KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man pleaded guilty to bank fraud involving a scheme to alter and forge stolen United States Treasury checks.
According to court documents, Jevon P. Crudup, Jr., 28, schemed to defraud financial institutions by passing stolen United States Treasury checks that had been altered and forged. The defendant deposited the altered and forged Treasury checks at ATMs using the bank accounts of other persons he met online. These persons provided the defendant with their account information including debit cards and PIN numbers because they believed Crudup would help them make money.
Crudup would then use these individuals’ debit cards to withdraw funds from the account or the defendant would require these individuals to make cash withdrawals and electronic funds transfers to him using various online payment systems.
On April 12, 2023, Crudup made an ATM deposit on a Treasury check worth $18,348.72 that had been altered and forged into the bank account of an individual he met online. Approximately one week after the deposit, the account holder withdrew $5,550 cash from his account and provided the defendant with $5,050. Over the next two months, proceeds from the altered and forged check were disbursed to Crudup in cash withdrawals and transfers via various online payment systems.
In this manner, Crudup passed at least fifteen stolen and forged United States Treasury checks resulting in a loss in excess of $95,000.
Crudup faces up to 30 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentence of the defendant will be determined by the court based upon the advisory sentencing guidelines and other factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brent Venneman. It was investigated by Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin and for possession of firearms in furtherance of that conspiracy.
Codi J. Monteer, 38, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge D. Greg Kays to 30 years in federal prison without parole.
On Oct. 8, 2024, Monteer pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and marijuana; one count of maintaining a drug involved premises; one count of possession of firearms in furtherance of the drug conspiracy; and one count of being a felon in possession of firearms.
Monteer’s participation in the drug trafficking conspiracy lasted approximately one year and he was responsible for conspiring with others to distribute at least 124 kilograms of methamphetamine; 700 grams of fentanyl (powder and pills); and 1.58 kilograms of heroin. He was also in possession of several firearms used in furtherance of his drug trafficking.
On one occasion, in March 2021, Monteer led members of the Kansas Highway Patrol on a high-speed pursuit that reached speeds of approximately 145 miles per hour. The pursuit did not conclude until two of the tires came off Monteer’s vehicle. During the pursuit, drugs were thrown from the vehicle.
Monteer was an associate of Autumn Dicks, Ian Hazel, They Kelley, Marc Downs, and Jamison Hopson-Stephens. Those individuals have already been sentenced for their roles within the conspiracy. Monteer was also an associate of Davion Williams, Curtis Lewis, Daniel Anderson, and Aaron Dorsey in this conspiracy. Those individuals have all pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh A. Ragner. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo. Police Department, FBI, United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Kansas State Highway Patrol.
WASHINGTON — On May 19, a federal judge sentenced three members of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang who were convicted at trial of a racketeering (RICO) conspiracy that included multiple murders, drug trafficking, fraud, and robbery.
Francis Clement, 58, was found guilty by a jury in February of RICO conspiracy and five separate counts of murder in aid of racketeering. Each of these murders was committed while Clement was in state prison. Clement was sentenced to life in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.
The jury also found Kenneth Johnson, 63, guilty of RICO conspiracy and two counts of murder in aid of racketeering. Johnson was also sentenced to life in prison.
A third defendant, John Stinson, 70, was found guilty of one count of RICO conspiracy. Stinson, who was already serving a lengthy prison sentence in the California state prison system, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, between 2016 and 2023, Aryan Brotherhood members and associates engaged in racketeering activity, including murder, conspiracy to murder, fraud, robbery, and drug trafficking crimes. Johnson and Clement, who both held leadership roles in the gang, directed crimes committed by Aryan Brotherhood members both inside and outside of prison using cellphones that had been smuggled into prison. Because of his rank in the gang, Clement received a cut from the illegal drug sales and fraud schemes the Aryan Brotherhood committed. According to trial testimony, the Aryan Brotherhood regularly smuggled drugs, including methamphetamine, into prisons throughout the California prison system, which defendants and other gang members then sold to inmates.
In October 2020, Johnson and Clement together ordered one murder during the execution of which another individual was also killed. Johnson and Clement also ordered another murder of an individual who was subsequently killed. It was further proven at trial that in February 2022, Clement ordered the murder of an individual and the following month, in March 2022, Clement ordered the murder of two more individuals. For each murder, the killings were ordered because defendants believed the victims either violated gang rules or owed the gang money.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Stinson was a high-ranking leader of the Aryan Brotherhood and had substantial authority over the enterprise, including sponsoring multiple individuals for membership, resolving disputes among members, and approving the murder of current and former members. During the investigation, Stinson used a contraband cellphone within his prison cell to conduct business on behalf of the Aryan Brotherhood. The jury heard some of these communications from Stinson through court-authorized wiretapped conversations. Evidence was presented that Stinson also engaged in drug trafficking, and that, given his position within the gang, he received a cut of illegal drug sales that took place in prison and out on the street.
“The convicted defendants led a notorious prison gang that committed ruthless murders, widespread methamphetamine trafficking, and perpetuated a culture of mayhem, fear, and disorder within the prison system that bled into the outside world,” said Matthew Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Organized crime within the prison system, enabled by the use of contraband cellphones, endangers American neighborhoods by flooding streets with dangerous drugs. The Criminal Division will continue to pursue crime syndicates, like the Aryan Brotherhood and their facilitators, to ensure they go to prison and the harm they inflict on society ends once incarcerated.”
“Today’s sentences are yet another blow to the leadership of a violent criminal enterprise run from inside California prisons and spanning multiple counties and states,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith for the Eastern District of California. “The Aryan Brotherhood has maintained its deadly influence over members, associates and others both inside and outside prison. We are committed to doing everything we can to stop these violent inmates from orchestrating their criminal activities from inside prison walls.”
“These sentences send a clear message: the walls of a prison do not shield violent gang leaders from justice,” said Acting Director Daniel Driscoll of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). “The Aryan Brotherhood’s leadership operated a brutal criminal enterprise from behind bars — ordering murders, trafficking drugs, and fueling violence in our communities. ATF remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to dismantle violent gangs wherever they operate and hold their leaders accountable, no matter where they try to hide.”
The indictment in this case charged 11 defendants with RICO conspiracy and other crimes. There are five defendants awaiting trial and the three defendants have pleaded guilty.
This case was the product of an extensive investigation by the ATF, with assistance from the Office of Correctional Safety (CDCR), U.S. Marshals Service, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Pomona Police Department, Torrance Police Department, San Diego Police Department, San Diego Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, and Kern County District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Stokman and James Conolly for the Eastern District of California are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Trial Attorney Jared Engelking of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.
The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement regarding President Donald Trump’s rescission of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, including many living and working in Florida, that was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court late yesterday:
“Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans who fled political and economic oppression are now condemned to an uncertain and unstable future due to President Trump’s decision to revoke TPS. Venezuela is still a dangerous country where many are persecuted for their commitment to democratic ideals. The cruel and costly Trump policy will uproot families, destabilize communities and endanger the lives of people who fled a brutal dictatorship and sought refuge in the United States. These are hardworking men and women who came to the U.S.legally to contribute to our economy, raise families and worship alongside us. They are part of the fabric of our state.
“Instead of cruelly targeting them for deportation, we should provide stability and a tough but fair pathway to citizenship. That’s why I am cosponsoring legislation to provide our Venezuelan neighbors with a pathway to work and residency—so they can build a future in the country they have contributed so much to.
“I call on my colleagues in Congress to support this pathway and reject President Trump’s cruel and shortsighted agenda, and join me in standing up for our Venezuelan neighbors. America’s strength lies in our compassion and our commitment to freedom, not in tearing families apart to score political points.”
Rep. Castor has consistently championed TPS protections for Venezuelans and others fleeing violence and oppression, and she continues to advocate for permanent solutions that uphold American values of dignity, safety and opportunity.
NEWARK, N.J. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a Colombian national who has a criminal warrant in his home country for aggravated theft and attempted theft with injury.
Ludwin Quintero-Rojas, 31, who is in the United States illegally, was arrested by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark May 9, and detained without bond at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark.
“This criminal alien — who is wanted for theft offenses in his home country — tried to hide in United States, specifically in our region, where he was arrested multiple times for similar crimes,” said ERO Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. “Quintero’s immigration and criminal history shows a repetitive pattern of disregard for U.S. laws.”
On Sept. 18, 2023, the U.S. Border Patrol arrested Quintero-Rojas in El Paso, Texas, served him with a notice to appear, and subsequently released him on an order of release on recognizance.
The New York City Police Department arrested him for petit larceny Jan. 13, 2024.
The Queens County Criminal Court in Queens, New York, convicted him of disorderly conduct July 5, 2024, and sentenced him to a conditional discharge.
New Jersey’s Lacey Township Police Department arrested Quintero for shoplifting April 16. The Howell Township Police Department arrested him for shoplifting April 17. These charges are currently pending.
The Marlboro Township Police Department arrested him for shoplifting April 18. The Marlboro Township Municipal Court convicted him of shoplifting May 1, and sentenced him to 10 days of community service.
The Brick Township Police Department arrested Quintero for shoplifting May 2. This charge is currently pending.
Quintero is scheduled for a hearing before the Executive Office for Immigration Review in Elizabeth May 22.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) announced that the County of Cattaraugus has been awarded $2,396,455 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Head Start Inc. Projects.
“I was proud to support and deliver over $2.3 million to the Cattaraugus County Project Head Start,”said Congressman Langworthy. “Head Start programming is a tremendous resource to working Cattaraugus County families and this funding will ensure children have the best opportunity to learn and be nurtured. I am excited to see this program flourish with federal assistance.”
Head Start is based on the premise that all children share certain needs and that children of income eligible families can benefit from a comprehensive developmental program to meet those needs. The program maximizes the strengths and unique experiences of each child. The family, which is the principal influence on the child’s development, is a direct participant in the program.
New York, NY, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sizzle Acquisition Corp. II (Nasdaq: SZZLU) (the “Company”) announced today that, commencing May 23, 2025, holders of the units sold in the Company’s initial public offering may elect to separately trade the Company’s Class A ordinary shares and rights included in the units. The Class A ordinary shares and rights that are separated will trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbols “SZZL” and “SZZLR,” respectively. Those units not separated will continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “SZZLU.”
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
About Sizzle Acquisition Corp. II
Sizzle Acquisition Corp. II is a special purpose acquisition company incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. The Company may pursue an acquisition opportunity in any business or industry or at any stage of its corporate evolution but will focus on the industries of restaurant, hospitality, food and beverage, retail, consumer, food and food related technology, real estate industries such as “proptech”, mining, professional sports teams, airlines and technology, including sectors that service or are connected to these industries in the United States and other developed countries. The Company intends to pursue completing a business combination with an established business of scale poised for continued growth, led by a highly regarded management team.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may include, and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may include, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements regarding possible business combinations and the financing thereof, and related matters, as well as all other statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus for the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC and in all other filings made by the Company with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.
Less than 24 hours after visiting St. Louis to survey the devastating storm damage from Friday’s tornadoes, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) secured a pledge from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem – who oversees the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – to expedite relief for Missouri storm victims. The exchange comes after Missouri was rocked by tornadoes this spring and lost many lives in a span of two months.
Good news for Missourians who need help after Friday’s terrible storms:
DHS Secretary Noem just pledged to expedite our state’s disaster request & the FEMA emergency response in St. Louis pic.twitter.com/tlwL6jlRhz
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) May 20, 2025
In the hearing, Senator Hawley detailed the debilitating storms that took the lives of 7 Missourians on Friday and left behind more than $1.6 billion in property damage. He also noted that this is not the only lethal storm to hit the state in recent weeks.
“The state has pending three requests for major disaster relief declarations from earlier storms. Counting the people we lost on Friday, we’ve lost almost twenty people now in major storms in the last two months in Missouri. It’s been a terrible spring for us,” said Senator Hawley. “For those three disaster declaration requests that are still pending, will you help with those and get those approved? We are desperate for the assistance in Missouri.”
“Yes, absolutely,” promised Secretary Noem.
Secretary Noem pledged that she would expedite individual assistance for affected Missourians and review of the state’s requested disaster declarations. She also promised she would work with Senator Hawley, who chairs the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Disaster Management, to ensure FEMA provides Missourians with the necessary assistance in the aftermath of the storms.
“Can you commit to, as we deal with this disaster in St. Louis and others around the state, that under your leadership, FEMA is going to act with expedition, they are going to be clear in the communications, and they are going to follow up and give Missourians the awards they need if they qualify for it?” asked Senator Hawley.
“Yes, that has been the biggest challenge of FEMA in the past – the delayed response. People are counting on the assistance and it never comes through, and the paperwork is too complicated for an individual many times to complete on their own – they need help and assistance. That is part of the reforms that the FEMA Review Board will be undertaking,” Secretary Noem answered.
Today, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) introduced a resolution honoring former United States Senator and Missouri Governor Christopher ‘‘Kit’’ Bond. Bond passed away on May 13, 2025 at the age of 86.
Bond served as the 47th and 49th Governor of Missouri, serving from 1973 to 1977 and again from 1981 to 1985. He later served four terms in the United States Senate from 1987 to 2011 where he advanced conservative values, championed infrastructure, advocated for Missouri farmers, and strengthened national defense.
“I remember Kit as a man who was a champion for Missouri. He knew from an early age that he wanted to serve his state, and he did it with real distinction for many years, both as Governor and Senator,” said Senator Hawley. “Kit was also a personal friend and one of the first people to encourage me to get into politics. Erin and I are grateful for his example of kindness and public service.”
“Legendary Missouri Senator Christopher ‘Kit’ Bond honorably served our state as governor and then in the U.S. Senate for 24 years. With his trademark sense of humor and dedication to making Missouri the best state in our union, he helped to improve the lives of generations of Missourians across the Show Me State. As one of his successors in the Senate I am proud to join Senator Hawley in this resolution honoring Kit’s service to our state and a grateful nation,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.
Read the full resolution here.
Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
Watch Video Here
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a hearing on the Department of the Air Force’s posture within the current threat environment. During the hearing, the committee received testimony from the service’s leadership on the challenges they face and what may be needed to better address threats on the horizon.
In his opening remarks, Chairman Wicker emphasized the need to ensure long-term readiness and superiority through fighter aircraft such as the F-15E, as well as the necessity of modernizing our nuclear capabilities.
Read Senator Wicker’s hearing opening statement as delivered.
Good morning. I begin with a common refrain: The United States faces its most dangerous threat environment since World War II. However, though many of our national security challenges mirror the 1930s, warfare looks much different today. Technological advances in artificial intelligence, hypersonic strike weapons, sixth-generation aircraft, and space-based weapons are transforming the nature of modern conflict. The Department of the Air Force is on the front lines of these changes. Today we will hear from three representatives of that service. We welcome Secretary Troy Meink, General Chance Saltzman, and General David Allvin. I thank all of them for being here and for their continued service to our nation.
The committee understands that the Fiscal Year 2026 President’s Budget is not yet complete, and we are therefore aware that the three witnesses before us do not have the full budget picture. That being said, their testimony is still vital. It will help us consider how to support the mission of the Air Force and the Space Force, which is to be lethal and “ready to fight tonight,” as the slogan goes.
One of our most pressing responsibilities is to ensure the long-term readiness and modernization of the Air Force. In the event of war, we need not only capability but also capacity. If we go to war in 2027, we will fight with the Air Force we have today, which is a mix of fourth-generation fighters, such as the F-15E and F-16, and fifth-generation fighters the F-22 and F-35. We need more fighter aircraft now, and we are working along with our colleagues in the House, Chairman Rogers, to keep the F-15EX line open through our reconciliation bill.
Even as we plan for future systems, we must address the state of today’s fleet. The mission capability rates across many Air Force platforms remain unacceptably low. Some platform fleets are frequently less than 50 percent mission capable – and we’ll have questions about that. The F-35 fleet is available a mere 54 percent of the time. This is not just a maintenance issue. It is a readiness issue, and it impacts our ability to deter adversaries and respond when necessary. Taxpayers are investing billions of dollars to support these aircraft, and our airmen, and our citizens, deserve higher readiness levels to defend our national interests. I expect our witnesses to provide a frank assessment of what is driving these poor rates and, more importantly, what is being done to reverse the trend.
The Air Force also plays a key role in modernizing our nuclear forces. The service is responsible for two legs of the nuclear triad as well as a majority of the U.S. nuclear command, control, and communications system. These programs must stay on schedule to deliver the essential capabilities we need to deter nuclear threats. We cannot afford to allow these programs to flounder because of a lack of leadership and prioritization. This committee expects accountability among program managers and transparency with Congress to ensure we can modernize effectively, and I think this panel shares that sentiment. I look forward to hearing our witnesses explain how the Air Force manages these risks while preserving strategic stability.
The U.S. Space Force has grown significantly in the last five years. That trend should continue, because our threats are growing as well. Maintaining space superiority is a no-fail mission. Increased investment in this young service is absolutely vital.
We also must invest in the facilities that support our service members. In the 2025 NDAA, this committee unanimously adopted a provision that requires the services to maintain a minimum four percent plant replacement value for infrastructure. That provision survived conference and was signed into law by the president. It is the law of the land. Let me say this again. This is the law of the land, and senior leaders should set the example to the Force by following the law – a law that was created, I must point out, because the services had long ignored this problem.
We cannot make progress on any of these issues without those who wear the uniform and support the mission every day. Our airmen, guardians, and civilians are our greatest asset. Recruiting and retention continue to be major challenges, and we need to remain focused on supporting service members and their families with the resources, care, and career opportunities they deserve.
I look forward to the hearing, and testimony from each of our witnesses about how they intend to ensure the Department of the Air Force has what it needs to meet today’s challenges, maintain our superiority in air and space, and prepare for the threats we face on the horizon.
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
May 20, 2025
Over 70% of voters favor Congress passing a defense right-to-repair law
Warren: “[W]e all agree the Air Force’s hundreds of billions of dollars should be spent efficiently to benefit our service members and our taxpayers, not just to benefit contractor executives.”
Video of Exchange (YouTube)
Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Air Force Secretary Troy E. Meink said he agrees with U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and fully supports making right to repair a strategic priority for the Air Force. He also agreed on the need to update the branch’s policies to include right-to-repair in contracts service-wide and prevent defense contractors from price-gouging the military.
As Senator Warren explained, the Air Force’s budget request last year was about $220 billion, with billions going toward developing weapons systems. However, defense contractors’ restrictions prevent servicemembers from repairing Air Force-owned equipment, forcing the service to face delays or pay additional costs when they go back to the contractor for repairs. This month, Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll announced that the Army will ensure right-to-repair provisions are included in future Army contracts and will identify and propose contract modifications to current contracts that would benefit from right-to-repair protections.
Senator Warren argued that the Air Force should adopt a service-wide right-to-repair policy like the Army’s Transformation Initiative so airmen can also be able to repair their own equipment. Secretary Meink expressed support for adopting a service-wide right-to-repair policy and said he has already begun discussions with his team on the issue.
“I think it’s not only from a cost perspective, Senator, I think from a readiness perspective, as General Allvin has discussed multiple times, both are affected with our ability to get, have more flexibility in how we do parts sustainment,” said Secretary Meink.
A newly released poll from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) showed likely voters overwhelmingly favor Congress passing a law to give the U.S. military the right to repair their equipment, with more than 70 percent agreeing and over half of voters agreeing strongly.
Senator Warren highlighted another issue facing the military: price-gouging. She cited an example of Boeing charging the Air Force 80 times the commercial price for a soap dispenser. Last year, DoD’s Inspector General (IG) released a report recommending that defense contractors should be required to alert the U.S. government when the price of a part goes up 25 percent or more, and the government should obtain justification for that price hike. In the hearing, Secretary Meink agreed that getting more data “would be always helpful” for Air Force contracting officers to prevent price-gouging.
Senator Warren concluded the hearing by calling on Secretary Meink and her Senate colleagues to work to get price information into the hands of military contracting officers and to get right-to-repair clauses included in Air Force contracts in order to ensure the service spends its funds more efficiently.
Transcript: Hearings to examine the posture of the Department of the Air Force in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Future Years Defense ProgramSenate Armed Services CommitteeMay 20, 2025
Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. So look, we all want the Air Force to have the money it needs to keep us safe, and we all want those funds to be spent as effectively and as efficiently as possible. The Air Force’s budget request was about $220 billion last year, and many of those billions going to develop weapons systems. But even then, contractors try to withhold technical data rights, preventing service members from repairing equipment that the Air Force itself owns.
So, Secretary Meink, you know this problem. During your confirmation process, you said that in a contested logistics environment, quote, “Airmen will need to be authorized and empowered to manufacture parts and fix their equipment.” I agree with you on this. When DoD secures repair rights, that increases our battlefield readiness and it lowers costs. When Tinker Air Force Base needed to replace a pressure door handle for the C-5 transport aircraft, the Air Force manufactured the part itself and saved 95% of the cost because it wasn’t tripped up by contractor restrictions.
So, Mr. Secretary, do you agree that this type of major cost savings makes right-to-repair a strategic priority for the Air Force and for its budget?
Secretary Troy E. Meink: Thank you, Senator. Yes, I do agree with that, and that’s something I’ve already had discussions with the team on in the first couple of days. I think it’s not only from a cost perspective, Senator, I think from a readiness perspective, as General Allvin has discussed multiple times, both are affected with our ability to get, have more flexibility in how we do parts sustainment.
Senator Warren: Absolutely. Okay, cost and readiness. So it’s no surprise that new polling just released today found that over 70% of voters overwhelmingly favor Congress passing a defense right-to-repair law. Americans know that this is a big opportunity to save billions of dollars.
Secretary Driscoll is leading the way with the new Army Transformation Initiative released earlier this month, making it a standard for Army contracts to include right-to-repair from day one. But airmen far from home need to be able to fix their own equipment as well. They shouldn’t be waiting, in some cases, we know, up to six months for a refurbished T-38 trainer engine.
So, Mr. Secretary, shouldn’t the Air Force adopt a service-wide right-to-repair policy like the Army’s policy so that we can get grounded jets back into the air faster?
Secretary Meink: So, Senator, I’m not familiar with the details of what Secretary Driscoll proposed, but the idea of having that flexibility, I fully support, okay, and again, that’s one of the things we’re going to be looking at.
Senator Warren: I love hearing that you like the idea, but what we got to do is we got to put that idea into action. Right-to-repair is one important tool for the Air Force to protect its budget, but contractors will find any way they can to overcharge the military right up until the moment they get caught. Last year, DoD’s Inspector General found that Boeing charged the Air Force 80 times. That’s eight zero times the available commercial price for a soap dispenser during a C-17 sustainment contract. Now that overcharge was found only through an investigation after the fact and sort of by happenstance. It makes you wonder what kind of other overcharges are going unnoticed, and that is why the IG recommended that contracting officers be notified when a price for an item like a spare part increases over 25%.
Mr. Secretary, would the Air Force be in a better position to detect this kind of price gouging if your contracting officers had to be notified when there was a price spike?
Secretary Meink: Yes, Senator, more data in this area would be always helpful.
Senator Warren: All right, good. I’m working with my colleagues across the aisle to get this type of price information into the hands of all of our contracting officers. But the Air Force needs to be updating its own policies as well, because we all agree the Air Force’s hundreds of billions of dollars should be spent efficiently to benefit our service members and our taxpayers, not just to benefit contractor executives. If we can get airmen the right-to-repair and contracting officers the information they need to stop price gouging, the Air Force can start buying smarter service-wide. And I look forward to working with you and with you, Mr. Chairman and all of my colleagues on this committee to get it done. Thank you.
(New Zealand – May 21, 2025) – As calls to ban the practice of octopus farming continue to gain momentum worldwide, the government of New Zealand is set to make a decision about providing more funding to octopus farming on May 21. 168 organisations are united in strongly advising against wasting any additional funding to establish industrialised octopus farming, a practice that would have dangerous implications for the environment, public health, and animal welfare.
To date, the New Zealand government has awarded one million dollars to the University of Auckland for research to develop octopus farming. An open letter, led and written by Animals Aotearoa with support from Aquatic Life Institute, is calling on the New Zealand Government to decline any new funding of projects that aim to develop commercial octopus factory farming. The letter, which has been signed by 168 organisations, including members of the Aquatic Animal Alliance (AAA), a global coalition working to improve the welfare of aquatic animals in the food system, explains that while this new form of aquaculture is still in the research phase, it would cause extensive harm should it become reality. Evidence shows that it is both unethical and unsustainable, and current research has not demonstrated any pathway to achieving high-welfare farming or ecosystem-neutral farming for octopuses.
As outlined in the open letter, octopus farming is highly problematic from an animal welfare perspective and also presents risks to biodiversity and biosafety, environmental degradation, and public health. The letter has three main asks:
New Zealand Government cease funding research aimed at establishing octopus farming;
Public funds are instead invested in sustainable food solutions, such as plant-based aquatic food systems and alternative proteins; and
New Zealand Government prohibits any octopus farming in New Zealand.
“Choosing to waste precious taxpayer funds in pursuit of factory farming octopuses is misguided at best, and shameful at worst. This atrocious idea is being actively opposed all around the world. It’s immensely cruel to the octopuses, environmentally unsustainable and poses a significant public health risk. Sinking more money into factory farming octopuses is a bad investment in every sense,” says Jennifer Dutton of Animals Aotearoa. “New Zealand should be leaders in ethical and sustainable food systems, instead of exporting cruelty to the world.”
The environmental, welfare, and public health implications of octopus farming are manifold. These carnivorous animals require diets rich in marine ingredients, exacerbating the pressure on already declining wild fish populations and undermining global sustainable development goals. The overuse of antibiotics in aquaculture has been linked to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, with potential spillover effects into human populations. As widely documented, octopuses are highly intelligent and complex animals that suffer greatly in captivity due to their solitary and inquisitive nature. Several scientists have raised significant concerns about the practice of octopus farming, as conditions of intensive farming and extreme confinement are inherently unsuitable for their well-being, leading to stress, aggression, and unnatural behaviours such as cannibalism. Furthermore, there are no approved humane slaughter methods for these animals.
As noted, this call for divestment from New Zealand’s government is preceded by legislation worldwide that bans octopus farming and the sale of products from industrial octopus farms, including a federal bill in the United States that is underway, as well as the Washington state law, California law, Bill HB 2262 in Hawaii, and many more. Under New Zealand law, the Animal Welfare Act of 1999 explicitly includes octopuses being recognised as sentient, a legal acknowledgement of their capabilities to experience pain and stress. In addition, RSPCA, Friend of the Sea, and other seafood certifiers have produced statements prohibiting the certification of any form of octopus/cephalopod farming. These certifiers have recognised the necessity of banning octopus farming before it starts, acknowledging that it is impossible to guarantee high welfare conditions for this species due to its behavioural needs, sentience, and strictly carnivorous diet.
“The Aquatic Animal Alliance, representing over 175 organisations worldwide, strongly urges the New Zealand Government to reject the development of industrial octopus farming. Octopuses are sentient, intelligent animals with complex welfare needs that cannot be met in captivity. Farming them would not only cause immense animal suffering, but also contribute to serious environmental degradation, from the overfishing of wild marine life for feed, to pollution and disease risks in surrounding ecosystems. As a veterinarian, I join the global scientific and advocacy communities in calling for a ban on this unnecessary and harmful industry before it takes root,” said Catalina Lopez, Director of the AAA.
About Animals Aotearoa
New Zealand’s Animals Aotearoa is a registered charity whose mission is to improve the wellbeing of farmed animals and end their suffering. In addition to being a member of the Aquatic Animals Alliance, Animals Aotearoa is one of over 90 organisations that make up the Open Wing Alliance, a global coalition of animal advocacy organisations, with the shared purpose of working to substantially improve the welfare of chickens. www.animalsaotearoa.org
About Aquatic Life Institute
Aquatic Life Institute is an international non-profit organization that works on advancing aquatic animal welfare in both aquaculture and wild capture fisheries globally. The organization works with certifiers, nonprofits, academic institutions, industry stakeholders, governments, and the public to improve welfare of aquatic animals.
Source: United States of America – The White House (video statements)
The White House hosted a packed day of fun for “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day”—from hands-on activities across the grounds to a special press briefing with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. SO MUCH FUN!
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s Market Participants Division and Division of Enforcement today released procedures regarding CFTC-registered non-U.S. swap dealers or major swap participants (“Swap Entities”) relying on substituted compliance. The procedures establish how the Divisions will address potential non-compliance with foreign law that has been found by the CFTC to be comparable in outcome to the Commodity Exchange Act or CFTC regulations pursuant to a substituted compliance order. Generally, the procedures require CFTC staff to adhere to principles of international comity and deference to the foreign regulator, including that the foreign regulator interprets and applies the home country regulation (not the CFTC), and that MPD and DOE will not pursue an inquiry if the foreign regulator determines that the non-U.S. Swap Entity is in compliance with foreign comparable standards, or the foreign regulator is addressing the non-compliance issue through its supervisory process. Any inquiry involving substituted compliance will be handled by MPD, unless MPD determines that a supervision or non-compliance issue is material and makes a referral to DOE pursuant to CFTC Staff Letter 25-13. The procedures were developed following a request, submitted jointly by IIB, ISDA, and SIFMA, for guidance regarding the CFTC’s referral process for substituted compliance.
Headline: Justice Department Files Religious Liberty Lawsuit Against Troy, Idaho for Discriminating Against a Small Christian Church
The Justice Department filed a lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho alleging that the City of Troy, Idaho, violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) when it denied a conditional use permit (CUP) application sought by Christ Church, a small evangelical church.
Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) in a resolution to celebrate National Charter Schools Week.
Sen. Tuberville has helped introduce this resolution every Congress he has served in.
“Our kids are the most precious resource we have,” said Sen. Tuberville. “We don’t need a top-down approach to education. School choice empowers parents, not the government, to make choices about their children’s educational futures. I’m proud of Alabama’s 18 public charter schools, which are providing a high-quality education and producing great results.”
Sens. Tuberville and Scott were joined by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Katie Britt (R-AL), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), John Cornyn (R-TX), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Maggie Hassen (D-NH), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jon Husted (R-OH), Ron Johnson (R-WI), James Lankford (R-OK), Rick Scott (R-FL), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Todd Young (R-IN) in introducing the resolution.
Read full text of the resolution here.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.
RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: The Quilted Forest of Winnebago County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties.
“Since 1998, The Quilted Forest has woven creativity into the fabric of Forest City, celebrating a vibrant community of quilters,” said Chair Ernst. “From their in-person store on Main Street to their strong digital presence, the Robsons and their team have patched together a welcoming space that inspires folks to carry on the cherished tradition of quilting.”
In 1998, Shelley and Dan Robson opened The Quilted Forest in Forest City, Iowa to create a one-stop shop for quilting kits, fabrics, and patterns. In 2004, Shelley launched Pieced Tree Patterns, a pattern design company that today sells custom quilt patterns both in store and nationwide. In 2021, Shelley started a YouTube channel, growing it to over 120,000 subscribers. On the channel, Shelley shared that she is creating a series of state quilt blocks to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday next year. This past March, The Quilted Forest celebrated its 28th anniversary.
Stay tuned as Chair Ernst recognizes more Iowa small businesses across the state with her Small Business of the Week award.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, announced that she will host her third annual Entrepreneur Expo at Iowa State University on Tuesday, August 12.
The event gives unprecedented access to opportunities across the federal marketplace with valuable networking opportunities and hands-on instruction on how Iowa small businesses can sell to America’s largest consumer – the federal government.
Watch Senator Ernst’s remarks here.
“This year’s expo theme is ‘Made in America,’ because innovation comes from the heartland and these opportunities should not be limited to Washington,” said Chair Ernst. “I’m honored to connect Iowa’s entrepreneurs and job creators and provide them with the ins and outs of federal opportunities.”
Ernst’s Entrepreneur Expo will provide an opportunity to hear about how to engage in the federal marketplace, work with federal innovation-focused programs, and learn about federal manufacturing initiatives.
Background:
Last year, 40 federal agency departments and state entities came to Ernst’s Expo to connect with small business programs and help them unlock opportunities in federal contracting and innovation programs.
Hundreds of Iowans attended Ernst’s 2023 Expo, which featured 31 federal agency departments and state entities.
Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)
RELEASE: Mullin Introduces Black Vulture Relief Act to Protect the Livelihoods of Farmers and Ranchers
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), along with SenatorsTommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO), introduced the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 which would allow farmers and ranchers the ability to protect their livestock when threatened by predatory animals without big government interference.
The Black Vultures Relief Act of 2025 removes the requirement for a depredation permit, allowing farmers and ranchers to take black vultures anytime the birds threaten their livestock. This bill also preserves the requirement for annual take reporting to the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), allowing FWS to continue monitoring black vulture population numbers, in addition to prohibiting the use of poison as a method of take.
Senators Cotton (R-AR), Wicker (R-MS), Britt (R-AL), Scott (R-FL), Lummis (R-WY), Hagerty (R-TN), Budd (R-NC), Barrasso (R-WY), Ricketts (R-NE), Cruz (R-TX), Lankford (R-OK), Hyde-Smith (MS), and Graham (SC) joined Mullin, Tuberville, and Schmitt in cosponsoring this legislation.
“Oklahoma ranchers deserve the right to protect their livestock from threatening predators,” said Senator Mullin. “Attacks from black vultures are all too common and our ranchers are suffering the consequences. As a rancher myself, I know firsthand the implications of the rapidly growing black vulture population and the negative effect this has on livestock production. Removing the requirement for a depredation permit will allow Oklahomans the ability to do what is necessary to protect their livestock and reduce economic hardship. It’s vital to the livelihood of ranchers across the country that we get this fixed.”
“America’s cattlemen work hard to feed our communities and shouldn’t have to jump through a bunch of hoops just to protect their herds,” said Senator Tuberville. “Adjusting these sub-permit requirements that are based on outdated data is just one more commonsense way we can support our cattlemen and help them keep more of their hard-earned dollars. I’ll continue using the feedback from Alabama’s agriculture community to guide my work here in D.C.”
“Black vultures are a deadly species that have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage to ranchers and producers across Missouri. These birds are native to Missouri and have seen their population grow by more than 450 percent since 1990. We must keep this dangerous bird population under control and allow ranchers and producers across our great state the ability to do what they do best—provide the best beef and ag products in the world,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.
Full text of the Black Vulture Relief Act of 2025 can be found here.
The Black Vulture Relief Act is endorsed by the following stakeholders: National Supporting Groups: National Cattleman’s Beef Association (NCBA), American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), US Cattlemen’s Association (USCA), Oklahoma Department of Wildlife & Conservation, Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association (TSGRA), Wyoming Stock Growers (WSG), 14 Cattlemen’s Associations (AL, CO, IA, IN, KS, MN, MS, ND, OH, OK, OR, MO, TN, VA) and 7 State Farm Bureau Federations (FL, MS, OK, PA, TN, TX, WY)
“The challenges faced by America’s farmers and ranchers are numerous, from unstable commodity prices to drought and unpredictable weather. The safety threat to livestock posed by predatory birds like black vultures is yet another risk our members face, day in and day out, and we’re appreciative of Senator Mullin’s leadership to help our members mitigate that risk”,said Sam Kieffer, American Farm Bureau Federation VP of Public Policy.“Protecting their livestock is of the utmost importance to farmers and ranchers, and this legislation will better equip them to do just that.”
“Currently, black vulture populations in the south and Midwest are skyrocketing and it is a success story of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Now is the time to recognize that success and allow cattle producers to effectively manage this abundant predator species through commonsense measures like the Black Vulture Relief Act. Family cattle operations are facing financial strain from the abundance of black vultures on their operations and the propensity of these predators to target newborn calves that cannot defend themselves,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Natural Resources and PLC Executive Director Kaitlynn Glover.“NCBA and PLC thank Senator Mullin for taking action to fix this problem and providing producers the management tools they need to protect their livelihoods.”
“ASI encourages support for this legislation as vultures are a growing predator of lambs in America, and farmers and ranchers have few options today to address these losses. Predator losses of sheep and the associated management costs are the second-largest expense of many sheep operations in America,”said Steve Clements, American Sheep Industry Association Board Member and South Dakota sheep producer.
“The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association is extremely grateful to Senator Mullin for introducing this bill to help cattle raisers protect their cattle. Black Vultures are a predator to cattle, especially new mother cows and their baby calves,” said Michael Kelsey, Executive Vice President of Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association. “Senator Mullin, being a cattle raiser, knows the challenges that high populations of black vultures have presented to cattle raisers. This is great common-sense legislation that works well in ranch country.”
“We appreciate Senator Mullin’s efforts to help cattle producers more effectively protect their herds and, ultimately, their livelihoods,” said Tennessee Farm Bureau President, Eric Mayberry.“This legislation takes a crucial step in alleviating the burden farmers face with growing black vulture populations and depredation of livestock across Tennessee.”
“Black vultures are predators and pose a tremendous threat to cattle producers. Their attacks, often killing calves and vulnerable animals, cause financial devastation for family farms,” said Elizabeth Harsh, Executive Director of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association. “The current system prevents producers from effectively protecting their cattle herd, at the same time as the black vulture population explodes and does not warrant continued federal protection. OCA appreciates Senator Mullin for his common-sense approach with this very important legislation.”
Background:
Over the past several decades, black vultures’ expanding population has led to an additional burdensome and costly strain on livestock producers due to increased livestock depredation by these birds.
Black vultures, often in flocks of 20+, brutally attack and eat newborn calves, lambs, goat kids, and piglets for an average of 3.5 gruesome hours while they are most vulnerable.
In 2015, vultures were the third leading cause of calf deaths due to predators, only behind coyotes and unknown predators, causing 24,600 or 10% of all calf deaths due to predators.
According to the US Geological Survey’s Breeding Bird Survey, the black vulture population has increased by approximately 468% to more than 190 million birds since 1990.
Despite the bird’s robust population, the black vulture is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA) making it illegal, with an up to $15,000 fine, to take one without obtaining a depredation permit.
For black vultures, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issues master permits to states who then issue sub-permits, limited to 3-10 depending on the state, to ranchers.
Current state participants are OK, MD, PA, VA, KY, TN, AR, MS, MO, OH, IN, IL, TX, and AL.
From 2015-2019, requests to FWS for depredation permits for take of black vultures increased by 26%.
From 2020-2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services, black vulture attacks on cattle increased by almost 25%.
In January 2025, the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Reauthorization Act was signed into law that included a provision Senator Mullin secured codifying the original Black Vulture Relief pilot program.
House Companion: H.R. 2426 introduced by Reps. John Rose (R-TN) and Darren Soto (D-FL).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)
Washington, DC — Representatives Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), and Andy Biggs (AZ-05) introduced the bipartisan Global Fairness in Drug Pricing Act to codify the core provisions of President Trump’s Executive Order into law — ensuring lasting, enforceable reform that permanently delivers lower prices to Americans.
Americans pay the highest prescription drug prices in the world — in some cases,up to ten times more than patients in other comparably developed nations for the same exact medications. President Trump’s executive order, while a step forward, could be tied up in the courts and delayed indefinitely without action from Congress.
“It’s time to stand up to drug companies who are more worried about bolstering profits for their Wall Street investors, than making sure people can afford life-saving medication. The predatory pricing practices of giant, largely faceless, pharmaceutical corporations causes undue burden on Americans just trying their best just to get by,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “There is no reason my constituents should pay more for their medicine than our Canadian neighbors 59 miles away across our northern border. Our effort to guarantee lowest possible pricing will benefit the well-being of tens of millions of Americans. I’m grateful to Congressman Khanna, Congresswoman Luna, and Congressman Biggs for helping lead this bipartisan effort for the American people who need all the help they can get in lowering their prescription drug costs.”
“Americans are getting ripped off. It’s deeply unfair that we’re paying significantly more for the same prescription drugs than people in other countries,” said Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17). “Pharmaceutical companies are raking in Billions while patients are rationing their medications or going into crushing debt to get the prescriptions they need. There is bipartisan outrage, and Congress must come together to act. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with Reps. Luna, Kaptur, and Biggs to lower prices for Americans.”
“For decades, Big Pharma has lined its pockets by ripping off American consumers. Their extraordinarily profitable racket overcharged desperate Americans for life-saving medicine, while charging foreign consumers more reasonable prices,” said Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna FL-13). “I’m proud to reach across the aisle to codify President Trump’s executive order, which put an end to this disgusting practice. Congress must make sure that pharmaceutical companies are never allowed to extort the sick and needy again.”
The Global Fairness in Drug Pricing Act legislation would:
Direct HHS to propose rulemaking that imposes most-favored-nation price targets, aligning U.S. drug prices with those in peer countries;
Authorize the FDA to consistently grant importation waivers for prescription drugs from countries with strong safety records and lower costs;
Empower the FTC and DOJ to investigate and act on anti-competitive practices in the pharmaceutical industry using existing antitrust laws;
Facilitate direct-to-consumer access to low-cost drugs at international benchmark prices;
Require the Department of Commerce and USTR to assess policies that force Americans to subsidize global R&D or suppress fair pricing abroad.
Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), received commitment from General David Allvin, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, to support the KC-46 tanker program and remain focused on military readiness and availability. Last fall, it was announced that Bangor Air National Guard Base was a finalist to receive the KC-46A fueling tankers to replace the aging KC-135s. During the exchange, Senator King touted the tremendous contribution of the “MAINEiacs” to national defense, encouraged continued investment there, and reminded General Allvin of the strategic importance of Bangor Air National Guard Base and it’s refueling mission.
“One way to help on the tanker capacity is the KC-46 which is at Bangor, affectionately known as the MAINEiacs. As you know, they provided enormous support during the Gulf War and anything on the east side of the United States, in terms of Europe, the Middle East, and it’s going to be an incredibly important capacity. They’re doing fantastically with their present fleet, but the KC-46 is the next generation. And as you pointed out yourself, tankers are the heart and soul of being able to keep our forces over the target. So, I hope that’s something on your agenda,” began Senator King.
“Absolutely, Senator, and sort of the maniacs were on the list as part of one of the candidate locations, and the final location for preferred location will happen in the fourth quarter of this year,” replied General Allvin.
“I appreciate that. Thank you very much,” said Senator King.
Later in the hearing, Senator King stressed his concerns about military readiness to General Allvin, particularly regarding aircraft availability and maintenance. During their discussion, Senator King pointed out that the military operates with between 50-60% of their fleet available while commercial carriers often have more than 90% of their planes available for use.
“General Allvin, I am concerned about availability and mission availability. You mentioned a couple of figures, 50%, 62%. The commercial air fleet is in the high 90s. Now, granted, there are more complicated systems in the military, but I believe, and this applies to the Navy as well, that we really don’t put enough emphasis on maintenance and availability. We’re talking about very expensive products here, very expensive aircraft, and if we had more of them ready to fly, we perhaps wouldn’t have to buy as many new ones. So, I see that closing that gap between 62% and 98% which is the commercial availability rate, would go a long way toward helping us with our budget and also helping us with our readiness,” said Senator King.
“Senator, thank you for that. I would say that one of the big challenges is that the airlines have a profit model. They have a different business model, and so as they look at that, they generate their values,” responded General Allvin.
“The difference is they have to meet a profit realization rate, and we don’t. The military doesn’t. And I think I’m just saying, surely, we can get beyond 62%,” replied Senator King.
General Allvin agreed, “I do believe, Senator, we do need to improve. I think one of the big challenges, though, is what I was trying to address, is the KC 135 is the average one? It’s as old as me and I am no spring chicken. So, the airlines, they just throw those out because it becomes cost ineffective for them to maintain older platforms that it can still have the enough seats for passenger seats to maintain a profit. So, they’ll dump those off to the side.”
I understand that. But do you believe that we can do better than 62%,” asked Senator King.
I do believe we can do better, and I think it becomes more challenging the older the aircraft get, because we’re discovering new things all the time, because they’re breaking in new and different ways. Yes, Senator, we can. We can continue to do better,” finished General Allvin.
As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Chairman of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, Senator King has been a steadfast supporter of the armed forces, including Bangor’s 101st Air Refueling Wing. He recently secured key provisions in the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that helps protect the Maine Air National Guard — guaranteeing that as the Air Force modernizes the tanker fleet, it replaces older aircraft on a one-for-one basis — and ensure support for all branches of the military to make sure that servicemembers can continue providing best in class services to protect the ‘territory of the brave.’
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, introduced the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act. The bipartisan legislation would improve care for patients with diabetes by allowing nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates/physician assistants (PAs)—who often act as sole primary care providers for many patients with diabetes—to prescribe therapeutic shoes.
Diabetes can often lead to health complications, such as foot ulcers and calluses, and can even necessitate the amputation of toes, legs, and feet. In addition to managing the disease through physical activity, diet, and medication, diabetic patients often benefit from the use of therapeutic shoes, which are an important preventive measure to mitigate these complications.
“Ensuring patients with diabetes can access the full range of treatments in a timely manner is critical to helping them manage their diabetes and prevent medical emergencies,” said Senator Shaheen. “Therapeutic shoes can help put a stop to a number of complications caused by diabetes — so it’s only commonsense to clear the way for nurse practitioners and physician assistants to prescribe these life-changing shoes for their patients.”
“Therapeutic shoes are a proven method for preventing costly and painful complications related to diabetes, yet current Medicare regulations force patients to endure a time-consuming process to obtain them,” said Senator Collins. “Our bipartisan legislation would allow nurse practitioners and physician assistants to certify their patients’ need for this important treatment method, saving patients time and allowing them to keep their current medical provider.”
While NPs and PAs often act as sole primary care providers for patients with diabetes – particularly those in underserved and rural communities – current law requires that they send their diabetic patients on Medicare who need therapeutic shoes to a physician who will certify that they do in fact need these shoes. The physician is then required to become the provider managing the patient’s diabetic condition moving forward. Not only does the current law impose additional costs on the Medicare program by requiring the participation of an additional provider, it can also result in delays for patients in underserved and rural areas which could jeopardize their overall health. This bill would authorize NPs and PAs to certify a Medicare beneficiary’s need for therapeutic shoes, improving timeliness and access to care while reducing costs.
The Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act is endorsed by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Physician Associates.
“On behalf of more than 431,000 nurse practitioners (NPs) nationwide, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) thanks Senators Collins and Shaheen for their leadership on the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act,” said American Association of Nurse Practitioners President Stephen A. Ferrara, DNP. “This legislation will authorize NPs to continue providing high-quality, cost-effective care for their Medicare patients with diabetes. By introducing this important legislation, Senators Collins and Shaheen have renewed their commitment to remove outdated barriers to care, improve patient access, and empower patients with diabetes to continue receiving care from their provider of choice.”
“Medical care for America’s aging population who live with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, should never be delayed by unnecessary restrictions. The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) extends our gratitude to Senators Susan Collins and Jeanne Shaheen for their commitment to the health and well-being of those served by the Medicare program through the introduction of the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act. This bill would correct an undue barrier to care for Medicare beneficiaries by authorizing physician associates/assistants (PAs) to order diabetic shoes for their patients. With this change in the law, PAs will be able to provide timely care that means so much to the patient who needs it,” said American Academy of Physician Associates President and Board Chair Jason Prevelige, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA.
The full text of this legislation can be read here.
As co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Shaheen and Collins have led action in the U.S. Senate to advance priorities that will lower the costs of insulin, invest in treatment and prioritize diabetes research. Shaheen and Collins recently delivered remarks on the U.S. Senate floor to recognize American Diabetes Month and to push for the passage of their bipartisan Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act, which would comprehensively address the skyrocketing costs of insulin, removing barriers to care and making it more accessible for millions more Americans.
Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), reintroduced the Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer’s Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act, bipartisan legislation to encourage early assessment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. Companion legislation was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Darren LaHood (R-IL), Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).
“Having watched my mother battle Alzheimer’s for a decade before her passing, I know this is a devastating disease that impacts not just the individual, but the entire family. Our legislation is key to helping secure an early diagnosis that will allow for better care, earlier access to treatment, and more support for families navigating this difficult journey,” Sen. Warner said.
“As we continue to search for breakthroughs in the fight against Alzheimer’s, we must ensure our health care system is doing its part to identify the disease earlier and connect patients and families with the tools they need. The CHANGE Act focuses on practical improvements—like earlier screening and detection—that can make a meaningful difference right now. I’m proud to reintroduce this bill to help improve outcomes, ease the burden on caregivers, and move us closer to ending this devastating disease,” Sen. Capito said.
“Like countless families across the country, mine has personally felt the heartbreaking toll of Alzheimer’s,” Rep. Sánchez said. “Having lost both of my parents to this cruel disease, I understand how critical early diagnosis can be. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill would early assessments and offer crucial resources for families. As our population continues to age and diagnoses expected to rise, we can’t afford to wait.”
“Alzheimer’s affects millions of Americans, and we must be relentless in our search for a cure,” Rep. LaHood said. “I am proud to work alongside Rep. Sánchez to reintroduce the CHANGE Act to strengthen existing tools within Medicare, helping to streamline and broaden the ability for earlier diagnosis of dementia. It is critical that Congress find ways to support patients, their families, and caregivers.”
“We need a comprehensive approach to tackle the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s and to support the millions of Americans battling against this disease. Early detection and intervention are crucial to improve care and prolong the life of loved ones,” Rep. Matsui said. “The CHANGE Act provides important tools to deliver early support and high-value care. I applaud my colleagues for advancing this bipartisan effort as we continue taking steps forward to prevent, treat, and put an end to Alzheimer’s.”
“As research continues to yield advancement in the development of more treatment options for patients with Alzheimer’s, we know that early detection, diagnosis and intervention offers the best promise for disease management,” Rep. Bilirakis said. “My family has coped with the devastating impacts of this horrific disease for more than a decade, so I understand the toll it takes on the patient and his or her loved ones as it progresses. We owe it to our fellow Americans to develop a system of care that prioritizes education, screening and assessment so that patients can enjoy the best possible quality of life.”
The CHANGE Act is endorsed by: UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, American Academy of Neurology, Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, Alliance for Aging Research, Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease, Gerontological Society of America, American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, Latinos Against Alzheimer’s, and USAging.
“The reintroduction of the CHANGE Act is a powerful display of bipartisan, bicameral leadership stepping up to confront the growing Alzheimer’s crisis. Senators Capito and Warner, along with Representatives Sánchez, LaHood, Matsui, and Bilirakis, recognize that early detection and timely intervention are extremely important to improving outcomes for patients and reducing strain on families and our healthcare system. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s proudly supports this legislation, which shifts our country’s approach from reacting too late to acting early—where we have the greatest chance to change lives and make a difference,” George Vradenburg, CEO and Founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s, said.
Approximately 7.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2025. That number could grow to a projected 13.8 million by 2060. The direct financial costs of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias will also continue to increase exponentially, with projections indicating they will reach just under $1 trillion by 2050.
The CHANGE Act would better utilize the existing Welcome to Medicare initial exam and Medicare annual wellness visits to screen, detect, and diagnose Alzheimer’s and related dementias in their earliest stages.
Now, as new treatments are approved and glimpses at what could be on the horizon for those living with the disease emerge, ensuring screening and diagnosis is taking place is more essential than ever. An early documented diagnosis communicated to the patient and caregiver enables early access to care planning services and available medical and non-medical treatments and optimizes patients’ ability to build a care team, participate in support services, and enroll in clinical trials. It also would allow this devastating disease to be caught in its earliest stages, and ensure appropriate access to treatment.
Legislative text is available here.
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Republican governors sent a joint letter to President Trump supporting the One, Big, Beautiful Bill to permanently secure the border, unleash American energy, and give working class families tax cuts worth thousands of dollars each.
In part, the governors wrote:
“As Republican Governors, we stand UNITED in strong support of your One, Big, Beautiful Bill. This landmark piece of legislation embodies your powerful vision to bring about the next great American revival. It truly delivers on the bold promises all Republicans made to the American people to restore the security, prosperity, and fiscal sanity for our nation.
“After four long years of tremendous hardship under President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, the American people cannot wait any longer for Congress to enact the One, Big, Beautiful Bill. The American people have witnessed the tireless work undertaken by you and your administration to reverse the disastrous consequences of President Biden’s failed and often illegal policies. You have demonstrated a commitment to using every ounce of Executive authority available to reinstitute fiscal sanity, fight the deep state, secure our borders, and achieve energy dominance.”
Read the full letter here.
Signatories to the letter include: Governor Kay Ivey (AL), Governor Mike Dunleavy (AK), Governor Sarah Sanders (AR), Governor Brian Kemp (GA), Governor Brad Little (ID), Governor Mike Braun (IN), Governor Kim Reynolds (IA), Governor Jeff Landry (LA), Governor Mike Kehoe (MO), Governor Tate Reeves (MS), Governor Greg Gianforte (MT), Governor Jim Pillen (NE), Governor Kelly Armstrong (ND), Governor Henry McMaster (SC), Governor Bill Lee (TN), Governor Greg Abbott (TX), Governor Spencer Cox (UT), Governor Glenn Youngkin (VA), Governor Patrick Morrisey (WV), and Governor Mark Gordon (WY).
After a two-hour phone call with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on May 19, US president Donald Trump took to social media to declare that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start negotiations” towards a ceasefire and an end to the war. He did, however, add that the conditions for peace “will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be”.
With the Vatican, according to Trump, “very interested in hosting the negotiations” and European leaders duly informed, it seems clear that the US has effectively abandoned its stalled mediation efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
It was always a possibility that Trump could walk away from the war, despite previous claims he could end it in 24 hours. This only became more likely on May 16, when the first face-to-face negotiations between Ukraine and Russia for more than three years predictably ended without a ceasefire agreement.
When Trump announced shortly afterwards that he would be speaking to his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts by phone a few days later, he effectively mounted the beginning of a rearguard action. This was further underlined when, shortly before the Trump-Putin call, Vice-President J.D. Vance, explicitly told reporters that the US could end its shuttle diplomacy.
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The meagre outcomes of the talks between Russia and Ukraine – as well as between Trump and Putin – are not surprising. Russia is clearly not ready for any concessions yet. It keeps insisting that Ukraine accept its maximalist demands of territorial concessions and future neutrality.
Putin also continues to slow-walk any negotiations. After his call with Trump, he reportedly said that “Russia will offer and is ready to work with Ukraine on a memorandum on a possible future peace agreement”, including “a possible ceasefire for a certain period of time, should relevant agreements be reached.”
The lack of urgency on Russia’s part to end the fighting and, in fact, the Kremlin’s ability and willingness to continue the war was emphasised the day before the Trump-Putin call. Russia carried out its largest drone attack against Ukraine so far in the war, targeting several regions including Kyiv.
There has been no let-up in the fighting since. And the fact that Putin spoke to Trump while visiting a music school in the southern Russian city of Sochi does not suggest that a ceasefire in Ukraine is high on the Russian leader’s priority list.
A large part of the Kremlin’s calculation seems to be its desire to strike a grand bargain with the White House on a broader reset of relations between the US and Russia. It is signalling clearly that this is more important than the war in Ukraine and might even happen without the fighting there ending.
This also appears to be driving thinking in Washington. Trump foreshadowed an improvement in bilateral relations by describing the “tone and spirit” of his conversation with Putin as “excellent”. He also seemed pleased about the prospects of “large-scale trade” with Russia.
Abandoning European allies
Trump is on record as saying that there would be no progress towards peace in Ukraine until he and Putin get together. But it is worth bearing mind that very little movement towards a ceasefire in Ukraine – let alone a peace agreement – occurred after the last phone call between the two presidents in February.
Part of this lack of progress has been Trump’s reluctance to put any real pressure on Putin. And despite agreement in Brussels and preparations in Washington for an escalation in sanctions against Russia, it is unlikely that Trump will change his approach.
In this context, the sequence in which the calls occurred is telling. Trump and Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, had a short call before the former spoke with Putin. Zelensky said he told Trump not to make decisions about Ukraine “without us”.
But rather than presenting Putin with a clear ultimatum to accept a ceasefire, Trump apparently discussed future relations with Putin at great length before informing Zelensky and key European allies that the war in Ukraine is now solely their problem to solve.
This has certainly raised justifiable fears in Kyiv and European capitals that, for the sake of a reset with Russia, the US might yet completely abandon its allies across the Atlantic.
However, if a reset with Russia at any cost really is Trump’s strategy, it is bound to fail. As much as Putin seems willing to continue with his aggression against Ukraine, Zelensky is as unwilling to surrender. Putin can rely on China’s continued backing while Zelensky can count on support from Europe.
Supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine is essential for China to keep Moscow on side in its rivalry with the US. And for Europe, supporting Ukraine has become an existential question of deterring and containing a revisionist Russia hell-bent on restoring a Soviet-style sphere of influence in central and eastern Europe.
In a world that has been in flux since Trump’s return to the White House, these are some of the emerging constants. And they make a US-Russia reset highly improbable.
Even if it were to happen, it would not strengthen Washington’s position with Beijing. Walking away from Ukraine and Europe now will deprive the US of the very allies it will need in the long term to prevail in its rivalry with China.
By abandoning his mediation between Moscow and Kyiv, Trump may have broken the deadlock in his efforts to achieve a reset with Russia. But getting this deal over the line will be a pyrrhic victory.
Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra
Spotify was started, according to its official claims, because its founders “love music and piracy was killing it”. In Mood Machine, music journalist Liz Pelly argues this is rewriting history.
In fact, she points out, Spotify founder Daniel Ek initially patented a platform around 2006, for circulating “any kind of digital content”. Only months later did he and his co-founder decide music might be the most profitable form of content.
Review: Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist – Liz Pelly (Hodder & Stoughton)
Ek grew up in a working-class suburb of Stockholm. A neighbour recalled that, while still at school, Ek had set up a website-making business – and was earning more than his teachers. Rejected for a job at Google, he founded an ad-targeting business, Advertigo. After he sold it to tech entrepreneur Martin Lorentzon, the two men registered a new company: Spotify.
‘The Google of music’
Spotify would allow users to find their desired piece of music quickly. Ek described it in 2009 as “essentially the Google of music”, Pelly writes. He had a “maniacal focus” on ensuring a user would get a virtually instantaneous response when they pressed play; no annoying buffering.
Spotify launched in Europe in 2008 and in the United States in 2011. It listed on the stock market in 2018. Spotify has just recorded its first annual profit. It is valued at over US$100 billion: more than the three leading recording companies combined.
It had 678 million users at March 2025: of them, 268 million were paying subscribers. The rest contribute to Spotify’s earnings by listening to advertisements: the so-called “freemium” model.
Boon or bane of musicians?
Music streaming now accounts for 84% of recorded music revenue, according to Pelly – and Spotify is the largest music streamer.
Initially, Spotify looked like a boon to musicians, she writes. It could save music from the threat of “pirate” downloading, which gave no payments to creators. But many musicians are critical of the low payments artists get: fractions of a cent per stream.
Spotify claims that in 2024 it paid out more than US$10 billion to the music industry. It claims nearly 1,500 artists are earning over US$1 million annually.
Spotify pays the recording and publishing rights holders, not the singers and songwriters. How much the latter gets depends on their contracts with the record companies. The system is complicated, indirect and not that transparent.
‘Mixtapes still work’ – so do playlists
Spotify gradually shifted towards playlists, to simplify the process of users selecting music. Some playlists, like “today’s top hits”, just consisted of the currently most popular songs. These are like the “top 40” format of many commercial radio stations.
Spotify also hired music experts to compile their choice of the best new releases. The compilers of the most popular of these playlists, such as the playlist “rap caviar”, became very influential. A Spotify advertisement in 2013 made the analogy between playlists and mixtapes (as featured in Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity), claiming “mixtapes still work”.
Spotify advertising claims ‘mixtapes still work’, referencing High Fidelity.
Spotify also increasingly tried to increase passive listening. It introduced playlists geared to match the existing tastes of listeners and allow for how these might vary across the day. It termed this “music for every moment”: music to exercise to, background music for studying, music to help you sleep and so on. I have a playlist of songs about economics.
Ek said in 2016: “we really want to soundtrack every moment of your life”.
One of the parts of the book I found most intriguing was Pelly’s discussion of how this echoes a strategy developed by Thomas Edison around a century ago. He produced shellac 78 rpm records with titles such as “in moods of wistfulness” and “for more energy!”.
In 2014, Spotify made large investments in “algorithmic personalisation”. This suggested music similar in key, tempo, time signature, acousticness, danceability, loudness, mode and energy to whatever the user was already choosing.
This kept users “within their comfort zone (or as Spotify thought of it, their customer retention zone)”. But it meant users were much less likely to encounter new styles and artists, or broaden their musical horizons.
Generic music and AI
While Spotify denies it, Pelly claims Spotify commissions session musicians, playing under assumed names, to record very generic-sounding music, for playlists such as “chill instrumental beats”. Pelly gives an example of 20 songwriters using 500 names to produce thousands of tracks, streamed millions of times.
A “looming cloud” is the prospect AI-generated music will displace human musicians and singers in Spotify’s playlists, Pelly writes. She mentions that Spotify blocked a start-up called Boomy, which released over 14.5 million AI-generated songs – and has since struck up a partnership with Warner.
Another controversy is around Spotify’s Discovery Mode, which offers artists more promotion of their songs in exchange for accepting lower payments. But if most artists do this, the promotions cancel each other out, leaving all the artists worse off.
How Spotify is changing music
Pelly quotes an independent record label founder who says Spotify has changed the nature of the music being made.
It’s not sustainable to put out challenging records […] you have to put out records that are going to get repeat listens in coffee shops […] that are going to be playlist friendly.
This is despite some music fans saying the music they experience as “life-changing, really profound” is different from the songs they play most often.
Songs streamed are only monetised after 30 seconds. This has created “a particular emphasis placed on perfecting song intros […] songwriters would just dive directly into the chorus”. So, no more songs with long waits for the vocals, like U2, the Temptations, Dire Straits or Pink Floyd.
Artists who want their songs to appear on playlists need them to match a particular mood or context. This means songs increasingly “remain in a single emotional register throughout”.
It may mean artists are less likely to release songs with marked tempo changes, such as Dexys’ Midnight Runners’ Come on Eileen (1982), Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven (1971), Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody (1975) or Franz Ferdinand’s Take Me Out (2004). There may still be much smaller tempo changes, such as Taylor Swift’s Evermore from 2020.
Artists may now be less likely to release songs with marked tempo changes, such as Dexys’ Midnight Runners’ Come on Eileen.
The “Spotify for artists” service provides artists with data about the streaming of their songs. A band planning a tour can see in which cities or countries they are most popular. They can even alter their set lists to include the songs particularly popular in particular areas.
But Spotify monitors use of this facility, Pelly writes – and it is not clear how they use the data. Over time, it may encourage artists to repeat aspects of their most popular songs, rather than innovate and evolve.
A serious look
The book is interesting and informative, but somewhat dryer than some other recent exposes of the tech sector. Partly this is because Ek is a less colourful character than X’s Elon Musk, or Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg.
Pelly does not provide the witty lines of tech journalist Kara Swisher’s Burn Book. She is not a gossipy former insider, like director of global public policy at Meta, Sarah Wynn-Williams.
Pelly rightly describes her book as a “serious look” at Spotify. It brings together a lot of useful information about the company and raises good questions about whether it is changing the music industry – and music itself – for the better.
The debate will continue, as AI increases its influence and artists become more concerned about their songs being “TikTok friendly”, as well as “Spotify friendly”. Perhaps there will be more songs like Steve’s Lava Chicken from A Minecraft Movie. Just 34 seconds long, it recently became the shortest song to make the UK top 40.
John Hawkins does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
GENEVA, May 20 (Xinhua) — A spokesperson for the Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva on Tuesday called on the United States to stop political manipulation over the issue of tracing the source of COVID-19 and stop pressuring international organizations.
As the official representative said in response to the baseless statements of the US delegation at the ongoing 78th session of the World Health Assembly, it is astonishing that the United States, a country that once announced its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), is now making baseless attacks on countries that have consistently increased their contribution to the organization. According to the diplomat, the US has clearly lost its basic understanding of truth and lies. China has always provided selfless support to the WHO, without any so-called undue influence, he emphasized.
The official representative recalled that since the outbreak of COVID-19, China has shared with the international community information on the epidemiological situation and the genomic sequence of the virus in the shortest possible time. In addition, the Chinese side has provided medical supplies and financial assistance to the WHO and 153 countries, including the United States. All this, as the diplomat emphasized, demonstrates China’s firm commitment to protecting the common well-being of all mankind.
He noted that in an effort to carefully conceal their ineffective anti-epidemic measures, some countries resort to denigrating others. In his opinion, such attempts to politicize pandemic issues are disgusting and doomed to failure.
China is calling on the United States to share data on early cases with the WHO and to disclose information about the Fort Detrick facility and the network of U.S. biological laboratories around the world, an official said. The U.S. side should stop political manipulation around the issue of tracing the source of COVID-19 and stop pressuring international organizations, he concluded. –0–
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA) and Congressman August Pfluger (R-TX) announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to improve participation in clinical trials by underrepresented populations.
The Clinical Trial Modernization Act builds on the successes of clinical trials legislation passed into law in 2022 by addressing economic barriers that can prevent participation in clinical trials. This bill also allows the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue grants or enter into contractual arrangements to support education, outreach, and recruitment for clinical trials for diseases that have a disproportionate impact on underrepresented populations.
“As an emergency medicine physician, I know firsthand that individuals respond differently to medications and clinical treatments,” said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25). “I am deeply concerned about the potential effects that the lack of participation in clinical trials may have on the effectiveness of new medical treatments and therapies for underrepresented populations. That is why I introduced this important legislation to help ensure clinical trial results are applicable to our nation’s various populations and can lead to more effective treatments.”
“Every American deserves access to the latest medical breakthroughs, regardless of where they live or their economic circumstances,” said Congressman August Pfluger (R-TX). The Clinical Trial Modernization Act will remove unnecessary barriers that have prevented many rural and underserved communities from participating in critical research, ultimately delivering more effective treatments to all Americans. I’m proud to partner with Dr. Ruiz on this bipartisan solution that will both improve health outcomes and strengthen America’s position as a global leader in medical research.”
“No one should be disadvantaged in their cancer journey,” said Lisa A. Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “The Clinical Trial Modernization Act would help eliminate cost and geographic barriers to clinical trials, making it easier for all people with cancer to participate in clinical trials. We thank Reps. Pfluger and Ruiz for their leadership in introducing this legislation, which is critical to our work to reduce the cancer burden for everyone.”
The Clinical Trial Modernization Act would make strides towards ensuring all populations can benefit from novel therapeutics.
The Clinical Trial Modernization Act will address economic barriers to participation in clinical trials by:
Exempting free digital health technology that enables trial participation from the Anti-Kickback statute when doing so will facilitate clinical trial participation by underrepresented populations;
Allowing patient cost-sharing by a drug or device manufacturer in a clinical trial when specific criteria are met;
Excluding remuneration for participation in clinical trials from taxable income.
DENVER – Today, Governor Polis signed an Executive Order directing Colorado’s state agencies to work together with the Department of Education to help more post-high school learners access needed credentials. The Governor was joined by Department of Higher Education executive director Dr. Angie Paccione, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment executive director Joe Barela, Office of Economic Development and International Trade executive director Eve Lieberman, Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs executive director Patty Salazar, and leaders from the Colorado Department of Education.
“Colorado is a national leader in helping students and workers develop needed skills to enter the job market with credentials and build a successful career. We’ve broken down barriers to apprenticeships, made it free to attend community college for in-demand credentials, and created new ways to help Coloradans succeed. This Executive Order builds on that work by ensuring our state meets learners and earners where they are and helps Coloradans get a meaningful job. We’re asking how our state agencies and operations can better support Coloradans throughout successful lives and careers,” said Governor Jared Polis.
The Executive Order directs the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Colorado Department of Higher Education, the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade to work with the Governor’s Office and the Department of Education to develop recommendations to:
Seamlessly integrate postsecondary education, skills attainment, and training strategies to improve the flexibility and permeability of the system;
Future-proof talent development by investigating and scaling strategies that help the postsecondary education and workforce development strategies be more adaptive and efficient;
Improve the ability for learners, employers, community members, and State agencies to navigate the postsecondary talent development system;
Increase postsecondary credential attainment, particularly for the students who historically have not connected to postsecondary education or training within six years of high school graduation; and
Reduce bureaucratic barriers to cross-functional education and training.
These recommendations are due by December 1, 2025. Read the Governor’s Executive Order.
