NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member McCollum Remarks at United States Air Force and Space Force Oversight Hearing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

    WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Ranking Member of the Defense Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the subcommittee’s oversight hearing on the United States Air Force and Space Force:

    Good afternoon.

    I would also like to welcome Acting Secretary Ashworth, Generals Saltzman and Allvin.

    It’s a distinguished panel that’s here, but, as the Chair pointed out, we look forward to having a conversation with the upcoming Secretary of the Air Force about the budget after confirmation. We know the Senate has spoken with him, but our Members too, would like to understand the priorities that he’s going to be putting forth.

    This is our first hearing with the Administration following the release of the “skinny budget.” I’d like to take a few moments to acknowledge what the Administration is proposing. For Defense discretionary spending – President Trump is proposing an $893 billion request – essentially what President Biden would have proposed. This is effectively a freeze from the current fiscal year.

    Any increases beyond that are assumed through the reconciliation process – which the authorizers control. No one will be shocked to learn that I do not think reconciliation is a responsible way to appropriate defense dollars. This Committee is Constitutionally responsible for the allocation of Department of Defense resources – and we should be controlling the process. 

    Appropriating defense dollars through reconciliation undermines the authority and the jurisdiction of the Appropriations Committee. Now, Administrations of both parties have tried before to move money from the discretionary budget into mandatory spending. 

    This is not a new trick – but this is not something normally done with Defense funding. That is because the reconciliation bill may not become law. If it does not, this Committee cannot guarantee that Department of Defense priorities will be backfilled through the Appropriations process.

    Next, we know that programs for clean energy and climate resilience have been cut by this Administration. But as the leaders of the Air Force and Space Force – you cannot afford to take your eyes off the costs of climate change. Islands in the Pacific are not easy places to ship materials to or to build and maintain infrastructure in. It is difficult to protect them from the impacts of climate disruption, just look at the typhoon that hit Guam two years ago. $1.8 billion in additional funding was required to support the construction, planning, and design of facilities on Guam that were destroyed. 

    The Continuing Resolution last December carried an additional $3.4 billion in repair costs for other catastrophic weather events. That’s over $5 billion in taxpayer money that we had to spend on the impacts of climate change within the Department of Defense. That is not waste, fraud, abuse – or any other kind of political spin. It’s necessary to prepare, protect, and replace the critical infrastructure that our warfighters depend on. Climate disruption will not just go away by a wish and a prayer. It is something that we have to plan for, deal with, and expect to happen into the future.

    Turning to major programs – Air Force and Space Force have big bills due right now. The Sentinel program has ballooned to $141 billion, from an original estimate of $78 billion. The schedule is wildly off track from where it needs to be. The Next Generation Air Dominance program is planned to exceed $23 billion – and the price per plane is a serious consideration. The next Air Force One is behind schedule, and the Air Force has asked for more money to get it on track. Progress has been made on the parked F-35s – that’s good news, although it was bad news for us to read recently in the paper ‘the world’s top jet fighter is about to get more expensive’ because of the President’s tariffs. But there is more that needs to be done to get those planes delivered with the capabilities the Services need. And of course, there are new requirements for the Golden Dome – a missile defense program that has yet to be fully articulated by the Administration. These are problems that must be fixed through proper program management, planning, and resourcing. 

    Finally, I want to comment on the Administration’s approach to personnel management. There is no question that there is a culture of fear developing across the federal government as this administration continues to demean and demoralize federal employees. I have spoken with far too many of them. People have been fired without cause. People have been asked to quit to find “higher productivity jobs in the private sector.” 

    I wish the Department of Defense was immune to this – but it is not. I’ve had conversations with all the Services, especially Space Force, about how to build a first-class workforce. Secretary Hegseth’s goal is to remove 60 to 70 thousand civilians from across the Department of Defense. And now civilians are raising their hand – not to serve – but to leave. 

    Who will be around to manage the contracting process DoD needs to get major programs back on track? We are already living with the impacts of what happens when civilians take a buyout and stop working on contracts. The contract isn’t signed, the mission doesn’t get done, the programs fall behind and it costs the taxpayer more. There will be real ramifications to our national security because of the Administration’s personnel policies.

    We need to do something, sure, but let’s not take a chainsaw to it, let’s take a scalpel to what we need to do with our personnel policies.

    Gentlemen, I want to thank you again for appearing today.

    Thank you for your service, and for the service of the Airmen, Guardians, and civilians serving alongside you.

    I yield back.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens Leads Special Order Hour on Science Cuts

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

    Stop Trump’s Chaos. Stand Up for Science!

    WASHINGTON, D.C. –– Yesterday, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens and Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) led House Democrats in a Special Order Hour to call out President Trump and Elon Musk’s reckless policies and budget cuts to federal science agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), which is causing chaos across Michigan and the country. Federal science agencies, including NSF,  fund vital scientific research, train the next-generation of scientists, and support technology transfer. These harmful policies and budget cuts jeopardize more than $3 billion in federal research dollars that Michigan universities and small businesses receive, threatening Michigan’s competitiveness in the global economy and threaten to deny Michigan students opportunities in STEM

    During the Special Order Hour, the Congresswoman brought attention to the unprecedented attacks on the National Science Foundation. Since the second Trump Administration began, NSF has:

    • Terminated over $1 billion in grants for research and STEM education authorized by Congress.
    • Attacked STEM education programs authorized by bipartisan Congressional action, including the Congresswoman’s Building Blocks of STEM Act which President Trump signed into law in 2019.
    • Carried out chaotic “Reduction in Force” efforts at NSF to tackle so-called “bloat” in an already efficient workforce; over 94% of NSF’s $9 billion in Fiscal Year 2025 budget was distributed in the form of grants, awards, and scholarships.
    • Undermined technical and subject-matter expertise by removing NSF scientific advisory boards
    • Politicalized gold-standard merit review process for choosing scientific awards. 

    Congresswoman Stevens was joined on the floor by her colleagues Reps. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA); Don Beyer (D-VA); Bill Foster (D-IL); Valerie Foushee (D-NC); Melanie Stansbury (D-NM); Mark Takano (D-CA); Paul Tonko (D-NY); and George Whitesides (D-CA).

    Workers who were fired from the National Science Foundation sat in the gallery during the Special Order Hour.

    “The State of Michigan is known for its manufacturing prowess, its best-in-class skilled workforce, and the beauty of the Great Lakes. But what’s often overlooked is that the State of Michigan relies on innovation,” said Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens. “But Trump’s anti-science agenda undermines this symbiotic relationship and threatens Michigan’s future in advanced manufacturing, environmental protection, and next-generation mobility technologies. Trump’s chaotic policies are setting Michigan up to lose. 

    “The Trump Administration’s attack on science is not about cutting waste, fraud, and abuse. Federal science funding and programs return double or triple the investment we make in them. What these cuts and agency firings will do is lead to a brain drain in our government, which will hurt the health and safety of every American and diminish our country’s standing in the world,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: S for Housing to visit Paris

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    S for Housing to visit Paris 
         During her visit to Paris, Ms Ho will visit local social housing projects, eco-districts, smart construction technology centres and sustainable urban developments. She will also meet with relevant government officials, industry representatives and several organisations to share Hong Kong’s experiences and efforts in enhancing the quantity, speed, efficiency and quality of public housing construction by embracing various innovative construction technologies and AI technologies, continuously enhancing public estate management, aiming to build a more pleasant living environment for residents.
     
         Ms Ho will return to Hong Kong on May 23 afternoon. During her absence, the Under Secretary for Housing, Mr Victor Tai, will be the Acting Secretary for Housing.
    Issued at HKT 12:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Neguse Leads Renewed Call for Ban on Congressional Stock Trading: “Just put a bill on the Floor to ban it. Period. Members of Congress will no longer be able to trade stocks. Simple as that.”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

    Washington, D.C. — In case you missed it, Congressman Joe Neguse joined a bipartisan coalition on the House Floor yesterday evening to call on Speaker Mike Johnson to bring forth legislation that would ban Members of Congress from holding or trading stocks. Neguse, who has led the four-year effort to ban the practice, spoke of the need to weed out corruption in Washington and ensure transparency in all branches of government. 

    Newfound support from across the political spectrum emerged after public reporting revealed that some Members of Congress profited inappropriately from the Trump Administration’s erratic economic policy shifts and the chaotic, on-again-off-again imposition of tariffs.
    Watch Rep. Neguse’s remarks HERE.

    NEGUSE: Our 26th President, Teddy Roosevelt, once said, “No man who is corrupt, no man who tolerates corruption in others, can do his duty by the community.” That admonition rings true today.

    Four years ago, I led an effort to ban stock trading by Members of Congress, joined with colleagues on both sides of the aisle. For four years, we have tried to convince this Chamber to ban Members of Congress from trading stocks. Why? Because Members of Congress should be serving their communities, their constituents, and their country—not their stock portfolios.

    In that four-year span, forty-eight months, 1,400 days—how many millions of dollars have Members of Congress in this body made from trading stocks? It’s unconscionable. It’s a practice that should have ended years ago. And we have continued to beat that drum, month after month, week after week, day after day—and we will keep doing it until a majority in this body joins the rest of the American people, the public, in supporting a ban on this insidious practice. 

    And I’m grateful to Representative Magaziner for continuing to beat that drum. Leading the effort now, over the last two years. It feels as though we’re on the precipice—as Mr. Magaziner noted—of finally getting traction in this Chamber to end this practice. 

    But the one cautionary note I would offer, Mr. Speaker, is that in that four-year span, as I mentioned, this journey, this battle that we have waged—again, colleagues of mine on both sides of the aisle to ban stock trading—I have heard virtually every excuse in the book from some of my colleagues.

