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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray, Van Hollen Urge GAO to Continue Investigating Administration’s Withholding of Congressionally Appropriated Funds

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, have sent a letter to the U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro urging the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to continue to investigate the Administration’s withholding of Congressionally appropriated funds. The GAO has the authority to determine whether the Administration is violating the Impoundments Control Act by illegally withholding funds, and the Senators’ letter follows GAO’s recent finding that the Department of Transportation was in fact doing so. In their letter, the Senators press GAO to continue working on the 39 cases and counting of potentially illegal impoundments it has identified and stress that the GAO must move forward with or without the Administration’s cooperation.

    “As members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, we have tracked with growing alarm the pauses and cancellation of federal funding across agencies since the start of the Trump Administration. We have noted at least $430 billion in funding has been blocked, an amount equivalent to nearly a third of the discretionary budget,” the Senators begin.

    “Agencies were required to submit spend plans for fiscal year 2025 on April 29, but most did not supply plans or provided insufficient detail to allow the Committee to ensure they are allocating resources in accordance with the law. The Administration has also stopped publicly posting apportionment documents as required by the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act of 2023, weakening Congress’s ability to conduct effective oversight,” they continue.

    “In a Committee hearing on April 29, you testified that the GAO has 39 ongoing investigations into potentially illegal impoundments. […] In your testimony on April 29, you indicated that in some cases you were waiting on information from agencies on their justifications for funding freezes. We appreciate that GAO works to ascertain intent as part of any investigation under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA), and that your good faith requests for information from the Administration allow you to obtain a fuller picture of the circumstances surrounding a withholding. […] However, GAO was similarly stonewalled by the prior Trump Administration, when the Office of Management and Budget and the State Department failed to provide necessary information about potential impoundments of Foreign Military Financing Funds. GAO noted then, and we agree, that the delay in response had “constitutional significance” as it obstructed an investigation that Congress delegated to GAO under the ICA,” they note.

    The Senators go on to urge, “As Congress begins deliberations on the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills, it is critical that we understand how the Administration is executing current law, and whether, through programmatic delay or illegal impoundment, funds are in danger of expiring without obligation. If the Administration is breaking the law without consequence, the fundamental separation of powers and Congressional power of the purse is under serious threat. We encourage you to continue to report to Congress as quickly as possible on any violations of the ICA. In the event of a violation, Congress has also invested GAO with the authority to file suit to ensure funds are spent in accordance with the law.”

    The full text of the letter is available here and below.

    Dear Comptroller Dodaro,

    As members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, we have tracked with growing alarm the pauses and cancellation of federal funding across agencies since the start of the Trump Administration. We have noted at least $430 billion in funding has been blocked, an amount equivalent to nearly a third of the discretionary budget.

    Agencies were required to submit spend plans for fiscal year 2025 on April 29, but most did not supply plans or provided insufficient detail to allow the Committee to ensure they are allocating resources in accordance with the law. The Administration has also stopped publicly posting apportionment documents as required by the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act of 2023, weakening Congress’s ability to conduct effective oversight.

    As the President enters his fifth month in office, the argument that programs are simply paused for review becomes increasingly less credible. In addition, executive orders and public statements from the President, his cabinet, and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency indicate a clear intention to stop funding for certain agencies and programs entirely. Those statements have frequently aligned with the cancellation of grants and contracts, indicating that they are implementing cuts in fiscal year 2025 in violation of appropriations law, rather than proposing cuts for fiscal year 2026 for Congressional consideration.

    As you know, Congress has authority under the Constitution to appropriate funds, and the Executive Branch must expend those funds as the law dictates. And as GAO has stated, “Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law.”

    In a Committee hearing on April 29, you testified that the GAO has 39 ongoing investigations into potentially illegal impoundments. We appreciate GAO’s completion of its first legal opinion, that the Department of Transportation violated the recording statute and the Impoundment Control Act (ICA) by improperly recording program liabilities and illegally withholding mandatory funds for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The NEVI program was authorized by the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and, as you noted, “[t]he Constitution grants the President no unilateral authority to withhold funds from obligation.” We agree with your conclusion, and will expect the Department of Transportation to immediately make the withheld funds available to the states.

    In your testimony on April 29, you indicated that in some cases you were waiting on information from agencies on their justifications for funding freezes. We appreciate that GAO works to ascertain intent as part of any investigation under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA), and that your good faith requests for information from the Administration allow you to obtain a fuller picture of the circumstances surrounding a withholding.

    However, GAO was similarly stonewalled by the prior Trump Administration, when the Office of Management and Budget and the State Department failed to provide necessary information about potential impoundments of Foreign Military Financing Funds. GAO noted then, and we agree, that the delay in response had “constitutional significance” as it obstructed an investigation that Congress delegated to GAO under the ICA.

    GAO also noted, in its investigation of the illegal impoundment by the Department of Defense that occurred at the same time, that while OMB provided an explanation for the withholding, its explanation did not adequately justify the action. GAO said that “the burden to justify a withholding of budget authority rests with the executive branch.” You reiterated that in your decision on the Department of Transportation’s illegal withholding of NEVI program funds. In the absence of fulsome responses from the Administration, we encourage GAO to carefully examine the public record, including court records in cases filed against agencies, to inform your investigation into whether agencies are demonstrating the intent to illegally impound funds.

    As Congress begins deliberations on the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills, it is critical that we understand how the Administration is executing current law, and whether, through programmatic delay or illegal impoundment, funds are in danger of expiring without obligation. If the Administration is breaking the law without consequence, the fundamental separation of powers and Congressional power of the purse is under serious threat.

    We encourage you to continue to report to Congress as quickly as possible on any violations of the ICA. In the event of a violation, Congress has also invested GAO with the authority to file suit to ensure funds are spent in accordance with the law.

    We appreciate the investigations GAO has already undertaken and your vital role in carrying out the ICA to ensure that the President faithfully executes the law as required by our Constitution. We look forward to your legal opinions and analysis of the Administration’s fiscal year 2025 implementation.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: As Trump Decimates FEMA Ahead of Hurricane Season, Reed Sounds the Alarm & Urges Administration to Rehire FEMA Staff

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    PROVIDENCE, RI — Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and forecasters are predicting an active Atlantic hurricane season.  Meanwhile, state emergency response agencies are preparing for the possibility that the Trump Administration will leave them in the lurch – as President Trump attempts to shift a heavier financial burden onto states and dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which provides timely, coordinated support to prepare for, respond to, and recover from hurricanes and other major disasters.   

    U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, warns the Trump Administration’s chaotic leadership changes, budget reductions, and FEMA staff cuts are unnecessarily making it harder for coastal states to prep for hurricane season and respond to and recover from a major natural disaster. 

    Senator Reed sent a letter to the head of FEMA urging the agency to “rehire key staff and provide a detailed plan showing how FEMA will operate during what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts will be an “above normal” hurricane season.”

    Since the start of President Trump’s term, FEMA has lost at least one-third of its staff: At least 2,000 of the agency’s roughly 6,100 full-time employees have either left or plan to leave due to waves of terminations and voluntary retirements ordered by the so-called Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE).  President Trump’s preliminary 2026 budget proposal calls for slashing $646 million from FEMA. 

    FEMA provides direct financial relief to states, localities, and individuals after a disaster, but it also provides technical expertise and funding to help state and local governments prepare for and manage large scale disasters. 

    Senator Reed wrote: “Regrettably, because of the Trump Administration’s actions over the last several months, FEMA seems ill-prepared to carry out these responsibilities.”

    The letter also noted: “On May 21, Reuters reported that the Administration’s abrupt firing of Acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton and the departure of 16 senior FEMA executives have “disrupted the agency’s planning for hurricane season.”  CNN reported on May 15 that a recent FEMA internal review found that the agency “is not ready” for the start of hurricane season.  According to a May 9 NPR report, the Administration has fired more than 200 FEMA employees and that hundreds more have indicated they are accepting the Administration’s resignation offers.  And a May 23 Washington Post article notes that FEMA faces a backlog of unprocessed emergency declaration requests from prior storms.  These reports inspire little confidence that FEMA is focused on its mission.”

    Noting the obvious connection between a major reduction in FEMA staff, budget, and resources and a potential reduction in federal involvement, Reed called on the Trump Administration to reverse its mass staff reductions and implement a plan to ensure the timeliness and adequacy of FEMA’s response to future disasters.

    “With hurricane season just days away, it is essential that FEMA shows that it is properly staffed and that key leadership positions are held by individuals who have had previous experience as emergency managers during major disasters.  To that end, I urge you to reinstate the professional staff who have left the agency in recent months and provide a detailed plan showing how FEMA will assist states during major disasters.  Additionally, I would caution against adopting any significant changes in FEMA’s processes for approving requests for disasters declarations and disaster assistance without consultation with states, stakeholders, and Congress.  Any changes should be the result of a deliberative process, rather than impromptu actions,” the letter concluded.

    Full text of the letter follows:

    Dear Mr. Richardson:

    With the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season due to start on June 1, there is increasing doubt that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be able to meet the challenge due to the chaotic leadership of the agency during the first few months of the Trump Administration.  To assure stakeholders and the public that FEMA is ready, I urge you to rehire key staff and provide a detailed plan showing how FEMA will operate during what the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts will be an “above normal” hurricane season.

    As you know, the American people rely on FEMA for timely, coordinated support to prepare for, respond to, and recover from hurricanes and other major disasters.  The agency provides direct financial relief to states, localities, and individuals after a disaster, but it also provides technical expertise and funding to help state and local governments prepare for and manage large scale disasters.  Regrettably, because of the Trump Administration’s actions over the last several months, FEMA seems ill-prepared to carry out these responsibilities.

    On May 21, Reuters reported that the Administration’s abrupt firing of Acting Administrator Cameron Hamilton and the departure of 16 senior FEMA executives have “disrupted the agency’s planning for hurricane season.”  CNN reported on May 15 that a recent FEMA internal review found that the agency “is not ready” for the start of hurricane season.  According to a May 9 NPR report, the Administration has fired more than 200 FEMA employees and that hundreds more have indicated they are accepting the Administration’s resignation offers.  And a May 23 Washington Post article notes that FEMA faces a backlog of unprocessed emergency declaration requests from prior storms.  These reports inspire little confidence that FEMA is focused on its mission. 

    With hurricane season just days away, it is essential that FEMA shows that it is properly staffed and that key leadership positions are held by individuals who have had previous experience as emergency managers during major disasters.  To that end, I urge you to reinstate the professional staff who have left the agency in recent months and provide a detailed plan showing how FEMA will assist states during major disasters.  Additionally, I would caution against adopting any significant changes in FEMA’s processes for approving requests for disasters declarations and disaster assistance without consultation with states, stakeholders, and Congress.  Any changes should be the result of a deliberative process, rather than impromptu actions.

    Thank you for your attention in this matter, and I look forward to your prompt reply.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray Responds to Trump Admin Canceling Ongoing Contract to Develop Bird Flu Vaccine

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s abrupt cancellation of a contract with Moderna to develop an mRNA vaccine to combat bird flu in humans.
    “As bird flu continues to spread across the U.S.—and infect humans—it’s hard to imagine something more shortsighted than canceling the contract for a new vaccine that’s shown promise in protecting people from the disease. mRNA technology has shown incredible promise and helped save millions of lives—but now this administration is casting doubt on the very technology this president propelled in his first administration that ultimately ended a pandemic. We are all now suffering the dangerous consequences of Republicans confirming an anti-vax conspiracy theorist to serve as the nation’s top health official. This contract has helped fund an early trial with promising results. Now, all that work is being put in serious jeopardy—talk about government waste and inefficiency. Donald Trump and RFK Jr. want to stop lifesaving vaccines from being discovered, and they are very intentionally pushing this country down a dangerous path: we will be less prepared for the next influenza pandemic, putting the lives and health of the American people at real risk.”
    Senator Murray has been a leading voice in Congress against RFK Jr.’s destruction of HHS and America’s health infrastructure, raising the alarm over HHS’ unilateral reorganization plan and slamming the closure of the HHS Region 10 office in Seattle and the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Spokane Research Laboratory. Senator Murray has sent oversight letters and hosted numerous press conferences and events to lay out how the administration’s reckless gutting of HHS is risking Americans health and safety and will set our country back decades, and lifting up the voices of HHS employees who were fired for no reason and through no fault of their own.
    In particular, Senator Murray has been leading the charge against the Trump administration’s efforts to gut lifesaving research at NIH and pushed out nearly 5,000 NIH skilled scientists, grants administrators, and other employees at the agency. When the Trump administration attempted to illegally cap indirect cost rates at 15 percent, Senator Murray immediately and forcefully condemned the move, led the entire Senate Democratic caucus in a letter decrying the proposed change, and introduced amendments to Senate Republicans’ budget resolution to reverse it, which Republicans blocked. Murray has led Congressional efforts to boost biomedical research. Previously, over her years as Chair of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murray secured billions of dollars in increases for biomedical research at NIH, and during her time as Chair of the HELP Committee she established the new ARPA-H research agency as part of her PREVENT Pandemics Act to advance some of the most cutting-edge research in the field. Senator Murray was also the lead Democratic negotiator of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which delivered a major federal investment to boost NIH research, among many other investments. 
    Senator Murray forcefully opposed the nomination of notorious anti-vaccine activist RFK Jr. to be Secretary of HHS, and she has long worked to combat vaccine skepticism and highlight the importance of scientific research and vaccines. Murray was also a leading voice against the nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon to lead CDC, repeatedly speaking up about her serious concerns with the nominee immediately after their meeting. In 2019, Senator Murray co-led a bipartisan hearing in the HELP Committee on vaccine hesitancy and spoke about the importance of addressing vaccine skepticism and getting people the facts they need to keep their families and communities safe and healthy. Ahead of the 2019 hearing, as multiple states were facing measles outbreaks in under-vaccinated areas, Murray sent a bipartisan letter with former HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander pressing Trump’s CDC Director and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health on their efforts to promote vaccination and vaccine confidence.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray Meets with WA State Emergency Management Leaders, Hears How Trump’s Attacks on FEMA Threaten Emergency Response Ahead of Wildfire Season

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ICYMI: Senators Murray, Merkley, WA & Oregon Fire Officials Lay Out How Trump is Putting Wildfire Preparedness & Response at Risk

    ***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL FROM EVENT HERE***

    ***AUDIO HERE***

    Sultan, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable discussion with emergency management leaders in Washington state to hear about the impacts of the Trump administration’s attacks on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal agencies, and how these changes are already affecting communities around the state as they respond and prepare for disasters. As climate change continues to increase the severity and unpredictability of natural disasters like wildfires, communities across Washington State need to be able to rely on help from the federal government to both respond to disasters and to prepare for them—but the Trump administration’s reckless and chaotic policy changes are putting that work in jeopardy. Joining Senator Murray for the roundtable were: Lucia Schmit, Emergency Management Director at Snohomish County; Julie de Losada, Chief of Emergency Management at Skagit County; Angel Cortez, Emergency Preparedness Manager at Tulalip Tribes; Hannah Cleverly, Washington State Emergency Management Association Secretary and Deputy Director at Grays Harbor County Emergency Management; Sharon Wallace, Deputy Director of the Washington State Emergency Management Division; Chandra Fox, Deputy Director at Spokane County Emergency Management; and Tony Miller, Director of Emergency Management at Yakima County.

    “I am incredibly grateful for all the work our emergency responders do to protect our families—whether it’s floods, tsunamis, wildfires, or mudslides—and I was glad to have the opportunity to hear from emergency management leaders today about the importance of planning and preparing for natural disasters before they strike,” said Senator Murray. “Unfortunately, we have a new administration that doesn’t understand that—and doesn’t seem to care if their policies put people in danger. Trump and his DHS Secretary want to eliminate FEMA completely. They are doing all they can to leave us less prepared by proposing to slash FEMA’s budget, pushing out thousands of employees, freezing funds that were already allocated, and cancelling BRIC grants and other critical programs. It is sending our communities reeling and creating painful and unnecessary chaos for disaster response efforts in Washington state and across the country. States rely on federal support, both to respond to disasters and prepare for them, and the Trump administration’s reckless policy changes have already put years of emergency management preparation work, and lives, at risk. I will keep shining a spotlight on how Trump’s senseless decisions to destroy our emergency management system are threatening the safety of our families and communities.”

    Under the Trump Administration, FEMA has undergone significant cuts to staff and funding reductions, leading to worries about the agency’s ability to respond and address disasters effectively. The Trump Administration has proposed to cut FEMA’s budget in the coming fiscal year, pushed out approximately 2,000 full-time staff, from terminations and employees participating in the deferred resignation program, roughly one-third of the total staff employed at the end of 2024, frozen over $100 billion in previously awarded FEMA grants and disaster assistance, and canceled the Building Resilience Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which supports states, local and territorial governments, and Tribal Nations as they work to reduce their hazard risk. BRIC has invested over $5 billion in projects nationwide, reducing harm from floods, wildfires, and more. Senator Murray recently led a letter with Senators Van Hollen, Tillis, and Murkowski urging Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson to reinstate the BRIC grant program—in Washington state, over $200 million in BRIC funding across 67 applications was impacted.

    “All disasters begin and end at the local level. This has always been true. But one of the things that makes this nation strong is how we all come together to help during the hard times,” said Lucia Schmit, Snohomish County Emergency Management Director. “When the slide buried the Steelhead Haven neighborhood and Highway 530 near Oso in 2014, killing 43, responders from over 120 organizations—including from other counties and states—waded into the mud. We were all able to work together because of the critical role the federal government plays in supporting a common emergency management system. To hazard that partnership courts disaster.”

    “I want to thank Senator Murray for her leadership at the federal level to ensure we are prepared for and can respond to emergencies of all types,” Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers said. “Our county is no stranger to emergencies like landslide, floods, or fires. We live in a remarkably beautiful place, and that comes with the responsibility to limit risks and respond to needs in communities near powerful rivers, active volcanoes, and expansive forests. The federal government has been a key partner in that work, but proposed changes threaten to fracture that partnership. In the long run, I would expect reduced support for planning, mitigation, and recovery to cost our nation more, both in dollars and human suffering.”

    “Skagit County is facing increasingly complex threats such as coastal and riverine flooding, encroaching wildfires, and the potential for the Cascadian earthquake. We already have the frameworks in place to address these challenges with FEMA, but effective emergency management is only possible if federal agencies fulfill their obligation to being a reliable and enduring partner to local emergency responders. The federal government must not abandon communities during times of crisis, and we call on them to adhere to their responsibility to support local jurisdictions in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery,” said Julie de Losada, Skagit County Emergency Management Chief.

    “Tribes being a sovereign nation, each individually unique, comes with its own sets of challenges. The uncertainty of FEMA potentially being dismantled and pulling up critical funding leaves tribes in a position that makes it harder to implement mitigation strategies, plans, response and to recover in the event or prior to a disaster happening. Tribes also face a historical challenge with their local and state governments that you and I are both aware of,” said Angel Cortez, Emergency Preparedness Manager at Tulalip Tribes. “The reality of today is we need FEMA, and FEMA needs us. We need our states and local partners, and they need us too. None of us will be able to go through a major disaster alone. For disasters are not restricted to borders, political ideologies, or economic status.”

    “Whether you call it FEMA reform, change, restructuring, or transformation—what matters is that it’s thoughtful, strategic, incremental, and grounded in the real needs of our communities,” said Sharon Wallace, Deputy Director of Washington’s Emergency Management Division.

    “Effective and sustainable resilience in the face of wildland fire requires cooperation and collaboration across all levels of government.  We need to have engaged federal partners supporting our efforts in Public Education, Fuels Reduction, and Incident Management, as well as Response and Recovery,” said Chandra Fox, Deputy Director at Spokane County Emergency Management. “The Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program provides essential funding to Fire Agencies and community partners, directly supporting fuels reduction and home hardening efforts at the local level.  Without this funding opportunity, these efforts would be severely curtailed, limiting their effectiveness and reach.”

    Senator Murray is a leading voice pushing back against the Trump administration’s attacks on FEMA and other federal agencies, including NOAA and the U.S. Forest Service, that support disaster preparedness and response in Washington state and across the country. At a budget hearing, Senator Murray grilled Secretary Kristi Noem on the Department of Homeland Security’s sweeping funding freeze, including FEMA disaster relief and public safety grants, and its plans to weaken FEMA and recent denials of disaster declarations. Last week, Senator Murray led Washington state’s entire congressional delegation in a letter President Donald Trump urging him to reconsider the denial of Washington state’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration as a result of the devastating windstorms, heavy rainfall, flooding, and mudslides caused by a bomb cyclone that struck Washington state in November 2024. Murray previously led the entire delegation in a letter urging President Biden to grant the request for a Major Disaster Declaration in January.

    Earlier this month, Senator Murray held a press conference with Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and wildfire officials in Washington state and Oregon to sound the alarm on how the Trump administration’s funding freezes and punishing cuts to the workforce at the U.S. Forest Service and other key agencies are seriously undermining wildfire preparedness and response in Washington state and Oregon and putting communities at risk. Senator Murray is working to secure critical investments in wildfire suppression and mitigation—and in our firefighters. Last year, as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she secured nearly $22 million in funding for wildfire risk reduction projects across Washington state as part of the USFS Wildfire Crisis Strategy. In the Interior and Environment appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2024, she worked to include essential investments in wildfire preparedness and suppression. And in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, she secured $25 million in funding for wildfire mitigation projects across Washington state.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Everett, Murray Holds Roundtable on Trump Putting $16.7 Million for Snohomish County Homelessness Prevention At Risk, Hears from Affected Organizations—Vows to Fight Housing Budget Cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL FROM EVENT HERE***

    ***AUDIO HERE***

    Everett, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable discussion on the Trump administration’s senseless decision to jeopardize Continuum of Care (CoC) grant funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)—which helps communities address homelessness—by placing new, potentially unlawful conditions on the grant funding. Joining Senator Murray for the roundtable were: Snohomish County Human Services Director Mary Jane Brell-Vujovic; Joe Alonzo, CEO of Cocoon House; Kathryn Opina, Interim CEO of Housing Hope; Mary Anne Dillon, Vice President of Permanent Housing for the YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish; Becky Megard, Chief Operations Officer of Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County; and Theresa Jones, a single mother of three whose family has benefitted from Housing Hope’s programs and who is now working toward obtaining her associate’s degree in Family and Social Services.

    Local governments and non-profits across the country that had qualified for the federal CoC grant programs were informed in March that this year’s funding would require recipients to comply with vaguely worded executive orders that Trump signed in the opening weeks of his second term, specifically related to immigration status, abortion and reproductive care, “gender ideology,” and DEI programs. Snohomish County had already been allocated $16.7 million in CoC grant funding this year—only to be told their receipt of that funding is conditional on meeting the requirements of the president’s various executive orders. CoC grant funding goes toward 23 programs that offer housing and supportive services for homeless individuals and families in Snohomish County. Snohomish County anticipates that its partner agencies—who provide rapid rehousing and rental assistance, as well as specific services for young adults, people with disabilities and survivors of domestic violence—would also not be able to sign off on the administration’s new conditions.

    Snohomish County is one of eight original plaintiffs in a King County-led coalition of local governments across the country who are suing the Trump administration over the potential loss of funding. The lawsuit was filed on May 2nd. Pierce County also joined the City and County of San Francisco, Santa Clara County, New York City, Boston, and Columbus (Ohio) in filing the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Seattle. Sound Transit, the Port of Seattle, and at least 20 other local governments across the country have since joined the lawsuit, which also challenges similar conditions in U.S. Department of Transportation grant agreements. On May 8th, District Court Judge Barbara Rothstein granted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) preventing the Trump Administration from imposing these conditions on CoC funds or withholding CoC funds based on the conditions, and on May 23 she extended that TRO to June 4.

    “Continuum of Care grant funding helps local organizations provide really important services for people experiencing homelessness—these are proven, effective investments that actually save communities money in the long run. But Trump is ripping away funding to prevent homelessness at the same time that he’s pushing Republicans to pass new, deficit-busting tax breaks for billionaires,” said Senator Murray. “Affordable housing and homelessness is a crisis and President Trump is making it a lot worse—from pushing out staff across HUD who work with groups like everyone here to keep programs running and get grants we pass out the door, freezing funding across the government, and turning federal funds meant to help people into a tool for his own partisan goals with outrageous, illegal restrictions that cut providers off from funds. President Trump hasn’t put out his full budget yet, but when it comes to housing, I’ve seen enough—he would kick millions out onto the street and make the homelessness and affordable housing crisis so much worse. Trump can write a budget, but Congress can tear it up—and we will as long as I have anything to say about it. I’ll keep fighting back in Congress to protect our investments in preventing homelessness when we write our funding bills and highlight the stories of organizations like the ones we heard from today.”

    President Trump’s “skinny budget” proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 would slash funding for HUD by almost 50 percent—a staggering cut that would decimate the HUD housing assistance programs, making millions of Americans vulnerable to homelessness. Trump’s budget proposes to convert all rental assistance programs into a formula-based “State Rental Assistance Block Grant” and reduce total funding by $26.7 billion, or a 42 percent cut. His budget also proposes to consolidate the CoC Program with the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program within the formula-based Emergency Solutions Grant and to time-limit assistance to two years, all while reducing overall funding by $532 million, or 12 percent. In addition, President Trump’s budget proposes to eliminate or reduce numerous HUD programs, including eliminating major formula programs communities rely upon to develop new affordable housing and for community development activities. The President’s full budget request has not yet been released. As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray plays a key role in negotiating annual funding for HUD through the appropriations process.

    “Snohomish County has created one of the most successful Continuum of Care networks in the nation, and the federal support is essential to save lives and reduce human suffering,” said Snohomish County Department of Human Services Director Mary Jane Brell Vujovic. “There are no additional resources at the local or state level to make up for the federal funding, and the lives of people literally hang in the balance.”

    “If the most vulnerable members of our community—domestic violence victims, people with disabilities, unhoused youth and veterans—cannot receive basic life-saving support from the federal government, they will suffer and possibly die,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “The programs funded by the Continuum of Care are some of the most powerful tools to keep people off the streets and safe. We are very grateful for Senator Murray’s compassionate advocacy for these fundamental responsibilities of the federal government.”

    “Our housing program is a critical component of the safety net for survivors of domestic violence. It not only provides immediate refuge but also a foundation for long-term stability, recovery, and self-sufficiency. Without this vital support, families are at risk of cycling back into danger or falling into homelessness. Continued federal investment ensures that our shelter system remains responsive, accessible, and equipped to break the cycle of violence—one safe home at a time,” said Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County Chief Operational Officer Becky Megard.

    “The young people we serve don’t care about political power struggles, nor do they have interest in having their identities erased.  They want the opportunity to find a stable and supportive housing environment, to gain skills, and to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.  In this situation, they unfortunately stand to lose the most,” said Joe Alonzo, CEO of Cocoon House. “Loss of CoC funds will have immediate and ripple impacts on homeless youth and young adults in Snohomish County.  Without CoC funding or a viable replacement option, nearly 200 young people will experience loss of housing and vital supports.  These funds are critical for the operation of programs and services that were designed to address their unique situations.”

    “In Snohomish County, HUD Continuum of Care funds are the backbone of our homelessness response system. These funds are absolutely essential for providing services to individual families and ensuring that our system functions effectively,” said Kathryn Opina, Interim CEO of Housing Hope. “Without this funding, we will see a significant increase in homelessness, particularly for families with children and other vulnerable populations. Housing Hope thanks Senator Murray for fighting for this critical funding.”  

    “The women and families YWCA serves matter. Cutting funding only creates more barriers for those we serve, and these threats have the potential to be devastating. Even in the face of these challenges, it’s important that we continue to provide the services our community relies on,” said Mary Anne Dillon, Vice President of Permanent Housing at the YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish.

    “Housing Hope has been active in my life since 2020, so five years now,” said Theresa Jones, a 45-year-old single mother of three. “They were a godsend; they came into my life 2 months before everything shut down for COVID. At the time they came into life I was living in a motel room with my 3 daughters… And I was working two jobs, so it was ultimately up to my 16-year-old, with an autoimmune disease, to raise my younger two just so I could work to keep some sort of roof over our head and some sort of food. And every time I tried to get assistance, I was told I didn’t qualify or I made too much money, all because I didn’t check the right boxes. And so by the time Housing Hope came into my life, my kids were not going to school regularly because of mental and physical health reasons, with us being homeless. My physical health was getting worse… [Housing Hope] immediately got us into a family shelter. That way I could back off from working enough to help raise my family and to see what steps we needed to do next. They got me into a transitional housing unit, which I am still there, and it is a very big blessing. Because of having the safe and stable housing that I can afford, without having to struggle, I have been able to get myself and my children the mental health they need. We are now better physically than we have been in a long time, because I’m able to keep up with our physical issues as they come up instead of having to postpone them because I can’t afford to take off of work… Now I’m a full-time college student going to get my associate’s degree in Family and Social Services because that’s where I feel I can have the most impact.”

    Senator Murray has consistently worked to address Washington state’s housing crisis and has secured major federal investments to help families keep a roof over their heads. Throughout the pandemic, Senator Murray—then Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee—played a major role in writing federal COVID-19 relief legislation that secured major support for people facing housing insecurity, championing sizable investments in rental assistance and other programs that collectively resulted in the largest eviction prevention effort in American history. In the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bill Murray negotiated and passed as Appropriations Chair, Murray secured billions for HUD as well as millions of dollars in Congressionally Directed Spending for affordable housing projects throughout Washington state.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Convenes Rapid-Response Press Conference on Chaos for Ports, Businesses as Courts Rebuke Trump‘s Ability to Impose Arbitrary Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    05.29.25
    Cantwell Convenes Rapid-Response Press Conference on Chaos for Ports, Businesses as Courts Rebuke Trump‘s Ability to Impose Arbitrary Tariffs
    Port of Seattle Commissioner: “If we’re not seen as a reliable partner, it doesn’t mean that trade doesn’t continue – it just doesn’t go through our gateway”; Cantwell praises lower courts’ decisions to end Trump’s illegal tariffs
    SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined Port of Seattle Commissioner Fred Felleman and Barry Barr, CEO of local outdoor apparel company KAVU, for a press conference overlooking the Port of Seattle’s Terminal 46 to respond to the chaos caused in the last 24 hours as President Donald Trump scrambles to keep his draconian tariffs in place amid court challenges.
    “Two courts have ruled against President Trump’s tariffs. They basically have said he’s exceeded his authority. For almost 24 hours, [business owners] just like Barry heard that good news and thought maybe we were having a reprieve against these terrible actions that are costing consumers more,” Sen. Cantwell said. “American businesses need a rules-based trade system. That means American families would have the certainty, not chaos and not higher prices. We know this: That when you start trade wars, usually that means you end up closing markets.”
    “In business, we need predictability. And it’s just been chaos and uncertainty – and we’re not sure what to do or even where to find the information to lead. Especially in sourcing and manufacturing – the timelines are so long and so far out there, several years, and we just don’t know where to go,” Barr said. “This court verdict is a great sign for American consumers. Hopefully prices won’t increase if we can get back to normal tariffs.”
    “These trade relationships are sticky, in that when you move to another market, once you set up these supply chains, they don’t all come back. And so this is a very dangerous period of time,” Commissioner Felleman said. “If we’re not seen as a reliable partner, it doesn’t mean that trade doesn’t continue – it just doesn’t go through our gateway or our country.”
    Video of the press conference is available HERE; photos are HERE; and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks are HERE.
    Last night, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that President Trump illegally overstepped his authority when he imposed tariffs on most U.S. trading partners on April 2, as well as the additional tariffs on goods from China, Mexico, and Canada.  The Trump administration appealed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals of the Federal Circuit, which this afternoon put a hold on the ruling while it will consider arguments in the case.
    Today, a second federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia also ruled that the President exceeded his authority and issued a preliminary injunction on the collection of the duties, while staying the court’s order for two weeks pending appellate review. The Trump administration also appealed this decision.
    In April, Sen. Cantwell introduced the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 to reaffirm Congress’ key role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy, and reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs. Her bill has since picked up 12 additional cosponsors – an equal mix of Republicans and Democrats – and been endorsed by multiple major U.S. business organizations, including the National Retail Federation, which is the largest retail trade association in the world. House members also introduced a bipartisan companion bill. On April 16, Sen. Cantwell joined nine local business owners and leaders at the Port of Seattle to push back against the Trump administration’s chaotic tariffs-first trade policy.
    In Washington state, two out of every five jobs are tied to trade and trade-related industries. More information about how those tariffs will affect consumers and businesses in the State of Washington can be found HERE.  
    For the past four months, President Trump has been sowing economic chaos across the country with unpredictable and ever-changing tariff announcements. His back-and-forth announcements and actions have whipsawed American businesses and consumers, as well as close neighbors and allies.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Case You Missed It: PHOTOS: Capito Delivers Remarks at GameChanger Annual Dinner

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Last night, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) delivered remarks at the Fifth Annual GameChanger Prevention Education Dinner in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Senator Capito has long been a supporter of GameChanger, which was founded in 2018 to empower young West Virginians to lead healthy, drug free lifestyles as they prepare to be the leaders of tomorrow. 

    “GameChanger, a program designed by and for West Virginians, is not only a success story, but is a model for the rest of the country. I am proud to support GameChanger and the work they are doing to find creative solutions to the drug crisis that has devastated our communities. With organizations like GameChanger leading the way, we can envision a future without addiction,” Senator Capito said.

    Photos from the event are below: 

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) delivers remarks at the Fifth Annual GameChanger Prevention Education Dinner at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) meets with GameChanger keynote speaker and former professional football quarterback, Tim Tebow, at the Fifth Annual GameChanger Prevention Education Dinner at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Applauds Unanimous SCOTUS Decision Tightening NEPA Requirements

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, applauded the unanimous decision from the Supreme Court of the United States in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County. Project opponents have used litigation over agencies’ obligations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to delay important projects, but today’s decision clearly narrows the scope of burdensome NEPA reviews, as well as the judicial review of those documents.

    Last September, Chairman Capito joined an amicus brief in the Supreme Court of the United States opposing the judicial expansion of NEPA, led by U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), with U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

    “Today’s unanimous decision by the Supreme Court of the United States validates what my colleagues and I have long been saying, that NEPA obligations have been utilized beyond their scope to create roadblocks for infrastructure projects instead of protecting the environment. By focusing NEPA reviews on the impacts of the project at hand, instead of hypotheticals, we can move important infrastructure initiatives like pipelines, roads, and energy development swiftly to completion to benefit the communities they serve. The Court’s opinion also reins in lower courts’ reviews of the NEPA documents, which in many cases have unnecessarily invalidated projects by reviewing them under the wrong standard. This is a big win for permitting reform and will help states like West Virginia build again without endless litigation and needless delays,” Chairman Capito said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amid Proposed Trump Threats, Rosen Fights to Keep Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center Open

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) is calling on the Trump Administration to reverse course on plans to eliminate federal funding and issue a stop work order for the Job Corps program, which would force the closure of the Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center in Reno. This center has operated since 1979, serving approximately 25,000 Nevadans and helping students secure full-time employment by providing them with in-demand job skills training. In her letter to the Trump Administration, Senator Rosen highlighted the program’s critical role in addressing workforce shortages, supporting low-income youth, and boosting local economies—stressing that a shutdown would leave hundreds of Nevada students without housing or access to career training. She urged immediate action to preserve the program, resume student enrollment, and stop a reported nationwide order that would impact more than 300 students in Nevada by halting operations and evicting those who rely on the center for housing and job training.
    “At a time when our nation is facing skilled workforce shortages in key sectors, Job Corps plays a critical role in equipping at-risk youth with the skills they need to meaningfully contribute to their communities, fill needed labor gaps, and help boost local economies,” wrote Senator Rosen in the letter. “For decades, the Job Corps program has cultivated a strong and resilient workforce in Nevada, and eliminating the program will have detrimental consequences on the communities, employers, and youth that rely on it.”
    “A stop work order would have immediate and severe impacts in Nevada, cutting off our youth population from critical job training needed to build the skills necessary to secure and maintain good-paying jobs,” she continued. 
    The full letter to the Administration can be found HERE.
    Senator Rosen has long supported the Sierra Nevada Job Corps Program and championed investments in job training. She has helped lead the fight in the Senate to protect and fully fund the Job Corps program every year. In August 2024, she visited Sierra Nevada Job Corps to participate in their graduation ceremony. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Announces More Than $4 Million to Reimburse Costs for Emergency Repairs to Maine Infrastructure

    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 multiple agencies in Maine have been awarded $4,079,583.91 in grant funding for emergency repairs to roads and transportation infrastructure that were damaged by severe storms between April 2023 and January 2024. The funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief Program, which reimburses states agencies for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways and facilities damaged by natural disasters.

    “Severe weather in recent years has caused serious damage to infrastructure across our state,” said Senator Collins. “This funding will help recoup the costs of emergency response efforts to restore critical transportation routes for Maine communities.”

    The grant funding is allocated as follows:

    1. MaineDOT (Franklin County): $1,813,478 to reimburse costs for repairs following the June 2023 heavy rainstorm that caused significant road washouts and damage to culverts.
    1. National Park Service (Hancock County): $1,000,000 to reimburse costs for road and trail repairs on Mount Desert Island following two coastal storms with record winds in January 2024.
    1. MaineDOT (Statewide): $967,103 to reimburse costs for emergency repairs in 35 locations across the state following storm and flooding events in April and May of 2023 that caused shoulder and roadway washouts and damage to pavement, embankments, and culverts.
    1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Statewide): $299,003 to reimburse costs for repairs at multiple wildlife refuges in Maine following the December 2023 Nor’easter.

    Eligibility for the FHWA Emergency Relief Program is dependent on a presidential or gubernatorial disaster declaration, and it is the responsibility of individual states and federal agencies to request emergency relief funds for assistance in covering the cost of necessary repairs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Announces More Than $6.4 Million to Support Affordable Housing in Tribal Communities

    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 five tribal communities in Maine have been awarded a total of $6,456,253 through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG). These grants support the development and maintenance of affordable housing.

    “This funding will help address critical housing needs, improve quality of life, and strengthen tribal communities across our state,” said Senator Collins. “As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I remain committed to working to ensure that tribal communities in Maine have the resources needed to provide safe, affordable housing.”

    The funding is allocated as follows:

    1. Penobscot Nation: $2,284,938
    1. Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township: $1,135,316
    1. Mi’kmaq Nation: $1,129,607
    1. Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point: $1,112,321
    1. Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians: $794,071

    The IHBG program provides funding for a various affordable housing activities, including construction, rehabilitation, and housing services tailored to the unique needs of tribal communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin Wraps Up Tenth Stop of “Hands Off Medicaid” Tour in Superior

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    SUPERIOR, WI – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) made a tenth stop on her “Hands Off Medicaid” Tour, convening Wisconsinites whose health care coverage is in jeopardy under the Republicans’ plan to slash Medicaid to pay for corporate tax breaks. One analysis found nearly 230,000 Wisconsinites are at risk of losing their health care coverage in the plan that House Republicans voted to advance last week, including nearly 150,000 Wisconsinites on Medicaid.

    “Donald Trump came into office promising to lower costs on day one. Instead, he’s kicking hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites off their health care and jacking up costs on working families,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’ve travelled across Wisconsin meeting with families who rely on Medicaid to make ends meet and keep themselves or their loved ones safe and well. Every single one of them had a clear message to Congressional Republicans: ‘Hands Off Our Health Care.’ Working families don’t want their care ripped away so the wealthiest Americans can get richer, and I’m fighting to stop this plan dead in its tracks.”

    Senator Baldwin has hosted roundtables in La Crosse, Milwaukee, Wausau, Eau Claire, Green Bay, Racine, Waukesha, Superior, and twice in Madison to raise the alarms on Republicans’ plan to pass tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and corporations by making deep cuts to programs that Wisconsinites rely on like Medicaid.

    Last week, House Republicans advanced a plan that would give tax breaks to big corporations and the top one percent while cuts to Medicaid and the ACA would result in roughly 13.7 million people losing their health insurance by 2034. A new report shows that in Wisconsin, 228,659 people would lose their coverage, including 81,308 Wisconsinites who rely on Affordable Care Act tax breaks to afford their insurance and 147,351 Wisconsinites on Medicaid.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Banks Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Streamline How VA Builds Medical Facilities, Deliver Care to Vets Quicker

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Jim Banks introduced the bipartisan VA Design-Build Construction Enhancement Act to streamline how the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) builds new facilities and improve veterans’ access to care.

    “Veterans deserve modern, quality health care,” said Hickenlooper. “Our bipartisan bill will streamline construction and save money to help the VA deliver the care vets need.”

    “The number one obstacle standing between veterans and the care they’ve earned is bureaucracy,” said Banks. “This bill streamlines the VA’s construction process so we can get hospitals built faster and deliver better outcomes for those who served.”

    Specifically, the legislation directs the VA to use the design-build method where a single contractor handles both design and construction for major medical facility projects. The bill also ensures the VA includes design-build training in its construction management programs and allows agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers to use the method without interference.

    Key provisions include:

    • Directing the VA Secretary to follow existing federal laws to consider design-build when entering into contracts to design and construct facilities
    • Prevents the VA from discouraging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the largest construction projects on VA’s behalf, from using design-build
    • Includes design-build components in VA’s training program for construction managers

    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Neguse, DeGette, Crow, Pettersen Pressure Trump Admin to Not Gut FEMA Ahead of Wildfire Season

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

    Sec. Noem recently announced plans to eliminate FEMA 

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Representatives Joe Neguse, Diana DeGette, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen called on the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to preserve Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which helps communities prepare for and recovery from disasters like wildfires.

    “The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters make FEMA’s role in coordinating federal disaster response more crucial than ever,” wrote the lawmakers. “Our nation depends on FEMA’s expertise and swift action during emergencies, and we cannot afford to weaken this vital resource.”

    Specifically, the lawmakers highlighted FEMA’s crucial support after the 2021 Marshall Fire and how cutting FEMA’s workforce jeopardizes current recovery efforts and future disaster relief. 

    The lawmakers continued: “The 2021 Marshall Fire destroyed over 1,084 homes—the most destructive wildfire in the state’s history. FEMA provided critical support that helped Coloradans recover, rebuild infrastructure, and prepare for future emergencies.”

    The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

    Dear Secretary Noem:

    We write to express our concern regarding proposed reforms to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including its potential dissolution. The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters make FEMA’s role in coordinating federal disaster response more crucial than ever. We urge careful evaluation of any agency restructuring to avoid compromising our nation’s ability to effectively respond to emergencies.

    Like many states, Colorado has experienced devastating disasters in recent years. Destructive wildfires and severe flooding have displaced families and left communities struggling to rebuild. The 2021 Marshall Fire destroyed over 1,084 homes—the most destructive wildfire in the state’s history. FEMA provided critical support that helped Coloradans recover, rebuild infrastructure, and prepare for future emergencies. Cutting FEMA’s workforce, closing mitigation programs such as Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), or even dissolving the agency completely threaten to jeopardize ongoing recovery efforts and hinder our ability to swiftly and effectively respond in the future.

    We respectfully urge you to maintain strong funding and staffing levels for FEMA, and ensure that any reforms are based on a demonstrated need to cut red tape in service of facilitating swifter assistance. Anything less threatens to delay response times, slow rebuilding efforts, and leave communities more vulnerable to future disasters. Our nation depends on FEMA’s expertise and swift action during emergencies, and we cannot afford to weaken this vital resource.

    Thank you for your consideration.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine Urges DOD to Protect Civilians During Military Operations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) joined 13 of his colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth urging him to preserve the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence at the Department of Defense (DOD) to minimize civilian deaths during combat.

    According to a Washington Post report, the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence was instructed by Pentagon leadership to halt all civilian harm mitigation work, including winding down the center and firing or reassigning nearly 170 personnel who advise military leaders on limiting noncombatant casualties.

    “Minimizing civilian casualties in warfare is a moral duty and a strategic imperative,” wrote the senators. “We remind you that the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence (“the Center”) was established by Congress… and the law requires you to operate it.”

    “Nevertheless, public reporting indicates that the Trump Administration is preparing to ‘abolish’ the Center,” they continued. “Regardless of your personal views regarding the importance of reducing civilian casualties, neither you nor the President have such authority.”

    “The credibility of U.S. foreign policy flows not just from our raw military power but also from our reputation as a nation that values innocent life and protects noncombatants,” they wrote. “When American forces deploy, the world should understand that they are not just the most lethal and capable force in human history, but also that their operations are conducted consistent with the highest moral and humanitarian standards.”

    In addition to Kaine, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

    The full letter can be found here and below.

    Dear Secretary Hegseth,

    We write to urge that you cease any effort to close the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence at the Department of Defense. Minimizing civilian casualties in warfare is a moral duty and a strategic imperative.

    We remind you that the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence (“the Center”) was established by Congress, fully funded by Congress in each of the last two fiscal years, and the law requires you to operate it. Congress established the Center, with overwhelming bipartisan support, in 2022. Its purpose, per 10 U.S. Code § 184, is to “institutionalize and advance knowledge, practices, and tools for preventing, mitigating, and responding to civilian harm” that result “from military operations involving the United States Armed Forces.” It was established in response to an inquiry led by previous Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis into civilian casualties that resulted from U.S. airstrikes in Iraq.

    Nevertheless, public reporting indicates that the Trump Administration is preparing to “abolish” the Center. Regardless of your personal views regarding the importance of reducing civilian casualties, neither you nor the President have such authority.

    Reducing civilian casualties in warfare is an obvious moral imperative necessary for its own sake. But it is also a strategic imperative. The credibility of U.S. foreign policy flows not just from our raw military power but also from our reputation as a nation that values innocent life and protects noncombatants. When American forces deploy, the world should understand that they are not just the most lethal and capable force in human history, but also that their operations are conducted consistent with the highest moral and humanitarian standards. Furthermore, U.S. forces’ freedom of maneuver and the sustainability of deployments in complex environments often depends upon the trust and good faith of the local civilian population.

    We urge you to support the work of the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, and not to undo years of work by your predecessors to ensure the United States military remains the most capable, responsible, and respected in the world.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Cotton, Westerman to Driscoll: Army Must Analyze Pine Bluff’s Potential to Address Munitions Shortage

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04) followed up an initial push in support of Pine Bluff Arsenal’s long-term outlook with new requests for Secretary of the U.S. Army Dan Driscoll to provide detailed plans for the future of the Arsenal as a critical element of the defense industrial base and promptly deliver a congressionally-mandated report outlining a strategy to address issues facing America’s domestic munitions production and supply chain chokepoints. 
    “We remain committed to ensuring, in line with President Trump’s directive to the department, that the military has the munitions it needs to fight and win decisively. Fortunately, Pine Bluff Arsenal can help the Army solve the munitions crisis, hence we’re not willing to allow its capabilities to wither on the vine,” the lawmakers wrote, in part.
    Full text of the letter may be found here and below.
    The Honorable Dan P. Driscoll
    Secretary of the Army
    101 Army Pentagon
    Washington, DC 20310-0101
     
    Secretary Driscoll,
     
    We write to establish next steps regarding the future of Pine Bluff Arsenal and to secure its crucial role in the defense industrial base. Please provide answers to the following inquiries no later than June 6, 2025.
     
    As we discussed, we believe the Army’s organic industrial base has an irreplaceable role to play in addressing this nation’s munitions crisis. Our delegation has worked for years to persuade the Army to take steps to improve its arsenals, ammunition plants, and depots, including by re-orienting production at Pine Bluff Arsenal to address urgent military-munitions requirements.
     
    To that end, we passed language in the FY2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Joint Explanatory Statement that directed the Secretary of the Army to provide a plan to “establish secondary domestic production sources at existing arsenals, depots, and ammunition plants of the U.S. Army to address munition supply chain chokepoints” no later than June 1, 2025. We expect the Army to produce this report in accordance with the law and provide a thorough, well-considered set of plans that explains how it should use Pine Bluff Arsenal and the other facilities within the Army’s organic industrial base to meet urgent operational needs.
     
    Furthermore, we are justifiably concerned that Army is attempting to circumvent the law by slowing operations at the arsenal before the FY26 NDAA and appropriations season, thus presenting Congress with a virtual fait accompli and limiting our ability to perform our constitutional oversight and budgetary responsibilities. Title 10 USC § 2687, base closures and realignments, specifies the Army may not close any military installation of more than 300 civilians or reduce its personnel by more than 50 percent without notifying Congress and presenting it with detailed strategic and economic evaluations of the impact of such a downsizing or closure. Title 10 USC § 4532, the Arsenal Act, requires the Secretary of the Army to procure supplies in government-owned factories or arsenals if possible “on an economical basis.” We expect, and insist, that the Army will comply with current statute when producing a path forward at Pine Bluff Arsenal.
     
    Please note that we’re particularly interested to understand your cost assumptions regarding your compliance with the Arsenal Act. As we have explained on multiple occasions, we believe ample evidence indicates that Pine Bluff Arsenal is more economical than most commercial options. Thus, we want to assess what assumptions the Army is using to argue otherwise.
     
    In addition to the required report, we now request the following additional information:
     
    The Army’s planned actions over the next 30 to 90 days at Pine Bluff Arsenal, to include proposed or enacted changes to staffing and production schedules. If no changes to Pine Bluff operations or personnel will occur, please definitively state that.
     
    The courses of actions the Army is developing for Pine Bluff Arsenal’s future, with at least the following information:
     1. How each course of action complies with both 10 USC § 2687 and 10 USC § 4532, to include detailed cost data analysis.
     2. At least one course of action explaining how the Army could use the arsenal to produce materials such as nitrocellulose, RDX, or TNT to address supply chain chokepoints.
     3. Detailed estimates of the costs that will be incurred if Army moves the white phosphorus ammunition mission away from Pine Bluff Arsenal, including the cost and time associated with acquiring the necessary environmental permits.
     
    Current capability gaps within the Army where manufacturing placement in the Army organic industrial base is possible, i.e. s-UAS, battery technology, brushless motors, etc.
     
    We remain committed to ensuring, in line with President Trump’s directive to the department, that the military has the munitions it needs to fight and win decisively. Fortunately, Pine Bluff Arsenal can help the Army solve the munitions crisis, hence we’re not willing to allow its capabilities to wither on the vine.
     
    We look forward to hearing from you.
     
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Applauds EPA for Awarding Nearly $4 Million in Grants to Clean Up Communities Across Kansas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) released the following statement after U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the selection of nearly $4 million in Brownfields Grants to clean up Kansas communities.
    “I am grateful to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin for awarding nearly $4 million to the Sunflower State,” Senator Marshall said. “This funding will help us revitalize our communities, create opportunities for growth, and protect Kansans’ health. Thanks to President Donald Trump’s leadership, the EPA is restoring American greatness by ensuring we have the cleanest air, land, and water while being good stewards of American taxpayer dollars.”
    “The $267 million in Brownfield Grants will transform contaminated properties into valuable spaces for businesses and housing, creating new opportunities that strengthen local economies and directly benefit American families,” EPA Administrator Zeldin said. “EPA’s Brownfields program demonstrates how environmental stewardship and economic prosperity complement each other. Under President Trump’s leadership, EPA is Powering the Great American Comeback, ensuring our nation has the cleanest air, land, and water while supporting sustainable growth and fiscal responsibility.”
    EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Janet Stanek, and Mitchell County Economic Development Director Emily Benedick also joined Senator Marshall and EPA Administrator Zeldin in releasing the following statements.
    “EPA Region 7 is proud to work with our partners across the state of Kansas, advancing cooperative federalism and empowering local and state partners to take the lead in revitalizing their communities,” EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy said. “This collaborative approach ensures fiscal responsibility, promotes economic development, and transforms potentially contaminated properties into clean, usable land that supports long-term growth and sustainability.”
    “The Community Wide Assessment Grant for State and Tribal will help increase property values and create jobs across Kansas,” Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Janet Stanek said. “Receiving these substantial dollars to support the redevelopment of brownfields throughout the state not only benefits the environment, but it elevates communities and industries by turning underutilized and vacant properties into productive ones. This is a win for the entire state.”
    “The City of Beloit is incredibly grateful and excited to receive EPA Brownfield Cleanup funding. This funding enables our community to repurpose two vacant buildings into housing, a critical need in our rural community,” Mitchell County Economic Development Director Emily Benedick said. “This grant gives us the peace of mind to know we are providing a safe environment for future housing development.”
    The following organizations in Kansas have been selected to receive EPA Brownfields funding:

    The City of Beloit has been selected to receive $418,620. Grant funds will be used to clean up the Kansas Industrial School Campus, located at 1720 N. Hersey Avenue. The 0.8-acre cleanup site operated as a juvenile detention center for girls and has been vacant since 2009. It is contaminated with inorganic contaminants. Grant funds will also be used to conduct community engagement activities.
    The Flint Hills Regional Council has been selected to receive $1 million. The grant will be used to capitalize a revolving loan fund (RLF), from which Flint Hills Regional Council Inc. will provide up to three loans and up to two subgrants to support cleanup activities. Grant funds will also be used to establish the RLF, market the program, and support community engagement activities. RLF activities will focus on Chase, Geary, Lyon, Morris, Pottawatomie, Riley, and Wabaunsee counties, with a focus on the cities of Herington, Junction City, and Manhattan.
    The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has been selected to receive $2 million. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct 116 Phase I and Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds will also support the development of at least three cleanup plans and at least one community meeting annually, with each community to provide general updates on the grant. The target area for this grant includes the Oak Grove neighborhood in Kansas City and the cities of Eureka and El Dorado. Priority sites include Land Bank properties in Oak Grove; a former horse racetrack, a former nursing home, sites adjacent to the existing fire department to accommodate its expansion, Memorial Hall, and the former Masonic Lodge in Eureka; and the Grizzly Development in El Dorado.
    The City of Topeka has been selected to receive $500,000. Community-wide grant funds will be used to conduct eight Phase I and three Phase II environmental site assessments. Grant funds will also be used to inventory brownfield sites and support reuse planning and community engagement activities. The target area for this grant is the City of Topeka. Priority sites include the 36-acre, former White Lakes Mall and two former schools.

    Background:
    EPA’s Brownfields program began in 1995 and has provided nearly $2.9 billion in Brownfield Grants to assess and clean up contaminated properties and return blighted properties to productive reuse. To date, brownfield investments have leveraged over $42 billion in cleanup and redevelopment. Over the years, the relatively small investment of federal funding created over 220,500 jobs from both public and private sources.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy announces $9.6 million in Hurricane Ida, wildfire aid for Louisiana

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $9,623,017 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for the Jefferson Parish Public School System, the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

    “It’s impossible to keep Louisianians down, and our people’s response to storms like Hurricane Ida and deadly wildfires proves that. This $9.6 million will help cover Louisiana’s response to the Tiger Island and Highway 113 fires, and help with school restoration costs in Jefferson Parish,” said Kennedy.

    The FEMA aid will fund the following:

    • $3,589,728 to the Jefferson Parish Public School System for repairs to the J.D. Meisler Middle School campus due to Hurricane Ida damage.
    • $3,156,954 to the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness for emergency management costs sustained due to the Tiger Island Fire.
    • $2,876,335 to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry for emergency response costs sustained due to the Highway 113 Fire.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch, Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation to Enhance Cyber Security for America’s Energy Sector

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) introduced the Energy Threat Analysis Program Act to improve information sharing regarding cyber security prevention across America’s energy sector.

    The legislation authorizes the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Threat Analysis Center to coordinate information sharing on threat assessments and mitigation measures between the DOE, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the intelligence community, and the private sector.

    “Increased risk of cyberattacks requires more diligent information sharing to effectively monitor and mitigate threats to America’s energy sector,” said Risch. “Idaho is already leading the way in combatting cyber threats through the Idaho National Lab. My Energy Threat Analysis Program Act will support these efforts and better protect the U.S. from future cyberattacks.”

    “Our national security depends on a resilient and secure energy grid,” said Hickenlooper. “We need to address our vulnerabilities and modernize our grid to protect our energy future.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amidst Trump Admin Attacks, RI Delegation & Local Librarians Highlight Importance of Public Libraries

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    CRANSTON, RI – The Trump Administration is targeting the main source of federal funding for public libraries across the nation, putting interlibrary lending, adult education, summer reading, workforce development, and many other essential programs and community services in jeopardy.
    As public libraries continue to grapple with an uncertain future due to the Trump Administration’s attacks on the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo are teaming up with Ocean State librarians and advocates to underscore the important role libraries play in the state’s communities and to urge robust federal support for the nation’s public libraries.
    In Rhode Island, IMLS cuts proposed by the Trump Administration would eliminate roughly 45 percent of the Office of Library and Information Services’ (OLIS) budget. OLIS is Rhode Island’s state library agency and provides support and services to libraries across the state.
    Today, the Rhode Island congressional delegation joined Rhode Island Chief of Library Services, Karen Mellor, Director of Cranston Public Library, Ed Garcia, and library directors from across Rhode Island to discuss the Trump Administration’s latest actions and work being done in congress to protect IMLS and strengthen federal funding and support for libraries.
    “The Trump Administration’s attacks on public libraries and IMLS are really an attack on learning, knowledge, and opportunity,” said Senator Reed, the leading champion of public libraries in Congress.  “Public libraries are among the best institutions we have, providing central gathering places where all community members are welcome to access an entire world of information.  I’m proud that Rhode Island is helping to lead the push against President Trump’s misguided IMLS cuts. And I will continue to fight to ensure our libraries have the funding, resources, and support they need to serve our communities.”
    “Public libraries enrich lives and make communities stronger,” said Whitehouse.  “As the Trump administration makes chaotic cuts to public libraries, I will do everything in my power to protect federal programs and resources that so many Rhode Islanders rely on.” 
    “Public libraries in Rhode Island are essential for people of all ages, as a source of education and community building,” said Magaziner.  “President Trump’s plan to cut funding for Rhode Island libraries and museums to pay for tax breaks for billionaires is cruel and shortsighted, and we are determined to fight back.”
    “From my first-hand experiences at the Pawtucket Public Library in my youth, I truly believe that public libraries are an invaluable resource for Rhode Islanders to achieve so many goals,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01). “Whether using their local library’s internet to search for a job or checking out a book to learn a new skill, the least resourced Rhode Islanders will be hit hardest by Trump’s attacks on libraries and museums. Funding and resources for museums and libraries help communities thrive and I will fight in Congress every day to make sure these vital community hubs have the funding they need to succeed.”
    “Every city and town in Rhode Island has a public library, and they work together as a seamless network to provide services and programs for children, students, jobseekers, adult learners, senior citizens, and anyone in between,” said Karen Mellor, Chief of the state’s Office of Library and Information Services. “We are extremely grateful to our congressional delegation for their ongoing efforts to preserve the federal funding that enables our agency to provide and support critical services for Rhode Islanders at libraries across the state.”
    “When we rally for libraries, we rally for the heart of our communities – our libraries, our museums, our educators, and our future. Our entire congressional delegation understands what is at stake, and we are proud to stand with them to ensure these vital institutions are not only protected but empowered to thrive,” said Ed Garcia, Director of Cranston Public Library.  “Elimination of IMLS funding would be devastating to Rhode Island libraries and the communities we serve, putting important programs and services our patrons rely on at risk.”
    In March, President Trump issued an executive order that called for the closing of several government agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Following the order, all IMLS staff were put on leave and some states began seeing their previously awarded federal IMLS grants being rescinded.
    While President Trump’s order has been challenged in federal court, the Administration has continued to target support for public libraries in a proposed budget that would eliminate funding for IMLS completely.
    For the current year, Congress has provided more than $294 million to IMLS to support grants and research funding, including about $1.4 million for Rhode Island’s Office of Library & Information Services (OLIS) alone. Additionally, several Rhode Island institutions had their previously approved grants from IMLS rescinded, and recently received notification that their grants would be restored due to a court order.
    In most cases, public libraries receive the majority of their funding from state and local budgets. IMLS provides critical federal grants to state library agencies that help to strengthen libraries and boost services for patrons, such as workforce development training, interlibrary loans, e-book and audiobook lending, and much more.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training and Lower Treatment Costs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    **Bipartisan Bill Would Expand Access to Services That Improve Wellness & Reduce Risk of Diabetes-Related Death or Heart Attack for Diabetic Patients**
    (Washington, DC) – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), co-chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, reintroduced the Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand Medicare coverage for diabetes self-management training (DSMT) sessions, where diabetes educators help train Medicare patients on how to manage their glucose, maintain a healthy weight, eat healthy foods, manage their insulin levels and improve general care for their diabetes. DSMT is associated with a reduction in risk for diabetes-related death and heart attack and, importantly, leads to improved self-care behavior and wellness, which greatly reduces hospital care costs.  “Diabetes is a lifelong condition that affects millions of Americans. Expanding access to diabetes self-management training will allow patients to improve their well-being and live healthier lives while being more self-sufficient in their care,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our bipartisan legislation would lower the cost of treatment for patients with diabetes and I’m proud to work across the aisle to continue supporting diabetes treatment, research and investment.”  “Diabetes self-management training equips Americans with diabetes with the tools they need to successfully manage their disease,” said Senator Collins. “By supporting education and patient engagement, our bipartisan bill would improve health outcomes, enhance quality of life, and reduce health care costs by helping to prevent complications and hospitalizations.”
    “The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) applauds and thanks our champions, Senators Shaheen and Collins, for introducing legislation that would improve access to diabetes care and education for Medicare beneficiaries,” said ADCES President Veronica Brady, PhD, RN, FNP-P, BC-ADM, CDCES. “DSMT services help individuals with diabetes improve their health and reduce complications which in turn can decrease health care costs.”?? 
    38.4 million Americans live with diabetes and 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes, a condition that is known to progress to diabetes without early intervention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States and can lead to many other chronic diseases and conditions, such as blindness and kidney failure. As one of the most expensive chronic diseases, diabetes costs the American health care system billions of dollars each year. Overall, one in every ten health care dollars is spent on diabetes and its complications, and one in every three Medicare dollars is spent on the condition.  Earlier this week, Shaheen and Collins introduced the Promoting Access to Diabetic Shoes Act, new legislation that would improve care for patients with diabetes by allowing nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician associates/physician assistants (PAs)—who often act as sole primary care providers for many patients with diabetes—to prescribe therapeutic shoes.   
    As co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Shaheen and Collins have led action in the U.S. Senate to advance priorities that will lower the costs of insulin, invest in treatment and prioritize diabetes research. Their bipartisan Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act would comprehensively address the skyrocketing costs of insulin, removing barriers to care and making it more accessible for millions more Americans.? The Senators have also pushed for passage of their bicameral, bipartisan Strengthening Collective Resources for Encouraging Education Needed (SCREEN) for Type 1 Diabetes Act, to improve early detection and screening for type 1 diabetes.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Hassan Recognizes Catherine Reed of Hanover as May’s Granite Stater of the Month

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Catherine Reed of Hanover as May’s Granite Stater of the Month. Catherine started an innovative program at the Dartmouth Cancer Center to provide food assistance to cancer patients, helping them access fresh and healthy food that is donated by local nonprofits.  
    While Catherine was working at the Dartmouth Cancer Center as a social worker, she discovered that there was a significant gap in resources for her patients. She realized that there were very few options for food assistance and that the stigma surrounding food insecurity stopped many of her patients from asking for help. Partnering with her coworker, Chelsey Canavan, Catherine was able to open the Food-Is-Medicine Pantry. 
    Through her work as a social worker, Catherine saw first-hand the impact that food assistance can have for cancer patients and not only started this pantry, but then further expanded it after its initial success. The program has now grown to include all patients at the Cancer Center. For each patient who chooses to participate, their entire family is provided with fresh food.  
    Catherine’s attentiveness to her patients is a great example of the Granite State spirit of going above and beyond for your community. She saw a problem, and did not look around for someone else to solve it. She got to work. Her determination and her compassion is why Senator Hassan named her May’s Granite Stater of the Month.
    Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here. 
    To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below.
    I am honored to recognize Catherine Reed of Hanover as May’s Granite Stater of the Month. Catherine started a food pantry, called the Food-is-Medicine Pantry, at the Dartmouth Cancer Center when she saw how many of her cancer patients needed food assistance.   
    Three years ago, Catherine was working at the Dartmouth Cancer Center as a social worker when she discovered that there was a significant gap in resources for her patients. She was helping a patient get assistance with paying for rent, car payments, and fuel oil, but learned that the patient was also struggling to afford their groceries. Catherine realized that there were very few options for food assistance for her patients, and the stigma surrounding food insecurity stopped many of her patients from asking for help. Catherine decided to take action, and with the help of a coworker, Chelsey Canavan, Catherine secured funding for a food pantry at the Dartmouth Cancer Center, with fresh and healthy donations provided by a local nonprofit organization.   
    Catherine knew that in order for the food pantry to improve the lives of her patients, she needed to make sure that anyone who needed help was comfortable asking for it. She explained to her patients that proper nutrition is a part of the treatment for their cancer, because the stronger that someone goes into treatment, the stronger they can come out of it. Catherine took grocery orders from her patients daily and delivered the groceries to people’s cars before they left in order to make things as easy as possible for them.  
    Catherine saw first-hand the difference that food assistance makes for cancer patients. She began working to expand the food pantry program, including collecting data, presenting a poster at an oncology conference, contacting a hospital in Tennessee to learn about their food pantry so that she could model best practices, and creating a referral system to bring more patients into the program. The program’s eligibility has grown to include all patients at the center, and for each patient who chooses to participate, their entire family is provided with fresh and healthy food harvested and delivered by local organizations.   
    Catherine’s attentiveness to her patients is a great example of the Granite State spirit of going above and beyond for your community. She saw a problem, and did not look around for someone else to solve it. She got to work. Her determination and her compassion is why I am proud to name her May’s Granite Stater of the Month.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Hassan Hosts Discussion in Nashua on Threats to Health Care Under Republican Tax Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    NASHUA – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan heard directly this week from Lamprey Health Care leaders, other Nashua-area health care providers, and a Granite State Medicaid recipient about the importance of protecting Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act. This discussion comes as President Trump and Congressional Republicans continue their efforts to gut the health care that millions of Americans rely on in order to pay for tax breaks for corporate special interests and billionaires.  
    “President Trump and Congressional Republicans continue to push forward a plan that will make severe health care cuts, while also giving tax breaks to billionaires and corporate special interests… They are paying for these tax breaks by cutting Medicaid and taking health care coverage away from about 36,000 Granite Staters,” said Senator Hassan. “At a time when families are struggling with rising costs… I just can’t think of a worse idea than what the Administration and Congressional Republicans are proposing, which is to make it harder to afford health care, too.” 
    Senator Hassan, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health, has been hearing directly from Granite Staters about the importance of safeguarding Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, and has been voicing her opposition to the GOP’s plan to cut these programs. A recent analysis from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found that because the Congressional Republican plan increases the deficit by $2.3 trillion, it will trigger automatic cuts of $490 billion to Medicare. More than 60 million American seniors are enrolled in Medicare. An additional recent analysis of the Republican tax plan estimates that 36,856 Granite Staters will lose their health insurance by 2034 because of proposed cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Exposes Biden-Harris Backlog of Criminal Complaints in Unaccompanied Migrant Children Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today released a Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) summary revealing thousands of concerning reports were identified in the Biden-Harris administration’s unaccompanied alien children (UC) program, but left unresolved, including cases of potential trafficking and fraud. 
    The Trump administration is now working to process 65,605 reports concerning migrant children, which were ignored or dismissed during the previous administration. These reports include 56,591 notifications of concern, 7,346 reports of human trafficking and 1,688 fraud leads. In a little over 100 days, the Trump administration has processed over 28 percent of the Biden-Harris backlog, resulting in 528 investigative leads, 36 investigations accepted for prosecution by U.S. Attorneys, seven indictments, 25 arrest warrants, 11 arrests and three convictions.
    “My oversight exposed the Biden-Harris administration for placing unaccompanied migrant children with dangerous sponsors and actively obstructing law enforcement and Congress’ efforts to rescue vulnerable kids. I applaud the Trump administration for its swift action to protect unaccompanied migrant children by addressing the concerning reports the Biden-Harris administration shelved,” Grassley said. “I look forward to working with Secretary Kennedy to ensure justice is served.”
    Read Grassley’s full letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. HERE.
    Background:
    Grassley has spearheaded efforts to protect unaccompanied migrant children from exploitation and abuse for more than a decade.
    Last year, he submitted a law enforcement referral, including legally protected whistleblower disclosures, to the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation flagging potentially criminal activity in the UC program. Homeland Security Investigations used this referral to identify over 100 suspicious UC sponsors. However, the Biden-Harris administration failed to fully respond to two thirds of the subpoenas issued by law enforcement as a result of Grassley’s referral. At Grassley’s request, President Trump’s HHS has pledged to review compliance with those subpoenas to help law enforcement find and rescue children, and shut down possible trafficking networks. 
    This Congress, the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General published a report which validated Grassley’s findings and confirmed the Biden-Harris administration lost track of hundreds-of-thousands of migrant children, placed children with dangerous sponsors and restricted information sharing with law enforcement. 
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock Leads Fight for, Colleagues Urge Full CDC Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senators Reverend Warnock, Ossoff, and 28 Senators pressed Senate Appropriators stressing the need for full funding for the Georgia-based CDC to protect the centers’ national security and public health work

    Earlier this year, Senator Warnock led the charge in demanding answers about the termination of 20,000 full time staff at HHS, including thousands of CDC employees

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) led 29 Senate colleagues in urging Senate leadership to work across party lines and protect the mission of the Georgia-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by providing at or near $9.683 billion in support of the agency. In a letter sent to the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, Senators Warnock, Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and 28 other Senate colleagues stressed the importance of protecting the CDC’s national security and public health work.

    “During the first several months of 2025, the Trump administration fired thousands of dedicated public health professionals who have devoted their life’s work to the health, safety, and security of our constituents. These mass terminations not only destabilize our country’s public health infrastructure, but they also put our economy at risk when people get sick, and no one is there to respond,” the senators said.

    “These cuts will not make American’s healthy. The CDC must remain the world’s preeminent public health agency and to do so, the CDC must have the tools it needs to continue its work. We support robust funding for CDC’s response efforts to domestic health threats, much of which flows through state and local public health agencies,” they continued.

    At the conclusion of the letter, the Democratic senators emphasize their willingness to work with their Republican counterparts on legislation that can pass the Senate.

    “In 2023, Congress, on a bipartisan basis, affirmed the importance of CDC by requiring its director to be confirmed by the Senate, which was a critical step to bolstering the public’s trust in the CDC. By prioritizing funding for its essential programs, including non-communicable disease prevention, global health initiatives, data modernization, and workplace safety, Congress can ensure that the CDC will continue to protect and enhance the health and safety of all Americans,” the senators closed.

    Senator Warnock has repeatedly stood up in defense of CDC workers, including joining them at a rally, delivering a floor speech opposing Secretary Kennedy’s nomination, demanding answers from administration nominees at Congressional hearings, and more. Since the CDC and its employees became a target of this administration, Senator Warnock has led several efforts defending their employment and the crucial role they play in keeping the nation safe. Earlier this year, Senator Warnock sent a letter to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy requesting additional information about the termination of 20,000 full-time staff and organizational restructuring at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

    In addition to Senators Warnock and Ossoff, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus King (I-ME), Peter Welch (D-VT), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

    Read the full letter HERE, and the text is below

    Dear Chairwoman Capito and Ranking Member Baldwin,

    As you consider the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, we thank you for your strong commitment to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to the nation’s public health security. We respectfully request that you protect the mission of CDC by providing robust funding at or near the level of $9.683 billion for the agency.

    In recent months, President Trump and Secretary Kennedy have taken a hatchet to our public health agencies by massively reducing or eliminating programs historically authorized and appropriated by Congress on a bipartisan basis. During the first several months of 2025, the Trump administration fired thousands of dedicated public health professionals who have devoted their life’s work to the health, safety, and security of our constituents. These mass terminations not only destabilize our country’s public health infrastructure, but they also put our economy at risk when people get sick, and no one is there to respond.

    The President’s FY26 Discretionary Budget Request proposes drastic reductions to CDC’s budget of nearly 44 percent, despite rising rates of measles, STIs, maternal deaths, and chronic diseases. The elimination of the CDC’s chronic disease prevention office also contradicts the Administration’s stated goal of addressing the chronic disease epidemic in our country. These cuts will not make American’s healthy. The CDC must remain the world’s preeminent public health agency and to do so, the CDC must have the tools it needs to continue its work.

    We support robust funding for CDC’s response efforts to domestic health threats, much of which flows through state and local public health agencies. Our public health departments use this funding to provide access to vaccines, STI testing, disease outbreak tracing, and general improvements to health care access. Continued investment in the CDC will have a direct, positive effect on the economy, since healthy people means a healthy economy. Additionally, the return on investment for public health funding results in savings over the long-term

    Without funding appropriated to and administered by the CDC, many of our state and local public health agencies would be critically underfunded or worse, nonexistent. We request that the committee support the public health workforce and public health departments by fully funding Public Health and Preparedness programs, including programs that prevent HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STI and TB, as well as the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion program and the Public Health Social Services Emergency Fund (PHSSF). In particular, the National Center on Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion must be fully funded, unlike the President’s FY26 Budget Request, to allow CDC to respond to the chronic disease crisis.

    Another longstanding mission of the CDC is its Global Health Securityprograms, and we are concerned by the Trump administration’s efforts to prevent CDC researchers and officials from working directly with non-government organizations and global public health organizations. More than 70 percent of the world remains underprepared to respond to a public health emergency, and with our globally-connected society, disease outbreaks around the world pose threats to the U.S. We urge continued funding for global health programs at the CDC, so the agency can continue to work with other countries to build capacities in surveillance, disease detection, and outbreak response to stop deadly diseases at their source.

    We also encourage funding for Public Health Data Modernization efforts. Enhanced data systems enable the CDC to better track health trends, identify emerging threats, and allocate resources efficiently. Policymakers and researchers rely on precise data to make informed decisions and provide sound health guidance to the public. Modernized data infrastructure supports interoperability between agencies, facilitating collaboration and improving the overall quality of health information. The CDC should have the necessary data authority to access the information required for effective decision-making, ensuring public health strategies are based on the most reliable data available. Investing in data modernization not only strengthens domestic health security but also enhances global health initiatives by enabling swift responses to international health challenges.

    We also strongly support keeping all Centers at the CDC fully operational and funded, including the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The NCIPC helps CDC address public health challenges like opioid use disorder, child abuse, drowning, falls in the elderly population, and domestic violence. The NCIPC, which was eliminated in the President’s FY26 Discretionary Budget Request, will make our country healthier and safer. Additionally, NIOSH benefits from the CDC’s comprehensive public health infrastructure, facilitating collaboration and resource sharing that enhances its research and intervention capabilities. Continued funding for NIOSH supports its mission to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more productive workforce and reducing healthcare costs associated with occupational hazards.

    The CDC is the cornerstone of public health in the United States and the world. In 2023, Congress, on a bipartisan basis, affirmed the importance of CDC by requiring its director to be confirmed by the Senate, which was a critical step to bolstering the public’s trust in the CDC. By prioritizing funding for its essential programs, including non-communicable disease prevention, global health initiatives, data modernization, and workplace safety, Congress can ensure that the CDC will continue to protect and enhance the health and safety of all Americans.

    Your support in maintaining and expanding these vital resources will empower the CDC to effectively address current and future health challenges. Thank you for considering this request, and for your commitment to advancing public health through robust funding support of the CDC.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Hosts Town Hall in Rutland 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    RUTLAND, VT – Last night in Rutland, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)  hosted a community conversation where he discussed challenges facing Vermont and ways he is working to make Vermont’s communities more affordable, businesses more successful, and families healthier and safer. The town hall event was attended by hundreds of Vermonters. 
    “We have an affordability crisis, and Vermonters are worried about how Trump’s policies will impact their daily lives. In Rutland, I heard directly from folks who will be hurt by the Republicans’ budget—it will make feeding their families and accessing the health care they need more difficult,” said Senator Welch. “In true Rutland fashion, folks are united in trying to find a way to make things better, and I’m proud to join them in that effort. I’ll bring Vermonters’ concerns and priorities back to D.C. and continue to push back against Trump’s reckless agenda, which is already raising costs for hardworking families.” 
    Watch a video of the town hall here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Joins Entire California Democratic Delegation in Urging Trump Administration to Protect Head Start Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla Joins Entire California Democratic Delegation in Urging Trump Administration to Protect Head Start Funding

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined the entire California Democratic Congressional Delegation in urging President Donald Trump and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to safeguard federal funding for the Head Start program. The letter comes in response to alarming reports that the Trump Administration has considered eliminating Head Start funding during recent federal budget discussions.

    California’s Head Start program is the largest in the nation. In Fiscal Year 2023 alone, Head Start and Early Head Start programs served more than 94,000 children across the state. These programs offer critical support to children by integrating early education with health, nutrition, and family services, providing targeted support to those facing poverty, housing insecurity, and systemic inequities.

    “From Los Angeles County to the Central Valley to rural tribal lands, Head Start provides comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to children who are disproportionately impacted by poverty and housing instability,” wrote the lawmakers. “These essential services support our state’s economy by allowing parents to work and go to school, while giving our future workforce the strong start that they need to be successful later in life.”

    “The elimination or reduction of Head Start funding would be catastrophic,” continued the lawmakers. “In California, it would shut the doors of 1,835 Head Start and Early Head Start Centers and eliminate access to early education for tens of thousands of children — disproportionately children of color, English learners, children with disabilities, and those living in low-income and rural communities. Thousands of parents would also lose their ability to go to work or school, and otherwise participate in the economy.”

    Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has served over 40 million children and families nationwide. Decades of research confirm that the program improves school readiness, boosts long-term academic and employment outcomes, and helps break the cycle of poverty.

    “Head Start is not optional — it is a national commitment that must be honored,” concluded the lawmakers. “For these reasons, we urge you to reject any future attempts to weaken or eliminate this program and to ensure its continued success for the children and families who rely on it every day.”

    U.S. Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.-44) led the letter. In addition to Senator Padilla, the letter was also co-signed by Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.-11), and Representatives Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.-33), Ami Bera (D-Calif.-06), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Lou Correa (D-Calif.-46), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.-10), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.-42), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Adam Gray (D-Calif.-13), Josh Harder (D-Calif.-09), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49), Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.-16), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-07), Dave Min (D-Calif.-47), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.-38), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.-12), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.-14), Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.-04), Norma Torres (D-Calif.-35), Derek Tran (D-Calif.-45), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.-43), and George Whitesides (D-Calif.-27).

    Senator Padilla has been a leading advocate in condemning the Trump Administration’s attacks on Head Start and child care. Last month, Padilla and Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) led 25 Senators in slamming the Trump Administration’s mass firings of federal employees at the Office of Head Start (OHS) and the Office of Child Care (OCC) and demanding Secretary Kennedy immediately reinstate these employees. Padilla also joined 41 Senators in another letter blasting the Trump Administration’s direct attacks on the Head Start program.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    President Trump and Secretary Kennedy:

    We write today to express serious concern over reports that your Administration considered proposals to eliminate federal funding for the Department of Health and Human Services’ Head Start program in recent budget discussions. While we are relieved that the White House Office of Management and Budget’s Fiscal Year 2026 proposal did not include this cut, that such an action was even contemplated underscores the vulnerability of this vital program under your Administration. As members of the California Congressional Delegation, we urge you to safeguard this critical program, which plays an irreplaceable role in supporting California’s children and families, especially those facing economic hardship and systemic barriers.

    California is home to one of the largest populations of Head Start children in the nation. In Fiscal Year 2023 alone, more than 94,000 children and pregnant women in California were served by Head Start and Early Head Start programs. These services are not just beneficial—they are essential. From Los Angeles County to the Central Valley to rural tribal lands, Head Start provides comprehensive early learning, health, nutrition, and family support services to children who are disproportionately impacted by poverty and housing instability. These essential services support our state’s economy by allowing parents to work and go to school, while giving our future workforce the strong start that they need to be successful later in life.

    Since its founding in 1965, Head Start has supported more than 40 million children and their families nationwide—and millions in California alone. Research continues to confirm what educators and parents have long known: Head Start works. It boosts school readiness, improves long-term academic outcomes, increases high school graduation and employment rates, and helps break cycles of generational poverty.

    The elimination or reduction of Head Start funding would be catastrophic. In California, it would shut the doors of 1,835 Head Start and Early Head Start Centers and eliminate access to early education for tens of thousands of children—disproportionately children of color, English learners, children with disabilities, and those living in low-income and rural communities. Thousands of parents would also lose their ability to go to work or school, and otherwise participate in the economy.

    Head Start is not optional—it is a national commitment that must be honored. For these reasons, we urge you to reject any future attempts to weaken or eliminate this program and to ensure its continued success for the children and families who rely on it every day.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Warren, Waters Lead Fight to Continue Funding for Emergency Housing Voucher Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Warren, Waters Lead Fight to Continue Funding for Emergency Housing Voucher Program

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, along with Representative Maxine Waters (D-Calif.-43), Ranking Member of the Committee on Financial Services, led nearly 100 lawmakers in urging Congressional Appropriations leadership to include robust funding for the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program as part of Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding legislation. Tens of thousands of Americans depend on this vital program for safe, stable, and affordable housing. The letter comes as the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced in March that the program will soon run out of money due largely to rents rising at the fastest pace in decades.

    “[Public Housing Agencies] in every state have benefited from the improved voucher issuance and utilization that the EHV program provides, as have the people and communities they serve,” wrote the lawmakers. “Congress must provide sufficient and robust funding to ensure that the families who rely on EHVs don’t lose their housing.”

    “The EHV program provides rental assistance to help end and prevent homelessness,” continued the lawmakers. “At a time when housing costs and homelessness continue to rise, we respectfully request that you provide adequate funding in the FY26 THUD Appropriations bill to renew all EHVs to ensure that those who have been served by the program do not lose their housing support and to ensure landlords continue receiving the rental payments they depend on to maintain their properties.”

    As of April, this critical program supports 107,000 individuals who are mostly children under five years old, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and domestic violence survivors. California received 15,417 of the 70,000 emergency housing vouchers authorized by Congress, but the program is now at risk. Support for the program is especially important as the Trump Administration cuts vital HUD funding and support staff.

    The EHV program was established in 2021 through the American Rescue Plan. Congress originally authorized $5 billion in funding for 70,000 vouchers through September 2030, with increased flexibilities for public housing authorities that made the program more successful than typical housing vouchers.

    Several leading national housing groups — including the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA), National Association of Housing Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP), National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), the Moving-to-Work (MTW) Collaborative, and the National Housing Law Project (NHLP) — wrote a separate letter to Congressional appropriations leadership pushing for adequate funding and flexibilities for the EHV program.

    “Funding the EHV program was, and remains, the right thing to do, and is a smart use of federal dollars. It would be more expensive to rehouse or provide services for these individuals after becoming homeless again than it would to keep them housed with additional EHV funding,” the letter from the housing advocates reads. “Without these critical provisions and continued investment, PHAs will face major funding shortfalls in 2027, putting thousands of households at risk of losing their homes. Families who were previously at risk of homelessness and found stability through the EHV program could once again face housing insecurity.”

    In addition to Padilla, Warren, and Waters, the bicameral letter was also signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), as well as Representatives Alma Adams (D-N.C.-12), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.-03), Becca Balint (D-Vt.-AL), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio-03), Donald Beyer (D-Va.-08), Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.-02), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.-01), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Janelle Bynum (D-Ore.-05), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), André Carson (D-Ind.-07), Greg Casar (D-Texas-35), Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Mo.-05), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.-09), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.-02), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.-03), Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.-07), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas-37), Cleo Fields (D-La.-06), Bill Foster (D-Ill.-11), Valerie Foushee (D-N.C.-04), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (D-Ill.-04), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas-29), Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.-10), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.-02), Al Green (D-Texas-09), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.-05), James Himes (D-Conn.-04), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.-04), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.-01), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.-02), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio-01), John Larson (D-Conn.-01), Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.-16), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.-08), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.-03), James McGovern (D-Mass.-02), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.-10), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.-05), Dave Min (D-Calif.-47), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.-04), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.-05), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.-19), Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.-07), Stacey Plaskett (D-V.I.-AL), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.-07), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.-03), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.-25), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-06), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.-38), Janice Schakowsky (D-Ill.-09), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.-10), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.-13), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.-12), Derek Tran (D-Calif.-45), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.-05), and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.-24).

    Senator Padilla believes everyone deserves access to affordable and safe housing and recognizes the need to drastically increase the affordable housing stock to address the homelessness crisis facing California and the country, including through his Housing for All Act. Padilla has fought against the Trump Administration’s proposals to cut HUD staff and field offices who help provide crucial housing services. Padilla and U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II recently led more than 100 Democrats in the Senate and House in condemning staffing cuts and potential closures of HUD field offices across the country. Earlier this year, Senator Padilla sounded the alarm that these wide-ranging cuts would hamper HUD’s ability to support vulnerable communities and address the housing and homelessness crises. He also helped secure a Government Accountability Office investigation into how these cuts will impact the federal government’s ability to enforce the Fair Housing Act.

    Full text of the bicameral letter requesting robust funding in the FY 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and Related Agencies Appropriations bill is available here and below:

    Dear Chair Hyde-Smith, Ranking Member Gillibrand, Chair Womack, and Ranking Member Clyburn:

    As you develop the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, we respectfully request that you include funding to ensure that the nearly 60,000 households who are currently being served by the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program do not fall into homelessness.

    During the pandemic, Congress appropriated $5 billion in mandatory funding for the EHV program to help people experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, including survivors of domestic violence and victims of human trafficking, access safe, stable and affordable housing during a moment of crisis.

    Since 2021, the success of the EHV program and its design, which includes critical administrative flexibilities that are responsive to a tumultuous housing market, cannot be overstated. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported that EHVs are leasing at a rate faster than any previous housing voucher program within HUD and drove unprecedented collaboration among public housing agencies (PHAs), homeless services organizations, and victim services organizations to provide rapid and effective housing assistance to vulnerable populations. PHAs in every state have benefited from the improved voucher issuance and utilization that the EHV program provides, as have the people and communities they serve. Congress must provide sufficient and robust funding to ensure that the families who rely on EHVs don’t lose their housing.

    We understand that the Subcommittee must make difficult decisions. However, the EHV program provides rental assistance to help end and prevent homelessness. At a time when housing costs and homelessness continue to rise, we respectfully request that you provide adequate funding in the FY26 THUD Appropriations bill to renew all EHVs to ensure that those who have been served by the program do not lose their housing support and to ensure landlords continue receiving the rental payments they depend on to maintain their properties. Thank you for your consideration of this request and your continued support for the most vulnerable Americans.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Urge Secretary Noem to Reverse Decision to Terminate Legal Status of Four-Year-Old Bakersfield Girl

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Schiff Urge Secretary Noem to Reverse Decision to Terminate Legal Status of Four-Year-Old Bakersfield Girl

    LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined Representative Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37), and 34 other lawmakers in urging Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to reconsider the termination of the legal status of a four-year-old Bakersfield girl and her family, potentially leading to life-threatening deportation. The young girl, identified by her initials as S.G.V., has short bowel syndrome and could die within days if she is deported and loses essential medical care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
    “We urge you to reconsider the termination of S.G.V. and her family’s legal status as S.G.V.’s doctors say she could die within days without treatment,” wrote the lawmakers. “Due to S.G.V.’s short bowel syndrome, she receives intensive medical treatments such as: being tethered to feeding tubes 24 hours a day; spending 14 hours each night being hooked up to an intravenous feeding system; and receiving a different type of nutrition via a gastric tube into her stomach four times a day. In 2023, S.G.V. and her family were allowed to enter the U.S. legally on humanitarian grounds.”
    “Your Department has revoked this child’s legal status in the U.S., which interrupts the urgent, life-saving care she receives at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles every six weeks,” continued the lawmakers. “We believe this family’s situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision. It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless. Without action, S.G.V. will die. We urge a prompt response from your Department and a swift decision to extend this family’s legal status in the U.S.” 
    In addition to Padilla, Schiff, Rivas, and Kamlager-Dove, the letter was also signed by Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.-26), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), Greg Casar (D-Texas-35), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.-13), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas-16), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.-04), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas-29), Daniel Goldman (D-N.Y.-10), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.-03), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.-02), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.-08), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.-03), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-06), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.-38), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.-12), Darren Soto (D-Fla.-09), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii-02), Norma Torres (D-Calif.-35), Derek Tran (D-Calif.-45), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.-02), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), and Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07). 
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Noem:
    In April 2025, Deysi Vargas, her husband, and four-year-old daughter, identified as S.G.V., received a notice that their legal status in the United States had been terminated, and in May, Deysi received notice that her employment authorization had also been terminated. S.G.V. suffers from short bowel syndrome, a rare condition that prevents her body from completely absorbing the nutrients of regular food. We urge you to reconsider the termination of S.G.V. and her family’s legal status as S.G.V.’s doctors say she could die within days without treatment.
    Due to S.G.V.’s short bowel syndrome, she receives intensive medical treatments such as: being tethered to feeding tubes 24 hours a day; spending 14 hours each night being hooked up to an intravenous feeding system; and receiving a different type of nutrition via a gastric tube into her stomach four times a day. In 2023, S.G.V. and her family were allowed to enter the U.S. legally on humanitarian grounds.
    Your Department has revoked this child’s legal status in the U.S., which interrupts the urgent, life-saving care she receives at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles every six weeks.
    On the President’s first day in office he issued an Executive Order stating that, “ensuring that the parole authority under section 212(d)(5) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)) is exercised on only a case-by-case basis in accordance with the plain language of the statute, and in all circumstances only when an individual alien demonstrates urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit derived from their particular continued presence in the United States arising from such parole.”
    We believe this family’s situation clearly meets the need for humanitarian aid and urge you and this Administration to reconsider its decision. It is our duty to protect the sick, vulnerable, and defenseless. Without action, S.G.V. will die. We urge a prompt response from your Department and a swift decision to extend this family’s legal status in the U.S.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Fischer Highlights Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer

    Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) issued the following video to promote mental health in the ag industry and workforce on ‘Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day.’

    Earlier this month, the Senate unanimously approved Fischer’s resolution designating May 29th as ‘Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day.’ The resolution shines a light on the unique challenges agricultural producers face, while highlighting the resources available to those in need of assistance. 

    Click the image above to view a video of Fischer’s remarks

    Click here to download audio

    Click here to download video

     

    Mental Health Resources:

    Click here to learn about national resources available for those in need of assistance.
    Click here to learn about Nebraska resources available for those in need of assistance.

    Full Video Transcript: 

    Hello, this is Senator Deb Fischer. 

    Throughout my life, I’ve had many roles – daughter, wife, mother, school board member, and now as the U.S. Senator for Nebraska.

    Yet, one of the most challenging roles I’ve had is that of a cattle rancher, on our family ranch.

    As our agriculture producers and workforce know, working in the ag industry is not for the faint of heart – and feeding and fueling our world is no easy task.

    We face numerous challenges – from weather to volatile commodity prices. 

    These daily uncertainties can take a toll. It’s why farmers and ranchers face higher levels of stress and anxiety.

    Sadly, farmer suicide rates are two to five times higher than the national average.

    That’s why, today, on Mental Health Awareness Day in Agriculture, I want to take a moment to remind our ag producers and farmworkers that there are resources available for those who may be struggling.

    To our farmers and ranchers: Thank you for helping to feed and fuel the world. We appreciate the hard work you do every single day. 

     

    MIL OSI USA News –