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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Reintroduces Legislation to Support Merit Staff and Protect SNAP Program Integrity

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Senator for New Mexico Ben Ray Luján
    Legislation Would Invest in the Workers Who Work to Ensure SNAP is Run Efficiently;
    Reintroduction Comes as Congressional Republicans Work to Cut SNAP Benefits and Other Nutrition Programs for Millions of Americans
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Nutrition and Specialty Crops, announced the reintroduction of the SNAP Administrator Retention Act, legislation that would support merit staff and protect Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) integrity. The SNAP Administrator Retention Act would provide states with federal resources to ensure state agencies can retain their experienced merit staff and help fill open SNAP administrator positions, allowing the program to operate at peak efficiency. U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House.
    As Congressional Republicans continue to push for $290 billion in cuts to SNAP benefits, Senator Luján is working to protect and improve SNAP by investing in the merit staff who work to ensure the program is run efficiently. Specifically, the SNAP Administrator Retention Act gives states the ability to receive 100 percent of the administrative personnel costs associated with hiring and retaining the merit staff who carry out the SNAP program and aligns the wages of SNAP administrators with the federal wage standards.
    “In New Mexico and across the country, the merit staff who administer SNAP help families access critical nutrition benefits and keep food on the table, all while ensuring the program operates efficiently and effectively,” said Senator Luján. “As Congressional Republicans work to rip away nutrition assistance from our nation’s most vulnerable, my SNAP Administrator Retention Act works to support the dedicated merit staff that help families access to nutrition support they rely on and make sure SNAP is administered effectively. I’m committed to defending and improving SNAP and look forward to working with my colleagues to move this important legislation forward.”
    “Every month, SNAP helps millions of struggling families put food on the table, and well over 90 percent of participating households include children, seniors, or individuals with disabilities,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “But chronic underinvestment in the program’s workforce causes staffing shortages and unacceptable delays that too often leave eligible families without food assistance for days or even weeks. The SNAP Administrator Retention Act, introduced by Sen. Ben Ray Luján and Rep. Jahana Hayes, will help states invest in hiring, training, and retaining staff. It will also help them better respond to families’ needs and ensure SNAP remains a powerful bulwark against hunger in our communities.”  
    “The effective administration of SNAP is critical to addressing our nation’s hunger crisis and preserving the program’s integrity,” said Crystal FitzSimons, president of the Food Research & Action Center. “The SNAP Administrator Retention Act would provide state agencies with the resources needed to recruit, train, and retain skilled merit staff, which will help streamline administrative processes, reduce delays, and strengthen access to this essential program. It’s a win-win for families and for states.”
    In New Mexico and across the country, SNAP is a lifeline for Americans facing hunger and poverty. In New Mexico, nearly 20 percent of the state’s population depends on SNAP to feed themselves and their families. Across the country, nearly 40 percent of SNAP recipients are children. Merit staff play an essential role in determining SNAP eligibility, walking recipients through the application process, and ensuring that applications are processed as quickly as possible.
    The legislation is endorsed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), and NAACP.
    In Congress, Senator Luján has long fought to protect and improve SNAP. Last week, Senator Luján hosted a press call on Republicans’ efforts to gut SNAP. Additionally, Senator Luján has led legislation to protect local grocers from transaction fees that would make it harder for them to accept SNAP benefits and has fought toprotect access to SNAP in the Farm Bill.
    Full text of the bill can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey, Cramer Introduce Legislation to Support Students Walking or Biking to School

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Washington (May 23, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Senator Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) on Wednesday introduced the bipartisan Safe Routes Improvement Act to enhance program accessibility for communities in North Dakota and nationwide. Specifically, the bill requires state departments of transportation (DOT) to designate an SRTS program coordinator, which will serve as a point of contact for local governments, school districts, and others looking to navigate the SRTS Program and receive funds for projects in their communities.
    The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, established nearly two decades ago, was created to make it safer and easier for students who walk or bike to school. In addition to providing safety education to children and caregivers, it also funds infrastructure improvements including sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes. All 50 states and Washington, D.C., have SRTS programs which serve millions of students across the nation.
    “Every child deserves a safe journey to and from school, whether they’re walking, biking, or riding the bus,” said Markey. “By ensuring every state has a Safe Routes to School coordinator, we’re helping communities design safer streets and healthier futures. I’m proud to partner with Senator Cramer to introduce this legislation and put children’s safety first.”
    “As someone who walks to work every morning when I’m in Washington, I know how essential safe routes are for the kids who walk or bike to school,” said Cramer. “Over the last 20 years, the Safe Routes to School program has been instrumental in helping support infrastructure improvements to keep our kids safe. This legislation is a smart solution to make it easier for school districts and rural communities to access Safe Routes funding.”
    “Every child should be able to bike, walk, or roll to school safely,” said Bill Nesper, Executive Director of the League of American Bicyclists. “We applaud this legislation from Senators Cramer and Markey which would direct state departments of transportation to designate a Safe Routes to School Coordinator. By helping school districts and local governments navigate the grants process, share best practices, and track successes, Safe Routes to School Coordinators are a crucial resource in our shared goal to improve traffic safety for kids.”
    “As the national leader of the Safe Routes to School movement, Safe Routes Partnership applauds Senator Cramer for his continued leadership in strengthening a program that helps students get to and from school safely and reliably,” said Marisa Jones, Managing Director of the Safe Routes Partnership. “Safe Routes to School is an evidence-based, cost-effective, bipartisan initiative that supports rural, suburban, and urban communities in meeting the daily transportation needs of families. By ensuring every state has a dedicated Safe Routes to School coordinator, this legislation will expand the program’s reach and ensure more communities can benefit from safer, more connected school travel options.”  
    The bill text can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Safeguard Genetic Data Privacy After 23andMe Bankruptcy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) today introduced the Don’t Sell My DNA Act, which would safeguard customers’ sensitive genetic information when an entity that maintains their data files for bankruptcy:
    “Advances in DNA testing have allowed Americans to have unprecedented access to important insights about their genetics, but these companies must have a plan to protect this data in the event of bankruptcy,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By updating the bankruptcy code, this legislation would safeguard Americans’ sensitive genetic information to ensure it cannot be weaponized against them or made public without their knowledge and consent.”
    “For too long companies have profited off of Americans’ data while consumers have been left in the dark, which is especially concerning in light of reports that 23andMe plans to sell customer genetic data assets to a large pharmaceutical company,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “This bill will put new protections in place to safeguard Americans’ privacy while giving consumers greater control over how their sensitive health data is shared.”
    “Consumers should feel confident that any personal information shared with a public company isn’t up for grabs when that company files for bankruptcy,” said Sen. Grassley. “This bill would fill gaps in current law to help safeguard consumers’ genetic information and ensure Americans’ DNA isn’t treated like any other financial asset.”
    Background:
    Recently, data privacy concerns have been raised when companies who maintain data on users’ DNA and genetic profiling file for bankruptcy. Under current law, the Bankruptcy Code provides protections for personally identifiable information in bankruptcy court proceedings to prevent the possibility of identity theft, harm, or other unlawful injury from occurring. The current definition of personally identifiable information includes an individual’s name, address, email, phone number, social security number, credit card number, and other information that could be used for identification purposes. However, the definition is outdated and does not include reference to genetic information, meaning this information is vulnerable. This legislation would solve this problem by updating the definition of “personally identifiable information” in the bankruptcy code to include genetic information.
    The Don’t Sell My DNA Act strengthens consumer privacy protections by:
    Modernizing the definition of “personally identifiable information” in the Bankruptcy Code to include genetic information;
    Having consumers affirmatively consent to the use, sale, or lease of their genetic information after the bankruptcy case commences;
    Requiring companies to provide prior written notice of the use, sale or lease of their genetic information during bankruptcy;
    And requiring the trustee or debtor in possession to delete any genetic information not subject to a sale or lease.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Mullin on What’s Next for President Trump’s Big, Beautiful, Bill on Fox Business

    US Senate News:

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

    ICYMI: Senator Mullin on What’s Next for President Trump’s Big, Beautiful, Bill on Fox Business

    Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined Fox Business’ “Kudlow” to discuss President Trump’s Big, Beautiful, Bill being sent over to the Senate and where the process stands now. Highlights below.

    Sen. Mullin’s full interview can be found here.
    On Senate input in the Big, Beautiful, Bill:
    “As you know, Larry, we’ve been talking about the reconciliation literally since the November election, and everybody’s had their opportunity to have input. Ron Johnson has had his opportunity to have input, Lindsey Graham, I’ve had my input. Rick Scott, Mike Lee, Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, even John Thune, everybody has had their opportunity to have input in this bill. And we’re going to continue the one bill, one Big, Beautiful, Bill. President Trump has made the play call. He said, this is what he wants. We’ve debated it, the House has now passed it, they’ve given it to us.”
    On the framework of the Big, Beautiful, Bill:  
    “Why would we tear down the frame that the House has already built? Why don’t we take it? If we’ve got to repaint the interior walls, that’s fine, but at the end of the day, we’re going to vote on reconciliation that the American people want. And it may not be a perfect bill, but we’ve negotiated it, we’ve talked about it, we’ve had conferences on it, we’ve talked about it in our committees.”
    On every Senator having two choices:
    “When it goes to the floor, every member is going to have two choices, and that’s it… You’re going to either vote for the bill and say, I’m going to move forward with what the American people want and move into the Trump era policies, or I’m going to say… we’re going to stay put… we’d rather stay with Biden era policies, because that’s your choices. That’s it, A or B. And we can’t allow perfection to get in the way of good, because this is a better bill than what we’re currently working with.” 
    On the Byrd Rule and restrictions the Senate must comply with:
    “The American people are getting impatient too. We’ve already got constituents who want us to pass this thing tomorrow. What people have to understand is our two chambers operate completely different. So, we have to deal with the Byrd Rule over here, what I call the bird bath. It’s got to come over here, it’s got to get scrubbed.”
    “We’ve got almost 1,100 pages that we have to go through, line by line. And here’s why that’s important. Because if we were to bring this bill to the floor as it is, and the parliamentarian rules that it doesn’t fit underneath the Byrd rule. It can’t fit underneath reconciliation. Reconciliation was reconciled in 1990 which basically said, we can do reconciliation with a slim majority as long as it fits within the Byrd Rule, which is taxes and government spending. And we can do it with a simple majority of 51.”
    “If it doesn’t fit inside the Byrd Rule, we have to go through the appropriation process, which says we’ve got to have 60. So, we have to go through it before we can get started. And I think if President Trump really leans in this, which I’ll be talking to him tomorrow at the White House about it, I think if he really leans in on it, we can maybe do it before July 4th. But July 4th is a tough target if the Senate doesn’t work fast but Larry, I think we can get it done for the American people.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Durbin Lead Call for Inspector General to Investigate Emil Bove’s Abuse of Prosecutorial Power at DOJ’s Civil Rights Division 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Constitution Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) referred Emil Bove III to the Office of Inspector General. Senators asked Inspector General Michael Horowitz to investigate Mr. Bove’s potential abuse of prosecutorial authority within the Civil Rights Division. 
    Public reporting indicates that Mr. Bove used intimidation tactics to stymie protected rights of students, including freedom of speech and freedom of association. Mr. Bove reportedly instructed career prosecutors in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division to obtain a membership list of a student group at Columbia and investigate those students. After career prosecutors raised concerns about whether such actions violated the Constitution, Mr. Bove reportedly demanded prosecutors file for search warrants for the list. A magistrate judge twice rejected this request, finding the investigation initiated at Mr. Bove’s direction lacked probable cause. He then, purportedly, ordered FBI agents to intimidate protestors by putting on their raid jackets and stand in a phalanx formation.  
    “If these reports are accurate, Mr. Bove has abused his prosecutorial and supervisory authority to retaliate against protected First Amendment activity for the purpose of furthering President Trump’s political agenda,” the Senators write. “This matter must be reviewed by the Office of Inspector General (OIG). While we acknowledge that DOJ views attorney misconduct as the province of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), OPR is apparently not available to pursue this matter. Since the constructive removal of Jeffrey Ragsdale as Director and Chief Counsel, OPR has no publicly-known leadership, and our understanding is that the office has been shuttered completely. OIG is thus the only available avenue for oversight of attorney professional misconduct.” 
    The letter, led by Senator Welch and Ranking Member Durbin, was signed Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). 
    Read the letter here and below:  
    Dear Inspector General Horowitz:  
    We write to express our concern about grave allegations that Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove III violated the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Justice Manual, flouted his ethical responsibilities, abused the powers of his office, and exceeded the constitutional limitations on prosecutorial power by initiating pretextual criminal investigations against students at Columbia University and premising investigative steps on protected constitutional activity.  
    According to public reporting, Mr. Bove sought to have career prosecutors in DOJ’s Civil Rights Division obtain a membership list of a student group at Columbia and investigate its members. Prosecutors resisted this request due to the Justice Manual’s prohibition on initiating criminal investigations based on protected constitutional activity, such as freedom of association. These career prosecutors then learned Mr. Bove allegedly sought this list to share with immigration agents, creating a fear that the investigation was a pretextual effort to intimidate students engaged in First Amendment expression with threats of detention and deportation. Separately, Mr. Bove reportedly attempted to employ a different intimidation tactic, instructing Federal Bureau of Investigation agents on the Joint Terrorism Task Force to don their raid jackets and stand in a phalanx near protestors on Columbia’s campus. 
    Subsequently, Mr. Bove ordered prosecutors to obtain a search warrant for the nonpublic data associated with the student group’s Instagram account, based on the premise that the account was used to make a threat—despite the assessment of career prosecutors that the identified statement did not meet the legal definition of a threat. No prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York signed the warrant application, despite the action being brought in their jurisdiction, reportedly due to the same concerns shared by the career prosecutors in the Civil Rights Division. 
    Ultimately, Mr. Bove’s requested warrant application was rejected twice, once on initial review and again on reconsideration, by a federal magistrate judge for failing to establish probable cause. The nature of the second rejection appears to indicate further abuses because the magistrate judge imposed a special condition: if DOJ seeks to refile this search warrant application before another federal judge, they must include a transcript of the sealed discussions of these initial efforts. If these reports are accurate, Mr. Bove has abused his prosecutorial and supervisory authority to retaliate against protected First Amendment activity for the purpose of furthering President Trump’s political agenda.  
    This matter must be reviewed by the Office of Inspector General (OIG). While we acknowledge that DOJ views attorney misconduct as the province of the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), OPR is apparently not available to pursue this matter. Since the constructive removal of Jeffrey Ragsdale as Director and Chief Counsel, OPR has no publicly-known leadership, and our understanding is that the office has been shuttered completely. OIG is thus the only available avenue for oversight of attorney professional misconduct.  
    Moreover, concurrent jurisdiction exists between OIG and OPR, particularly where misconduct creates waste, fraud, and abuse. The alleged abuse of power and unethical behavior in question involves the type of misconduct that extends beyond an attorney’s professional responsibilities and falls under the jurisdiction of OIG. In this extraordinary circumstance, we urge you to exercise existing concurrent jurisdiction to investigate all alleged misconduct. 
    Sincerely,  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Q&A: Ukraine Update

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    Q: Why did you write to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about Ukraine?
    A: As a Pentagon watchdog, I’ve dedicated decades of congressional oversight to track taxpayer dollars appropriated for national defense, including military dollars assigned to help our allies. From government purchase cards  to $10,000 toilet seat lids and sloppy accounting that allowed a years-long $103 million embezzlement scheme, I keep my nose to the grindstone to root out wasteful spending, mismanagement and defense contractor fraud that run rampant at the Pentagon, no matter who’s in the White House. Under seven administrations, I’ve worked in the U.S. Senate to fix lax financial controls, including my bipartisan bill that would require the Department of Defense (DoD) to pass a full, independent audit. Astonishingly, the Pentagon is the only federal agency that’s been unable to earn a clean opinion on its audit, despite federal law requiring all federal agencies to conduct annual audits since 1990.
    At my annual 99 county meetings, Iowans have shared concerns about the amount of federal spending in support of Ukraine. Since the war started in 2022, Congress has appropriated $175 billion to help Ukraine defend itself from the Russian invasion, support allies in the region and to help avoid World War III. While I strongly support pushing back against Russian aggression, I’m also a relentless taskmaster to ensure scarce taxpayer dollars aren’t squandered once they leave the federal treasury. That’s why I’m asking Defense Secretary Hegseth to account for payments made with money Congress appropriated in national security supplemental bills. While the Pentagon does not send any money to Ukraine, it has received significant funds to replace military stocks delivered to Ukraine and to conduct a range of activities to help Ukraine and our European NATO allies in the region defend themselves. The Pentagon must ensure taxpayer dollars are accounted for and used as Congress intended, but the same problems with poor accounting systems at DoD were evident with the funds from the national security supplemental bills. Last October, the DoD Office of Inspector General (IG) published a report examining how the Pentagon expended the money for Ukraine. Its audit raised alarm bells, and I’ve asked the Secretary of Defense to track down the money trail left behind by the Biden administration. Specifically, the IG’s report revealed that of the 479 disbursements it reviewed, DoD didn’t provide documentation to support the accuracy of 323 transactions. We’re not talking peanuts and cracker jacks. The amount of undocumented expenditures exceeds $1 billion. Without supporting documentation, we don’t know how that money was used. What’s more, as federal auditors conducted the investigation, the Biden administration flunked fundamental fiscal stewardship responsibilities. According to the DoD’s watchdog, the audit team’s requests for information faced noncooperation and insufficient responses, allegedly providing insufficient responses to 52 requests and no response to 14 requests to document where the dollars went. I’m not ever going to let up on my efforts to improve the Pentagon’s financial controls. Protecting taxpayer dollars and strengthening military readiness, including U.S. strategic stockpiles, are too important to allow the Pentagon to go unchecked.
    Q: How are you standing up to Putin on behalf of innocent Ukrainian children?
    A: It’s been more three years since Russia started its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. The senseless killing of civilians and casualties on the battlefield have led to needless human suffering and geopolitical ramifications around the world. One of the war’s atrocities has far-reaching consequences for Ukrainian society. Russia has abducted tens of thousands of Ukrainian children through unlawful deportations and forced transfers to Russify them. The goal is to erase from memory the children’s Ukrainian names, language and identity. What’s more, the State Department’s 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report found Russia recruits or uses child soldiers, has state-sponsored policy or pattern of human trafficking and is among the worst hubs for human trafficking in the world. In March, I called upon Secretary of State Marco Rubio to continue supporting investigations that are seeking to unravel the whereabouts of these innocent children and bring them back home. As President Trump leads efforts to secure a peace agreement to end the war, I’m leading a bipartisan resolution in the U.S. Senate that calls for the return of kidnapped Ukrainian children before any final peace agreement is reached. It condemns Russia’s abduction and forcible transfer of innocent young children to brainwash them and wipe away their heritage. The mass kidnapping of Ukrainian children by the Russian regime is yet another example of Vladimir Putin’s diabolical mission to restore the former Soviet empire. History shows this is a page out of his KGB-playbook when Stalin’s Soviet regime sent women and children from the Baltic countries to Siberia. The United States ought to demand the innocent children of Ukraine are returned before any agreement to end the war is reached so the Russians cannot use them as bargaining chips.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Senator Peters Releases Statement Ahead of Memorial Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    DETROIT, MI – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), a member of the Armed Services Committee and former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, released a video to honor Memorial Day.
    “Memorial Day is a solemn time to honor and pay respect to the heroic Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation in uniform,” said Senator Peters. “These brave men and women put their lives on the line, not for glory, but for a cause greater than themselves. We stand here today because of their unwavering courage and profound love for our country. Their sacrifice is a debt we can never repay, and never forget.”

    Click here for video of his remarks and see below the text as delivered:
    “As many of us prepare to spend this day with family and friends – let us first reflect on the significance that Memorial Day holds.
    “Memorial Day is a solemn time to honor and pay respect to the heroic Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our nation in uniform.
    “Across generations, these heroes answered freedom’s call, and ultimately gave their lives, in order to protect our ideals and our way of life as Americans.
    “These brave men and women put their lives on the line, not for glory, but for a cause greater than themselves. We stand here today because of their unwavering courage and profound love for our country. 
    “Their sacrifice is a debt we can never repay, and never forget.
    “Let us also use this day to honor our veterans and Gold Star families who bear the burden of loss, and carry with them the wounds of war.
    “We have a sacred obligation to ensure that all veterans, servicemembers, and their families have access to the benefits that they have earned, including access to quality health care, education, workforce opportunities, and a dignified burial. 
    “As the son of a World War II veteran, and someone who had the privilege to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve alongside some of the most dedicated men and women I have ever met, I will never stop working to fulfill the promises our country made to our servicemembers and their families.
    “On this Memorial Day, I encourage all Americans to take a moment to pay tribute to the generations of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines – who answered the call of duty and served our nation with bravery.
    “God bless all of those who have served. God bless all of those currently serving. And God bless the United States of America.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Marshall, Warner Lead Measure to Enhance Care for Seniors and Cut Red Tape

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the bipartisan Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, legislation to speed up access to care for Americans enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by streamlining the prior authorization process and ultimately allowing healthcare providers to spend more time on patient care rather than administrative burdens.
    This legislation would help physicians better serve the 32.8 million Americans – including the over 300,000 Arkansans – enrolled in a MA plan.
    “Quality, expedited medical care should always be within reach for seniors, and our providers deserve a system that helps them focus on delivering it,” Boozman said. “I’m pleased to join this bipartisan effort to end the inefficient process that delays Medicare Advantage beneficiaries’ evaluations and treatments while removing an unnecessary, bureaucratic burden on clinicians.”
    “Prior authorization is the number one administrative burden facing physicians today across all specialties,” said Marshall. “As a physician, I understand the frustration this arbitrary process is causing health care practices across the country and the headaches it creates for our nurses. With the bipartisan, bicameral Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, we will streamline prior authorization and help improve patient outcomes and access to quality care.”
    “Our seniors deserve high-quality care delivered in a timely fashion. I am proud to introduce this legislation that takes commonsense steps to modernize the prior authorization process, cutting through red tape, streamlining approvals, and making sure our health care providers are focused on what really matters — supporting their patients,” said Warner. 
    The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act would:
    Establish an electronic prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage plans, including a standardization for transactions and clinical attachments;
    Clarify the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) authority to establish timeframes for e-prior authorization requests, including expedited determinations, real-time decisions for routinely approved items and services, and other prior authorization requests;
    Require HHS and other agencies to report to Congress on program integrity efforts and other ways to further improve the e-prior authorization process; and 
    Expand beneficiary protections to improve enrollee experiences and outcomes.
    Forty-four senators have cosponsored the bill and companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    The Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act is supported by the Better Medicare Alliance, Humana and 138 other health care organizations. Here’s what they are saying about the bill: 
    “Prior authorization helps keep health care costs low and ensures seniors are getting the most appropriate care. But the process should be easier. The changes put forth in this legislation are long overdue and will help ensure seniors can get the care they need without delay,” said President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance Mary Beth Donahue. 
    “Humana’s job is to ensure our members have access to high quality, affordable healthcare.  We support efforts in the House and Senate to move the Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act forward quickly,” said Humana CEO Jim Rechtin. “It is a common-sense approach to making healthcare easier by modernizing the prior authorization process.”
    Text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Mornings With Maria on Fox Business to Discuss Budget Reconciliation, Iran Negotiations, GENIUS Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty
    NEW YORK CITY—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined Mornings With Maria on Fox Business live in-studio to discuss the budget reconciliation package, President Donald Trump’s negotiations with Iran, and the GENIUS Act.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*
    Partial Transcript
    Hagerty on the budget reconciliation package: “[Senator] Ron [Johnson] has been focused very much on reducing our debt, reducing our deficit on an annual basis. And I agree with him in principle of what we need to do. But I also would say this: there are many things that don’t get calculated here. If you think about the massive deregulatory thrust that is underway right now, that’s not being captured, the CBO completely missed it. Back in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, they were looking for a $1 trillion revenue decrease. We had actually a massive revenue increase from a tax revenue standpoint. So, I think there’s a lot more to be done. Look, it’s coming to the Senate. I don’t think it’s going to look exactly like it came to us from the House. In fact, there are a lot of people working at pace right now to look for deeper cuts. I’m optimistic. When you add together the deregulatory thrust, the tariff reconciliation that’s going on around the world, and the actual growth components of this bill that are real, they will actually incentivize capital investment. The dynamic aspects of this, again, get missed in the calculations […] At a broad and principle level, the Senate is going to continue to look at means to actually reduce the deficit. Everything that we can accelerate in terms of reductions, we’re going to do that as well. And I think our viewpoint is we have to be responsible. We have to get on the right track here. We’re not going to solve it all in one swoop.”
    Hagerty on urgency to pass the budget reconciliation package: “I actually called up the CEOs of the companies that I had invested in. I served on their boards for years. And I asked them, what are they doing in terms of capital investment, capital planning for 2026? They said, they’re waiting. Everybody’s on hold right now. We need to deliver certainty. And my goal is, without putting a specific date on this, and I called Leader [John] Thune on this as well. I said, look, we’ve got to move this as quickly as we possibly can. I’d love to see it by the 4th of July. Certainly, we need to get it done this summer, because if we don’t, I think capital plans are going to be delayed. We’re not going to see the capital investment we want to see happen so that 2026 is the best year ever. We got to move quickly on that.”
    Hagerty on Trump’s negotiations with Iran: “I think President Trump is absolutely right. Look, I was in his administration. We put maximum pressure on Iran. We had a miss close to a deal in the previous administration. And [Former President] Joe Biden backed off, completely allowed the funds to flow again, and terrorism flowed around the Middle East. We need to maintain maximum pressure. President Trump is doing this, enrichment to the point that they could obtain nuclear grade weapons is absolutely off the table, in my view. This is going to be a tough set of negotiations. The Iranian regime, that theocracy there, has never been easy to deal with. I think the people of Iran seriously need to see change. And these negotiations, I hope, will be very fruitful.”
    Hagerty on Trump’s Middle East trip: “I think he demonstrated that America is back. We’re looking for economic ties. Economic security actually equates to national security these days. That’s a thing of the past to separate the two, and more economic prosperity is going to link our economies together. It’s going to make our security interest aligned. I thought it was a wonderful trip.”
    Hagerty on the GENIUS Act: “This is going to take us into the 21st century. We have a payment system today that was designed in the 1970s and the 1980s. It takes five to ten days to clear a payment here. With the technology available on the chain to actually do this on an almost instantaneous basis, what this will also do is provide regulatory clarity to an industry that’s been seeping offshore. Americans need to lead here. The innovation that we are capable of delivery here is enormous. And also, the benefits of this will be to extend dollar dominance, our reserve currency around the world, because it’ll be used much more in the new digital environment. Additionally, it will stimulate demand for U.S. treasuries because these digital dollars have to be backed up by cash or U.S. treasuries […] A key reason that we’ve brought stablecoin policy to the fore first [is] because this is something that my colleagues do understand. This is simply taking our payment system into the 21st century. It’s stable. It’s dollar denominated. It’s simply that these dollars have to be backed completely by cash or by U.S. treasuries. That’s safe and secure in putting these, sort of, guardrails in place. I think all my colleagues get this, but as you animated, we’re going to move into market structure. This is a complex market. This is a new market that’s evolving rapidly, that’s going to take a great deal more education. It’s going to take a great deal more time. But I’m optimistic as we embrace this piece of legislation, and I’m delighted that we’ve gotten strong, bipartisan support here, that we’re moving in the right direction. And I think that America has got to be, and will continue to be, the leader in this innovative field.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock Statement on Reopening of Some Lake Lanier Parks

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
    Following pressure from Senator Reverend Warnock and Georgia families, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers informed the Senator that they will scale back on the number of indefinitely closed recreational sites at Lake Lanier
    The news follows earlier reports that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was indefinitely closing 23 parks in Georgia, most of which are at Lake Lanier, because of staffing shortfalls ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend
    According to WSB-TV reporting, the U.S. Army Corps now says it will only close 11 sites
    These staff cuts stem directly from reckless Trump Administration policies, including deferred registration and hiring freezes from the Department of Defense, which oversees the Army Corps of Engineers
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) issued the following statement on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers scaling back plans to indefinitely close nearly two dozen Georgia parks, most of which are at Lake Lanier, because of staffing shortfalls:
    “After public outcry from myself and countless Georgians, we prevented more than half of the announced park closures from going into effect. This is welcome news for Georgia families looking forward to enjoying summer days by the lake. But because of this administration’s reckless cuts, parks are still slated to be indefinitely closed. We must continue to speak out: Enough is enough with these reckless cuts, Georgia families deserve better,” said Senator Reverend Warnock.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Reverend Warnock Offers A Message of Hope On MeidasTouch Network

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
    Senator Reverend Warnock appeared on the MeidasTouch YouTube channel to talk about Washington Republican’s plan to gut Medicaid and to call out President Trump’s unabashed corruption
    Senator Warnock also delivered a message of hope and encouraged Americans to raise their voices in opposition to the Washington Republican Billionaire Tax Giveaway Bill, calling this “a moral moment” for our country
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “Don’t give in to those who are trying to weaponize despair. Don’t give in to those who are trying to rob you of hope, and thus the willingness to stand up and fight… It’s about the power in the people. We are strong, and it’s our moment to stand up”
    Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) appeared on the MeidasTouch network with host Ben Meiselas to discuss the massive cuts to Medicaid in Washington Republicans’ “Big Ugly Bill.”
    Senator Warnock encouraged Americans to remain hopeful during these difficult times and encouraged people to use their voices to speak out against cuts to Medicaid, calling this a “moral moment” for our country.
    Senator Warnock called out Republicans for their attempts to “weaponize despair,” emphasizing that, “They’re trying to convince us that in this flooding of the zone, they’ve already won the fight, and I can tell you that as an heir to the Civil Rights Movement, as pastor of the very church where Martin Luther King Jr. served, as someone who had the humble privilege of serving as John Lewis’s pastor, I’m not about to buy that lie any more than I buy any of the other lies that they sell.”
    He also encouraged Americans to remain hopeful and continue raising their voices to oppose the unpopular Billionaire Tax Giveaway Bill: “We are not without hope, and my party may be out of power, but we are not without power. And every single day, I intend to use my power, use my voice, to raise these issues.”
    “It’s not about the people in power. It’s about the power in the people. We are strong, and it’s our moment to stand up,” added Senator Warnock.
    Senator Warnock, a member of the Senate Finance Committee which oversees the federal tax code, has come out in strong opposition to the U.S. House-passed GOP tax bill. The Senator supports a tax code that lifts up ordinary people, which is why he is a leading advocate for expanding the Child Tax Credit and making child care more affordable through targeted expanded tax credits.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Reintroduces Bill to Allow All Americans to Vote at Home

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    May 23, 2025
    Reintroduction of Wyden’s bill follows House Republicans recent passage of the SAVE Act that would rip away millions of Americans’ right to vote
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced that he has reintroduced his bill to ensure Americans can more conveniently and securely vote at home. The Vote at Home Act would allow all eligible voters to vote by mail, provide pre-paid envelopes to return ballots, and automatically register citizens to vote at DMVs. 
    The bill follows Republican efforts to dismantle voting rights for millions of Americans. Most recently, House Republicans passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would restrict voting rights for 69 million married women who have changed their last name and 140 million Americans who do not have a passport. In-person voter ID laws particularly hurt seniors, minorities, people with disabilities, and low-income people. 
    “With Trump taking over the Oval Office, far-right legislators across our country are more emboldened to make voting more difficult for millions of Americans,” Wyden said. “Taking off work to vote in person – often waiting in long lines for hours – isn’t an option for so many voters. Voting is a fundamental constitutional right. It should be easy, and bringing the Oregon Way of vote-at-home nationwide will guarantee that every eligible voter can make their voices heard.”
    “Oregon was the first state to enact full vote by mail in 1995, an effort led by both Democratic and Republican Secretaries of State,” said U.S. Rep. Val Hoyle, D-Ore., who introduced the House companion of the Vote at Home Act earlier this year. “We have seen the positive impact that mail in voting has had in Oregon – not only does it improve access for eligible voters, but every ballot has a paper copy making it the most secure form of voting. Voting is a Constitutionally protected right and I’ll fight to make sure every eligible voter can make their voice heard. I am proud to introduce legislation with Senator Wyden that does exactly that.”
    Voting at home was recognized as a longtime option by all 50 states before the last presidential elections. Thirty states adopted or changed their laws for the 2020 general election, allowing voters to cast their ballots from home to provide greater accessibility and protect public health. In the November 2020 election, nearly 50 percent of voters used a vote-at-home ballot, an all-time high in federal races. It expands voting access to people who have health issues, family or work responsibilities, and lack transportation. 
    The Vote at Home Act, which was first introduced by Wyden in 2017, would make innovative electoral reforms across America by: 

    Promoting the Ability of Voters to Vote by Mail – All registered voters would receive ballots in the mail weeks before Election Day, allowing them to carefully research candidates and issues well ahead of Election Day to inform their vote.

    Expanding Options for Casting Ballots – All registered voters would have the ability to cast their ballot through the mail or a drop-off site. Voters residing in states with in-person, same-day registration would still have the option to vote at a polling station in lieu of voting at home.

    Funding the United States Postal Service – The legislation would provide the USPS funding to cover costs associated with mailing ballots both to and from voters in federal elections. This would allow states to save money by transitioning away from polling stations and reduce a major barrier for voters with the federal government absorbing the cost associated with USPS delivery.

    Enacting Automatic Voter Registration – States would be required to ensure that each eligible citizen who provides identifying information to the state motor vehicle authority is automatically registered to vote. The provision also ensures voters are then allowed to opt out if they so choose.

    Joining Wyden in the Senate include Senators Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., Brian Schatz, D-Hawai’i, Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Peter Welch, D-Vt., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. 
    “Voting by mail has worked in Oregon for years. It’s quick and secure—helping folks in red, blue, and purple states safely make their voices heard in our elections,” Merkley said. “This shouldn’t be a partisan issue. Expanding vote by mail nationwide is a secure way to ensure all eligible voters can exercise this constitutional right.”
    “Colorado has led the way on efforts to expand access to the ballot, and it shows,” Bennet said. “Our state has one of the highest voter turnout rates in the country because of commonsense reforms like automatic registration and vote-by-mail. It’s time the rest of the country does too.”
    “As Republicans in Congress and in states across the country continue to attack voting rights, it is critical that we increase access to vote-at-home methods and make the right to vote accessible to all voters,” Markey said. “I am proud to join Senator Wyden in reintroducing the Vote at Home Act to ensure that we protect and expand voting rights, and in the process, strengthen our democracy and people’s sense of civic duty.”
    The legislation is endorsed by Stand Up America, National Vote at Home Institute, Institute for Responsive Government Action, End Citizens United/Let America Vote Action Fund, and the Jewish Democratic Council of America. 
    “Voting by mail is essential for millions of Americans––including working people, college students, rural residents, and seniors––who rely on it to make their voices heard,” said Brett Edkins, Managing Director of Policy and Political Affairs at Stand Up America. “It provides a secure and convenient way to cast our ballots, especially for those who face challenges getting to the polls due to long distances, hectic work schedules, and other barriers. The Vote at Home Act is a crucial step toward strengthening our democracy by ensuring every voter has the option to cast their ballot from home, return it with a pre-paid envelope, and be automatically registered at their local DMV. We are grateful to Senator Wyden and Representative Hoyle for continuing to champion the freedom to vote in Congress.”
    “If you want to support and strengthen our democracy, there’s no better way than to support Vote at Home election systems,” said Barbara Smith Warner, the Executive Director of the National Vote at Home Institute. “When every active registered voter automatically receives a mailed out paper ballot, several weeks before every election; can return them by postage-free mail or in person to a wide range of accessible, convenient and secure locations; and can track them online, in real time, to ensure their vote is counted, we all win.”
    “Every eligible American should have the opportunity to cast their ballot in an accessible and secure way, and that’s exactly what this legislation ensures,” said Sam Oliker-Friedland, Executive Director of the Institute for Responsive Government Action. “At a time when so many proposals are full of unimplementable mandates and obstacles to voting, the Vote at Home Act is a reminder of what good policy looks like: Secure Automatic Voter Registration is the best way to ensure that eligible voters get registered to vote and their information is regularly updated.”
    The text of the bill is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Cortez Masto, Baldwin, Collins Fight to Ensure More Americans Can Access Lifesaving Cancer Screenings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Legislation reauthorizes program that has helped detect 80,000 invasive breast cancers since 1991
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced the bipartisan Screening for Communities to Receive Early and Equitable Needed Services (SCREENS) for Cancer Act to reauthorize a program that provides access to vital breast and cervical cancer screenings, diagnostic services, and health education to women and families across the country.
    “Nearly every family in Nevada, including my own, knows the shock, pain, and confusion that follows a cancer diagnosis,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “With early detection, however, outcomes improve dramatically. This bipartisan legislation would help ensure that every woman has access to lifesaving cancer screenings, no matter her income level or insurance status.”
    An estimated 319,750 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer and nearly 43,000 will die from the disease this year alone. The SCREENS for Cancer Act reauthorizes the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). Since 1991, the NBCCEDP, a partnership between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state departments of health, has provided lifesaving breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to more than six million women with low incomes who do not have adequate insurance.
    NBCCEDP has a proven record of cancer detection, detecting nearly 80,000 breast cancers, over 25,000 premalignant breast lesions, more than 5,300 cervical cancers, and over 248,000 premalignant cervical lesions. The program also provides public education, outreach, patient navigation, and care coordination to increase breast and cervical cancer screening rates and reach underserved populations. Without access to early detection programs, many people who are uninsured or lack adequate insurance are forced to delay or forgo screenings, which could lead to late-stage detection and treatment.
    The SCREENS for Cancer Act would provide flexibility to NBCCEDP grantees, allowing for a greater emphasis on implementing innovative, evidence-based interventions and aggressive outreach to underserved communities through media, peer educators, and patient navigators. The bill authorizes $235 million per year for FY26 through FY30.
    A one-pager on this legislation is available here. Full text of this bill is available here.
    Senator Cortez Masto has been a champion of affordable, quality health care, including mental and behavioral care. Cortez Masto has pushed pharmacy benefit managers to help lower prescription drug costs. She passed legislation to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices and cap the cost of insulin at $35-a-month for Medicare recipients through the Inflation Reduction Act. To lower health care costs for all Nevadans, Cortez Masto worked to expand health care subsidies for individuals and families getting health care through the exchange.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer Travels to Ottawa with Bipartisan Delegation, Visits Canadian Leadership

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

    ***Click here for media resources.***

    OTTAWA, CANADA – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), co-chair of the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group and the Senate American Canadian Economy and Security (ACES) Caucus, joined a bipartisan group of senators in traveling to Ottawa this week to reaffirm and strengthen the partnership between the two countries. Canada and the United States share a unique relationship. The two countries have fostered one of the most significant bilateral trading relationships in the world, one characterized by their close economic and national security ties.

    The delegation met with Prime Minister Mark Carney, Foreign Minister Anita Anand, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra, Canada’s Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, and representatives from industry and business groups. The overarching theme of the trip centered on advancing mutual priorities such as defense and security cooperation through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Arctic readiness, cross-border economic integration, addressing trade disruptions, and coordinated responses to global challenges.

    “The United States and Canada share more than a border,” said Cramer.“From national security to commerce, we have both interests and challenges in common, working through them with open, frank dialogue. It was an honor to join my colleagues as part of this delegation to Ottawa. I was encouraged by the meetings, and the Prime Minister’s transparent and thoughtful words were smart and instructive. I look forward to working with our friends, business partners, and neighbors in Canada to strengthen our relationship and address mutual issues facing our great countries.”

    While in Ottawa, Cramer visited with Ambassador Hoekstra about establishing a relationship focused on fostering fair trade. More than half of North Dakota’s exports are directed toward Canada. In 2024 alone, North Dakota exported $3.9 billion in goods to Canada, representing 70% of the state’s global exports. As former State Tourism and Economic Development Director in North Dakota, Cramer brought that perspective to additional discussions about the declines northern border states are experiencing in trade and tourism and emphasized the need to find a solution benefitting both nations.

    The visit included a lunch with Canadian Foreign Minister Anand and a meeting with Canada’s Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly. Discussions included updates on further safeguards for the military readiness of NATO, and a review of the member states agreement in 2014 to commit two percent of their national gross domestic product (GDP) to defense spending. However, Canada only allocated 1.37% of its GDP to defense in 2024, prompting Cramer and his colleagues to send a letter to then-Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, asking him to examine whether a member of the NATO “has achieved defense spending of not less than 2 percent of its gross domestic product” when considering U.S. investments.

    In addition to meeting with government officials, Cramer and colleagues participated in a roundtable with the Business Council of Canada, American Chamber of Commerce, and other leading Canadian companies.

    Cramer was recently appointed co-chair of the Canada-United States Interparliamentary Group and introduced a bipartisan resolution with fellow ACES co-chair U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME). The resolution recognizes the U.S.-Canada partnership and its shared interests in economic, energy and critical minerals, and national security. Among other provisions, it reaffirms the bilateral and international alliance between the two countries, which allows both countries to face common threats together and uphold common values, including democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch Applauds President Trump’s Executive Orders on Nuclear Energy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch released a statement today on President Donald Trump’s executive actions to expand American nuclear energy production and streamline the deployment of advanced civil nuclear technologies.  

    “Nuclear energy is America’s creation and will be essential to powering our nation’s future,” said Risch.“President Trump’s actions present a significant opportunity for the U.S. civil nuclear industry to support America’s growing energy demands, bolster national security, and reinforce America’s leadership in energy innovation.”

    On Friday, May 23, President Trump signed four executive orders to strengthen the American nuclear industrial base, expedite deployment of advanced nuclear technologies for national security, streamline testing on Department of Energy sites, and modernize the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

    As a senior member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Risch is a leading voice on energy policy in the U.S. Senate. President Trump’s executive orders build on several priorities Risch has spearhead, including:

    • Promoting American Nuclear Exports: Risch led his colleagues in introducing the International Nuclear Energy Act to prioritize American dominance in nuclear energy and offset China and Russia’s growing influence on international nuclear energy development.

    • Fostering Nuclear Innovation: Risch co-founded the Senate Advanced Nuclear Caucus to amplify and support emerging nuclear technologies like those being developed at the Idaho National Laboratory. In a recent Washington Times editorial, Risch underscored the critical role of nuclear energy in powering America’s current and future energy needs.

    • Accelerating New Nuclear: Risch is a strong proponent of domestic nuclear energy production and the commercialization of advanced nuclear technologies, and has introduced legislation to accelerate new nuclear investment.

    • Reinvigorating the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Risch was a leader in passing legislation to develop a domestic nuclear fuel supply chain and end U.S. reliance on Russian uranium.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Meets With Canadian Prime Minister Carney Regarding Trade

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
    Senator Part of First Bipartisan Delegation to Meet with a Canadian Prime Minister in Canada in Five Years   
    Canadian Prime Minister and Klobuchar also talked ongoing women’s pro hockey finals with Minnesota Frost and Ottawa Charge tied in series 
    MINNESOTA— Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar met with newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa to discuss rebuilding trade relations with Canada. This meeting came at a critical time in response to the ongoing tariff issues between the two countries since Donald Trump assessed tariffs on Canada and other nations Klobuchar was one of a bipartisan group of five U.S. senators, and the first group of lawmakers to meet with a prime minister in Canada in five years.
    Joining Klobuchar were Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Tim Kaine, Kevin Cramer, and Peter Welch.
    Senator Klobuchar is Co-Chair of the Canada-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Group along with Republican Senator Cramer of North Dakota.  
    “Canada is Minnesota’s neighbor, top trading partner and close friend. We share a deep bond grounded in trust and a shared commitment to democracy,” said Klobuchar. “I also made clear there is bipartisan commitment to restoring stability, credibility, and sanity to our trade policy with Canada.”
    In addition to discussing tariffs, Klobuchar also commended the Prime Minister for his decision to spend an hour with the bipartisan delegation and focus on issues ranging from tourism to energy policy.
    When discussing the ongoing women’s pro hockey finals between the Minnesota Frost and the Ottawa Charge, she noted to Prime Minister Carney that diplomacy can only go so far: “Go Minnesota Frost,” she said. 
    Klobuchar and her colleagues also met with Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Minister of National Defense David McGuinty, Minister of Industry Mélanie Joly, the Business Council of Canada, and other leading Canadian companies and business groups. 
    This week, Klobuchar joined Cramer and Kaine in introducing a bipartisan resolution to recognize the U.S.-Canada partnership and its shared interests in economic, energy and critical minerals, and national security.
    In April, Klobuchar’s bipartisan resolution with Kaine and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) to reverse President Trump’s across-the-board tariffs on Canadian goods passed the Senate. 
    Photos available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lummis, Daines Introduce the Protecting Veteran Community Care Act to Protect, Expand, Veterans’ Access to Community Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis
    Washington, D.C.— Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced legislation today that would ensure Wyoming veterans’ access to mental healthcare in their local communities.
    “Providing for those who’ve defended our nation is the VA’s core purpose,” said Lummis. “This means Wyoming’s courageous veterans deserve top-tier healthcare services regardless of their geographic location. I remain committed to ensuring veterans throughout our state can access the medical care they’ve earned in their local communities.”
    “Our nation’s veterans have put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and the last thing they should have to worry about is mismanagement and delays at the VA. I’m proud to work with my colleagues on this bill to strengthen the availability of community based mental health programs and ensure that our veterans have access to the care and resources that they deserve,” said Daines.  
    “No veteran should face unnecessary delays in accessing mental health care,” said Tim Sheppard, Executive Director of the Wyoming Veterans Commission. “This bill guarantees that those who served are prioritized, not left waiting.”
    Background:
    The Protecting Veteran Community Care Act strengthens the existing community care program, limits the VA’s ability to restrict access to care in the community, and requires the VA to track relevant community care data and provide those statistics to Congress.
    Specifically, this legislation would:
    Amend the MISSION Act to specifically include inpatient mental health standards.
    Add clarity to veteran eligibility for care in the community. 
    Require the VA to track and present to Congress data on how veterans are requesting and using community care, along with what services community care funds are paying for.
    Require passage of a Joint Resolution in both chambers of Congress to modify community care eligibility.
    The 2018 VA MISSION Act was a landmark piece of legislation that overhauled the VA Choice Program to provide veterans with improved access to healthcare. Unfortunately, the VA has failed to live up to its obligation to provide timely care. Veterans are still facing unacceptably long waiting periods and frequently rescheduled appointments. The VA continues to fall short on the complete and proper implementation of the MISSION Act. This has resulted in the need for Congress to strengthen existing authorities to ensure that the VA isn’t restricting care in the community for veterans who need it most.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle Push for Federal Disaster Declaration in Response to Severe Flooding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    May 23, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, alongside U.S. Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), are calling for swift approval of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The push comes in response to devastating flooding and other damaging weather-related events that severely impacted Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Harney counties in March.
    “Given the extent of the damage to both physical and social infrastructure across four counties, we urge you and your administration to act swiftly to ensure that State and Local governments have all the federal resources they need to recover and rebuild,” the lawmakers said in their letter to President Trump.
    The wide-ranging weather triggered several incidents from the South Coast to Eastern Oregon between March 13 and March 20, as warm rains led to rapid snowmelt that contributed to severe runoff and erosion. Three rivers reached major flood levels, and wind gusts of over 45 miles per hour caused power outages and blocked roads.
    In Harney County, a critical levee system protecting the City of Burns and members of the Burns Paiute Tribe failed, causing floodwaters to rapidly increase and inundate homes and agricultural fields.
    “Local leaders, first responders, volunteers, and neighbors stepped up heroically to protect lives and begin recovery efforts across Coos, Curry, Douglas, and Harney Counties. These are close- knit, self-reliant communities that have banded together to recover from these severe weather events and support one another,” the lawmakers stressed. “We encourage your administration to deliver the tools needed to protect lives, restore order, and get families back on their feet.”
    In addition to supporting the Governor’s request for Public Assistance (PA) to help communities in all four counties quickly recover from this disaster, the letter from lawmakers calls on FEMA to provide support to eligible individuals and households in Coos, Curry, and Douglas affected by the disaster through the Individual Assistance (IA) program.  
    They also urged the White House to make the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) available statewide for this event to help rural communities rebuild in a way that mitigates future disaster losses.
    “Oregon has demonstrated its ability to successfully use federal disaster dollars in the past, and we are confident they will be effective and efficient with funds from FEMA should they be provided for this disaster as well,” emphasized the lawmakers.
    Full text of the letter can be found by clicking HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden Press for Federal Support in Harney County’s Flooding Recovery

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    May 23, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden are calling on President Trump to urgently approve Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s request for Individual Assistance (IA) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support the Harney County community as they continue to recover from the worst flooding the region has seen in nearly 70 years.
    The flooding left hundreds of rural homes damaged and overwhelmed the City of Burns’ sewer system which required many residents to leave their homes to use portable toilets or travel to the next town to shower. Today, many of these homes remain contaminated due to the raw sewage that washed through the floors and along the walls.
    “Raging waters damaged homes and small businesses and created dangerous health conditions,” the Senators wrote in their letter to the White House.
    At the height of the flood on April 7 of this year, more than 1,400 people were advised to evacuate their homes in Burns and the Burns Paiute Reservation. This was a significant part of Harney County’s population, which is only around 7,400. The Senators also noted that this flood comes on the heels of other natural disasters in the region, including wildfires and severe drought.
    “The combined toll of these events has pushed many rural Oregonians to the brink,” the Senators stressed. “While the people of Harney County are resilient and deeply rooted in the values of hard work and self-reliance, they also rely on government at all levels to fulfill its basic duty in times of crisis.”
    The scale of the disaster in Harney County, combined with limited local resources, has left many rural Oregonians without the means to rebuild on their own—making Individual Assistance through FEMA critical.
    “Smart, targeted federal aid can make a lasting difference – especially when delivered in cooperation with local officials who know their communities best,” the Senators closed.
    The full text of the Senator’s letter can be found by clicking HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 05/23/2025 Blackburn, Welch, Gooden, Ross Introduce Bill to Speed Up Patent Process for Critical and Emerging Technologies

    US Senate News:

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

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Representatives Lance Gooden (R-Texas) and Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Leadership in Critical and Emergency Technology (CET) Act, which would encourage innovation in critical and emergency technologies by ensuring those patent applications receive prompt consideration by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO):

    “The United States cannot afford to fall behind to the Chinese Communist Party in the research and development of critical and emerging technology,” said Senator Blackburn. “My bipartisan Leadership in CET Act would expedite the patent review process to ensure we regain our competitive edge.”

    “China has made significant strides in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and is working rapidly to surpass the United States as a world leader in the field. Accelerating our research and development in critical technologies is a vital step to maintaining our leadership on the world stage,” said Senator Welch. “Our bipartisan bill will boost our competitiveness and ensure we’re at the forefront of setting global standards for emerging technologies.”

    “The Leadership in CET Act will secure American global dominance in transformative technologies like AI and semiconductors, said Congressman Gooden. “Through streamlining patent approvals, we will foster innovation and drive progress in these critical fields.”

    “America has always been a forerunner in technology and innovation, and we cannot fall back now,” said Congresswoman Ross. “The Leadership in Critical and Emerging Technologies Act will fast-track American innovation in key fields, empower inventors in the Research Triangle and beyond, and help us outperform our global competitors. North Carolina’s innovators are ready to lead, and this bipartisan legislation will give them the tools to do so. We have taken significant strides toward revitalizing American innovation and strengthening our competitiveness, and we must continue to build on that progress.”

    BACKGROUND

    • Communist China has significantly strengthened its research and development efforts and now leads the world in 57 of 64 critical technologies.
      • This is an increase from 52 technologies in 2021 and a drastic leap from the mid-2000s, when China was leading in just three. 
    • The U.S. historically has been the world’s dominant research power, leading in research for 60 out of 64 technologies from 2003-2007. That number has since dropped to seven, with notable holdouts in advanced information and communication technologies, semiconductor design, and certain quantum capabilities.
    • Chinese President Xi Jinping, through a series of government proclamations, has accelerated fundamental scientific research so it can become self-reliant in critical technologies.
    • In 2022, Chinese institutions applied for 29,853 AI-related patents—almost 80% more than U.S. filings.
      • In 2024, China was listed as a high risk to monopolize 24 critical and emerging technology areas.

    LEADERSHIP IN CET ACT

    • The Leadership in CET Act would:
      • Require the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO to establish and carry out a pilot program to expedite the examination of 15,000 patent applications pertaining to certain capabilities in artificial intelligence, semiconductor design, and quantum information science;
      • Prevent foreign entities of concern from participating in the program;
      • Provide the USPTO a one-time reauthorization authority if deemed necessary; and
      • Require the USPTO Director to submit a report to Congress assessing the impact and effectiveness of the pilot program based on all available data following the program’s termination.

    ENDORSEMENTS

    This legislation is endorsed by the High Tech Inventors Alliance, the Innovation Alliance, and theComputer & Communications Industry Association.

    RELATED

    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall Thanks President Trump for Delivering Kansas Relief Aid After Severe Storms

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) today released the following statement after President Donald Trump granted the state of Kansas’ request for a Major Disaster Declaration, triggering the release of federal resources that will help communities in Kansas recover from the severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, and wildfires that swept through the state March 14 – 19, 2025.
    Following the storms, Senator Marshall led a letter from Republican members of the Kansas federal delegation asking President Trump to grant the Sunflower State’s Major Disaster Declaration request.
    “I can’t thank President Trump and his team enough for swiftly stepping up for Kansans in a time of great need,” Senator Marshall said. “Local governments and utility providers will now be empowered with federal resources as they respond to the devastation left by these storms. To all those impacted, please know my office and I stand ready to assist in any way we can.”
    The following counties are now eligible for public assistance:
    Barton, Chautauqua, Edwards, Elk, Ellis, Gove, Graham, Gray, Greeley, Hodgeman, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Ness, Norton, Osborne, Pawnee, Phillips, Rice, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Stafford, Wallace, and Woodson.
    Background:

    From March 14 – 19, 2025, Kansas was impacted by two back-to-back, strong, mid-latitude cyclone storm systems that moved through the state. The systems brought strong winds, low humidity, blowing dust, and blizzard conditions. According to the National Weather Service, the near-record low pressure in one of the systems measured close to the pressure found in a category 1 hurricane.
    On May 21, 2025, President Trump granted a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Kansas.
    Due to President Trump’s leadership, local governments and public utility providers will now be eligible to submit storm-related expenses to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for reimbursement.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Marshall, Hickenlooper Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Capital for Small Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall

    Washington – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) introduced the Investing in All of America Act of 2025, bipartisan legislation designed to expand access to capital for small businesses in rural and low-income communities, as well as those in the manufacturing and critical technology sectors.
    The bill focuses on enhancing the role of Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs), privately managed firms licensed by the Small Business Administration (SBA), that raise private capital and leverage it with SBA-backed funds to invest in American small businesses. Currently, SBICs are subject to a leverage cap, which limits the amount of SBA-backed capital they can access based on how much private capital the firm has.
    The Investing in All of America Act would exempt investments in rural or low-income areas, as well as those in the manufacturing and critical technology sectors, from the leverage cap. In turn, this move would enable more capital to flow to areas with limited access and support the growth of manufacturing and critical technology industries vital to U.S. competitiveness.
    “Access to capital is essential for small businesses to grow and thrive, but far too often, rural and low-income communities across Kansas are left behind,” said Senator Marshall. “By excluding investments in these communities from the leverage that SBICs can access, we’re encouraging targeted investment where it’s needed most, all without costing taxpayers a dime.”
    “Small businesses are the engine of our economy,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “But they often struggle to get the capital they need to create jobs. Our bipartisan bill will help small businesses in rural and low-income communities flourish.”
    The legislation is supported by the Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA).
    “This legislation is a practical step toward revitalizing American manufacturing and ensuring small businesses have the capital they need to grow,” said SBIA President Brett Palmer. “By unlocking and incentivizing additional private investment in manufacturing, rural and low-income areas, and sectors critical to national security, this bill strengthens America’s economic competitiveness.  This is a no-cost, high-impact policy that supports job creation, economic resilience, and our national security.”
    The full text of the legislation can be found HERE.
    Background:

    SBIC-backed businesses have helped create over 3 million new jobs over the last two decades.
    In 2024, SBICs provided more than $8 billion in investment to small businesses nationwide.
    However, less than 20% of SBIC investments are aimed towards low to middle-income communities.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Capito Reflects on Memorial Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    [embedded content]
    **Click here or the image above to watch Senator Capito’s Memorial Day video** 
    **Click here to download Senator Capito’s Memorial Day video. **
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Ahead of Memorial Day, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) honors West Virginia’s servicemembers and recognizes those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 
    “Memorial Day offers us the opportunity to pause and honor the brave men and women who answered the call of duty to protect our freedoms. Every day, and especially this Memorial Day, I encourage my fellow West Virginians to remember our fallen soldiers. We are forever grateful for their service and we will never forget their sacrifice,” Senator Capito said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen, Blackburn, Pappas, Rutherford Renew Bipartisan, Bicameral Push to Establish Nationwide Programs to Mitigate Impacts of Childhood Trauma

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    **The bipartisan bill would model proven programs like Manchester’s ACERT to allow local entities to receive grant funding to address adverse childhood experiences associated with exposure to trauma**

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), along with U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and John Rutherford (FL-05), reintroduced the bipartisan National Adverse Childhood Experiences Response Team (ACERT) Grant Program Authorization Act in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation would establish a grant program to provide federal resources for communities across the country to address adverse childhood experiences associated with exposure to trauma by connecting law enforcement and first responders with local child specialists and professionals. The lawmakers’ legislation models successful programs like Manchester’s ACERT to mitigate the impact of traumatic childhood experiences. 

    “Experiencing trauma as a child can have damaging long-term effects on a person’s life – including on one’s physical, mental and emotional development. There’s more we can do to prevent and mitigate those effects early on, which is why I’m proud to introduce legislation with bipartisan support in the House and Senate to help do just that,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our bill would provide first responders and law enforcement with the tools they need to administer early intervention and trauma-informed care for affected families in the Granite State and beyond. The programs our legislation supports are crucial to ensuring children and families can break the cycle of trauma and lead healthy, successful lives.” 

    “We must ensure that we provide every necessary resource to combat childhood trauma for Tennessee communities in need,” said Senator Blackburn. “Due to trauma’s effects on brain development, early intervention is crucial to alleviate the effects of childhood trauma and prevent long-term harm. Tennessee is home to one of the leading Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) programs, Building Strong Brains, which serves as a national model for programs around the country. The National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act would build on Tennessee’s progress by giving each state the tools they need to deliver services and care to children who have experienced trauma.” 

    “Adverse childhood experiences can have lifelong impacts on our children and our communities. As we’ve seen in Manchester and across New Hampshire, ACE response teams, or ACERTs, have been key to preventing future incidents of childhood trauma and supporting our kids, no matter what is going on in their lives,” said Congressman Pappas. “ACERTs partner law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders with child advocates and health providers so that children are put on a path to receiving the care they need as quickly as possible after a traumatic incident. We have already seen the positive impacts that these programs have brought to our local communities in New Hampshire. I’m proud to once again join Senator Shaheen in introducing this bipartisan legislation to make ACERT programs available nationwide.” 

    “As a former sheriff, I have seen firsthand the long-term negative effects trauma can have on a child and their family,” said Congressman Rutherford. “Responding to an emergency is just the first step, what happens after can shape a child’s future. The ACE Response Teams (ACERTs) program brings together law enforcement officers, first responders, mental health professionals, and child advocates to respond quickly after a traumatic incident and provide families with the services they need to help children heal and grow.” 

    ACEs, or Adverse Childhood Experiences, are events in a child’s life which have a heavy impact on their future wellbeing, success in life and risk of violence. This legislation would allow for the creation of ACE Response Teams (ACERTs) which would provide services and care to children who have experienced trauma.     
     

    The bipartisan, bicameral legislation authorizes $10 million a year for four years for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a national ACERT program, modeled on the pilots here in New Hampshire. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen, Collins Urge Education Secretary to Immediately Release TRIO Upward Bound Grants to Current Recipients

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    **The bipartisan push follows reports that Upward Bound programs have yet to receive funding due for the coming program year**

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and Susan Collins (R-ME), Chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, wrote to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon yesterday urging the Department of Education to immediately release TRIO Upward Bound grants—which fund programs preparing high school students of disadvantaged backgrounds for attending college—to current grant recipients. The Senators’ request comes as Upward Bound programs have yet to receive the funding they’ve been promised for the coming program year. 

    The Senators wrote, in part: “Given that current recipients of Upward Bound grants were already successfully awarded their five-year grants from the Department of Education in 2022, Upward Bound programs should have the assurance that they will receive this funding for the fourth year of their grants. This delay in grant distribution, as well as a lack of information or guidance from the agency, is causing extreme uncertainty for Upward Bound programs across the country.” 

    They continued: “For nearly 60 years, Upward Bound programs have given generations of students the support they need to help succeed in higher education and beyond. […] The current delay in funding distribution is creating an unnecessary and existential crisis for these critical programs and the students they serve.” 

    The Senators concluded: “We urge you to immediately provide Upward Bound programs with the federal funding they’ve been promised.” 

    Click here to view the bipartisan letter. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy, Warnock Announce June 12 as National Seersucker Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) today introduced a resolution marking Thursday, June 12th as National Seersucker Day. This marks the 12th year that Cassidy has led National Seersucker Day since he revived the tradition in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014.
    “Seersucker Day honors the New Orleans invention that’s made America fashionable—and the summer heat bearable—since 1909. For one day a year, the Capitol looks a little more like the French Quarter,” said Senator Cassidy. “We might not always agree on policy, but we can all agree: wool in June is a mistake.”
    “I’m excited to return as the co-chair for the annual Seersucker Day in our nation’s capital and continue celebrating this iconic Senate tradition,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Seersucker is more than just a fabric, it is a material deeply woven into Southern culture. National Seersucker Day is a proud bipartisan tradition, and I look forward to working alongside Senator Cassidy to carry it on.”
    Seersucker suits were popularized by a New Orleans businessman in the early 1900s. Former U.S. Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) brought Seersucker Thursday to Congress in 1996. After the tradition went unobserved in 2012 and 2013, Cassidy revived it and has continued the tradition in the Senate.
    Cassidy invites Americans from all over our great nation to don their warm weather finest on this National Seersucker Day. All senators are invited for an official photograph at the Ohio Clock in the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, June 12, at 12:30 p.m. ET.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Grants Major Disaster Declaration for South Texas

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    Cornyn Wrote in Support of Gov. Abbott’s Request

    AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement thanking President Donald J. Trump for approving Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Texas following severe flooding in Cameron, Willacy, Starr, and Hidalgo counties in late March. This comes after the Senator wrote to the President in support of the request. 

    “The Rio Grande Valley endured devastating floods and severe storms that severely damaged Texans’ homes and businesses, and I thank President Trump for approving this request for federal disaster relief to be sent to the region,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I will continue to stay in touch with state and local officials to ensure South Texas has the resources and assistance it needs to recover and rebuild.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Statement on Anniversary of Devastating Joplin Tornado

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Friday, May 23, 2025

    U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) released the following statement today, commemorating the fourteenth anniversary of the EF5 tornado that touched down in Joplin, Mo., leaving a trail of devastation and claiming the lives of 161 Missourians.

    Senator Hawley spent this past Monday on the ground in St. Louis, meeting with victims and surveying the damage inflicted by this past Friday’s tornadoes that struck Eastern Missouri. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley, Schmitt Reintroduce Resolution Honoring the Lives and Service of Natalie and Davy Lloyd

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Friday, May 23, 2025

    U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) reintroduced a resolution honoring Natalie and Davy Lloyd, the Missouri missionaries who were tragically killed one year ago by unlawful Haitian gangs on May 23, 2024. The resolution acknowledges the Lloyds’ service to communities in Haiti and honors their memory.

    “Natalie and Davy Lloyd epitomize selfless service and giving to the uttermost. They lost their lives serving the people of Haiti, a country that was not their own, sheerly for love of neighbor and love of the Lord. They really show what it means to be a Christian. They show what it means to be a Missourian and an American. They are the best of us,” said Senator Hawley. “I’m honoring them again with a Senate Resolution to thank them for their Christian witness, to thank them for what they mean for our state and to thank their family for their service. We must do everything we can to hold them in our memory, always, and to profit from their example. What they did means so much.”

    Read the full resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Passes Hawley, Schmitt Resolution Honoring Kit Bond 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Friday, May 23, 2025

    Last night, the Senate passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) honoring former United States Senator and Missouri Governor Christopher “Kit” Bond. Bond passed away on May 13, 2025 at the age of 86.

    “Kit Bond was a patriot. He led a life defined by dedication to his state and country, and he inspired countless people through his friendship and mentorship—including myself,” said Senator Josh Hawley. “I’m grateful to my colleagues in the Senate for honoring his example of service.”

    “I was pleased to see the Senate unanimously pass our resolution honoring the life and legacy of Legendary Missouri Senator Christopher ‘Kit’ Bond. Kit was a force in the Show Me State leading with his trademark sense of humor and dedication to making our state the best in the nation. It is only right the U.S. Senate recognize my close friend and mentor on his tremendous career and public service to our nation,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.

    Bond served as the 47th and 49th Governor of Missouri, serving from 1973 to 1977 and again from 1981 to 1985. He later served four terms in the United States Senate from 1987 to 2011 where he advanced conservative values, championed infrastructure, advocated for Missouri farmers, and strengthened national defense.

    Read the full resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News –