    It’s too complicated. There are competing bills. The legislative text is complex. 

    This is very simple. Just ban it. 

    Not five years from now, not next year. Just put a bill on the Floor to ban it. Period. 

    Members of Congress will no longer be able to trade stocks. Simple as that. 

    I hope, Mr. Speaker, that my colleagues will join me, join Mr. Magaziner, join the coalition that has organized around this issue so that we can finally get this done and end corruption here in Washington. 

    With that, Mr. Magaziner, I yield back.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Neguse and Zinke Introduce Bipartisan Effort to Expand Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

    Washington, D.C. — This week, Congressman Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, joined forces with Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke to introduce the bipartisan Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) Reauthorization Act of 2025. The bill would reauthorize and expand CFLRP, a highly successful U.S. Forest Service program that supports collaborative and community-based forest management to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and support rural and mountain communities. 

    The legislation, which is also co-led by Representatives Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), would extend CFLRP for another ten years, increasing the size and scope of the Collaborative to reduce wildfire risk and make other program improvements. Since it was first authorized in 2009, CFLRP projects have restored 5.7 million acres of forestland, and helped improve 1,000 miles of trails and maintain 25,000 miles of roads. 

    “In Colorado and across the Rocky Mountain West, we know that protecting our forests and lands benefits our communities,” said Congressman Neguse. “The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program is a successful partnership program that bolsters community-based stewardship, supporting efforts to promote cooperative, science-based wildfire mitigation. I’m incredibly proud to lead my colleagues in the House to champion its reauthorization.” 

    “Every year hundreds of thousands of acres of forest burn to the ground destroying landscapes, watersheds and homes. We can’t prevent every fire, but we can certainly manage our forests, so they are in better health and more resilient against catastrophic fires,” said Congressman Zinke. “The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program was a proven success that leverages public and private entities to grow more resilient forests. When a program works, we should extend it. Montana forests must be multi-use. Recreation, conservation, and resource development all have their place and must be part of the conversation, but none of them can exist if our forests are unhealthy or burning down. The continuation of this program will promote the collaboration needed preserve more of our forests for use by the communities around them.”

    “All Washingtonians have seen firsthand that wildfires have become more frequent and severe in our state and throughout the West, a problem that will continue to be exacerbated by climate change,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “To protect our communities, we have to invest in improving forest health. Smart, sensible programs like the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program, have been shown to help reduce wildfire risk. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan, bicameral bill to strengthen our wildfire safety and reauthorize and expand the CFLR program.” 

    “Collaborative forest management leads to better outcomes for our forests and our communities. The Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration program has a proven track-record of success in reducing wildfire risk and improving forest health,” said Rep. Salinas. “By embracing the CFLRP model, we can advance critical projects and prevent them from being bogged down by bureaucracy. I am proud to join my colleagues in co-leading the effort to reauthorize this critical program, and I will continue working to advance responsible forest management practices.” 

    The bill is also being championed by Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) in the United States Senate and has support from Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Steve Daines (R-MT).

    “When people come together to develop collaborative plans to manage our forests, we can thin overgrown forests, strengthen our timber stands, support diverse ecosystems, increase fire resilience, and boost workforce development,” said Senator Merkley. “This is a proven, bipartisan model that delivers healthier forests and stronger communities instead of litigation and conflict. Investing more in collaborative solutions will make a real difference in rural communities across Oregon and beyond.”

    “Shared, active forest management plays a vital role in reducing the risk of wildfires and fire suppression,” said Senator Crapo. “Ensuring long-term reauthorization of the CFLRP will promote Idaho’s forest health, encourage the responsible stewardship of our public lands and foster resilient, rural economies. Reauthorizing the CFLRP results in stronger relationships on the ground, more effective projects and a decreased risk of conflict and litigation.”

    “Collaborative forest projects help create jobs throughout Colorado while restoring wildlife habitat and managing fuel for wildfires. In Colorado, they bring together people across local government, industry, and conservation advocacy to make our forests more resilient and help our communities adapt to a changing climate,” said Senator Bennet. “As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, I’ll work to expand this valuable program for Colorado in the upcoming Farm Bill.”

    The CFLRP brings stakeholders from all walks of life together to create solutions aimed at reducing wildfire risk across the West. Requirements of this program ensure that various local stakeholders collaborate, resulting in stronger relationships on the ground, better, more effective projects, and a decreased risk of conflict and litigation. Learn more about the program’s active and past projects HERE. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Omar’s Statement on Trump Administration’s Plan to Deport Migrants to Libya

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON–Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to deport migrants to Libya.

    “The Trump Administration’s plan to send migrants to Libya is unconscionable, cruel, and blatantly illegal. This decision flies in the face of basic morality. Sending migrants to a country that they didn’t come from and where they could face torture and inhumane treatment is appalling and criminal. Amnesty International has described conditions in Libya’s detention centers as a ‘hellscape’ and ‘life threatening.’ There are reports of human trafficking and sexual violence. No human being should be subjected to these horrific conditions. There is no doubt that these migrants will have their lives put at severe risk.

    “We need transparency on who in Libya our government negotiated with to make this deal. If, as seems likely, this was negotiated with Haftar’s militia, it represents an even graver violation of human rights and abdication of our responsibilities under the Convention Against Torture.

    “The administration’s continued rejection and reckless disregard of due process is deeply alarming. Our Constitution guarantees due process and equal protection under the law to everyone in our country, not just citizens.​ Donald Trump is moving us toward authoritarianism with every passing day.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Omar Opening Remarks at Subcommittee Hearing on OSHA’s Mission to Keep Workers Safe

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

    WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Ilhan Omar (MN-05) delivered the following opening statement at Workforce Protections Subcommittee hearing entitled, “Reclaiming OSHA’s Mission: Ensuring Safety Without Overreach.”  

    “Thank you, Chairman, and thank you to our witnesses for your testimony today.

    “Over the past 100 days, President Trump and his administration have decimated the very agencies and resources that keep workers safe and healthy.  Now, Committee Republicans are following suit by holding this hearing to attack the work of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

    “We should all be able to recognize a basic truth: no job should ever be a death sentence.  Workers deserve to come home to their families at the end of the day- not in pain, not in fear, but alive and well.

    “To protect that fundamental right, Congress passed landmark safety laws and established important agencies like OSHA, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.  But all three of these agencies have been chronically underfunded since their inception.  And, largely because of that, they have long struggled to robustly defend workers from preventable injuries, illnesses, and death at work.

    “In the 54 years since it was established, OSHA has made great strides, but it remains hamstrung by an overly complicated regulatory process, persistent underfunding, and the long, uphill battle of updating standards to reflect scientific advances.

     “Despite these constraints, OSHA took action during the Biden Administration and proposed common-sense safeguards, like the heat stress rule, to prevent tragedies in the workplace.   Rather than build on that progress, the Trump Administration is now threatening to dismantle any government program or agency that prioritizes workers’ health and protects workers on the job. 

    “At one point, DOGE targeted at least 11 OSHA field offices to be permanently shut down – including the only office in Louisiana, located in what is known as ‘Cancer Alley’ due to the presence of over 200 chemical plants and the high rates of cancer in the area. MSHA had at least 30 field offices slated for closure on DOGE’s hit list, including an office created in response to the Upper Big Branch Mine disaster.  And while we face a surge in child labor violations, DOGE is still cutting staff and planning to close 20 Wage and Hour Division offices.

    “Shutting down field offices will endanger workers’ lives by cutting off the public from DOL’s most vital services.  This also means severely limiting the geographic coverage of inspectors’ and investigators’ enforcement activities against law-breaking companies and further straining an already resource-strapped DOL.  And it doesn’t stop here.

    “On April 1st, nearly the entire NIOSH workforce was placed on leave, with the promise of being fired later this summer by HHS Secretary Kennedy.  In one sweeping move, Secretary Kennedy put 50 years of scientific expertise and public health research at risk.

     “DOGE kicked out NIOSH staffers, paid them to not work, and then – after realizing that effectively eliminating NIOSH was a mistake – the Trump Administration started to reverse course and rehire only some of those staffers.  This entire circus was wasteful, expensive, and harmful for workers; a description that could apply to most of DOGE’s actions. 

    “Workers are not expendable.  They are not a statistic.  OSHA and NIOSH do the essential work of keeping workers safe.  We must fund them properly and strengthen the laws the support their mission.

    “In my own district, we are already feeling the consequences of these cuts: The University of Minnesota’s Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety is one of just 18 NIOSH-funded Education and Research Centers in the nation.  It trains the next generation of workplace safety experts in the region and helps protect our workers in high-risk industries.

    “Without NIOSH, the invaluable research and workforce development provided by that Center—and others like it across the country—will be lost.  That means fewer trained medical and safety professionals, less research capacity to prevent fatal accidents, and, ultimately, more injuries, more deaths, and more grieving families.

    “Democrats are committed to honoring those workers who have been harmed or killed on the job, not just with words, but with action to change the system. 

    “Recently, Ranking Member Scott, Representative Courtney, and I reintroduced the Protecting America’s Workers Act – a bill that would make long-overdue improvements to the enforcement of the Occupational Safety and Health Act.  This bill would expand coverage to millions of workers currently excluded from the law’s protections and strengthen whistleblower protections.  These reforms are critical to preventing the most serious violations that endanger workers’ safety. 

    “Democrats are also championing legislation to protect healthcare and social service workers from violence, to make mining safer, and to prevent illness and injury from extreme heat.

    “This is what it means to have an agenda to ensure safety.  And with that in mind, I hope that we can have a productive discussion today.

    “Thank you, and I yield back.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Stauber Helps Advance Historic Natural Resources Reconciliation Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) and his House Natural Resources Committee colleagues held a full committee markup on their portion of the budget reconciliation bill. 

    Congressman Stauber released the following statement following the bill’s advancement: 

    “The House Natural Resources Committee took significant action to support the President’s America First agenda,” said Congressman Stauber. “This portion of the reconciliation bill generates over $18.5 billion in savings for the American taxpayer while also unleashing American energy and mineral dominance. By restoring key mineral leases and revoking Biden’s harmful mineral withdrawal in the Superior National Forest, this legislation will create significant revenue for the federal government and economic opportunity for the state of Minnesota – something my constituents and I are especially enthusiastic about. Last night’s markup was a great first step, and I look forward to delivering these major wins for Northern Minnesota and the entire nation.”

    This legislation generates revenue and implements savings across federal agencies, reducing federal deficit by an estimated $18.5 billion. Provisions include: 

    • Reinstating key mineral leases in Northern Minnesota and revoking Biden’s harmful mineral withdrawal in the Superior National Forest, generating $80 million in revenue for the federal government.
    • Reinstating quarterly onshore oil and gas lease sales, generating $12 billion in revenue.
    • Mandating at least 30 lease sales in the Gulf of America over the next 15 years and six in the Cook Inlet off the coast of Alaska, generating billions of dollars in new revenue.
    • Returning to reasonable oil and natural gas royalty rates.
    • Requiring geothermal lease sales, generating $23 million in new revenue.
    • Resuming leasing for energy production in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, generating over $1 billion in new revenue and savings.
    • Resuming coal leasing on federal lands.
    • Increasing timber sales on federal lands and requiring long-term timber contracts.
    • Rescinding various wasteful slush funds established under the Biden administration in agencies such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.
    • Investing in water infrastructure in the West.
    • Providing funding to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, including by establishing the National Garden of American Heroes.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: S. Korea’s ex-president Yoon leaves party ahead of presidential election

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

    Former South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol announced departure from his conservative People Power Party on Saturday ahead of the June 3 presidential election.

    “I’m leaving the People Power Party today. I bow down to my comrades in the party who believed in me and stayed with me for a long time,” Yoon said in an online statement.

    Yoon noted that his departure from the party, he believed, would be the best way he can to win the snap presidential election and protect the country’s liberal democracy.

    Calls recently emerged for Yoon to leave the party to woo swing voters in the upcoming election, caused by Yoon’s botched martial law bid, his impeachment and his permanent removal from office.

    Yoon asked the public to join forces with Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and cast their ballots in the June 3 election to safeguard freedom, sovereignty and prosperity.

    In recent polls, Kim lagged far behind Lee Jae-myung, the majority liberal Democratic Party’s presidential candidate who lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon by the country’s narrowest margin of 0.73 percentage points.

    According to local pollster Flower Research’s survey of 4,016 voters from Monday to Thursday, Lee gained a support rate of 51.7 percent while Kim took 28.7 percent.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Hudson, Pfluger, Balderson Lead Bill to Stop Flawed Social Cost of Energy from Driving Burdensome Regulations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09), along with Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11) and RSC House Energy Action Team Chairman (HEAT) Troy Balderson (OH-12), introduced the Transparency and Honesty in Energy Regulation Act in the House and Senator James Lankford (OK) introduced the legislation in the Senate. This bill would prohibit the federal government from using the flawed social cost of carbon, methane, nitrous oxide, or any other greenhouse gas metric in the rulemaking process.

    “The Biden-Harris Administration used every tool at their disposal to advance their radical green agenda. My bill ensures that going forward, no Administration can use inaccurate, unreliable standards to pass dangerous regulations,” said Rep. Hudson.

    “For too long, unelected bureaucrats have relied upon biased and flawed research to wage war against American energy producers. To unleash a new era of American energy dominance, we must rein in onerous regulations that hamstring our economy. I thank Representative Hudson, Senator Lankford, and RSC HEAT Chair Balderson for leading this effort to get rid of ‘social cost of carbon’ estimates once and for all,” said RSC Chairman Pfluger.

    “As Administrator Zeldin noted last month in his historic deregulatory announcement, social cost of carbon hurts the United States’ global competitiveness and increases our reliance on foreign energy producers. I applaud Representative Hudson and Senator Lankford for leading this important bill,” said RSC HEAT Chairman Balderson.

    “Under President Trump, American energy dominance is back, and states like Oklahoma are fueling the charge,” said Sen. Lankford. “This bill pushes back on the Biden Administration’s war on American energy producers by ensuring federal rulemaking is grounded in facts—not flawed models or political agendas. It’s a necessary step to restore transparency, rein in government overreach, and keep American energy competitive.”

    Read the full text of the bill HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Meeks Blasts Trump Administration for Bypassing Congress on UAE Arms Sale, Announces Joint Resolutions of Disapproval

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

    Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today criticized the Trump administration’s decision to bypass the Congressional committee review process and immediately notify major arms sales to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) despite the country’s continued support of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in Sudan. In January, the United States government determined the RSF committed genocide in Sudan. Meeks announced that he will introduce Joint Resolutions of Disapproval to block the weapons sales.

    “Last night, the Trump administration informed me of its intent to once again bypass the Congressional review process and years of standing practice and notify billions of dollars in arms sales to the UAE. This decision violates years of established practice and undermines Congress’s constitutional role in overseeing arms transfers.

    “Earlier this year, I made public my hold on major U.S. arms sales to any country sustaining the conflict in Sudan. Despite international outcry, including by Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle, credible evidence continues to show that the UAE is providing weapons to the RSF.

    “Recent RSF attacks on the city of El Fasher and the Zamzam displaced persons camp killed hundreds of civilians, including nine aid workers, and displaced nearly 400,000 people. The war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces has killed over 150,000 people and displaced nearly 13 million since it began in 2023. Nearly 1 million people are on the brink of starvation.

    “Despite the UN Darfur arms embargo, UAE weapons and supplies have enabled RSF attacks on civilians and prolonged the fighting. The UAE claims to have ended support to the RSF but multiple credible reports and investigations – both inside and outside of the U.S. government – indicate otherwise. Now, under Trump’s watch, the UAE has faced no consequences for keeping this conflict going. External actors must end support for the parties to change the calculus and make a negotiated peace possible.

    “President Trump has shown a complete disregard for Congress’s role as a co-equal branch of government and has failed to take meaningful action to stop the atrocities in Sudan. Given the gravity of the situation in Sudan and the UAE’s continued involvement, I will be introducing Joint Resolutions of Disapproval with my Senate colleagues to block these sales and prevent U.S. weapons from going to countries fueling further atrocities.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI This Week: Rep. Meeks Celebrates Funding for Public Health and Holds Trump Accountable

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

    May 9, 2025

    Rep. Meeks Celebrates New Expansion at Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center   

    I had the pleasure of joining Joseph P. Addabbo for a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate their facility’s new extension. I was proud to secure $1.5 million in funding through Community Project Funding to help make this vision a reality. This expansion will increase efficiency, expand specialty care for patients, and offer additional space for education programs. While Republicans threaten our communities with cuts to vital health care services, I will continue fighting to protect centers like Addabbo Family Health Center. 
    Congressman Meeks Demands Vote to Protect Medicaid and Food Assistance 

    I signed a discharge petition that would force a vote in the House to protect Medicaid and food assistance like SNAP from receiving cuts under the Republican-led budget plan. Read my release, here.
    Rep. Meeks Questions Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Trump’s Reckless Tariffs in Financial Services Committee   

    Trump’s reckless tariffs are crashing the economy and raising prices for American families. Congress must regain authority over tariffs as the Constitution intended it to be. 
    Share Your Story: How Have You Been Impacted by President Trump’s Executive Orders?

    I’d like to hear from my constituents about how the Trump administration’s actions have affected you and your loved ones. Over the past few months, we’ve witnessed mass layoffs across government agencies, executive orders impacting various issues, threats against immigrants, potential tariffs on neighboring countries, and much more. 

     
    My office is working with state and local officials to learn more about how these actions could affect our district and provide resources for people who have been affected. Please complete the form here to explain how these actions are affecting you and the organizations, nonprofits and businesses you support.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Meeks, Jacobs Introduce Joint Resolutions of Disapproval for Trump Administration’s Rushed Arms Sales to United Arab Emirates

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

    Washington, D.C. – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sara Jacobs, Ranking Member of the Africa Subcommittee, today issued the following statement announcing the introduction of Joint Resolutions of Disapproval (JRDs) to block the Trump administration’s recent notification it would advance over $1B in arms sales to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by skirting longstanding practice to subject such sales to Congressional committee review and violating Congress’s constitutional role. In doing so, the Trump administration blew past the hold that Ranking Member Meeks had placed on U.S. arms sales to the UAE – as well as any other country fueling the conflict in Sudan – earlier this year. 

    PDFs of the JRDs are available here and here.

    “The Trump administration’s decision to once again bypass the Congressional review process and notify over one billion dollars in arms sales to the UAE is a clear violation of longstanding, bipartisan process and undermines Congress’s constitutional authority and responsibility in overseeing arms transfers.

    “Worse, this comes amid further credible reporting and evidence – both inside and outside the U.S. government – that the UAE continues to provide weapons to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), fueling the conflict in Sudan where more than 150,000 people have died and the RSF is committing genocide.  

    “The Trump administration’s end-run around Congress is irresponsible and will further embolden the UAE to violate the UN’s Darfur arms embargo and continue its support for the RSF and the killing of innocent civilians. The brutal war between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces has already displaced nearly 13 million since it began in 2023 and forced 1 million people to the brink of starvation. It must end now. 

