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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: After Securing Commitment from Social Security Head, Warren Asks Agency Watchdog to Investigate Long Call Wait Times, Impact of Staffing Cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    July 25, 2025
    At Sen. Warren’s request, Bisignano agreed to independent audit of data collection, reporting during recent meeting 
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. — After U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) secured a commitment from Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano to fully cooperate with an Inspector General audit in their recent meeting, Senator Warren sent a letter formally requesting the SSA’s Inspector General investigate wait times for Social Security services, specifically whether those wait times have worsened in the last six months, how caller wait time data is collected, and whether the Trump administration is providing the public with accurate information about those wait times.
    Since President Trump took office, his administration and Commissioner Bisignano have eliminated thousands of workers at the agency, closed regional offices, made the agency’s website less reliable, and implemented burdensome new requirements to access services.
    As a result of these changes, phone wait times have skyrocketed. A June investigation conducted by Senator Warren’s office found that wait times averaged nearly an hour and 45 minutes, with maximum wait times exceeding three hours. The Joint Economic Committee Minority Staff’s review found a similar increase in busy rates on the SSA phone hotline. Nonetheless, Commissioner Bisignano’s SSA reported that wait times had dropped dramatically to under 20 minutes — a number fully incompatible with SSA’s own public data, the results of Senator Warren’s investigation, and other independent reporting.
    “The challenges facing Social Security recipients are compounded by the evidently misleading information that SSA reports about wait times for basic services or the lack of any information at all,” wrote Senator Warren.
    During Senator Warren’s July 23rd meeting with Commissioner Bisignano, he agreed that an independent Inspector General investigation was necessary, and committed to fully cooperate with the audit.
    “Because of the critical importance of Social Security benefits for millions of Americans, I ask that you conduct this review and make your findings public as rapidly as possible,” concluded Senator Warren.
    Senator Warren requested the investigation cover: the change in wait times since January 20, 2025; an explanation of how the agency calculates key metrics; and how staffing decisions, including reassigning and cutting staff, at the agency have impacted its ability to deliver services; and any other factors that may be impacting the agency’s ability to deliver services.
    Senate Dems’ Social Security War Room is a coordinated effort to fight back against the Trump administration’s attack on Americans’ Social Security. The War Room coordinates messaging across the Senate Democratic Caucus and external stakeholders; encourages grassroots engagement by providing opportunities for Americans to share what Social Security means to them; and educates Senate staff, the American public, and stakeholders about Republicans’ agenda and their continued cuts to Americans’ Social Security services and benefits.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: At Hearing, Nominee for Head of Naval Operations Says He’s “Fully Committed” to Right to Repair, Testifies Contractor Restrictions are “Dangerous” and Hurt Military “Self-Sufficiency”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    July 25, 2025
    Admiral Caudle on right to repair: “It is so ridiculous that sailors cannot actually enter a piece of equipment because of a contractual reason, a warranty violation…It is not sustainable, it’s dangerous.” 
    Admiral Caudle: “There should be nothing on board a ship that a sailor cannot repair…That’s how we make sure we are ready to fight.”
    Video of Exchange (YouTube)
    Washington, D.C. — At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) asked Admiral Daryl L. Caudle, nominee for Chief of Naval Operations, about the importance of the military’s right to repair its own equipment. Senator Warren also raised concerns about the removal of Admiral Lisa Franchetti, who was removed without explanation, which led to the nomination of Admiral Caudle to the post.
    Admiral Caudle explained that contractor repair restrictions, even in peacetime, are “not sustainable” and “dangerous” because service members do not get the opportunity to familiarize themselves with equipment or learn how it works.
    “It is so ridiculous that sailors cannot actually enter a piece of equipment because of a contractual reason, a warranty violation. It goes right to the heart of what we call self-sufficiency,” said Admiral Caudle.
    Asked by Senator Warren about the impact of the Navy not having the right to repair its equipment, Admiral Caudle said, “It is dangerous even where we operate now, even in peace…we’re actually acting as a deterrent [to conflict]…So, when a piece of equipment is down and our readiness is not 100 percent and it’s because I can’t repair it, then that’s unacceptable in my mind.”
    Admiral Caudle also expressed support for legislation to guarantee the right to repair for all of the services, saying “the idea of what you’re describing I’m fully committed to, Senator.”
    “In peace time, [repair restrictions are] expensive and inconvenient. In the middle of a conflict, that actually puts our security at risk…[Right to repair] makes us more resilient, enhances competition, grows the industrial base, helps with the training of our people,” said Senator Warren.
    During a hearing of the Armed Services Committee last month, Navy Secretary John Phelan shared his experiences with repair restrictions, saying sailors on the Gerald R. Ford carrier were not allowed to fix ovens or elevators themselves because defense contractors limited repair information.
    This month, Senator Warren introduced the bipartisan Warrior Right to Repair Act with Senator Tim Sheehy to guarantee all branches of the military the right to repair their equipment and require contractors to provide any information needed to repair the equipment. Both the House and Senate versions of the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act advance the military’s right to repair.
    Senator Warren also shared her concerns with the removal of Admiral Lisa Franchetti, which led to the vacancy Admiral Caudle was nominated to fill. Admiral Franchetti was removed by President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth without explanation.
    “[W]e need the best and brightest in this country to serve in the military, and we aren’t going to be able to compete with China or anyone else if women know that their talents and hard work are going to be tossed aside,” said Senator Warren. “Everyone in this room needs to take a hard look at what is happening at the Pentagon right now. Firing good people who do their jobs does not make us safer.”
    Transcript: Hearing to consider the nomination of Admiral Daryl L. Caudle, USN for reappointment to the grade of admiral and to be Chief of Naval OperationsSenate Armed Services CommitteeJuly 24, 2025
    Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and congratulations, Admiral Caudle, on your nomination.
    So, for years, defense contractors have slipped fine print into contracts that limit the Department of Defense’s ability to fix its own ships and fighter jets, MRI machines, radar systems. Last month, Secretary Phelan told this committee he saw firsthand that sailors on the Gerald R. Ford carrier couldn’t fix ovens or elevators themselves because they had to wait for contractors to come and do it.
    Now, the Government Accountability Office estimated that repair restrictions are costing the Navy billions of dollars – and also costing the Navy opportunities to train sailors to repair their own equipment in the field. In peace time, this is expensive and inconvenient. In the middle of a conflict, that actually puts our security at risk.
    So, Admiral Caudle, you have commanded sailors in the Pacific. If their equipment breaks in a warzone, is it a problem if contractors are not able or not willing to come to the front lines to be able to fix it?
    Admiral Daryl L. Caudle, nominee for Chief of Naval Operations: Senator Warren, let me say thank you for championing this right to repair initiative. It is so vital. It is so ridiculous that sailors cannot actually enter a piece of equipment because of a contractual reason, a warranty violation. It goes right to the heart of what we call self-sufficiency. So, I don’t like it in peacetime, and I certainly do not want it in war time. It is not sustainable, it’s dangerous. So, I’m 100% committed to understanding and more fully — I guess the language of the right to repair piece, but the idea of what you’re describing I’m fully committed to, Senator.
    Senator Warren: That’s right. And you know, I really do want to hit the point as well: that if sailors aren’t getting a chance to repair this equipment in peace time, you can’t just say, “Okay, if war comes, you go ahead and repair it now, because they don’t get the opportunities to learn it and know how all the pieces work. Is that a fair statement?
    Admiral Caudle: Senator, it’s 100 percent fair. It ties to how we build our schoolhouses. So the curriculum will change when I have the right to repair equipment that I’m not currently repairing. So it has these second and third order effects as well.
    Senator Warren: Well, I really appreciate your enthusiasm for making a change in this area. The Army has said that it will require contractors to provide the technical data and diagnostic tools necessary for the Army to be able to maintain weapon systems itself. It makes us more resilient, enhances competition, grows the industrial base, helps with the training of our people.
    I worked with Senator Sheehy and the members of this committee to secure a provision in the NDAA that you just referred to that will provide a right to repair for all of the services, and the House bill now includes similar language. Why are we still talking about this? Well, because the lobbyists for the defense industry are now pushing back. They like being able to get restrictions on your ability to repair because it means that they can not only charge you the initial price to sell you the piece of equipment, but they also can charge pretty much whatever they want if they have a monopoly on this to charge you for all the repairs and maintenance down the line.
    So, Admiral Caudle, as a Commander, what difference will it make to the war fighter for the Navy to have broad authority to secure the rights necessary to keep our fighter jets flying and our ships sailing wherever we need to keep Americans safe?
    Admiral Caudle: Well, Senator, it’s vital. There should be nothing on board a ship that a sailor cannot repair. That’s to say that simply. That’s how we make sure we are ready to fight. Things break all the time on our ships to keep them going sustained. That’s why this is not just a wartime — we need this equipment — it is dangerous even where we operate now, even in peace. They are not there just sailing
    around, we’re actually acting as a deterrent. We’re a vital part of that at the ready. So, when a piece of equipment is down and our readiness is not 100 percent and it’s because I can’t repair it, then that’s unacceptable in my mind.
    Senator Warren: Well, I very much appreciate that. Thank you and appreciate your statements here and look forward to working with you on this.
    I also want to say, I appreciate the qualifications you bring to this role, but we have to acknowledge the circumstances surrounding your nomination. Admiral Franchetti, the first woman to serve as Chief of Naval Operations was removed by the President without any explanation. That’s not on you. But we need the best and brightest in this country to serve in the military, and we aren’t going to be able to compete with China or anyone else if women know that their talents and hard work are going to be tossed aside.
    Everyone in this room needs to take a hard look at what is happening at the Pentagon right now. Firing good people who do their jobs does not make us safer. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren asks Social Security’s inspector general to evaluate customer service amid agency overhaul

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    July 24, 2025
    Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is asking the Social Security Administration’s inspector general to audit the agency’s customer service amid concerns that the Trump administration-spurred reorganization has hurt the agency’s ability to assist the public.
    Warren wants to know whether telephone and in-person wait times and other key metrics have worsened and how Commissioner Frank Bisignano is calculating the data, according to a letter the Democratic senator sent to the inspector general today and obtained exclusively by CNN. Also, Warren is asking whether the agency is providing accurate information to the public about its customer service metrics.
    The request from Warren, who met with Bisignano yesterday, comes at a time when the agency has shed roughly 7,000 employees and implemented a new AI tool on its national 800 number.
    Bisignano has promised to quickly improve customer service. However, he has greatly reduced the performance metrics that were previously posted online. A survey conducted by Warren’s staff last month found that telephone wait times averaged nearly an hour and 45 minutes.
    Meanwhile, the agency has touted its customer service achievements.
    Social Security handled nearly 70% more calls on its 800 number last week than the same period a year ago, while cutting its average speed of answer to six minutes, from 30 minutes last year, according to a press release posted yesterday.
    Warren has requested detailed data about customers’ ability to access phone services and have their issues resolved. She has also asked how staffing decisions have affected phone and in-person services.
    By:  Tami LuhbySource: CNN
    Previous Article

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Crack Down on Trespassing on Sensitive Government Property

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Mike Rounds (R-SD), members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), have introduced legislation to better ensure access to U.S. Intelligence Community property is only available to authorized personnel. The bipartisan Intelligence Community Property Security Act would strengthen the penalty for trespassing on sensitive property under the jurisdiction of the Intelligence Community.
    Currently, Title 18 of United States Code — which outlines laws pertaining to crimes and criminal procedures — does not express address criminal incursions onto U.S. intelligence sites. The bill would revise criminal penalties to address the severity of the crime, and the pointed threat repeat offenders pose to U.S. national security interests.
    “The 21st century threat landscape is complicated, but there are some simple and straightforward steps we can take to protect our security and operations — like make sure that our Intelligence Community facilities are not compromised by unauthorized trespassers,” said King. “The bipartisan Intelligence Community Property Security Act would take action to strengthen the penalties for bad actors and offenders attempting to intrude on intelligence sites. It’s commonsense legislation that will help better protect American people and interests.”
    “Having unauthorized personnel trespassing onto some of our nation’s most sensitive sites presents a grave national security risk. We can’t take these offenses lightly,” said Rounds. “Our legislation would strengthen the punishment for repeated offenses and, in turn, better deter those bad actors who may try to infringe on these properties. Now more than ever, it’s critical to protect our intelligence sites from foreign adversaries.”
    A member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) and the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Senator King is recognized as a thoughtful voice on national security and foreign policy issues. In addition to his committee work, Senator King serves on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, the Senate North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Observer Group, and is co-chair of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission — which has had dozens of recommendations become law. Earlier this year, he joined fellow Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) colleagues in writing a letter to the White House about the risks to national security by allowing unvetted Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staff and representatives to access classified and sensitive government materials.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Speaks with Nominees about Supporting Vets at SVAC Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville

    WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with John Bartrum, President Trump’s nominee to be Under Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Jeremiah Workman, President Trump’s nominee to be Assistant Secretary for Training at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) during a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) hearing. Sen. Tuberville spoke with the nominees about their plans to improve care for veterans, especially those living in rural areas. Some of the ways discussed included streamlining communication across agencies and expanding Community Care access.

    Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or on YouTube or Rumble.

    ON IMPROVING COMMUNICATION WITH VETERANS IN RURAL AREAS:

    TUBERVILLE: “[Thank you,] Mr. Chairman. Thank you both for being here. I look forward to supporting you both. 

    Mr. Bartrum, one of the biggest complaints I hear about the VA healthcare services is communication. In my state of Alabama, we are very rural, and it’s a huge problem. If confirmed, how will you work with the Secretary in utilizing the new technology that we have for community service?”

    BARTRUM: “Thank you, sir. As you know—we talked a little bit about this when I met with you—rural veterans who live in the rural area are somewhere between 60-66% of our veterans. So, reaching out, and reaching to our veterans, and partnering with not only the VSOs and our service organizations that are out there, but using our technology that we have with our communication strategy, websites, and reaching out to folks with our provider network […] and community care partners is something that I wanna look into and work with you [to] partner on, and look at the strategies. I’m not steeped into what strategies VHA is using since I’m not in the role. But once I’m in the role, I would love to partner with you and bring back what we’re doing specifically and figure out how we can best reach out to our rural networks.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.”

    ON PLACING VETERANS IN LONG-TERM, QUALITY JOBS:

    TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Workman, in your testimony, you highlighted the need for DOL vets to focus on outcomes and performances. If confirmed, how will you ensure veterans are not just a number, but instead placed in long-term, quality jobs?”

    WORKMAN: “Thank you for the question, Senator. I think when it comes to our veterans and when they’re transitioning from that [active veteran status], it is important for us to capture them as they’re leaving the door in what we call the Transition Systems Program (TAP). I believe a lot of folks are falling through the cracks, and for whatever reason, not attending TAP or just not soaking it in. I think that’s where it starts is that last six months to a year before they leave active duty or reserve status. Once out into small, wherever they go in America, that’s generally where we start to see issues. They lose that support network. That’s where our American job centers come into play. We need to make sure that the folks out there are properly trained and doing what they need to do to take care of our transitioning veterans and their family members.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.”

    ON INCREASED COMMUNITY CARE:

    TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Bartrum, in May, the VA announced the policy change that would make it easier for veterans to access Community Care when a VA doctor determines it is in their best medical interest. What’s your opinion on this announcement?”

    BARTRUM: “I thought it was the right announcement, and it should have been done years ago. I believe that when a veteran and their doctor says they need to go to a referral on the outside and they both agree that that is enough to send them to the outside to get preferred.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you.

    ON IMPROVING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DOD & VA:

    TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Workman, as you know, the federal government is very siloed, and agencies often do not communicate with each other. [It] seems like we can’t get information from the DOD to the VA coordinated, because all the systems are different. It’s been a disaster since I’ve been here. We spent billions of dollars. We can’t seem to do it. But if confirmed, how will you improve coordination across agencies to veterans and put them first?”

    WORKMAN: “Thank you for the question, Senator. If confirmed, […] you’re 100% correct—we need to tighten up communications across the different departments and agencies. I feel like sometimes vets, [DOL vets], sometimes do not always have a seat at the table, and if confirmed, I can assure you that we will have a seat at the table with the DOD and also the VA, so it can better serve our veterans and their family members.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Are you aware of the problems that we’ve had [about all the information going from DOD to the veterans]?”

    WORKMAN: “Yes, Senator. I spent 10-11 years working at the VA. I’ve also worked for DOD in a civilian capacity, and I do know that it is a challenge. Like I said, if confirmed, we will have a seat at the table and we look forward to working with our counterparts.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Mr. Bartrum, you and I talked about this—but coinciding information—you cannot get something done unless you get both sides working together. What’s your thoughts on that?”

    BARTRUM: “I think we need to re-energize the sharing agreements of data and get data across the system. I also think we have to do a better job of coordinating data [within] VHA and VBA, because that data needs to flow smoother. So, I think there are lots of opportunities to do data sharing within the department and within intergovernmental agencies.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chariman.”

    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis, Padilla Applaud Senate Judiciary Committee Passage of the TRACE Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) applauded the passage of the TRACE Act out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The TRACE Act is a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would require the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to include an additional category to the existing National Missing and Unidentified Persons Systems (NamUs) database so the public and law enforcement partners can denote cases where the person went missing or was identified on federal land or territorial waters of the United States —including by providing specific location details. 
    The bill also requires DOJ to submit an annual report to Congress on the number of cases of persons missing or suspected of going missing on public lands or territorial waters of the United States from the previous year. With this new feature, family and friends of people who have gone missing on public lands could more easily find and include this information in NamUs, while law enforcement agencies can simultaneously work to improve the national records of individuals missing on public lands.  
    “Every year, people go missing on public lands without being recorded in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System,” said Senator Tillis. “This oversight is impeding law enforcement from keeping track of those who go missing to help search and rescue efforts. I applaud the Senate Judiciary Committee for passing this bipartisan, bicameral legislation so these cases can be added to the database and potentially save hundreds of lives in the future, and I look forward to supporting this legislation on the Senate floor.”
    “Thousands of people go missing on public lands every year in the United States, but without an effective tracking system, law enforcement faces significant challenges in finding them,” said Senator Padilla. “Public lands should be safe for everyone. That’s why I will keep working with Senator Tillis and my colleagues across the aisle to pass this bipartisan legislation to improve data accuracy and accessibility, give law enforcement better tools to resolve cases, and bring peace of mind to affected families.”
    Background:
    According to a NamUs report, over 600,000 people go missing in the United States annually. While the majority of these cases are resolved, tens of thousands of people remain missing every year. There are approximately 640 million acres of federal land which include national parks, national forests, and Bureau of Land Management lands. 
    Estimates suggest that at least 1,600 people have gone missing on public lands, though the number is likely much higher, as isolated or rugged terrain on public lands can make it especially difficult to find or identify people who go missing. Despite this, there is no functional system to report people who have gone missing on public lands. Having accurate data on how many people go missing on our public lands every year is crucial to aid search and rescue efforts and resolve cases. 
    NamUs is the main system used by law enforcement, families and friends of missing persons, medical examiners, and coroners to report unidentified remains and missing persons, and is also used by the public.  
    The TRACE Act is endorsed by the Public Lands Solution, Jewish Women’s Institute, Major County Sheriffs Association, Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), NDAA, Raven, National Association to End Sexual Violence, and the Outdoor Industry Association.
    Full text of the bill is available HERE.
      

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Luján, Markey Slam FCC’s Partisan Approval of Paramount, Skydance Merger

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Merger approval comes 2 days after Paramount settles with Trump for $36 million 
    Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted today to approve a merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media. 
    “The FCC’s approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger reeks of the worst form of corruption. The timing speaks for itself: Paramount settled with Trump for $36 million on Tuesday and the FCC approved the merger on Thursday. While we’re glad that the Commission took a vote on the deal, as we have repeatedly called for, the partisan vote is a dark day for independent journalism and a stain on the storied history of the Federal Communications Commission. The stench of this transaction will linger over the Commission for years.” 
    Senators Markey and Luján have aggressively pushed back on the Trump administration’s efforts to attack news organizations and intimidate the media. On July 18, Senator Markey wrote to Paramount Global Chair Shari Redstone, demanding answers on the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” specifically requesting whether anyone in the Trump administration asked for the show to be cancelled. On July 10, Senators Markey and Luján wrote to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Olivia Trusty, urging the FCC to hold a full Commission vote on the Paramount and Skydance merger. In May 2025, Senators Markey and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) wrote to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, urging the FCC to take a vote on the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 25th, 2025 Heinrich Announces Committee Passage of Over $69 Million for New Mexico

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    Investments Heinrich championed support homeownership & homebuilding, rental & homelessness assistance, Tribal health & education, Southwest Border Regional Commission, & more

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Interior, Environment and Related Agencies; and Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Bills. With Committee approval of these bills, Heinrich secured support for over $65 million for New Mexico, including $52 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for 39 local projects between these bills and their House-companions.

    “While these Appropriations bills aren’t perfect, they include resources and investments I negotiated for New Mexico that will fund Tribal health care and education, help Tribal law enforcement officers solve and reduce violent crime, and continue funding for the Institute of American Indian Arts for the 2026-2027 school year,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This legislation will help over 11,000 families in New Mexico afford rent, build new housing, and invest in border communities through the Southwest Border Regional Commission. Additionally, the bill protects the Amtrak Southwest Chief train service in New Mexico, restores waterfowl habitat, and builds on my work to clean up abandoned hardrock mines. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will always fight for investments that put New Mexico first.”

    Additionally, Heinrich offered an amendment to require the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service to hire and maintain a minimum number of Full Time Employees in order to manage wildfire preparedness, suppression, and other mission-critical support, in the FY26 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. Heinrich’s amendment would have also required the National Park Service to hire and maintain a minimum number of Full Time Employees for the operation of national park units, including administrative services. Despite Heinrich’s attempt to include the amendment in the Appropriations bill, the amendment was rejected by Republicans on the Committee.

    Heinrich is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

    Next, the two bills passed out of the Appropriations Committee will be considered by the full United States Senate.

    Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Key Points and Highlights

    Congressionally Directed Spending

    Heinrich successfully included $7.1 million in investments for the following ten local projects in the bill:

    • $1,075,000 for the City of Truth or Consequences to replace aged and damaged waterlines.
    • $1,000,000 for Zuni Pueblo to make improvements to their drinking water system.
    • $1,000,000 for Pueblo of Tesuque to remove Siberian elm trees to restore the Rio Tesuque bosque to its natural vegetation.
    • $1,000,000 for the Village of Questa to construct a well house to prevent contamination of their municipal well.
    • $1,000,000 for Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority to conduct wastewater system improvements in Carnuel.
    • $700,000 for the Mescalero Apache Tribe to restore coniferous forest and promote aspen stand growth along the Rio Ruidoso to prepare for the reintroduction of beavers, a culturally significant species.
    • $525,000 for Taos Pueblo to purchase wildfire preparedness equipment.
    • $500,000 for Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Council for a Caja del Rio Ethnographic Study.
    • $150,000 for the Desert Tortoise Council to work on Bolson tortoise recovery efforts.
    • $150,000 for the Bureau of Land Management to work with existing partners to replace barbed-wire fences with wildlife-friendly fences on the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

    Heinrich and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) successfully included $3.39 million for the following three projects:

    • $2,090,000 for the City of Rio Rancho to expand their aquifer reinjection system.
    • $800,000 for the Enchanted Forest Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association to develop a new water source pump house and appurtenances and to replace distribution lines.
    • $500,000 for the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs to make water system improvements at the Fort Selden Historic Site.

    Heinrich also successfully worked with his colleagues in the N.M. Delegation to include $2.18 million for the following two projects in the House-companion bill:

    • $1,092,000 for the Town of Bernalillo will rehabilitate their current wastewater facilities.
    • $1,092,000 for the City of Belen to rehabilitate their wastewater treatment plant.

    Heinrich also successfully included three amendments into the Manager’s Package. These include:

    1. An amendment for a U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) study comparing the per-patient funding levels for health care services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Indian Health Service (IHS). Additionally, the study would analyze potential recruitment and retainment strategies utilized by the VA that could be extended to IHS.
    2. An amendment ensuring that the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) is included in reference to the reauthorization of the Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance.
    3. An amendment for a Fish and Wildlife Service report on staffing levels and positions at National Wildlife Refuge System units and complexes.

    Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act Implementation: Heinrich successfully included $500,000 to implement the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony (STOP) Act, a bipartisan law that Heinrich championed and passed in 2022 to prohibit the exporting of sacred Native American items and increase penalties for stealing and illegally trafficking Tribal cultural patrimony. Representing the first dedicated funding for this program, it would be used to halt the trade of culturally significant items and repatriate stolen pieces to the Tribal communities where they belong. Heinrich first introduced the STOP Act in 2016 after he helped halt the auction of a shield, stolen from the Pueblo of Acoma. Heinrich played a role in the effort to bring the shield home to Acoma by working with Governors Kurt Riley and Brian Vallo to call for its return.

    Tribal Programs: Heinrich fought for and successfully included $13,482,000 to the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development (IAIA). After the administration threatened to withhold IAIA’s funding earlier this year, Heinrich secured the release of FY 2025 funds earlier this month. This bill will ensure continued investment for IAIA through FY26, supporting its mission to advance Indigenous arts, culture, and education for future generations.

    Heinrich also successfully included funding to protect several Tribal programs, including $23,750,000 for Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, $2,658,289,000 for Indian Health Services (IHS) Hospitals and Health Clinics, and funding for IHS Facilities and Construction. He also protected funding for Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Law Enforcement and included report language to ensure the continuation of the Tribal law enforcement training program in New Mexico.

    Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation Program: Heinrich successfully included continued funding for the Abandoned Hardrock Mine Reclamation Program, after championing the creation of the program in the Infrastructure Law. Hardrock mines and mining features are related to the extraction of metals like copper, gold, silver, and uranium. When not reclaimed, many hardrock mines pose a hazard to public health and the environment. This funding will be used to clean up federal, state, Tribal, and private land and water resources affected by abandoned hardrock mines.

    Southwest Ecological Research Institutes: Heinrich fought for and successfully maintained funding for the Southwest Ecological Research Institutes (SWERIs). Last month Heinrich pressed the U.S. Forest Chief on the Administration’s plan entirely to cut funding for the program in FY26. SWERIs offer unique opportunities for dedicated research in forest science and watershed health and represent the future of science in forest management. New Mexico Highlands University houses one center along with Colorado State University and Northern Arizona University. This funding would ensure the continuation of valuable research in southwestern forest and fire management.

    Conservation: Heinrich successfully protected funding for the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund, which leverages private dollars to restore waterfowl habitat across the country. Senator Heinrich led the reauthorization of this fund last congress. He also protected core wildlife management and science capabilities at the Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey from the steep cuts proposed by the Trump administration.

    Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Key Points and Highlights

    Congressionally Directed Spending

    Heinrich successfully included $17.1 million in investments for the following 11 local projects in the bill:

    • $4,000,000 for Homewise to help moderate-income, first-time homebuyers purchase entry-level homes.
    • $2,300,000 for the City of Socorro to replace aged and damaged waterlines.
    • $2,073,000 for the City of Raton to upgrade its municipal airport infrastructure.
    • $1,500,000 for the Boys & Girls Club of San Juan County to renovate a community center.
    • $1,500,000 for DreamTree Project to complete the final phase of renovations to the Navigating Emergency Support Together (NEST) building and purchase land for on-site permanent supportive housing.
    • $1,000,000 Serenity Mesa Youth Recovery Center to expand their facilities to support increased substance use crisis stabilization, treatment, and housing for adolescents and young adults.
    • $850,000 for the Albuquerque Housing Authority will invest in necessary upgrades at public housing properties.
    • $692,000 for the Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area to conduct an affordable housing pilot project.
    • $440,000 for Deming Silver Linings to provide emergency temporary housing for unhoused individuals.
    • $200,000 for Mesilla Valley Community of Hope to support individuals and families experiencing poverty and homelessness by providing affordable housing and wraparound services.

    Heinrich and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) successfully included $16.3 million for the following nine projects:

    • $3,000,000 for Youth Development, Inc. for an early childhood development center.
    • $3,000,000 for the Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network and La Cosecha Community Supported Agriculture to create a Food Hub at the Sacred Roots farm site to create economic development opportunity in the local food system, provide education to students and community members, and increase access to healthy foods.
    • $2,500,000 for Santa Fe County to develop a Permanent Supportive Housing project designed to meet the urgent needs of the region’s unhoused population.
    • $1,800,000 for the Town of Mountainair to rebuild, repave, and upgrade approximately two miles of downtown Mountainair’s roadways.
    • $1,600,000 for the City of Raton to conduct an interchange alignment study as part of the Ports-to-Plains Corridor Interstate Planning process.
    • $1,500,000 for Tierra Del Sol Housing Corporation to complete the first phase of construction for an affordable housing project in Vado, New Mexico.
    • $1,210,000 for the City of Bloomfield to plan, design, and construct the expansion of East Blanco Boulevard in Bloomfield.
    • $1,000,000 for the Pueblo of Acoma to construct new single-family homes for low-to-moderate income families on the Housing Authority’s waiting list.
    • $700,000 for Cuidando Los Niños of Albuquerque to expand its facility to house early childhood education and family wraparound services.

    Heinrich also successfully worked with his colleagues in the N.M. Delegation to include $8.4 million for the following four projects in the House-companion bill:

    • $2,900,000 for the Pueblo of Acoma to repair housing for senior community members and provide ADA accommodations.
    • $2,000,000 for the City of Albuquerque Health, Housing and Homelessness Department to improve security and accessibility at the city’s largest homeless shelter.
    • $2,000,000 for the City of Albuquerque to establish a modular Shelter Stability site for seniors.
    • $1,512,000 for Jemez Pueblo to demolish hazardous buildings within the Pueblo.

    Rental Assistance: Heinrich successfully secured increased funding for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (Housing Choice Vouchers) and Project-Based Rental Assistance, despite the administration’s attempts to completely defund both programs. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program helps over 11,000 families in New Mexico afford rent. Heinrich also secured language urging HUD to expand resources to train public housing staff on how to use housing choice vouchers to make homeownership an attainable goal for residents of public housing.

    Tribal Programs: Heinrich successfully included a $25 million investment for Tribal Transportation Program High Priority Projects, a set-aside that provides funds to Tribes or a governmental subdivision of a Tribe whose annual allocation of funding received under the Tribal Transportation Program is insufficient to complete the highest priority project of the Tribe. Heinrich secured an increase in funding for Tribal housing programs. Heinrich also secured a legislative proposal that would make certain home loans on Tribal lands easier to keep if homeowners are delinquent on payments.

    Southwest Border Regional Commission: Heinrich successfully included a $5 million investment in the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC) for transportation infrastructure planning to support supply chain connectivity and economic development in southern New Mexico and along the southern border.

    Homelessness Assistance: Heinrich successfully secured an increase in funding for grant programs that address homelessness through emergency shelter, transitional and supportive housing, rapid re-housing, rental assistance and prevention, and supportive services. Heinrich successfully pushed back against the Trump administration’s attempts to curtail homelessness assistance funding by making grant match requirements overly burdensome for New Mexican service providers.

    Homebuilding and Homeownership: Heinrich secured funding for the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), a critical program that helps New Mexicans purchase or rehabilitate homes. The Trump administration also sought to cut all funding for this program. In New Mexico, HOME also provides gap funding for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit projects, which increases the supply of affordable rental units.

    Amtrak Southwest Chief: Heinrich secured language that protects existing Amtrak Southwest Chief train service in New Mexico from cuts and closure.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI from Fox News: ‘Shirts and Skins’: How one Republican bridged the gap to pass Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

    US Senate News:

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

    ICYMI from Fox News: ‘Shirts and Skins’: How one Republican bridged the gap to pass Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’

    “‘Hey, we’re all on the same team,’ is a little tougher than what people think.”
    Washington, D.C. – ICYMI, Fox News published the following piece crediting U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin’s (R-OK) essential role in uniting House and Senate Republicans to accomplish President Trump’s ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill.’ The article highlights Mullin’s important role the “de facto liaison between the chambers” and specifically notes his importance in managing a SALT deal that “helped seal the deal for anxious blue state House Republicans.”
    Additionally, Fox News reported on the evolution of the senator’s negotiating style due to the leadership of Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), writing, “for a time his negotiating style was arguing with lawmakers to convince them ‘why you’re wrong.’ But that style softened after watching Thune.”
    Read the full story from Fox News HERE and below:
    ‘Shirts and Skins’: How one Republican bridged the gap to pass Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill’
    By Alex Miller | July 24, 2025
    Passing President Donald Trump’s agenda was a team effort between the Senate and House, but one Senate Republican was key in smoothing over differences between the two chambers.
    “There’s an inherent mistrust between senators and representatives,” Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., told Fox News Digital in an interview. “There’s a deep, deep mistrust, and it’s like we’re playing shirts and skins with our own team.”
    “And trying to break down that barrier and let people know, ‘Hey, we’re all on the same team,’ is a little tougher than what people think,” he continued.
    House Republicans were dead set on crafting one, colossal package, while Senate Republicans preferred splitting the bill into two — even three — pieces. Then there were disagreements over the depth of spending cuts, changes to Medicaid and carveouts to boost the cap on the State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT).
    And while the House GOP worked to craft their version of the massive, $3.3 trillion tax cuts and spending package that eventually made its way to the Senate, Mullin was a crucial figure in bridging the roughly 100-yard gap between both sides of the Capitol.
    But it’s a job he never really wanted.
    Mullin, who has been in Washington for over a decade, got his start in the House before being elected to the Senate in 2021. He wanted to maintain “lifelong friendships” with his House colleagues, but becoming the de facto liaison between the chambers was more a decision of practicality than one he truly desired.
    “The first couple of deputy whip meetings we had when [Senate Majority Leader John Thune] was whip was discussing what the House is going to do, and no one knew,” Mullin said. “And I was like, ‘Man, it’s just down the hall, we can go walk and talk to them.’ So the first time I did that, I went to the [House GOP] conference and just talked.”
    “And then it just turned into me going to Thune and saying, ‘Hey, why don’t I just become a liaison between the two?’ So I didn’t, I never envisioned of doing that, other than just keeping a relationship, but it was a natural fit,” he continued.
    That role began when former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who Mullin had a longstanding relationship with, led the House GOP, and has continued since House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., took the helm in 2023.
    And it paid dividends during the six-month slog to draft and pass Trump’s budget reconciliation bill, which required full buy-in from congressional Republicans to do so given that no Democrats were involved in the process.
    Markwayne said that before the bill even made it to the Senate in early June, he played a role in ensuring that House Republicans didn’t “dump a ton of stuff in there” that would be nixed by Senate rules.
    He effectively ping-ponged back and forth between the chambers, jetting from morning workouts to speak with lawmakers, meeting with House Republicans during their weekly conference confabs or holding smaller discussions with lawmakers, particularly blue state Republicans concerned about changes to SALT, to get everyone on roughly the same page.
    Much of it broke down to explaining how the Senate’s Byrd rule, which governs reconciliation and allows either party to skirt the Senate filibuster to pass legislation, worked.
    “I mean, even though I spent 12 or 10 years in the House, I never understood the Byrd rule, but why would I? I didn’t have to deal with it,” he said. “So really getting to understand that, and breaking down that barrier helped.”
    The flow of information wasn’t just one way, however. His discussions with House Republicans helped him better inform his colleagues in the upper chamber of their priorities, and what could and couldn’t be touched as Senate Republicans began putting their fingerprints on the bill.
    SALT was the main issue that he focused on, and one that most Senate Republicans didn’t care much for. Still, it was a make-or-break agreement to raise the caps, albeit temporarily, to $40,000 for single and joint filers for the next five years, that helped seal the deal for anxious blue state House Republicans.
    “Just keeping them informed through the process was very important,” he said. “But at the same time, talking to the House, and when we’re negotiating over here, I’d be like, ‘No guys, that’s a killer,’” he said. “We can’t do that if you, if you touch this, it’s dead over there for sure.
    Guaranteed, it’s dead.”
    Over time, his approach to the role has changed, an evolution he said was largely influenced by Thune.
    A self-described “bull in a China cabinet,” Mullin said that for a time his negotiating style was arguing with lawmakers to convince them “why you’re wrong.” But that style softened after watching Thune, he said, and saw him talking less and listening more.
    “I took his lead off of it to let people talk,” he said. “Sometimes you’re going to find out that they’re actually upset about something that had nothing to do with the bill, but they’re taking that, and they’re holding the bill hostage to be able to let this one point be heard.”
    “I don’t think it was a good indication that we were butting heads. Everybody was very passionate about this. I mean, they’ve been working for a long time. We looked at it as maybe a once in a generation opportunity for us to be able to get this done,” he continued. “We wanted to get it right, but everybody wanted to have their fingerprint on it and at the end of the day, we knew we [had] to bring it to the floor.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Cruz Bill to Make Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Signed Into Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    Cornyn Joined Pres. Trump at the White House for Signing Ceremony

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) released the following statements after their Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act, which codifies President Trump’s Executive Order renaming the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge near Houston, Texas, to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge, was signed into law by President Trump. Sen. Cornyn joined him in the Oval Office for today’s signing ceremony.

    “Last year, Jocelyn Nungaray’s life was stolen from her by dangerous illegal immigrants who were wrongfully let into the country by the Biden-Harris administration, and today we ensure her life and legacy are never forgotten,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I want to thank President Trump for swiftly signing my legislation to permanently rename of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Jocelyn’s honor and was proud to join today’s White House bill signing ceremony.”

    “I’m deeply grateful to my colleagues in Congress and to President Trump for signing into law the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act,” said Sen. Cruz. “This bill will rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Jocelyn’s memory. Jocelyn was murdered by illegal aliens, an unspeakable crime that should have never occurred. We have a duty to commemorate her life alongside her family.”

    Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) led this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    Background:

    On June 17, 2024, 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was brutally murdered in Houston, Texas. Two illegal aliens who were allegedly members of the Tren de Aragua gang have been charged with her murder. Jocelyn loved animals and, given the close proximity of her hometown of Houston, it is fitting that the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge be renamed in her honor.

    Located along the Texas Gulf Coast, the 39,000-acre refuge is a sanctuary for migratory birds and diverse wildlife. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System and plays a vital role in coastal conservation, public recreation, and environmental education. Now, it will also stand as a solemn tribute to Jocelyn’s memory and a symbol of the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting American communities. On March 4, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14229 to officially change the name from Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge. On March 7, 2025, the refuge was officially renamed after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s implementation order was signed. This law will ensure that this renaming cannot be overturned by a future administration by codifying the refuge’s new name into law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Markey and Rep. Simon Announce Legislation to Prohibit Discrimination in Jury Service Based on Disability and Age

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Bill Text (PDF) | One Pager (PDF)

    Washington (July 24, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representative Lateefah Simon (CA-12) today announced the reintroduction of the Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act, legislation that would prohibit discrimination in federal jury service based on disability or age. Federal law currently prohibits excluding a person from federal jury service on account of “race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or economic status,” but not on account of disability or age.

    The Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act would add protections to federal law for age and disability to prevent the discriminatory exclusion of capable jurors. This legislation would ensure that disabled jurors who are at least 18 years of age and are able to perform their duties with reasonable accommodations—including deaf and blind individuals who may use sign language or braille—would not be disqualified on the basis of disability. Twenty-eight states, including Massachusetts and California, have enacted laws that prohibit the exclusion or disqualification of people with a disability from state jury service. Meanwhile, eleven states have laws that prohibit age-based discrimination for state jury service.

    “Every American adult deserves the chance to fulfill their sacred civic duty and serve on a jury, no matter their age or disability,” said Senator Markey. “Our legislation creates equal opportunity for jury service and ensures that federal juries across the nation fully represent the diversity of our communities. Discrimination in jury selection stands in the way of achieving justice and fairness in our legal system. I am proud to lead this bill with Representatives Simon and continue to protect the rights of seniors and Americans with disabilities.”

    “The discrimination, exclusion, and disqualification of disabled and elderly jurors from our federal courts based on outdated stereotypes and assumptions prevents our judicial system from embodying the ideals of justice and equality for all.” said Representative Simon. “As the first congenitally blind Member of Congress, I believe we must bring the voices of the disability community to the policy-making table and that our stories must be reflected in our policies. I thank Senator Markey for his partnership on our legislation that would ensure equal access and opportunity to participate our judicial system for all members of our community regardless of their ability or age.”

    The bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Penn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and in the House of Representatives by Nikema Williams (GA-05), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson (GA-04), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Robin L. Kelly (IL-02), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), Dave Min (CA-47), Jared Huffman (CA-02), and Summer Lee (PA-12).

    The Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act is endorsed by American Association for Justice, American Association of People with Disabilities, American Bar Association, American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, American Geriatrics Society, Bay State Council of the Blind, Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, Disability Rights California, Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund (DREDF), Epilepsy Foundation, Gerontological Society of America, Hearing Loss Association of America, Justice in Aging, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD), National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Association of the Deaf, National Council on Independent Living, National Disabilities Rights Network, National Federation of the Blind, National Organization on Disability, Paralyzed Veterans of America, SOLVE ME/CFS, the Arc of the United States, United Spinal Association, and VisionServe Alliance.

    “No American should be denied the right to serve on a federal jury because of their age or physical disability, and it’s a cornerstone of democracy that juries be reflective of the communities in which they serve,” said Linda Lipsen, CEO of the American Association for Justice. “AAJ strongly supports the Disability and Age in Jury Service Nondiscrimination Act, and we thank Senator Markey and Congresswoman Simon for their leadership on this important issue.”

    “Trial by jury is a cornerstone of our legal system, and diverse and representative juries are essential to fair deliberations and just outcomes. Diverse juries, with representation from all groups, not only promote community confidence in verdicts, but actually lead to better decision making. Jury service should be accessible to all members of our communities. NACDL is proud to support legislation that helps move us closer to that goal,” said Andrew S. Birrell, President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

    “A true jury of one’s peers must reflect the full diversity of our communities,” said Claire Stanley, Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs for the American Council of the Blind. “People who are blind or have low vision cannot be left out of the judicial process. They deserve the same opportunity and share the same responsibility to serve on a jury of their peers.”

    “AFB applauds the reintroduction of this important bill that ensures that people who are blind or have low vision are allowed to carry out their civic duty to serve on juries alongside their peers. Recognizing that most people become blind later in life, we appreciate that this bill prohibits age-related discrimination as well as disability discrimination, and we look forward to a time when all people are able to participate fully in the judicial system without prejudice,” said Stephanie Enyart, Chief Public Policy and Research Officer at American Foundation for the Blind.

    “Many Deaf and hard of hearing people have participated in jury duty. This bill will ensure consistency across the nation, ensuring that those individuals are not excluded from performing their civil obligations,” said Interim CEO Dr. Bobbie Beth Scoggins of the National Association of the Deaf.

    “People with disabilities have served successfully as jurors in state courts for many years, thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act and other laws. It is long past time for our federal jury system to catch up and end discrimination that prevents people with disabilities from serving as federal jurors,” said Jennifer Mathis, deputy director of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.

    “The right to serve on a jury is a fundamental component of civic engagement and equal justice under law. Yet far too often, people with disabilities are excluded from jury service based on outdated assumptions and discriminatory practices. We commend Senator Markey and Representative Simon for introducing this critical legislation, which affirms that disability and age should never be barriers to full participation in our democracy,” said Eric Buehlmann, Deputy Executive Director for Public Policy, National Disability Rights Network (NDRN).

    “Jury service is a fundamental part of free and equal citizenship. This bill ensures that people with disabilities are not denied the right to serve on a jury because of outdated assumptions about what we can or cannot do. The disability community looks forward to bringing its wealth of experiences and perspectives to federal juries across the country,” said Eric Harris, Associate Executive Director of External Affairs at Disability Rights California.

    In July 2023, Senator Markey and then-Representative Anna Eshoo (CA-16) reintroduced the Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act (CVTA) to amend the CVAA due to the proliferation of emerging technologies since 2010. The CVTA would strengthen standards for television programming and emergency communication; expand accessibility requirements, including closed captions and audio descriptions, to online platforms and video conferencing services; and equip the federal government with the ability to improve the accessibility of emerging technologies. In 2022, Senator Markey and then-Representative Katie Porter (CA-45) introduced the Disabled Jurors Nondiscrimination Act, legislation that prohibits excluding a person from federal jury service on account of disability.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Markey, Luján Slam FCC’s Partisan Approval of Paramount, Skydance Merger

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Merger approval comes 2 days after Paramount settles with Trump for $36 million 

    Washington (July 24, 2025) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted today to approve a merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media.

    “The FCC’s approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger reeks of the worst form of corruption. The timing speaks for itself: Paramount settled with Trump for $36 million on Tuesday and the FCC approved the merger on Thursday. While we’re glad that the Commission took a vote on the deal, as we have repeatedly called for, the partisan vote is a dark day for independent journalism and a stain on the storied history of the Federal Communications Commission. The stench of this transaction will linger over the Commission for years.”

    Senators Markey and Luján have aggressively pushed back on the Trump administration’s efforts to attack news organizations and intimidate the media. On July 18, Senator Markey wrote to Paramount Global Chair Shari Redstone, demanding answers on the circumstances surrounding the cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” specifically requesting whether anyone in the Trump administration asked for the show to be cancelled. On July 10, Senators Markey and Luján wrote to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Olivia Trusty, urging the FCC to hold a full Commission vote on the Paramount and Skydance merger. In May 2025, Senators Markey and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) wrote to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, urging the FCC to take a vote on the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Markey and Rep. Kamlager-Dove Announce Legislation to End Solitary Confinement in Federal Detention Facilities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Over 120,000 people are held in solitary confinement in the United States

    Bill Text (PDF)

    Washington (July 24, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) today announced the reintroduction of the End Solitary Confinement Act, legislation that would end solitary confinement in federal prisons, jails, and detention centers, with limited exceptions. This bill would create minimum standards for incarceration, including by requiring that facilities give detainees access to out-of-cell interaction and recreation and by capping the length of solitary confinement at four hours.

    Solitary confinement has many different names, including “restrictive housing” in Massachusetts. Individuals held in solitary confinement can be isolated in a small, concrete, windowless cell for 22 hours or longer. Placement in solitary for any length of time, whether days or even hours, can cause severe, long-term harm. Individuals held in solitary confinement may suffer serious adverse effects on their mental and physical health, including an increased risk of suicide, heart disease, anxiety, and depression. Solitary confinement is also disproportionately inflicted on Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as on vulnerable populations, including persons with preexisting mental health illnesses.

    “Solitary confinement is a cruel and unnecessary practice that has no place in our country. This practice isn’t rehabilitation, it’s torture,” said Senator Markey. “Forcing people, including those from vulnerable groups, into small, cramped, concrete prison cells without human interaction for hours, days, weeks, and even months on end is inhumane. I am proud to introduce this legislation, alongside Representative Kamlager-Dove, to move us closer to ending solitary confinement, once and for all.”

    “Solitary confinement is torture, period,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “This outdated practice, dating back to the 1800s, does nothing to promote rehabilitation. Research consistently shows it causes severe mental health issues, intensifies existing barriers to recovery, and disproportionately harms incarcerated Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We must abolish solitary confinement entirely—and I’m proud to lead the charge with this bill that will finally end its use in the United States.”

    Cosponsors in the Senate include Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore).

    This legislation is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Constitutional Rights, Vera Institute of Justice, National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Unlock the Box Campaign, the #HALTsolitary Campaign, and Zealous.

    Specifically, the End Solitary Confinement Act would:

    • End solitary confinement in federal prisons, jails and other detention settings with limited exceptions, including a 4-hour maximum for emergency de-escalation;
    • Protect vulnerable populations, including elderly individuals and pregnant persons, from placement in solitary confinement;
    • Ensure detainees have meaningful access to out-of-cell time, group programming, and basic needs and services;
    • Impose strict due process protections, including access to representation and neutral decision-makers;
    • Create oversight and enforcement mechanisms, including mandatory reporting, a private cause of action, oversight by a community monitoring body, and enhanced media access; and
    • Incentivize states and municipalities to adopt similar bans on solitary confinement.

    Senator Markey has worked consistently to reform prison practices and provide resources to formerly and currently incarcerated people. Senator Markey and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the Fair Chance Jobs Month Resolution in May 2025, to ensure that formerly incarcerated individuals have a fair chance at securing good-paying, stable employment. In February 2024, Senator Markey sent a letter to then-Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm urging the Department of Energy (DOE) to make good-paying clean energy jobs accessible to currently and formerly incarcerated people.

    MIL OSI USA News –

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

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:
    “Trump and Senate Republicans have betrayed the American people by ramming through another damaging bill that harms our national security, undermines our ability to keep Americans safe, slashes vital programs to support working people – all so they can fund their tax cuts for the wealthiest few. These are reckless cuts.
    “Republicans and Democrats had come together to allocate these tax dollars for programs that are in the country’s best interest, and it’s a disgrace that Republicans have once again ceded their responsibilities in order to rubber stamp Donald Trump’s unpopular agenda. There are plenty of ways to cut down on wasteful spending, but what this Administration is doing is fiscal malpractice, not fiscal responsibility.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: City Cast Las Vegas Podcast: Why Sen. Rosen Says Trump’s Bill Is Screwing Over Las Vegans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    LAS VEGAS, NV – This week, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined the City Cast Las Vegas podcast for a conversation about the devastating impacts that Donald Trump’s extreme tax-and-spending “Big Beautiful Bill” will have on Southern Nevada. With the help of Republicans in Congress, Trump pushed through a bill that will gut access to health care, cut funding for hospitals and food assistance programs, and even harm Nevada’s gaming industry. 
    City Cast Las Vegas: Why Sen. Rosen Says Trump’s Bill Is Screwing Over Las Vegans
    Below are quotes from Senator Rosen throughout the episode:

    On the cuts from the Republican law: “Hospitals are closing, kids are getting kicked off of Medicaid, seniors are getting kicked out of nursing homes, people aren’t going to get their school lunches and food, the list goes on and on. And the real plot twist is this: billionaires get more money.”
    On hospital funding cuts: “UMC is our level one trauma center, our public university hospital. They’re going to lose 45-50 million dollars. What does that mean? Well, it’s a Level One Trauma Center. God forbid you get in an accident and you go there, there will be less doctors, less nurses, less services. 45-50 million bucks is a big hit on a community hospital.”
    On SNAP cuts: “One in five kids in Nevada is food insecure. One in five. That’s a pretty high number. We think about school lunch and breakfast programs, and we think about their families and how over 130,000 Nevadans get SNAP. In the wealthiest nation in the world, kids will go hungry and families will go hungry, all to give money to Trump’s billionaire buddies? It’s despicable.”
    On new Republican tax on gambling: “This doesn’t only hurt Nevada, it hurts everyone… It’s going to hurt our gambling industry all across the nation.”
    On No Tax On Tips: “I put myself through college as a waitress. I know how hard it is to live on tips. Something that people don’t understand is that tips are variable. You could work a shift and not make enough money for the day. What we wanted to do was introduce the no tax on tips bill on its own so that Republicans in the House couldn’t tie it to Medicaid and snap cuts.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: National Capital Region Members of Congress Release a Joint Statement on the Trump Administration’s Plan to Relocate USDA Agencies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a reorganization of the department that would shut down several facilities in the National Capital Region and relocate thousands of employees across the country. U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Mark Warner (D-VA), and Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA-08), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-4), Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-8), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), and Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07) released the following statement:

    “This is a betrayal of American farmers, and an attack on the federal workforce that will severely damage services that the American people depend on. We are disappointed but not surprised that the Trump administration is continuing its attacks on the federal workforce, this time through wasting taxpayer dollars to relocate key USDA facilities. Let us be clear: these haphazard, unlawful relocations do not save taxpayer dollars or improve agency efficiency. We’ve seen this tactic before, and we know that it only results in brain drain, crushed morale, and cuts to vital programs American farmers depend on. We will continue to stand up for the dedicated federal workers who provide critical services to our nation as they navigate these relocations, mass firings, and the administration’s continued attacks on the civil service.”

    During the first Trump administration, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) relocated both the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) from Washington, DC to Kansas City, MO. A GAO study of these relocations found that these relocations had significant impacts on both agencies’ staffing and productivity, including:

    • The loss of over a third of each agency’s permanent full-time staff following the announcement of the relocation in 2018.
    • A significant loss of experience, with staff with more than two years of experience declining from 83% of both agencies’ combined workforces in 2018 to 27% in 2021.
    • Declines in productivity, with ERS issuing fewer key reports and NIFA taking over a month longer to process and fund competitive grants in 2019.

    GAO also found that USDA did not follow many leading practices for agency relocations, including a failure to consult with its employees at any point during the process and the exclusion of several key variables, including employee attrition, in its economic analysis to support the relocations. Both agencies have made positive improvements in these areas under the Biden administration, but the damage has already been done and many experienced, dedicated federal workers were essentially removed from their jobs.

    In March 2025, the members introduced the COST of Relocations Act, led by Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), to fight back against President Trump’s relentless effort to relocate federal agencies and decimate their workforces. The legislation would require a cost-benefit analysis to be submitted to Congress in order to ensure that any attempt to move federal agencies is appropriately analyzed to guarantee it is in the best interest of the taxpayer and the agency’s mission.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 07/24/2025 Blackburn, Warner, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect American Taxpayers from Stolen Tax Refund Checks

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) introduced the bipartisan Recovery of Stolen Checks Act, which would allow American taxpayers who have their paper checks from the U.S. Department of Treasury lost or stolen in the mail to receive their payment by electronic deposit:

    “An outdated IRS policy is leaving Tennesseans vulnerable to having their tax refund checks repeatedly lost or stolen in the mail,” said Senator Blackburn. “When those refunds don’t arrive on time, it puts real strain on hardworking families. The Recovery of Stolen Checks Act would allow taxpayers to receive a direct deposit from the Treasury Department rather than another check a criminal could intercept.” 

    “With check fraud costing taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars, it makes no sense for the federal government to keep reissuing vulnerable paper checks after they have already been stolen or gone missing,” said Senator Warner. “This bipartisan bill offers a smart, secure fix by letting taxpayers opt for direct deposit so they can get their money faster and more safely.”

    The Recovery of Stolen Checks Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.). 

    This legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is sponsored by Representatives David Kustoff (R-Tenn.), Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), and Terri Sewell (D-Ala.).

    BACKGROUND

    • Tax refund theft is on the rise, with two postal workers charged in May in connection to a $63 million scheme to steal Internal Revenue Service (IRS) refund checks. 
    • Criminals take stolen IRS refund checks and sell them on the dark web. One investigation found 4,000 to 5,000 stolen checks for sale every month.
    • The total loss for American taxpayers for stolen mail is hundreds of millions of dollars.
    • Currently, if an IRS refund check is stolen, a taxpayer can only be issued a replacement paper check. This leaves the taxpayer vulnerable to having their refund check stolen again.

    THE RECOVERY OF STOLEN CHECKS ACT

    The Recovery of Stolen Checks Act would require Department of the Treasury to establish a secure, streamlined process that allows eligible taxpayers to receive their replacement refunds electronically via direct deposit, helping reduce the risk of theft, delays, and fraud.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy introduces bill to open door to homeownership for American families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today introduced the Build Now Act, which would incentivize new home construction by tying federal funds to cities’ rates of homebuilding. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee, joined Kennedy in introducing the bill.

    “In my book, homeownership shouldn’t be a pipe dream for the average American family. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with me. Government overregulation has brought homebuilding to a grinding halt and left ordinary people twisting in the wind as existing home prices went through the roof. I’m proud to introduce the Build Now Act to discourage pointless roadblocks and incentivize cities to help make the American Dream possible again,” said Kennedy. 

    “Americans are suffering under sky-high housing prices caused by a worsening housing shortage. The Federal government should use the tools at our disposal to reward communities that are taking bold action to build more housing and reduce families’ biggest monthly expense. It’s time for Congress to act—and this bipartisan proposal is a call to action to communities across the country to build housing now,” said Warren.

    The United States today faces a housing crisis. Since 2021, the annual income needed to qualify for a mortgage has increased by 60%, driving the median age of a first-time home buyer to a record-high 38 years old.

    By May 2025, new home construction rates had collapsed to their lowest level since the pandemic. On an annual basis, new home construction has fallen nearly 5%. 

    Currently, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) provides annual grants to states, cities and counties irrespective of their rate of homebuilding.

    The Build Now Act would:

    • Require HUD to remove 10% of CDBG funding from cities that fail to improve their rate of homebuilding above the national median.
    • Order HUD to proportionally reallocate those CDBG funds to cities that exceeded the national median rate of homebuilding. Under the Build Now Act, cities with the highest rates of growth would receive larger shares as funds are reallocated.
    • Allow metropolitan areas two years to start building homes before HUD determines their level of CDBG funding.

    The bill would not apply to cities where the median home value is below the national median or cities that issued an emergency disaster declaration in the last year.

    In his role on the Senate Banking Committee, Kennedy has championed the cause of making homeownership easier for families, raising the issue frequently during recent hearings:

    • In Jan. 2025, Kennedy questioned then-HUD Secretary nominee Scott Turner about the failures of previous affordable housing policies. During this hearing, he suggested an approach that would incentivize localities to allow more new home construction without affording excessive power to the federal government.
    • At a hearing one week later, Kennedy outlined a potential “carrot-and-stick” system that would spur new home construction while allowing local governments to determine their exact means of doing so.
    • In Feb. 2025, Kennedy questioned then-Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency nominee Bill Pulte on the consequences of Americans borrowing large amounts of money to buy homes, noting that “we’ve got a house of cards here.”

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Criticizes VA Nominee for Harmful “Ready, Fire, Aim” Contract Terminations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), in a hearing of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), questioned a Trump Administration nominee about the reckless approach it’s taking to contract and staff reductions at the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA). In his exchange with John Bartrum, Nominee to be Under Secretary for Health, King reasoned that it is virtually impossible to make dramatic, across-the-board reductions with thought, care and precision while protecting care for veterans because of the speed in which the reductions are happening.
    Senator King began, “I’ve done a little examination, this is full of contracts for nursing services, nursing home services you mentioned prosthetics, probably a dozen prosthetics contracts being canceled. It is hard for me to believe that all of these are unnecessary contracts. $13 billion worth of contracts. It worries me is that there seems to be a pattern of ready, fire, aim at Veterans’ Affairs. You started with hiring freeze applying to everybody, then, oh no, it doesn’t apply to medical people. That was a good decision, but it should not have been, it shouldn’t have been made in the first place. Then it was 83,000 people are going to be fired by the end of the year, now it is 30,000, not fired, but we are going to downsize by 30,000. And I just wonder if upon review, I can’t believe all 16,000 of these contracts, and then the email, of course, lists three or four ones that we would all say, okay, those probably aren’t necessary but prosthetics contracts, nursing contracts, nursing home contracts, it really bothers me. Mr. Bartrum, you mentioned we don’t have a good staffing model. That may well be true, but I think you should start with the staffing model and then decide what the right size of the staff is. Not start with 30,000 or a month ago, it was 83,000 and work backwards. Do you see what I’m saying? Analyze the staff, do the staffing model, determine what you need and then make those decisions instead of starting with what amounts to a quota, and reverse engineering. Give me some thoughts about that.
    “Senator King, I don’t disagree with the way using analytics to determine what you need for staffing, building to the staffing, which is why my earlier comment was, I really want to work on our staffing and what the staffing should be. On your question about the contracts, a lot of those we also found that we had multiple contracts in multiple areas for similar things and we could also consolidate into more regional and national contracts. Where you see some contracts that might be terminated on the list, there may be additional contracts expanded out or scope changed to renegotiate it into a regional contract because you have the same contractor in some cases providing service in certain areas,” Bartrum replied.
    Senator King replied, “It is hard for me to believe in the time we have had in the last few months, this list of 16,000 contracts has had the kind of careful review that, I will predict, that a month or two from now there will be another memo saying, well, there are a bunch of contracts we are not going to cut or eliminate. I want to see more planning before the decisions are made that could so significantly affect veteran care.”
    Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King is a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act. Recently, in a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, Senator King joined his colleagues in urging for immediate action to secure veterans’ personal information provided by VA or other agencies to Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), a measure that would protect millions of veterans’ medical records stored in VA’s computer systems. In addition, he helped pass the Veterans COLA Act, which increased benefits for 30,000 Maine veterans and their families.
    Recently, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation alongside SVAC Chairman Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) to improve care coordination for veterans who rely on both VA health care and Medicare. In February, Senator King was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. Last year, he was recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans.” Senator King also recently joined his colleagues in raising concerns over proposed plans to terminate 83,000 VA employees, and participated in a special investigative SVAC hearing to question witnesses who were terminated due to DOGE cuts. In May, Senators King and Blumenthal wrote again to Secretary Collins demanding an explanation for DOGE cuts to cancel contracts at VA that would impact health care for Maine veterans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nearly $25 Million for Maine Housing Projects Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $24,675,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for Maine housing infrastructure projects in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.

    “Maine continues to face a severe affordable housing shortage,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would help to improve the quality and safety of affordable and emergency housing throughout the state. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

    This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 THUD Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.

    Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:

    Auburn Area Infrastructure for Workforce Housing

    Recipient: City of Auburn

    Project Location: Auburn, ME

    Amount Requested: $8,000,000

    Project Purpose: To expand the infrastructure needed for housing and economic development.

    Down East Community Hospital Workforce Housing

    Recipient: Down East Community Hospital

    Project Location: East Machias, ME

    Amount Requested: $2,190,000

    Project Purpose: To support housing units for hospital workforce.

    Maine Woods Housing Initiative

    Recipient: Northern Forest Center

    Project Location: Greenville, ME

    Amount Requested: $2,500,000

    Project Purpose: To support affordable housing in Piscataquis County.

    Indian Township Passamaquoddy Housing Initiative

    Recipient: Passamaquoddy Tribe at Indian Township

    Project Location: Indian Township, ME

    Amount Requested: $2,985,000

    Project Purpose: To support affordable housing in Indian Township.

    York County Workforce and Senior Housing

    Recipient: Sanford Housing Authority Development Corporation

    Project Location: Springvale, ME

    Amount Requested: $2,500,000

    Project Purpose: To develop workforce and senior housing.

    York County Community College Workforce and Student Housing

    Recipient: York County Community College

    Project Location: Wells, ME

    Amount Requested: $6,500,000

    Project Purpose: To construct housing for year-round use.

    In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bill to Fund Key Transportation and Housing Programs in Maine Clears Appropriations Committee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured significant funding and provisions for Maine in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.

    The measure, which was advanced by a vote of 27-1, provides $400 million in defense funding and $99.8 billion in nondefense funding.

    “Strengthening local economies throughout Maine starts with prioritizing and improving our infrastructure and transportation network. This legislation would build on previous investments, providing funding to enhance safety, move people and products more safely and efficiently, and create jobs across the state. It would also maintain existing rental assistance for more than 4.6 million households throughout the United States and invest in programs aimed at tackling homelessness,” said Senator Collins. “As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

    Since joining the Appropriations Committee in 2009, Senator Collins has helped to secure more than $1 billion in competitive transportation grants for the State of Maine.

    Bill Highlights:

    Local Projects: Nearly $135 million for Congressionally Directed Spending projects in Maine. This includes more than $46 million for six MaineDOT projects.

    Department of Transportation:

    • Bridge Repair and Rehabilitation Funding: $350 million for a competitive rural bridge rehabilitation and replacement program, of which Maine is guaranteed to receive at least $32.5 million and is eligible for up to $55 million.
    • BUILD Grants: $250 million for BUILD grants, a program championed by Senator Collins to provide federal assistance for vital transportation projects across the country. Maine has received more than $393 million since the program, previously known as TIGER and RAISE, was established in 2009.
    • Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grants: $100 million for discretionary CRISI grants to support projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail.
    • State Maritime Academies (SMAs): $143 million for SMA Operations, which includes $115 for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessels program and associated SMA shore-side infrastructure improvements, benefitting Maine Maritime Academy.
    • Ports and Shipyards: $75 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program to support improvements to ports and $30 million for the Small Shipyard Grant program to support capital improvements and workforce training in shipbuilding, ship repair, and associated industries. Maine shipyards that have benefitted from the Small Shipyards Grant program include Rockland Marine Corporation, Washburn & Doughty, and Front Street Shipyard.
    • Aviation Improvement Program (AIP): $4 billion, which includes $25 million in discretionary supplemental AIP funding, which has benefited airports in Bangor, Presque Isle, Old Town, and Wiscasset in prior years. This also includes $25 million for a new discretionary rural airport grant program that targets those airports who have typically received a smaller amount of entitlement money based on their annual AIP formula amounts. Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport would be eligible to receive funds from this new rural airport program.
    • Essential Air Service (EAS): $513.6 million to support all existing EAS communities, including Augusta, Hancock County-Bar Harbor, Presque Isle, and Rockland.

    Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):

    • Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): $3.1 billion for the CDBG program, which helps state and local governments promote economic development and job creation.
    • HOME Investment Partnerships Program: $1.25 billion for the HOME program, which provides critical funding for the development of new affordable housing.
    • Youth Homelessness: $107 million for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration program and $25 million for Family Unification Program (FUP) vouchers for youth exiting foster care and at risk of homelessness.
    • Aging-in-Place Home Modifications for Seniors: $30 million for home modification grants to enable low-income seniors to “age in place” and remain in their own homes. The bill addresses several barriers to greater participation, including streamlining environmental reviews, adjusting the cost per property cap to account for increased labor and materials costs, and encouraging rather than requiring the use of occupational therapists.
    • Housing for the Elderly: $972 million for the Housing for the Elderly (Section 202) program, of which $122 million is for the development of new HUD-assisted senior housing properties.
    • Housing During Substance Abuse Recovery: $30 million for states to provide individuals in recovery with stable, temporary housing. This includes more than $1 million for transitional housing support for addiction recovery programs in Maine.
    • Lead Hazard Reduction Grants: $295.6 million to remediate lead-based paint hazards, helping communities protect children from the harmful effects of lead-based paint poisoning in homes.

    This funding and language advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 THUD Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: More Than $4 Million for North Pond and Unity Pond Restoration Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $4,350,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending to improve the water quality of North Pond and Unity Pond in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.

    “Maine’s lakes and ponds play an important role in communities throughout the state, offering recreational, fishing, and birding opportunities for locals and visitors,” said Senator Collins. “This funding aims to address frequent algae blooms and improve water quality, helping to ensure these natural resources will be available for all to enjoy for generations to come. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

    This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2026 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill—an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate.

    Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:

    North Pond Water Quality Restoration

    Recipient: Belgrade Regional Conservation Alliance

    Project Location: Somerset and Kennebec Counties, ME

    Amount Requested: $2,350,000

    Project Purpose: To remediate algae blooms in North Pond.

    Unity Pond Water Quality Restoration

    Recipient: Friends of Lake Winnecook

    Project Location: Waldo County, ME

    Amount Requested: $2,000,000

    Project Purpose: To remediate algae blooms in Unity Pond.

    In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024. As the Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warnock Leads Bipartisan Push to Address Physician Workforce Shortage

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock introduced the bipartisan Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 with Senator Boozman to increase the number of physicians in communities across the country

    The legislation would increase the number of Medicare funded residency positions by expanding the number of available slots

    143 counties in Georgia are designated as a “Health Professional Shortage Area” by the federal government. 10 Georgia counties had no physicians in 2024

    Over one third of practicing Georgia physicians said they completed their residency in Georgia, showing that increasing residency slots in Georgia will increase the number of doctors that practice in the state

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the bipartisan Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025. The legislation would help address the nation’s doctor shortage by increasing the number of Medicare funded residency positions by 14,000 over seven years. The legislation would also make progress toward providing the necessary primary care and specialty physicians necessary to meet the country’s workforce needs.

    “Our state faces a critical shortage of primary care and specialty physicians, preventing many Georgians from accessing health care services in their community,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Where you live shouldn’t determine the type of medical care you receive, and I will not stop working to help our hospitals hire and retain the health care workforce that Georgians deserve.”

    “There is an urgent, demonstrated need to strengthen our health care system by combating the alarming shortage of providers, particularly in rural areas,” said Senator Boozman. “Lifting the outdated cap on residency positions supported by Medicare can expand the supply of physicians while helping ensure access to quality care and treatment in more communities nationwide. I am proud to work in a bipartisan way on this important medical workforce solution that also supports better health outcomes.”

    The Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 will address the United States’ impending physician shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. As a large portion of the physician workforce nears traditional retirement age, there is a critical need to educate and train more physicians to ensure there are enough medical professionals to care for patients across all communities. The legislation prioritizes increasing the number of graduate medical education (GME) positions in states with hospitals in rural and underserved areas, hospitals training physicians in excess of their cap, hospitals affiliated with a historically Black medical school, new or expanding medical schools, and hospitals that serve areas designated as health professional shortage areas.

    As a lifelong advocate for public health, Senator Warnock has advocated tirelessly for greater investment in Geogia’s health care workforce. In 2022, Senator Warnock helped secure federal funding for GA-STRONG, a proposal that provides funds to teaching hospitals across Georgia to help hire, train, and retain more health care workers. In 2023, Senator Warnock secured $500,000 for Emory University’s Nursing Program through annual appropriations process. Most recently, Senator Warnock published a report, “Healthy People, Healthy Economy” that outlines the risk of placing bureaucratic red tape between working people and their healthcare.

    The legislation is supported by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the Greater New York Hospital Association (GNYHA). A companion bill was introduced in the House by Representatives Terri Sewell (D-AL-07) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01).

    Read the Resident Physician Shortage Reduction Act of 2025 HERE

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warnock, Ossoff Urge DOJ to Investigate Conditions at Bibb County Jail

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) urged the Department of Justice to open a federal investigation into conditions at the Bibb County Jail in Macon, Georgia.

    Senator Reverend Warnock and Senator Jon Ossoff: “given the extremity of the reported health, safety, and civil rights concerns that persist in the jail, we urge the DOJ to conduct a full and thorough investigation into conditions at this jail and whether the rights of any individuals who work at or are incarcerated at these facilities may have been violated.”

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) urged the Department of Justice to open an investigation into conditions at the Bibb County Jail in Macon, Georgia. The Senators are demanding action following recent reports of health, safety, and civil rights concerns at the facility. In recent years, multiple inmates have been killed or injured in outbreaks of violence at the jail, including a 22-year-old inmate who was stabbed to death at the facility in June.

    “The reports emerging from Bibb County Jail are disturbing. On June 4, 2025, Breele Jahiem Johnson, 22, was stabbed to death. Multiple other inmates were injured in the same incident. Unfortunately, violence at this facility is not rare. In April, an inmate had boiling water thrown on his face, causing severe burns. In May 2024, an inmate died after being tasered by officers. Just last week, another inmate was stabbed and had to be taken to a local hospital. Since 2020, four individuals have died by suicide. The pattern of violence at this facility is troubling.” the Senators wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We have been encouraged by local officials’ recent efforts to address Bibb County Jail conditions. However, given the extremity of the reported health, safety, and civil rights concerns that persist in the jail, we urge the DOJ to conduct a full and thorough investigation,” the Senators added. 

    The effort builds on Senator Warnock’s previous work to ensure humane conditions in prisons in Georgia and across the nation. In February of 2024, Senator Warnock led his colleagues in successfully urging the Justice Department prioritize the investigation into Fulton County Jail following multiple deaths at the facility in recent years. In 2025, the Justice Department entered a consent decree over the conditions at Fulton County Jail.

    Full text of the letter can be found HERE and below:

    Dear Attorney General Bondi:

    We are writing you today to request that the Department of Justice (DOJ) open an investigation into conditions at the Bibb County Jail in Macon, Georgia.

    Throughout our time in office, we have conducted oversight and taken action to expose and address civil and human rights abuses in prisons and jails, including in federal, state, and local institutions across Georgia. The reports emerging from Bibb County Jail are disturbing. On June 4, 2025, Breele Jahiem Johnson, 22, was stabbed to death.1 Multiple other inmates were injured in the same incident. Unfortunately, violence at this facility is not rare. In April, an inmate had boiling water thrown on his face, causing severe burns. In May 2024, an inmate died after being tasered by officers. Just last week, another inmate was stabbed and had to be taken to a local hospital. Since 2020, four individuals have died by suicide.6 The pattern of violence at this facility is troubling.

    Living conditions at the Bibb County jail are also unacceptable. After touring the jail, the president of the Georgia NAACP stated that the “cracked walls, broken plumbing, poor lighting and unsanitary conditions create an environment no human should be subjected to.” According to others, rodents and waste are regularly seen in the hallways.

    We have been encouraged by local officials’ recent efforts to address Bibb County Jail conditions. However, given the extremity of the reported health, safety, and civil rights concerns that persist in the jail, we urge the DOJ to conduct a full and thorough investigation into conditions at this jail and whether the rights of any individuals who work at or are incarcerated at these facilities may have been violated. Our offices are ready to assist your work in any capacity.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 07.24.2025 Cruz, Cornyn Bill to Make Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Signed Into Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) released the following statements after their Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act, which codifies President Trump’s Executive Order renaming the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge near Houston, Texas, to the Jocelyn Nungaray National Refuge, was signed into law by President Trump.
    Sen. Cruz said, “I’m deeply grateful to my colleagues in Congress and to President Trump for signing into law the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge Act. This bill will rename the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Jocelyn’s memory. Jocelyn was murdered by illegal aliens, an unspeakable crime that should have never occurred. We have a duty to commemorate her life alongside her family.”
    Sen. Cornyn said, “Last year, Jocelyn Nungaray’s life was stolen from her by dangerous illegal immigrants who were wrongfully let into the country by the Biden-Harris administration, and today we ensure her life and legacy are never forgotten. I want to thank President Trump for swiftly signing my legislation to permanently rename of the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Jocelyn’s honor and was proud to join today’s White House bill signing ceremony.”
    Congressman Brian Babin (TX-36) led this legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    BACKGROUND
    On June 17, 2024, 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray was brutally murdered in Houston, Texas. Two illegal aliens who were allegedly members of the Tren de Aragua gang have been charged with her murder. Jocelyn loved animals and, given the close proximity of her hometown of Houston, it is fitting that the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge be renamed in her honor.
    Located along the Texas Gulf Coast, the 39,000-acre refuge is a sanctuary for migratory birds and diverse wildlife. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System and plays a vital role in coastal conservation, public recreation, and environmental education. Now, it will also stand as a solemn tribute to Jocelyn’s memory and a symbol of the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting American communities. On March 4, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14229 to officially change the name from Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge. On March 7, 2025, the refuge was officially renamed after Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s implementation order was signed. This law will ensure that this renaming cannot be overturned by a future administration by codifying the refuge’s new name into law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Scott Applauds the Major Economic Benefits for South Carolinians from the One Big Beautiful Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) released a statement on the impact of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, on South Carolinians.

    “The One Big Beautiful Bill is a game-changer for South Carolina families and businesses,” said Sen. Scott. “This historic legislation delivers real tax relief to hardworking South Carolinians while protecting jobs and strengthening our state’s manufacturing base. This unified government has once again proven our commitment to putting America First and making sure that our economy works for everyone so that every American has the opportunity to succeed.”

    Background:

    Analysis by the Council of Economic Advisers shows that the One Big Beautiful Bill will deliver substantial economic benefits to South Carolina, protecting nearly 97,000 jobs and increasing wages by $3,300 to $6,000 over the next four years. 

    The comprehensive legislation provides significant tax relief to South Carolina families and workers through multiple provisions. A typical family with two children can expect higher take-home pay of $6,900 to $9,800 compared to if the bill had not passed. 

    The bill eliminates taxes on tips, benefiting approximately 5 percent of South Carolina’s labor force employed in tip-eligible occupations. Additionally, about 1 million seniors in the state will benefit from the elimination of taxes on Social Security benefits. 

    South Carolina’s workforce will also see substantial relief through the bill’s overtime tax elimination provision. Roughly 26 percent of all state employees regularly work overtime and could benefit directly, while 66 percent of workers are in occupations likely eligible for overtime compensation. 

    The legislation particularly strengthens South Carolina’s manufacturing sector, which represents 4 percent of firms, 3 percent of establishments and 13 percent of employment statewide. The bill extends the Section 199A pass-through deduction for small businesses, potentially benefiting about 74,000 firms — 44 percent of all businesses in South Carolina.

    The bill also makes permanent and enhances Opportunity Zones incentives, a program championed by Sen. Scott. South Carolina’s 135 Opportunity Zones created an estimated 18,000 jobs following passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act through 2021 and led to construction of approximately 3,900 housing units through the third quarter of 2024. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Touts Big Wins For New York State In Senate Appropriations Transportation, Housing, And Urban Development Subcommittee’s Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    The Bill Bolsters Funding for New York State Projects, Including Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, Tenant Protection Vouchers, and Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor

    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Transportation and Housing subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations, touted big wins she worked to include for New York State and that were passed out of committee in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

    “New Yorkers from Brooklyn to Hamilton County know firsthand that our state needs critical infrastructure, transportation, and affordable housing investment,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am proud that our committee worked together on a bipartisan basis and passed a bill that addresses these critical needs. The funding will help New Yorkers travel around our state more easily, make homes more affordable, and improve air traffic congestion at local airports. I’m proud of the work this subcommittee has done to produce a strong bill and urge my colleagues to pass it through the full Senate as soon as possible.”

    The bill includes funding for important priorities in New York State:

    1. $700 million to fund the Hudson River Tunnel;
    2. $307.3 million to fund Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway;
    3. $850 million to fully fund Amtrak’s budget request for the Northeast Corridor;
    4. $22 billion to fully fund the Federal Aviation Administration, which will help address congestion issues at John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, and Newark Airports;
    5. $514 million for the Essential Air Service program to continue to support the Massena, Ogdensburg, Plattsburgh, Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, and Watertown airports;
    6. $62 million for the Reconnecting Communities program Senator Gillibrand created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund projects to remove and mitigate infrastructure that divides communities;
    7. $20 million in new funding to support transit safety and security initiatives, including for the MTA;
    8. $161.5 million infunding for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, including for campus and building renovations;
    9. Full funding to maintain rental assistance, including $430 million for tenant protection vouchers to assist the most at-risk residents in NYCHA;
    10. Invests in expanding and improving the homeless response system to help senior citizens, veterans, youth, and others facing homelessness;
    11. $1.25 billion to sustain the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the primary federal program builds more affordable housing;
    12. And $73 million in congressionally directed spending for affordable housing, community development, and transportation projects across New York.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Makes Permanent Exclusions to Overreaching Obama-Era WOTUS Regulations

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON – After recently scoring a major victory in her longstanding fight to overturn the harmful expansion of the “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is introducing legislation to prevent future overregulation. Her new bill would make permanent key exclusions clarifying that waste treatment systems, temporary streams from rain, and groundwater are not navigable waterways.
    The Clarifying Legal Exclusions Around Regulated (CLEAR) Waters Act excludes covered water features that do not interact with navigable waters from being regulated under WOTUS.
    “If you try and navigate a wastewater treatment pool, you will be up a creek without a paddle,” said Ernst. “WOTUS regulatory uncertainty has threatened the livelihoods of hardworking Iowa farmers, small businesses, and landowners for far too long, and I was thrilled to join EPA Administrator Zeldin in announcing that the Trump administration is revising this misguided and harmful regulatory expansion. After leading this fight for a decade, I am making it CLEAR that the federal government has no businesses regulating cooling ponds, municipal treatment plants, groundwater, and streams that only flow after rainfall under WOTUS.”
    “Senator Ernst continues to be a champion for Iowa’s farmers and businesses, and her CLEAR Waters Act is another example of her leadership,” said Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “This legislation will provide much-needed clarity and consistency when it comes to WOTUS, helping end the constant policy whiplash that changes with each new administration. It’s a commonsense approach that brings certainty to those who are working every day to responsibly manage our land and water.”
    “The CLEAR Waters Act would provide Iowa farmers regulatory certainty to ensure waste treatment systems are not treated as navigable waters,” said Brent Swart, Iowa Soybean Association President and farmer from Spencer, Iowa. “This commonsense exclusion allows farmers to continue being good stewards of the land without being overregulated.”
    “Thank you, Sen. Joni Ernst, for introducing the CLEAR Waters Act and leading on this issue, which is critical to the aggregates industry,” said Michele Stanley, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association Interim CEO. “The definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) is often subject to change under different administrations. The CLEAR Waters Act will provide the clarity and certainty our association members have long sought by excluding waste treatment systems from WOTUS and Clean Water Act permitting programs. This exclusion has historically received bipartisan support from Republican and Democratic administrations. It was maintained under the definitions of WOTUS established by the past four administrations of Presidents Obama, Trump and Biden. Importantly, the bill codifies key parts of the Sackett decision.”
    Click here to view the bill text.
    Background:
    After leading the fight against Obama’s WOTUS overreach for years, Ernst and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Zeldin recently announced a revision that adheres to the law, cuts red tape, and provides certainty for Iowans.
    During her first year in the Senate, Senator Ernst led an effort against the harmful WOTUS rule to protect Iowans from burdensome regulations. Her effort was passed by both the Senate and the House, but President Obama vetoed it.
    During Trump’s first term, Ernst commended his administration for successfully rolling back the harmful Obama-era WOTUS rule to help spur economic growth and called on Congress to codify a reasonable definition of WOTUS into law.
    After Biden doubled down on Obama’s government overreach, Ernst supported a bipartisan effort, worked in 2023 to stop Biden’s out-of-touch WOTUS rule that aimed to repeal the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule (NWPR), and applauded the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett v. EPA.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Protects U.S. Farmland, Calls for Modernization for Farmers

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is working to modernize outdated U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) systems that burden many farmers and leave farmland vulnerable to foreign adversaries.
    During the hearing, Ernst secured a commitment from Richard Fordyce, nominee for Undersecretary of Agriculture for Farm Production and Conservation, to update and digitize the process for producers when working with their local USDA offices. She also pointed out her oversight efforts and ongoing work to overhaul the outdated Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act (AFIDA) reporting system to better protect American farmland from malign foreign actors.

    Watch her full line of questioning here.
    “That same modernization is needed when it comes to how USDA tracks and monitors foreign land in the United States,” said Ernst.“The Agriculture Foreign Investment Disclosure Act – AFIDA – was signed into law in 1978, and it has been barely touched since then. Even today, foreign land purchases are reported on paper and staff must manually reenter each submission, a process that’s inefficient and prone to errors, and I’ve seen this firsthand…The recent commitments from Secretary Rollins to modernize the AFIDA reporting process is welcome news. It’s a much-needed step to protect our farmland from adversaries.”
    Background:
    Ernst understands that food security is national security. Her bipartisan FARMLAND Act will overhaul the current outdated system that has allowed China’s malign influence to threaten American security.
    Ernst confronted the Biden USDA about its lack of oversight of foreign involvement in American agricultural land and questioned officials to ensure they make updates to the AFIDA reporting process a priority.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Trahan Reintroduce Legislation to Codify College Athletes’ Unrestricted Right to Their Name, Image, Likeness

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    July 24, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and U.S. Representative Lori Trahan (D-Mass.-03), a member of the U.S. House Committee for Energy and Commerce and a former college athlete, on Wednesday reintroduced legislation that would establish an unrestricted federal right for college athletes to market their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). The College Athlete Economic Freedom Act allows international college athletes to market their NIL without losing their visa status, encourages negotiation between athletes and their colleges for the use of athletes’ NIL for promotion and media rights deals, and ensures colleges and collectives do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, or participating sports in the facilitation of NIL deals.

    “College athletes dedicate years of their lives to their craft and deserve their fair share of a multibillion-dollar industry built on their hard work,” said Murphy. “While the past four years of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy have allowed these athletes to finally make money off their talent, the NCAA is hoping Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress will help them undo years of hard-earned progress. Our legislation shields college athletes from an assault on their livelihoods by expanding and codifying their basic right to be fairly compensated for their Name, Image, and Likeness.”

    “Instead of trying to undo the rights college athletes fought for decades to secure, Congress should address the real issues facing college sports today,” said Trahan. “The College Athlete Economic Freedom Act codifies athletes’ unrestricted NIL rights nationwide, closes the loophole prohibiting international athletes from entering into NIL agreements, and guarantees that women have a fair shot in the NIL marketplace. It’s long past time for Congress to stand with the athletes who’ve driven this industry without a real seat at the table.”

    Specifically, the College Athlete Economic Freedom Act would:

    • Establish an unrestricted federal right for college athletes and prospective college athletes to market the use of their name, image, and likeness — individually and as a group — by prohibiting colleges, conferences, and the NCAA from setting or enforcing rules that restrict this right or otherwise colluding to limit how athletes can use their NIL
    • Protect athletes’ ability to retain representation as they see fit, including lawyers, agents, and collective representatives (i.e. players associations) while prohibiting the NCAA or conferences from regulating athlete representation
    • Ensure colleges and affiliated NIL collectives do not discriminate by gender, race, or sport in the facilitation of NIL deals along with requiring collectives to register with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and report the NIL deals they have facilitated so athletes and stakeholders asserting discrimination have all the information they need to address it
    • Ensure equitable opportunities for college athletes to market their NIL by asserting that institutional support by colleges, conferences, or the NCAA for NIL opportunities is made available to all college athletes, along with commissioning a market analysis of NIL monetization with recommendations for improving opportunities across race, gender, and sport
    • Allow international college athletes to market their NIL in the same ways their non-immigrant peers can without losing their F-1 visa status, including in the case that athletes become employees of their schools and/or athletic associations
    • Require colleges and athletic associations to obtain a group license from athletes for using their NIL for any type of promotion, including via a media rights deal, and notify athletes of how their NIL was used along with how much revenue those deals generated, helping athletes negotiate with colleges, conferences, and the NCAA for their fair share of the revenues they produce
    • Assert robust enforcement for violations by colleges, conferences, or the NCAA in restricting athletes’ NIL rights, notably through asserting per se antitrust penalties, a private right of action for athletes to pursue civil action against violators, and authorizing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to levy “unfair or deceptive practice” penalties.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    A one-pager of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –