricane season. It’s unacceptable. We are flying blind into the eye of the storm, quite literally.

    We’re already seeing the consequences. While it’s too early to draw final conclusions about the tragic flooding in Texas, early reporting suggests that staff shortages in local weather forecasting offices may have impaired coordination with local officials.

    In the San Angelo forecasting office, critical positions were vacant, including the meteorologist-in-charge, senior hydrologist, and staff forecaster. Nearby, San Antonio’s forecasting office lacked a warning coordination meteorologist and science officer. These aren’t optional roles. These are lifesaving roles.

    We need a fully staffed and well-resourced National Weather Service, full stop. Not just to help predict storms, but to help communities prepare, coordinate emergency response, and warn Americans when minutes matter.

    And yet, even in the face of growing disasters, Trump’s proposed 2026 budget would:

    Eliminate funding for NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, including climate, weather, and ocean labs and cooperative institutes, such as those serving on our witness panel today, lash NOAA’s workforce by an additional 17%, and extract over $1.8 billion from its current budget, weakening the core services Americans rely on.

    Thankfully, it seems like Congressional appropriators care more about protecting Americans from extreme weather than we’ve seen from the Trump administration.

    This is playing out in real time back in Rhode Island. Last year, we celebrated the groundbreaking of the new Marine Operations Center, a nearly $150 million investment in NOAA’s research fleet and Rhode Island’s blue economy. But with the hiring freeze still in place, there’s no guarantee it will be staffed when it opens. That’s not efficiency – its waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.

    That’s why last week, Ranking Member Lofgren and I demanded Secretary Lutnick testify before this Committee. Come and give answers. The staffing crisis at the National Weather Service is a public safety threat. We need answers, and more importantly, we need a plan, not concepts of a plan.

    Today, let’s not talk about innovation in the abstract. Let’s talk about what it takes to make that innovation real: investment in data, commitment to people, and trust in science.

    Let’s protect lives and property, not just in name. Let’s protect in practice.

    Thank you. I yield back.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amo Slams Republicans for Stripping Funding from America’s Global Leadership and Public Media Programming

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    “Congressional Republicans once again are breaking promises — while hurting national security and the next generation by stripping more than $9 billion dollars from NPR, Daniel Tiger, Sesame Street, and lifesaving humanitarian aid across the world.  

    Congressional Republicans reneged on the funding scheme they voted into law earlier this year, just because President Trump told them to. 

    Trump and Republicans are leaving American communities without the public media they rely on and leaving a vacuum of aid and leadership on the global stage. Americans without a local public radio station won’t get emergency alerts, America’s children will lose access to the PBS shows that help them learn, under-resourced refugee camps will be vulnerable to terrorism, and countless innocent people will die of starvation and preventable disease. 

    Once again, Congressional Republicans have opened the door to our adversaries’ international dominance, while leaving Americans less educated and less informed. 

    I voted no and will fight to reinstate funding for these vital programs at every opportunity.”

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Amo, Huffman Lead 62 Members in New Bill Blocking Trump’s Assault on NOAA Facilities

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    The Stop NOAA Closures Act prevents Trump from arbitrarily closing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) facilities, keeping communities safe from natural disasters.

    WASHINGTON, DC–  Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Environment Subcommittee Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI) and House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA) led 62 representatives in introducing the Stop NOAA Closures Act, which would block President Trump’s dangerous plans to close NOAA facilities across the country. NOAA facilities predict extreme weather, protect New England fisheries, and help communities understand and adapt to climate change. 

    “From fishermen to farmers, Rhode Islanders rely on NOAA to respond to severe weather and predict and prepare for climate change,” said Ranking Member Gabe Amo (D-RI). “I introduced the Stop NOAA Closures Act, alongside Ranking Member Huffman,  to prevent Trump from shuttering the NOAA facilities that track developing disasters, protect our natural resources, and help communities get ready for the next storm. As Ranking Member of the Science, Space, and Technology Environment Subcommittee, I will keep fighting to make sure NOAA and the National Weather Service can continue their vital work protecting the lives, livelihoods, and property of the American people.”

    “Let’s call this what it is: a full-blown assault on science and public safety. President Trump’s reckless plans to shutter NOAA facilities are dangerously irresponsible — especially as climate-fueled disasters grow more extreme, more frequent, and more costly,” said Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA). “NOAA is on the frontlines of forecasting hurricanes, tracking wildfires and floods, and issuing life-saving warnings before the next storm hits. Slashing NOAA’s capacity would mean slower warnings, less reliable forecasts, and more American families put in danger. I’m proud to co-lead the Stop NOAA Closures Act to stop this madness in its tracks and protect the science and services millions of Americans rely on every single day.”

    This bill is co-sponsored by Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Adam Smith (D-WA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Emilia Strong Sykes (D-OH), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Timothy Kennedy (D-NY), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Bill Keating (D-MA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), John Garamendi (D-CA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Cleo Fields (D-LA), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Lou Correa (D-CA), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), George Latimer (D-NY), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Dina Titus (D-NV), Mark Takano (D-CA), Ed Case (D-HI), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Maxine Dexter, MD (D-OR), Kim Schrier, MD (D-WA), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Sarah McBride (D-DE), Greg Landsman (D-OH), and Steve Cohen (D-TN). 

    This legislation is endorsed by the Sierra Club, Oceana, the Environmental Defense Fund, the Union of Concerned Scientists, the League of Conservation Voters, Azul, Save the Bay, Climate Action Rhode Island, the Conservation Law Foundation Rhode Island, Clean Water Action Rhode Island, the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, the Turtle Island Restoration Network, Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) Action Fund, ISciences, L.L.C., and the Woodwell Climate Research Center. 

    For additional quotes, click HERE.

    Background

    Congressman Amo, serves as the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Environment on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology with jurisdiction over the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

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  • MIL-OSI USA: Amo, Pocan, Krishnamoorthi, 49 Colleagues Slam Rubio’s Decision to Incinerate Food Aid

    Source: US Congressman Gabe Amo (Rhode Island 1st District)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Friday, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI), Congressman Mark Pocan (D-WI), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) led a letter with 49 of their colleagues to Secretary of State Marco Rubio opposing his decision to withhold nearly 500 metric tons of emergency food aid and instead incinerate those supplies once they expire.

    “As you know, these rations were designed to nourish vulnerable children in conflict-affected regions such as Afghanistan and Pakistan,” the Members wrote. “This action is not only morally indefensible, but also wasteful, strategically shortsighted, and completely counter to the entirety of your work while in the Senate.”

    “We understand that instead of delivering this emergency assistance to malnourished children as originally intended, the State Department will destroy the biscuits at an additional cost to the taxpayer of $130,000,” the Members continued. “According to reporting in the Atlantic, USAID employees and inventory data say this food could have fed 1.5 million children for a week. Given the alarming rates of food insecurity and famine in regions like Gaza and Sudan, the decision to burn lifesaving aid produced by American farmers and paid for by American tax dollars amounts to a tragic abdication of our global humanitarian responsibilities and hurts our own global interests.”

    “The United States has long led the world in humanitarian assistance, not only as a matter of compassion but also as a cornerstone of global stability and diplomacy,” the Members concluded. “Destroying aid that could save lives undermines that legacy and damages our standing in the international community. We urge you to immediately prioritize the distribution of all remaining and viable food assistance stockpiles. American leadership demands nothing less.”

    A full copy of the letter can be found here.

    The list of signers includes Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Nannete Barragán (D-CA), Donald Beyer (D-VA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-WA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), André Carson (D-IN), Greg Casar (D-TX), Ed Case (D-HI), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Jason Crow (D-CO), Danny Davis (D-IL), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Laura Friedman (D-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Julie Johnson (D-TX), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Ro Khanna (D-CA), George Latimer (D-NY), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Sarah McBride (D-DE), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Scott Peters (D-CA), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Mark Takano (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Eugene Vindman (D-VA), and Nikema Williams (D-GA). 

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