    “The JRDs seek to block certain arms cases the Trump administration notified on May 12 for export to the UAE, despite a Congressional hold. We urge our colleagues to support these JRDs to block these arms sales until the UAE ceases its armed support to the RSF and fueling of its horrific atrocities.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Meeks Introduces Bill to Block Foreign-Gifted Luxury Jet to President Trump

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

    Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today introduced legislation to prohibit President Donald J. Trump, or any future president, from accepting a luxury aircraft reportedly offered by the government of Qatar. The bill aims to uphold constitutional safeguards against undue foreign influence. The legislation makes clear that such a gift is unacceptable, whether intended for his personal use, while in or out of office, or as a donation to the Trump Presidential Library. The bill reinforces long-standing constitutional principles that prohibit presidents from accepting gifts or titles from foreign governments without congressional consent. It also addresses a broader concern over foreign influence and the erosion of ethical norms surrounding the conduct of the president of the United States. 

    A PDF of the legislation is available here.

    “This is not just about one plane or one president, it’s about drawing a firm line against the appearance—or reality—of foreign governments currying favor by providing a free luxury jet to the President of the United States. Beyond the clear corruption and influence peddling on display, retrofitting this luxury plane to serve as Air Force 1 would be an enormous expense on U.S. taxpayers – estimated as much as $1 billion dollars – and would likely only be completed in time to be placed in Trump’s Presidential Library. Taxpayers should not be footing the bill for Trump’s personal palace in the sky, especially as this administration cuts vital programs in the name of cost-cutting and asks American families to face the consequences of his trade war.  

    “Our national interest must never take a back seat to personal indulgence or foreign flattery. This legislation is a clear statement that the integrity of our democracy is not for sale—on the runway or anywhere else.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representative Adriano Espaillat Leads AI Leadership Roundtable on Equity, Access, and Opportunity 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued the following statement on the introduction of his bill, H.R. 3210 – the Artificial Intelligence Literacy and Inclusion Act, co-led by Reps. Yvette Clarke (NY-09), and Ted Lieu (CA-39). The bill aims to close the AI literacy gap—particularly among Latino, Black, AAPI, and underserved populations and would direct the National Science Foundation (NSF) to provide grant funding awards to K-12 schools, nonprofits, and other organizations to promote AI literacy and foster inclusive participation. 

    The full text of the legislation can be found HERE. 

    “We have to meet communities where they are—students, working moms, seniors—and build from the ground up. That means making AI education and literacy as fundamental as reading, writing, and math,” said Congressman Espaillat. “My legislation puts AI directly into the curriculum of our schools and our workforce development programs to ensure everyone—no matter their zip code—has the opportunity to understand and succeed in a tech-driven future. If we don’t act now, we risk widening the digital divide and locking entire communities out of the economy of tomorrow.”
     

    “Artificial intelligence has opened a world of possibilities, and it is critical we prepare the next generation of workers with the skills to harness this technology,” Congressman Lieu said. “We’re investing in our country’s future when we ensure students of all backgrounds can learn about artificial intelligence and how to use it. I’m pleased to join Reps. Espaillat and Clarke in introducing the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Literacy and Inclusion Act to help close the AI literacy gap among students, particularly those in Latino, Black, AANHPI, and underserved communities.”

    “As Artificial Intelligence technologies continue to grow more effective in their capabilities and more ubiquitous in our communities, ensuring America’s diverse and underserved students are not left behind by the widening AI literacy gap must be a priority. Positioning our nation to thrive in this exciting new technological era means empowering our brightest, most talented young people with the skills and education they need to thrive, no matter their background. I’m proud to support this initiative that will meaningfully bridge the digital divide and ensure every young person can seize the opportunities AI provides,” said Congresswoman Clarke.

    Earlier this week, Espaillat, as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), in collaboration with Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Clarke and House Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Lieu, hosted a Congressional AI Leadership Roundtable: Looking Ahead 2025.  

    The discussion featured AIandYou and focused on ensuring equitable access, AI literacy, education, and opportunity as artificial intelligence rapidly transforms the global economy. During the discussion, the Tri-Caucus leaders emphasized the urgency of preparing Latino and other historically excluded communities for the future of work. 

    Click here to view photos from the latest AI roundtable series. 

    ###

    Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/. 

    Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Representatives Espaillat and Díaz-Balart Reintroduce Bipartisan E-Waste Legislation for the 119th Congress

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

    The Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act (SEERA) Strengthens National Security by Halting the Export of Electronic Waste to High-Risk Foreign Entities

    WASHINGTON, DC – The ongoing national security concerns related to the United States’ unchecked export of electronic waste (“e-waste”)—such as old cell phones, computers, servers, and other gadgets—have prompted Representatives Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) to reintroduce the Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act (SEERA). 

    The bill would curb the flow of U.S. e-waste to foreign nations, which is on track to reach over 80 million tons by 2030. Upon its arrival in foreign nations, U.S. e-waste is frequently discarded in ways that are environmentally destructive, unlawfully turned into counterfeit electronics, or insufficiently refurbished electronics products that are then resold as new. Concerningly, these counterfeit and unsafe electronics are often then resold to buyers in the United States, where the faulty materials can make their way into critical U.S. military equipment.

    “As technology evolves faster than ever, so does the volume of electronic waste generated in the U.S.—waste that, if not properly managed, can pose serious risks to our national security and the environment,” said Rep. Espaillat. “Today, unregulated actors around the world continue to exploit U.S. e-waste to manufacture counterfeit electronics, some of which re-enter the global supply chain and threaten consumer safety, cybersecurity, and intellectual property. Proper e-waste recycling isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a national security imperative. SEERA addresses this urgent need by keeping sensitive materials out of the wrong hands, supporting climate goals, and creating thousands of American jobs through secure, domestic recycling infrastructure.” 

    “As we work to free America from unfair and hostile trade practices, the enactment of SEERA would be an important step in that direction–strengthening our national security against China and protecting our future. Proper handling of electronic waste ensures our critical data and infrastructure remain protected and that dangerous materials are handled responsibly. Importantly, it would set requirements for the recycling of these products to be done domestically while creating new jobs. Passing this legislation will fortify and reinforce our national security as well as our future,” said Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart.
     

    “The Coalition for American Electronics Recycling (CAER) is most appreciative of the leadership of Rep. Espaillat and Rep. Diaz-Balart in introducing this important bipartisan legislation to limit untested, nonworking e-scrap exports,” said Bob Houghton, CEO of Sage Sustainable Electronics and CAER Executive Committee member. “Under SEERA, our industry will play an integral role to address National Security concerns, further develop a domestic source of rare earth and critical minerals, and create up to 42,000 good paying jobs here in the United States.”

    The Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act prohibits the export of specified e-waste and outlines the process for the registration and compliance of export declarations and for the disposal of electronic waste in the United States.

    Click here to read this SEERA legislation in its entirety.

      
     

    ###

    Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/. 

    Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fitzpatrick, Quigley Lead Bipartisan Push to Deliver Lifesaving Care to Retired Federal and Military K9 Heroes

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

    Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) and Mike Quigley (IL-5) announced they have introduced the Honoring Our K9 Heroes Act, bipartisan legislation establishing a first-of-its-kind federal grant program to expand access to critical veterinary care for retired federal and military working dogs.

    More than 5,500 K9s serve federal agencies across the nation—working on the frontlines to detect explosives, intercept narcotics, protect national security assets, and perform life-saving search and rescue operations. These dogs serve with unmatched courage and dedication, but after years of physically demanding work, they often retire with complex medical conditions. Today, the full burden of their care falls on their handlers.

    The Honoring Our K9 Heroes Act authorizes $1 million in grant funding through 2029, administered by the Department of Homeland Security—the largest federal employer of working dogs. The grants will support nonprofit organizations that provide veterinary care to retired federal and military K9s, helping relieve the financial burden on handlers and ensuring these animals receive the care they’ve earned.

    “Every day, we force federal working and military dogs to make sacrifices for our country that result in long lasting harm to their quality of life and exorbitant veterinary fees for their handlers. The federal government has a responsibility to support their care long after they are retired from service,” said Quigley. “The Honoring our K9 Heroes Act will ease the cost burden for owners and provide life-saving care for our hero dogs. After man’s best friend spends years keeping us safe, we must honor their sacrifice and provide a helping paw.

    “Our working K9s have played an irreplaceable role in defending our nation—from detecting threats to saving lives. As Co-Chair of the Animal Protection Caucus, I believe we have a moral and national obligation to care for these animals in retirement, just as they cared for us in service. This bipartisan legislation ensures that responsibility is met with real federal support, easing the burden on handlers and empowering the nonprofits doing this vital work,” said Fitzpatrick. 

    “The main goal, and the reason we created K9 Hurricanes Heroes, is to take all the heavy lifting off of the handlers and ensure these K9s receive the best medical care. Our nonprofit has everything established so once the donations or grants are received it’s a seamless process for the retired working K9 heroes’ medical bills to be paid without the handler having to front any expenses out of pocket” Marshall Mirarchi, Founder of K9 Hurricane’s Heroes 501c3

    “Providing medical care to these canine heroes is not only a patriotic duty but one of human compassion. Their service like all those that protect America should never be forgotten,” said Kathryn Coyne, Chief Executive Officer at The Animal Medical Center of New York

    “Retired working dogs have bravely served our communities, often at great personal risk. Ensuring they receive comprehensive medical care in retirement is not just our duty but a testament to our gratitude for their unwavering service and sacrifice,” said Nick White – U.S. Marine Veteran (Fallujah), Former U.S. Secret Service, & Celebrity Dog Trainer.

    “The sacrifice police canines give to their partners and agency is unprecedented. Continuing health coverage after retirement is a way for us to give back to them,” said Former USSS ERT Canine Supervisor, Special Agent Jonathan Stewart.

    “The mission statement of the Department of Veterans Affairs is ‘to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.’ Our K9 veterans deserve that same level of care, to honor their service to our country,” said Dr. Matthew W. Brunke, DVM, CCAT, CVPP, CVA, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, International Association of Veterinary Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy Fellow, Veterinary Referral “As a veterinary specialist, I have treated many retired federal canines for musculoskeletal and neurological conditions that come with the rigors of their job and service. To care for these dogs is a privilege and honor but it should not be on the handler alone to pay for that care.”

    Read the full bill text here. 

    Background:

    Working Federal and Military dogs often endure significant physical and mental strain during their service, resulting in serious injuries and their quality of life. Upon retirement, these dogs typically become the responsibility of their handlers, who must bear the increasing costs of their medical care alone. Without the support of organizations like K9 Hurricane’s Heroes, many working dog heroes would go without the essential care they need and deserve. As the demand for such support grows, these organizations face multiple challenges in meeting capacity needs. After years of dedicated service, these working dogs deserve to enjoy long and fulfilling retirements simply as beloved pets.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In marathon committee markup, Rep. Kelly protects Medicaid from Republican $880 billion cut

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

    Rep. Kelly offered amendments to codify Medicaid postpartum coverage, remove red tape

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) offered two amendments to protect Medicaid in a marathon committee that has lasted for over 22 hours.

    “Republicans continue to play political games and scheduled their $880 billion cut to Medicaid overnight, because they know it’s unpopular and harmful. I, and my Democratic colleagues, however, are awake and fighting on behalf of the American people.

    “I offered two amendments that would strengthen Medicaid and actually reduce waste, fraud, and abuse. To no one’s surprise, Republicans voted them down. My colleagues on the other side of the aisle would rather force families to regularly report their employment status just to keep their health coverage – creating bureaucratic hurdles that lead to people losing Medicaid.

    “Cuts to Medicaid, which covers almost half of all births nationwide, threaten mothers and babies. My amendment would have codified the lifesaving policy that expanded postpartum coverage from 60 days to a full year. We cannot expect someone to recover from childbirth, return to work, care for a newborn and also scramble to reapply for coverage. That’s not healthcare – it’s chaos.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bipartisan Majority Members of the House Support H. Res 166

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom McClintock Representing the 4th District of California

    Washington, D.C.  – Today, Congressman Tom McClintock (CA-05) released the following statement on H. Res 166:

    “I am pleased to announce that H.  Res. 166 supporting a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Republic of Iran has crossed an important threshold.  A majority of the entire House of Representatives has now joined to co-sponsor this resolution, comprised of 136 Republicans and 83 Democrats.

    “This truly bi-partisan and broad-based House majority endorses the general principles propounded by Iranian democracy groups, most notably the ten-point plan proposed the National Council of Resistance of Iran.  It calls for the universal right to vote; free elections; a market economy; separation of religion and state;  gender, religious, and ethnic equality; a foreign policy based on peaceful coexistence; peace in the Middle East; and a nonnuclear Republic of Iran.  It also condemns the Iranian regime’s terrorism, regional proxy war and internal oppression.

    “Over 4,000 parliamentarians worldwide, “the majority of 33 national legislative assemblies, over 130 former world leaders and 80 Nobel laureates have endorsed these principles and I am gratified that a majority of the entire House has stepped forward to support this resolution.”

    # # # 
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: ‘King’ of Violent Haitian Gang Found Guilty on All Charges for Hostage Taking of 16 American Christian Missionaries

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Joly Germine, 32, of Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, was found guilty today by a federal jury in the District of Columbia for his role in orchestrating the 2021 hostage taking of 16 American citizens, including five children, and holding them hostage for 62 days.

               The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Ryan James of the Miami Field Office.

               “This office will fight aggressively to protect Americans who are taken hostage and abused, and to uphold the religious freedoms of our people, including Christians.  As the evidence demonstrated, Joly Germine orchestrated a plot that leveraged American Christian missionaries as bargaining chips to try to secure his own release from a Haitian prison,” said U.S. Attorney Pirro. “When you commit crimes against Americans in other countries, it makes no difference where you are — we are coming for you. Justice may not always be swift but it is certain.”

               “This conviction demonstrates the FBI’s determination to follow the evidence wherever it leads and to work our way up to the leaders of criminal plots wherever they are. Haitian gang leader and convicted kidnapper Joly Germine found out he was not beyond the reach of the FBI,” said FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge James. “Neither time nor distance will weaken our resolve. We will use all tools available and go to farthest reaches of the globe to bring to justice those who kidnap Americans.”

               Following a 10-day trial in U.S. District Court, the jury found Germine guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit hostage taking and 16 counts of hostage taking of a U.S. national for ransom. 

               The former leader and self-described “king” of the notoriously violent Haitian gang known as 400 Mawozo, Germine previously pleaded guilty to his role in a gun trafficking conspiracy that smuggled firearms to Haiti in violation of U.S. export laws and the laundering of the gang’s funds derived from ransoms paid for other U.S. hostage victims. For those crimes, he was sentenced in June 2024 to 35 years in federal prison. 

               Germine’s gang, 400 Mawozo, operated in the Croix-des-Bouquets area to the east of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. Germine directed the gang’s operations from prison using unmonitored cell phones and was constantly in touch with other 400 Mawazo leaders, most of whom were his relatives. Germine controlled the gang’s finances, supplied the gang’s weapons, and otherwise directed operations. 

               On October 16, 2021, 17 Mennonite missionaries from Christian Aid Ministries, an Ohio-based missionary aid organization, were returning from visiting an orphanage when they were stopped by 400 Mawozo’s armed and masked soldiers. Many of the gang’s soldiers were brandishing firearms supplied by Germine.  The group included 12 adults and 5 children, including a 6-year-old, 3-year-old, and an 8-month-old. Sixteen of the victims were U.S. citizens and one was a Canadian citizen.  

               The gang drove the missionaries to a field and robbed them, while consulting by phone with Germine, their leader. The gang took the missionaries to a building in a rural area, held them at gunpoint, and demanded ransom of $1 million each for their return. In postings on social media, the gang threatened to kill all the hostages if the ransom was not paid. Early on in the negotiations, senior gang leadership said that, in lieu of the ransom monies, 400 Mawozo would accept Germine’s release from prison in exchange for the hostages. 

               On November 20, 2021, two hostages were released after one was suffering from life-threatening health conditions. On December 5, 2021, 400 Mawozo released three of the hostages, two adults who had significant medical issues and the six-year old child, after receiving a $350,000 ransom payment. Though the gang had stated they would release all the hostages for the ransom paid, at Germine’s direction, the gang thereafter refused to release any more hostages. On December 16, 2021, the remaining hostages escaped under cover of darkness while their captors were distracted, walking for five hours through the Haitian bush until they were out of the gang’s territory. They were received by the FBI, which had deployed to Haiti and arranged to immediately transport them from Haiti before the gang could respond to their escape. In total, most of the missionaries were held for 62 days. 

              The evidence at trial showed that Germine had directed the initial kidnapping, had arranged for the locations where hostages were held, and set the $17 million ransom demand, knowing it was too high to be paid and would result in the Haitian government negotiating his release from prison in exchange for the missionaries.  The evidence also showed that Germine was involved in or consulted on the decisions to release victims.

               The FBI Miami Field Office investigated the case, with assistance from Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. During the law enforcement response to the kidnapping, extraordinary assistance was provided in a whole of government response by various agencies, including Customs and Border Protection Service, the Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Defense, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Valuable assistance was provided by the government of Haiti, the government of the Dominican Republic, the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the Department of State and the Embassy in Port-au-Prince, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida’s Special Prosecutions Section.

               The case was  prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen P. Seifert and Tom Saunders and Paralegal Specialist Jorge Casillas for the District of Columbia, with invaluable assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Paschall, Victim Advocate Yvonne Bryant, and Victim Witness Coordinators Tonya Jones and Guisela Castillo. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Strengthens Legal Protections for Elderly

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, May 17 (Xinhua) — Seven Chinese government agencies, including the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Supreme People’s Court, have issued guidelines to improve legal services and protect the elderly.

    As China’s population ages, with more than 310 million people aged 60 and above, the move aims to address controversies surrounding the elderly and create a favourable social environment for the group.

    One of the key elements of the document is the improvement of infrastructure for unimpeded access of elderly people to judicial bodies and the improvement of the quality of services provided by them. In addition, the document provides for the provision of specialized services, such as preliminary court proceedings and the provision of these services at home.

    The recommendations also call for tougher penalties for crimes targeting older people, including fraud, theft and extortion, as well as attacks on their property rights under the guise of providing care services. They also focus on early risk prevention in areas such as inheritance disputes, elderly care, financial management and health-related products.

    To better protect vulnerable groups, the document proposes to remove income restrictions for older people seeking legal aid in cases of abuse, neglect or domestic violence.

    It also expands the reach of legal aid to include older people living alone, those with disabilities and those suffering from dementia. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Former Vice Chairman of Heilongjiang Province Sentenced to Life for Bribery

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    JINAN, May 17 (Xinhua) — Wang Yixin, former vice chairman of the people’s government of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, has been sentenced to life in prison and deprived of political rights for the rest of his life on charges of bribery.

    The verdict was handed down on Friday by the Intermediate People’s Court of Heze City, Shandong Province, East China, during the hearing of the former official’s case.

    All of Wang Yixin’s personal property and illegally obtained funds will be confiscated in favor of the state.

    During the trial, it was established that between 2008 and 2020, while holding a number of positions in Hainan and Shanxi provinces, he abused his official position in the interests of third parties, for which he received financial and material assets worth more than 129 million yuan (about 17.9 million US dollars). -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Smucker’s IEWOTC Act Delivers Pro-Growth, Pro-Work Agenda

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

    WASHINGTON—The Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (IEWOTC) Act sponsored by Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), a senior member of the Committee on Ways and means, would lead to job creation and reduce reliance on safety net programs, according to a recent study. 

    The study indicates the enactment of IEWOTC Act would “directly support 350,000 new jobs.” Additionally, the report shows the legislation would increase federal revenue by an estimated $5.8 billion and reduce federal expenditure by an estimated $5.6 billion. It would also add $56 billion to GDP over ten years. 

    “The Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act is pro-growth and pro-worker. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a program that supports employers and employees as they reenter the workforce. I am committed to helping disadvantaged Americans get back to work by advancing legislation to improve this proven tool,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11). 

    WOTC has not been updated since its enactment twenty-seven years ago, and its value has been eroded significantly due to inflation. The National Employment Opportunity Network reports that the WOTC has saved federal governments an estimated $202 billion over ten years.

    The Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act would:

    1. Update the WOTC, which has not been changed since its enactment twenty-seven years ago and encourage longer-service employment.
    2. Increase the current credit percentage from 40% to 50% of qualified wages.
    3. Add a second level of credit for employees who work 400 or more hours.
    4. Eliminate the arbitrary age cap at which SNAP recipients are eligible for WOTC. This change will provide an incentive to hire older workers and better align the credit with previously adopted work reforms.  

    Smucker introduced the legislation with his colleagues Reps. Steven Horsford (NV-4), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), and Tom Suozzi (NY-03). Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH).  

    # # # 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cleaver, Local Federal Employees Hold Press Conference Condemning Cuts to Federal Workforce

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

    (Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) held a press conference with local employees from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Missouri National Education Association (MNEA), National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), and the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) to highlight the impact of the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s cuts to the federal workforce. More than 30,000 federal workers are employed in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, with one economist estimating the region could lose 6,000 good-paying federal jobs, which could wipe out thousands of other jobs in the process. 

    “The Trump administration and Elon Musk have treated our federal workforce like a disposable expense, rather than the backbone of a functioning democracy,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Slashing jobs, hollowing out agencies, and undermining public service isn’t reform – it’s sabotage. I’m proud to stand with the unions representing the men and women who keep this country running. Today’s gathering is a line in the sand. We’re standing with the workers who’ve been silenced, sidelined, and scapegoated – and we won’t let billionaires hollow out public service under the guise of efficiency without a fight.”

    The basics:

    Where do federal employees work?

    • Federal employees work in every congressional district in the country. In fact, 80 percent of the 2.3 million federal civilian employees work outside the D.C. region. As a result, mass firings have the potential to not only affect government services, but also to disrupt local economies.

    What departments employ the most federal employees?

    • Eight departments each employ over 100,000 civilian employees. They are the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, Department of the Air Force, Department of Justice, Department of Treasury, and other Department of Defense employees not included in the branches of the military. Employees at these agencies account for almost 75 percent of the federal civilian workforce, not including U.S. Postal Service workers. 

    How much money is spent on federal employees?

    • Approximately 4 percent of all federal spending is compensation for civilian employees. In fiscal year 2022, the federal government spent $6.3 trillion in total outlays but only $271 billion was from compensation to civilian employees. For comparison, the gross tax gap from taxes the wealthy owe but refuse to pay is approximately $696 billion, or 2.5 times more than all compensation to civilian employees. Total civilian employee compensation is dwarfed by the amounts that wealthy tax cheats don’t pay in taxes.
    • Moreover, as Congressional Republicans enable DOGE cuts in communities across the country, they are currently working to pass a $4.5 trillion tax cut that overwhelmingly benefits the top 5% of Americans.

    Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: McCaul Discusses Latest on Ukraine, Trump’s Visit to the Middle East, More on CBS’ Face the Nation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

    Austin, Texas – U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus of the House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security Committees — joined CBS’ “Face the Nation” with Ed O’Keefe to discuss the latest on ceasefire efforts in Ukraine, President Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East, and more.

    Click here to watch

    On ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia:

    “It’s very intense. … Mr. Putin decided to bomb Ukraine on Palm Sunday. He’s not making any concessions at all, while Zelensky seems to be making all the concessions. So the bottom line is: Putin has to agree to a 30-day cease-fire for any peace talks to go forward, and the land that he is asking for is — you know, even JD Vance talked about this, and the president — land that Russia has not even occupied in Ukraine. So [Putin] has to operate in good faith. We want peace, but not peace at any price. Because peace at any price is like appeasement, like we saw with Chamberlain and Hitler, and that’s unacceptable.

    On the likelihood of the US passing a sanctions package:

    “If Mr. Putin does not agree to a 30-day ceasefire, I think the sanctions are almost certain, not only from the Congress, but from the White House. … Getting [the national security supplemental package] passed the last time was a major accomplishment. Had we not accomplished that, Ed, Russia would be occupying Ukraine today — no question in my mind. … So again, it’s really up to Mr. Putin, who so far has not been negotiating in good faith, as to how we proceed from here. And we all want this war to end. We all want peace, but we want a just peace.”

    On President Trump’s upcoming trip to the Middle East:

    “We don’t have all the details. I know he’s there to discuss an economic alliance with the Saudis, with the UAE, with the Arab nations. And that’s important. Just like the minerals deal that the Ukraine parliament voted for, the more economically we’re tied to the Middle East, the more we’re security tied, and that will push China out of the region. The ultimate goal here, though, is a normalization agreement with Israel. We were getting close to that, until Iran decided, through its proxy in in Gaza — Hamas — to invade on October 7. So the point is, we need to be talking about all this as a package. But again, we cannot have normalization until you have a cease-fire in Gaza. And I think that’s the more difficult piece here.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McCaul Praises Trump Admin’s Border Security Efforts at Hearing with Secretary Noem

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus and current vice chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee — delivered remarks on the Trump administration’s swift success in securing the border and questioned Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the importance of passing House Republicans’ reconciliation bill.

    Click to watch

    Transcript of Vice Chair McCaul’s Interaction with Secretary Noem:

    Vice Chair McCaul: Madam Secretary, it was great to serve with you in Congress. It was an honor, and it’s an honor to see you as secretary of this important department. Let me say on behalf of my state of Texas, thank you for what you’ve done in a very short period of time.

    I’ve worked on this issue — as a federal prosecutor [and] as chairman of this committee — for over 25 years. I never saw the border more broken, more chaotic, than I did under the prior administration. Yet within months, you have restored order to the border, and the stats speak for themselves. And I want to commend you and President Trump for that.

    You know, on day one, [the Biden administration] rescinded the Remain in Mexico policy, which led to the chaos. It said, we’re open for business, come on in. And they did. Over 10 million encounters, 2 million gotaways. Yet within months of your administration, that number [of encounters] has gone down 93%.

    Catch and release. I’ve been fighting that one for years [through solutions like Remain in Mexico]. The Biden administration did away with it. Now we’re decreased to 99.99%. Almost zero catch and release. A very dangerous policy. Remain in Mexico’s [underlying statute] has been on the books for 30 years. Yet I marked it up on the Foreign Affairs Committee last year as part of the Secure the Border Act.

    Most offensively, and the reason I was an impeachment manager against Mayorkas, was his dereliction of duty to basically prioritize allowing aggravated felons into the country, even though Congress, by federal law, said “shall detain” aggravated felons. Yet, what did he do? He told his agents, that’s discretionary. You can release these dangerous criminals into our society.

    What have you done within months? [In the first] 50 days, you have 14,000 criminal aliens arrested, some of the most brutal gang members like MS-13 and TDA, and it’s making this country safer.

    Fentanyl, each year more Americans die from fentanyl than the number of Americans who died in the Vietnam War over 20 years. You recently had the largest massive seizure of these deadly drugs just this last couple weeks [that were being trafficked] by the Sinaloa cartel. And again, my state thanks you for that.

    Terrorism. You said 250 known or suspected terrorists have been deported. We saw after Afghanistan, the debacle of the collapse of Afghanistan, when Bagram was shut down, the prisons were unleashed, ISIS-K went to the Khorasan region, crossed into the United States, and eight were found plotting in this country.

    You are making this country safer by your actions. The Biden administration made it dangerous, and it didn’t take a bunch of new laws. It [took] new leadership, which you have provided and the president has provided as well.

    My question to you is, as you know, you need resources. And nobody knows that better than I do. We marked up a bill — about $70 billion — that can be put into your department to [enforce] these laws already passed by the Congress. The Foreign Terrorist Organization designation [for cartels] was huge.

    Let me just ask you this. How will this bill, the reconciliation bill, assist you in your efforts to continue and promote safety in the United States?

    Secretary Noem: Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I appreciate all of your leadership on our national security issues in the past and still continue in the future to focus on that.

    The reconciliation bill is imperative to our future in securing our nation. For years previous, the Department of Homeland Security has been neglected. It’s one of the larger agencies in the federal government with one of the smallest budgets. And certainly under the previous administration, the Coast Guard was hollowed out. Border Patrol and ICE were not allowed to do their jobs. They were not allowed to invest in new technologies that they could utilize for interdiction. Also, our borders need surveillance and technology to make sure that we know who’s coming into this country and why. Our ports of entry need new scanners so that we’re truly scanning our shipping containers and much of our air freight. We don’t know what’s coming in by air either.

    Those kinds of adjustments and technology and software upgrades are needed to compete, but also to secure our country with the threats that we face. And we don’t just face threats from gangs and cartels. It’s from China and the PRC and Iran and hackers that come into our system. Salt and Volt Typhoon have taught us that we’re extremely vulnerable to these kinds of attempts in the future.

    In fact, one of the most alarming things I heard as soon as I was nominated for this position, I was in a briefing from CISA that told me that they knew with salt typhoon that we had been hacked, but they also said they didn’t know how it happened or how to stop it in the future. Now the main goal of CISA is to hunt and to harden our systems. Hunt bad actors and harden our systems for our small and medium sized critical infrastructure. Department of Homeland Security has 10 of the 16 components of critical infrastructure, and that’s what we need to focus our resources on.

    Vice Chair McCaul: Thank you.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Hoyer Remarks at FSGG Hearing on the Federal Judiciary

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered opening remarks at the FSGG hearing on the Federal Judiciary. Below is a video and transcript of his remarks:
     

    Click here to watch a full video of remarks.
     

    “Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank Judge Conrad and Judge St. Eve for being with us and for the meeting we had, which was very helpful as a preface to this hearing. If the Judiciary, Mr. Chairman, is to meet this pivotal moment and preserve the rule of law, we must ensure that it has the resources and independence it needs to function as a co-equal branch of government. That’s why I’m very disturbed to see certain House Republicans call for retaliation against judges who rule on the law as they see it, but with which the President’s administration may disagree.

    “Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan sent a letter asking this committee to limit funding the Judiciary uses to issue and enforce injunctions. Other House Republicans have filed articles of impeachment against judges, not for any misconduct, but rather for ruling against the administration. Federal judges who block Trump’s illegal executive actions are just trying to do their jobs and interpreting the law. That is their role and that is critical to our democracy. Many were appointed by Republican presidents, some were even appointed by Donald Trump himself. I agree with Chief Justice Roberts’ assessment earlier this week, that retaliation against them has, to use his words, ‘endangered the rule of law.’ You can’t claim to stand for law and order when you threaten the independence of the branch responsible for upholding law and order. Some of my colleagues across the aisle agree, and I hope they’ll stand up for the Judiciary. Our subcommittee needs to ensure our courts receive the resources they need to fulfill their duties under the Constitution. Doing so is especially important considering the recent Continuing Resolution did not provide any funding increase for the Judiciary in Fiscal Year ‘25.

    “Six of the eleven judicial branch appropriations were funded at a freeze for a second year, meaning they were forced to continue operating at Fiscal Year ‘23 levels. For Fiscal Year ‘26, Judiciary requested $9.4 billion in discretionary funding, an increase of $800 million, or 9.3%, over the ‘25 Continuing Resolution. Most of that increase, however, some 68%, is just to offset inflation, while the rest is for programmatic reassessment. Failing to fulfill that request would threaten the Judiciary’s ability to perform basic, constitutional, and statutory functions. I’m particularly concerned, Mr. Chairman, about our federal public defender program, which has faced a severe staffing shortage and budget shortfall for years. As a matter of fact, we made a mistake in this committee and the Senate made a further mistake – which was corrected – which would have completely undermined the ability to perform the public defender service as is necessary.

    “The Judiciary has requested $1.77 billion for defender services, an increase – a substantial increase – of $350 million, or 22%, over the Fiscal Year ‘25 CR. Again, a freeze at ‘23 levels. Without that funding, courts will struggle to ensure that Americans are provided their constitutional right to an attorney, a competent attorney. We also need to ensure that our courts can keep up with the increasing caseloads. That means following through on the request to increase funding for the Court of Appeals and district courts by $345 million, or 6%, and again for the administrative office of the U.S. courts by $8 million, or 8%, over the ‘25 CR. Again, we’re talking about ’73 levels, essentially. Without these increases to help our courts here hire staff as needed and cover basic operational costs, case backlogs will only continue to grow, making it harder for Americans to receive timely justice and due process. I know all the committee members understand this, but criminal cases will become – must become before the civil cases because of the right to a speedy trial. That means small businesses and other Americans will be pushed to later resolution of their cases.

    “We also need to devote more resources to keep our judges and courts safe at the time when Donald Trump and his allies are vilifying our courts. The public hears that and it has a tendency to inflame those who may be irrational, may be mentally ill, or just may be angry. We ought to fulfill its request for a $142 million, or 19% increase above the ‘25 CR for court security – now court security is a euphemism for making sure our judges are safe, making sure that our judges are not intimidated, making sure that justice will be served unrelated to the threat of violence.

    “I look forward to hearing more from Judge Conrad and Judge St. Eve – although I want to say to you, I’m going to go back to my other hearing, I’m going back and forth, but my staff will be here and I’m going to hear everything you say but it may not be – it may be virtually. Everyone who stands for law and order, Mr. Chairman, ought to be united in the mission of ensuring that our Judiciary is safe, neutral, and articulating their thoughts regarding – and opinions with reference to the law, unrelated to intimidation and forces beyond their control. I yield back.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Hoyer, Rep. Lynch Mobilize to Combat Attacks on Federal Workers Included in Republicans’ Extreme Budget Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), and Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) hosted a roundtable yesterday with major federal employee groups and civil service organizations to coordinate action against the Republican Budget’s House Oversight Reconciliation provisions that steal earned wages, benefits, and retirement security from federal workers to subsidize tax giveaways to billionaires. Republicans’ budget includes provisions to steal earned retirement benefits, decrease the take home pay of existing and new federal employees, claw back already-promised retirement payments, and force new federal employees to choose between being subject to President Trump’s political purges of the federal workforce or receiving a smaller paycheck for their entire career.

    The roundtable follows a full Committee markup of the Reconciliation bill in which Oversight Committee Democrats offered twenty-five amendments that would add commonsense safeguards to the bill.  All Democratic amendments were rejected by Committee Republicans.

    “Republicans’ House Oversight Reconciliation provisions are the latest salvo in Donald Trump’s effort to demean, vilify, and traumatize our federal workers,” said Ranking Member Hoyer. “These are patriotic professionals who serve the American people every single day. Donald Trump, Elon Musk, Russell Vought, and DOGE’s illegal purge of our federal workers was never about improving efficiency and reducing waste – something every American supports. Their assault on the civil service is about consolidating their own power and dismantling vital services for Americans across the country. Whether it’s on Capitol Hill, in the courts, or on the picket line, I will keep working with Democrats to fight against the actions of this administration and fight for our federal workers.” 

    “The Trump Administration’s unprecedented assault on our civil service is creating a breakdown across federal agencies that Americans will feel for years to come.  Unfortunately, the Republicans’ reconciliation print is an effective greenlight for the Administration to continue to attack the federal workforce—it will reduce the pay of federal workers; it will break promises on entitled retirement benefits; it will deter current and federal employees from seeking justice against wrongful employment actions; and it will provide a back-door Schedule P/C, formerly known as Schedule F, to purge the federal workforce in Trump’s favor,” said Rep. Lynch. “Oversight Democrats are ready to solve the nation’s greatest crises, but we cannot in good conscience do that by sacrificing the well-being of federal employees and the quality of the federal civilian workforce. That’s why we must continue to stand up against Oversight Republicans’ reconciliation proposals.”

    Participants in the roundtable included representatives from:  AFL-CIO; American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE); American Postal Workers Union (APWU); Democracy Forward; FAA Managers Association (FAAMA); International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF); International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE); National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE); National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM); National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU); National Association of Letter Carrier (NALC); National Postal Mail Handlers Union (NPMHU); National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA); Senior Executives Association, Professional Managers Association, and National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys; Service Employees International Union (SEIU); and Federal Managers Association (FMA).

    “Today’s hearing made it unmistakably clear that punitive cuts to federal employee benefits aren’t about saving money. They are about making life miserable for Americans serving in the federal government and driving experienced and dedicated employees away from federal service — harming every state, district, community, family, business, and individual who depend on the services these workers provide.  AFGE urges Members on both sides of the aisle to take notice of today’s discussion and reject the package of proposed changes to FERS that will reduce the take home pay of most federal workers and sharply reduce their expected retirement benefit,” said Dr. Everett B. Kelley, National President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE).

    “The physical demands of firefighting add up over the years, leaving many fire fighters sick or injured as a result of their service to the community. These dedicated public servants shouldn’t have to worry about quality healthcare and making ends meet if they’re forced to retire early. Benefits like the Special Retirement Supplement are key to ensuring fire fighters a dignified retirement until their Social Security benefits begin. Congress must preserve this annuity for federal fire fighters and reject this portion of the proposed reconciliation bill,” said International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) General President Edward A. Kelly.

    “Members of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union dedicated their lives to serving the United States Postal Service and its customers, but our hard work is being met with threats against our earned federal retirement benefits. Make no mistake, these proposed changes do nothing but harm the middle-class workers we represent. This is not how Congress makes America great again,” said National Postal Mail Handlers Union National President Paul V. Hogrogian.

    “The federal employee pay and benefit cuts included in the Republican budget constitute a complete abandonment of the commitment Congress has made to AUSAs and other federal civil servants. If these cuts are approved, the resulting increased workforce turnover, staff attrition with loss of expertise, and decreased morale in U.S. Attorney’s Offices will have real costs for taxpayers and undermine the capacity of those offices to accomplish their important public safety mission. NAAUSA calls on Congress to reject these cuts,” said Steve Wasserman, President of the National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys (NAAUSA). “The notion that we need to propose cuts elsewhere so that the Republicans can balance the budget on the backs of underpaid and underfunded federal prosecutors and Medicaid recipients to fund a tax cut for the super wealthy is grossly offensive. It is a false choice.”

    “Federal employees are not the cause of the government’s debt nor deficit. Career federal employees who reach the Senior Executive Service (SES) ranks in government have forgone significant income opportunities while serving their nation. In addition to being dedicated to serving the mission of their agencies, career executives have signed on to Federal service with the promise of a pension and stable retirement — key parts of the government’s employment value proposition. Many dedicated senior executives made professional and family financial decisions based on these commitments.  Congress should keep the promises made to executives who have faithfully served the nation, often for decades,” said Marcus Hill, President of the Senior Executives Association (SEA). “SEA believes it is short-sighted to impose pay cuts that will only make the government less competitive and attractive as an employer for the talent needed to serve America, now and into the future. The association is open to discussing changes that can improve the system for future employees, but Congress should not disadvantage current federal employees who have devoted their lives and careers to public service.”

    “The $50 billion in cuts to federal employee pay and benefits are not just numbers on a spreadsheet—they represent broken promises and disrupted lives,” said Kelly Reyes, Executive Director of the Professional Managers Association (PMA). “Our members have spent 25–30 years building a stable future based on longstanding agreements with the government, and now they’re questioning whether they can afford to retire. One manager described it as ‘changing the terms of the mortgage the day before closing.’ These proposals don’t just impact today’s workforce—they send a chilling message to the next generation, making it nearly impossible for government to recruit top talent in critical fields like accounting, cybersecurity, and data science, where private-sector competition is fierce. PMA members aren’t just thinking about themselves—they’re thinking about the teams they lead, the services they deliver, and the future of federal service itself. We are not opposed to hard conversations about sustainability, but changes of this magnitude must be prospective, not retroactive. Congress must honor the social contract made with current federal employees.”

    “The reconciliation provisions that the Republican majority on the House Oversight Committee advanced are a part of the Trump Administration’s effort to dismantle the government, eliminate federal employee unions, and inject political corruption into the civil service,” said International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) President Matt Biggs.  “The reconciliation provisions that cut federal retirement benefits break a commitment to federal workers who’ve dedicated their careers to public service and, if enacted, will be the last straw for so many highly qualified and knowledgeable workers at federal agencies who are being bullied, disrespected, and unlawfully fired and denied workforce protections by the Trump Administration. Our union will continue building bipartisan opposition to these provisions, and we applaud Oversight Committee Democrats for their strong defense of the merit-based, nonpartisan civil service.”

    “These proposals are a disgusting attack on every letter carrier, postal employee and federal employee,” said National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) President Brian L. Renfroe.  “Letter carriers earn their retirement benefits through hard work and already pay their fair share. If enacted, this would amount to a nearly 11 percent pay cut for some letter carriers, which is especially egregious since the Postal Service is an independent, off-budget agency. Taxpayers don’t fund USPS or our retirement benefits. NALC’s 295,000 active and retired letter carriers will continue fighting until these unfair attacks are off the table.”

    “The APWU is vehemently opposed to the proposed pension cuts,” said American Postal Workers Union (APWU) Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard.  “No worker should have the benefits they were promised placed in jeopardy to finance tax cuts for the wealthy. We must also fight to keep these benefits intact since they encourage people to apply for jobs at the United States Postal Service.”

    “The Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s reconciliation plan, which aims to cut $51 billion off the backs of federal and postal employees over the next decade, is simply wrong,” said Don Maston, National Rural Letter Carriers’ Association (NRLCA) President.  “Federal and postal employees don’t enter public service to get rich—they do it to serve their country and to be the backbone of the essential services that keep this nation running. They do it for stable, secure jobs with decent benefits.  To change pension and retirement benefits mid-career is not just unfair, it’s a broken promise to the workers who have dedicated their lives to serving the public. Federal workers cannot continue to be the easy target for budget savings.  The proposals put forth by the Oversight Committee are, in effect, substantial pay cuts for hardworking postal and federal employees, and must be removed from the final bill.  The NRLCA thanks Congressman Lynch and Congressman Hoyer for organizing this Roundtable discussion and ensuring our voices are heard.”

    “Federal and postal employees paid into and earned their accrued retirement benefits – they are not gifts,” said National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) Vice President John Hatton.  “No matter the degree of change, clawing back the full amount of those accrued benefit is theft, plain and simple.  What if a private-sector company took back a portion of vested contributions into a defined contribution plan?  Would that even be legal? Would that really be any different than cutting back the vested portion of a defined benefit plan?  Yet not only does this provision apply to vested federal employees, it applies to individuals who are currently eligible for retirement, or who become eligible in the next few years, taking away hard-earned benefits that they have relied upon in planning for retirement.”
     

    Congressmen Steny H. Hoyer and Stephen F. Lynch’s roundtable with
    major federal employee groups and civil service organizations.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Davids Slams Extreme GOP Budget That Slashes Health Care and Food to Fund Billionaire Tax Breaks

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

    Davids Backs Cutting Waste — Not Cutting Off Kansas Families.

    Last night, during a U.S. House Agriculture Committee markup, Representative Sharice Davids spoke out against President Trump and U.S. House Republicans’ extreme budget proposal, which would slash Medicaid and take food off Kansans’ tables — all to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. Davids noted the reckless proposal comes as families are struggling with higher costs caused by Trump’s reckless tariffs.

    House Republicans are pushing a budget that would make the largest cuts to Medicaid and food assistance in American history — all to fund over $1 trillion in tax giveaways for billionaires. These extreme cuts would gut programs that help Kansans afford food and stay healthy. 

    Cuts to Health Care: A nonpartisan analysis estimates that 13.7 million Americans would lose health coverage with this bill. In total, more than 61,000 Kansans in Kansas’ Third District — including more than 41,000 children and 11,000 seniors — are at risk of losing coverage. Finally, Medicaid cuts would lead to more hospital closures, reduced services, and worse care for all Kansas families, especially in rural communities where 82 percent of hospitals operate at a loss.

    Cuts to Food Access: In Kansas’ Third District alone, 8,000 households could lose access to the emergency food assistance they rely on through this bill. Also, up to 27,000 grocery stores nationwide may be forced to close due to lost revenue, worsening food deserts, especially in rural communities. Finally, cutting SNAP at these levels would reduce farm income by more than $30 billion and threaten good-paying jobs.

    Read a full transcript of Davids’ remarks below:

    “Thank you, Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Craig.

    “Right now, families in Kansas and across the country are feeling the pinch of rising costs – in large part due to the administration’s reckless policies.

    “Prices are up, retirement savings are down, tariffs are impacting farmers, and for many, one unexpected bill could push them into crisis. This is not the time to pull the rug out from under folks who are doing their best to make ends meet.

    “Yet that’s exactly what this partisan Republican budget proposes: deep, harmful cuts to programs like Medicaid and food assistance — programs that help people stay afloat when times are tough.

    “Republicans have said their goal is to secure $1 trillion in federal cuts. But nonpartisan experts have said they can’t reach that goal without taking health care and food away from millions of parents, kids, seniors, pregnant women, veterans, and people with disabilities.

    “Look, I’m all for improving government efficiency and fiscal responsibility. But this budget proposal pushed by the Trump Administration has real consequences. 

    “It includes cuts that could force rural hospitals to close. Cuts that would mean empty dinner plates for families already struggling. But don’t take it from me — take it from Robert in Louisburg, Kansas, who wrote to my office. 

    “He said, and I quote: ‘To pay for massive tax giveaways to billionaires and wealthy corporations, these budget proposals would slash programs that help everyday families afford food, health care, child care, housing, education, and more.’

    “He continued by saying: ‘Families shouldn’t have to take hit after hit while billionaires get even more tax breaks. Enough is enough.’

    “I couldn’t agree more, Robert.

    “This budget doesn’t rein in waste. It doesn’t close corporate loopholes. It doesn’t go after fraud. What it does is protect tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations — and asks struggling families to foot the bill. And on top of that, it would likely add hundreds of billions to the deficit.

    “I was raised by a single mom who served in the Army. My brothers and I know what it’s like to live paycheck to paycheck. I know what these programs mean for families like mine. We should be working to make them stronger and fairer — not slashing them to reward the wealthiest among us.

    “Kansans deserve smart policies that protect our economy, support hardworking people, and actually reduce fraud and waste — not rushed cuts that leave our communities hungrier, sicker, and further behind.

    “I would urge my colleagues, and in this instance, actually plead with my colleagues to please reject these reckless cuts. This body can do better than what we’ve been seeing.

    “Thank you, and I yield back.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Slams Trump Administration for Ripping $48 Million Tech Hub Grant from Spokane

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI FROM JAN 14, 2025: Spokane Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center Tech Hub Launches With $48 Million Federal Grant – MORE HERE

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration effectively rescinding a $48 million grant from the Tech Hubs Program for the American Aerospace Materials Manufacturing Center (AAMMC) in Spokane.

    “Let’s be clear: Donald Trump and his know-nothing Commerce Secretary are wrongfully ripping away federal dollars owed to Spokane—what is happening is unprecedented and nothing short of an outrage. This would have never happened under nearly any other administration—yet now we are all faced with a pointless and costly setback for Spokane’s economy and future.

    “Our constituents are losing $48 million for no other reason than Donald Trump’s absurd political games. Every single one of us should speak out—and the Trump administration should immediately reverse course. As Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will certainly do everything within my power to fight for Spokane and I do not plan to give this administration any cover for this outrageous decision.” 

    Senator Murray helped secure the funding for the Tech Hubs grant and celebrated the award at the start of this year.

    MIL OSI USA News –