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  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Krishnamoorthi Tours Planned Parenthood of Illinois Center, Calls Out Dangerous Republican Budget Cuts, President Trump, and Recent Supreme Court Decision Following Three-Year Anniversary of Dobbs Ruling

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

    CHICAGO – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) visited a Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL) facility in downtown Chicago to discuss the potentially drastic impacts of President Donald Trump’s proposed spending bill and the Supreme Court’s decision last week that allows states to cut off government funding for Planned Parenthood. Following a tour of the center, Congressman Krishnamoorthi joined a press conference with PPIL Interim President and CEO Tonya Tucker, providers, and community advocates to denounce both the budget proposal and the Supreme Court decision, calling them both dangerous for Illinoisans and Americans across the country, no matter where they live. The congressman’s visit to the PPIL center came a week after the three-year anniversary of the Dobbs ruling that has allowed nearly 20 states, including several neighboring Illinois, to pass near or total abortion bans.

    “Targeting Planned Parenthood isn’t just about reproductive rights, it’s a direct attack on basic health care for thousands of Illinoisans,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “From the Trump administration’s illegal withholding of Title X funding to the Supreme Court’s Medina ruling allowing states to exclude Planned Parenthood from Medicaid to the GOP’s push to slash $1 trillion from the program, the message is clear: women’s health is on the chopping block. I’ll fight tooth and nail to stop these cruel cuts and protect reproductive health care for all.”

    During the press conference, Senate Republicans began voting on their massive reconciliation budget package. This legislation calls for billions of dollars in cuts to Medicaid, which could result in more than 700,000 Illinoisans losing access to their health care, including more than 30,000 Planned Parenthood patients. Congressman Krishnamoorthi remains committed to fighting back against any cuts to Medicaid and other critical social safety net programs and will vote against the Republican budget bill if it reaches the House floor this week.

    Both Congressman Krishnamoorthi and PPIL’s Tonya Tucker also called attention to the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to gut Planned Parenthood, even in states such as Illinois that have become sanctuary states for reproductive health care in the years following the Dobbs decision. Under the current Republican budget proposal, one-third of Planned Parenthood health clinics could close nationwide. President Trump has also attempted to withhold federal funding for Title X, which provides resources for family planning and preventative health services, and block coverage for reproductive health care under the Affordable Care Act.

    The Supreme Court’s decision last Thursday to allow states to completely cut off government funding for Planned Parenthood will also have wide-ranging negative consequences, not just for abortion care but also for non-abortion health care such as screenings for cancer, tests for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and other reproductive care. Illinois already serves as a safe haven for hundreds of thousands of Americans who live in neighboring states that have enacted near or total abortion bans or have forced the closure of most or all of their Planned Parenthood clinics.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi Joins Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers to Introduce PBM Reform Package

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) joined with Congressman Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and nine other members of Congress to introduce the bipartisan PBM Reform Act, legislation that protects patients and independent pharmacies from harmful business practices used by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

    “I’m proud to co-lead the PBM Reform Act to crack down on abusive practices by pharmacy benefit managers and drive down the cost of prescription drugs for working families,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “This bipartisan legislation brings long-overdue transparency and accountability to the prescription drug supply chain, ensuring patients, not middlemen, come first.”

    Specifically, the PBM Reform Act:

    • Ban “spread pricing” in Medicaid and move to a transparent system that ensures pharmacies are fairly and adequately reimbursed for serving Medicaid beneficiaries.
    • Establish new requirements for PBMs under Medicare Part D, including a policy to delink PBM compensation from the cost of medications and increase transparency. 
    • Promote transparency for both employers and patients in their prescription drug plans, with semi-annual reporting on drug spending, rebates, and formulary determinations.
    • Require Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to define and enforce “reasonable and relevant” contract terms in Medicare Part D pharmacy contracts and enforce oversight on reported violations.

    As Ranking Member of the Health and Financial Services Oversight Subcommittee, Congressman Krishnamoorthi has introduced several pieces of bipartisan legislation aimed at reining in the power wielded by PBMs over patients and small, local, independent pharmacies.

    The PBM Reform Act comes just months after a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) interim staff report found PBMs prioritize their own pharmacies over independent businesses and significantly upcharge for specialty generic drugs such as those used to treat HIV, cancer, and other serious medical conditions. These practices have allowed the three largest PBMs to grab control of 80 percent of the prescription drug market, contributing to more than 2,000 local and independent pharmacy closures in 2024. In Illinois alone, 73 percent of counties are classified as pharmacy deserts and have no pharmacies located within 10 miles.

    In January, Congressman Krishnamoorthi toured Del-Kar Drugs in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago, where he spoke about how pharmacy closures are hurting people of color. Congressman Krishnamoorthi also cited data that between 2015 and 2020 in Chicago, more than half of pharmacy closures came in majority Black and Latino neighborhoods.

    Joining Congressmen Krishnamoorthi and Carter in introducing the PBM Reform Act was Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Jodey Arrington (R-TX), Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX), Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Derek Tran (D-CA), Rick Allen (R-GA), John Rose (R-TN), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY).

    “It’s time to bust up the PBM monopoly, which has been stealing hope and health from patients for decades. As a pharmacist, I’ve seen how PBMs abuse patients firsthand, and believe that the cure to this infectious disease is transparency, competition, and accountability, which is exactly what our bipartisan package provides,” Congressman Carter said.

    “For too long, pharmacy benefit managers have been allowed to operate unchecked, raising prices and preventing many patients from getting the medications they depend on,” Congresswoman Dingell said. “I hear from too many Michiganders, especially seniors, who can’t conveniently access the prescriptions they need, due to exploitative PBM practices complicating access to their local pharmacies. Their harmful, aggressive tactics are only getting worse, and we must take action now to protect pharmacies and lower patient costs. I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to get this across the finish line.”

    “Unaffordable health care, unclear pricing practices, and a burdensome system that is difficult to navigate has created life-threatening barriers to care for Americans,” Congressman Murphy, M.D, said. “At the heart of this problem are pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), middlemen who withhold money from independent pharmacies, obscure drug costs, and make out like bandits, all at the expense of patients. This corruption of the health care delivery system must stop. For years, we have heard from small business owners, physicians, and patients about the damage greedy PBMs have inflicted. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation to put an end to the extortion and lower drug costs through increased transparency and competition.”

    “For too long, PBMs have served as unregulated middlemen, driving up prices for life-saving medications for patients,” Congresswoman Ross said. “Nobody should have to choose between paying for life-saving medication and putting food on the table. Our bipartisan PBM Reform Act will protect Americans from abusive practices that raise prices and reduce fairness. I’m proud to work with Rep. Carter on these long overdue reforms. It’s past time to hold PBMs accountable and ensure every American can access the medications they need.”

    “It’s time to put an end to the shady and manipulative practices of pharmacy benefit managers. For too long, PBMs have driven up drug prices and padded their pockets while independent community pharmacies are being pushed to the financial brink. My colleagues and I are committed to changing that. This legislation delivers long-overdue accountability, increases transparency, lowers out-of-pocket costs for families, and saves taxpayer dollars. Local pharmacies and the patients they serve are at a breaking point, and they deserve relief. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill and look forward to passing real PBM reform that will deliver for both patients and providers,” Congressman Harshbarger said. 

    “Pharmacy Benefit Managers line their pockets and drive up the cost of life saving drugs at the expense of South Texans and the community pharmacies they depend on — this is shameful, dangerous, and must be stopped,” Congressman Gonzalez said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Buddy Carter that puts patients first, increases price transparency, and holds PBMs accountable.”

    “PBM reform has long been a pressing issue, not only in rural Georgia, but across the nation. I am proud to work with Representative Carter on this commonsense package to eliminate the use of spread pricing, make prescription drugs more affordable, and establish rigorous oversight over PBM tactics that threaten access to care. Our health care system is in need of patient-centered, cost-effective, market-driven solutions and this package delivers,” Congressman Allen said.

    “Seniors should be able to fill the prescriptions they need without having to drive long distances or pay exorbitant costs,” Congressman Rose said. “For far too long, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) have favored large chains and driven away customers from independent pharmacies, especially those in rural communities. I am proud to co-lead this legislation, which will be a gamechanger for countless Tennesseans.”

    “Southern California families are seeing their cost-of-living skyrocket, especially the cost of essential health care. I’m laser-focused on bipartisan, common-sense solutions that bring down costs and ensure that our economy works for working families. My experience running a community pharmacy with my wife showed me firsthand the urgent need for greater transparency and accountability in how Pharmacy Benefit Managers operate. That is why I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort with Representatives Carter and Dingell to reform PBM practices, increase transparency, and put patients first,” Congressman Tran said.

    “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this critical PBM reform package, which cracks down on the exploitative pricing tactics of pharmacy benefit managers to make prescription drugs more affordable,” Congresswoman Malliotakis said. “PBMs’ shady practices have left consumers footing the bill and are driving many ‘Mom & Pop’ pharmacies in my district out of business. Our legislation will deliver long-overdue reforms to increase price transparency and protect patients. Now is the time for Congress to act and get PBM reform across the finish line.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement of Representative Danny K. Davis In Opposition of the Big, Bad, Inhumane, and Ugly Republican Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)

    Statement of Representative Danny K. Davis

    In Opposition of the Big, Bad, Inhumane, and Ugly Republican Bill – July 3, 2025

    I rise in strong opposition and could never vote for this Big, Bad, Inhumane, and Ugly bill because it will wreck health care delivery, take food from hungry children, sentence seniors to early deaths, eliminate jobs, and destabilize our economy just to give the super rich and wealthy more influence, more power, more wealth.  It takes from the poor, from the disabled, from the sick, and from the hungry and gives to the wealthy.  

    This bill is cruel.  

    It is immoral.  

    It is a crime about to happen. 

    It is draconian.

    It is dangerous.

    It is criminal.

    So, if you want to stop crime, vote no as I will. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Johnson Leads Letter Questioning USPTO’s Decision Not To Open ATL Southeast

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

    Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter Questions Wisdom of Bypassing Opportunity To Open US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) Southeast Regional Outreach Office (SEROO) in Atlanta

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ranking Member of the Judiciary Subcommittee that oversees the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, this week led a letter to Coke Morgan Stewart, acting director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, to inquire as to why her office no longer plans to launch the Southeast Regional Outreach Office (SEROO) in Atlanta, Georgia, and will instead open it at the USPTO’s Alexandria, Virginia, headquarters.

    The letter was cosigned by Georgia U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, and Congressman David Scott (GA-13), Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06), and Congressman Rich McCormick (GA-07).

    The members request answers to their questions about the change by July 9.

    The letter states that at the time when Atlanta was chosen — after a lengthy and protracted process — to be the Southeast office that “the USPTO’s press release announcing the Atlanta office, the city’s “growing and diverse economy,” coupled with the resources available to its large number of startups and innovators “made it a top location for the Southeast Regional Office.” Atlanta, according to the USPTO, “has an active and highly ranked research development community with five Tier 1 research universities, one of the top-tier Veterans Administration research hospitals in the nation, and the Centers for Disease Control.”

    As far as Congressman Johnson is concerned none of that has changed.

    “The entire point of the Unleashing American Innovators Act was to increase participation in the patent system by women, people of color, military veterans, individual inventors, and other groups that are underrepresented in the system,” said Ranking Member Johnson. “Atlanta was rightfully chosen to be that hub because of our vibrancy, innovation and top-notch research institutions. Patents and trademarks are critical elements in creating job growth and jobs and careers of the future. I sincerely hope that the USPTO reconsiders this terrible mistake.”

    To read the letter, click HERE.

    Full letter below

    June 24, 2025
    Coke Morgan Stewart
    Acting Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
    P.O. Box 1450
    Alexandria, VA 22313-1450

    Dear Acting Director Stewart,

    On Friday, June 6th, 2025, the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) announced that it no longer plans to launch the Southeast Regional Outreach Office (SEROO) in Atlanta, Georgia, and will instead open it at the USPTO’s Alexandria, Virginia headquarters. We find this decision highly concerning, and we write to request additional information regarding the decision-making process that resulted in this mistake.

    After the success of the four regional offices created in the America Invents Act of 2011, Congress sought to add offices around the country to improve Americans’ access to USPTO services. Republicans and Democrats worked together to pass the Unleashing American Innovators Act (UAIA), which President Biden signed into law on December 29, 2022.

    The legislation required the USPTO establish a Southeast Regional Office within 
    three years of enactment as well as a community outreach office in the northern New England region within five years of enactment, among other provisions designed to bolster USPTO outreach to small and medium-sized businesses across the country.

    Atlanta, Georgia was chosen as the SEROO location after a lengthy process designed to meet the requirements stipulated under the UAIA, namely considering the proposed sites’ 1) number of patent-intensive industries, 2) number of research-intensive institutions, and 3) number of existing government, legal, and business frameworks that support intellectual property-intensive industries.

    As part of this process, the USPTO issued a request for comments seeking public input on potential regional office locations and received more than 200 comments from the general public, USPTO employees, city and state officials and the business community.

    According to the USPTO’s press release announcing the Atlanta office, the city’s “growing and diverse economy,” coupled with the resources available to its large number of startups and innovators “made it a top location for the Southeast Regional Office.”

    Atlanta, according to the USPTO, “has an active and highly ranked research development community with five Tier 1 research universities, one of the top-tier Veterans Administration research hospitals in the nation, and the Center for Disease Control.”

    While Alexandria, Virginia is in the southeast region of the country, Americans living there are already served by the USPTO headquarters. Regional patent offices allow the USPTO to reach Americans where they live and work. This is not disputed. In fact, the USPTO has an established history of supporting regional offices. In its 2024 report the USPTO wrote, “With the establishment of the regional offices, the USPTO has been able to reach a more diverse set of stakeholders at a more local scale.”

    Regional offices, the USPTO continued, allow it to customize in-person educational programming, “including seminars or workshops that educate customers about the patent application process or how to employ IP strategies for entrepreneurs.”

    The USPTO has also acknowledged that regional offices are good for the health of our patent ecosystem. Opening regional offices, it wrote in 2024, “has had a positive impact on employee recruitment, and has led to the onboarding of over 400 patent examiners” since 2012.

    Regional offices created unique detail opportunities that “create benefits for the employee, the agency, and the public.”

    Atlanta was chosen after an intensive process that invited public input. In contrast, the USPTO’s decision to ignore stakeholders and open the SEROO in Alexandria instead was made with no public explanation whatsoever. We therefore request that the USPTO respond to the following questions by July 9, 2025.

    1. Did the USPTO consider the required factors under the UAIA for the establishment of an SEROO? If yes, please describe the process in detail.

    2. What was the involvement of non-USPTO personnel in the decision to open the SEROO at the USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia?

    3. How does the USTPO plan to engage with the southeast region from Alexandria, Virginia? Please describe the in-person programming planned particularized to the southeast region.

    4. Does the USPTO plan to allow the public to comment on the decision not to open the regional office in Atlanta, as decided in 2023?

    Sincerely,

    Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. 
    Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet | Committee on the Judiciary House of Representatives

    Jon Ossoff, United States Senator

    Raphael Warnock, United States Senator

    David Scott
    Member of Congress

    Lucy McBath
    Member of Congress

    Rich McCormick, MD, MBA
    Member of Congress

    ###
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Johnson Votes Against Big, Ugly Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) voted against Trump MAGA Republican Big, Ugly Bill.

    “What has been called big and beautiful is as cruel and ugly a piece of legislation as I have ever seen in my 19 years in Congress,” said Rep. Johnson. “This Big Ugly Bill cuts access to healthcare for 17 million Americans, so thousands each year will die premature and preventable deaths because big shots in government want to give their multimillionaire and billionaire donors — like Jeff Bezos and those who attended his $50 million wedding in Venice — another huge tax cut. This cruel legislation also cuts funding for food to feed the needy. All who vote yes on this Big, Ugly Bill should be ashamed of themselves.”

    To see more of Rep. Johnson’s views on the bill, visit his Twitter account.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Johnson Offers Six Amendments to Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, Seeks Exemption To Worst Effects in Georgia

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

    Congressman Seeks Deal to Exempt Georgia, While Also Focusing on Reversing Cuts to Healthcare Access for Children, Providing Counsel for Unaccompanied Minors, and Strengthening Environmental Protections

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) offered six amendments to Donald Trump’s One Big, Ugly Bill, including an effort to exempt Georgia from the worst impacts of the bill, a rule to protect families’ access to Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), provide funding for attorneys for unaccompanied immigrant children, and protect critical funds for innovation and Georgia projects.

    To watch his speech, click HERE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sánchez demands accountability after ICE agents trespass, urinate on school property

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

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today demanded accountability from the Trump administration after ICE agents were videotaped trespassing and urinating on the grounds of Ruben Salazar High School in broad daylight, near a preschool playground in Pico Rivera, Calif.

    “As a member of Congress, my constituents elected me to conduct oversight duties and ensure that these federal agents – whose salaries are paid by the American people – follow the law and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner expected of law enforcement agents,” the congresswoman wrote.

    Full text of the congresswoman’s letter is available HERE and follows:

    July 3, 2025

    The Honorable Kristi Noem
    Secretary
    Department of Homeland Security
    Washington, D.C. 20528

    Mr. Todd M. Lyons
    Acting Director
    Immigration and Customs Enforcement
    Washington, D.C. 20024

    Mr. Joseph V. Cuffari
    Inspector General
    Office of Inspector General
    Department of Homeland Security
    Washington, D.C. 20530

    I write today expressing grave concern over the conduct of a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at Ruben Salazar High School in Pico Rivera, California on June 17, 2025. 

    According to El Rancho Unified School District (ERUSD), located in my district, ICE agents in 8 to 10 unmarked vehicles attempted to conduct immigration enforcement at the high school. The agents did not provide a judicial warrant, nor did they raise a legitimate reason for their presence on school grounds. ERUSD staff informed the agents that they could not enter or remain on school grounds. The ICE agents subsequently left the school. 

    ERUSD staff then reviewed security footage, which showed approximately 10 agents publicly urinating on school property at approximately 8:54 a.m., within mere feet of a preschool playground. This playground is part of ERUSD’s Early Learning Program. Two other schools are also immediately next to where the agents urinated. 

    ICE agents have routinely disregarded the rule of law in my district. On June 18, ICE unlawfully asserted civil immigration enforcement by arresting and detaining a U.S. citizen in Pico Rivera. And now, it appears that ICE agents could be exposing themselves to minors. 

    Given the potential violation of Cal. Penal Code §§ 314, 290 and 18 U.S. Code § 1752, I demand an investigation from the Inspector General at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). I additionally request that ICE and DHS provide answers to the following questions in the interim.

    1. Upon what basis did these ICE agents choose Ruben Salazar High school to conduct immigration enforcement?
       
    2. Please provide the identification of the 10 ICE agents who exposed themselves on school grounds.
       
    3. Are these agents still employed by ICE? And if so, in what capacity and what disciplinary actions have been taken against them?
       
    4. Will the results of the internal investigation that DHS is conducting be available to the public?
       
    5. What steps are DHS and ICE going to take to ensure that this sort of conduct does not occur again?

    As a member of Congress, my constituents elected me to conduct oversight duties and ensure that these federal agents – whose salaries are paid by the American people – follow the law and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner expected of law enforcement agents. Thank you for your time and consideration, and I look forward to a timely response.

    Sincerely,

    Linda T. Sánchez
    Member of Congress

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sánchez announces Molly Carey as new Chief of Staff, Sarah Skirmont as Legislative Director

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

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) is pleased to announce Molly Carey joined her team as her new Chief of Staff. Additionally, Sarah Skirmont has been promoted from Senior Legislative Assistant to Legislative Director.

    “I’m excited to welcome Molly to our team and to recognize Sarah’s hard work with this well-deserved promotion,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “Molly brings a wealth of experience and strategic insight that will be invaluable as we continue fighting for working families. Sarah has consistently demonstrated strong policy expertise and dedication to our legislative priorities. I look forward to what we will accomplish together.”

    Carey most recently served as Senior Director for Government Affairs at the American Association for Justice. She was also the Policy Director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Notre Dame Law School.

    Skirmont has been with Congresswoman Sánchez’s office since 2021, serving as a Senior Legislative Assistant covering a wide range of issues including health care policy. She is a graduate of New York University.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bipartisan resolution introduced honoring journeyman lineworkers

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

    WASHINGTON – Representatives Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) and Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.) today led 143 members of the House of Representatives in introducing a bipartisan resolution designating July 10 as Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day.

    “Every day, lineworkers rise to the challenge – often working long hours in hazardous conditions – to keep the lights on and our communities running,” said Congresswoman Sánchez, the first woman member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) elected to Congress. “From rebuilding the grid after major storms to maintaining the systems that power our daily lives, their steadfast dedication ensures that our communities stay connected.”

    “Our journeyman lineworkers are the frontline defenders of our infrastructure. They respond without hesitation – often at great personal risk – to restore the power that sustains our homes, hospitals, and economy. In Pennsylvania’s First District and across the nation, I’ve met with these dedicated men and women, listened to their concerns, and worked to ensure they have the respect, protection, and resources they deserve. This resolution is not merely symbolic – it is a formal recognition of their service and a promise to have their backs, just as they always have ours,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick.

    “As an electrician by trade, I’m proud to join Representatives Sánchez, Fitzpatrick and Bresnahan in introducing a resolution to designate July 10th as Lineworkers Appreciation Day, recognizing the 120,000 lineworkers across the country who work tirelessly to power our communities,” said Congressman Norcross, co-chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus. “These men and women often work throughout the night in hazardous conditions and after natural disasters to keep America on, and they deserve to be honored for their courageous efforts.”

    “I want to express my deep gratitude to the skilled men and women who work around the clock not only on Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day, but every day,” said Congressman Bresnahan. “As the former Chairman of an IBEW Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee, I know firsthand the dedication lineworkers have to keeping our lights on and our communities running smoothly. I am glad to join Representatives Sánchez, Fitzpatrick, and Norcross to recognize their vital importance to our communities.”

    “America’s lineworkers are heroes in every sense of the word, putting their own safety on the line day in and day out to provide the electricity that powers every aspect of our modern lives,” said Kenneth W. Cooper, international president of the IBEW. “Honoring them on this day is fitting, but our gratitude for them and the work they do lasts year-round. The IBEW is proud to represent the best of the best of our nation’s lineworkers and to thank them for all they do for all of us.” 

    “On this 2025 Lineworker Appreciation Day, we proudly honor the hardworking men and women who keep our lights on and our communities safe – no matter the weather or the hour,” said David Long, CEO of the National Electrical Contractors Association. “Their skill, sacrifice, and service power America every day. On behalf of our contractors and their employees across our nation, I want to extend our sincere thanks to Representatives Linda Sánchez, Donald Norcross, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Rob Bresnahan for introducing this year’s bipartisan resolution, ensuring our nation never forgets the vital role lineworkers play in our everyday lives.”

    “EEI and our member electric companies proudly recognize America’s lineworkers today and every day. These brave men and women are essential to delivering the safe, reliable, and affordable electricity that drives our nation’s economy and powers our communities and our daily lives” said Drew Maloney, president and CEO of Edison Electric Institute. “Lineworkers are the face of our industry and work day and night—often in dangerous conditions—to keep the lights on. We thank Representatives Sanchez, Bresnahan, Fitzpatrick, and Norcross for their leadership in honoring their service.”

    The resolution designates July 10 as National Journeyman Lineworkers Day to honor Henry Miller, the founder and first president of the IBEW. Miller began his career at age 14 as a water boy on a government telegraph project in Texas. Years later, while working as a lineman, Miller became acutely aware of the dangerous conditions and subpar wages his fellow workers faced. He traveled across the country to organize linemen and was elected as the first president of the National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in 1891. Sadly, Miller suffered a fatal fall on July 10, 1896, while working to solve a power outage in Washington, D.C. Today, the IBEW represents one of the largest and most diverse unions in the country.

    Congresswoman Sánchez, a former member of the IBEW Local 441 and labor lawyer, first introduced this resolution in 2014.

    The full text of the resolution is available HERE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Chu Demands Answers on Discontinuation of $1 Billion in School Mental Health Grants

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Lucy McBath (GA-06), and Don Bacon (NE-02) led a bipartisan letter to the Department of Education demanding answers following reports that the agency plans to reallocate $1 billion in federal mental health grant funding. This funding was originally approved by Congress through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which passed with broad bipartisan support to address the critical shortage of mental health professionals in schools.

    “Students are six times as likely to receive needed mental health care when it is provided at school, and the majority of youth who receive needed services do so at school,” wrote the Members. “This includes prevention, early detection, and early intervention efforts, which are critical components of comprehensive mental and behavioral health services and crisis prevention.” 

    “Integrating mental health services in schools has helped both students and staff succeed by addressing issues such as bullying, self-esteem, and suicide, while improving schools’ capacity to identify, refer, and provide services to help students in need,” the Members continued. School-based mental health professionals have improved staff retention, helped keep students in school, and promoted learning environments where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.”

    The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act provided $500 million each to the only two existing grant programs focused on addressing the critical shortage of school-based mental health professionals and increasing access to vital school-based services: the Mental Health Services Professional Demonstration Grant and the School-Based Mental Health Services Program. In just nine months, these two federal grant programs have delivered measurable outcomes, including:

    • Mental Health Services Professional Demonstration (MHSP) Grants:
      • Trained 1,767 school mental health professionals
      • Placed 1,191 graduate trainees in high-need schools
      • Hired 133 new providers
    • School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) Grants:
      • Hired 1,163 school mental health professionals
      • Retained 13,155 existing staff

    Provided services to more than 774,000 students

    “Now is not the time to turn back on investing in our children’s mental health and the mental health workforce,” the Members concluded. “Uncertainty jeopardizes the work that has been done to increase comprehensive youth mental and behavioral health services, and the availability of school-based mental health professionals across the country.”

    The letter calls on the Department to provide a comprehensive response by July 14, 2025, detailing:

    • The Department’s strategy to address the youth mental health crisis;
    • How any reallocation or recompete process will sustain or expand services to students;
    • How the Department will ensure funding continues to reach the very school-based programs Congress specifically established and expanded through BSCA.

    “As the only psychologist in Congress and a former educator for over 20 years, I know firsthand how important school psychologists are to the mental health and well-being of students. And yet we currently have a nationwide shortage of school psychologists, with an average of over 1,000 students for every 1 school psychologist—a far cry from the recommended ratio of 500 to 1,” said Congresswoman Judy Chu “At a time when about 1 in 5 students struggles with a mental health disorder, we should be increasing, not decreasing, our investments to ensure students have access to the help they need. I’m proud to join my colleagues in sending this letter, and I look forward to getting answers from the Department of Education on why they recently discontinued $1 billion in federal grants for schools to hire more mental health professionals and what their plan is to address the youth mental health crisis.”

    “These funds were never intended to be a theoretical exercise—they were designed to confront an urgent crisis affecting millions of children,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “With youth mental health challenges at an all-time high, any disruption or diversion of resources threatens to reverse hard-won progress and leave communities without critical supports. It is important for the Department to share a clear plan to ensure these resources remain dedicated to expanding mental health support for students.”

    “Increasing access to school psychologists and other school mental health professionals is critical to supporting student learning and well-being. The U.S. Department of Education must continue prioritizing efforts that address the nationwide shortage of these professionals by reinstating grant programs that have already proven their impact. We are grateful for Representative Fitzpatrick’s continued leadership in support of these programs and look forward to the Department’s timely response. NASP stands ready to work with our partners in the federal government to ensure that every student has access to school psychologists and the critical services we provide,” said National Association of School Psychologists President, Dr. Peter Faustino.

    Click here to read the letter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Chu Votes Against Trump’s One Big Ugly Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the Big Ugly Bill, President Trump and Republicans’ budget reconciliation package, by a vote of 218-214. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) voted no and released the following statement: 

    “Today’s vote left no doubt about President Trump’s legacy. He is now responsible for the largest cut to health care in U.S. history that will kick 17 million Americans off their health care. He is responsible for taking food off the tables of children and Veterans, and for rigging our tax code so severely that the poorest families will see their tax bills go up while the top 0.1% get a $300,000 tax handout in one year alone. He will always be the President who, despite claiming to be “the best” for American women, defunded Planned Parenthood -a backdoor version of a nationwide abortion ban. He will be remembered as the President who sold off our country’s future by passing tax cuts for the rich that are so enormous they will explode our national debt by $4 trillion and severely inhibit our country’s ability to respond to a crisis, like a recession sparked by the President’s senseless trade war. Every single Republican who voted yes on this monstrous bill will share this legacy. 

    “When rural hospitals and nursing homes shut their doors, when health insurance premiums skyrocket, and when sick people die because they were kicked off of Medicaid, Americans will know that President Trump and Republicans chose to inflict this pain. When prices go up and their bank accounts shrink while billionaires get richer and richer, they will know whose fault it is. President Trump and Republicans in Congress knew the consequences, but believed it was an acceptable cost to give the ultra-wealthy, like President Trump himself and Elon Musk, trillions of dollars in tax giveaways.”   

    “Trump’s one big, ugly bill is a nightmare for American families, there is no excuse.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Judy Chu Announces Winners of 16th Annual Artistic Discovery Congressional Art Competition

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

    Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) proudly announced the winners of her 16th Annual Artistic Discovery Congressional Art Competition, with Leqi Yang’s piece, Under the Same Sun, earning first place.

    The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide program that honors the creativity and vision of high school students. Each year, Rep. Chu’s district competition showcases the extraordinary talent of young artists from California’s 28th District. A panel of local judges selected the winners based on originality, technique, and emotional resonance.

    As the first-place winner, Leqi’s artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, alongside other winning pieces from across the country. Additional standout submissions will be exhibited in Rep. Chu’s Washington, D.C. and district offices.

    “I’m honored to continue this tradition of showcasing youth voices through art,” said Rep. Chu. “Each year, I’m amazed by the vision and depth our students bring to their work. Through their art, they explore difficult topics, express powerful emotions, and remind us of the strength and hope that creativity brings to our community. Leqi’s piece, Under the Same Sun, beautifully highlights the vital contributions of immigrant workers in our community, and in times like these, that message couldn’t be more important.”

    This year’s winners and their artworks are below: 

    1st Place: Leqi Yang, Under the Same Sun

    2nd Place: Andrea Dorantes, Baking Bliss

    3rd Place: Seoyoon Kim, Fiery Resolve

    Honorable Mention: Jay Chen, In Another World

    Honorable Mention: Angelia Chang, Mao Juxiang

    Honorable Mention: Jolean Feng, Hope for a Greener Future

    Honorable Mention: Abigail Hillman, Critical Eye

    Honorable Mention: Meitong Liu, Frail

    Honorable Mention: Sven Leu, Duomo de Florencia

    Honorable Mention: Ziqian “Jacky” Xing, Men and Nature

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman DeSaulnier to Visit County Hospital and Hold Press Conference on Republican Attempts to Cut Funding for Hospitals and Health Care Services

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

    Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced he will visit Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (CCRMC) and then hold a press conferenceon Friday, June 20that 3:00 p.m. as part of House Democrats’ Save Our Hospitals Week of Action to highlight how the Trump Administration’s One Big, Ugly Bill will devastate hospitals like CCRMC and gut health care services for millions of Americans across the country and in California’s 10th Congressional District. 

    Prior to the press conference, Congressman DeSaulnier will hold a roundtable with County health leaders to hear from them directly about how the Trump cuts will harm CCRMC’s operations and patient care.

    CCRMC is the County’s 166-bed full-service hospital and is the central hub of Contra Costa Health’s nine outpatient health centers. Contra Costa Health serves an estimated 515,000 patients annually.
     

    WHO: Congressman Mark DeSaulnier

                Dr. Sergio Urcuyo, Chief Medical Officer for Contra Costa Regional Medical Center

    WHEN: Friday, June 20th from 3:00 to 3:30p.m. PT

    WHERE: Contra Costa Regional Medical Center (2500 Alhambra Avenue, Martinez, CA)

                      Parking available curbside along the circle.

    RSVP: Please RSVP to Mairead Glowacki at (202) 760-1365 or mairead.glowacki@mail.house.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman DeSaulnier Statement on Passage of Republican Budget Bill

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

    Legislation would strip health care from 17 million Americans, cause 18 million children to go hungry, and increase national debt by $4 trillion to give tax breaks to billionaires

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) made the following statement upon passage of the Republican budget scheme (H.R. 1), a bill that harms tens of millions of Americans and raises their cost of living in order to make the ultrarich even richer. 

    “Republicans, more loyal to Donald Trump and their ultrawealthy donors than to their constituents, made clear what their priorities are. They’ve spent nearly six months focusing on finding ways to make the most vulnerable among us pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. In the process, they have betrayed working families. The results: Americans will forego medical treatments, struggle to put food on the table, go into debt, and die. After exhaustive attempts to improve the bill and then several efforts to stall, I joined every House Democrat and a measly two Republicans in voting NO.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Biggs Issues Statement on House’s Passage of President Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

    Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act. Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) issued the following statement:

    “Today, I voted to advance President Trump’s One Big, Beautiful Bill through the House of Representatives and to the President’s desk. I have worked directly with President Trump to advance his policy priorities, and I will continue to advance the America First mandate he was elected to deliver.

    “When President Trump signs the One Big, Beautiful Bill into law, he will be extending the historic tax cuts from his Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and expanding them to reduce taxes on tipped wages, overtime, Social Security, and car loans. These tax cuts lower the economic burden on working-class American families, empower small businesses, and bring back jobs to our shores. The Big, Beautiful Bill also secures necessary funding for President Trump and his Cabinet to keep up their work in securing our border. 

    “My colleagues in the House Freedom Caucus and I worked diligently with President Trump and House and Senate Leadership to push for significant spending reductions and reforms to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. While there is always room to improve, the historic tax cuts and reforms in this bill move us in the right direction and will power our economy. 

    I will always stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump as he continues to fight the bloated bureaucracy left behind by years of anti-American oligarchy. The fight to restore fiscal sanity has only just begun.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: What They’re Saying: Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens Introduces the ‘Unearth America’s Future Act’

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

     

    “The ambitious bill is Stevens’ response to growing concern that the United States is overly dependent on China to power manufacturing in key strategic sectors.”

     

    WASHINGTON, D.C. –  This week, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens announced her plan to introduce the Unearth America’s Future Act which would remake America’s mineral supply chain to lower prices, create jobs, and stop dependence on China.

    Congresswoman Stevens formally introduced the bill today.

    Here’s what Michiganders are hearing about this bill:

    Detroit News: With China dominating, Stevens bill seeks CHIPS-like federal effort on critical minerals
    By: Grant Schwab

    Democratic U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens will introduce a bill this week urging the federal government to play a more active role in reducing U.S. reliance on China for critical minerals.

    “This bill is about real results. It will lower costs and create jobs by bringing mineral production back home, supporting Michigan workers, and keeping our supply chains strong,” the Birmingham congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate said.

    The package — called the Unearth America’s Future Act — would direct tens of billions of dollars in federal loans, tax credits and other funds into the next decade for initiatives to boost mining and refining of essential materials for the automotive, defense, health care and telecommunications industries.

    The ambitious bill is Stevens’ response to growing concern that the United States is overly dependent on China to power manufacturing in key strategic sectors. Those concerns only grew stronger after the Far East nation created a potentially “dire” situation for Michigan’s auto sector with export controls issued in response to President Donald Trump’s trade policies.

    “Donald Trump has pushed an agenda that puts our economy and national security at risk. They talk tough and make headlines but their policies have only caused prices to rise, weakened our manufacturing industries, and left America more dependent on China,” Stevens said in an emailed statement.

    The fourth-term lawmaker’s package is structured similarly to the CHIPS and Science Act, a signature legislative achievement of former President Joe Biden.

    Politico’s E&E News: Dems prepare bill to provide $10B for critical materials
    By: Hannah Northey

    House Democrats are planning to unveil legislation this week that would set aside more than $10 billion for critical material projects to counter China’s dominance.

    Reps. Haley Stevens of Michigan and Jim Clyburn of South Carolina say the proposal would rival any trade deal President Donald Trump reaches with Beijing because it would restore U.S. supply chains faster.

    The language, according to Stevens’ and Clyburn’s aides, is structured similarly to the CHIPS and Science Act, which former President Joe Biden signed into law in 2022.

    Michigan Advance: Stevens intros bill for critical materials to counter China
    By: Ben Solis

    U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) is working with her congressional colleagues to introduce legislation that will seek to counter China’s stranglehold on critical materials and set aside $10 billion to make it happen.

    Unveiled Tuesday, the Unearth America’s Future Act was described as a means to lower costs, create jobs and ensure Michigan workers and manufacturers are leading the way in critical mineral production.

    At present, the U.S. and many other nations are dependent on China for these materials, including cobalt, lithium and magnesium, which are needed in the manufacture of many high tech electronics. Stevens’ bill aims to fix that by putting money toward responsible domestic mineral production. The legislation would also support partnerships between government and private industry, with investments in innovation that would keep jobs in Michigan.

    “Donald Trump has pushed an agenda that puts our economy and national security at risk,” Stevens said in a statement. “They talk tough and make headlines but their policies have only caused prices to rise, weakened our manufacturing industries, and left America more dependent on China. This bill is about real results.”

    WEMU: Rep. Stevens tries to boost American mineral production efforts
    By: Colin Jackson

    “The industry for materials key to American manufacturing could receive extra government support under proposed legislation from a Michigan congresswoman.”

    “The bill is named the “Unearth America’s Future Act.” It would create new federal loans, tax credits, and programs to spur the domestic production and refining of critical minerals like copper, magnesium, and aluminum.”

    “The policy proposal is a response to concerns about China’s dominance in the market for precious metals, especially those used in goods like smartphones or vehicle batteries.”

    “Stevens said that makes both the country’s and Michigan’s current situations untenable.”

    “Leaving Michigan’s entire manufacturing base on the hook for materials coming from minerals that are refined in China, that’s a risk. And that’s not working,” she said.

    WDET – Detroit, MI 

    “Democratic representative Haley Stevens says her bill takes a different approach. ‘What this bill is, is focused on public-private partnerships, supply chain opportunities, as well as recyclability, which is something that’s getting a lot of traction in the critical material space right now.’

    Michigan Public Radio – Detroit, MI 

    “Democratic Representative Haley Stevens calls her bill a comprehensive plan. ‘This will increase our resilience here in the United States of America, but it will also increase our domestic production capabilities, which means lowering costs, lowering costs, lowering costs. We need to lower costs, and that’s what this bill is going to be about as well and job creation.’

    WJR-Detroit, MI

    “It’s not acceptable to have this reliance on China, and so I put forward legislation.”

    “This bill will actually lower costs, get us jobs and end up paying for itself.”

    “We all know that this current administration is eager to cut deals with other countries. I’m eager to cut deals for Michigan. I am eager to put proof in the pudding and put forward real industrial policy that will deliver for our state.”

    Here’s what stakeholders are saying about the bill:

    David McCall, President of United Steelworkers International: 
    “Erasing the People’s Republic of China’s global lead in critical minerals will require a balance of domestic and international efforts. The USW applauds Rep. Stevens’ work to develop domestic mining and manufacturing jobs while ensuring export financing supports projects that respect strong labor rights and maintain strict air and water quality standards.”  

    John Bozzella, President and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation:
    “A healthy and competitive auto industry in America supports our economic and national security. Representative Stevens’ Unearth America’s Future Act makes good sense on multiple fronts: it’s a policy to secure critical material supply chains that bypass China and are essential for national defense; it will further modernize our domestic industrial base; and will support American manufacturing, innovation and auto industry jobs.”

    Will Brown, Vice President of Government Relations & International Programs of the Aluminum Association:
    “This legislation is a significant step toward producing, collecting and securing more critical materials like aluminum in the United States. As one of only 11 mineral commodities included on the Department of Defense and all other government critical materials lists, aluminum is essential to modern life – in everything from cars, cans and smartphones to tanks and fighter jets. Congresswoman Stevens’ bill is a downpayment on American jobs, innovation and supply chain resilience.”

    Sarah Venuto, Executive Director of the American Critical Minerals Association:
    “The Unearth America’s Future Act recognizes the need for comprehensive legislative solutions aimed at catalyzing the growth of the U.S. domestic critical materials sector. China continues to demonstrate its persistent willingness to take any and all steps to maintain its monopoly over the global supply of critical materials. The U.S. must play a leading role in the diversification of these markets in order to ensure our economy is insulated from increased costs to consumers, delayed timelines for essential goods and services, and national security risks associated with our dependence on other nations for materials key to our defense sector. We applaud Representative Stevens for her continued leadership on the imperative nature of addressing these risks comprehensively and aggressively, and for continuing this important policy conversation. ACMA looks forward to working with Representative Stevens and Congress as this legislation is debated and considered.”

    Orit Frankel, CEO of the American Leadership Initiative: 
    “Congresswoman Stevens’s bill is a critical step to strengthening America’s national and economic security, while reducing our dependence on China’s critical mineral supply which China has withheld as leverage in the bilateral relationship.”

    Dinah McLeod, Director General of the Cobalt Institute:
    “Ensuring critical mineral projects have access to affordable finance often becomes a missing piece of the policy puzzle. Rep. Stevens’ Bill takes important steps to close the gap and get America growing its critical minerals capacity.”

    Alice Wu, Critical Minerals and Energy Supply Chains Policy Manager at the Federation of American Scientists: 
    “Geographic concentration in critical minerals supply chains puts American national security and our economy at risk. That risk has been made clear with recent trade disruptions such as the PRC’s changes to rare earth export license requirements. The Loan Program established by the Unearth America’s Future Act would reinvigorate investment in diversifying and onshoring critical minerals supply chains, while the public-private partnership would provide a flexible set of tools for the federal government to work with industry in mitigating project risks and supporting market stability.”

    Patrick Donnelly, Chief Commercial Officer of Anovion Technologies: 
    “Anovion Technologies considers this bill a vital step in strengthening the domestic battery materials industry. Synthetic graphite, which can account for up to 30% of the weight of a typical lithium-ion battery, is currently sourced almost entirely from China. Reducing reliance on China for this critical material is essential to securing the nation’s energy infrastructure, supporting the Department of Defense, and advancing the automotive sector.”

    Scott Monteith, CEO of Avalon Advanced Materials: 
    “The proposed legislation is a needed blueprint for how the United States government, in partnership with allies can spur economic growth and an innovation economy for the future. Avalon welcomes the bold initiative and looks forward to helping accelerate North American energy security.” 

    Matt Bedingfield, President of Mint Innovation:
    “Mint Innovation is a pioneering clean technology company that has developed a biotechnology to recover critical minerals from electronic waste. The Unearth America’s Future Act is a significant move forward for U.S. national security, bolstering domestic critical mineral production. The Unearth America’s Future Act’s definition of ‘Critical Minerals Manufacturing’ expands to the secondary market including recycled metals, improving mineral supply where traditional mining production will not meet growing demand. Additionally, greater access to funding by way of grants, loans, and research & development will support the growth of domestic critical minerals production across the entire supply chain. This will create new jobs for U.S. citizens, and improve the national and economic strength of the United States.”

    Teague Egan, CEO of EnergyX: 
    “This legislation is a pivotal step toward securing America’s leadership in the global critical materials market.  By aligning federal incentives, innovation, and workforce development, it positions the U.S. to lead globally while driving sustainable growth and industrial resilience at home.”

    Adam Handley, Executive Chair of Northern Minerals:
    “Ensuring access to critical minerals through strategic collaboration with allied nations and partners is vital to reducing reliance on single-source supply chains. We commend Rep. Stevens and the introduction of the Unearth America’s Future Act for rightly emphasizing the need for deeper international cooperation to build secure, resilient supply chains, and look forward to supporting its progress through Congress.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Detroit Man Pleads Guilty to Concealing His Cryptocurrency Donations to ISIS

    Source: US FBI

    DETROIT – Jibreel Pratt, 26, of Detroit, Michigan, pleaded guilty today to two counts of concealing cryptocurrency donations he intended to make to the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.

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

    According to the plea agreement, in February 2023, Pratt initiated a conversation with a Confidential Human Source (CHS) who Pratt believed was an ISIS member who could facilitate overseas travel to join ISIS. Over the next several months, Pratt communicated his desire to travel overseas to join ISIS and recorded a video pledging allegiance to ISIS’s leader. Pratt also provided ideas, information, documents and handwritten notes on a variety of subjects, including how ISIS could use drones and remote-controlled cars to deliver explosives, how ISIS could organize intelligence operations, and how ISIS could improve its air defense systems. And, in March and May 2023, Pratt sent cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) to the CHS, intending that the money would be used to help pay for the travel of other individuals who were purportedly traveling to join ISIS and/or to help fund an individual who Pratt believed would commit an act of violence in support of ISIS. Pratt concealed the nature and source of his Bitcoin transfers by using a privacy focused VPN and an app that encrypted private keys and transaction data.

    “Jibreel Pratt has many talents. And he swore a binding oath to use them to help ISIS—a genocidal anti-American terrorist organization,” said U.S. Attorney Gorgon. “Pratt meticulously plotted to support ISIS and covertly sent them money to further their evil works. We will find the terrorists operating in our shadows and bring them to justice.”

    “Today’s guilty plea by Jibreel Pratt underscores the serious threat posed by individuals who attempt to support foreign terrorist organizations known for violence and human rights abuses,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The FBI remains unwavering in its commitment to protecting the American people from those who seek to carry out or orchestrate acts of terrorism. This outcome reflects the strength of our partnerships with law enforcement and intelligence agencies, as well as the dedication of our Joint Terrorism Task Force. The FBI in Michigan will continue working relentlessly to disrupt any plot that threatens the security of our nation.”

    Sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2025. A conviction for concealing the financing of terrorism carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. The parties agreed that a 9-year sentence is an appropriate resolution of the matter. 

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Douglas Salzenstein and Jennifer Burke, Trial Attorney, National Security Division, U.S. Department of Justice are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Gonzalez Announces Over $170 Million in Final Title I Allocations for South Texas Schools

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced $170,337,465 in final Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Title I formula allocation funds for the 34th District of Texas. The U.S. Department of Education released final totals in late June 2025.  

    Title I funds provide for the development and creation of opportunities for student success. Congressman Gonzalez previously announced preliminary Title I allocations in early June of this year.  

    “These federal funds are crucial for every child in the 34th Congressional District of Texas,” said Congressman Vicente Gonzalez. “One of my top priorities in Congress is making sure that every South Texan child, regardless of their background, can receive the same opportunities to succeed and achieve their American Dream. As this Administration threatens the Department of Education’s existence, I will continue to fight for our children’s success and future.” 

    The following allocations have been provided to school districts in the 34th Congressional District of Texas:  

    • Brownsville ISD: $30,579,752
    • Donna ISD: $19,483,217
    • Edcouch-Elsa ISD: $5,138,957
    • Edinburg Consolidated ISD: $26,923,139
    • Harlingen Consolidated ISD: $9,285,923
    • Kenedy County-Wide Common School District: $1,254
    • Kingsville ISD: $2,385,261
    • La Feria ISD: $1,112,832
    • La Villa ISD: $577,228
    • Lasara ISD: $165,089
    • Los Fresnos Consolidated ISD: $4,075,081
    • Lyford Consolidated ISD: $730,948
    • McAllen ISD: $15,824,641
    • Mercedes ISD: $3,872,038
    • Monte Alto ISD: $1,234,922
    • Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD: $24,398,212
    • Point Isabel ISD: $1,183,081
    • Progreso ISD: $1,708,280
    • Raymondville ISD: $1,368,696
    • Ricardo ISD: $187,895
    • Rio Hondo ISD: $708,555
    • Riviera ISD: $120,366
    • San Benito Consolidated ISD: $7,537,678
    • San Perlita ISD: $112,260
    • Santa Maria ISD: $347,026
    • Santa Rosa ISD: $496,089
    • Weslaco ISD: $10,779,045 

    Total $170,337,465 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kustoff, Blackburn Introduce Legislation to Crack Down on Crime

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) introduced the Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act in the House of Representatives. This legislation will reinstate an important tool for prosecutors to seek enhanced penalties against violent, repeat offenders. 

    Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. 

    “Career criminals are a danger to our citizens and our communities,” said Congressman Kustoff. “The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act will reinstate a critical tool that allows prosecutors to seek tougher penalties for violent career criminals. I appreciate Senator Marsha Blackburn and Senator Tom Cotton for their work on this important bill.” 

    “Violent, repeat offenders have no business being back on our streets,” said Senator Blackburn. “We’ve seen the heartbreaking consequences of rewarding repeat offenders with the freedom to victimize more law-abiding Americans. The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act would empower prosecutors to keep dangerous felons behind bars and prevent future tragedies.”

    “Violent, repeat criminals should be behind bars, not roaming the streets threatening law-abiding citizens,” said Senator Cotton. “The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act will give back federal prosecutors the tool they need to lock up hardened, repeat offenders.”
     

    The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act is endorsed by Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, and the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition.

    “I am grateful for Congressman Kustoff and Senator Blackburn’s leadership on this important legislation that ensures serious federal time for dangerous criminals. Career criminals with guns put our communities at risk. This legislation restores prosecutors’ ability to seek appropriate enhanced penalties for dangerous repeat offenders while ensuring the law meets constitutional standards. This common-sense approach will keep violent criminals off our streets,” said Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti.

    “This bill empowers law enforcement and the justice system to better protect the public—especially at a time when some of our nation’s cities are still struggling to bring down violent crime rates. The Fraternal Order of Police firmly stands behind this effort to bring clarity, consistency, and safety back to our neighborhoods,” said Patrick Yoes, the Fraternal Order of Police National President.

    “Congress passed the Armed Career Criminal Act in 1984 to protect our nation’s communities from the most dangerous violent criminals. Unfortunately, this important law was essentially voided by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2015 due to part of the definition of “violent felony” being unconstitutionally vague, taking away an important tool that law enforcement used to get the worst career criminals off our streets. The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act will fix and restore the Act, giving law enforcement and prosecutors back a significant resource in the fight against violent crime. We thank Senator Blackburn for her leadership and support,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations.

    “The National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC) strongly supports the Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act, led by Senator Blackburn and Congressman Kustoff, because it gives law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to keep communities safe. Violent, repeat offenders continue to drive much of the serious crime in our neighborhoods, and this legislation ensures they can be effectively identified and prosecuted. By clearly defining serious felonies, the bill strengthens our ability to focus federal resources where they’re most needed. We appreciate Senator Blackburn and Congressman Kustoff’s leadership on this important public safety measure,” said Eric Brown, President of the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition.

    Background:
    In 1984, the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA) was included in the Comprehensive Crime Control Act with the intent to guard Americans from the most dangerous career offenders by defining the parameters under which offenders are classified. However, in the 2015 case Johnson v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled the residual clause unconstitutional, thus providing a loophole for repeat offenders to end up back on the streets.

    Today, under the current ACCA, individuals with three prior “serious drug felonies” or “violent felonies” who are found in possession of a firearm are subject to a 15-year mandatory minimum penalty. 

    The Restoring the Armed Career Criminal Act of 2025 would:

    • Establish a new, clear definition of a “serious violent felony”
    • Empower prosecutors to hold habitual violent offenders accountable when they’re caught with a firearm
    • The Armed Career Criminal Act would still apply only in a case where a felon who possesses a firearm –in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) –has previously been convicted three times of serious felonies, which must have been committed on different occasions.
       

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Doggett Calls for Answers on Federal Cuts to Local National Weather Service Operations

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

    Concerns raised with the Trump Administration, well before deadly floods in Central Texas, are still unanswered.

    Contact: Alexis Torres  

    Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) requested immediate answers from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the agency responsible for the National Weather Service (NWS), about the impact of critical understaffing on the recent catastrophe in Central Texas. The Congressman is seeking information regarding how President Trump’s abrupt staffing cuts and hiring freezes may have affected forecasts and warning alerts in the NWS Austin/San Antonio office. One of the six vacant positions is the “Warning and Coordination Meteorologist,” who is responsible for planning, coordinating, and carrying out area-wide public awareness programs to mitigate death, injury, and property damage or loss caused by severe weather.

    Over the July Fourth weekend, Central Texas experienced disastrous flooding, which has taken at least 100 lives, including two 8-year-old Austinites among the more than two dozen young campers and counselors drowned at Camp Mystic. Rescue crews continue to search for survivors throughout the region.

    “For months, I have been sounding the alarm about the danger to Central Texans from the Trump staffing cuts and hiring freeze at the National Weather Service and NOAA,” said Rep. Doggett. “The Administration has been unresponsive to my repeated attempts to secure information about the extent of the harm it has caused to our local NWS office. Without complete and accurate information about what really occurred last week at NWS, we cannot prevent future catastrophes, like the loss of lives in the recent Kerr County flooding, which is causing such extraordinary pain to so many families.”

    In the letter, the Congressman wrote, “[a]lthough the NWS issued a flash flood warning at 1:14 AM, a repeat of this warning at 3:35am as Camp Mystic was being inundated, and a flash flood emergency at 4:03 AM, this catastrophe raises questions regarding what and when communications were sent to local disaster coordinators, what special flood statements were issued to the public, and what coordination occurred between NWS and local leaders.”

    On May 20, Rep. Doggett first contacted NOAA about severe understaffing at the NWS Austin/San Antonio office, which doubled from 11% to 22% after President Trump took office. The agency has not responded.

    Since the spring, Rep. Doggett has publicly warned about how the Trump administration’s federal cutbacks could negatively impact timely, accurate weather forecasts and operations. Today’s letter in full can be read here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Doggett’s Statement on Passage of Trump’s Big Ugly Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

    Washington, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) released the following statement:

    “So many Republican colleagues seem to believe that their most important role is clicking their heels and saluting Trump. With the rare exception of Republican Senator Tillis, who recognized that ‘this bill will betray the promise Donald Trump made,’ they fell in line like automatons. Less health care access, higher electricity rates, and trillions more in national debt represent the price imposed to provide billions in tax giveaways to the superrich and their multinational corporations. Never have such an elite few gained so much from those who have so little. As we celebrate Independence Day, we must be mindful that we will not remain the land of the free unless we are indeed the home of the brave, determined to resist one-man rule.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Doggett and Texas Democrats Demand Answers on Stalled AmeriCorps Funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)

    Contact: Alexis Torres  

    Washington, D.C. — Amid the Trump administration’s drastic cuts threatening a wide range of community-based services, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) led members of the Texas congressional delegation in demanding answers from Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought on more than $3.5 million in stalled federal funding to local AmeriCorps partners. Some Texas organizations are in limbo, as they cannot access the federal support they were selected for—and need—because OMB has yet to make these congressionally authorized appropriations available. 

    “As Members of the Texas congressional delegation with AmeriCorps members and partner organizations serving in our districts, we are writing to request information regarding the status of Fiscal Year 2025 funds appropriated to the AmeriCorps agency. In 2024 alone, more than 17,200 Americans united to serve over 2,000 locations across Texas. These investments provide critical support to our communities, delivering essential services in healthcare, education, disaster relief, and community development,” wrote the lawmakers.

    The members specifically request that OMB provide information on the status and timeline of releasing federal funds for Texas initiatives designated under three national AmeriCorps programs:

    1. AmeriCorps State and National to address local needs through nonprofits, schools, community and faith-based groups, and more: Teach for America, Reading Partners, and OneStar Foundation.
    2. AmeriCorps Senior Companion to provide independent living support for homebound seniors and other adults: City of Corpus Christi, Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston, and Concho Valley Council of Governments.
    3. AmeriCorps Foster Grandparent to provide one-on-one mentoring and academic support to children with special or exceptional needs: City of El Paso, Senior Life Midland, and Concho Valley Council of Governments.

    The full letter with all signatories can be read here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Williams Leads Letter to AG Bondi Regarding Concerns with ICEBlock App

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Roger Williams (25th District of Texas)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), alongside Congressman Pat Fallon (TX-4), led a letter to United States Attorney General Pam Bondi expressing significant concern about the ICEBlock app, which was designed to alert users of impending U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The use of this app constitutes a large-scale obstruction of justice and poses a serious threat to public safety and the safety of the ICE officers carrying out these operations.

    “As President Trump works to secure our borders and restore law and order, assaults against ICE Agents have reached alarming and unprecedented levels as demonstrated by the recent attack on the McAllen Border Patrol Station on Monday, July 7th,” said Congressman Williams. “Bad actors are now using tools like the ICEBlock App to undermine the integrity of our justice system and encourage people to interfere with and evade lawful operations that are designed to remove dangerous criminals from our streets. These actions jeopardize public safety and put our federal officers at serious risk. I am proud to lead this effort alongside my colleagues to fight for the safety of our federal law enforcement officers and uphold our immigration laws.”

    “I am deeply concerned with the ICEBlock app, which deliberately undermines the heroic efforts of ICE agents working to deport dangerous criminal aliens flooding our nation due to the previous administration’s reckless open-border policies,” said Rep. Pat Fallon. “The 690 percent surge in assaults on federal and ICE agents in just the first half of 2025 is a direct consequence of emboldened criminals, and this app only escalates the threat by broadcasting agents’ locations, inviting violence. ICE agents, operating under clear legal authority, are risking their lives to remove murderers, sex offenders, human traffickers, and potential terrorists from our streets. We cannot allow a smartphone app to jeopardize their safety or hinder their mission to restore public safety. It is crucial that the DOJ launch an immediate investigation into ICEBlock to assess its role in endangering our officers and take swift action to protect those who protect us.”

    Background:

    • Read the full letter here.
    • First covered by Fox.
    • Co-lead: Pat Fallon (TX-4)
    • Co-Signers: Randy Weber (TX-14), Tom Tiffany (WI-7), Mark Alford (MO-4), Michael A. Rulli (OH-6), Ryan Mackenzie (PA-7), Brad Finstad (MI-1), Eli Crane (AZ-2), John Rose (TN-6), and Addison McDowell (NC-6)
    • Supporting Orgs: Immigration Accountability Project and NumbersUSA

    ###

    Congressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Pedestrians struck by car at Aberfoyle Park

    Source: New South Wales – News

    A learner driver will be fined after colliding with two pedestrians in a shopping centre car park at Aberfoyle Park today.

    Police and emergency services were called to the Hub Shopping Centre, Hub Drive, Aberfoyle Park just after midday on Saturday 12 July by reports of a crash.

    A vehicle lurched forward while parking and collided with two pedestrians.

    The pedestrians were knocked to the ground and both sustained minor injuries and grazes.  One of the pedestrians, a man aged in 70s, was taken to hospital as a precaution.

    The Holden Commodore sedan also sideswiped a car parked alongside it and struck the chicken shop.

    The driver, a 20-year-old man from Old Noarlunga, only holds a learner’s permit and did not have a qualified supervising driver present.

    Neither he, nor his young passengers, were injured in the crash.

    The driver is expected to receive an expiation notice for failing to maintain proper control of his vehicle and breaches of his learner’s permit conditions.

    The Holden was towed from the scene.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Secretary for Health attends 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation in Nanjing (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, attended the 13th Nanjing Academic Symposium on Hepatobiliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation in Nanjing today (July 12) to share with liver transplant experts from around the world Hong Kong’s latest developments in organ transplantation, and the work of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government in co-operation with the Mainland on organ donation and transplantation.
     
         In his address at the opening ceremony, Professor Lo said, “Hong Kong and the Mainland have a long-standing collaboration in hepatobiliary surgery. I have personally witnessed experts from both places jointly performing a number of complex liver transplant surgeries, achieving in-depth integration of technology and resources, which is an exemplary model of medical co-operation under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework. In recent years, Hong Kong and the Mainland have also made breakthroughs in organ donation and transplantation. In December 2022 and February this year, two cases of cross-boundary heart donation successfully saved the lives of two infants, exemplifying to the fullest the inseparable ties between the Mainland and Hong Kong as well as our shared principle and mission in protecting and saving lives. With the accumulation of experience, the channels and procedures for handling urgent cross-boundary organ transplant requests have now been streamlined and standardised. The HKSAR Government will continue to explore arrangements for regularising this mechanism.”
     
         He also shared the latest developments in the prevention and control of liver disease in Hong Kong. He said, “Since 1988, Hong Kong has provided universal hepatitis B vaccination for all newborns, significantly reducing infection rates among younger generations. As outlined in last year’s Policy Address, the Chief Executive also proposed to implement hepatitis B screening to prevent liver cancer. If patients can be identified at an early stage, it will facilitate ‘early identification and early treatment’, thereby effectively reducing risks of developing complications including cirrhosis and liver cancer.”
     
         The conference was jointly organised by the Jiangsu Anti-cancer Association, the Jiangsu Medical Doctor Association, and the Jiangsu Medical Association. The conference brought together international experts and scholars in liver disease, as well as senior health officials from around the world.
     
         Professor Lo then visited the Jiangsu Province Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University), where he exchanged views and shared experiences on enhancing hospital management and services with the President of Jiangsu Province Hospital (the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University), Professor Liu Yun. He said, “The Hospital Authority (HA) is adopting China’s International Hospital Accreditation Standards (2021 Version) developed by the Shenzhen Hospital Accreditation Research Centre to resume the hospital accreditation programme at its public hospitals. Through independent professional hospital accreditation organisations, various aspects of hospital performance are assessed in an objective manner, with a view to enhancing the quality of healthcare institutions and safeguarding patient safety. Moreover, the HA seeks to optimise the diagnosis process of the relevant specialties and improve the treatment outcomes through the establishment of the first stroke centre at Tuen Mun Hospital, as well as chest pain centres at both Queen Mary Hospital and Prince of Wales Hospital in accordance with national accreditation standards, thereby enhancing the survival rate of patients.”
     
         Professor Lo added, “The HKSAR Government will continue to promote the accreditation programme under the Standards as well as the establishment of chest pain centres and stroke centres. These initiatives will not only improve healthcare integration within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and support Hong Kong’s integration into national development, but also leverage Hong Kong’s advantages of enjoying strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world, so as to demonstrate the excellence of the national hospital accreditation standards to the international community.”
     
         The Assistant Director of Health (Drug), Mr Frank Chan; the Director (Quality and Safety) of the HA, Dr Michael Wong, and the Cluster Chief Executive of Hong Kong West Cluster of the HA, Dr Theresa Li, accompanied Professor Lo to attend today’s functions. They will return to Hong Kong this afternoon.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • PM Modi to distribute over 51,000 appointment letters at 16th Rozgar Mela today

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a push to accelerate employment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will distribute more than 51,000 appointment letters to newly inducted candidates in various government departments and organisations on Saturday at the 16th edition of the Rozgar Mela, which will take place virtually.

    PM Modi will address the recruits via video conferencing at around 11 a.m.

    Today’s event will be organised at 47 locations across the country, covering recruitments in several key Central Government Ministries and Departments. These include the Ministry of Railways, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Posts, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the Department of Financial Services, and the Ministry of Labour & Employment, among others.

    The new recruits, selected from different parts of the country, will take up roles in various sectors, further strengthening government service delivery and infrastructure.

    The appointments are expected to bring fresh energy and commitment to public administration while ensuring that government departments are adequately staffed to meet the growing demands of governance.

    This nationwide employment initiative, launched by PM Modi on October 22, 2022, is part of the government’s mission-mode approach to creating new job opportunities and bolstering the public workforce. Since its inception, the Rozgar Mela has led to the issuance of over 10 lakh appointment letters across India, according to official data.

    The Rozgar Mela symbolises the government’s ongoing commitment to harnessing the potential of India’s youth. By offering structured employment and career development opportunities, the initiative seeks to inspire the younger generation to actively contribute to nation-building.

    With a strong focus on merit, transparency, and efficiency, the Rozgar Mela continues to speed up the recruitment process and enhance public sector capacity.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo and Bipartisan Senators Introduce Bill to Empower States and Communities to Reduce Homelessness

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) and Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island) introduced the Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act, legislation to cut red tape and create local solutions for addressing homelessness.

    “With rising rates of homelessness sweeping across America, nonprofit organizations on the front lines deserve maximum support as they stretch limited donations and funding to provide shelter, food, skills training, addiction recovery and hope to our friends and neighbors who need it most,” said Crapo.  “This bipartisan legislation is urgently needed to strengthen the Housing Choice Voucher Program, remove burdensome regulations and better coordinate between diverse agencies serving unhoused individuals.”

    As of January 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported approximately 771,480 people experiencing homelessness during the annual point-in-time count.  The 2024 count represented an all-time high, which was an 18 percent increase from 2023.  The 2025 point-in-time count results have not been released by HUD. 

    Specifically, the Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act:

    Eases the bureaucratic burdens for Continuum of Care organizations by moving the time intensive annual application process for funding to every other year.

    • Empowers local communities by cutting federal red tape and allowing homeless service providers to respond more quickly and effectively to local needs.
    • Removes unnecessary federal barriers that prevent individuals from accessing housing and support services in a timely manner.
    • Makes commonsense reforms to the Housing Choice Voucher Program by streamlining unit inspections, income verification and allowable uses of funds–reducing waste and inefficiency.
    • Studies the hiring, retention and compensation of staff at all levels of homeless service organizations.
    • Authorizes specific and targeted funding to upgrade the outdated software used for applications and grant management of the CoC Program. 
    • Improves coordination between local healthcare systems, law enforcement, veterans’ programs and job training services to deliver integrated support and reduce repeat homelessness or justice system involvement.
    • Supports better use of data–including advanced tools like artificial intelligence–to making sure resources are going where they are needed most.
    • Establishes more feedback mechanisms for service providers and people with lived experience of homelessness to advise HUD on the effectiveness of federal homelessness policies and programs.
    • Continues the work of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness and increases congressional oversight of the council.

     
    “Despite record levels of federal funding, homelessness continues to rise.  It’s clear that a one-size-fits-all approach isn’t working,” said Rounds.  “The challenges we face in South Dakota are not the same as those in California or New York.  This legislation takes a conservative approach by shifting power back to the states and communities closest to the problem.  This commonsense bill cuts red tape and enables local leaders to deliver faster, more effective and more appropriate solutions for the people they serve.”

    “Without a safe, affordable place to live nothing else in your life works–not your job, health, family or education,” said Smith.  “This bipartisan bill makes commonsense reforms to federal homelessness programs: cutting red tape for homeless service providers, streamlining and improving federal housing vouchers, reducing administrative burden and modernizing out-of-date software systems.  It will reduce homelessness while using taxpayer dollars more efficiently.  We know that the best ideas come from those closest to the issues, and that’s why our legislation gives local leaders in Minnesota and across the country the tools and flexibility they need to address homelessness no matter the ZIP code.”

    “At a time when more Americans are facing homelessness and there are fewer federal resources available, we must do everything we can to make programs more effective and assist people by connecting them to housing, local health systems and behavioral health programs that can offer the ongoing, community-based support they need,” said Reed.

    This legislation is endorsed the Bipartisan Policy Center; National Low Income Housing Coalition; the Council of State Community Development Agencies, whose members include the Idaho Department of Commerce and the Idaho Housing and Finance Association; the National Alliance to End Homelessness; Catholic Charities USA and the Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment.

    “Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) Action is proud to endorse the Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act and applauds Senators Mike Rounds, Tina Smith, Mike Crapo and Jack Reed for their bipartisan leadership.  The bill’s focus on cutting red tape, streamlining the Housing Choice Voucher program and improving data coordination aligns closely with the proposals put forth by BPC in its American Housing Act,” says Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action.  “These practical reforms will help communities more effectively address homelessness and connect people with housing and services.”

    “Streamlining systems isn’t just good governance–it’s what’s needed to meet the urgent housing needs of people across the country,” said National Low Income Housing Coalition President and CEO Renee Willis.  “The bipartisan Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act enacts common-sense reforms to improve coordination between government agencies and the private sector, ensuring programs more effectively serve people with the most urgent housing needs.” 

    Read the full text of the bill here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scalise: OBBB Delivers on Trump’s Agenda

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Fox News’ Fox and Friends to discuss how President Trump and House Republicans are delivering on their promises through the One Big Beautiful Bill. Leader Scalise stated that despite Democrat leaders’ efforts, House Republicans are on track to deliver for struggling families who suffered under four years of Biden’s failed policies. Leader Scalise outlined how lower costs at the pump, a secure border, and rooting out the wasteful spending of taxpayers’ dollars are all promises made, promises kept.

    Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full interview. 
    On President Trump working with Republicans to pass an America First agenda:“Yeah, Charlie, great to be with you. Good morning. This bill has been on life support many times throughout the – this will be the fourth major vote on the House floor in this bill, and it’s always been tight. We have a tight majority, but we’ve always stuck together. We’ve come together when we’ve needed to. I will tell you, Donald Trump has been there every step of the way to make sure we got this bill to the next step. The final step is going to be getting it to President Trump’s desk in just the next [few] hours.“It was a lot of one-on-one conversations, some group meetings [to whip votes]. Look, I was up at 1:00 in the morning with President Trump on a call with a couple of members and the Speaker of the House. Every step of the way, President Trump has been right there talking to our members, walking them through why this bill is so important for the country. Look, this bill delivers on President Trump’s agenda. But remember, this was the American agenda that the voters gave us a mandate to go deliver so that we can help families get back up off their feet after four years of Joe Biden’s failed policies, lowering food costs at the grocery store, lowering energy costs, securing our border, opening up more energy production, ensuring there’s no tax increase.“Then, of course, President Trump went further and said, no tax on tips for those waiters and waitresses working hard hours. If you’re a shift worker working overtime, a cop working overtime, you’re not going to pay taxes on your overtime. All that’s in this bill and a lot more. We have school choice for low-income families who want better options for their kids. That’s in this bill.”On Democrats being out of touch with the needs of everyday Americans: “Well, Lawrence, I wish it would. But sadly, you can see, the Democrat Party is in disarray.It’s why right now they’re literally standing in the way on the House floor. They don’t want that waitress, who’s making $32,000 a year, that’s the average pay of a tip worker, they don’t want that waitress to get her own money back, to not have to pay taxes on tips. They want to keep that money in Washington and want to keep power in Washington, and they don’t want to give it away. Donald Trump wants to empower families in America. He wants to get a new renaissance, literally a golden age of America again, and it’s going to happen. The Democrats don’t want to be a part of it because the Socialists have taken over their party. But you know what? Most of America does not want socialism, and that’s why we won the majority, and that’s why we’re going to deliver on the promises that Donald Trump made and we made.“It’s going to end soon. But look, I think it’s good that America gets to see it’s the same lies, the same scare tactics that the American people rejected in November. They have not understood why the American people said, ‘We want Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress,’ and we’re going to deliver today. Once they finish all of their lies and bloviating, we’re going to deliver for those hardworking families. And this bill is going to deliver great benefits to American families. Starting day 1, July Fourth, tomorrow, Independence Day, is going to be a great day for America for a lot of reasons. We celebrate independence, but Americans are going to celebrate the renaissance and the new golden age of America.”On rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending:“Charlie, a lot of the early conversations, there were some members that wanted to change this bill again. We could go around 10 more times, and you’re going to basically end up in the same place. Let’s remember, there in this bill, House and Senate, $1.6 trillion in cuts to waste, fraud, and abuse. Most Americans want to get rid of waste, fraud, and abuse. Democrats in Congress don’t. But this bill does that. That’s historic. That had never been done before. And so by cleaning up a lot of that waste, it allows you to free up more tax cuts for families who are working. I’m talking blue-collar workers. So we deliver on all those things, but some members wanted to do more. I would want to do more. Let’s try it in the next bill. But you have to get this bill done first. And President Trump made that clear. Let’s get this bill signed and then go fight for the next things we want to do. We’re going to keep delivering wins for the American people.”On House Republicans delivering for American families:“Well, look, go look at the tape about two hours ago. One of the lead Democrats was sitting right behind Hakeem Jeffries, and he fell asleep. Hakeem’s speech was so boring. And they literally yanked him off the floor. They said, ‘Let’s get him out of here and replace him with another Democrat.’ They’ve had to replace him with a few others because he’s put so many people to sleep.“The American people are watching this. They know the theatrics and the lies, and they’re sick and tired of the lies. They want hope and optimism. That’s what Donald Trump ran on, is to say, ‘There is a better America.’ You don’t have to have four years of malaise under Joe Biden, where inflation is high, gas prices are high, you can’t even fill up your grocery cart, crimes out of control, illegals are running rampant, millions a year. We finally are fixing those problems, and this bill really delivers on the rest of those promises to get this country back on track, to bring hope back to people who want to control their own destiny.Democrats will stand in the way. That’s why they’re a party of the past. That’s why they’re a party of failure and socialism. Americans have rejected that.“God bless you. We’re going to get it done.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scalise: Republicans Address Biden’s Four Years of Failures

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

    JEFFERSON, La.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) appeared on Fox Business Network’s Mornings with Maria to discuss how Republicans are getting the country back on track after years of decline under Joe Biden with the One Big Beautiful Bill. Leader Scalise highlighted how hardworking Americans will now have access to no tax on overtime, no tax on tips, strengthened social safety net programs, lower energy costs, and a stronger border. Additionally, Leader Scalise highlighted the work the House Oversight Committee is doing to expose the Biden Administration’s coverup of President Biden’s cognitive decline.

    Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full interview. 
    On the once-in-a-generation impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill:“Quite historic, Maria. It’s going to be great for American families who have been struggling. I mean, look, for four years, people struggled under Joe Biden, high inflation, high interest rates, high costs at the grocery store. All that is going to be turning around. You’re going to see, number one, more jobs, millions of more jobs will be created, trillions of more investment, people investing in America again because of this bill, stabilizing the tax code. Nobody gets a tax increase. I’d love, Maria, for every Democrat who’s out bashing this bill, ask them this basic question: Will you pay the higher tax rate that you voted for for all Americans? Because every Democrat voted ‘no,’ which means they voted for a higher tax rate for everybody in America. Will they pay that higher tax rate? Or are they going to take the benefits of this bill? There’s a lot of hypocrisy out there because this bill delivers a lot of great things for a lot of people. No tax on tips. One of the great hallmarks President Trump said that he would do on the campaign trail. Everybody who’s a tip worker is going to get it.“I’ll tell you something, Maria, I’ve been talking about with constituents just in the last few days back home that they didn’t even know about this bill. So not only do we say no tax on overtime, but let’s say you’re a cop, let’s say you’re a nurse, and you work overtime hours. This bill is retroactive to January to when Donald Trump took office. So all the taxes you paid on your overtime this year, you’re going to get that money back when you file your return. That’s going to be more money in your pockets. These are blue-collar workers.These aren’t the millionaires and the billionaires that the Democrats have been lying about this bill. This is blue-collar workers that get the benefits of this bill, plus more energy production, more border security. We revamp and modernize America’s whole air traffic control system. We’ve seen all these horrible reports. Laguardia being shut down for days, every air flight in America being canceled because we’re running off of floppy disks, for goodness’ sake. We fixed that in this bill. Sean Duffy, the great job he’s been doing over at transportation, they will now have the resources to modernize America’s air traffic control system. Every Democrat voted against that, Maria.”On combating Democrat lies over strengthened Medicaid for deserving Americans:“Well, we’re going to tell the truth while they’re out lying. We’ve always said, ‘If you keep lying about us, we’re going to keep telling the truth about you.’ They’ve been saying, ‘Everybody’s going to die. Every hospital is going to close.’ Well, a year from now, Maria, we’re actually going to be able to see results. It’s all the hyperbole that you saw them saying on the House floor. They were all lies. Disabled people will get better Medicaid under this bill because all of the fully able-bodied, the 35-year-old guy sitting at home playing video games in his mom’s basement, he’s going to have to go work because we put work requirements in place. And so he will not be crowding out disabled people in Medicaid. It’s a crowded program. It’s not the best form of health care right now. And so we’re going to make that program work better for the people that are truly disabled and needy, not for somebody who’s turning down work. And by the way, when he gets a job, he’s going to get health care with his job that’s better than Medicaid. So these are all components of the bill that they’ve been lying about. The truth is going to be something that the American people like because these are all things that President Trump campaigned on, and so did we.”On the Biden Administration’s coverups:“First, this is not somebody who has been stumbling over words, Maria. Everybody in America has watched his cognitive decline for years. Some in the far-left media act like that this was some new revelation at the debate where President Trump destroyed Joe Biden in the debate. It had been going on before that, and everybody knew about it, but the left was covering up, including the media in the left. And so let’s not play that game. “However, we’re really concerned about things like the use of the autopen. The autopen wasn’t just used to sign some congratulatory note for somebody who turned 100. They were signing pardons with the autopen, other really important documents. And then now there are people testifying saying, ‘Joe Biden probably didn’t even know it was being used.’ Well, if so, who was? Why was somebody using President Biden’s signature without President Biden’s own knowledge? We’re digging into things like that. His doctor raises a lot of questions when you’re asked, ‘Were you ever pushed into lying about Joe Biden?’ And you plead the fifth. It raises a lot of serious questions, Maria, and we’re going to keep digging to get answers.”On the disarray in the Democrat Party:“Yeah, Maria, people want to know the truth. The American people deserve to know the truth. And we have some people who are talking. There were some people in the Biden White House who are talking to Chairman [James] Comer’s committee. You were spot on in 2021. I have a number of my colleagues, we were all talking about this back then because you could see it. It wasn’t just something that we were trying to throw at the wall. It was something everybody that saw Joe Biden could see. They scripted him. They limited his schedule severely. They kept a really close bubble around him so people couldn’t talk to him. He didn’t do press conferences. Donald Trump does press conferences, everyday free-wheeling. But look, I have Republicans that went on Jake Tapper’s show to say he had a cognitive decline, and Jake Tapper read them the riot act, called him all kinds of crazy names. Now he’s got a book saying, ‘gee-whiz, we just realized it.’ No, he didn’t. He knew it back then, and he was playing pitbull for the far-left to attack any Republican who said there was a decline. The American people have figured this out.“The Democrat Party is still in denial. So, as you saw the clip from [Rep. Jasmine] Crockett, they’re trying to still cover up for it. They’re still in denial about why they lost the election. Their party is being run by Socialists. Go look in New York City. That’s who they are. That’s who their party is. And that’s not where the American people are. We’re fighting for blue-collar, hard-working families, and they’re still yelling lies about millionaires and billionaires and people dying in the streets, and they wonder why they keep losing elections.”On ICE agents making America safe again:“Well, first of all, it’s criminal. You are seeing President Trump and the Justice Department going aggressively after anybody who’s attacking ICE agents, whether they’re slashing tires or whether they’re ambushing and trying to murder them in shootouts. They’re going to do hard jail time. It’s a federal crime to attack and assault a federal officer. And so it’s being fueled by the left, though. Make no doubt about it, Maria. When you see Democrat politicians at the highest levels still out there publicly bashing ICE agents, the Democrat Party, who tried to defund police, is now trying to defund ICE. They want chaos. They don’t want rule of law. We are fighting for rule of law, and ICE agents are doing a wonderful job. These are heroes. These are people getting the pedophiles off of our streets, hardened criminals, gang leaders from foreign countries that Joe Biden let in. They’re the ones that are getting them out of our country to keep our community safe. And the Democrat Party wants to go after them. Shame on them, Maria.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scalise Releases Video Touting OBBB Wins

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) released a video touting the wins in Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill. Leader Scalise highlighted the economic relief, border security, and energy independence achieved by President Trump signing this historic bill into law. To view the full video, click here.

    On promises made, promises kept through the OBBB:“For the last four years, America has been held back. We ran and said, ‘We’ll do something about it and we’ll fix it.’ America went to the polls in November and gave us this mandate – the House, Senate, and White House – to go deliver on all of the things that are in this bill, this One Big Beautiful Bill. This bill that’s going to deliver on so many promises that the American people asked us to do for them.“President Trump said that he was going to lock those tax rates in. Waiters and waitresses with no tax on tips. We get rid of all taxes on overtime pay for blue-collar workers. It’s going to lower inflation, create higher wages for families.“We fully fund President Trump’s effort to finish building the wall, give our Border Patrol Agents new technology so they can actually compete with the drug cartels of Mexico.“President Trump said that we were going to produce more American energy from ANWR in Alaska to the Gulf of America. In this One Big Beautiful Bill, those promises are kept.“You will see an American renaissance, a golden age in this country that we haven’t seen in generations, and we will get this economy moving again.”

    MIL OSI USA News –