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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Reintroduces ‘O DAIRY Act’ to Support Organic Dairy Farmers 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, led Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) this week in reintroducing the Organic Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Reporting Yields Act (O DAIRY) Act, legislation to expand federal support for organic dairy farmers by extending emergency assistance to farmers facing losses due to factors like feed shortages and increased costs. The Senators’ legislation also increases investments in the organic dairy industry to ensure resiliency and longevity and works to improve data collection for organic milk production to enhance price accuracy and transparency.  
    “Organic dairy farms are a major part of our Vermont’s culture and local economies, producing world-class dairy for families here and across the country. But recent economic challenges have taken their toll on many of these generational family businesses. We need to do everything we can to help Vermont-sized farms thrive, including boosting infrastructure investment, data collection, and emergency support for when our farmers need help the most,” said Senator Welch. “Our bill tackles all of those priorities and will promote the long-term sustainability of the organic dairy industry so our farmers can continue doing what they love—feed our communities.” 
    “New York’s dairy farms are a bedrock of economic stability for many of our Upstate communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The O Dairy Act will make critical investments to support small organic dairies, which face increasing financial uncertainty. I am proud to support this important legislation and will continue fighting for our dairy farmers in New York and across the country.” 
    “In Vermont and across the country, dairy farms are a critical part of our economies, our communities, our culture, and our history,” said Senator Sanders. “Tragically, it has become harder and harder for many of these farms to get by, and too many of our organic dairies have been forced to close. We must ensure that the Department of Agriculture recognizes the higher costs and unique needs of organic dairy farmers. This bill is an important step forward in providing organic dairies with the emergency relief they need while building on existing programming to ensure these hardworking farmers can stay in business.”   
    “Small organic dairy farms are a vital part of our nation’s food system, and we must ensure they have the help they need when faced with economic challenges,” said Senator Booker. “We must expand support for organic dairies, and ensure that USDA meets the unique needs of this industry so that these farmers can stay in business.” 
    The O DAIRY Act would extend emergency assistance to organic dairy farmers facing losses, including any time a farm’s net income decreases by over 10% in any given year, and invest $25 million annually in dairy infrastructure investments, research and innovation. The legislation also calls for increased organic industry data collection that will be shared with farmers so they can plan better. Additionally, the bill would direct USDA to study the viability of an organic safety net program, which would get aid to farmers faster when disasters hit in the future. 
    The O DAIRY Act has the broad support of farms, dairy cooperatives, producers and associations across the country, including the Organic Farmers Association, Northeast Organic Farmers Association-Vermont, Northeast Organic Farmers Association-New York, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Western Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, Straus Family Creamery, the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers’ Association, the National Organic Coalition, and the Center for Food Safety. 
    “Family run organic dairy farms provide healthy food and environmental stewardship to rural communities across the country. The O DAIRY Act can provide much needed investments to alleviate the economic crisis these farmers are facing and provide valuable data collection to inform future support for the industry,” said Kate Mendenhall, Executive Director of Organic Farmers Association. “We applaud Senator Welch for championing this important work.” 
    Senator Welch has led bipartisan efforts to support Vermont’s dairy farmers and strengthen the state’s organic dairy industry. Last Congress, Senator Welch led the introduction of the Opportunities in Organic Act, legislation designed to help farmers and other agricultural producers transition to organic practices and build successful and sustainable businesses. Senator Welch also led his colleagues in calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to bolster investments in federal programs that support organic infrastructure, as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Appropriations Bill.  
    Learn more about the O DAIRY Act. 
    Read and download the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Q&A: National Whistleblower Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    Q: What’s your most recent work to strengthen whistleblower protections?

    A: Estimates show federal contractors outnumber roughly two million civilian employees in the federal workforce. In July I introduced bipartisan legislation to address gaps in existing federal law that leave millions of people who work as federal contractors vulnerable to reprisal if they report waste, fraud and abuse in federal agencies. As a longtime champion for whistleblowers, I’m pushing to close this loophole with Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan. Our Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act is another step we can take to empower the millions of contractors who work for federal agencies to be the eyes and ears on behalf of the taxpayer. Whistleblowers provide a crucial layer of protection for the American public to ferret out fraud and mismanagement, from tax evasion, to securities law violations and patient safety. As a co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Whistleblower Protection Caucus, I’m constantly on the lookout for ways to support and encourage people to come forward with credible information to root out wrongdoing and help ensure the government works on behalf of the American people, not the other way around. Whistleblowers put their jobs and reputations on the line to tell the truth.

    Earlier this year, I introduced bipartisan legislation to ensure whistleblower protections keep pace with the fast-growing Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry. The rapid growth in AI would benefit from disclosures of wrongdoing brought forward by whistleblowers to hold the industry accountable and protect national security, public health, privacy and public safety. Employees working within the AI sector deserve whistleblower protections that would empower those helping to develop this new frontier of technology to report wrongdoing. AI has the potential to reshape daily life, our economy and the geopolitical landscape. My Artificial Intelligence Whistleblower Protection Act would provide explicit whistleblower protections for those developing and deploying AI across the economy. To date AI companies have fostered a chilling effect on current and former employees looking to make whistleblower disclosures to the federal government, including Congress. My bipartisan legislation strengthens federal laws to shield the communications of current and former employees who make disclosures. It also would provide relief for AI whistleblowers who suffer retaliation, including reinstatement, back pay and compensation for damages.

    Q: How did your advocacy for whistleblowers get started?

    A: For nearly five decades, I’ve led efforts on Capitol Hill to protect those who come forward to tell the truth. My oversight work digging under the hood of the Pentagon’s financial mess was prompted by civilian employees who blew the whistle on defense contractor fraud. That includes a staff analyst at the Department of Defense named Chuck Spinney who graced the cover of Time magazine in 1983 for blowing the whistle on billions of dollars of wasteful spending at the Pentagon and the practice of keeping two sets of books. He exposed the $750 billion dollar mismatch between the Pentagon’s Five Year Defense Program (FYDP) and budget. The bureaucrats were trying to squeeze ten pounds of manure into a five pound bag and got caught. I’ve been doggedly working to tighten the Pentagon’s fiscal leash ever since. Whistleblowers from across the federal bureaucracy who step forward to “commit the truth” – like Chuck Spinney and Ernie Fitzgerald – help hold government accountable to the American people. Since my first term in the Senate, my door is open to whistleblowers as part of my congressional oversight work. It also prompted me to write bipartisan landmark amendments in 1986 to beef up the False Claims Act, a tool deployed by President Abraham Lincoln to root out fraudsters during the Civil War. The qui tam amendments are the federal government’s #1 anti-fraud tool in its arsenal. To date, it’s helped recover more than $78 billion in fraud and deterred the loss of untold billions more over the last four decades. Last year, I wrote all 74 federal inspectors general to strengthen their whistleblower protections and stop using unlawful non-disclosure policies that stymie employees from reporting wrongdoing. I also recently wrote to President Trump urging that he protect whistleblowers while cutting federal waste, fraud, and abuse. Simply put, the work of whistleblowers is invaluable to American society. They are heroes among us who identify violations of law, gross mismanagement, negligence and threats to public health and safety. Whistleblowers who have the guts to stick their necks out to tell the truth – while putting their livelihoods and careers on the line – merit support and incentives under federal law for their bravery. Every year since the Reagan administration, I’ve called upon the president to hold a Rose Garden ceremony on Whistleblower Appreciation Day. Our nation owes these patriots a debt of gratitude. It also would send a clear message that retaliation for telling the truth will not be tolerated.

    National Whistleblower Day is July 30. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Heinrich, Miller-Meeks, Pingree Reintroduce Bill to Explore Agricultural, Environmental Benefits of Biochar

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong farmer and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) and Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), reintroduced legislation to study the effectiveness of biochar, a carbon-rich material produced from biomass.

    The bipartisan Biochar Research Network Act would establish a National Biochar Research Network to test the impact of biochar across various soil types, application methods and climates to learn more about its capacity to benefit farmers and the environment.

    “Farmers rely on the latest advances in science and innovation to increase their crop productivity and advance soil health. Biochar presents an exciting opportunity for farmers looking for a low-cost way to improve soil quality while sequestering carbon. More information is needed to understand the benefits biochar could provide, and my legislation will facilitate much needed research into this potentially transformative tool,” Grassley said.

    “By investing in soil health research, we can help farmers, foresters, and producers make their working lands more resilient,” Heinrich said. “Our bipartisan legislation accomplishes this by directing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to research the potential of biochar to enhance crop production, conservation, and soil carbon sequestration in varying soils and circumstances. This will allow producers to build more resilience into their operations and increase crop growth and yield.”

    “We can all agree that we want to leave a cleaner, healthier planet for our children and grandchildren. Our agricultural sector in Iowa is vital to our economy and biochar sits at the intersection of smart agriculture, environment, and energy practices,” Miller-Meeks said. “Biochar has the incredible potential to help sequester carbon in our agriculture communities and we must ensure that we are using every resource at our fingertips to promote this innovative tool. The benefits of biochar are not yet fully recognized, and this bill would promote research and provide us the information we need to fully utilize biochar in a variety of types of soil and methods.”

    “Biochar holds incredible promise for our farmers, our forests, and our fight against climate change. In Maine, we’ve seen how biochar can improve soil health, sequester carbon, and the potential to help clean up PFAS contamination. But there’s still a lot we don’t know,” Pingree said. “The Biochar Research Network Act gives scientists, farmers, and foresters the data they need to unlock the full potential of this climate-smart tool. As we work on the next Farm Bill, we must ensure that investments in biochar research are part of our broader strategy to build a more sustainable and resilient agricultural system.”

    Under the legislation, the proposed National Biochar Research Network would work to:

    • Understand productive uses for biochar to help with crop production and climate mitigation;
    • Assess biochar’s potential for soil carbon sequestration; and
    • Deliver cost-effective and practical information to farmers on sustainable biochar production and application.

    The full text of the legislation is available HERE.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Duckworth Seek Answers On So-Called One Big Beautiful Bill’s Impact On Hospitals In Illinois

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    July 25, 2025

    In a letter that was sent to every hospital in Illinois, Durbin and Duckworth request information about how each hospital anticipates to be impacted by the Republicans’ so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill”

    SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today sent a letter to every hospital in Illinois requesting information about the projected impact analysis of the Republicans’ so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which cuts $1 trillion in Medicaid funding and $300 billion in Affordable Care Act funding over the next decade. As a result of the legislation, 15 million Americans are projected to lose health insurance coverage, including approximately half a million people in Illinois, and hospitals that rely on Medicaid funding, especially those in rural areas, face risk of closure. Further, it’s estimated that 30,000 health care jobs will be lost over the next decade as a result of the bill.

    “Earlier this month, Congressional Republicans passed and President Trump signed into law the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21). We voted against the measure. We write to request information about how this Republican-passed law will affect your hospital, health care workforce, and the patients you serve across Illinois,” the Senators began their letter.

    “The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that federal Medicaid spending for Illinois will be reduced by 19 percent. These cuts include freezing and reducing provider taxes and state directed payments that hospitals across Illinois depend on to help finance the Medicaid system and make up for low reimbursement rates. The Republican-passed law also will raise uncompensated care costs for hospitals by restricting eligibility and raising out-of-pocket costs for Medicaid and Affordable Care Act beneficiaries,” the Senators continued. “Based upon the estimated 19 percent cut to Medicaid funding, and increased uncompensated care costs from deep insurance coverage losses, we worry that hospitals will face severe financial hardship, and patients will suffer.

    Durbin and Duckworth closed their letter by requesting detailed information about the impacts of the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act on each hospital, including if patients can expect critical services like obstetrics to be eliminated, how many health care jobs may be lost, and how hospital uncompensated care costs will increase as Illinoisans lose access to their insurance.

    “To help inform legislative efforts to improve health care and strengthen hospitals across Illinois, we request the following information and analysis from your hospital about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by August 22, 2025,” the Senators requested.

    “If faced with a 19 percent cut to Medicaid funding as a result of this law, what changes would your hospital be forced to make to maintain viability?” the Senators asked as they concluded their letter.

    A copy of the letter is available here and below:

    July 25, 2025

    Dear Hospital Administrator:

    Earlier this month, Congressional Republicans passed and President Trump signed into law the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21). We voted against the measure. We write to request information about how this Republican-passed law will affect your hospital, health care workforce, and the patients you serve across Illinois.

    Republicans in Congress voted for legislation that cuts $1 trillion in Medicaid funding and $300 billion in Affordable Care Act funding over the next decade. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that federal Medicaid spending for Illinois will be reduced by 19 percent. These cuts include freezing and reducing provider taxes and state directed payments that hospitals across Illinois depend on to help finance the Medicaid system and make up for low reimbursement rates. The Republican-passed law also will raise uncompensated care costs for hospitals by restricting eligibility and raising out-of-pocket costs for Medicaid and Affordable Care Act beneficiaries.

    Fifteen million Americans are projected to lose health insurance coverage, including approximately half a million people in Illinois—impacting children, pregnant women, seniors, and individuals with disabilities across rural and urban areas. In Illinois, it is estimated that 30,000 health care jobs will be lost over the next decade as a result of this legislation. For rural hospitals that are often the largest employers in a community, this could be devastating.

    Hospitals, like any business, must make forecasts and plan their budgets months and years in advance to ensure proper resource allocation and capacity. Based upon the estimated 19 percent cut to Medicaid funding, and increased uncompensated care costs from deep insurance coverage losses, we worry that hospitals will face severe financial hardship, and patients will suffer.

    In addition to opposing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, we have worked on bipartisan legislation to strengthen the health care system, including bills to: bolster the pipeline and recruitment of physicians, nurses, behavioral health providers and dentists; increase funding for rural ambulance services; save rural hospitals facing financial hardship, address maternal mortality and chronic disease; and lower prescription drug costs.

    To help inform legislative efforts to improve health care and strengthen hospitals across Illinois, we request the following information and analysis from your hospital about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by August 22, 2025.

    1. What percent of your inpatient and outpatient services are paid for by Medicaid, and what percent of such patients are covered by the program?
    1. What is your hospital’s current operating margin, and, as a result of this law, what do you anticipate it to be in 2028, 2031, and 2034?
    1. What is the projected annual financial loss to your hospital as a result of this law?
    1. What is the projected increase in annual uncompensated care provided by your hospital as a result of this law?
    1. If faced with a 19 percent cut to Medicaid funding as a result of this law, what changes would your hospital be forced to make to maintain viability?
      1. Please identify which service lines would be the most likely or first to face reductions or termination.
    1. If your hospital currently offers obstetrics/labor and delivery services, do you anticipate continuing to do so in the same manner by 2030?
    1. How do you project emergency room wait times will be impacted by this law?
    1. How do you expect your projected financial losses to affect the economy of your local communities?
    1. If Congressional Republicans attempt to implement additional Medicaid or Affordable Care Act cuts this Congress, including by reducing or eliminating the 90 percent federal cost-share for Medicaid expansion states, how do you expect this would affect your finances?

    Thank you for your attention to this matter, we look forward to your response. Please contact our offices with any questions and to transmit your response.

    Sincerely,

     

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Duckworth Celebrate 100 Years Of Chicago Union Station

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    July 25, 2025

    SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released the following statements to celebrate 100 years of Chicago Union Station:

    “Chicago, often referred to as the crossroads of America, holds a unique position in the converging point for railroads that cross our nation,” said Durbin. “Our very own Union Station is one of the busiest rail terminals in the country, and this week marks 100 years of reliable transportation for passengers. We were able to secure a significant federal investment for Union Station to ensure our city remains not just a crossroads, but a thriving nexus that efficiently connects people, goods, and ideas—and I’ll continue working to secure resources to modernize the Station. As we celebrate this centennial achievement, I look forward to keeping the heart of America’s rail network beating strong into the future.”

    “Chicago is a national epicenter of passenger, commuter and freight rail—with Union Station at the heart,” Duckworth said. “As we celebrate the Station’s 100-year anniversary, we also honor the hardworking engineers, conductors and staff who help more than 30 million riders each year get where they need to go safely and efficiently. I’m proud to work alongside Senator Durbin and our local leaders to secure critical investments for Union Station and the Chicago Hub Improvement Program—efforts that will improve passenger rail not only in Chicago but across the Midwest foryears to come.”

    In 2023, Durbin and Duckworth announced $93.6 million in secured federal funding for the Chicago Hub Improvement Project (CHIP) through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal-State Partnerships for Intercity Passenger Rail grant program, which received funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. CHIP is Amtrak’s multi-phased project to revitalize Chicago Union Station and revolutionize Midwest passenger rail.

    Durbin worked to bring parties together—local officials, the State, Amtrak, and other stakeholders including labor, environmental groups, and businesses—to ensure there was a unified push for the project. In September of 2023, Durbin, Duckworth, and U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (D-IL-05) led 29 Midwest colleagues in a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose expressing their support for Amtrak’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program application for CHIP.

    In May of this year, Durbin raised the issue of CHIP funding with Transportation Secretary Duffy, urging the DOT to obligate the remaining funds for the $93.6 million grant awarded in 2023.

    Durbin and Duckworth will continue to build upon previous investments in the CHIP and lead stakeholders in advocating to advance the improvement of Chicago Union Station, cementing its critical importance to both Illinois and the Midwest.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Helps Lead Bill to Protect DACA Applicants’ and Recipients’ Data from Abuse by the Trump Administration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – In response to the Trump Administration’s escalating efforts to weaponize federal data for mass deportations that include DACA recipients, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) helped introduce the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act. This bill would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from disclosing information of current and prospective DACA recipients to ICE, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or other law enforcement agencies for purposes outside of administering the DACA program. With over 100,000 initial applications still unprocessed and the Trump Administration’s aggressive mass deportation push, many DACA-eligible individuals are fearing retaliation, and this bill seeks to restore trust in the DACA process.
    “The Trump Administration’s attacks on law-abiding immigrant communities have DACA recipients living in fear that the data they provided the government will be used to separate them from their families,” said Senator Rosen. “I’ll always stand with Nevada’s DACA community, and I’ll continue doing everything I can to make sure they can have peace of mind. I’m proud to help introduce this important bill to protect the sensitive information of DACA recipients and applicants from being misused by the Trump Administration.”
    Senator Rosen has a strong record of supporting DACA recipients and protecting the DACA program. In June, she commemorated the 13th anniversary of DACA with a Senate floor speech condemning the Trump Administration’s ongoing attacks on the program and calling for permanent protections. Senator Rosen also helped introduce legislation requiring ICE and immigration enforcement agents to clearly identify themselves and their authority—further defending immigrant communities from intimidation and abuse. She has also supported actions to protect mixed-status families, keep them together, and make it easier for DREAMers to work and remain in the United States.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $12 Million to Revitalize Former Mill Sites Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $12,000,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending to revitalize former paper and textile mill sites in East Millinocket, Lewiston, and Lincoln. This funding, included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill, was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this week and now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
    “Many communities throughout Maine are still working to create job opportunities and spur economic activity following paper mill closures,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would support the continued efforts to redevelop the former Great Northern Paper Mill in East Millinocket, Camden Yarns Mill in Lewiston, and Lincoln Pulp and Tissue Mill. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
    “We’re deeply grateful to Senator Collins for her continued support of East Millinocket’s redevelopment efforts. Senator Collins’ advocacy was instrumental in advancing this critical federal investment. Funding for this phase marks a pivotal moment in our work to transform the former Great Northern Paper mill site into a vibrant hub of economic opportunity. With this support, we are one step closer to creating sustainable jobs, attracting private investment, and restoring long-term economic vitality to our region,” said Former U.S. Representative and Chairman of East Millinocket Board of Selectman Michael Michaud.  
    “The federal government’s critical support of the Maine MILL would allow us to complete construction of our new facility in Lewiston and would firmly establish an important expansion of a major civic institution for our entire community. This investment would also significantly contribute to the economic development of the Lewiston-Auburn area. We are deeply grateful to Senator Collins for her essential support,” said Rachel Ferrante, Executive Director of Maine MILL.
    “The Town of Lincoln thanks Senator Collins for her critical support in advancing federal funding for infrastructure improvements to the ongoing redevelopment of the former Lincoln Pulp and Tissue Mill, now known as the Lincoln Technology Park. This effort will help spark new private sector investments and vital job creation at the former mill site,” said Richard B. Bronson, Lincoln Town Manager.
    This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 THUD Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.
    Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:
    East Millinocket Paper Mill – $5,000,000 to support the ongoing redevelopment of the former Great Northern mill site by stabilizing and rehabilitating existing structures — adding strategic infrastructure for priority projects and continuing site clean-up for redevelopment and construction of new facilities.
    Maine MILL – $3,000,000 to support the redevelopment of the Camden Yarns Mill building to serve as Maine MILL’s permanent home. Currently located on Canal Street in Lewiston, the Maine MILL showcases the history of Lewiston-Auburn’s manufacturing mills and related trades.
    Lincoln Technology Park – $4,000,000 to support the redevelopment of the former Lincoln Pulp and Tissue Mill by making infrastructure upgrades for future development by businesses.
    In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: More Than $59 Million for Maine Drinking Water, Wastewater Infrastructure Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $59,063,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects throughout Maine in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this week, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
    “Maintaining and upgrading drinking water and wastewater infrastructure is vital to strengthening the economic and environmental health of communities throughout Maine,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would help to ensure Mainers continue to have access to clean, safe drinking water and functioning sewer systems while preserving Maine’s natural resources. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
    This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.
    Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:
    City of Biddeford for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: City of Biddeford
    Project Location: Biddeford, ME
    Amount Requested: $6,000,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Biddeford.
    City of Brewer for Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: City of Brewer
    Project Location: Brewer, ME
    Amount Requested: $1,576,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Brewer.
    Canton Water District for Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Canton Water District
    Project Location: Canton, ME
    Amount Requested: $1,250,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Canton.
    Caribou Utilities District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Caribou Utilities District
    Project Location: Caribou, ME
    Amount Requested: $3,288,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Caribou.
    Clinton Water District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Clinton Water District
    Project Location: Clinton, ME
    Amount Requested: $3,250,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Clinton.
    Town of Fort Kent for Water Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Town of Fort Kent
    Project Location: Fort Kent, ME
    Amount Requested: $3,500,000
    Project Purpose: To improve water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure in Fort Kent.
    City of Gardiner for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: City of Gardiner
    Project Location: Gardiner, ME
    Amount Requested: $1,422,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Gardiner.
    Town of Gorham for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Town of Gorham
    Project Location: Gorham, ME
    Amount Requested: $3,000,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Gorham.
    Loring Development Authority for Water Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Loring Development Authority
    Project Location: Limestone, ME
    Amount Requested: $1,740,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade water infrastructure in Loring Commerce Centre.
    Lubec Water District for Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Lubec Water District
    Project Location: Lubec, ME
    Amount Requested: $2,000,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Lubec.
    Town of Machias for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Town of Machias
    Project Location: Machias, ME
    Amount Requested: $1,378,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Machias.
    Monmouth Water Association for Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Monmouth Water Association
    Project Location: Monmouth, ME
    Amount Requested: $3,555,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Monmouth.
    Town of North Haven for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Town of North Haven
    Project Location: North Haven, ME
    Amount Requested: $4,000,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in North Haven.
    Town of Old Orchard Beach for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Town of Old Orchard Beach
    Project Location: Old Orchard Beach, ME
    Amount Requested: $1,000,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Old Orchard Beach.
    Old Town Water District for Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Old Town Water District
    Project Location: Old Town, ME
    Amount Requested: $3,560,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Old Town.
    Presque Isle Utilities District for Water Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Presque Isle Utilities District
    Project Location: Presque Isle, ME
    Amount Requested: $2,000,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade drinking water infrastructure in Presque Isle.
    Richmond Utilities District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Richmond Utilities District
    Project Location: Richmond, ME
    Amount Requested: $2,500,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Richmond.
    South Berwick Sewer District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: South Berwick Sewer District
    Project Location: South Berwick, ME
    Amount Requested: $3,000,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in South Berwick.
    Town of Southwest Harbor for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Town of Southwest Harbor
    Project Location: Southwest Harbor, ME
    Amount Requested: $780,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Southwest Harbor.
    Vassalboro Sanitary District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Vassalboro Sanitary District
    Project Location: Vassalboro, ME
    Amount Requested: $386,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Vassalboro.
    Veazie Sewer District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Veazie Sewer District
    Project Location: Veazie, ME
    Amount Requested: $1,878,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Veazie.
    Pleasant Point for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point
    Project Location: Washington County, ME
    Amount Requested: $5,000,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Washington County.
    Wells Sanitary District for Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements
    Recipient: Wells Sanitary District
    Project Location: Wells, ME
    Amount Requested: $3,000,000
    Project Purpose: To upgrade wastewater infrastructure in Wells.
    In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $6 Million for Maine After-School and Child Care Programs Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $6,000,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine after-school programs and child care in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this week, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
    “Access to affordable after-school programs and child care helps promote financial stability for families while benefiting Maine’s small businesses and local economies,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would support the next generation of Mainers, helping to ensure students and their families have the skills, tools, and support needed to achieve their goals. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
    This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 THUD Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.
    Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:
    Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maine– $3,000,000 to support the construction of the Bridge to Success Teen Center. The Center aims to provide teenagers and young adults from low-income family’s access to career and college-readiness programs. This funding would also support renovations to the Portland Clubhouse to accommodate a growing membership and expand services for elementary and middle school students.
    Rumford Child Care and Community Center – $3,000,000 to support the construction of a child care and community center at the site of the Rumford Elementary School. The facility would support families in Northern Oxford County and Western Franklin County.
    In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins, Colleagues Send Letter to OMB Advocating for Release of Critical NIH Research Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) and 12 of her Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), advocating for the disbursement of appropriated funds for the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
    Specifically, the letter requests that the Administration faithfully implement the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, which was signed into law earlier this year. This legislation contains critical funding to support NIH initiatives across a range of critical research areas, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and rare pediatric disorders.
    “We write to ask you to fully implement the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, including funds appropriated for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)… Suspension of these appropriated funds – whether formally withheld or functionally delayed — could threaten Americans’ ability to access better treatments and limit our nation’s leadership in biomedical science. It also risks inadvertently severing ongoing NIH-funded research prior to actionable results,” the Senators wrote.
    “We share your commitment to ensuring NIH funds are used responsibly and not diverted to ideological or unaccountable programs. We are confident Secretary Kennedy and Director Bhattacharya are well positioned to uphold gold standard research by ensuring that NIH awards are grounded in transparency, scientific merit, and a clear alignment with national interests,” they continued.
    “Our shared goal is to restore public trust in the NIH precisely because its work is focused on results, accountability, and real-world impact. Withholding or suspending these funds would jeopardize that trust and hinder progress on critical health challenges facing our nation. Ultimately, this is about finding cures and seeing them through to fruition,” the Senators concluded.
    Joining Senators Collins and Britt in signing the letter were Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tim Scott (R-SC), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Todd Young (R-IN).
    Senator Collins has consistently voiced her opposition to cuts in NIH research funding. In February, she announced her opposition to the proposed cap on indirect costs for NIH sponsored research, which are usually negotiated between NIH and the grant recipient. In April, Senator Collins chaired the first full Senate Appropriations Committee hearing with a focus on the importance of biomedical research. At Senator Collins’ invitation, Dr. Hermann Haller, President of the Mount Desert Island Biological Laboratory (MDI Lab), provided testimony on how the proposed NIH cap would affect biomedical research occurring in Maine and at institutions across the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UPDATE: Senator Collins Successfully Secures the Release of Remaining Education Funding for Maine Schools

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Published: July 25, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it will release the remaining formula grant funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 that states had anticipated receiving on July 1. The pause in releasing these funds risked the loss of nearly $28,000,000 for Maine’s public schools. This announcement comes in response to a letter sent earlier this month by Senator Collins and nine of her Republican Senate colleagues to Russell Vought, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), advocating for the release of these anticipated education formula funds. Senator Collins also personally spoke to Education Secretary Linda McMahon to advocate for the release of this frozen funding.
    “These formula funds are essential to the operation of Maine’s public schools, supporting everything from classroom instruction to adult education,” said Senator Collins. “I am pleased that following outreach from my colleagues and me, the Administration has agreed to release these highly-anticipated resources. I will continue working to ensure that education funds are delivered without delay so that schools have adequate time to plan their finances for the upcoming school year, allowing students to arrive back to class this fall to properly-funded schools.”
    Specifically, the letter — led by Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Senator Collins — requested that the Administration faithfully implement the FY 2025 Full-Year Continuing Resolution Act, which Congress passed and the President signed into law earlier this year. The letter was also signed by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), John Hoeven (R-ND), Jim Justice (R-WV), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).
    Prior to today’s announcement, last week, Senator Collins announced that the ED will release funding to support 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which provide afterschool and summer learning opportunities for students. Earlier this month, Senator Collins also announced that the ED awarded a total of $4,981,867 in TRIO Student Support Services grants to 11 Maine colleges and universities following her questioning of Secretary McMahon on the proposed elimination of TRIO programs during an Appropriations hearing.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: As Trump Administration Continues To Gut Education Department, Warren Exposes Harmful Impact to Students with Disabilities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    July 25, 2025
    According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 60,000 public schools and about 30 million K-12 students were left without a dedicated civil rights investigator due to Trump’s cuts at ED.
    Warren: “It’s disgraceful that Secretary McMahon is firing the people responsible for protecting our students with disabilities.”
    Video of Exchange (YouTube)
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), in a forum held by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), “Robbing Our Students’ Futures: The Indefensible Attacks on Public Education,” highlighted the consequences of President Donald Trump and Secretary Linda McMahon’s cuts to the Department of Education (ED) for students with disabilities and their families.
    “It’s disgraceful that Secretary McMahon is firing the people responsible for protecting our students with disabilities,” said Senator Warren. “This forum is a valuable opportunity to speak out and stand up against these horrible cuts so we can start building a better future for our nation’s children.”
    In the hearing, Senator Warren slammed Secretary McMahon for her broken promise to “make sure that our students with special needs are taken care of.” In March, Secretary McMahon fired half of the staff at ED’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR), which is responsible for protecting students facing discrimination in school, and closed down 7 out of OCR’s 12 regional offices, including the one in Boston. Nearly half of all OCR complaints involve discrimination against students with disabilities, and following these cuts, OCR has begun dismissing complaints at an unusually high rate.
    Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities, testified that due to the cuts at OCR, 60,000 public schools and 30 million K-12 students were left without a dedicated civil rights investigator, with OCR dismissing 30% more cases last year than in the previous year. She warned it would be “improbable, if not impossible” for OCR to sufficiently resolve incoming disability discrimination cases with staff cut in half.
    Senator Warren also highlighted the story of G, a student with an intellectual disability whose mom filed a complaint with OCR after G was allegedly locked in a padded room at her school repeatedly, despite not posing a danger to herself or others. The Trump administration fired the lawyer assigned to investigate G’s case, leaving G without any support. Ms. Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, stressed the importance of making the public aware of the impact of cuts to public education by sharing stories like G’s. She described ED as an “opportunity engine” for providing educational oversight and funding for various education programs, which are crucial for students with disabilities.
    “We are in this fight because we believe that the future of this nation lies with our children. We speak out, we fight back, and we do not pass budgets that leave the door open for more cuts for the education of our children,” concluded Senator Warren.
    Senator Warren launched the Save Our Schools campaign in a coordinated effort to fight back against President Trump’s attempts to abolish the Department of Education:
    On July 17, 2025, Senator Warren released a new 23-page report, “Education At Risk: Frontline Impacts of Trump’s War on Students,” highlighting warnings from 11 major national education and civil rights organizations on the impact of the Trump Administration’s dismantling of the Department of Education (ED), slashing support to millions of American students, primary and secondary school teachers, administrators, parents, and student loan borrowers.
    On July 15, 2025, Senators Warren and Sanders, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, urging her to reverse the interest hike on student loan borrowers in the SAVE forbearance.
    On July 14, 2025, Senator Warren joined a letter to the director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, and Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, demanding that the Department of Education stop blocking nearly $7 billion in funds for K-12 schools, including for afterschool programs.
    On July 3, 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in submitting an amicus brief for NAACP v. US, arguing to the United States District Court District of Maryland that President Trump’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education violate separation of powers and lack constitutional authority.
    On June 10, 2025, Senator Warren met with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and delivered over 1,000 letters to McMahon that the senator had received from people in all 50 states who were worried about the Secretary’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education.
    On June 9, 2025, Senator Warren led her colleagues in pushing the Acting Inspector General of the Department of Education to open an investigation into new information obtained by her office, revealing that DOGE may have gained access to two FSA internal systems, in addition to sensitive borrower data.
    On May 20, 2025, Senator Warren and 27 other senators pushed for full funding for the Office of Federal Student Aid.
    On May 14, 2025, Senator Warren led a Senate forum entitled “Stealing the American Dream: How Trump and Republicans Are Raising Education Costs for Families,” highlighting the consequences of Secretary Linda McMahon’s reckless dismantling of the Department of Education and President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” for working- and middle-class students and borrowers.
    On May 13, 2025, Senator Warren agreed to meet with Education Secretary Linda McMahon and promised to bring questions and stories from Americans across the country to highlight how the Trump administration’s attacks on education are hurting American families.
    On May 6, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren highlighted the consequences of President Trump and Secretary Linda McMahon’s reckless dismantling of the Department of Education for American families in a Senate forum.
    On April 24, 2025, Senator Warren launched a new investigation into the harms of President Trump’s attacks on the Department of Education, seeking information on the impact of the Trump administration’s actions from the members of twelve leading organizations representing schools, parents, teachers, students, borrowers, and researchers.
    On April 10, 2025, following a request led by Senator Warren, the Department of Education’s Acting Inspector General agreed to open an investigation into the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.
    On April 2, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Mazie Hirono, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon regarding the Department of Government Efficiency’s proposed plan to replace the Department of Education’s federal student aid call centers with generative artificial intelligence chatbots.
    On April 2, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren launched the Save Our Schools campaign to fight back against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and highlight the consequences for every student and public school in America.
    On March 27, 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) led a letter to Acting Department of Education Inspector General René Rocque requesting they conduct an investigation of the Trump Administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education.
    On March 20, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders led a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon regarding the Trump Administration’s decision to slash the capacity of Federal Student Aid to handle student aid complaints.
    On February 24, 2025, in a response to Senator Warren, Secretary McMahon gave her first public admission that she “wholeheartedly” agreed with Trump’s plans to abolish the Department of Education.
    On February 11, 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim sent Linda McMahon, Secretary-Designate for the U.S. Department of Education, a 12-page letter with 65 questions on McMahon’s policy views in advance of her nomination hearing.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Colleagues Call For Investigations Into Deaths of Americans in Gaza

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    07.25.25
    Cantwell, Colleagues Call For Investigations Into Deaths of Americans in Gaza
    Lawmakers seeking accountability for the July 11 death of Saifulla Kamel Musallet, as well as updates into the deaths of 6 other Americans
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) joined 28 of her Democratic colleagues in the Senate in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi calling for an investigation into the death of Palestinian-American Saifullah Kamel Musallet in the West Bank earlier this month, as well as updates into the investigations of other deaths in Gaza, including 26-year-old Aysenur Ezgi Eygi from Washington state.
    “The Netanyahu government has failed to hold anyone accountable for any of these seven killings of Americans and the United States government has failed in its responsibility to protect American citizens overseas and demand justice for their deaths. These failures have made it more likely that more Americans and other civilians will be killed in the West Bank by Israeli security forces or violent settlers who can act with impunity,” the senators wrote.
    “Following the Trump Administration’s sudden revocation of all U.S. sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank, the first five months of 2025 have seen the highest rate of settler attacks in years and the killing of another American. We urge you to pursue a different approach.”
    Saifullah Kamel Musallet, a 20-year-old Palestinian American from Florida, was visiting family near the West Bank town of Sinjil on July 11 when he was beaten to death by extremist Israeli settlers. He is the seventh American killed in the region since Jan. 1, 2022 – a list that also includes University of Washington student Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, who was shot and killed by Israeli military during a peaceful protest against illegal settlements in September.
    Following Aysenur Ezgi Eygi’s death, Sen. Cantwell sent a solo letter to President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for a full and independent investigation.
    “The killings of these Americans in the West Bank have been met by a lack of accountability from the Netanyahu government and a pattern of indifference by the U.S. government. These failures have contributed to an unacceptable culture of impunity when it comes to killing of civilians in the West Bank, including Americans,” the senators wrote yesterday. “It is long past time for the U.S. government to demand accountability in these killings of Americans.”
    The letter was led by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and is cosigned by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Chris Murphy (D-CN).
    Full text of the letter is HERE and below.
    Dear Secretary Rubio and Attorney General Bondi,
    We write with grave concern regarding the brutal killing of a Palestinian-American, Saifullah Kamel Musallet, near the West Bank town of Sinjil, on July 11, 2025. The U.S. government must conduct a credible and independent investigation into his beating death and hold all perpetrators accountable. Protecting and supporting U.S. citizens abroad is one of the foremost responsibilities of the U.S. government. The Biden Administration failed to secure accountability for the killing of respected Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, or any of the other four American citizens – Omar Assad, Tawfic Abdel Jabbar, Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour, and Aysenur Ezgi Eygi – killed in the West Bank while they were in office.[1] Following the Trump Administration’s sudden revocation of all U.S. sanctions against extremist settlers in the West Bank, the first five months of 2025 have seen the highest rate of settler attacks in years and the killing of another American. We urge you to pursue a different approach.
    Saifullah Kamal Musallet is the seventh American citizen killed in the West Bank since January 2022 — and the fifth in just the last nineteen months. The killings of these Americans in the West Bank have been met by a lack of accountability from the Netanyahu government and a pattern of indifference by the U.S. government. These failures have contributed to an unacceptable culture of impunity when it comes to killing of civilians in the West Bank, including Americans.
    Saifullah Kamel Musallet, a 20-year-old U.S. citizen from Florida, was visiting family in the West Bank when he was beaten to death by extremist Israeli settlers during a settler attack on the town of Sinjil. Reports indicate that ambulances could not reach the injured for more than two hours because settlers were blocking the area and the Israeli military refused to allow ambulances to pass.[2] In April of this year, a 14-year-old boy from New Jersey, Amer Mohammad Saada Rabee, was also killed in the West Bank. Amer was reportedly shot at the entrance to Turmus Ayya and the Israeli army pronounced him dead after detaining him. Reports suggest that Amer was shot a total of 11 times and two other Americans were also shot in the incident.[3]
    Last year, three other U.S. citizens were killed in the West Bank, including two teenagers. Tawfic Abdel Jabbar and Mohammad Ahmed Mohammad Khdour were both 17-year-old U.S. citizens visiting their families in the West Bank when they were shot and killed in separate incidents. In both cases they were shot in the head while they were traveling in vehicles.[4] The third U.S. citizen gunned down in the West Bank last year was Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American citizen raised in Seattle who was shot in the head by an Israeli soldier from a distance of 200 meters.[5]
    The Netanyahu government has failed to hold anyone accountable for any of these seven killings of Americans and the United States government has failed in its responsibility to protect American citizens overseas and demand justice for their deaths. These failures have made it more likely that more Americans and other civilians will be killed in the West Bank by Israeli security forces or violent settlers who can act with impunity.
    It is long past time for the U.S. government to demand accountability in these killings of Americans. To that end, we urge you to immediately launch an independent investigation into the brutal killing of Saifullah Kamel Musallet, including the circumstances that blocked ambulances from reaching him. We also ask that you provide us with an update on the status of any investigations into the killings of the six other Americans who have been killed since January 2022, and provide us with a briefing on actions you are taking to ensure accountability for their deaths and to prevent future killings of Americans in the West Bank.
    We respectfully ask for a response within two weeks.

    [1] Lucas, Ryan. “DOJ Silent as Families of Americans Killed in West Bank, Gaza Demand It Investigate.” NPR, 10 Oct. 2024, www.npr.org/2024/10/10/nx-s1-5106059/west-bank-gaza-israel-justice-department/.
    [2] Levine, Heidi, et al. “Palestinian American from Florida Killed in the West Bank, Family Says.” The Washington Post, 12 July 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/07/11/palestinian-american-west-bank-death-tampa/.
    [3]Ott, Haley. “American Teen Fatally Shot in Israeli-Occupied West Bank as Netanyahu Visits Trump.” Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025, www.cbsnews.com/news/israel-west-bank-palestinian-american-amir-mohammed-rabee-killed/.
    [4] Yahya Abou-Ghazala, and Alex Marquardt. “Families of Killed Palestinian-Americans Demand Answers of US, Israel.” CNN, 23 Feb. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/02/23/world/palestinian-americans-demand-answers-invs.
    [5] Hubbard, Ben, and Gulsin Harman. “At Funeral in Turkey, Family Mourns American Activist Aysenur Eygi.” The New York Times, 14 Sept. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/09/14/world/middleeast/turkey-us-activist-killed-israel-west-bank.html.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Senator Mullin Welcomes Oklahoma Student Leaders to Washington, D.C.

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Senator Mullin Welcomes Oklahoma Student Leaders to Washington, D.C.

    Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) met with Oklahoma students participating in the Bank of America Student Leaders Summit hosted by the Close Up Foundation. The students shared their goals with Senator Mullin and discussed a variety of topics. Photos below.
    “It is always a pleasure to welcome our great student leaders to the nation’s capital. They are the future of this country and I am encouraged by their enthusiasm and determination,” said Senator Mullin. “I am proud of all of our students in Oklahoma and it is an honor to be in Washington fighting for them every day. My colleagues and I are committed to leaving a better America for them and the generations that follow.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Protects American Innovation from the CCP

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    WASHINGTON – During a U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing, Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) touted her report that uncovered loopholes and a lack of consistent due diligence standards are exposing hundreds of millions of dollars in sensitive American intellectual property to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
    Ernst emphasized the need for Congress to pass her INNOVATE Act to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and safeguard intellectual property from Chinese espionage to ensure America continues to be the world’s leader in developing cutting-edge technology.

    Watch Senator Ernst’s full remarks here. 
    Foundation for Defense of Democracies Senior Fellow Emily Bruyère agreed with Chair Ernst that reforming the due diligence process in the SBIR and STTR programs is an essential step to ensuring that companies receiving federal funding do not have concerning malign foreign ties.
    Bruyère emphasized the need to clawback award dollars if a small business exposes taxpayer-funded intellectual property to a foreign adversary.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Joins Whitehouse, Heinrich, Colleagues to Reintroduce Bill to Make Homeownership More Accessible for First-Time Buyers  

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    Bicameral First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act would help make homeownership a reality for young Americans amidst skyrocketing housing costs 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and 10 Democratic Senators in reintroducing the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, legislation that aims to support middle-class Americans purchasing their first home. The Senators’ legislation would establish a refundable tax credit worth up to 10% of a home’s purchase price—up to a maximum of $15,000—for first-time homebuyers.  
    “Everyone should have a fair chance to experience the joy of buying their first home–it’s a pillar of the American Dream. But skyrocketing housing prices have pushed that dream out of reach for folks in red and blue states alike,” said Senator Welch. “Our legislation will provide a financial boost to first-time homeowners to give more hardworking Americans a fair shot at buying their first home.”  
    “Owning a home is at the core of the American dream, but too many young families have been priced out of homeownership in recent years because of the housing supply crunch. And Trump’s chaotic tariff regime has increased homebuilding costs, forcing developers to pause construction on much-needed new units,” said Senator Whitehouse. “Our tax credit for first-time homebuyers would help make the American dream a reality for more of the young Americans left behind in Trump’s billionaire-first economy.” 
    “Buying your first home is more than just owning property: It’s a source of pride, stability, and hope for the future. Unfortunately, buying a home is out of reach for many families right now. We’re changing that with my First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act,” said Senator Heinrich. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bill to ease the financial burden on aspiring homeowners and give every working family an equal opportunity to realize the American dream of owning a home.” 
    In 2022, the median sale price for a home in the U.S. was 5.6 times higher than the median income, a higher ratio than during the years immediately before the 2007 mortgage crisis, and the highest disparity on record. An NBC News analysis earlier this month found that the cost of building a single-family home could soon rise by more than $4,000 thanks to President Trump’s tariff agenda, which is expected to increase the costs of many of the materials used to build houses. 
    In Vermont, which faces a housing shortage and has the fourth-highest rate of homelessness in the country, an estimated 7,000 new homes will need to be built each year for the next 25 years to help alleviate the crisis. Nationwide, the shortage of affordable housing opportunities costs the American economy an estimated $2 trillion each year. High housing costs reduce disposable income and economic mobility, stifling economic opportunities for those who can no longer afford housing in their communities.  
    Housing unaffordability is especially harmful to younger Americans, who are struggling to reach the same milestones their parents did at their age. In 2024, the typical age of a first-time homebuyer reached a record high of 38, up from 29 in 1981. And first-time homebuyers, as a percentage of all homebuyers nationwide, fell from 38% to 24% over that same period, the lowest percentage ever recorded. 
    Under the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act, taxpayers would have the option of receiving the credit at the time of purchase by working with their mortgage issuer. Alternatively, taxpayers could elect to treat the purchase of their home as occurring in the prior taxable year to receive the credit before tax season if they are unable to qualify for the credit at point of sale. 
    The credit phases out for those making above 150% of area median income and for those buying a house with a purchase price above 110% of the area median purchase price. Additionally, the credit is limited to home purchases financed through federally backed mortgages. 
    The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.). U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) and Mike Thompson (D-CA-04) led the reintroduction of the legislation in the House of Representatives.  
    The legislation is endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS (NAR), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Cooperative Credit Union Association, Mortgage Bankers Association, Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing, Rhode Island Association of REALTORS, RIHousing, Housing Network of Rhode Island, HousingWorksRI, Rhode Island Builders Association, Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association, Santa Clara County REALTORS, Santa Cruz County REALTORS, and Monterey County REALTORS. 
    Read and download the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bipartisan Colleagues Demand Answers about Grok’s Blatant Antisemitic Language on X

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado
    Bipartisan letter comes after xAI’s chatbot promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories, praised Hitler on X/Twitter
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy, joined 15 of his Senate colleagues to demand answers from Elon Musk’s xAI about its chatbot “Grok’s” recent antisemitic posts.
    “xAI’s failure to take reasonable measures to mitigate against its AI models from engaging in hate speech is reckless, unacceptable, and antisemitic,” wrote the senators. “It is one thing to protect free speech and create an environment that fosters open dialogue; it is another to promote virulent anti-Jewish rhetoric.”
    On July 8, the AI chatbot Grok posted multiple antisemitic social media posts, ranging from praising Hitler to referring to itself as “MechaHitler”. xAI launched Grok 4 without any documentation of their safety testing, breaking industry best practices followed by other major AI labs including OpenAI and Anthropic.
    The senators called on xAI to address its pre-deployment development and review process.
    Hickenlooper previously proposed a “Trust, but Verify” framework for federal AI regulation. Hickenlooper’s proposal focuses on three policy areas: 1) AI transparency and user literacy, 2) consumer data protection, and 3) international coalition building. He also proposed the development of standards for third-party auditors who would be able to audit and certify AI companies’ compliance with federal regulations.
    Hickenlooper also previously called on the CEOs of X and Meta to respond to violent and explicit AI images generated online as well as urged the Department of Labor to prepare American workers to integrate with artificial intelligence in the workplace.
    Full text of the letter available HERE and below.
    Dear Mr. Musk,
    We write concerning the recent antisemitic statements produced by Grok, xAI’s chatbot. The statements this chatbot made on X promoted antisemitic conspiracy theories, referenced antisemitic stereotypes, praised Hitler, and even endorsed violence against Jews. xAI’s failure to take reasonable measures to mitigate against its AI models from engaging in hate speech is reckless, unacceptable, and antisemitic.
    On July 4, you announced on X that Grok had been “improved” significantly. However, in the following days, the chatbot created several antisemitic threads, including repeating a trope commonly used by neo-Nazis to dehumanize Jews over 100 times in the span of an hour. Unfortunately, this most recent event represents a pattern of antisemitism from this chatbot. In May, Grok made another antisemitic comment, stating that it was skeptical that six million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. The minimization of the deaths and number of victims of the Holocaust is a blatant instance of Holocaust denial, as defined by the Department of State. However, xAI issued a statement blaming the comment on an “unauthorized modification.” Other antisemitic comments were similarly dismissed as unauthorized modifications.
    These examples of xAI’s model repeating and promoting antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories demonstrates that there are clear and significant gaps in xAI’s pre-deployment development and review process. Deploying an LLM that is blatantly antisemitic, while marketing it as “truth-seeking” represents a serious threat to the promotion of antisemitic conspiracy theories and violent antisemitic rhetoric. Even more so, deploying this LLM across platforms like X and Tesla without engaging in reasonable measures to mitigate against antisemitic hate speech will result in the explicit promotion of antisemitism across multiple platforms. It is one thing to protect free speech and create an environment that fosters open dialogue; it is another to promote virulent anti-Jewish rhetoric.
    Therefore, we respectfully request written responses to the following questions related to the incidents described above and about xAI’s pre-deployment testing and evaluation procedures by August 8, 2025:
    1. What processes, if any, does xAI follow to mitigate against risks of its LLMs promoting hate speech like antisemitic conspiracy theories and tropes? 
    What steps, if any, does xAI take to ensure antisemitic content is not included or limited in training sets for its AI models?
    Does xAI consider and limit any type of bias in the training sets used for its AI models?
    2. What testing and evaluation processes related to safety and risk are completed before updates to Grok are deployed publicly?
    Are any of those procedures or tests related to evaluating the risk of the model promoting antisemitism?
    Are any of those procedures or tests related to evaluating the risk of the model promoting violence against Jews?
    Are there certain versions of the model that xAI plans to release for which antisemitic comments will be seen as a feature rather than a bug – for example, a “conspiracy” version of Grok?
    3. Was a different process followed than the process described in response to Question 2 when Grok was updated on May 14, 2025 and the model subsequently engaged in Holocaust denial?
    In xAI’s statement claiming that the comment was related to an “unauthorized modification” to Grok, xAI stated it would put in place additional checks and measures to ensure Grok’s prompts cannot be modified without review. What checks and measures did xAI enact?
    4. Was a different process followed than the process described in response to Question 2 when Grok was updated and released on July 4, 2025? 
    5. In both the pre-deployment evaluation processes followed before the updates released to Grok on May 14 and on July 4, were there any signs that the model could potentially exhibit antisemitism before the updates were deployed, and if so, why was the update still released?
    xAI’s inability to take basic steps to minimize the promotion of antisemitism by xAI’s products is unacceptable. We encourage xAI to recognize the important part it can play in combatting antisemitism.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Statement on the Signing of the Rescissions Package

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:

    “Trump and Senate Republicans have betrayed the American people by ramming through another damaging bill that harms our national security, undermines our ability to keep Americans safe, slashes vital programs to support working people – all so they can fund their tax cuts for the wealthiest few. These are reckless cuts.

    “Republicans and Democrats had come together to allocate these tax dollars for programs that are in the country’s best interest, and it’s a disgrace that Republicans have once again ceded their responsibilities in order to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s unpopular agenda. There are plenty of ways to cut down on wasteful spending, but what this Administration is doing is fiscal malpractice, not fiscal responsibility.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Booker Revamps Senate Democrats’ Digital Strategy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) sat down with Semafor’s Burgess Everett to discuss leading the Democratic Strategic Communications Committee and his mission to get Senate Democrats out of their cable news comfort zone and into the digital age, one viral video at a time.

    See for yourself:

    Semafor

    How Cory Booker convinced his party to get extremely online

    By Burgess Everett

    …

    When Chris Coons stepped into his party’s meeting room after listening to President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress in March, Cory Booker had a surprise waiting: a room of social media influencers ready to interview him.

    “I’m looking at him. And he goes, ‘I know you’ve never met these people. I know you’ve never heard of what they’re on,’” Coons recalled to Semafor.

    Booker listed the follower counts of social media personalities in the room, Coons added, and then told him: “Just go with it.”

    The Delaware senator took Booker’s advice — as have many of his Democratic colleagues this year. Booker is on an active mission to tone the party’s weak media muscles, an atrophy that many now believe cost Democrats in 2024.

    It’s part of Booker’s new role in the caucus: modernizing a party that he believes relies too much on traditional print and TV outlets to get its message out.

    …

    “Our caucus was not understanding that we put so much energy into going on MSNBC, but more people are on these devices,” Booker said in an interview this week about his social media work.

    “We’ve got to start shifting our strategy towards having a digital and media strategy that could break through, that could capture attention.”

    …

    According to data Booker presented during a Senate Democratic caucus meeting this month, his approach is working to help Democrats catch up on multiple platforms. He says he’s quadrupled online engagement in the caucus, from roughly 400,000 engagements a day to 2 million. Senate Democrats have added 15 million new followers across platforms, outpacing Republicans significantly.

    …

    You can see the Booker-inflected changes if you bop around the party’s social media accounts: more direct-to-camera riffs, fewer press releases and canned quotes, and more shareable content, like Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., explaining what a rescission is.

    Will it all have an impact on the 2026 election? Who knows. But it is notable that Democrats, for perhaps the first time, have someone in their ranks thinking deeply about this.

    …

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the heels of a heat advisory issued this week and extreme heat conditions rising across Wisconsin, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined her colleagues in introducing the Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act, legislation to protect the safety and health of workers who are exposed to dangerous heat conditions in the workplace.

    “Far too many of our workers are being pushed to the brink in dangerous heat conditions – it’s wrong, and they deserve the dignity to be protected,” said Senator Baldwin. “As we continue to face record-breaking heat waves, we have to stand up for these workers and give them the protections that they need and deserve – and I am proud to work with my colleagues to introduce this bill that will do just that.”

    The legislation would protect workers against occupational exposure to excessive heat by requiring the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to establish an enforceable federal standard to protect workers in high-heat environments with commonsense measures like paid breaks in cool spaces, access to water, limitations on time exposed to heat, and emergency response for workers with heat-related illness. The bill also directs employers to provide training for their employees on the risk factors that can lead to heat illness and guidance on the proper procedures for responding to symptoms.

    The legislation is named in honor of Asunción Valdivia, who died in 2004 after picking grapes for 10 hours straight in 105-degree temperatures. Mr. Valdivia fell unconscious, but instead of calling an ambulance, his employer told Mr. Valdivia’s son to drive his father home. On his way home, he died of heat stroke at the age of 53.

    According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2024 was the warmest year on record for the United States. The past decade, including 2024, was the hottest on record, marking a decade of extreme heat that will only get worse. Heat-related illnesses can cause heat cramps, organ damage, heat exhaustion, stroke, and even death. Between 1992 and 2017, heat stress injuries killed 815 U.S. workers and seriously injured more than 70,000. The Washington Center for Equitable Growth estimates hot temperatures caused at least 360,000 workplace injuries in California from 2001 to 2018, or about 20,000 injuries a year. The failure to implement simple heat safety measures costs U.S. employers nearly $100 billion every year in lost productivity.

    From 2011-2020, heat exposure killed at least 400 workers and caused nearly 34,000 injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work; both are likely vast underestimates. Farm workers and construction workers suffer the highest incidence of heat illness. And no matter what the weather is outside, workers in factories, commercial kitchens, and other workplaces, including ones where workers must wear personal protective equipment (PPE), can face dangerously high heat conditions all year round.

    A new analysis by the nonprofit group Climate Central finds extreme heat streaks are becoming more common across the state. In Wisconsin, the city of Milwaukee has warmed 3.4 degrees in the last 55 years and other cities like Wausau, Green Bay, Madison, La Crosse and Eau Claire have seen temperatures increase between 1.6 to 2.8 degrees during the same timeframe.

    The Asunción Valdivia Heat Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act has the support of a broad coalition of over 250 groups, including: Rural Coalition, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, AFL-CIO, UNITE HERE!, Communication Workers of America, Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, Sierra Club, United Farm Workers, Farmworker Justice, Public Citizen, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Union of Concerned Scientists, United Steelworkers, National Resources Defense Council, American Lung Association, and Health Partnerships.

    “Every worker safety rule in America is written in blood,” said UFW President Teresa Romero. “The UFW has been fighting for heat safety protections for decades. Over 20 years later, Asuncion Valdivia’s death still hurts. There are so many other farm workers — many whose names we do not know — who have also been killed by extreme heat on the job in the years since. Enough is enough. Every farm worker deserves access to water, shade, and paid rest breaks — it’s past time for Congress get this done.”

    “For the Steelworkers Union, we represent workers in manufacturing settings and in a host of other areas where not only is it hot outside, but the areas that they work around are as hot as up to 3,000 degrees and they must wear protective equipment. The Asunción Valdivia Heat, Illness, Injury, and Fatality Prevention Act is important because it will provide a basic standard for not just outdoor, but indoor workplaces as well to ensure that there is proper rest breaks and the ability to stay cool. The Steelworkers are absolutely supportive of this bill and are going to work with Republicans and Democrats to ensure that heat illness is the last thing a worker should worry about,” said Roy Houseman, Legislative Director of United Steelworkers.

    “Everyone deserves safe working conditions, but powerful corporations have not done enough to protect their workers from hot working environments, exacerbated by the climate crisis,” said Liz Shuler, President of the AFL-CIO. “Extreme heat is increasingly causing indoor and outdoor workers to collapse or even die on the job, and our union family has already lost too many members to preventable, work-related heat illness. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) must issue a strong heat rule, not a weak one, to ensure workers have specific protections they need and to be able to raise unsafe working conditions without fear of retaliation.”

    “It’s long past time for meaningful legislation to protect Teamsters and other workers from the effects of prolonged heat exposure and dangerous heat levels while at work,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Paid breaks in cool spaces, access to water, and limitations on time exposed to heat are simple common sense steps that should be mandated immediately. Waiting to implement these measures is unacceptable and will result in the further loss of lives.”

    The legislation is led by Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and co-sponsored by 21 of their Senate colleagues.

    Full text of the legislation is here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Evers, Moore, and Pocan Release Joint Statement on SNAP Cuts and UW Layoffs from Republican Budget Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Governor Tony Evers, and Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) and Mark Pocan (D-WI-02) released the following statement after the University of Wisconsin (UW) announced they were forced to lay off 91 staff members who implement a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) initiative because of Congressional Republicans’ budget bill:

    “Sadly, we are watching vital resources that Wisconsin families rely on to stay healthy and help put food on the table being stripped away – all so Republicans in Congress and President Trump could give out tax breaks for the wealthy. FoodWIse, and the dedicated staff behind it, have proven to be a good investment that helps tens of thousands of Wisconsinites stay well fed and live a healthy life. But today’s news means their work will be practically wiped out, and families will be left out to dry. While we hope Wisconsin’s Congressional Republicans who voted for this are prepared to answer to impacted families, we will continue to fight every way we can to make sure Wisconsinites have the food and tools they need to stay healthy.”

    UW today announced that due to the elimination of SNAP-Ed funding in Republicans’ budget bill, UW-Madison’s Division of Extension laid off 91 employees who run FoodWIse, which implements important nutrition education programming across Wisconsin. FoodWIse supports direct education for over 35,000 participants annually, as well as broader community initiatives that reach more than 98,000 people across the state. Other affected Wisconsin grantees include: FoodRight, Inc., Hunger Task Force, Inc., Ho-Chunk Nation Health Center – ITO, Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council (GLITC) – ITO, and Wisconsin Fit Families.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, Reed, Durbin, Shaheen, Warner, and Schatz Call on Trump Administration to Engage Netanyahu to Immediately Change Course in Gaza

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons

    WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Ranking Defense Appropriator Chris Coons (D-DE), Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Jack Reed (D-RI), Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA), and Ranking State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriator Brian Schatz (D-HI) released the following statement urging the Trump Administration to press Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to immediately change course in its war in Gaza:

    “Humanitarian conditions in Gaza are appalling and unconscionable. This week, more than 100 NGOs—including Mercy Corps, Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, and Oxfam—warned of mass starvation spreading across Gaza. Following Prime Minister Netanyahu’s nearly 3-month blockade of humanitarian assistance, three-quarters of the population is facing emergency or catastrophic levels of hunger.

    “The handful of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites are wholly inadequate to meet the needs of this starving population. Widespread problems have made GHF aid delivery chaotic and dangerous, leading to the deaths of an estimated 700 people. Yet the Trump Administration recently approved $30 million for GHF, overriding established procedures and waiving consultation with Congress.

    “While some established humanitarian organizations have been allowed to resume very limited operations, a number of restrictions and security challenges prevent them from fully functioning. To make matters worse, this week’s expansion of Israel’s military operation into central Gaza for the first time in the conflict has put at risk these few remaining operations. Moreover, the UN estimates that nearly 88 percent of Gaza is no longer accessible to civilians, leaving approximately two million people confined to a troublingly small remaining area.

    “Meanwhile, hostages remain in captivity in Gaza, including American citizens, and three out of four Israelis are calling for an end to this war. Last September, the IDF assessed that Hamas had been largely defeated militarily from its peak strength when it heinously attacked Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023 and is now effectively a “guerilla terror group.” As we know from our own experience following the attacks of September 11, 2001, there is no solely military solution to defeating a terrorist group. Continuing this war with no discernable end is not in Israel’s national security interest, and the lack of a viable “day after” plan has been a glaring mistake.

    “We call on the Trump Administration to use its considerable leverage to press Prime Minister Netanyahu to:

    • Reach a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas that releases the hostages as soon as possible.
    • Support a surge in humanitarian assistance that provides both a sufficient amount of humanitarian aid and credible mechanisms for effective distribution, including the verification and monitoring of assistance to ensure equitable distribution and to prevent Hamas from diverting assistance. Established humanitarian organizations like the World Food Programme have the experience and ability to renew their delivery of assistance without civil unrest. We must allow them to do their jobs.
    • Dramatically reform or shut down the Gaza Humanitarian Fund and resume support for the existing UN-led aid coordination mechanisms in Gaza with enhanced oversight to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches civilians in need.
    • Establish a “day after” plan for Gaza where Hamas does not retain power, Israel disavows annexation of the West Bank and further integrates into the region, a reformed Palestinian Authority is fostered and empowered, and regional partners are included in rebuilding.
    • Create a framework for a viable path back to a two-state solution that will allow the Israeli and Palestinian people to live side by side in security, dignity, and prosperity.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Budd Joins Cornyn, Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Hold Illegal Aliens Accountable for Committing Murder

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) joined Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) in introducing the Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act, which would create a new federal offense for an illegal alien or deportable alien who commits murder in the United States.

    “Under the Biden administration’s reckless open border policies, far too many innocent Americans tragically lost their lives at the hands of violent criminals who should not have been in the country. Now that President Trump has secured our border, I am committed to putting ironclad policies in place to hold illegal aliens accountable for heinous crimes committed on U.S. soil. I am proud to join Senator Cornyn and my colleagues to bring justice to victims by making an act of murder committed by an illegal or deportable alien a federal offense,” said Senator Budd.

    “Joe Biden rolled out the red carpet for illegal immigrants to come into this country and brutally murder innocent Americans. I’m proud to join with my GOP colleagues to deliver justice for the victims who were tragically ripped from their families at the hands of the criminal aliens by holding these perpetrators accountable for their heinous actions and subjecting them to the death penalty,” said Senator Cornyn.

    U.S. Senators Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) also co-sponsored the legislation.

    U.S. Congressman Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas-08) is leading this legislation in the House of Representatives.

    Read the full bill text HERE.

    BACKGROUND

    The Justice for Victims of Illegal Alien Murders Act would:

    • Allow the federal government to prosecute illegal aliens who commit murder in the United States, and if convicted of first-degree murder under this statute, offenders could face the death penalty or life in prison;
    • Close a dangerous loophole by enabling the federal government to step in and vigorously prosecute an illegal alien murder in certain jurisdictions where a prosecutor may fail to seek an adequate penalty due to a lack of resources or partisan views;
    • And ensure those who are unlawfully in the U.S. and commit these heinous crimes do not slip through the cracks of the legal system due to jurisdictional challenges.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Announces Agreement by License Plate Surveillance Tech Company to Protect Oregonians’ Data from Immigration and Abortion-Related Abuses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 25, 2025

    Senator says commitment he sought from Flock will protect Oregonians from abusive queries of data by out-of-state law enforcement agencies of data collected from cameras in Oregon

    Washington, D.C. –U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced that Flock, a license plate surveillance technology company, has agreed to his request that it protect Oregonians’ data from abusive access by out-of-state law enforcement agencies as part of their states’ anti-abortion investigations, and to assist federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

    “Oregonians should never be driving in fear that automatic license plate reader cameras installed by police departments could be abused by anti-abortion forces in other states, or by Donald Trump’s authoritarian deployment of immigration agents,” Wyden said. “When I learned that Flock had adopted stronger privacy protections for other states, I demanded that Oregonians get the same protections too. I’ll keep watchdogging this company’s commitment to make sure it’s carried out throughout our state.”

    Wyden said he contacted Flock after confirming with Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Oregon State Police that there is no statewide policy on license plate reader technology nor a statewide policy requiring Oregon police departments contracting with Flock to lock down their sharing settings so as to prevent out-of-state abuses covered by this new policy.

    The senator’s staff then asked Flock officials to implement in Oregon similar privacy filters that the company has already adopted in Illinois to prevent out-of-state police searches related to abortion or immigration. The company agreed to his request, and confirmed that Oregonians’ license plate data will be protected from such abusive queries as of July 25, 2025.

    Police departments in other states will still be able to search license plate data that Oregon police departments have chosen to share for other legitimate law enforcement purposes. The new policy by Flock will not affect searches conducted by police departments in Oregon.

    “I want to thank Senator Wyden for his work to get these additional privacy protections in place for Oregonians,” Rayfield said. “This change helps ensure that data collected here can’t be used to target people for things that are legal in Oregon, like accessing reproductive health care or simply living here without fear. It’s a meaningful step in the right direction, and as we continue looking at how to strengthen Oregon’s own data privacy laws, this gives us a stronger foundation to build on.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen Johnson Requests Records on Former President Biden’s Declining Mental and Physical Health

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson

    WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chairman Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) sent a letter to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) requesting documents and communications about former President Biden’s declining mental and physical health over the course of his presidency. This letter follows Chairman Johnson’s requests to former Biden cabinet officials to voluntarily appear for interviews before his Subcommittee to discuss the former president’s mental and physical health.  

    A recent news report indicated that NARA provided “more than 27,000 records” to the White House Counsel’s Office, which is reviewing the effect of the former president’s health on official decisions.

    “These allegations, which received renewed interest following the publication of a book detailing the former president’s mental and physical decline, raise serious questions about who was making key presidential decisions if the former president was incapable of doing so. One of these key decisions may have involved the presidential power to grant clemency or pardons — a matter that the White House Counsel’s Office, among other entities, are currently investigating,” Chairman Johnson wrote.

    Chairman Johnson requested all records that NARA provided to the White House Counsel’s Office referring or relating to former President Biden’s mental or physical health decline, or the alleged coverup. Also requested were communications between White House officials, members of the cabinet, and staff referring or relating to former President Biden’s mental or physical health. 

    Read more about Chairman Johnson’s letter in Fox News.

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 07/24/2025 Blackburn Sounds the Alarm on Tennessee Universities’ Employees Concealing DEI Programs to Skirt Trump Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) probed three Tennessee universities – the University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Belmont University –after staff members were caught on camera admitting to rebranding and concealing their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs to skirt the Trump administration’s executive actions to end these divisive, woke programs. A staffer at Belmont University also admitted to hiding illegal aliens on campus.

    Click here to download video of Senator Blackburn’s remarks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about DEI.

    Below are excerpts from Senator Blackburn’s letters urging these Tennessee universities to comply with President Trump’s executive action.

    UTK Employee Says University is Still “Fully Committed to the Work of DEI”

    “Leaked footage shows UTK employees discussing how the University is concealing woke DEI programs by renaming them while continuing to push the harmful content. In one video, a UTK employee said that the DEI programs had not been abandoned and, ‘[They have] been fully committed to the work of DEI.’ He goes on to say, ‘these committees and task forces were built back in 2020 and they’re still up and running… it’s just in terms of some of these bills… they know how to navigate the language within the bills to ensure that DEI is protected.’”

    Vanderbilt Employee Says DEI “Naming” Changed Because Different Universities Were Under Investigation

    “Leaked video footage shows Vanderbilt employees discussing how the University is concealing woke DEI programs by renaming them while continuing to push this harmful content. In the video, a Vanderbilt employee can be heard saying, ‘different universities were under investigation for their DEI practices… so that’s why I think the naming has changed… we have things that clue people in and let people know.’ Later in the video, when asked if they are engaged in DEI initiatives, she responded affirmatively. And, in another video, one employee exhibited blatant political bias, which raises questions about the extent to which such bias is forced onto the student body by certain activist employees.”

    Belmont Employee Admits University Is Concealing Both Illegal Aliens and DEI Programs

    “Earlier this month, leaked video footage shows a Belmont official explaining how your institution has schemed to reframe its DEI initiatives under different names in violation of President Trump’s executive order. In the video, In the video, the Belmont official can be heard saying, ‘we always try to just adapt to what’s happening around us, but that does not mean, like, what we’re focusing on completely stops, we definitely have to navigate very carefully and just cautiously.’ Later in the video, the Belmont official can be heard referencing enforcement operations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities, stating, ‘we do have undocumented students here,’ and ‘we don’t communicate to anybody externally who is undocumented.’ This administration has been very clear: postsecondary education programs funded by the federal government should benefit American citizens—not illegal aliens.”

    Click here to read the full letter to the University of Tennessee.

    Click here to read the full letter to Vanderbilt. 

    Click here to read the full letter to Belmont.

    RELATED

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 07/25/2025 VIDEO: Blackburn, Economist Dr. Laffer Discuss Roaring Economy Under President Trump on ‘Unmuted with Marsha’

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released a new episode of ‘Unmuted with Marsha’ with American economist and author, Dr. Arthur Laffer, where they discussed the roaring economy under President Trump and how the One Big Beautiful Bill supports working-class Americans.

    Click here to watch this episode of ‘Unmuted with Marsha.’

    “Sometimes you will hear the Democrats say, ‘Oh, this is just a bill for the rich.’ But it’s blue-collar wages, hardworking American workers, their wages that are going to benefit the most. I know the Council of Economic Advisers had expected as much as $10,000 more in take-home pay,” said Senator Blackburn.

    “Within this Big Beautiful Bill, there’s a lot of good spending cuts and good spending programs involved so we’re moving towards the North Star on spending… I have never been more optimistic in my life as I am right now about the prospects for the U.S. economy,” said Dr. Laffer.

    RELATED

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito, Warner Reintroduce Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) recently reintroduced the Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act, legislation to create a tax credit that will incentivize the capture and repurposing of methane emissions from active and abandoned mines.

    “I’m proud to help reintroduce the Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act, which will help capture and utilize mine methane emissions as a fuel source from coal mines. This legislation will result in positive environmental and economic impacts, and create another step for West Virginia to continue to lead the nation in an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy approach,” Senator Capito said.

    “This legislation takes a critical step in boosting Virginia’s efforts to address the harmful impact of methane when emitted into the atmosphere while simultaneously creating good-paying jobs and supporting economic growth,” Senator Warner said. “By incentivizing the reduction of methane emissions, we’re not only protecting the environment but also strengthening our energy independence, I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation.”

    BACKGROUND:

    The Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act would amend Section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code – which houses an existing tax credit for carbon capture and sequestration – to create a Mine Methane Capture Incentive Credit. The new credit would be attributed to taxpayers based on the amount of qualified methane that is captured and injected into a pipeline or is otherwise used for producing heat or energy. Qualified methane includes methane which:

    • Is captured from mining activities, including underground mines, abandoned or closed mines, or surface mines;
    • Would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as industrial greenhouse gas emission; and
    • Is measured at the source of capture and verified at the point of injection or utilization.

    A copy of the bill text can be found here.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders, Omar Introduce Legislation to Repeal Corporate Welfare for Fossil Fuels in Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill,’ End Giveaways That Destroy the Planet

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    BURLINGTON, Vt., July 25 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) reintroduced the End Polluter Welfare Act, legislation to eliminate President Trump’s enormous new handouts to the fossil fuel industry contained in the “Big, Beautiful Bill,” along with existing polluter welfare for the fossil fuel industry. First introduced by Sanders in 2012, the bill eliminates more than $190 billion in tax loopholes and federal subsidies for the fossil fuel industry over the next 10 years. That total includes approximately $20 billion in new subsidies for coal, oil drilling, methane emissions, pipelines and other false climate solutions. The bill would also prevent the Trump administration from handing out hundreds of millions of acres of public lands and waters for drilling. 
    In addition to Sanders and Omar, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ed Markey (D-Mass) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.), along with 20 members of the House of Representatives, have cosponsored the bill. More than 170 organizations have endorsed the legislation.  
    “Donald Trump has sold out the young people of America and future generations,” Sanders said. “Big Oil spent $450 million to elected Donald Trump and Republicans during the last election cycle. In return, the president has directed the full regulatory, legal and financial weight of the federal government toward helping his fossil fuel executive friends get rich at the expense of a healthy and habitable planet for our kids and grandkids. The fossil fuel industry, with the support of Trump, is more concerned about their short-term profits than the wellbeing of the planet. No more polluter welfare for an industry that is making billions every year destroying the planet.” 
    “We are done letting fossil fuel executives write the rules while our communities pay the price,” Omar said. “For decades, Big Oil has raked in billions in taxpayer handouts while destabilizing our climate. The End Polluter Welfare Act will finally hold polluters accountable and eliminate these harmful subsidies once and for all. I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation with Senator Sanders because our planet can’t wait, and neither can we.” 
    Just four private fossil fuel corporations — ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron and Shell — have accounted for about 10% of global fossil fuel emissions since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Over the past three decades, these four companies have made more than $2 trillion in profit off the backs of people all around the world have borne the brunt of climate disasters. Last year alone, these companies made $84 billion in profit, and their CEOs made more than $95 million. 
    As if these obscene profits weren’t enough, the Republican reconciliation bill passed earlier this month by a single vote in the Senate includes enormous new subsidies to the fossil fuel industry: 
    More than $1.48 billion in tax cuts for metallurgical coal;
    More than $14 billion in tax cuts for carbon capture and enhanced oil recovery;
    Up to $3 billion in tax cuts for owners of power plants and pipelines that transport carbon and dirty hydrogen;
    Up to $447 million in tax cuts that help oil and gas drillers avoid the 15 percent corporate minimum tax;
    $1.5 billion in tax cuts for fossil fuel producers who emit methane, a greenhouse gas 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide;
    A “pay-to-play” scheme that will allow polluters to buy environmental reviews; and
    Opening up hundreds of millions of acres of our public lands and waters for drilling.
    Instead of handing out new taxpayer subsidies to Big Oil, Congress must take on the greed of the tremendously profitable fossil fuel industry by passing the End Polluter Welfare Act, which would: 
    Eliminate all giveaways, tax preferences and loopholes to the fossil fuel industry;
    Prohibit taxpayer-funded fossil fuel research and development;
    Update below-market royalty rates for oil and gas production on federal lands;
    Recoup royalties from offshore drilling in public waters;
    Ensure competitive bidding and leasing practices for coal developments on federal lands; and
    End support for international oil, gas and coal projects to help the international community move away from dirty fossil fuels to clean sources of power.
    Energy Secretary Chris Wright recently asked: “If an energy source needs subsidies to stay afloat, how truly reliable, or affordable is it?” The secretary is right: The American people can no longer afford to rely on the most subsidized form of energy in American history. Failure to address the climate crisis by taking on the fossil fuel industry puts the planet and future generations at risk. 
    Read the bill text here. 
    Read a summary here. 
    Read the section-by-section here. 
    Read a letter of support from endorsing organizations here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Ricketts Introduces the THINK TWICE Act to Combat Chinese Arms Sales

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Tracking Hostile Industry Networks and Kit while Thwarting Weapons Imports from Chinese Entities (THINK TWICE) Act of 2025.  The THINK TWICE Act would require an assessment of arms sales by Communist China and a strategy to dissuade countries from buying Chinese weapons systems and defense equipment.  The legislation was also sponsored by Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO).
    “Communist China has emerged as a major weapons supplier. This is particularly true in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia,” said Ricketts.  “This development has major implications for American defense companies, our military operations, and our global security partnerships.  The recent Pakistan-India clash saw significant use of Chinese-made weapons. This should be a major wake-up call that we must do more to combat these arms sales.  That’s why I’ve introduced the THINK TWICE Act. This act requires a coordinated strategy to dissuade new purchases of Chinese-made weapons. It will also ensure our defense industrial base is better equipped to provide alternatives to prospective buyers.”
    “As China wields arms sales to reshape the international system in Beijing’s image, the United States must reassert its role as a security partner of choice,” said Bennet.  “This legislation is an essential step toward countering China’s expanding military footprint and geopolitical influence.”
    The THINK TWICE Act would:
    Requires the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Secretary of State, to report on arms sales facilitated by entities of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).  The report requires inclusion of:
    The specific weapons systems, technical aspects, and capabilities of those weapons;
    The countries mostly likely to procure weapons systems; 
    The weapons that present the greatest security risks regarding the potential to collect intelligence on or compromise U.S. platforms;
    The factors that incentivize countries to procure Chinese weapons; 
    And the PRC’s strategy regarding arms sales.

    Requires the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, to develop a strategy to dissuade purchases of new weapons systems and defense equipment from the PRC.  The strategy would include:
    An information campaign to warn countries interested in procuring weapons systems and defense equipment originating from China about risks; 
    A description of actions the U.S. can take, including FMS reforms, commercial sales, and foreign military financing; 
    An analysis of whether sanctions or economic restrictions targeting potential buyers could be used as an effective deterrent; 
    A plan to ensure sufficient representation of defense firms of the U.S. or trusted allies at defense trade shows; 
    And a plan to combat Chinese disinformation campaigns targeting the performance of Western weapons.

    BACKGROUND:
    Communist China is now the fourth largest arms exporter behind the U.S., Russia, and France.  In recent years, Chinese-made drones, missiles, and fighter jets have been exported to 44 countries.  All around the world, Communist China uses arms sales to promote strategic interests, improve its military’s image and reputation, acquire performance data of Chinese-made weapons in contested environments, exacerbate tensions between the U.S. and traditional security partners, and gain a foothold for further defense and security cooperation.  With Russia unable to facilitate arms sales given its war of aggression in Ukraine, an opportunity has arisen for Communist China to fill the void.
    Bill text can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –