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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Participates in Groundbreaking for New Terminal at Presque Isle International Airport

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Published: May 10, 2025

    Supported by $20.4 million in Congressionally Directed Spending secured by Senator Collins

    Click HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE for individual photos
    Presque Isle, ME — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today participated in the groundbreaking for a new passenger terminal at Presque Isle International Airport (PQI). Senator Collins secured $20,462,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending in Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations legislation for the new terminal construction. She was joined at the groundbreaking by Airport Director Scott Wardwell, Presque Isle Interim City Manager Sonja Eyler, Aroostook County Administrator Ryan Pelletier, and other elected leaders of local, county, and state government.
    “Presque Isle International Airport is a vital hub for Aroostook County, connecting Northern Maine to the rest of the country and supporting economic development throughout the region,” said Senator Collins. “This new terminal will replace a facility that has served the community for 70 years and will improve the passenger experience, ensure compliance with federal safety standards, and support future growth for generations to come.”
    The new passenger terminal will fully replace the airport’s outdated 1954 existing terminal, incorporate modern features, be fully ADA compliant to ensure accessibility for all passengers, and meet updated Federal Aviation Administration design standards. Senator Collins toured PQI in June 2023 to learn more about the need for the new terminal.
    Through her role on the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion in Congressionally Directed Spending for more than 500 projects throughout the state, and continues to advocate for investments that strengthen rural infrastructure and support Maine communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Celebrates New Redmond-Bellevue Light Rail Extension

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    05.10.25

    Cantwell Celebrates New Redmond-Bellevue Light Rail Extension

    Sound Transit hosts grand openings at new Marymoor Village and Downtown Redmond stations to celebrate 2 Line extension; 3.4-mile line extension connects Redmond to Bellevue; future completion of the full 2 Line will connect entire Eastside to Seattle

    REDMOND, WA –Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined leaders of Sound Transit, Microsoft, and the City of Redmond to celebrate the grand opening of the Downtown Redmond Light Rail Extension.

    The 3.4-mile extension will connect Redmond to Bellevue, adding two new Light Rail stations at Marymoor Village and Downtown Redmond.

    “Redmond has always been a technology leader,” Sen. Cantwell said. “Redmond builds half of the world’s satellites. Right here in Redmond, Washington — we are celebrating these innovations, because when it comes to building great businesses, you also have to build great transportation systems. And those transportation systems get people to where they work, where they want to play, restaurants, sporting events and concerts.”

    “If we want to innovate, you have to make infrastructure investment,” she continued. “So everybody, get ready to use your ORCA card.”

    A full transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks today is HERE.

    The Marymoor Village Station includes a 1,400-stall parking garage and will provide convenient access to concerts and recreational activities at Marymoor Park. The Downtown Redmond Station is close to shopping and dining at Redmond Town Center, as well as new transit-oriented housing in the city’s downtown core. Residents of Downtown Redmond will have just a six-minute commute to Redmond Technology Station at Microsoft headquarters on the 2 Line, and a 19-minute commute to downtown Bellevue. Trains will run every 10 minutes from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. seven days a week between the South Bellevue and Downtown Redmond stations.

    Including the East Link Extension, Sound Transit expects to see 43,000 to 52,000 daily riders by 2026. Last summer, opening day ridership on the 2 Line between South Bellevue and Redmond Technology Station saw 35,000 riders; at its peak during the summer of 2024, there were approximately 150,000 total monthly boardings.

    When the full 2 Line opens, it will add the Mercer Island and Judkins Park stations and connect to the 1 Line at the International District/Chinatown Station in downtown Seattle.

    Additionally, Sound Transit has partnered with Bellwether Housing to provide 328 units of affordable housing, active businesses on the ground floors, and space for a community hub at the Overlake Village Station. The project will break ground later this year and will begin accepting residents in 2027. At Marymoor Village Station, a 3.5-acre site adjacent to the station will be the home to future development, which is anticipated to include a large amount of affordable housing units.

    The Downtown Redmond Light Rail Extension was funded in part by a $521 million transit loan through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA). The subsidized interest rate for TIFIA funding was less than half of what Sound Transit would have gotten otherwise, reducing lending costs on the projects by $200 million to $300 million.  In addition, Sound Transit worked with the U.S. Department of Transportation to refinance five TIFIA loans, including this project, resulting in savings of more than $500 million for the agency.

    Sen. Cantwell is a longtime champion of ongoing investments in Washington state’s light rail system. In April 2024, she joined local, state, and federal leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the new Sound Transit East Link Starter Line, which connected South Bellevue to Microsoft headquarters in Redmond. In August 2024, she joined the community to celebrate the Lynnwood Link Extension connecting Lynnwood, Montlake Terrace, and Shoreline to the Light Rail system.

    Upon finalization of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill, Sen. Cantwell celebrated the inclusion of $329.14 million for the Federal Way Link Light Rail Extension – which fully funds the project three years ahead of schedule — and $254 million for the Lynnwood Light Rail Extension. As then-chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Sen. Cantwell helped deliver large funding increases for transportation in the Biden-Harris Infrastructure Law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 05.10.2025 Sen. Cruz Resolution Overturning Biden Appliance Regulation Signed into Law

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued a statement after President Trump signed into law his Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to rescind a consumer appliance regulation on natural gas water heaters, which was imposed by the Biden-Harris administration in December 2024. If left in place, the regulation would have increased costs and limited consumer choice for Americans. 
    Sen. Cruz said, “The Biden-Harris administration knew they were increasing costs on American consumers and limiting consumers’ ability to choose the heater that works best for them, but they didn’t care. President Trump’s signature today will ensure this anti-consumer regulation is permanently revoked.” 
    BACKGROUND
    Industry experts estimate that the Biden-Harris rule would have added $450 to the cost of each affected water heater. Forty percent of Americans directly affected by the rule would have also seen a net cost increase over the life of the appliance. Sen. Cruz introduced this CRA to repeal the rule in January. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hassan, Grassley Lead Legislation to Aid Victims of Identity Theft

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan

    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a senior member and former chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), a fellow Finance Committee member, reintroduced the Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act to provide efficient help for Americans whose social security numbers have been stolen.

    “Victims of identity theft whose Social Security numbers have been stolen shouldn’t have to deal with a cumbersome and frustrating process to get help from the Social Security Administration,” Hassan said. “This bipartisan legislation is an important way to ensure that Americans whose identities are stolen can access support through a streamlined process and a single point of contact at the Social Security Administration. This is one of the many common-sense proposals in Congress to combat waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer funds without making it harder for people to access their hard-earned benefits.”

    “Millions of Americans suffer from identity theft each year, and Social Security numbers are a top target. Unfortunately, when a victim calls up the Social Security Administration, they can be jerked around from one contact to another, having to reexplain the situation each time. Our bill will help streamline the process by providing a victim of identity theft with a single point of contact at the agency, easing this frustrating and stressful process,” Grassley said.

    Background:

    Misuse of Social Security numbers is a large problem, and victims who are affected by identity theft face hurdles when trying to resolve issues with large, multi-office agencies such as the Social Security Administration (SSA).

    Currently, a victim may have to engage in multiple procedures and work with numerous representatives at SSA to resolve Social Security related identity-theft issues. The Grassley-Hassan Improving Social Security’s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act provides a single, focal point of contact at SSA to provide efficient resolution of an identity-theft victim’s issues.

    Additional cosponsors include Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-N.V.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Angus King (I-Maine) and James Lankford (R-Okla.).

    The legislation has the endorsement of numerous groups, including: AARP, Social Security Works, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR).

    Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 05/9/2025 Blackburn, Cortez Masto Introduce Bill to Reduce Unwarranted Medical Imaging and Save Taxpayers Billions

    US Senate News:

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

    NASHVILLE, Tenn. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the bipartisan Radiology Outpatient Ordering Transmission (ROOT) Act to modernize Medicare’s imaging oversight process. This legislation would remove a key barrier that has delayed implementation of Medicare’s Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) program, an evidence-based tool that helps ensure only necessary advanced imaging services are ordered for patients. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has projected full implementation of AUC will save American taxpayers $700 million in savings each year.

    “For years, a flawed reporting mandate has kept a commonsense Medicare cost-saving program from being fully implemented,” said Senator Blackburn. “The ROOT Act would remove that roadblock by eliminating the real-time claims reporting requirement, instead requiring providers to attest to reviewing AUC at point of care. Getting this legislation across the finish line is projected to save American taxpayers millions of dollars each year while realizing the full benefits of the AUC program.”

    “When the right imaging is used at the right time, it can lead to better health outcomes and reduce costs for patients and the health care system,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation supports evidence-based care and reduces unnecessary scans, saving Medicare billions of dollars while ensuring safer, more personalized care.”

    BACKGROUND

    • The Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) established the AUC program to ensure appropriate ordering of advancing diagnostic imaging.
    • The AUC program was designed to guide clinicians in real-time selection of diagnostic imaging services and reduce unnecessary imaging costs.
    • Full implementation of AUC was supposed to have happened on January 1, 2017, but CMS has been unable to fully launch the program due to challenges incorporating AUC with existing systems.
    • Evidence shows the AUC program improves imaging decisions, reduces unnecessary utilization, and cuts costs for both Medicare and its beneficiaries.
    • Data from CareSelect Imaging revealed $178 million in inappropriate allowed charges in 2023 could have been avoided with AUC consultation.

    RADIOLOGY OUTPATIENT ORDERING TRANSMISSION (ROOT) ACT

    • The ROOT Act would remove real-time claims reporting, the primary barrier to the implementation of the AUC program. Instead, this legislation would require providers to attest that they reviewed AUC at the point of care. CMS would conduct retrospective audits based on this data to ensure compliance and inform provider education. An additional carveout reduces administrative burden, exempting those participating in clinical trials and those in small rural practices. 
    • The ROOT Act could save American taxpayers billions of dollars:
      • $2.2 billion reduction in federal spending from Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 – FY 2034.
      • $1.6 billion in savings for Medicare beneficiaries from reduced cost-sharing over the same period.

    ENDORSEMENTS

    This legislation is supported by the Tennessee Radiological Society, American College of Radiology, and the American Society of Emergency Radiology.

    “The real-time AUC program provides enhanced diagnostic accuracy, reduces delays in access and improves outcomes by guiding medical providers to choose the best imaging exam for a patient’s condition or when no scan may be necessary,” said Tennessee Radiological Society President Wesley A. Angel, MD.

    “Without taking decisions out of doctor’s hands or delaying care, AUC-based clinical decision support reduces unwarranted imaging, radiation exposure and costs – up to $700 million annually – while ensuring that patients get the right scan for their condition. We look forward to working with Sen. Blackburn and other members of Congress to move the ROOT Act forward,” said American College of Radiology Board of Chancellors Chair Alan Matsumoto, MD, FACR.

    “The quality-based AUC ordering approach is good for patients, providers, and taxpayers. The ACR urges health systems, hospitals and practices to build on their CDS investment, and for Congress and CMS to continue to work with medical associations, providers groups and other stakeholders to implement the federal AUC program,” said America College of Radiology CEO Dana Smetherman, MD, FACR.

    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Padilla Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week, Calls in to Congratulate 2025 California Teachers of the Year

    US Senate News:

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

    WATCH: Padilla Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week, Calls in to Congratulate 2025 California Teachers of the Year

    Padilla expresses gratitude for teachers’ hard work to educate and inspire the next generationWASHINGTON, D.C. — To celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) called in to the classrooms of some of the 2025 Teachers of the Year in California. Padilla dropped in to thank teachers from San Diego County, Los Angeles County, and Marin County for their inspiring service and dedication toward ensuring their students’ success.
    Kristen LoPrell, San Diego County

    WATCH: Senator Padilla congratulates Kristen LoPrellKristen LoPrell is a 2025 California Teacher of the Year for the California Department of Education and a high school Mathematics and AP Calculus teacher at Grossmont High School. LoPrell supports the Gender and Sexuality Alliance and Academic League at her school. She also serves as the freshman orientation coordinator, training older students to mentor incoming freshmen. She works to ensure that all students feel safe in her classroom so they feel comfortable taking risks in their thinking as they practice arithmetic using real-life examples.
    “Through it all, you’re hanging in there and doing great. You know, I can see by the biographical information I’ve read and by the look of the kids behind you, you’re truly inspiring, and that’s not a coincidence. It’s a reflection of who you are and your commitment and your service. So just thank you, thank you so much,” said Senator Padilla. “Some of the mentorship that you provide to a lot of the kids, especially in the times that we’re living in, it’s above and beyond, but much, much appreciated and very impactful. … Your joy and your commitment is shining through, and it’s not a surprise to everybody who knows you that you’re getting this recognition. So enjoy it.”
    Matthew Winheim, Los Angeles County

    WATCH: Senator Padilla congratulates Matthew WinheimMatthew Winheim is a 2025 California Teacher of the Year for the California Department of Education. He is a middle school STEM Aviation and Mathematics teacher at Space Aeronautics Gateway to Exploration Magnet Academy in the Palmdale Unified School District.
    “My background is in engineering if you weren’t aware, so to hear that you’re teaching STEM and inspiring students in STEM makes me even more excited to be here. … A big thank you, because obviously these recognitions come about for teachers that go above and beyond. Every teacher I know does it out of the goodness of their heart. It’s all about how are we teaching kids and molding kids because they are the next generation,” said Senator Padilla. “A message to the students here: what your teacher is saying is absolutely right. If you’re inspired to go into the field, you can work in the private sector, you can be an innovator, an inventor, very successful on the business side of things, but I could tell you as an engineer who’s now in government and in the public policy space, a lot of the biggest challenges that we have as a country right now are rooted in technology solutions.”
    Susan Wilkinson, Marin County
    WATCH: Senator Padilla congratulates Susan WilkinsonSusan Wilkinson is Marin County’s Teacher of the Year and a Finalist for 2025 California Teacher of the Year for the California Department of Education. She is an Early Intervention Special Education teacher at Marindale School in the Marin County Office of Education.
    A San Rafael resident, Wilkinson has been an early intervention specialist for children three to five years old at Marindale School in San Rafael since 2006. Wilkinson teaches a day class for students with autistic-like behaviors or severe language delays. She has been part of the special education team at the county education office since 1985.
    “Just seeing the kids brings a smile to my face. But just want to thank you for allowing me to join you for a few minutes today to say, not just congratulations, but more importantly, just thank you. It’s beyond an honorable profession you have,” said Senator Padilla. “The next generation is in your hands. I just admire your service, your commitment, your heart for your kids. Being a teacher, in and of itself, is not easy. I know that — my sister has been an educator her entire career. But tackling special needs, and in the times that we’re living in, between COVID to the elimination of the Department of Education, all sorts of other things going on, I’m sure it doesn’t make the job easier, but appreciate your commitment.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PHOTOS: Capito Celebrates 30 Years of Niterra’s Sissonville Campus and Expansion

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    SISSONVILLE, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) traveled to Sissonville, W.Va. where she delivered remarks celebrating the 30th anniversary of Niterra North America’s Sissonville campus, as well as the grand opening of the company’s new state-of-the art distribution center. The expansion will grow the Sissonville campus by 75,000 square feet and create around 30 new jobs, allowing Niterra to serve customers and support continued growth.

    “I was proud to visit Niterra’s facility in Sissonville as they celebrate 30 years of investment, innovation, and job creation in West Virginia,” Senator Capito said. “Their continued growth, including this latest expansion, is a testament to the strength of our workforce and the opportunities we’re creating to build a stronger economy right here at home.”

    “We are incredibly proud to reach this 30-year milestone,” Michael Schwab, President & CEO of Niterra North America, Inc., said. “Our success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our employees, the loyalty of our customers, and the support of the Sissonville community. The opening of our new distribution center is a significant step forward in our journey, expanding operational capacity and improving logistics efficiency. We look forward to many more years of success.”

    Photos from today’s visit are below:

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits Niterra North America in Sissonville, W.Va. on Friday, May 9, 2025.

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) pictured with Niterra North America Chairman and CEO Shinichi Odo at Niterra’s Sissonville, W.Va. facility on Friday, May 9, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker Statement on Arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker

    Newark, N.J. –– Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement:

    “As mayor of Newark, Ras Baraka has a responsibility to ensure that facilities operating in the city are adhering to laws that protect the safety and wellbeing of occupants and residents. This incident is disturbing, unnecessary and indicative of tactics that are undermining the safety and security of our communities, not adding to it. Law enforcement officers should have deescalated this situation. Mayor Baraka should be immediately released.

    “Moreover, the Trump administration’s decision to reopen Delaney Hall, a private, for-profit prison in our community, should have never gone forward. New Jersey deserves better and the Trump administration continues to take actions to undermine the wellbeing of our residents.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski Engages with DHS Secretary Noem on Temporary Protected Status

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    05.09.25
    Washington, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) engaged with the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on a number of important issues to Alaska during a Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee hearing. The Senator spoke up for those in Alaska under temporary protected status and humanitarian parole, and impressed upon Secretary Kristi Noem the importance of prompt processing of applications for humanitarian parole and temporary protected status.
    Click here to watch the full interaction. 
    The full transcript of the exchange is below.
    TRANSCRIPT
    Murkowski: Here with regards to parole and temporary protected status, we have a relatively significant population of immigrants in Alaska that are under [humanitarian parole] or TPS or both. They’re small, but for us, they’re meaningful in our communities. It’s the Ukrainians, we have Afghanis, Venezuelans, we have some Haitians. The majority of these folks are just truly valued members of their new community. They’re helping us meet workforce needs and really contributing to the tax base here. They’ve expressed great concern about their status and work authorizations that may be revoked or allowed to expire.
    So, USCIS hasn’t processed re-paroles, TPS renewals, or work authorizations for the Ukrainians, at least, for almost five months. The concern is, they have they have paid the fees to USCIS to process their applications, and yet they’re not seeing any action on this. Can you share with me, share with the committee, any information on when this pause might end? There are so many that are concerned that the work authorizations will expire while they’re waiting for this process.
    Noem: Yeah, we do have several countries that have been evaluated by the administration on their participation in TPS, and the program, as it was established, was meant to be utilized on a temporary basis, so some of these TPS programs have been in place for many, many years. But, the evaluation on why TPS should be utilized and when it can be utilized by a country is the process that the administration’s going through. So, if it’s a conflict, environmental [or] economic concern, something that’s going on, and you talked specifically about the Ukrainians as well. I will say that that program is still there and being evaluated, but those folks may have gotten an email or something that was not correct and was rectified. So, I know some folks were alarmed by that that they received but we did rectify that and that was sent out if their legal status had changed, you know, it certainly did not apply to them and we communicated that with them as well. The one thing I will say is that anyone who is on a program like this or on parole that has been revoked always has the opportunity to apply for asylum as well. That is the application that we are forwarding in many of these instances across the country from different countries that interact with us through these different programs.
    Murkowski: And again, just the timing of an expiration of the work authorization while they’re waiting. So, as much information as you can share with us and I’m sure other states as well. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski Working with FBI Director to Address MMIWG and Fentanyl in Alaska

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    05.09.25
    Washington, DC – During a U.S. Senate Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee hearing this week, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) secured commitments from the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to work with her on critical public safety issues for Alaska. As Alaska struggles with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls cases and fentanyl-related deaths, Director Kash Patel pledged to make Alaska a priority as the Bureau addresses these life-and-death matters.
    Click here to watch the Senator’s full line of questioning.
    The full transcript of Murkowski’s comments is below.
    Murkowski: Director, good morning. This a week that a lot of Alaskans are paying attention to. Monday was the day that we recognize Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness day. I’ve just been going through the morning clips, not while you have been testifying of course, but this morning. And there’s accounts in Anchorage, Juneau, and Fairbanks, and marches in Nome, all recounting very painful stories that families have endured, of their family members who have gone missing, where law enforcement just was not present for a host of different reasons. You and I talked about this prior to your confirmation and it is something that I have been working on for a period of years now. We have made some good progress under the first Trump Administration. There was a focus called ‘Operation Lady Justice’ and now I am pleased to see that we have this expanded to what you’re calling ‘Operation Not Forgotten,’ to look into unresolved violent crimes in Indian Country including cases involving missing/murdered indigenous persons.
    I am looking critically at the budget here and wondering if you can share with me how the budget requests, or what we have of it at this point in time, will support this expansion of ‘Operation Not Forgotten’. I need to be able to give folks back home the comfort that they need to know that these cases that have gone cold, for not just months and years, but decades, will not be dropped. That that push for closure will continue. What can you share with me this morning?
    Patel: Senator, I greatly appreciate you highlighting and being a champion of crimes on Indian Country. And just this week I was the first FBI Director in U.S. History to sit down at the Department of the Interior with the Tribal leaders at the STAT level. I also met privately with the parents of Emily Pike, who was tragically butchered on a reservation in Arizona and her parents asked me to find the remaining pieces of her body that have not been returned. She is a 14-year-old girl, she is still missing her arms, they only have her torso. What I told them, and what I hope you take back to Alaska and what the rest of the tribal community hears, is that every crime in this country will be treated equally. Those that happen on Indian Country and those that are happening to Native Americans are just as horrific as those happening in the rest of America. We’ve already prioritized resources in our state level task forces to address these matters. And I asked the staff to allow FBI agents onto reservations on a more regular basis and engage with them directly. I also invited the community leaders to nominate a law enforcement officer from one of the tribal jurisdictions to sit with me at the Hoover Building in the FBI so that we have a direct engagement with the community. So, we are, just one highlight, I think in Wind River, we executed an operation that took down, I can’t remember how many dozens of pounds of fentanyl that was heading to an Indian reservation. So, you have my commitment that we will not forget it.
    Murkowski: Well thank you for that broader commitment. As you know of, course, we don’t have reservations in Alaska, we don’t have the same type of tribal law enforcement presence. So, some unique aspects of it. My understanding is the Alaska field office in Anchorage, along with the two satellite offices that we have, one in Fairbanks and one in Juneau, they have one FBI Victim Service Coordinator to communicate with these families. This has been part of the problem. It’s radio silence out of the agency. They don’t know whether a case is being pursued, they hear nothing. So, I would ask that you look, as you’re looking at your budget, to make sure that the FBI does include support for Victim Service Coordinators on this. It’s a gap that is missing right now.
    Very quickly, we also talked about the fentanyl crisis in Alaska. We are the one state that tragically is going the wrong way when it comes to fentanyl deaths. We had a 40% increase in fentanyl deaths in 2023. You had indicated that you would be doing aggressive work here. We need to be doing more and I’ve shared that it ought to be easier intercept drugs that are coming into Alaska because they come in by air plane, they come through the mail, and they occasionally come in by boat. Maybe a little bit driving across through the border. But we’ve got the ability to do the interception and right now our numbers are not going down. I just ask for your continued commitment with this. We are seeing FBI partnering with ICE for arrests and detentions of immigrants in Alaska. Folks are asking me, “are we using FBI resources?” Redirecting them from the fentanyl crisis to perhaps perusing that have been targeted immigrants even though they aren’t violent criminals. So, I’d love to have further conversations with you on some of these Alaska specifics, but we have got to start turning that corner on fentanyl.
    Patel: Yes, ma’am, and I think you know this: we are sending a plus up to Alaska in part of this movement out to the field and we will look to address those specific issues, and I will work with you and your office to make sure that Alaska is not forgotten and that we emphasize it.
    Murkowski: Very good, appreciate it. Thank you very much.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Budd Introduce Legislation to Empower Vocational Students, Unlock Workforce Potential

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley
    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) introduced the Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act to expand Pell Grant eligibility to short-term, technical training programs. This legislation would make available financial assistance for low-income students looking to pursue in-demand and high-paying careers in skilled trades. 
    “Too many students are pushed into debt seeking a four-year degree that doesn’t suit job market demands. That needs to change. Our legislation will expand access to high-quality, short-term job training programs to close the skills gap, reduce college debt and ensure more students can enter the workforce in high-demand industries,” Grassley said.
    “We cannot build tomorrow’s workforce based on the blueprint for yesterday’s economy. By modernizing Pell Grant eligibility, we can open the door for millions of Americans to gain in-demand skills, while creating more family-sustaining careers. In as little as eight weeks, students can earn industry-recognized credentials and practical knowledge – the real currency of today’s labor market. It’s time to build a workforce strategy as modern and dynamic as the economy we’re preparing it for,” Budd said.
    Grassley and Budd are joined by Sens. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) and Jim Justice (R-W.Va.).
    The PELL Act served as the original framework for the House of Representatives’ Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan, which was recently included in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce’s reconciliation bill.
    Read the full bill text HERE.
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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Risch Join MOMS Act to Help Build Culture of Life, Support Women, Strengthen Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
    WASHINGTON, D.C.—Ahead of Mother’s Day this Sunday, U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) are co-sponsoring the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed (MOMS) Act, led by U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Alaska), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) and Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri).  This legislation would provide critical support to women during typically challenging phases of motherhood–prenatal, postpartum, and early childhood development–and bolster access to resources and assistance to help mothers and their children thrive.
    “As we approach Mother’s Day, we honor the women and mothers raising the next generation of children in America,” Crapo said.  “Their love and sacrifices for their families form some of the strongest bonds on Earth.  This act will empower moms throughout the United States with greater access to resources to assist them during pregnancy, childbirth and raising their families.”
    “The Republican Party is the party of life, the party of parents and the party of families.  At the heart of the MOMS Act is building a comprehensive culture of life to give moms, children and families the support system they need to thrive and live their American Dream,” Britt said.  “As a mom myself, I don’t have to wonder what other moms are facing–I’m living it.  I know firsthand that there is no greater blessing in life than our children, and I also understand the types of challenges that women face during their pregnancy journeys and while raising their kids.  I’m proud to support women throughout these seasons of motherhood, and the MOMS Act is part of my continued commitment to fight on their behalf.”
    The bill comes at an important moment.  In 2023, the number of U.S. births was the lowest since 1979, according to provisional CDC data, and the total fertility rate in America hit an all-time low.  Last year, fertility and birth rates remained near record-lows, reflecting a continued, concerning trend in America.
    U.S. Senators Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), John Cornyn (R-Texas), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Roger Wicker (R-Missouri), Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Mike Rounds (R-South Dakota) and Deb Fischer (R-Nebraska) are also cosponsoring the MOMS Act
    The MOMS Act would establish a website of resources, Pregnancy.gov, for expecting and postpartum moms, as well as those with young children.  This aims to increase access to adoption agencies, pregnancy resource centers, and other relevant public and private resources available to pregnant women near their zip code and surrounding areas.  These relevant resources include health and well-being services, financial assistance, and material and legal support.  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would also be required to include and maintain a national list of federal funding opportunities available to non-profit and healthcare entities for pregnancy support.
    The legislation would also improve access to pre- and post-natal resources.  The bill would establish a grant program for non-profit entities to support, encourage and assist women in carrying their pregnancies to term and to care for their babies after birth.  It would also institute a grant program to purchase necessary medical equipment and technology in rural areas and other medically underserved areas to support pre-natal and post-natal telehealth appointments.
    The MOMS Act also includes Senator Cramer’s Unborn Child Support Act to allow states to apply child support obligations to the time period during pregnancy.
    This legislation is endorsed by Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Americans United for Life, March for Life Action, the National Right to Life Committee, Students for Life Action, Concerned Women of America, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and the Human Coalition.
    The full text of the bill can be viewed here. A section-by-section of the bill can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Smith Announce Funding for Duluth International Airport Air Traffic Control Tower

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
    WASHINGTON –  U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith released the following statement on the Duluth International Airport receiving $5,980,000 in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Programs for the replacement of its air traffic control tower.
    “I’ve been fighting for funding to replace this tower that is one of the oldest in the country and in urgent need of repair,” said Klobuchar. “With this major federal grant, the Duluth International Airport is a step closer to completing this project and boosting safety and efficiency.”
    “The Duluth International Airport provides critical service to northern Minnesota, from commercial service to cargo, military and medical flights, yet it’s operating with a 70-year-old tower – the third oldest in the nation – that is not up to FAA standards,” said Senator Smith. “This investment will make air travel in the Duluth area safer and more efficient. This kind of investment is exactly why I voted for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which made this important project possible.”
    In 2024, Senator Klobuchar and Smith secured $10 million in federal funding for the Air Traffic Control Tower Relocation project. 
    In 2023, Klobuchar and the Minnesota delegation sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting that they expedite reviews and approvals required for Duluth International Airport (DLH) to apply for grant funding to build a new air traffic control tower. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WEEK 16 WINS: President Trump Advances America’s New Golden Age

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    This week, President Donald J. Trump advanced his America First agenda with remarkable successes that bolster the economy, enhance national security, and promote global stability. From a landmark trade agreement to bold steps to secure our borders and skies, President Trump is delivering results that matter to every American.
    Here is a non-comprehensive list of wins in week 16:
    President Trump announced a “breakthrough” trade deal with the United Kingdom that expands market access, curbs non-tariff barriers, and levels the playing field for American exporters.
    National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: “President Trump has delivered a tremendous win for American family farmers and ranchers … Thank you, President Trump, for fighting for American cattle producers.”
    National Corn Growers Association: “This is great news. We applaud President Trump and his administration for brokering this deal.”
    International Dairy Foods Association: “On behalf of America’s dairy processors and producers, IDFA applauds President Trump’s announcement today that the United States and the United Kingdom have reached the terms for a significant trade deal between our two markets that promises to expand access for U.S. agricultural goods, reduce tariffs, and remove barriers to trade.”

    President Donald J. Trump’s relentless pursuit of manufacturing dominance spurred onshoring and additional U.S. investment.
    The Wall Street Journal: Trump’s Tariffs Are Lifting Some U.S. Manufacturers
    The Washington Post: This U.S. manufacturer doesn’t mind Trump’s tariffs at all
    Bristol Myers Squibb announced a $40 billion investment over the next five years in its research, development, technology, and U.S.-based manufacturing operations.
    Gilead Sciences announced an $11 billion boost to its planned U.S.-based manufacturing investment.
    Invenergy announced a $1.7 billion investment in U.S. electric transmission.
    Merck Animal Health announced an $895 million investment to expand their manufacturing operation in Kansas.
    Wistron Corp., a Taiwanese electronics manufacturer and AI server maker, announced $455 million in additional U.S. investment.
    Lego announced a $366 million investment to build a new distribution center in Prince George County, Virginia.
    Hotpack, a Dubai-based maker of food packaging materials and related products, announced a $100 million investment to establish its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Edison, New Jersey.

    The Trump Administration unveiled a plan to completely overhaul the nation’s air traffic control system, building on the unprecedented actions already taken to secure America’s skies and improve air travel.
    American Airlines CEO Robert Isom: “This plan from President Trump and Secretary Duffy is absolutely the best opportunity that we’ve had in decades to do something about our outdated air traffic control infrastructure and build a best-in-class system that our country deserves.”
    Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian: “I want to especially thank Secretary Duffy and the Administration for gathering us all here today and taking such a strong approach to overhauling our air traffic control system in the U.S.”
    United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby: “This really is an historic day — a day I have been looking forward to my entire career when I felt like we have turned the corner and are on the path to give the United States the best-in-class air traffic control system that the citizens of the United States deserve.”
    Southwest Airlines CEO Bob Jordan: “I cannot say enough thanks to Secretary Duffy, to the administration, to President Trump for the stellar leadership to bring everyone together on this problem.”

    President Trump continued to secure our borders, rid our communities of illegal immigrant criminals, and keep Americans safe.
    President Trump announced plans to house America’s most ruthless, violent criminals at Alcatraz prison.
    President Trump established “Project Homecoming” to encourage illegal immigrants to voluntarily depart the U.S.
    The Department of Justice announced the takedown of a massive drug and weapons trafficking organization in New Mexico, operated by the Sinaloa cartel — resulting in the largest fentanyl seizure in our nation’s history and the arrests of six high-level cartel members illegally in the U.S.
    The Department of Justice announced that 115 children were rescued and 205 child sex predators were arrested in just five days as part of Operation Restore Justice.
    The Department of Homeland Security announced it will offer financial assistance and stipends for illegal immigrants voluntarily returning to their home country via the CBP Home App — saving taxpayers as much as $1 million per illegal alien family in long-term costs of welfare and public support.
    Breitbart: Southern Border Migrant Apprehensions Continue Record-Shattering Decline
    Fox News: Daycare in wealthy enclave shutters after housing fugitive child predator arrested by ICE
    The percentage of Americans “who worry a great deal” about crime has fallen by ten points over last year.

    President Trump continued to pursue peace through strength around the world.
    President Trump announced a ceasefire with Houthi terrorists in Yemen, restoring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea for U.S.-flagged ships.
    The Department of the Treasury targeted a third teapot refinery for facilitating the delivery of Iranian oil as part of President Trump’s broad and aggressive maximum pressure campaign.
    The Department of State designated Haitian gangs as foreign terrorist organizations.
    The Department of State announced all hostages held by the Maduro regime at the Argentinian Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, were rescued and brought safely to the U.S.

    A new survey showed 70% of farmers expect the President Trump’s tariffs to strengthen the agricultural economy in the long-term.
    President Trump announced his first wave of judicial nominations.
    President Trump ended federal funding for dangerous gain-of-function research in foreign countries.
    President Trump ended the racist and discriminatory Biden-era “Digital Equity Act,” which provided billions in handouts based on race.
    President Trump announced new tariffs on movies produced in foreign countries in an effort to boost the American film industry.
    President Trump signed an Executive Order to restore a robust domestic manufacturing base for prescription drugs and promote domestic production of critical medicines.
    President Trump eliminated useless water pressure standards that make household appliances less effective and more expensive.
    President Trump signed an Executive Order to provide better care to veterans, improve accountability for such care, and establish a National Center for Warrior Independence for homeless veterans.
    President Trump signed an Executive Order to ease the regulatory burden on Americans and ensure no one is transformed into a criminal for violating a regulation they have no reason to know exists.
    President Trump directed his administration to expeditiously implement the most effective mechanisms, barriers, and other measures to prevent the migration and expansion of invasive carp in the Great Lakes Basin and the surrounding region.
    President Trump directed the Office of the Federal Register to speed up publishing time and decrease costs, enabling agencies to more quickly and effectively restore freedom through President Trump’s deregulatory agenda.
    President Trump officially declared May 8 as “Victory Day for World War II” in commemoration of the unmatched might, strength, and power of the American Armed Forces.
    The Department of Education continued their rigorous oversight of secondary and higher education institutions to ensure compliance with federal law.
    The Department of Education opened an investigation into the Saratoga Springs City School District in New York for Title IX violations relating to male participation in female sports and occupation of female facilities.
    The Department of Education informed Harvard University that the federal government will no longer award new grants to the university amid their failure to uphold federal law.
    The Department of Education opened a formal foreign funding investigation into the University of Pennsylvania after a review of the university’s foreign reports revealed inaccurate and incomplete disclosures.
    The Department of Education initiated a Title IX investigation into Western Carolina University amid allegations the school failed to ensure sex-separated intimate spaces.
    The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announced a review of recent incidents of anti-Semitic violence at the University of Washington and its affiliates.

    The Department of Education resumed collections for student borrowers in default following a five-year pause and reminded institutions of their obligations to support student loan borrowers.
    The Department of Education directed states to maximize parental options for choosing the safest school setting for their children.
    The Department of Justice opened an investigation into a recent policy by Hennepin County, Minnesota, to consider race in plea deals.
    The Department of the Treasury announced a fast-track process to facilitate greater investment in U.S. businesses from ally and partner sources.
    The Department of Energy announced new policies to limit indirect costs of certain grant funding, which is projected to save taxpayers more than $935 million per year.
    The Department of Energy halted the Biden-era ban on fossil fuels in federal buildings, ensuring they’re utilizing the most efficient power available to lower taxpayer costs and curb regulatory overreach.
    The Department of State closed its “Office of Palestinian Affairs,” a Biden-era creation that encouraged Israel not to respond to the October 7 terrorist attacks.
    The Department of Health and Human Services warned medical schools that DEI admissions or employment practices violate federal law and must be eliminated, or the institution risks its federal funding.
    The National Institutes of Health announced all beagle experiments on its campus have been terminated.
    The Department of Agriculture announced the removal of hazardous fuels — such as dead or downed trees — that pose wildfire threats to communities, critical infrastructure, and recreation areas.
    The Department of Agriculture announced enhanced enforcement for making sure states are appropriately and lawfully preserving SNAP benefits for only eligible Americans.
    The Department of Housing and Urban Development, in collaboration with First Lady Melania Trump, announced an investment in a new program to prevent homelessness in Americans aging out of the foster care system.
    The Department of Labor recovered more than $1.4 million in back wages for more than 2,600 employees after finding a California company had failed to pay its employees proper rates.
    The Department of Labor announced additional funding to support disaster-relief jobs and continue employment training for Tennesseans and Floridians affected by last year’s tropical storms.
    The Department of Transportation terminated $54 million in woke, radical grant funding.
    The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released an additional 60,000 documents related to the assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
    The Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration can enforce its ban on individuals with gender dysphoria serving in the military, boosting efforts to restore a military focused on readiness rather than woke gender ideology.
    President Trump announced Washington, D.C., will host the NFL Draft in 2027.
    The House of Representatives passed a bill to codify President Trump’s “Gulf of America” Executive Order.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Colleagues Blast GOP for Proposing to Gut Funding for Meals on Wheels, Head Start, and Safety Net Programs to Fund Tax Cuts for Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    05.09.25

    Cantwell, Colleagues Blast GOP for Proposing to Gut Funding for Meals on Wheels, Head Start, and Safety Net Programs to Fund Tax Cuts for Billionaires

    Nearly 50,000 seniors in WA rely on Meals on Wheels and 33,000 low-income families could lose TANF assistance under GOP budget

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance, joined the entire Senate Democratic caucus in sending an open letter to the American public warning that Congressional Republicans are trying to cut funding for safety net programs like Meals on Wheels, Head Start, and others to fund tax cuts for billionaires.

    Republican Senators are currently writing legislation that will give a tax break to the wealthiest by ripping away programs American seniors, children, and working families rely on. Republicans have targeted two essential funding sources for social services programs—Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) —putting nearly 25 million children, seniors, and families at risk across the country. 

    “We write to make our position on this legislation perfectly clear: Congress should not give tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans by ripping away programs that almost 25 million Americans – close to 50% of whom are children – rely on for basic needs,” the Senators wrote to the American public. 

    “Earlier this month, Congressional Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate passed a budget that sets the stage for existential cuts to the safety net. Republican leaders claim they have no plans to eliminate essential services, but tens of billions in catastrophic cuts to these programs appeared on Republicans’ published wish list, alongside cuts to Medicaid and SNAP,” the Senators continued. “State and local leaders confirm that eliminating SSBG and TANF would reduce programs that serve our most vulnerable as states and localities are already operating under tight budget constraints.” 

    Any cuts to these programs would have devastating effects on Washingtonians;

    The Senators’ letter concludes: “Right now, Republicans are writing the most consequential legislation contemplated in decades entirely behind closed doors. That’s because Trump and Congressional Republicans must hide the ugly truth – their legislation feeds corporate and wealthy individuals’ greed by abandoning vulnerable children, starving seniors, and cutting off families in need. You, your family, and your neighbors deserve far better. Democrats are fighting to protect your communities from Republican cuts. Join us and keep up the fight.” 

    The full letter is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Letter Calls on FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to Modernize Federal Broadcast Ownership Rules

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
    Modernization of regulations will strengthen local journalism, enhance public interest, and ensure broadcasters can compete in a digital age
    BISMARCK, N.D. – Despite the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) making modest adjustments to its broadcast ownership rules, the regulations remain nearly the same as they were in the 1990s. The minimal changes implemented since then fail to account for the rise of digital platforms, social media, streaming services, and smartphones.
    Local broadcasters are a trusted source for credible reporting, yet they face outdated ownership restrictions. U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) in sending a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, requesting the agency modernize its broadcast ownership rules to enable local broadcasters to compete with today’s giant media conglomerates. The letter echoes Chairman Carr’s characterization of the failure to modernize regulations as a “break glass moment” for local media.
    Specifically, the letter calls on the FCC to repeal the national audience reach cap, update local television (TV) ownership limits, and modernize local radio station sub-caps. The FCC’s national audience reach cap limits a single entity’s ability to own TV stations, which collectively reach more than 39% of U.S. TV households. Another regulation imposed by the agency, known as the “Top 4” rule, also restricts the number of big four broadcast TV networks a company can own. This rule applies to ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC. 
    The FCC’s arcane local radio ownership sub-caps limit the number of stations an organization can own per market based on the total number of stations within the market. In a radio market with more than 45 stations, an entity may own up to eight radio stations. No more than five of the stations can be in the same service (AM or FM). 
    “The fast-evolving media marketplace has made broadcast ownership regulations in urgent need of modernization,” wrote the senators. “Local broadcasters now vie for audience, content, and advertising not just with each other, but with the world’s largest tech companies. The regulations, designed for a bygone era, no longer reflect this reality.”
    In the letter, the senators state it is “time for swift FCC action to level the playing field for local broadcasters by modernizing the broadcast ownership rules.”
    “Without the opportunity to combine or expand operations, broadcasters struggle to invest in journalism, retain sufficient newsroom staff, and strain to compete against their unregulated global Big Tech competitors,” concluded the senators. “By modernizing broadcast ownership restrictions, the FCC can empower broadcasters to fulfill their essential role in American democracy, foster local journalism, and benefit local communities […] Updating these rules will strengthen local journalism, enhance public interest, and ensure broadcasters can compete in a digital age, not just survive it.”
    Members who cosigned the letter include U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Boozman (R-AR), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND), James Lankford (R-OK), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Tim Scott (R-SC), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Todd Young (R-IN).
    Click here for the letter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Before Busy Summer Travel Season, Markey, Merkley, Kennedy, Marshall Push to Rein in TSA Facial Recognition Technology at Airports Across U.S.

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    During National Travel and Tourism Week, Senators lead bipartisan Traveler Privacy Protection Act
    Washington (May 8, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), John Kennedy (R-La.), and Roger Marshall (R-Kansas)  to sound the alarm over the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) use of facial recognition technology at airports nationwide.
    The lawmakers introduced the bipartisan Traveler Privacy Protection Act to protect travelers’ ability to travel without undergoing government face scans. The bill comes as the TSA plans to expand facial recognition technology to more than 430 airports across the country, while eventually planning to make this technology mandatory for all travelers.
    “Passengers should not have to choose between safety and privacy when they travel. Yet, the TSA has consistently ignored our calls to halt the unacceptable use of facial recognition tools and protect passenger privacy. Instead, the agency rapidly expanded the use of the technology nationwide,” said Markey. “I am glad to partner with Senators Merkley and Kennedy on the Traveler Privacy Protection Act to ensure travelers are able to exercise their right to privacy and be able to check TSA’s invasive practices at the door.”
    “Folks don’t want a national surveillance state, but that’s exactly what the TSA’s unchecked expansion of facial recognition technology is leading us to,” said Merkley. “Americans have the right to opt out of using TSA’s facial recognition at the airport, and we need to protect that right. Our Traveler Privacy Protection Act safeguards the freedoms and privacy of all Americans by making sure no one is required to have their face scanned to travel.”
    “The TSA subjects countless law-abiding Americans to excessive facial recognition screenings as they travel, invading passengers’ privacy without even making it clear that they can opt out of the screening. The Traveler Privacy Protection Act would protect Americans’ ability to say ‘no’ to these facial scans and safeguard the personal data that the TSA collects,” said Kennedy.
    “Privacy is one of America’s most sacred liberties, and we must protect it,” said Marshall. “In no universe should the federal government collect biometric data from Americans without their full, informed consent. The Traveler Privacy Protection Act strengthens safeguards around this sensitive data and brings transparency for travelers. I’m proud to work with Senators Kennedy, Merkley, and Markey to champion this effort.”
    In addition to Markey, Merkley, Kennedy, and Marshall, the Traveler Privacy Protection Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mt.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.). The bipartisan bill is endorsed by the ACLU, American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), Public Citizen, EPIC, Project On Government Oversight (POGO), and Fight for the Future.
    Merkley has been an outspoken and longtime leader in sounding the alarm on TSA’s use of facial recognition technology. He led a bipartisan group of Senators in a letter urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Joseph Cuffari to launch an investigation into the TSA’s use of this technology. He also pushed then-Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and then-Minority Leader Mitch McConnell to take up this privacy issue in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act last year. Merkley has documented his own experience “opting-out” of this optional program, traveling from D.C. to Portland.
    “Control of our biometric information has become increasingly central to attacking our civil rights and civil liberties. Facial recognition and facial matching technologies are the foundation for a surveillance dragnet, chilling our ability to protest, travel, or even attend a baseball game without our every move being scrutinized. Governments at all levels should take steps to freeze this technology’s use, and the Traveler Privacy Protection Act provides urgent safeguards. Crucially, it limits the government’s ability to repurpose our faces for uses we never consented to and prohibits its deployment in a vast airport surveillance network,” said Cody Venzke, Senior Policy Counsel for the ACLU.
    “As the representative of 47,000 Transportation Security Officers who safeguard America’s airports daily, AFGE is proud to endorse the Traveler Privacy Protection Act. This important bipartisan legislation protects both travelers’ civil liberties and TSOs’ professional integrity. The Transportation Security Administration’s rushed implementation of facial recognition technology creates serious privacy concerns without demonstrating actual security benefits. Our TSOs are committed to effective, dignified screening – not becoming agents of unchecked surveillance. We applaud Senators Jeff Merkley and John N. Kennedy for ensuring passengers maintain the right to opt-out without penalty and preventing the misuse of biometric data. This balanced approach respects constitutional rights while supporting the dedicated professionals who secure our nation’s transportation systems,” said AFGE National President Everett Kelley.
    “Sen. Merkley’s Travel Privacy Protection Act finds that appropriate middle ground between the convenience and security of personal and business travel aboard commercial aircraft. It is all too easy — and unnecessary — for TSA officials to prioritize security over the privacy rights of passengers. With today’s highly sophisticated security measures, such as face recognition, passengers sometimes involuntarily or unwittingly turn over too much personal information to governmental authorities. This Act draws a clear line between necessary security measures and our constitutional right to privacy,” said Craig Holman, Ph.D., Public Citizen.
    “The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) is proud to support the Traveler Privacy Protection Act. The Act will ensure facial recognition technology is not forced upon the air traveling public and prevent TSA’s use of the tech from expanding beyond identity verification. Facial recognition requires strict regulations on if, when, and how it can be used; and we hope the Traveler Privacy Protection Act is the first step by Congress to meaningfully rein in this tech,” said Jeramie D. Scott, Senior Counsel & Director for the EPIC Project on Surveillance Oversight.
    “The Project On Government Oversight applauds the bipartisan introduction of the Traveler Privacy Protection Act. The expansion of facial recognition technology poses a threat to our privacy rights and civil liberties. This bill will protect travelers from mandatory facial scans at our nation’s airports, and provide key protections for sensitive data, among other things. POGO looks forward to working with members on both sides of the aisle to pass this important legislation,” said Don Bell, Policy Counsel for POGO.
    Full text of the Traveler Privacy Protection Act can be found by clicking here.
    A summary of the Traveler Privacy Protection Act can be found by clicking here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Markey Hosts Virtual Discussion with Small Business Owners on the Impacts of Trump’s Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Washington (May 8, 2025) – Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today held a virtual listening session with small business owners in Massachusetts and small business owners who serve the Commonwealth on the devastating impacts the Trump Tariffs are having on them.
    “Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, but to small business owners, Trump’s Tariffs are back breaking. Trump’s Tariffs have cost small businesses more than $9,000 every second since he announced his chaotic, reckless policy. This administration is only working to protect the interest of big businesses, telling small businesses to ‘wait it out.’ This is unacceptable. Small businesses live day to day, week to week, or even month to month. They cannot afford to wait and see what happens in Washington – their livelihoods and communities depend on their ability to operate. That is why I introduced the Small Business Liberation Act. This bill would provide small businesses with the relief they need. This should not be a partisan issue, and I will continue to fight to pass this legislation,” said Ranking Member Markey.
    “I operate a USA based manufacturing business where our raw materials – green coffee – literally cannot be produced in the US, yet we are still subject to tariffs. These additional taxes (which is effectively what they are) are sending shockwaves through an industry that was already facing record high prices. We have no other choice but to raise our prices and pass some of these costs to our consumers.  But of course there is a ceiling to what people can and will pay for coffee, so we risk alienating our customer base, driving them back to the bigger businesses, like Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, and contributing to continued inflationary economy.  The choices are terrible,” said Shayna Ferullo, Owner of Snowy Owl Coffee Roasters.
    “These aren’t luxury items for us. They’re the foundation of what we do — and when prices double, so do the barriers to growth, opportunity, and community impact. When costs go up and margins shrink, it’s not just our business that feels it — it’s the people we’re training, the clients we serve, and the communities we’re trying to uplift. Before policies are passed, we’re simply asking for a seat at the table — because decisions made at the top are felt most by businesses at the street level,” said Steeve Louis-Charles, Co-founder of Boston Pro Sound.
    “I will run out of inventory in less than 2-3 months.  I can no longer afford to bring my products into the USA.  If I can’t figure something out quickly, I will have to shut down my business.  I will no longer have revenue to pay my employees, bills, vendors, and loans.  I will lose my home.  Small, American-owned businesses need immediate relief from tariffs,” said Beth Benike, Founder of Busy Baby.
    “My lease needs to be renewed and given the uncertainty around the new tariffs, I don’t know if I can afford to stay open unless I shift to an entirely new financial model. In less than two weeks we will have to make a decision on the future of our company that could lock at least 100 people back into a cycle of generational poverty,” said Brandale Randolph, Founder of 1854 Cycling Company.
    “As a small, fourth-generation, family-owned business founded on the ‘American Dream,’ we fully support bringing businesses back to the United States. However, handcuffing us with increased costs and decreased availability on products that are necessary for our success, is making us less competitive, not more competitive,” said Zack Rocheleau, Supply Chain Manager, Rocheleau Tool & Die.
    “Today, Main Street Alliance members Beth Benike of Busy Baby, Jen Faigel of the Commonwealth Kitchen, and Shayna Ferullo of Snowy Owl shared their personal stories with Sen. Markey about the impact of the Trump Tariffs. Without small business relief, shelves are going to go empty and entrepreneurs will go bankrupt. That’s why MSA strongly supports Sen. Markey’s ‘Small Business Liberation Act’ and urges members of the US Senate to co-sponsor this essential legislation,” said Shawn Phetteplace, National Campaigns Director, Main Street Alliance.
    “The Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) is incredibly grateful to Senator Markey and his team for hosting a listening session that explored the impact federal trade policies are having on small businesses. Brandale Randolph of 1854 Cycling and Steeve Louis-Charles of Boston Professional Sound Inc., BECMA members, were able to share how detrimental tariffs and the subsequent supply chain challenges already have been to their businesses. Small business is the backbone of the Massachusetts economy, and we will continue to advocate for policies that will positively impact small business growth and sustainability,” said Nicole Obi, President & CEO of BECMA.
    “The tariffs are a nightmare for our small business community, including the farms, food trucks, caterers, product companies, and restaurants we represent and work with. Small businesses, unlike large businesses, don’t have teams of lobbyists nor safety nets underneath us. We are already seeing a domino effect on an awful lot of people that will be hurt: when our businesses go down, the insurance brokers go down, the drivers go down, the distributors go down, and the marketing teams go down,” said Jen Faigel, co-founder and Executive Director of CommonWealth Kitchen. 
    This week, Ranking Member Markey, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) introduced the Small Business Liberation Act, legislation that would exempt small businesses from the broad, global tariffs imposed as a result of the national emergency declared on April 2, 2025, by President Trump. The Small Business Liberation Act gives the more than 34 million U.S. small businesses needed relief from the overly broad, reckless Trump Tariffs that are wreaking havoc on their businesses.
    Ranking Member Markey recently wrote to Small Business Administrator Loeffler, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, calling on the Trump administration to exempt U.S. small businesses from the reckless Trump Tariffs, and afford them the same relief that the administration is giving billion-dollar tech giants such as Apple and Google.
    Previously, Ranking Member Markey, along with Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and all Democrats on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee wrote to Administrator Loeffler, urging her to take immediate action to address the impacts of Trump’s reckless tariff policies on small businesses.
    In April 2025, Ranking Member Markey released a report, “The Trump Tariffs: A Small Business Crisis,” which details the disastrous impacts of Trump’s tariff policies on small businesses across the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey Joins Colleagues to Call on Trump Administration to Reverse Plans to Eliminate Consumer Product Safety Commission

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    “Without the dedicated oversight of the CPSC, American families, especially children, will be left vulnerable in their own homes.”
    Washington (May 8, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) joined Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Kevin Mullin (D-CA) along with 20 members of the Senate and 27 members of the House in calling on Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to reverse plans to eliminate the bipartisan, independent Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The CPSC is the only government entity tasked with developing and enforcing product safety standards, facilitating recalls of unsafe products, and educating consumers and businesses about product hazards and best practices. The proposal to absorb some of CPSC’s core functions into a nonexistent division within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as HHS’ budget is being cut, is unrealistic and threatens public safety.
    “Since its inception, the CPSC has played a vital role safeguarding American families, and in particular infants, children, and older Americans. Thanks to the CPSC’s critical work, residential fires and fire-related deaths have decreased by over 40 percent. Crib deaths and child poisonings have dropped by 80 percent. The Commission’s work continues today, identifying emerging threats and protecting Americans from dangerous and banned imported products,” the Members wrote.
    The Members continued, “With the rapid growth of e-commerce and imported consumer products, especially from countries with less stringent safety regulations, CPSC plays a critical role to prevent unsafe and counterfeit goods from entering the U.S. market unchecked.”
    “We strongly oppose any attempt to eliminate, defund, or weaken the CPSC and demand that you immediately roll back any efforts to dissolve the agency. Americans rightfully expect that the products they bring into their home are safe, and only the CPSC has the authority and expertise to ensure that expectation is met,” the Members concluded.
    The letter comes as more than 150 consumer protection and trade groups warned that eliminating the CPSC would undermine product safety, weaken enforcement actions, consumer education campaigns, and data collection initiatives that protect Americans.
    Senators Amby Klobuchar (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Peter Welch (D-VT), Angus King (I-ME), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-WA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Martin Heinrich (D-MN) signed onto the letter.
    Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Al Green (D-TX), Danny Davis (D-IL), Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Paul D. Tonko (D-NY), Jonathan L. Jackson (D-IL), Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL), Rick Larson (D-CT), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Rashida Talib (D-MI), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA), Darren Soto (D-FL), Robin L. Kelly (D-IL), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), André Carson (D-IN), Becca Balint (D-WA), and J. Luis Correa (D-CA) also joined the letter.
    The full text of the letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: During National Small Business Week, Ranking Member Markey Convenes Field Hearing, Releases Report Detailing Trump Assault on Small Businesses and the Clean Energy Economy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    REPORT: Pulling the Plug: How Trump’s Attacks on Clean Energy Could Turn out the Lights for Small Business
    Boston (May 9, 2025) – During National Small Business Week, Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today led a field hearing in Boston with Massachusetts clean energy leaders to examine the role that small businesses play in the clean energy economy, the importance of continuing federal investments that support the clean energy transition, and the impacts of tariffs from Trump’s chaotic trade war on small businesses.
    Ranking Member Markey also released a report titled “Pulling the Plug: How Trump’s Attacks on Clean Energy Could Turn out the Lights for Small Business,” which details how federal investments support clean energy small businesses, and how the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back federal clean energy investments, especially those created and expanded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), will devastate small businesses in the clean energy economy.
    “Clean energy is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States, and Massachusetts is leading the way,” said Ranking Member Markey. “In our state, the clean energy economy supports more than 100,000 direct jobs. Our clean energy transition isn’t just about mitigating the devastating impacts of the climate crisis—it is about building an economy with accessible, good-paying jobs, and it is about centering justice. I convened today’s field hearing with Massachusetts clean energy leaders and released my report because our path to a just, livable future for all runs through small businesses.”
    Key findings from Ranking Member Markey’s report include:
    Small businesses account for a significant portion of clean energy jobs in the United States, with 75 percent of energy efficiency workers employed by companies with 20 or fewer employees. 
    In Massachusetts, there are more than 100,000 direct clean energy jobs. More than half of the 7,300 clean energy businesses in the Commonwealth are small firms with 10 or fewer employees; more than 80 percent have fewer than 50 employees.
    The Trump administration is undercutting programs critical for small businesses, including freezing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding, and reinstating caps on Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 Loans which finance improvements that reduce small business energy costs.
    The April 2025 Trump Tariffs limit deployment of clean energy, including solar, driving up costs for small- and mid-sized installers and making it harder for them to compete.
    Thousands of rural businesses completed clean energy projects expecting reimbursement through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) program, only to have their funding withheld.
    Firms surveyed in 2024 reported concerns they would lose business or be forced to close as a direct result of an IRA repeal.
    Repealing federal clean energy tax credits and funding could threaten or eliminate thousands of jobs and could cost the U.S. $160 billion in lost GDP.
    The Massachusetts clean energy leaders who joined Ranking Member Markey at today’s field hearing emphasized the importance of investing in small businesses and growing the clean energy economy.
    “With over 115,000 workers driving the growth of our clean energy sector, Massachusetts is proving that clean energy and economic growth go hand-in-hand. Small businesses are at the heart of this transformation—creating jobs, improving lives, and building a cleaner, more secure future,” said Dr. Emily Reichert, CEO of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. “By investing in small businesses and workforce development, we can ensure that Massachusetts remains a leader in climate innovation and continues to offer meaningful opportunities for all of our residents.”
    “We are already witnessing significant solar project delays and cancelations as a result of the uncertainty brought on by talk of tariffs and the possible repeal of tax credits,” said Nick d’Arbeloff, President of the Solar Energy Business Association of New England (SEBANE). “If the [Investment Tax Credit] is, in fact, eliminated and the tariffs move ahead as planned, more than a few of our small business member companies have indicated they will be forced to significantly reduce their workforce or close their doors entirely.”
    “Franklin Cummings Tech prepares graduates for well-paying, in-demand jobs by aligning the skills we teach with the immediate needs of the job market and society. The Center for Energy Efficiency and the Trades (CEET) is a perfect example of this model in action, bringing a focus on sustainability and renewable energy across the college’s technical programs. Our efforts received a tremendous boost when Senator Markey and Senator Warren facilitated the $800,000 grant to Franklin Cummings Tech through the Department of Labor, bringing greater resources and structure to the CEET program,” said Dr. Aisha Francis, President and CEO of Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology.
    “Small businesses are the backbone of America’s clean energy transformation. For small businesses nationwide, consistent policy support is essential; without it, we risk stalling the remarkable progress we’ve made in building America’s clean energy future. At SparkCharge, we see firsthand how federal initiatives empower innovation, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth. Clear policies and stable federal support ensure that American small businesses can lead the world in clean energy solutions, strengthening both our local communities here in Massachusetts and the broader economy across the United States,” said Josh Aviv, Founder and CEO of SparkCharge.
    During National Small Business Week, Ranking Member Markey, along with members of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and Senate Democrats participated in several media opportunities to highlight the urgency of supporting U.S. small business owners and entrepreneurs in the face of Trump’s reckless tariff policies and continued chaos and cuts at the SBA.
    Yesterday, Ranking Member Markey held a virtual listening session with small business owners in Massachusetts and owners who serve the Commonwealth on the devastating impacts of the Trump Tariffs.
    Earlier this week, Ranking Member Markey, alongside Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) introduced the Small Business Liberation Act, legislation that would exempt the more than 34 million U.S. small businesses from the reckless Trump Tariffs that are wreaking havoc on their businesses and the U.S. economy.
    Ranking Member Markey recently wrote to Small Business Administrator Loeffler, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, calling on the Trump administration to exempt U.S. small businesses from the reckless Trump Tariffs and afford them the same relief that the administration is giving billion-dollar tech giants such as Apple and Google.
    Previously, Ranking Member Markey, along with Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and all Democrats on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee wrote to Administrator Loeffler, urging her to take immediate action to address the impacts of Trump’s reckless tariff policies on small businesses.
    Ranking Member Markey has been speaking out against Trump attacks to federal clean energy and climate funding and programs during Trump’s first 100 days in office. In February 2025, Ranking Member Markey was denied a meeting with EPA Administrator Zeldin and DOGE representatives, where the lawmakers planned to ask why funding to critical EPA programs was unconstitutionally cut off to communities. In March 2025, Ranking Member Markey and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) led a letter to Administrator Lee Zeldin to cease its attempts to claw back nearly $20 billion in congressionally appropriated and legally obligated funding. In April 2025, Ranking Member Markey released a report, “The Trump Tariffs: A Small Business Crisis,” which details the disastrous impacts of Trump’s tariff policies on small businesses across the country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Markey, Warren, Pressley, McGovern Applaud Court’s Decision to Release Rümeysa Öztürk

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Washington (May 9, 2025) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Jim McGovern (MA-02) released the following statement after the United States District Court for the District of Vermont granted bail to Rümeysa Öztürk and directed the Trump administration to release her from detention. On March 25, 2025, Ms. Öztürk, a PhD student at Tufts University, was abducted by six plainclothes ICE agents off the streets of Somerville, Massachusetts. She was quickly moved across state lines and shipped more than 1,500 miles away from her community to a detention facility in Louisiana. 
    “We are relieved that Rümeysa has finally been ordered released. Let us be clear: Rümeysa should have never been abducted off the streets of Somerville, had her visa revoked, and been moved to a detention site more than 1,500 miles away, all in violation of her constitutional rights. Rümeysa has been unlawfully detained for six weeks in an ICE facility in Louisiana, where she has suffered intolerable living conditions and multiple intense and worsening asthma attacks. We applaud the district court’s decision to grant bail and order her release from detention, while her habeas petition is resolved. Rümeysa is a cherished member of her community, and we are relieved that she can finally return to Massachusetts. This is a victory for Rümeysa, for justice, and for our democracy.”
    On April 22, Senator Markey and Representatives Pressley and McGovern, along with Representative Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Ranking Member of House Committee on Homeland Security, and Representative Troy Carter (LA-02), visited the Louisiana ICE facility where Rümeysa Öztürk was being held. Also on April 22, Senator Markey, Representative Pressley, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons to demand answers about the Trump administration’s concerning practice of detaining individuals, such as Öztürk, far from their attorneys and communities and in legal environments where their rights are more difficult to defend. The Trump administration is forum shopping to obtain a legal outcome favorable to its deportation agenda.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan Applauds DOT Air Traffic Safety Overhaul with Critical Upgrades & 174 New Weather Stations for Alaska

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
    05.09.25
    ANCHORAGE, ALASKA—U.S. Senator Sullivan (R-Alaska) today celebrated the announcement from the Department of Transportation (DOT) of a new effort to build a state-of-the-art air traffic control system to enhance safety in the sky, reduce delays, and provide air traffic controllers with modern, reliable equipment. This overhaul includes several Alaska-specific provisions, including the addition of 174 new weather stations for the state and a modernization of flight service systems. These upgrades follow Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy’s commitment to Sen. Sullivan to strongly support Alaska aviation safety, especially as Alaska faces an aviation accident rate 2.35 times higher than the national average.
    Sen. Sullivan spoke about this historic announcement today on Fox News Channel’s “America Reports.”
    “We need to keep our aviation system the safest in the world, but it is creaking and falling apart. No state is more aware of this challenge than Alaska, with dozens of communities off the road system and wholly reliant on aviation, and an air traffic control system responsible for the heavily-trafficked aviation routes between North America and Asia,” said Sen. Sullivan. “President Trump and Secretary Duffy have shown tremendous leadership, outlining bold, top-to-bottom reforms to our air traffic control system and marshalling the support of all stakeholders—the unions of our FAA and ATC employees, industry, and lawmakers. Importantly, the President and the Secretary announced their support for 174 new weather stations just for Alaska, which could be transformative for aviation safety in our great state. I’ll continue working closely with Secretary Duffy and my colleagues on securing the necessary funding for achieving this much-needed overhaul and prioritizing the unique needs of Alaska.”

    Click here or the image above to watch Sen. Sullivan’s interview.
    Below is a summary of DOT’s intended upgrades for air traffic control and safety infrastructure in Alaska and across the United States:
    Replacing antiquated telecommunications with new fiber, wireless and satellite technologies at over 4,600 sites, 25,000 new radios and 475 new voice switches. 
    Replacing 618 radars which have gone past their life cycle. 
    Addressing runway safety by increasing the number of airports with Surface Awareness Initiative (SAI) to 200. 
    Building six new air traffic control centers for the first time since the 1960s and replacing towers and TRACONs. 
    Installing new modern hardware and software for all air traffic facilities to create a common platform system throughout towers, TRACONs and centers.    
    Addressing the unique challenges that face Alaska by adding 174 new weather stations. 
    Below is a timeline of Sen. Sullivan’s recent work on aviation safety in Alaska and across the country:
    On April 9, 2025, The FAA announced a $25 million investment in Alaska aviation safety, a result of a Sullivan provision in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 authorizing $25 million annually for FAA Alaska Aviation Safety Initiative (FAASI) from FY 2025 through 2028. The FAA also announced it will be expanding the FAA’s use of satellites in Alaska—growing from four testing sites to 16—to help support connectivity at weather monitoring sites, particularly in the more remote parts of the state. Alaska has long had issues with reliable weather information for the aviation community. The 2024 reauthorization, of which Senator Sullivan was an author, required the FAA to fix telecommunications connections to address those needs.
    On February 11, 2025, Sen. Sullivan led a press conference with Senator Lisa Murkowski and Representative Nick Begich (both R-Alaska), Secretary Duffy, and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy regarding their shared focus on enhancing aviation safety in Alaska.
    On January 15, 2025, Sen. Sullivan received commitments from former Representative Sean Duffy (R-Wisc.), President Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Transportation, regarding transportation challenges in Alaska and the vital need to expand critical infrastructure. Specifically, Sen. Sullivan received commitments from Duffy to visit Alaska, continue to fund the Essential Air Service Program, support the FAASI, and work toward much-needed permitting reform.
    On May 9, 2024, the Senate passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 with numerous Sullivan-authored provisions related to aviation safety in Alaska, including support for the FAASI and a requirement for FAA to improve maintenance of weather equipment. The bill was signed into law on May 16, 2024.
    In September of 2021, the FAA established the FAASI, an FAA effort to respond to the February 2020 NTSB Report and the Alaska Aviation Safety Summit. The FAASI identifies safety improvements and investments for the Alaska Region, and aims to make progress on the effort for FAA and DOT to take a holistic view of DOT programs to ensure that inherent bias no longer inhibits infrastructure investments in remote Alaska Native communities.
    On October 8, 2020, Sen. Sullivan worked with previous FAA Administrator Dickson to host the Alaska Safety Summit, which was focused solely on Alaska aviation issues. The Senator pressed the administration to take a holistic view to solve the problems presented in Alaska.
    The Senate passed the 2018 FAA Reauthorization Act, including multiple Sullivan-authored provisions focused on Alaska aviation safety, including enabling the acquisition of new weather reporting and navigation infrastructure.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Law Leads to Arrest of 205 Child Sex Offenders, 115 Children Rescued

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement on the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated mission by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and law enforcement agencies to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators, which led to the rescue of 115 children and arrest of 205 child sex offenders, including one individual in the Eastern District of Texas and five in the Western District. These cases were brought through Project Safe Childhood, which Sen. Cornyn successfully led the law to reauthorize last year.
    “There is no crime more heinous than child sexual exploitation, and I am grateful that my law to reauthorize the Project Safe Childhood program has most recently led to more than 200 dangerous individuals who have committed this unthinkable act being taken off our streets and 115 children being rescued through Operation Restore Justice,” said Sen. Cornyn. “Thank you to Attorney General Bondi, the entire Department of Justice, and other law enforcement agencies involved for prioritizing the safety of our nation’s most vulnerable, and I look forward to seeing even more arrests of child sex offenders in the future under my law.”
    Background:
    These legal cases were brought against hundreds of offenders as part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative to combat child sexual exploitation. This nationwide program was started in May 2006 by the DOJ. Sen. Cornyn authored and successfully passed the Project Safe Childhood Act, which was signed into law in December of 2024 and reauthorized and strengthened this critical initiative.
    In Texas, Operation Restore Justice has led to the arrest of six individuals in the Eastern and Western Districts of Texas charged with crimes ranging from distribution and possession of child pornography to child sexual exploitation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott, Risch, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Fight Antisemitism at the UN

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) joined Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Republican colleagues in introducing the No Official Palestine Entry (NOPE) Act to cut off U.S. assistance to entities that give additional rights and privileges to the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian Liberation Organization.
    “Time and again, the United Nations has chosen to lend legitimacy to terrorist enablers while demonizing one of our closest friend in Israel,” said Senator Scott. “Not a single cent of the American taxpayer dollar should be used to legitimize antisemitism or embolden our enemies. America will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel and root out antisemitism wherever it exists.”
    “Once created to be a bastion of peace and security in the world, the United Nations is now a seat of antisemitism and in desperate need of reform. Israel is one of America’s greatest allies and we cannot tolerate or fund any anti-Israel bias or favoritism for the Palestinian Liberation Organization at the UN,” said Senator Risch. “These bills will ensure that America has Israel’s back when it matters most.”
    BACKGROUND
    Current U.S. law prohibits U.S. funding to organizations, such as the UN, which give the PLO full membership or standing as a member state. The NOPE Act updates the existing funding prohibition to organizations that offer the PLO “any status, rights, or privileges beyond observer status.” 
    The full text of the NOPE Act can be found here.  
    Senators Scott and Risch were joined by Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.).
    Additional House cosponsors include Reps. Jim Baird (R-Ind.), Michael McCaul (R-Texas), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.), Maria Salazar (R-Fla), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), and Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.). 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Helps Advance Bipartisan Bill to Enhance 9-1-1 Emergency Response System 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Technology, helped advance a bipartisan bill in committee to make critical updates to our 9-1-1 emergency reporting system, improve its resiliency during natural disasters, and recognize the unique demands and responsibilities of dispatchers and other protective service workers.  
    “When Nevada faces natural disasters, it’s critical that Nevadans can dial 9-1-1 and get the help they need,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to help advance bipartisan legislation to take much-needed steps to prevent 9-1-1 outages and disruptions, while also recognizing dispatchers for their life-saving work in times of crisis. I’ll continue working across party lines to support our first responders.”
    Senator Rosen has fought to support Nevada’s first responders with the resources they need to do their jobs safely. Last Congress, Senator Rosen introduced bipartisan legislation to improve federal mental health support programs for firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other emergency response personnel. Senator Rosen also helped pass bipartisan legislation providing fire departments with additional funding to hire more firefighters and purchase lifesaving equipment. The Recruit and Retain Act, which Rosen helped introduce, was signed into law last year and provides law enforcement with increased resources to hire and retain more police officers in an effort to tackle the law enforcement shortage in Nevada and nationwide. She also helped deliver a historic pay raise and benefits funding for federal wildland firefighters through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Cassidy Introduce Legislation to Protect Sensitive Federal Data from CCP-Owned DeepSeek, Adversarial AI Technologies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) introduced a bill to protect sensitive federal data from adversarial nations like the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The bipartisan Protection Against Foreign Adversarial Artificial Intelligence Act would prohibit federal contractors from using DeepSeek, an artificial intelligence (AI) platform with direct ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), to fulfill contracts with federal agencies. DeepSeek poses a significant potential national security threat and is required by Chinese law to share the data it collects with the Chinese government and its intelligence agencies. Several U.S. states and allied nations have already moved to block DeepSeek from government devices due to critical security concerns.
    “The U.S. must take steps to ensure Americans’ data and our government systems are protected against cyber threats from foreign adversaries,” said Senator Rosen. “This bipartisan legislation would prevent federal contractors from using Deepseek, a CCP-linked AI platform, when carrying out government work. I will continue working across party lines to bolster our national security and protect Americans’ data.”
    “AI is a powerful tool which can be used to enhance things like medicine and education. But in the wrong hands, it can be weaponized. By feeding sensitive data into systems like DeepSeek, we give China another weapon,” said Dr. Cassidy.
    Specifically, the Protection Against Foreign Adversarial Artificial Intelligence Act would:
    Prohibit federal contractors with an active federal contract from using DeepSeek, and any successor application developed by High-Flyer, for contracts with the federal government. 
    Include a report to Congress from the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the U.S. Secretary of Defense, on the national security and economic espionage threats posed by AI platforms from adversarial nations, such as China, North Korea, Iran, and Russia.
    As the first and only former computer programmer to serve in the Senate, Senator Rosen has led the fight to strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity. Earlier this year, she introduced bipartisan legislation to prohibit the use of DeepSeek on all government devices and networks. Last year, Rosen called on the Department of Health and Human Services and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to create a plan to help health care systems respond to cyberattacks like the recent ransomware attack on Change Healthcare. Additionally, Senator Rosen’s bipartisan Department of Defense Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act became law to recruit civilian cybersecurity personnel to serve in reserve capacities and respond to cyberattacks during times of need.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Fights to End Crypto Corruption by Trump and Other Elected Officials

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) in spearheading an effort to crack down on cryptocurrency-related corruption by elected officials at the highest levels of the federal government, including the presidency.
    “There is no room in the American democratic system for the president to be personally enriching himself directly or indirectly from decisions he makes while in office,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Congress must immediately pass this commonsense legislation to root out public corruption and prevent illegal foreign influence for this or any future administration.”
    The End Crypto Corruption Act bans the President, Vice President, Senior Executive Branch Officials, Members of Congress, and their immediate families from financially benefiting from issuing, endorsing, or sponsoring crypto assets, such as meme coins and stablecoins. As story after story outline President Trump’s crypto deals and his mounting conflicts of interest, the End Crypto Corruption Act directly addresses and curbs the Trump Administration’s apparent self-dealing.
    Democracy Defenders Action and Public Citizen have endorsed the End Crypto Corruption Act.
    The full text of the legislation can be found here.
    Cortez Masto has continually pushed to end public corruption. She has supported legislation that would prevent lawmakers from trading stocks. Cortez Masto has long championed actions to crack down on dark money in politics. She has cosponsored legislation to require organizations spending money in federal elections to disclose their donors and help guard against hidden foreign influence in our democracy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Statement on the Passing of Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    Published: 05.09.2025

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) released the following statement on the passing of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter:
    “Today, I join people in New Hampshire and across America in grieving the loss of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter – a devoted public servant who called the Granite State home and put country above all else. He will be remembered for his deep, unwavering commitment to upholding our Constitution and his dedication to a just society. 
    “All Granite Staters should feel immensely proud of Justice Souter’s legacy. Today, Billy and I are thinking of Justice Souter’s family, loved ones and all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. May his legacy endure, and may he rest in peace.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate passes Kennedy, Cassidy’s resolution commemorating 100 years of Southeastern Louisiana University

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – This week, the U.S. Senate passed Sens. John Kennedy (R-La.) and Bill Cassidy’s (R-La.) resolution commemorating 100 years of Southeastern Louisiana University and its impacts on students across Louisiana and the region. Southeastern will continue to celebrate its centennial through December 2025.

    “I’ve seen firsthand how a quality education has the power to change lives, and Southeastern Louisiana University has certainly done so by making countless life-changing impacts on our state, its students and the region over the past 100 years. I’m proud to see the Senate pass this resolution honoring its centennial and look forward to seeing this great institution continue to achieve even greater success as we look to the future,” said Kennedy.

    The full text of the resolution is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Young, Hassan, colleagues champion bipartisan bill to support American innovation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) joined Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) in reintroducing the American Innovation and Jobs Act, which would strengthen American research and development (R&D).

    Companies and startups investing in R&D have long been able to either claim a tax credit or deduct their investments, which helps them to invest in developing innovative products. In 2017, Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which included a provision allowing full expensing of R&D that expired in 2022.

    The bill would extend and make permanent that expired provision and allow businesses to retroactively take advantage of the deduction for the tax years during which full expensing had expired.

    “Americans deserve a tax code that looks like it was designed on purpose, and that includes extending tax policies that encourage innovation. I’m proud to help introduce the American Innovation and Jobs Act to help our small businesses and startups compete against China,” said Kennedy. 

    “The United States is locked in a competition to ensure we maintain our position as the global leader in scientific and technological innovation. Our legislation would incentivize job-creating R&D activity in the United States—particularly among start-ups—to drive our innovation future, strengthen international competitiveness, and protect our national security. Congress must pass this legislation,” said Young.

    “As many small businesses struggle with rising costs, this bipartisan legislation cuts taxes for small businesses that invest in innovation, which will also help the United States continue to outcompete our adversaries like China,” said Hassan.

    Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) also cosponsored the bill.

    Full text of the American Innovation and Jobs Act can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –