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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Warren, Banks, in Bipartisan Letter, Push DOJ to Investigate High Egg Prices, Anticompetitive Behavior by Egg Producers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    May 09, 2025
    Warren (D-Mass.) and Banks (R-Ind.) raise concerns about major egg producers jacking up prices, raking in record profits while blaming bird flu
    After previous letter led by Warren, DOJ opened probe into potential anticompetitive behavior by egg producers
    Text of Letter (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – In a new bipartisan letter, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) applauded the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ongoing investigation into potential anticompetitive practices by major egg producers and urged the agency to continue its thorough investigation as egg prices continue to rise.
    “Large egg producers and trade associations have previously been found liable for price fixing,” wrote the senators. “Given this history, we urge DOJ to thoroughly review whether recent trends in egg prices reflect impermissible coordination among egg producers and trade associations.”
    The average retail price of a dozen eggs has reached unprecedented levels, surpassing $6 in March 2025, tripling since 2021. While egg producers and trade associations continue to point to recent bird flu outbreaks as the reason for increased prices, large egg producers, like Cal-Maine, are reporting record profitability while families feel economic pain.
    The cost of eggs started to drop from record peaks just after the DOJ announced an investigation into egg prices, raising concerns as to whether large egg producers are engaging in anticompetitive behaviors to raise prices or restrict supply. A federal jury previously found that large egg producers and trade groups increased egg prices by conspiring to artificially limit the supply of hens between 2004 and 2008. Another lawsuit alleges that Cal-Maine inflated egg prices after a 2015 bird flu outbreak and during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
    The five largest egg producers — CalMaine Foods, Rose Acre Farms, Daybreak Foods, Hillendale Farms, and Versova Holdings — control nearly half of the U.S. egg-laying flock, leaving Americans with limited alternatives to purchase eggs if companies are in fact price-gouging consumers.
    The senators requested that the DOJ address their concerns, including if price increases in the egg market can be reasonably explained by bird flu-related supply chain disruptions; how much the five largest egg producers profited during the first three-quarters of fiscal year 2025; if large egg producers’ purchasing patterns potentially reflect an effort to extend the egg supply shortage and maintain high prices; and whether the decline in egg prices following the DOJ’s announcement reflects potential price-fixing among large egg producers.
    “We support DOJ’s investigation into potential anticompetitive behavior by egg producers and urge the agency to consider whether a ‘precipitous drop’ in egg prices just ‘days’ after reports of the investigation broke suggests that egg producers had conspired to artificially inflate prices,” concluded the senators.
    DOJ announced its probe following a January letter Sen. Warren sent to Donald Trump, pressing him to use tools to lower egg prices, including “encouraging DOJ to prosecute actors in the agricultural and food sectors for price-fixing and other anticompetitive behavior.”
    Senators Warren and Banks recently teamed up to open a bipartisan investigation into the harms of private equity roll-ups of fire truck manufacturers. The lawmakers wrote to the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), North America’s largest union of firefighters, seeking information about the adverse impact of private equity consolidation on firefighters and communities in Massachusetts, Indiana, and across the country. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

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

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    May 09, 2025
    Washington, D.C. – Following reports that 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, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Representatives Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Jim McGovern (MA-02) released the following statement:
    “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.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar, Cantwell, Colleagues Call on President Trump to Reverse the Firing of Consumer Product Safety Commissioners

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar(D-MN), member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy, and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, along with Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are calling on President Trump to reverse the firing of the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s three Democratic Commissioners, Commissioner Hoehn-Saric, Commissioner Trumka, and Commissioner Boyle. 
    “We write to express serious concern regarding your intention to fire the three Democratic Commissioners from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC),” wrote the Senators. “This move compromises the ability of the federal government to apply data-driven product safety rules to protect Americans nationwide, away from political influence.”
    “We urge you to immediately reverse this order and allow the three Democratic CPSC Commissioners to continue their work to protect consumers, especially children and families, from hazardous products,” the Senators continued. 
    The full text of the letter is available here and below.
    Dear President Trump: 
    We write to express serious concern regarding your intention to fire the three Democratic Commissioners from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). This move compromises the ability of the federal government to apply data-driven product safety rules to protect Americans nationwide, away from political influence. We urge you to immediately reverse this order and allow the three Democratic CPSC Commissioners to continue their work to protect consumers, especially children and families, from hazardous products. 
    Congress established the CPSC in the Consumer Product Safety Act as an independent regulatory commission composed of five bipartisan Commissioners, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Since 1972, the CPSC has regulated the manufacture and sale of products ranging from children’s toys to fireworks, working to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the CPSC negotiated and implemented the recall of 153 million consumer product units and conducted more than 4,100 indepth investigations to remove defective and potentially harmful products from shelves. For over 50 years, the CPSC’s bipartisan commissioners have carried out this critical work to ensure that Americans can feel confident about the safety and reliability of the products they use every day. 
    As at other independent agencies, CPSC Commissioners are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate to staggered, seven-year terms. The Consumer Product Safety Act establishes that the President may remove Commissioners only “for neglect of duty or malfeasance in office but for no other cause.” Further, the Act is explicit about the legal requirement for bipartisanship on the CPSC, mandating that “not more than three of the Commissioners shall be affiliated with the same political party.” These provisions exist to limit the Commissioners’ exposure to political influence, allowing them to focus entirely on their job of protecting American consumers. 
    Despite these clear, congressionally-mandated protections, late on Thursday May 8, you announced your intention to fire the CPSC’s three Democratic Commissioners, Commissioner Hoehn-Saric, Commissioner Trumka, and Commissioner Boyle, without cause. This action degrades the ability of CPSC to establish robust product safety protections and casts doubt on its capacity to pursue recalls and investigations without being influenced by the politics of the day. 
    More than ninety years ago, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress has the authority to create bipartisan, multi-member commissions to serve the public without undue political influence. More recently, in 2020, the Court refused to rule that the President has the power to remove members of bipartisan commissions at-will. As you know, the President can lawfully exercise influence over the Commission by nominating new members and appointing the Chair. This illegal order to terminate three CPSC Commissioners without cause stands in opposition to clear legislative guidelines and nearly a century of Supreme Court precedent. It must be reversed. 
    Commissioners Hoehn-Saric, Trumka, and Boyle must be allowed to continue their work at the CPSC and carry out its vital mission to protect American consumers. 
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed: Trump’s Disgraceful Firing of Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden Illustrates Trump’s Efforts to Control Information and Politicize Civil Service

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC — Last night, President Trump abruptly fired the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla D. Hayden, who was nominated by former President Barrack Obama and confirmed with 74 votes by the U.S. Senate in 2016.  Dr. Hayden was the first woman, the first professional librarian, and the first Black person to lead the Library of Congress (LOC). 

    There is nothing political about the LOC, America’s oldest government-run cultural institution and the largest library in the world, which only rarely gets a new leader and Dr. Hayden was just the 14th head of the LOC since 1800.  Dr. Hayden won bipartisan accolades for modernizing the Library of Congress and making it more accessible with initiatives targeted to rural communities and online access.

    The Trump Administration, which has supported book bans and sought to remove the works of Black authors such as Maya Angelou and historical texts about civil rights and the holocaust from library shelves, apparently gave in to right-wing groups who wanted Dr. Hayden fired on the grounds she is allegedly “woke.”

    U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a leading champion of libraries who brought Dr. Hayden to Rhode Island in 2019 to host a Veterans History Project event at the Cranston Library, condemned her firing, stating:

    “Dr. Hayden did an outstanding job leading the Library of Congress and her abrupt firing is totally unjustified.  A dedicated leader and public servant, Dr. Hayden performed her duties with honor, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring America’s treasured collection of books, knowledge, and information is digitized and accessible to all.  She ensured the Library of Congress served as a trusted source of information for all.  That is the opposite of what the Trump Administration wants: it wants to politicize the library, control information, and get rid of independent civil servants — replacing them with partisan right-wing extremists who will be subservient to Donald Trump, not the Constitution or the institution and the American people.

    “Libraries are public resources that welcome everyone.  They serve individuals and benefit communities and our democracy.  This is part of Trump’s continued war on libraries: cutting funding, banning books, and removing, blocking, and trying to restrict public access to information on a range of topics.

    “The right-wing conservative mob who has President Trump’s ear seemingly couldn’t stand to have a strong leader in charge of our nation’s library for one more day.  They made a grave error.  While Dr. Hayden was the first Black woman to lead the Library of Congress, she will not be the last.  She will continue to inspire and has blazed a trail for others to follow.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Education Leaders Urge McMahon to Reject Waiver Requests for K-12 Education Funds That Allow States to Avoid Accountability

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Washington, D.C. — Today, congressional Democrats urged Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to reject any efforts by states to undermine the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which specifically directs funding to high-poverty schools, English as a Second Language programs, afterschool and summer learning, and more.

    The letter was sent by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, and Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.

    It comes on the heels of reports that Iowa and Oklahoma are pushing to combine dedicated programmatic funding into a single block grant. This would shortchange marginalized students and under resourced schools intended to be supported by individual grant programs.

    “We ask that you reject any unlawful waivers and write to remind you of ESEA’s longstanding restrictions preventing the Secretary from waiving critical guardrails,”wrote the Members. “We also caution you against issuing any other waivers that abdicate the federal government’s responsibility to hold states accountable for meeting their statutory and regulatory obligations under ESEA.”

    The lawmakers continued, “The federal role in education acts as an accountability measure to ensure states provide all children with high-quality education that is not limited by race, color, nationality, gender, ability, immigration status, or socioeconomic class.  Any negligence or misuse of secretarial authority risks perpetuating disparities and failing the very students these provisions aim to support.”

    The Members emphasize that the law is clear: ESEA’s requirements are not optional.  They underscored the federal government’s essential role in directing additional resources to the students who need them most, including those in high-poverty schools and those experiencing homelessness.  They warned that any effort to block grant these funds would jeopardize progress in closing longstanding educational disparities.

    In accordance with their respective committees’ oversight responsibilities, the Members urged Secretary McMahon to uphold the law, reject any unlawful waiver requests, and ensure that the Department of Education remains committed to its mission of promoting equal access to education for all students, regardless of their background or circumstances.

    To read the full text of the letter, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of Mother’s Day, Senator Murray, King County Executive Braddock, Moms and Local Parents Slam Trump’s “Baby” Tax, Painful Unnecessary Price Hikes for Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Washington Post: Trump’s tariffs hit baby industry hard, threatening parents with price hikes, shortages

    Axios: “Baby tax”: Trump tariffs send baby gear prices soaring

    *** B-ROLL AND PHOTOS HERE***

    Seattle, WA — Today, ahead of Mother’s Day, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a press conference at WestSide Baby in Seattle to highlight how President Trump’s chaotic trade war is raising costs on moms and families across the board. Trump’s sweeping tariffs are the highest in decades, and are estimated to cost American families more than $4,000 per year—the largest tax increase since 1968.

    Senator Murray was joined by King County Executive Shannon Braddock, Executive Director of WestSideBaby Allie Lindsay Johnson, Brittney Geleynse owner of Clover Toys, and local moms and parents who all outlined how Trump’s tariffs are already raising the cost of items moms need for their families, purchases that can’t be pushed off—from car seats and strollers, to high chairs, kids clothes, and cribs.

    The press conference comes as new reporting lays out how Trump’s tariffs are making it more expensive to raise kids, driving up prices on children’s products and threatening shortages of critical baby gear at a time when household budgets are already under strain.

    “The last thing any mom wants right now is higher costs for things like diapers, high chairs, and car seats—but that is exactly what Donald Trump is delivering with his nonsense trade war,” said Senator Murray. “His across-the-board tariffs are already raising prices for new moms and families. With all the costs new parents are going to have to pay for these goods, Trump has essentially announced a new ‘baby’ tax. If you are a billionaire, Republicans are getting ready to give you a massive tax break. But babies? Moms? Dads? Trump says you are out of luck. Yes, Trump’s ‘baby’ tax is going to mean fewer toys, smaller birthdays—but it is also going to mean parents struggling to buy high chairs or specialty formula, struggling to buy a safe bassinet, or a stroller, or a car seat.”

    “Well, my message to moms is: I got into politics to fight for moms like me—and I am never going to stop,” continued Senator Murray. “I know what you are going through, all the things you already have to worry about. You should not have to worry about Trump’s new baby tax driving up costs as well. Congress CAN reverse these tariffs—we could do it next week if Republicans chose to. So, I am going to be lifting up your voices, and using mine—to push for Congress to act and demand this administration reverse their incredibly damaging price hikes on families.”

    “Tariffs that drive up the cost of baby essentials like car seats, strollers and diapers aren’t just bad economics—they’re bad values,” said King County Executive Shannon Braddock. “Working families are the ones who pay the price. We need real leadership in Washington, D.C., and I’m grateful Senator Murray is standing with us in this fight.” 

    “Children should not be the casualties of a trade war. Items like car seats, strollers, and cribs aren’t luxuries—they’re critical for a child’s safety and development. At WestSide Baby, we regularly see parents forced to choose between paying rent or buying a car seat. For families facing poverty or sudden financial strain, even small price increases can mean going without or making unsafe compromises,” said Allie Lindsay Johnson, Executive Director of WestSide Baby.

    “As a parent, I want the best possible future for my children. I want to give them the tools and opportunities to get ahead in life, not put limits on what they can do. But Trump’s unnecessary tariffs are increasing prices on my baby’s basic needs like his formula, stroller, and car seat,” said Salia Gartrell, a public school teacher and mother of four from Kent, WA. “My family isn’t the only one feeling the financial squeeze from these bad tariffs. Even though my boys are active in their community, and my husband and I work hard to give them every opportunity, the rising costs of living that are due to bad policies like Trump’s Baby Tax leave me and my husband no other choice but to cut back on what our kids can do.”

    “Tariffs on imported toys present a significant operational challenge for Clover Toys, directly impacting our costs and forcing us to navigate complex pricing and inventory decisions,” said Brittney Geleynse owner of Clover Toys. “We are committed to our customers and the Seattle community, and we’re working hard to manage these pressures while continuing to offer the curated selection they expect from their local toy store.”

    Senator Murray has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s chaotic trade war from the very start and has been lifting up the voices of people in Washington state harmed by this administration’s approach to trade and calling on Republicans to end Trump’s trade war—which Congress has the power to do—and take back Congress’ Constitutionally-granted power to impose tariffs. Earlier last month, Senator Murray brought together leaders across Washington state who highlighted how Trump’s ongoing trade war is already a devastating hit to Washington state’s economy, businesses, and our agriculture sector. Senator Murray also took to the Senate floor to lay out how Trump’s chaotic trade war is seriously threatening our economy, American businesses, families’ retirement savings, and so much else.

    Murray has also been sounding the alarm on Trump’s tariffs across Washington state. Recently, Senator Murray held a roundtable discussion in Tacoma with local businesses and ports, met with farmers in Yakima to discuss the consequences of Trump’s tariffs, and held a roundtable discussion in Vancouver at a local metal fabrication company to highlight how Trump’s trade war is hurting businesses and our economy Washington state. Last month, Senator Murray met with small business owners in Seattle’s University District to hear how Trump’s tariffs and the broader economic uncertainty are affecting them, and later she met with farmers in Skagit County to discuss tariffs, and visited Blaine near the Canadian border to highlight the impacts of Trump’s trade war. Just last week, Senator Murray rallied her West Coast colleagues and ports from Washington state and California to sound the alarm on how Trump’s tariffs will mean bare shelves, higher prices, and painful layoffs.

    From Groundwork Collaborative – Trump’s Tariffs are increasing prices on everything:

    Car seats: UPPAbaby, a major manufacturer of car seats and strollers, announced increased prices across most of its products beginning May 5. Nuna has increased prices by $50, and Evenflo has increased prices by 10-40%.

    • This represents a major challenge for parents, as car seats – which can run over $400 – are required by law in all 50 states and should be bought new due to safety concerns.
    • New parents spend, on average, $1,000 on baby safety gear.

    Strollers: To put it in Trump’s words, prices are rising for “the thing that you carry the babies around in.” UPPAbaby’s popular Vista stroller just increased from $900 to $1,200. Or, for a cheaper option, Bombi’s flagship stroller now costs $225 instead of $199.

    • Few strollers are made in the U.S. Most are made in China, while others come from Italy, Taiwan, Hungary, and the Netherlands.

    Cribs: Since the average parent spends approximately $2,000 on a new nursery, it is terrible news that three-quarters of all baby furniture is made in China. The Consumer Product Safety Commission does not recommend buying used cribs, as unsafe sleep environments are the main cause of injuries and deaths with nursery products.

    • The popular smart bassinet SNOO is manufactured in China and might soon cost more than its current $1,695 price tag.

    High Chairs & Sippy Cups: The CEO of popular baby accessory brand Munchkin, Steve Dunn, said the company will increase prices on about 90% of products, likely by at least 20%. Their cheapest high chair is currently $170.

    Clothes: Carter’s has already raised prices on many items. Approximately 74% of its products are sourced from Cambodia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and India, which now face the 10% universal tariff rate.

    Toys: About 80% of all toys imported to the U.S. come from China, according to the Toy Association. Mattel CFO Anthony DiSilvestro has warned of possible price hikes as 40% of Mattel toys come from China.

    Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:

    “As families across the country get ready to celebrate Mother’s Day, the last thing any mom wants right now is higher costs for things like diapers, high chairs, and car seats—but that is exactly what Donald Trump is delivering with his all-out trade war. His across-the-board tariffs are ALREADY raising prices for new moms and families.

    “Because just about every single car seat sold in this country, just about every single stroller, just about every bassinet and changing table—is made somewhere else. And the vast majority of them are made in China—meaning Trump’s tariffs will jack up the cost by 145%. To say nothing of baby clothes made in other countries in the Pacific, or specialty baby formulas imported from Europe, or the materials and machinery we import—even for products made in America—like bamboo fibers in some diapers.

    “With all the costs new parents are going to have to pay for these goods, Trump has essentially announced a new “baby” tax. If you are a billionaire,  Republicans are getting ready to give you a massive tax break. But babies? Moms? Dads? Trump says you are out of luck.

    “Maybe this is hard for a billionaire who calls strollers “the thing that you carry babies around in” to understand—but most babies in America aren’t born with a golden spoon in their mouth. Parents are already struggling, the concern I hear from new parents almost more than anything else—is simply “how do we afford this?” After all, child care can cost more than college tuition and Trump’s trade war is just going to make that—and everything else—worse.

    “This isn’t about having to skimp on Christmas—though Trump has made it all too clear he’s eager to play Grinch, and toys are definitely going to get more expensive. Trump’s new taxes are making sure of that.


    “But every parent understands there is yet a bigger problem here. There are a lot of costs that are not really optional! You can’t just not buy diapers. You can’t just go without high chairs or sippy cups—even though manufactures are already warning about 20 percent price increases.

    “And—as much as they like to wriggle out of them—you can’t just go without baby clothes—even though three-quarters of them are made abroad and are about to get taxed out the wazoo. And those are just everyday necessities—don’t forget the big ticket items. No family should have to choose between cost and safety as they’re making decisions for their children.

    “Some companies have already raised stroller prices by hundreds of dollars. And then there’s cribs. The average parent already spends two thousand dollars on a crib—this is a critical item. And three-quarters of all baby furniture is made in China—meaning Trump wants to slap a 145% tax on it.

    “The same goes for car seats which are virtually all made in China. You absolutely cannot just go without a car seat, and safety experts emphasize you should not buy them used. But with Trump’s 145% tax—parents are wondering how they can even afford them at all. That’s what Trump’s trade war is doing to families! Trump’s baby tax is not just expensive for families and it is not just one more callous and careless policy from a billionaire without a clue—it is also dangerous.

    “Yes, it is going to mean fewer toys, smaller birthdays—but it is also going to mean parents struggling to buy high chairs or specialty formula, struggling to buy a safe bassinet, or a stroller, or a car seat.

    “Well my message to moms: I got into politics to fight for moms like me—and I am never going to stop. I know what you are going through, all the things you already have to worry about. You should not have to worry about Trump’s new baby tax driving up costs as well. Congress CAN reverse these tariffs—we could do it next week if Republicans chose to. So, I am going to be lifting up your voices, and using mine—to push for Congress to act and demand this administration reverse their incredibly damaging price hikes on families.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cassidy Discusses Bringing Medicine Manufacturing to Northwest Louisiana

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    SHREVEPORT – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today visited the facility on Line Avenue in Shreveport that was once owned by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. He spoke with officials from the North Louisiana Economic Partnership (NLEP) and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) on what they’re doing to find new ownership for the facility, so medicine can again be produced there.
    “President Trump is doing his best to make the United States a place where businesses invest in,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We need increased domestic manufacturing of drugs. I’m committed to the economic development of Northwest Louisiana, and bringing in full production facilities for drugs and other goods.”

    Cassidy’s visit comes on the heels of a major announcement by the White House of an $11 billion boost by Gilead Sciences to its domestic operations. During President Trump’s second term, eight other pharmaceutical companies have made multi-billion dollar investments in domestic manufacturing, according to a White House press release issued yesterday.

    According to NLEP, the Dr. Reddy’s site can produce up to 4 billion tablets per year. Cassidy was met by Mr. Justyn Dixon, President and CEO of NLEP.
    “Senator Cassidy has long been a champion for North Louisiana, and we deeply appreciate all he has done – and continues to do – for our region,” said Mr. Dixon. “With the growing number of pharmaceutical companies announcing plans to reshore or expand manufacturing operations, we believe the Dr. Reddy’s site provides these companies the ideal speed to market opportunity. We appreciate the Senator taking the time to visit and engage directly to gain a deeper understanding of this valuable outlet.”
    Additionally, Cassidy joined the President last week for an “Invest in America” event, where Trump thanked Cassidy for his support. Under President Trump’s leadership, key investments have been made in Louisiana, including a $5.8 billion investment by Hyundai Steel which will create 1,500 jobs, and an $18 billion investment by Venture Global and $17.5 billion investment by Woodside Energy for liquefied natural gas.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Risch Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Small Business Disaster Coordination

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    05.09.25
    Cantwell, Risch Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Small Business Disaster Coordination
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and senior member of the Senate Committee on Finance, and U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced the bipartisan Small Business Disaster Coordination Act to improve on-the-ground support for small businesses affected by disasters.
    This bill would allow Small Business Administration (SBA) resource partners to assist businesses outside their usual service areas in an emergency. The Small Business Disaster Coordination Act would also require the SBA to work with these partners on disaster planning and response, ensuring local networks can share recovery-related information. 
    “Wherever disasters strike, it has to be all-hands-on-deck,” said Sen. Cantwell. “This bill will ensure SBA partners such as Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, and Women’s Business Centers can work with local partners to assist small businesses as they recover.”
    “From catastrophic wildfires to disastrous flooding, SBA resource partners stand ready to assist small businesses in times of emergency,” said Sen. Risch. “By expanding opportunities for these partners to help through my Small Business Disaster Coordination Act, we can ensure that the small businesses vital to our communities and economy stick around for years to come.”
    Sen. Cantwell and Sen. Risch are joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) in introducing the legislation.
    The Small Business Disaster Coordination Act has received support from America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), SCORE, and the Association of Women’s Business Centers.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven Reintroduces Farmer Act to Strengthen Farm Safety Net, Make Higher Levels of Crop Insurance More Affordable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    05.09.25
    WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, this week reintroduced his legislation to strengthen crop insurance and make higher levels of coverage more affordable for producers. The legislation is cosponsored by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman and Senators Mitch McConnell, Joni Ernst, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Roger Marshall, Jim Justice, Chuck Grassley, Deb Fischer and Jerry Moran. Specifically, the Federal Agriculture Risk Management Enhancement and Resilience (FARMER) Act, which Hoeven is working to include in the next farm bill, would:
    Increase premium support for higher levels of crop insurance coverage, which will enhance affordability and reduce the need for future ad-hoc disaster assistance.
    Improve the Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) by increasing premium support and expanding the coverage level, providing producers with an additional level of protection.
    Direct the Risk Management Agency (RMA) to conduct a study to improve the effectiveness of SCO in large counties.
    Not require producers to choose between purchasing enhanced crop insurance coverage or participating in Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, giving them flexibility to make decisions that work best for their operations.
    “Crop insurance remains the number one risk management tool for our farmers, but it doesn’t provide the kind of affordable coverage options that all producers need. The result has been the repeated need for ad-hoc disaster assistance. Ultimately, producers buying higher levels of coverage will lessen the need for ad-hoc disaster assistance in the future,” said Senator Hoeven. “That means less emergency spending by the federal government, greater certainty for farmers and a more resilient ag economy. Those are wins across the board.”
    Hoeven’s legislation is supported by the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, American Sugarbeet Growers Association, Crop Insurance and Reinsurance Bureau, Crop Insurance Professionals Association, Farm Credit Council, Midwest Council on Agriculture, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, National Sunflower Association, USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council, U.S. Beet Sugar Association, U.S. Canola Association, U.S. Durum Growers Association, North Dakota Corn Growers Association, North Dakota Farmers Union, North Dakota Grain Growers Association, North Dakota Soybean Growers Association, Northharvest Bean Growers Association, Minnesota Corn Growers Association, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota Soybean Association, Southwest Council of Agribusiness, and Western Peanut Growers Association. A summary and the full bill text of the legislation can be found here and here, respectively. Statements of support can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lankford, Risch, and Colleagues Introduce Bill to Stand Up for Israel at the UN

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford
    OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – US Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Jim Risch (R-ID), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and colleagues recently introduced the Stand with Israel Act to cut off US funding to UN agencies that expel, downgrade, suspend, or otherwise restrict the participation of the State of Israel.
    “Israel is our strongest ally in the Middle East,” said Lankford. “The United States will not tolerate antisemitism at the UN, and disrespect toward Israel will not be rewarded with American funding. This bill makes clear that we will continue to stand with Israel.”
    “Israel is one of America’s greatest allies, and under President Trump’s Administration, we will no longer tolerate—much less fund—the blatant antisemitism at the United Nations. This bill will send a clear message to the UN and any other antisemitic international organizations: if you want America’s money, you’ll need to respect our Israeli friends,” said Chairman Risch. “America will always stand with Israel.”
    In addition to Lankford and Risch, Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Ted Budd (R-NC), Mike Lee (R-UT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Katie Britt (R-AL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Boozman (R-AR), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Josh Hawley (R-MO), John Barrasso (R-WY), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jim Justice (R-WV), John Hoeven (R-ND), John Cornyn (R-TX), Rick Scott (R-FL), Ashley Moody (R-FL), and Deb Fischer (R-NE), also joined in support of this bill.
    Background:
    In 2024, Senator Lankford introduced this legislation, which is modeled after the current prohibition of funding to any UN entities that elevate the status of the Palestinian Authority to a member state. As co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, he continues to lead on issues of religious freedom and security. That same year, Lankford made a trip to Israel, where he visited towns in Israel that border the Gaza strip, toured Kibbutz Nir Oz, met with the survivors and families of the hostages of the October 7 massacre, visited the Nova Festival site, and spent a day along the border with Lebanon.
    You can read the full bill text on the Stand with Israel Act HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

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

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan released the following statement after the passing of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice David Souter:

    “Justice David Souter was an extraordinarily thoughtful jurist who exemplified our Granite State values every day. Dedicated to upholding the rule of law, Justice Souter knew that the Constitution knows no political party or ideology and approached cases with an open mind, a willingness to listen to the facts, and a determination to provide consistent and stable jurisprudence.

    “After retiring from the Supreme Court, he continued his service, sitting regularly on the Court of Appeals for the First Circuit and working to impart his reverence for our democracy to the next generation through his efforts to improve civics education.

    “On a personal level, he was an incredibly kind, gentle, and unassuming man who loved New Hampshire. And it was a tremendous honor that Justice Souter administered my ceremonial oath of office after I entered the United States Senate.  

    “I know that New Hampshire and our entire country are better off because of Justice Souter’s commitment to both public service and justice. My thoughts are with Justice Souter’s friends and family at this time.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Colleagues Call on Trump Admin to Address Impact of Fired IVF Researchers, Support Access to IVF

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado

    CDC, under Trump admin orders, fired the IVF team responsible for unbiased information for American families seeking fertility treatment

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined 12 of his Senate colleagues to call on Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to address the impact of the Trump administration’s reckless decision to fire the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) team responsible for providing support and unbiased information for American families seeking fertility treatment.

    “The Trump administration is now moving beyond broken promises to purposely dismantling the very system that provides hopeful families with accountability and transparency regarding fertility clinic success rates,” wrote the senators.

    Specifically, the administration fired the Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance and Research team (ARTS), a team of deeply qualified scientists and public health practitioners who analyzed IVF clinic data success rates and conducted important clinic oversight. ARTS provided unbiased information for patients seeking fertility treatment, collecting and maintaining data on approximately 98 percent of all IVF and assisted reproductive technology cycles performed in the United States.

    “Your actions threaten hopeful parents and families’ ability to access high-quality, safe, and effective fertility care,” continued the senators.

    Full text of the letter available HERE and below.

    Dear Secretary Kennedy:

    We write regarding reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) eliminated the team responsible for tracking assisted reproductive technology success rates, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), across the country. These firings impede HHS’s ability to comply with the law and have devastating consequences for all people who are trying to become parents and rely on this information to thoughtfully and safely grow their families.

    Infertility affects millions of Americans throughout their lifetimes, and can have a profound impact on a person, couple, and family. IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies can be a lifeline. As of 2021, almost 90,000 infants born were conceived through IVF, a significant increase over the 47,818 infants born in 2011, just ten years prior, who were conceived through IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies. Because IVF is a complicated and expensive process, the American people deserve access to the best information possible to inform their family building journey.

    Unfortunately, hollowing out National Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Surveillance System capabilities and capacity is consistent with Donald Trump’s deceitful and disingenuous rhetoric on IVF. Just last year, then-candidate Trump promised the American people that if elected, Donald Trump would make IVF free for every American, declaring, “[w]e are going to be, under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment” and claiming, “[w]e’re going to be mandating that the insurance company pay [for IVF].” These comments have proven to be bold-faced lies.

    Roughly one month after being sworn in, Donald Trump issued an IVF Executive Order that did nothing to fulfill his promise to make IVF free for every American. The Trump administration is now moving beyond broken promises to purposely dismantling the very system that provides hopeful families with accountability and transparency regarding fertility clinic success rates.

    The Fertility Clinic Success Rate and Certification Act of 1992 (FCSRCA), authored by Senator Ron Wyden, is the cornerstone of consumer protections as people seek to grow their families through IVF. It was passed in large part to assure transparency for patients seeking IVF care. The law requires all fertility clinics to report pregnancy success rates to the federal government in a standardized manner and for this information to be published publicly. These responsibilities are delegated to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC is also responsible for establishing licensure and accreditation processes for IVF laboratories and delegating the oversight of these responsibilities to an approved organization. Since the passage of FCSRCA, the increase in IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies has been substantial and, consequently, the importance of the law’s mandates has only grown.

    The Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance and Research team (ARTS) was housed within the CDC’s Division of Reproductive Health. This team of six carried-out the CDC’s statutorily mandated responsibilities under the FCSRCA, including conducting IVF clinic data analysis related to success rates, yearly audits and site visits, and monitoring lab certification status. The team collects and maintains data on approximately 98 percent of all IVF and assisted

    reproductive technology cycles performed in the United States.

    The team was composed of deeply qualified and trained scientists, including statisticians, doctors, and people with advanced degrees in epidemiology and public health. Across the team, there were combined decades of experience and deep expertise in the complex field of assisted reproductive technology. The ARTS team was also a careful steward for decades worth of highly sensitive, personally identifiable information (PII) related to IVF procedures, including the

    medical history of both hopeful parents undergoing IVF and their children, demographic information, and more.

    The ARTS team was uniquely well-suited to carry-out the CDC’s extensive responsibilities under FCSRCA, and its positive impact on the field and the lives of millions of Americans is impossible to quantify. The team’s work increased the likelihood of healthy pregnancies and births conceived via IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies. No other resource or dataset exists that comprehensively tracks as many IVF and other assisted reproductive

    technology cycles across the country as the ARTS team did.

    The ARTS team also played a major role in informing clinical guidelines and improving IVF safety and access. This team also built a patient-facing IVF success estimator to help people make informed, individualized decisions about where, when, and how to receive fertility care.

    The ARTS team was also passionate about being a source of unbiased information for fertility patients. Given the broad range of specialized knowledge required to carry-out these duties, it is hard to imagine that others at CDC, or any agency, would be able to step-in and fill these roles.

    Your actions threaten hopeful parents and families’ ability to access high-quality, safe, and effective fertility care. The American people deserve assurances that their rights under the FCSRCA will continue to be guaranteed, as Congress intended. In closing, we demand that you immediately rehire every civil servant formerly on the ARTS team. Further, please respond to the questions below by Friday, May 16:

    1. When will you reinstate the entirety of the ARTS team?
    1. How many employees on the ARTS team, and any supporting contracts, have been fired since January 20, 2025? Please provide a complete breakdown by position, provide information on GS level and veteran status, and clearly state the justification for termination. This accounting should include any employees who have since been reinstated or placed on administrative leave, noting that change in status.
    1. Which officials at HHS were involved in these staffing reduction decisions and what planning, if any, was undertaken prior to these reductions? Please describe the events that unfolded and name each office that was involved in the decision. Further, please name the official(s) who approved the staffing reductions as well as specifically indicate if any of the below individuals, or direct reports to these individuals, were involved in the decision-making. Name any such direct reports.
      1. Elon Musk, Special Government Employee, DOGE.
      2. Amy Gleason, Acting Administrator, DOGE.
      3. Susan Monarez, Acting Director, First Assistant to the Director, Principal Deputy Director, CDC.
    1. Without an ARTS team, how will the CDC continue to carry-out its statutorily-required responsibilities under FCSRCA? Please provide a detailed plan, including noting who has the expertise, skills, capacity, and resources to carry-out the responsibilities formerly carried-out by the ARTS team.
    1. Have, or will, any of the CDC’s responsibilities previously carried-out by the ARTS team been contracted out?
      1. If so, what assurance will you give the American people that the data and analysis produced will be comprehensive, transparent, publicly accessible and cover all IVF cycles annually, as the ARTS team did?
      2. If so, please describe the cost of contracting out these services.
    1. In some instances, the HHS’s Reduction In Force (RIF) efforts have been characterized as final. Those same people have stated that, as per the nature of the layoffs, the roles and responsibilities previously carried out by fired staff cannot be refilled. Is this characterization of the RIF efforts correct?
      1. If so, how can the CDC continue to carry-out its statutorily required responsibilities under FCSRCA?
    1. What communication, if any, has been given to IVF clinics in connection with the ARTS layoffs and how to report data going forward? If any such communication was distributed, please produce it.
    1. Does the CDC continue to collect data from IVF clinics across the country?
      1. If so, who is responsible for collecting that data and where is the data presently being stored?
    1. People considering and undergoing IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies rely on up-to-date information to make informed medical decisions. Each year, CDC collects data from IVF clinics across the country and standardizes this information into a public-facing website and report.
      1. As of the ARTS team’s firings, the 2023 data had been fully collected. What is the anticipated release date for the 2023 IVF report? Has this timeline been impacted by the ARTS layoffs?
      2. Have any of the information categories published in previous years been removed or altered? If so, please describe the changes that have been made to information categories and provide a rationale for any changes.
    1. The ARTS team was operational for over 30 years and the historical information it held related to ARTS is uniquely instructive to public health efforts and contains sensitive PII about hopeful parents undergoing IVF and their children. How will the CDC maintain patient confidentiality, protect PII, and sustain this critical database moving forward? Please provide a detailed plan.
      1. Further, who is presently in charge of the historical information previously held by the ARTS Team and where is this information held?
    1. Was the decision to dismiss the ARTS team made in consultation with any nongovernmental entities, including nonprofits, think tanks, advocacy organizations, research or educational institutions, or public policy research organizations.
      1. If so, please provide any written documents or correspondence that informed this decision and name all non-governmental entities involved in the decision to terminate the ARTS team.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Same Day Senate Republicans Strip Internet Access from Students and Educators, President Trump Attempts to Illegally End Bipartisan Law to Connect Seniors, Veterans, and Rural Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Trump’s NTIA Nominee Testified: “I commit to implementing NTIA’s statutory requirements, including with respect to the Digital Equity Act”
    New Mexico Was Expected to Receive $14.3 Million in Grants, Covers 91.7% of State Population
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement that he will “end” the Digital Equity Act (DEA), which Congress passed as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:
    “On the same day Senate Republicans voted to strip internet access from students and educators, President Trump is illegally attempting to end a program that connects millions of people to the online world. In New Mexico, we know the difference between slow internet, fast internet, and no internet and the challenges that come with it. Our students, seniors, veterans, and small businesses rely on internet access for education, health care, economic opportunity, and public safety. President Trump is leaving our communities in the dark.
    “The President does not have the authority to unilaterally end this bipartisan law, deem it unconstitutional, or withhold funding that was appropriated by Congress. Congressional Democrats will fight back – and Republicans must stand up to defend this law that benefits all of our constituents.”
    In April, President Trump’s nominee to lead the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) told members of the Senate Commerce Committee, “I commit to implementing NTIA’s statutory requirements, including with respect to the Digital Equity Act.”Yet on Thursday, President Trump announced that he would illegally end this bipartisan law, jeopardizing billions of dollars that states rely on to expand broadband access. On the same day, Senate Republicans voted to strip internet access millions of students and educators. 
    In 2020, then-U.S. Representative Luján introduced the Digital Equity Act to provide funding for state and community digital inclusion efforts. In 2023, Senator Luján introduced the Digital Equity Foundation Act, legislation to establish a nonprofit foundation to channel public and private investments toward closing the digital divide and advancing digital equity, inclusion, and literacy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: More Than 26,000 Hawai‘i Residents Join Schatz’s Statewide Telephone Town Hall

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON – More than 26,000 Hawai‘i residents today joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz’s (D-Hawai‘i) statewide telephone town hall. Senator Schatz heard from constituents, listened to their priorities and concerns, provided updates on his work in the Senate, and took questions on federal funding for Hawai‘i, Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, FEMA, and recent actions from the Trump administration, among many others.

    “To represent Hawai‘i as effectively as I can in the Senate, it’s essential that I hear from people all across our state,” said Senator Schatz. “Mahalo to the tens of thousands of people who joined me today to share their stories, their priorities, and their concerns. We will continue working to protect and deliver federal resources to every part of the state.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Blumenthal, Senators Pen Letter To HHS Secretary Kennedy, FDA Commissioner Makary Urging Them To Halt Efforts To Weaken Food Oversight

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    May 09, 2025

    FDA “is one of the best positioned federal offices to help ‘Make America Healthy Again,’ but the Trump Administration has undermined the program,” the Senators wrote in their letter

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and three of their Senate Democratic colleagues today sent a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary raising concerns about recent changes to the FDA that will weaken the Human Foods Program, which spearheads all food safety and nutrition efforts at FDA.  The Senators’ letter comes as Secretary Kennedy has slashed staffing at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), terminating 10,000 employees, including 19 percent of the FDA workforce. 

    “The Human Foods Program oversees 78 percent of food in the United States.  It enforces federal laws, coordinates with other federal agencies and state and local governments, and distributes public health information.  Further, it combats diet-related chronic diseases, such as heart disease and certain cancers, that shorten lives and contribute to rising health care costs,” the Senators wrote in their letter. 

    “The Human Foods Program is one of the best positioned federal offices to help ‘Make America Healthy Again,’ but the Trump Administration has undermined the program through workforce terminations, funding cuts, and haphazard ‘reorganizations,’ all of which will put the health and well-being of Americans at risk,” the Senators continued their letter.

    Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary have signed off on massive cuts to FDA, damaging critical operations at the Human Foods Program.  In addition to laying off 3,500 FDA employees, including hundreds of workers in the Human Foods Program and Office of Inspections and Investigations, FDA has slashed funding for state inspection offices that review processed food facilities, produce facilities, and restaurants.

    “The Government Accountability Office found that food inspections need to be strengthened to prevent outbreaks.  However, HHS’ changes will force food inspectors to spend valuable time booking their own travel and seeking approvals, rather than inspecting food facilities.  This is careless and will lead to even fewer inspections—and less safe food,” the Senators wrote.

    Further, Secretary Kennedy has senselessly chosen to consolidate HHS’ 28 divisions into 15 while reducing HHS regional offices from 10 to five, resulting in the closure of HHS’ Chicago office that worked with state and local governments to address outbreaks and other public health concerns. 

    “Eliminating these regional offices will reduce state and local governments’ access to HHS resources, and the decision to shutter laboratories across the nation—some which had been working to curb the spread of bird flu—will lead to even slower response times to future outbreaks.  Further, reports that FDA is considering combining all product offices into a single Office of Product Evaluation and Regulation would further undermine oversight and enforcement,” the Senators wrote.

    The Senators concluded their letter, urging Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary to reconsider their decision to ax HHS and FDA’s workforce at the detriment of Americans’ health.

    “Americans deserve access to the safest and healthiest food.  But, too often, it has been a source of sickness, rather than a source of health.  The Trump Administration’s recent actions, sadly, will not change that—and will not ‘Make America Healthy Again.’  Americans will become even sicker.  We encourage HHS and FDA to abandon these plans and invest in improving the health and well-being of Americans,” the Senators concluded their letter.

    In addition to Durbin and Blumenthal, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Tina Smith (D-MN) signed onto the letter.

    In April, Durbin led the Illinois Democratic Delegation in sending a letter to Secretary Kennedy vocalizing their strong opposition to his decision to close the HHS Region 5 office in Chicago.  In addition to ripping away billions in promised federal funding, Secretary Kennedy has overseen the destruction of HHS’ workforce and infrastructure, putting thousands of dedicated career civil servants out of a job while gutting critical federal agencies.  Since President Trump’s inauguration, 10,000 HHS employees have left the agency or been fired.  A couple weeks ago, HHS announced that an additional 10,000 public health workers will be fired, including 3,500 from the Food and Drug Administration, 2,400 workers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1,200 workers from the National Institutes of Health, and 300 workers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

    Full text of the letter follows:

    May 9, 2025

    Dear Secretary Kennedy and Commissioner Makary,

                We write with concern about recent changes at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that will weaken the Human Foods Program.  We urge you to abandon these plans before Americans become even sicker.

                The Human Foods Program oversees 78 percent of food in the United States.  It enforces federal laws, coordinates with other federal agencies and state and local governments, and distributes public health information.  Further, it combats diet-related chronic diseases, such as heart disease and certain cancers, that shorten lives and contribute to rising health care costs.  The Human Foods Program is one of the best positioned federal offices to help “Make America Healthy Again,” but the Trump Administration has undermined the program through workforce terminations, funding cuts, and haphazard “reorganizations,” all of which will put the health and well-being of Americans at risk.

    For example, in March, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced plans to eliminate 3,500 FDA employees, including hundreds of workers in the Human Foods Program and nearly 170 workers in the Office of Inspections and Investigations, who helped to book travel for inspectors and processed reimbursements.  In addition, FDA is cutting funding to state inspection offices, which conduct more than 50 percent of inspections at processed food facilities, 90 percent of inspections at produce facilities, and all inspections at restaurants.  In the face of too many serious outbreaks and recalls, FDA has not taken the steps necessary to inspect food facilities or address serious issues, such as prior to the nationwide infant formula recall in 2022.  The Government Accountability Office found that food inspections need to be strengthened to prevent outbreaks.  However, HHS’ changes will force food inspectors to spend valuable time booking their own travel and seeking approvals, rather than inspecting food facilities.  This is careless and will lead to even fewer inspections—and less safe food.

    HHS also announced a significant reorganization, including the closure of regional offices in Chicago, New York, Boston, Seattle, and San Francisco, and the closure of laboratories across the nation.  Eliminating these regional offices will reduce state and local governments’ access to HHS resources, and the decision to shutter laboratories across the nation—some which had been working to curb the spread of bird flu—will lead to even slower response times to future outbreaks.  Further, reports that FDA is considering combining all product offices into a single Office of Product Evaluation and Regulation would further undermine oversight and enforcement.

    Americans deserve access to the safest and healthiest food.  But, too often, it has been a source of sickness, rather than a source of health.  The Trump Administration’s recent actions, sadly, will not change that—and will not “Make America Healthy Again.”  Americans will become even sicker.  We encourage HHS and FDA to abandon these plans and invest in improving the health and well-being of Americans.

    Sincerely,

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Discusses Trump Cuts To AmeriCorps Programs With Program Alumni

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    May 09, 2025

    CHICAGO   ?  U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined leaders from Public Allies Chicago and North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN) , as well as AmeriCorps alumni, to discuss the impact of the Trump Administration’s elimination of federal funding for AmeriCorps programs.

    “From rebuilding homes and providing rural health care, to tutoring kids after school and cleaning up after natural disasters, AmeriCorps supports our most under-resourced communities,” said Durbin. “Service providers like Public Allies and North Lawndale Employment Network are left in the lurch thanks to President Trump’s decision to eliminate this critical, bipartisan-supported funding. I will continue urging my Republican colleagues to fight against this Administration’s senseless attempts to eliminate such small amounts of funding that have such incredible, positive impact in their communities like here in Chicago.”

    “Since its founding 1993, Public Allies Chicago has equipped young community leaders with the skills to improve the lives of Chicagoans through service placements at more than 400 local nonprofit and government partners working on critical issues like education, violence prevention and underemployment,” said Mark Payne, Executive Director, Public Allies Chicago. “In just the last few years, Public Allies Chicago has turned $3.7 million in federal funds into a $7.5 million investment in Chicago’s communities. Cuts to AmeriCorps harm Chicago’s service-minded young people and our most vulnerable communities.”

    “Public Allies has been an incredible capacity builder for NLEN, enhancing our ability to serve the community effectively while investing in residents like Michael Bradley and Ronnie Branch, our community leaders of tomorrow.” said Brenda Palms-Barber, NLEN CEO

    Photos of today’s meeting are available here.

    The Trump Administration’s elimination of federal funding for AmeriCorps will lead to the shuttering of 1,000 programs and will end service for more than 32,000 AmeriCorps members across the nation. In Illinois, $12 million in federal grants will be terminated, impacting 632 AmeriCorps employees, including Public Allies Chicago and North Lawndale Employment Network, which provide critical community and career services to Chicagoans.

    Earlier this week, Durbin spoke on the Senate floor about the direct impact that eliminating AmeriCorps funding will have on Illinois, including the Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House in East St. Louis, Illinois, which Durbin visited last month.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons, colleagues urge Trump to press for immediate resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza and return to Israel-Gaza hostage and ceasefire negotiations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) led a letter of 25 Democratic senators to President Trump in advance of the president’s upcoming travel to the Middle East next week, urging him to take an active role in pressing for humanitarian aid and a return to ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in order to ensure Israel’s security and end more than 15 months of devastating conflict in Gaza.
    When Trump took office, the January 15 ceasefire deal negotiated under the presidential transition of the Biden administration was in effect––30 Israeli hostages were reunited with their families, Hamas’ military capacity had been effectively obliterated, and humanitarian aid was reaching Gaza. In the months since Trump’s inauguration, however, negotiations towards long-term regional security have collapsed, and dozens of hostages remain imprisoned by Hamas.
    Before next week’s visit, the senators wrote to President Trump that “the United States is not providing much needed leadership to drive peace forward in the region.” President Trump’s planned visit to the region does not include a stop in Israel.  He has chosen to conclude a truce with Houthi terrorists even as they pledge to continue striking Israel. He also appears to be turning a blind eye towards the core task of ensuring Israel’s security for today and for the long term. 
    The senators described Gaza’s catastrophic humanitarian crisis under a months-long blockade of aid. More than 116,000 metric tons of food assistance have been stuck outside Gaza, and an estimated 90 percent of Gaza’s population face high levels of acute food and water insecurity. According to the United Nations, most civilians face emergency or crisis levels of hunger.
    This week, Israel also announced its intent to expand military operations and pursue a long-term occupation of Gaza. “The announcement has already escalated tensions in the Middle East, once again threatening to engulf the volatile region in conflict,” wrote the senators. “The Houthis struck Israel’s Ben Gurion airport on May 4 and have vowed to further retaliate against the proposed occupation. Jordan, one of our most important regional security partners, is facing intensifying pressure amid continued public anger over Gaza. Saudi Arabia has made it clear there can be no progress towards normalization with Israel without a pathway toward Palestinian statehood.”
    “Israel’s proposed occupation plans take us further away from permanently ending the Israel-Gaza war and upholding Israel’s security, both goals that you have promised to achieve under your administration,” the senators added. 
    Specifically, the senators asked Trump to press all parties to agree to a deal that: 
    Secures the immediate release of all remaining hostages
    Ushers in a ceasefire
    Works towards the creation of a security force backed by Arab partners to administer Gaza without Hamas
    Creates a path toward a lasting solution that will allow the Israeli and Palestinian people to live in security, dignity, and prosperity
    The senators ended the letter by reaffirming their unequivocal commitment to Israel’s security and its right to defend itself.  
    “It has been nearly 20 months since Hamas murdered more than 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages, including American citizens,” the senators concluded. “This period has also been marked by severe humanitarian suffering of civilians in Gaza, where more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed and millions displaced. All of us are longstanding advocates of the U.S.-Israel security partnership, and we will continue to fight for the defense of the Israeli people. That is why, today, we stand with the nearly three-quarters of the Israeli public who are fighting for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza in exchange for a ceasefire.”
    In addition to Senator Coons, Reed, Schatz, Shaheen, and Warner, the letter is signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
    Senator Coons is the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
    You can read the full letter here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Push Trump Administration to Fill Sudan Special Envoy Position as Civil War Continues

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and a bipartisan group of Senate colleagues wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to work with President Trump to appoint a new Special Envoy for Sudan, build out key senior Africa roles at the State Department and the National Security Council, and to hold accountable both internal and foreign actors prolonging the conflict.
    The ongoing violence in Sudan has led to a massive humanitarian crisis. Since the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023, it’s estimated that the conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands to potentially over one hundred thousand individuals, and in the region, an estimated 30 million Sudanese are in need of immediate assistance.
    Warner and Kaine have led efforts to address this crisis, including introducing the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act, legislation to bolster and coordinate the U.S. response to the war in Sudan. The senators also previously pushed the Biden administration to take steps to better address the chaos and violence displacing millions of people in Sudan and the surrounding regions by appointing a Special Envoy for Sudan. Following the senators’ calls for a special envoy, President Biden appointed former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello to the position, but the position has remained vacant under the Trump administration.
    The senators wrote, “Since its outbreak, this conflict has displaced more than 14 million people – an estimated 11.5 million internally, plus an additional 3 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions. Approximately 30 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – are in urgent humanitarian need. By some estimates, the conflict has killed upwards of 150,000 people, in what the U.S. government has officially declared a genocide. Belligerents on both sides stand accused of atrocities, including killings, abductions of civilians, and horrific instances of sexual violence against women and children.”
    The senators highlighted continued bipartisan efforts to respond to the crisis in Sudan and the need to fill crucial roles in countries impacted by the ongoing civil war. 
    Added the senators, “We urge the Administration to fill the Special Envoy position, which would align with bipartisan Congressional intent expressed through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions of the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act. We also strongly urge you to work with the President to nominate senior officials responsible for Africa, including the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, ambassadors to countries impacted by or otherwise implicated in the conflict, and push for the appointment of a Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council to coordinate interagency efforts.”
    In addition to the need to fill these crucial roles, the senators highlighted the impact that outside influences are having on this crisis, and the need for the U.S. to hold accountable any foreign actors exacerbating the crisis. 
    “To date, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added SAF and RSF members to the Specially Designated Nationals List and taken action against numerous UAE companies for potentially violating U.S. sanctions. We encourage you, alongside allies and partners, to continue to hold accountable external actors that support and/or finance the conflict, using all available tools,” they wrote. 
    In addition to Warner and Kaine, the letter was signed by Todd Young (R-IN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
    A copy of letter is available here and text is below.
    Dear Secretary Rubio,
    Now into the third year of destructive conflict in Sudan, with escalating violence and atrocities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), U.S. engagement to bring a resolution to this conflict is more critical than ever. You can send a strong signal to the region by working with the President to appoint a new Special Envoy for Sudan and holding accountable both Sudanese and foreign actors prolonging the conflict. 
    Since its outbreak, this conflict has displaced more than 14 million people – an estimated 11.5 million internally, plus an additional 3 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions. Approximately 30 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – are in urgent humanitarian need. By some estimates, the conflict has killed upwards of 150,000 people, in what the U.S. government has officially declared a genocide. Belligerents on both sides stand accused of atrocities, including killings, abductions of civilians, and horrific instances of sexual violence against women and children.
    We urge the Administration to fill the Special Envoy position, which would align with bipartisan Congressional intent expressed through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions of the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act.  We also strongly urge you to work with the President to nominate senior officials responsible for Africa, including the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, ambassadors to countries impacted by or otherwise implicated in the conflict, and push for the appointment of a Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council to coordinate interagency efforts.
    In addition to naming an envoy, we urge you to hold accountable external actors – including the UAE, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt – and foreign businesses fueling the gruesome atrocities. The recent large-scale offensive by the RSF in Darfur – which has included storming and systematically burning down the Zamzam refugee camp, killing hundreds of people in a massacre that has also forced hundreds of thousands more to flee the camp in a matter of days – exemplifies the depravity that is being enabled by these external forces.
    To date, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added SAF and RSF members to the Specially Designated Nationals List and taken action against numerous UAE companies for potentially violating U.S. sanctions. We encourage you, alongside allies and partners, to continue to hold accountable external actors that support and/or finance the conflict, using all available tools.
    Conflicts rarely stay localized, and the longer this horrific war drags on, the more combustible this region becomes – an outcome that creates a power vacuum that extremists, terrorists, and our foreign adversaries will only be too happy to fill. The war’s continuation not only harms millions of innocent civilians, but also poses serious risk to American security interests in the region.
    We strongly support U.S. engagement and leadership in Sudan. The appointment of a new Special Envoy would send a strong signal. We look forward to working together to support your efforts to end the conflict in Sudan, address the humanitarian crisis, hold accountable those responsible for atrocities, and stop the actors fueling this crisis inside and outside Sudan.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski Presses DOE, DOI Nominees on Alaska Priorities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    05.09.25
    Washington, DC – This week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee held a hearing to consider the nominations of William Doffermyre to be Solicitor at the Department of the Interior, Kyle Haustveit to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Fossil Energy), and Catherine Jereza to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Electricity). U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), former Chairman of the committee, pressed the nominees on carbon capture projects on Alaska’s North Slope, the need to improve transmission in the Railbelt region and across the state, and the need for the Interior to return to following the law as written by Congress.
    Just prior to the hearing, ENR held a business meeting and favorably reported four nominations to the full Senate for confirmation. Murkowski supported all four nominees, including her former ENR staff member, Tristan Abbey, to lead the Energy Information Administration and Leslie Beyer to be Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management at Interior.
    Click here to watch the Senator’s full line of questioning.
    The full transcript of Murkowski’s comments during this week’s ENR hearing is below.
    TRANSCRIPT
    Murkowski: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I apologize that I’ve missed most of your testimony. My commitment to you is that I’m going back to read it all. Some very quick questions today, as we’re running between different committees, first to Mr. Haustveit: carbon capture. We’ve got some key projects that we’re anticipating as we’re looking to process North Slope natural gas. This is central to the viability of our Alaska LNG project. DOE has already awarded funding for two CCS initiatives. One is ASRC’s CarbonSAFE hub and then a direct air capture feasibility study. Both of these are in limbo right now where we’re concerned that they may be on a DOE list of cuts going to the White House. It’s something, again, that we have been working with industry in a very collaborative way, working with the agencies, and we look at this piece as really very strategic for the energy initiative that we have up there. I know you’re not in yet, but I’m just asking for your commitment to look critically at this, (and) to have the ability to defend these Alaska-based projects given their strategic energy importance.
    Haustveit: Senator, thank you for the question. As you stated, I’m not in, so I don’t know the details, but I do commit to looking at projects that are part of the Department. Carbon capture, especially when used for extracting additional hydrocarbons, is something that I’m passionate about. Prudhoe Bay benefited greatly from reinjection because you didn’t have a place to put the gas for a long time, and you reinjected it; it resulted in higher recovery. 
    Murkowski: We’re still doing that.
    Haustveit: My home state is recovering somewhere between 10% and 15% of the oil in place. And CO2 is a potential solution to inject into the reservoir to recover more oil. We’ve got tremendous resources in our country. Alaska is blessed greatly with resources across the entire state. And CO2, if available at affordable levels, can be a great injectant, can be a great solution to recover more of that resource.
    Murkowski: We look forward to sharing more of the details about these projects and the opportunity to show you firsthand. 
    Haustveit: Thank you, Senator.
    Murkowski: Let me turn to you, Ms. Jereza. As you know, the map shows we’re not connected. We’re not connected by geography to the Lower 48 and our grid is not part of a continental grid. And so we have some unique reliability and affordability challenges. Our grid is what we call the Railbelt. So, it goes up as far as the railroad and then kind of comes back down the other way. But we have aging infrastructure, aging transmission infrastructure, that we’re dealing with. We’ve got limited redundancy. We’ve got high cost to our ratepayers. So, I need you, and again, same point that I just made previously: I understand you’re not there yet—but we have a grid modernization effort that is underway, significant grant funding that came a couple years ago to help us with this integration of the transmission grid, to kind of boost it up, to allow it to take us forward for the next decade or so. So, I just need your commitment to look critically at what our needs are in Alaska, again, when we’re not part of anybody else’s interrelated grid. 
    Jereza: Senator, it would be my pleasure to do that. I actually was fortunate enough to go to Cordova and see the great innovations that are happening at Cordova, so I can’t wait to go back.
    Murkowski: Good. You will have that invitation. And finally, Mr. Doffermyre, I know you’ve got a little bit of a connection to Alaska through some of your law school buddies who are very focused on Alaska: Kaleb Froehlich, who is around here, he speaks highly of you, by the way. We saw in the last administration just a torrent of decisions and regulations from Interior that were absolutely, contrary to what we passed into law here in Congress. It was pretty tough. And this was on our petroleum reserve. It was on the non-wilderness portion of the Coastal Plain. It was on the Ambler Access Project, our Public Land Orders, we’ve got a whole list of them. I just need your commitment—and I hope that this is the easiest question that you will ever get: your commitment to ensure that Interior returns to following the law, the law as it is written, if you are confirmed as Solicitor.
    Doffermyre: Yes, ma’am. 
    Murkowski: See how easy that was. I appreciate that, because we feel like we’re pretty clear here in our policies, and then when it is not followed through on the other end, (we have) great frustration. So, I look forward to seeing you keep that commitment. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I appreciate the opportunity to blast in at the very end. Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Push State Department for Action on Tourist Visa Delays Threatening Major Economic Activity

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to increase capacity at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to address dramatic visa delays that threaten to stall international tourism to the United States, negatively impacting American communities and businesses. This letter comes in anticipation of two global events in 2026, the FIFA World Cup and America’s 250th anniversary, that are expected to bring in millions of visitors and major economic opportunities. In Virginia alone, the 250th anniversary events are expected to draw more than 9 million visitors and deliver over $1.5 billion in economic activity, including 22,000 new jobs. 
    “We are increasingly concerned that the Department of State is not prepared for the influx of international tourists we hope will come enjoy our nation’s and Virginia’s many exciting offerings during the America’s 250th celebrations. International visitors were projected to bring in more than $200 billion to the United States in 2025, though this administration’s tariffs and treatment of foreign visitors is actively driving down international tourism, resulting in a projected $9 billion loss in visitor spending,” wrote the senators. “Very little time remains to recover, but the rewards for doing so will be tremendous. America’s tourism industry has the opportunity to be dramatically buoyed when the United States begins hosting millions of international soccer fans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be the first tournament that includes an expanded field of 48 nations. Virginia is eager to welcome visitors during their time in the United States to enjoy our beautiful state and national parks, historical sights, cities, restaurants, and small businesses.”
    “Recent reporting indicates that, instead of increasing capacity at foreign embassies to address this influx of tourists to the United States, staff is being cut from the State Department, including at embassies and consulates around the world. These staff are responsible for interviewing potential visitors and processing visas ahead of tourist travel to the United States,” they continued. “Visa wait times at United States embassies and consulates have been a challenge for years, and there were bipartisan efforts in Congress during the past administration to increase resourcing commensurate with demand. We have strong concerns that, rather than working to chip away at these backlogs, the staffing policies by this administration threaten to dramatically increase tourist visa wait times.”
    Emphasizing the need to address visa delays, the senators noted that wait times at some embassies already eclipse the number of days until next year’s events. They stressed that international visitors – including soccer fans from several likely FIFA World Cup qualifiers – will simply not be able to travel to the United States if no action is taken to address visa wait times.
    A PDF copy of the letter is available here and full text can be found below.
    Dear Secretary Rubio:
    In just over a year, our nation will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. As the Senators from the Commonwealth of Virginia, we are particularly proud and excited to welcome our fellow Americans and visitors from across the globe to celebrate our nation’s history, our people, and our democracy in the place where this great experiment began – Virginia. The events surrounding the celebration of our America’s 250th anniversary are anticipated to bring in over 9 million visitors to participate in the programming with an estimated $1.5 billion economic impact to the Commonwealth, including the creation of 22,000 jobs.
    We are increasingly concerned that the Department of State is not prepared for the influx of international tourists we hope will come enjoy our nation’s and Virginia’s many exciting offerings during the America’s 250th celebrations. International visitors were projected to bring in more than $200 billion to the United States in 2025 , though this administration’s tariffs and treatment of foreign visitors is actively driving down international tourism , resulting in a projected $9 billion loss in visitor spending.   Very little time remains to recover, but the rewards for doing so will be tremendous. America’s tourism industry has the opportunity to be dramatically buoyed when the United States begins hosting millions of international soccer fans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be the first tournament that includes an expanded field of 48 nations. Virginia is eager to welcome visitors during their time in the United States to enjoy our beautiful state and national parks, historical sights, cities, restaurants, and small businesses. 
    The Commonwealth and our nation are reliant on Department of State infrastructure and resourcing to make that happen, and our confidence is flagging. Recent reporting indicates that, instead of increasing capacity at foreign embassies to address this influx of tourists to the United States, staff is being cut from the State Department, including at embassies and consulates around the world.  These staff are responsible for interviewing potential visitors and processing visas ahead of tourist travel to the United States. This function is critical to ensuring U.S. national security by evaluating the safety and suitability of those visiting our country, and ensuring our visitors are secure in their status during their time in the United States. This vital work is labor-intensive and time-consuming. It requires a robust diplomatic corps free to exercise their expertise. Given the broad international interest in visiting the United States when we host global events, increasing capacity at embassies and consulates to screen and process the increased volume of potential visitors will have a direct positive economic benefit on American communities and businesses.
    Visa wait times at United States embassies and consulates have been a challenge for years, and there were bipartisan efforts in Congress during the past administration to increase resourcing commensurate with demand. We have strong concerns that, rather than working to chip away at these backlogs, the staffing policies by this administration threaten to dramatically increase tourist visa wait times. Based on publicly available federal data, the wait time at some U.S. embassies abroad already eclipses the number of days until next year’s events. In the absence of intensive efforts to reduce visa wait times, international visitors will be unable to visit Virginia and other states for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations, and soccer fans from several likely FIFA World Cup qualifiers will be unable to obtain visas to see their national teams play in the United States. The economic and reputational losses our nation will suffer if you do not resolve the current backlog and implement a surge visa processing plan would be significant. 
    As our nation’s top diplomat, we do not have to tell you that our greatest tools in diplomacy are America’s democracy and our culture. America’s 250th anniversary and the FIFA World Cup are historic opportunities to share both with an enormous international audience, while bringing in tremendous economic benefits. We urge you to ensure your staffing model for embassies and consulates is calibrated to the unprecedented influx of international tourists our nation can expect over the coming months.
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Young, Colleagues Push Trump Administration to Fill Sudan Special Envoy Position as Civil War Continues

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Todd Young (R-IN) wrote to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to work with President Trump to appoint a new Special Envoy for Sudan, build out key senior Africa roles at the State Department and the National Security Council, and to hold accountable both internal and foreign actors prolonging the conflict. Joining Sens. Warner and Young in the letter are U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
    The ongoing violence in Sudan has led to a massive humanitarian crisis. Since the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began in April 2023, it’s estimated that the conflict has claimed the lives of tens of thousands to potentially over one hundred thousand individuals, and in the region, an estimated 30 million Sudanese are in need of immediate assistance.
    Sen. Warner has led bipartisan efforts to address this crisis, including pushing the Biden administration to take steps to better address the chaos and violence displacing millions of people in Sudan and the surrounding regions. Following the senators’ calls for a special envoy, President Biden appointed former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello to the position, but the position has remained vacant under the Trump administration.
    The senators wrote, “Since its outbreak, this conflict has displaced more than 14 million people – an estimated 11.5 million internally, plus an additional 3 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions. Approximately 30 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – are in urgent humanitarian need. By some estimates, the conflict has killed upwards of 150,000 people, in what the U.S. government has officially declared a genocide. Belligerents on both sides stand accused of atrocities, including killings, abductions of civilians, and horrific instances of sexual violence against women and children.”
    The senators highlighted continued bipartisan efforts to respond to the crisis in Sudan and the need to fill crucial roles in countries impacted by the ongoing civil war. 
    Added the senators, “We urge the Administration to fill the Special Envoy position, which would align with bipartisan Congressional intent expressed through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions of the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act. We also strongly urge you to work with the President to nominate senior officials responsible for Africa, including the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, ambassadors to countries impacted by or otherwise implicated in the conflict, and push for the appointment of a Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council to coordinate interagency efforts.”
    In addition to the need to fill these crucial roles, the senators highlighted the impact that outside influences are having on this crisis, and the need for the U.S. to hold accountable any foreign actors exacerbating the crisis. 
    “To date, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added SAF and RSF members to the Specially Designated Nationals List and taken action against numerous UAE companies for potentially violating U.S. sanctions. We encourage you, alongside allies and partners, to continue to hold accountable external actors that support and/or finance the conflict, using all available tools,” they wrote. 
    Sen. Warner has been a leading voice in the Senate about the need for increased diplomatic and humanitarian support for Sudan since the war erupted. Last year, Sen. Warner pushed the Biden administration take more decisive action against foreign entities fueling the ongoing civil war in Sudan. In May 2023, he and Sen. Kaine requested that the Biden administration issue a new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Sudan, which was subsequently issued. Later that month, Sens. Warner and Kaine led a group of colleagues in urging the administration to offer all available support for humanitarian efforts in the region – and to be forward leaning on prioritizing local and community-based response efforts – as well as appoint a Special Envoy to Sudan tasked with coordinating and leading U.S. diplomatic efforts to address the crisis. In December 2023, the senators continued calling on the Biden administration to designate a Special Envoy to Sudan, and former U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello was subsequently appointed to the position. Sen. Warner has also continued his efforts to provide support to Sudan and the Sudanese diaspora and meeting with the Sudanese community in Virginia.  
    A copy of letter is available here and text is below.
    Dear Secretary Rubio,
    Now into the third year of destructive conflict in Sudan, with escalating violence and atrocities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF), U.S. engagement to bring a resolution to this conflict is more critical than ever. You can send a strong signal to the region by working with the President to appoint a new Special Envoy for Sudan and holding accountable both Sudanese and foreign actors prolonging the conflict. 
    Since its outbreak, this conflict has displaced more than 14 million people – an estimated 11.5 million internally, plus an additional 3 million fleeing to neighboring countries and regions. Approximately 30 million people – more than half of Sudan’s population – are in urgent humanitarian need. By some estimates, the conflict has killed upwards of 150,000 people, in what the U.S. government has officially declared a genocide. Belligerents on both sides stand accused of atrocities, including killings, abductions of civilians, and horrific instances of sexual violence against women and children.
    We urge the Administration to fill the Special Envoy position, which would align with bipartisan Congressional intent expressed through the passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which included provisions of the Response to Conflict in Sudan Act.  We also strongly urge you to work with the President to nominate senior officials responsible for Africa, including the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, ambassadors to countries impacted by or otherwise implicated in the conflict, and push for the appointment of a Senior Director for Africa at the National Security Council to coordinate interagency efforts.
    In addition to naming an envoy, we urge you to hold accountable external actors – including the UAE, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt – and foreign businesses fueling the gruesome atrocities. The recent large-scale offensive by the RSF in Darfur – which has included storming and systematically burning down the Zamzam refugee camp, killing hundreds of people in a massacre that has also forced hundreds of thousands more to flee the camp in a matter of days – exemplifies the depravity that is being enabled by these external forces.
    To date, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added SAF and RSF members to the Specially Designated Nationals List and taken action against numerous UAE companies for potentially violating U.S. sanctions. We encourage you, alongside allies and partners, to continue to hold accountable external actors that support and/or finance the conflict, using all available tools.
    Conflicts rarely stay localized, and the longer this horrific war drags on, the more combustible this region becomes – an outcome that creates a power vacuum that extremists, terrorists, and our foreign adversaries will only be too happy to fill. The war’s continuation not only harms millions of innocent civilians, but also poses serious risk to American security interests in the region.
    We strongly support U.S. engagement and leadership in Sudan. The appointment of a new Special Envoy would send a strong signal. We look forward to working together to support your efforts to end the conflict in Sudan, address the humanitarian crisis, hold accountable those responsible for atrocities, and stop the actors fueling this crisis inside and outside Sudan.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Smith, Baldwin, Sanders Slam Trump Admin Proposal to Dissolve Mental Health Agency

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Smith, Baldwin, Sanders Slam Trump Admin Proposal to Dissolve Mental Health Agency

    Senators to Secretary Kennedy: “We demand that HHS not unlawfully dismantle SAMHSA, which would only serve to further exacerbate a growing mental health and substance use disorder crisis.”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, condemned the Trump Administration’s proposed dissolution of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) as part of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) restructuring plan and the White House Office of Management and Budget’s HHS budget proposal. In their letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the Senators expressed deep concerns about the consequences of dismantling SAMHSA, outlined the impacts on the worsening behavioral and mental health crisis, and detailed why the proposal is unlawful.
    According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 50 million Americans aged 12 and older battled a substance use disorder and 58.7 million Americans aged 18 and older experienced a mental illness in 2023. The programs administered by SAMHSA are crucial to addressing this national crisis. The Trump Administration’s actions harm the operations of crucial programs, including roughly $7 billion in grant distribution, access to early intervention for mental health care, and support services for crisis care, many of which are statutorily required.
    “At a time when America is in a dual mental health and substance use crisis, a time when youth suicide is at all-time highs, a time when synthetic opioids are destroying communities and taking lives, this proposed destruction of SAMHSA will harm the American people,” wrote the Senators. “This proposed reorganization and your proposed cuts of over $1 billion to mental health and substance use programs threaten the lives of millions of Americans and appear to violate federal law.”
    “SAMHSA, its functions, its role, and many of its positions are clearly outlined and required by federal law. Firing most of SAMHSA’s staff and breaking up SAMHSA appear to violate these statutory requirements,” continued the Senators. “Downsizing SAMHSA into a new ‘division’, dismantling its functions, and firing over half its workforce puts at risk the lives of the 58.7 million Americans who experience a mental health condition and 48.5 million of those who are impacted by a substance use disorder.”
    The Senators emphasized the importance of SAMHSA’s essential work in administering programs including State Opioid Response grants, the National Survey of Drug Use and Health for crucial behavioral health data collection, the Assisted Outpatient Treatment Program for funding community-based care, and FindTreatment.gov for connecting people to mental health care resources, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
    Furthermore, the Senators stressed that Congress has passed multiple bills creating and expanding SAMHSA’s behavioral and mental health services, and that eliminating SAMHSA would violate the law. The bipartisan Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration Reorganization Act (ADAMHA), signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1992, established SAMHSA and included requirements for various grant programs and roles that the Trump Administration has proposed eliminating. The ADAMHA Reorganization Act codified additional positions and transferred numerous authorities to SAMHSA.
    Moreover, the 21st Century Cures Act established the Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee through 2027, which the Trump Administration terminated, and codified SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality to administer the annual National Survey of Drug Use and Health, but the team responsible for the survey was reportedly eliminated in the mass layoffs.
    The Senators concluded by demanding answers on the Trump Administration’s plans for the continuity of SAMHSA’s statutorily required roles and programs and the impacts of HHS’ restructuring.
    “We demand that HHS not unlawfully dismantle SAMHSA, which would only serve to further exacerbate a growing mental health and substance use disorder crisis,” concluded the Senators.
    Senator Padilla is a leading advocate for expanding mental health care access, especially for underserved communities. Earlier this year, Padilla led 12 Democratic Senators in warning HHS Secretary Kennedy that additional staffing cuts at SAMHSA would have disastrous ramifications for millions of Americans struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges. In 2023, Padilla launched the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus to serve as a forum for Senators to collaborate on and promote bipartisan legislation and solutions, hold events to raise awareness of critical mental health issues, and destigmatize mental health. Padilla applauded the Federal Communications Commission for making critical improvements to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by adopting the main provisions of his Local 9-8-8 Response Act of 2023. 
    Additionally, Padilla recently introduced bipartisan legislation to combat the growing youth mental health crisis in America through early intervention and prevention services. Last year, Padilla passed a Senate resolution to raise the alarm about the mental health care crisis American children face and highlight the urgent need to increase our investment in mental health care for children and adolescents. Padilla previously introduced a trio of bills to address the unique mental health needs of military children, Latinos, and farm workers.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Kennedy,
    We write in strong opposition to the proposed dissolution of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) outlined in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) fact sheet on March 27, 2025, and by the proposal from the White House Office of Management and Budget. At a time when America is in a dual mental health and substance use crisis, a time when youth suicide is at all-time highs, a time when synthetic opioids are destroying communities and taking lives, this proposed destruction of SAMHSA will harm the American people. This proposed reorganization and your proposed cuts of over $1 billion to mental health and substance use programs threaten the lives of millions of Americans and appear to violate federal law, including the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA) Reorganization Act and the 21st Century Cures Act.
    President George H.W. Bush signed the bipartisan ADAMHA Reorganization Act into law in 1992. This law formed SAMHSA, a new agency to be the nation’s lead on community-based mental health and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services. In addition to creating a variety of grant programs to be administered by SAMHSA, the ADAMHA Reorganization Act created the role of the Assistant Secretary, transferred numerous authorities to SAMHSA, and created Centers and Center Director and Associate Administrator positions. Therefore, SAMHSA, its functions, its role, and many of its positions are clearly outlined and required by federal law. Firing most of SAMHSA’s staff and breaking up SAMHSA appear to violate these statutory requirements.
    SAMHSA leads the government’s efforts to promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and advance the behavioral health of people across this country. SAMHSA’s programs provide a model for behavioral health care. Downsizing SAMHSA into a new “division”, dismantling its functions, and firing over half its workforce puts at risk the lives of the 58.7 million Americans who experience a mental health condition and 48.5 million of those who are impacted by a substance use disorder.
    The White House Office of Management and Budget HHS Budget Proposal eliminates SAMHSA and creates a new “Mental Health Division”, demotes substance use from its focus, and guts budgets focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery. Amid a dual crisis, this undoes the bipartisan work that Congress and past Administrations have worked to improve. And the federal investments, the expansion of SAMHSA’s work through grant programs and expertise, have worked – for the first time in years, the U.S. has seen a decline in opioid overdose deaths. As the mental health crisis grows, as new synthetic opioids continue to surge, restructuring the agency stands to reverse this historic decline. Now is not the time to change course and risk American lives.
    Congress has passed numerous bills expanding SAMHSA services to reach more Americans. In 2014, the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) was signed into law, creating the Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Program, which funds community-based programs for adults with serious mental illness. This program allows individuals to stay in their community and their homes while also receiving “medically prescribed mental health treatment.” For example, using SAMHSA funds, an AOT program in Montana is working to reduce homelessness and incarceration while improving health and social outcomes for individuals with serious mental illness. Because HHS is dissolving SAMHSA and firing its staff, Montana is in jeopardy of losing the ability to provide their patients with up-to-date, evidence-based services, a key SAMHSA function. Any interruption to the effective delivery of these programs has detrimental consequences.
    In 2016, Congress again prioritized SAMHSA and expanded its services and programming by passing the 21st Century Cures Act. This bill codified SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ), requiring CBHSQ to perform several functions. One of these requirements was to publish an annual report on mental health and substance use disorder, also known as the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). NSDUH is the only source of behavioral health data for people 12 and older in the U.S. and is a critical tool to combat these dual crises. Without this data, states would not be able to implement State Opioid Response grants with fidelity.
    The State Opioid Response (SOR) grant was created to address the overdose crisis, which is now driven by illicit fentanyl, and is meant to help states provide a continuum of care, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services. Funding to support states in combating this epidemic is critical, especially as the crisis is exacerbated by other synthetic opioids. States use SOR funding to purchase and distribute naloxone, test strips, buprenorphine, and much more. SOR is proven to be effective – in 2023, the percentage of people who did not use substances increased by 29.7 percent. SOR funding and NSDUH data give states the ability to purchase these medications, implement these programs, and track outcomes. Reports suggest the entire team running NSDUH was fired on April 1, 2025. Without NSDUH data, states will have inaccurate information on how opioids are affecting their communities, which will result in a lack of resources, incomplete strategies, and an increase in deaths.
    In addition to data collection, CBHSQ is responsible for operating FindTreatment.gov, a critical tool where individuals can find treatment for mental health and substance use disorder care. Launched in 2019 under the first Trump Administration, FindTreatment.gov provides individuals with resources in their communities and connects those in crisis with helplines, including the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Without adequate staffing of FindTreatment.gov, people across this country are left stranded, not knowing where to turn to find treatment and services. The mass terminations at SAMHSA’s CBHSQ and HHS’s announced reorganization make unclear who is operating and overseeing this program that President Trump proudly launched. It is unclear how HHS can now live up to its claim of continuing “to support people who seek substance use treatment on their journey to recovery.”
    The 21st Century Cures Act not only expanded data collection but also improved interdepartmental coordination, something that you claim to prioritize. This bill established the first ever Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) to better direct mental health services for adults and children with a serious mental illness. ISMICC is tasked with evaluating the effects of federal programs, including programs for suicide prevention and overdose reduction, so they can provide “recommendations for actions that agencies can take to better coordinate the administration of mental health services.” By law, ISMICC must be operating to achieve these goals through at least September 30, 2027. However, HHS terminated ISMICC on April 9, 2025. By dismissing ISMICC, HHS is actively putting people in crisis at risk and violating a statutory requirement to protect the American people.
    We demand that HHS not unlawfully dismantle SAMHSA, which would only serve to further exacerbate a growing mental health and substance use disorder crisis. To better understand HHS’s plans and statutory compliance, we request responses to the following questions by May 16, 2025.
    1) Per the 21st Century Cures Act, SAMHSA is required to have an Assistant Secretary, a Chief Medical Officer, and a Director, with specific qualifications, at each of its four mandated Centers – the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, the Center for Mental Health Services, and CBHSQ.
    a. Who is currently serving in these roles, and what are their qualifications?
    b. Have any of the people in these roles been subject to the reduction in force that occurred on April 1, 2025? If so, please explain why these legally mandated positions were part of the reduction.
    c. What is HHS’s plan to maintain these positions and centers under the restructuring at HHS?
    2) SAMHSA is required to have Associate Administrators for Alcohol Prevention and Treatment Policy and Women’s Services.
    a. Who is currently serving in these roles, and what are their qualifications?
    b. Have any of the people in these roles been subject to the reduction in force that occurred on April 1, 2025? If so, please explain why these legally mandated positions were part of the reduction.
    c. What is HHS’s plan to maintain these positions under the restructuring at HHS?
    3) SAMHSA is required to have a National Mental Health and Substance Use Policy Laboratory to coordinate policy changes, review programs, identify duplication, and more.
    a. Please provide a list of all employees in SAMHSA’s Policy Laboratory as of January 19, 2025, and as of April 15, 2025, including job title and General Schedule rank. Please indicate which staff were part of the reduction in force that occurred on April 1, 2025.
    b. How did HHS determine that the proposed restructuring will not prevent fulfilling these statutory duties?
    4) Which Centers and Branches are overseeing each of SAMHSA’s grant programs, including AOT? Please provide the number of employees currently employed for each Center and Branch, and the number of grants each employee is required to supervise.
    5) Who is overseeing each of CBHSQ’s data collection and roles, including NSDUH and FindTreatment.gov? Please provide a list of staff working on each service and provide their qualifications.
    6) Is NSDUH data still being collected through its contract with RTI International?
    a. Does HHS plan to continue its contract with RTI International and ensure all payments are received promptly?
    b. Has there been any break in data collection since January 20, 2025? If so, why, and what did HHS do to restore any missing information?
    7) Why did HHS terminate statutorily-required ISMICC?
    a. When will ISMICC be restored?
    8) What is HHS’s long-term plan with SAMHSA under the restructuring? Please explain how HHS plans to remain in compliance with all relevant statutes under this restructure.
    9) Explain how your decision to dissolve SAMHSA into a “division” will increase efficacy and improve mental health and substance use disorder outcomes for Americans.
    Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Sounds Alarm on DOJ Threats to Journalists, Joins Resolution Condemning Trump Attacks on Free Press

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla Sounds Alarm on DOJ Threats to Journalists, Joins Resolution Condemning Trump Attacks on Free Press

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined his colleagues in blasting President Trump’s continued attacks on the freedom of the press, a fundamental First Amendment right guaranteed by the Constitution. Padilla joined a letter pressing Attorney General Pam Bondi on her decision to change Justice Department policies to make it easier for the Department to subpoena journalists to obtain confidential information about their sources and potentially harass journalists who write stories critical of the Trump Administration. He also cosponsored a resolution calling for the Executive Branch to respect the rights of journalists and demanding they be allowed to perform their duties “without fear of retaliation.”
    “We write to express our deep concern with the Department of Justice’s April 25, 2025 memorandum changing the guidance that set limitations on the Department’s ability to subpoena materials from journalists and news organizations,” wrote the Senators in their letter to Attorney General Bondi. “The free press is a bedrock of our democracy and reporters must be able to do their jobs without fear of being investigated or prosecuted.”
    “When asked at your confirmation hearing to commit to ‘respect the importance of a free press,’ you said ‘absolutely,’” continued the Senators. “Yet your decision to rescind important limits on the Justice Department’s ability to compel information from the press threatens the ability of journalists to fully perform their critical jobs, as guaranteed by the First Amendment.” 
    The letter was led by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and signed by Senator Padilla and every other Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee: Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
    The bicameral resolution Padilla cosponsored was led by Senator Whitehouse in the Senate and cited President Trump’s various attacks on the operations of the press, including:
    Accusing media outlets such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC of “illegal” behavior during a speech at the Department of Justice;
    Claiming CNN and MSNBC networks are “political arms of the Democrat Party” during a speech at the Department of Justice; 
    Excluding the Associated Press from White House press pool access due to disputes over naming conventions, leading to legal challenges concerning First Amendment violations;
    Filing a lawsuit against CBS News over a “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris, alleging biased editing and calling for CBS to lose broadcast licenses;
    Seeking to defund National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), including launching a Federal Communications Commission probe and issuing an executive order instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to cease providing direct and indirect funds to either broadcaster;
    Refusing to take questions from NBC News reporters, claiming the network is “discredited;” 
    Seeking to impose the Administration’s policy preferences on independent news organizations by forcing PBS to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion office using threats of government funding cuts and ignoring reporters who list pronouns in their email signatures; and
    Rescinding a Department of Justice policy against subpoenaing journalists, exposing journalists’ sources to the threat of possible identification and punishment.
    The resolution is endorsed by PEN America, National Press Photographers Association, American Governance Institute, Radio Television Digital News Association, and Society of Environmental Journalists.
    Full text of the resolution is available here.
    Full text of the letter to Attorney General Bondi is available here and below:
    Dear Attorney General Bondi:
    We write to express our deep concern with the Department of Justice’s April 25, 2025 memorandum changing the guidance that set limitations on the Department’s ability to subpoena materials from journalists and news organizations.
    The free press is a bedrock of our democracy and reporters must be able to do their jobs without fear of being investigated or prosecuted. When asked at your confirmation hearing to commit to “respect the importance of a free press,” you said “absolutely.” Yet your decision to rescind important limits on the Justice Department’s ability to compel information from the press threatens the ability of journalists to fully perform their critical jobs, as guaranteed by the First Amendment. 
    Under the previous guidance, the Justice Department was authorized to subpoena journalists engaged in news gathering only “[w]hen necessary to prevent an imminent or concrete risk of death or serious bodily harm.” Under the 2025 guidance, Justice Department officials can take the extraordinary step of subpoenaing journalists merely to investigate “unauthorized disclosures that undermine President Trump’s policies,” extending far beyond disclosures of classified information. In other words, under this new guidance, there is little protection for journalists who publish any story critical of the Administration from being threatened with a subpoena and litigation to enforce the subpoena. The threat to journalists is especially concerning given Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel’s claims prior to his confirmation that the news media is “the most powerful enemy the United States has ever seen” and that he would “come after the people in the media . . . criminally or civilly.” 
    Nor does it appear that the Justice Department would subpoena reporters’ records only as a last resort. Under the guidelines, the Justice Department may subpoena journalists after the Attorney General has made only a few subjective determinations, such as whether the information sought is “essential to a successful prosecution,” whether “reasonable attempts” to obtain the information from alternative sources were made, and whether engaging in negotiations would threaten “the integrity of the investigation.” These factors make it far too easy for the Attorney General to compel journalists to reveal sources. 
    This change will also deter whistleblowers from coming forward with information to the news media, depriving the public of valuable information about its government. Whistleblowers that violate the law—for example by disclosing classified information—should be subject to the legal consequences of that action, but the government should not be allowed to intimidate or harass journalists who lawfully report the news. 
    As the Office of Legal Policy prepares regulations to implement your memorandum, we respectfully request that you provide responses to the following questions:
    1. What protections are in place to ensure that journalists are not targeted because they published a news article critical of the Administration?
    2. Will you commit to ensuring that issuing a subpoena to a journalist or news organization will be used only as a last resort when there is a compelling and overriding interest in the information, such as protecting national security?
    3. Will the regulations require the Department to comply with state shield laws?
    4. Is the Department consulting with outside organizations, including organizations representing journalists, as part of the preparation of regulations? If so, what organizations?
    5. What measures will the regulations put in place to ensure that the White House is not allowed to order or influence the issuance of a subpoena to a journalist or news organization?
    6.  What process for review, if any, will be put in place to ensure the new regulations are being followed and are not being abused for political or any other inappropriate purpose?  
    7. Has the Justice Department issued any subpoenas to journalists or news organizations under this new guidance? If so, to whom and seeking what information?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Secures Commitment from RFK’s Deputy Nominee to Review Chemical Abortion Data

    US Senate News:

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

    Thursday, May 08, 2025

    Today in a hearing in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) secured a commitment from Jim O’Neill – President Trump’s nominee to serve as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services – to conduct an updated safety review on the chemical abortion drug mifepristone if he were confirmed. The promise comes on the heels of a new study showing that 1 in 10 women who take the drug suffer from adverse health effects.

    O’Neill agreed with Senator Hawley that the new study warranted review, for the health and safety of women across the nation.

    “The Secretary [Robert F. Kennedy Jr.] has pledged to do a safety review of mifepristone, and I strongly support that view,” O’Neill said.

    Senator Hawley has been a staunch advocate for women across the nation, from introducing legislation to reinstate safeguards on mifepristone that the Biden Administration eliminated to urging the Department of Justice to reconsider its position in Missouri’s mifepristone litigation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Wyden, Merkley, Schumer, Lead Colleagues in Fight to Protect Head Start, Meals on Wheels, Social Services from Republican Budget Cuts

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today led the Senate Democratic Caucus in sending an open letter to the public exposing the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans’ plan to gut Meals on Wheels, Head Start, and other essential social services. 
    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.” 
    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 open letter to the public was signed by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and the entire Senate Democratic Caucus, including Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.). 
    Read and download the full letter. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Leads Colleagues in Calling on Trump Administration to Crack Down on U.S. Firearms Flowing to Latin American Drug Cartels

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Administration’s Designation of 8 Cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations Unlocks New Tools to Crack Down on Southbound Arms Trafficking  
    Over 200,000 American Firearms Flow into Mexico Every Year, Fueling Gang Violence and Drug and Human Trafficking 
    Washington, D.C – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), along with U.S. Representatives Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) and Rob Menendez (D-N.J.), led 14 of their colleagues—including U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.)—in urging the Trump administration to use its recent designation of Latin American cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) to take aggressive action to stop the illegal trafficking of American firearms across the Southern Border.
    In a letter addressed to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Attorney General Pam Bondi, the lawmakers called for a coordinated federal response to stem the flow of hundreds of thousands of American firearms that arm violent drug cartels, fuel lawlessness along the Southern Border, and bring drugs into communities across the United States. 
    “We were pleased that President Trump agreed to address the outflow of hundreds of thousands of American-made firearms across the southern border when he initially postponed the implementation of tariffs on our ally Mexico. Accordingly, we urge you to utilize the FTO designation to take aggressive action to stem the flow of American guns to the cartels,” the Members wrote. 
    Anywhere between 200,000 and 500,000 American firearms are smuggled across U.S. borders into Mexico every year, arming Latin American criminal organizations that have used them to undermine domestic law enforcement and assert control over fentanyl and human trafficking operations back into the United States. 
    “The new FTO designation for these cartels provides additional legal tools to bolster interagency coordination, disrupt their financial networks, and impose stricter penalties on those who provide material support to these criminal enterprises. Specifically, under current statute, it is unlawful to knowingly provide material support or resources to a Foreign Terrorist Organization and those who do so can be fined or imprisoned for up to 20 years,” the Members continued. 
    The members urged the administration to effectively and strategically employ the full suite of legal options this new designation enables and offered their assistance to empower it to specifically address the “Iron River” of American firearms that are fueling violence and destruction in communities across the United States and Mexico. 
    “We hope that you move swiftly and use these new legal authorities to combat southbound arms trafficking. We stand ready to assist in this effort in any way we can, including through legislation that expands your programmatic authorities to address this critical issue,” the Member concluded.  
    In addition to Senators Luján and Bennet and Representatives Goldman and Menendez, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), along with U.S. Representatives Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), J. Luis Correa (D-Calif.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Timothy Kennedy (D-N.Y.), and Nellie Pou (D-N.J.).
    Read the letter here or below: 
    Dear Secretary Noem, Secretary Rubio, and Attorney General Bondi: 
    We write to you today regarding the Trump Administration’s recent designation of eight Latin American cartels and gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), a move aimed at addressing the growing harms these organizations are causing in the United States. As you know, the primary source of strength and control that these criminal organizations exert over the U.S./Mexico border stems from one source: American firearms. We were pleased that President Trump agreed to address the outflow of hundreds of thousands of American-made firearms across the southern border when he initially postponed the implementation of tariffs on our ally Mexico. Accordingly, we urge you to utilize the FTO designation to take aggressive action to stem the flow of American guns to the cartels.  
    It is a well-established fact that the overwhelming majority of the weapons used by Latin American cartels are manufactured in the United States. In fact, anywhere from 200,000 to 500,000 are smuggled into Mexico every single year and a whopping 70 percent of firearms recovered at crime scenes in Mexico are traced to the U.S. Alarmingly, although Mexico has just a single gun store in the entire country, it still endures approximately 30,000 firearm related deaths every year. This steady supply of weapons coming in from the north has allowed these criminal organizations to gain control over fentanyl and human trafficking across the border and undermine Mexican law enforcement. 
    Put simply, if we do not stop the flow of American-made guns across the southern border to Mexico, we cannot stop the flow of fentanyl into our country over that same border.  
    The new FTO designation for these cartels provides additional legal tools to bolster interagency coordination, disrupt their financial networks, and impose stricter penalties on those who provide material support to these criminal enterprises. Specifically, under current statute, it is unlawful to knowingly provide material support or resources to a Foreign Terrorist Organization and those who do so can be fined or imprisoned for up to 20 years. Individuals and entities that provide weapons, funds, equipment, or other tangible support to designated terrorist organizations can face serious federal prosecution if found liable.   
    To leverage this designation most effectively, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of State (DOS) must take immediate steps to crack down on the “Iron River” of illegal arms flowing into Mexico by taking the following actions: 
    Increasing interagency cooperation to track, target, and dismantle smuggling rings that facilitate weapons trafficking across the Mexican border.  
    Expanding inspections at border crossings to intercept vehicles carrying firearms, related munitions, and other contraband into Mexico.  
    Increasing law enforcement efforts against straw purchasers and firearm dealers that knowingly provide material support to smugglers.  
    Strengthening our intelligence-sharing with Mexican authorities and trusted partners to target and disrupt arms traffickers and their networks. 
    Given that this issue has been a key topic of discussion between President Trump and President Sheinbaum of Mexico – which has resulted in the U.S. government agreeing to work together to stop the flow of firearms into Mexico – we hope that you move swiftly and use these new legal authorities to combat southbound arms trafficking. We stand ready to assist in this effort in any way we can, including through legislation that expands your programmatic authorities to address this critical issue.  
    Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to continuing to work with you on this issue. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cotton Introduces Bill to Prevent Diversion of Advanced Chips to America’s Adversaries and Protect U.S. Product Integrity

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353May 8, 2025
    Cotton Introduces Bill to Prevent Diversion of Advanced Chips to America’s Adversaries and Protect U.S. Product Integrity
    Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Chip Security Act, legislation that will prevent advanced American chips from falling into the hands of adversaries like Communist China by improving oversight of advanced chips and directing Commerce and DoD to study promising chip security mechanism.
    “We must do better at maintaining and expanding our position in the global market, while safeguarding America’s technological edge. With these enhanced security measures, we can continue to expand access to U.S. technology without compromising our national security,” said Cotton.
    Text of the bill may be found here. 
    The Chip Security Act would direct the Secretary to:
    Require a location verification mechanism on export-controlled advanced chips or products with export-controlled advanced chips within 6 months of enactment and require exporters of advanced chips to report to BIS if their products have been diverted away from their intended location or subject to tampering attempts.
    Study, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, other potential chip security mechanisms in the next year and establish requirements over the next few years for implementing such mechanisms, if appropriate, on covered advanced chips. This longer timeline accommodates the years-long technological roadmap for development of the next generation of advanced chips. 
    Assess, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the most up-to-date security mechanisms annually for three years and determine if any new mechanisms should be required
    Make recommendations annually for three years on how to make export controls more flexible, thus streamlining shipments to more countries.
    Prioritize confidentiality when developing requirements for chip security mechanisms.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch Votes to Support Trump Nuclear Energy, Land Management, and Water Nominees

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) yesterday voted to support four of President Trump’s nominees in the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
    “Idaho’s leadership in nuclear energy and our vast natural resources are critical to the state’s economy and way of life,” said Risch. “I’m proud to support President Trump’s nominees, who I am confident will prioritize Idaho’s resources and execute the president’s America First agenda.”
    Risch voted to advance the following nominees to the Department of Interior and Department of Energy:
    Andrea Travnicek to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science. Travnicek will oversee the U.S. Geological Survey and Bureau of Reclamation, which manages federal dams, powerplants, and other facilities across Idaho for irrigation, hydropower, flood control, and recreation.
    Leslie Beyer to be Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Lands and Mineral Management. Beyer will oversee four departmental agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, which manages nearly 12 million acres of public lands in Idaho for multiple use, including grazing, mining, timber production, and recreation.
    Theodore Garrish to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Energy. Garrish will oversee the Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), which advances nuclear energy research, technology, and facilities. NE supports and oversees the Idaho National Laboratory, DOE’s nuclear research laboratory.  
    Tristan Abbey to be the Administrator of Energy Information Administration, responsible for providing independent and impartial energy information. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy, Blumenthal, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Empower and Protect VA Health Care Workers and Patients

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    May 09, 2025

    HARTFORD—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Thursday reintroduced the VA Employee Fairness Act, legislation that would help right a long-standing wrong by expanding collective bargaining rights for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care professionals. The bill would ensure that nurses, physicians, and other VA clinicians have the same rights as their counterparts in the private sector and other parts of the VA, empowering them to speak up on critical issues like staffing ratios, patient care, and compensation.

    Currently, Title 38 of the United States Code restricts these workers from negotiating over matters of professional conduct or competence, employee pay, and other key workplace issues. As a result, they are often unable to meaningfully advocate for improvements that would help address staffing shortages, enhance patient care, or recruit and retain qualified health care professionals.

    “Our veterans deserve the best care possible, and that starts with treating VA health care workers with dignity and respect,” said Murphy. “This bill gives nurses and doctors the tools they need to advocate for safe staffing and provide better care, just like their colleagues in the private sector.”

    “It has never been more important to give VA healthcare workers the opportunity to fight for better working conditions in order to provide the best possible care for veterans. With the entire VA workforce under attack from the Trump Administration, recruiting and retaining the very best doctors, nurses, and health care support staff is a challenge – but one we can meet with better, stronger workplace protections,” said Blumenthal. “Simply put: VA healthcare workers who have chosen to serve our nation’s veterans deserve the same opportunity to organize and collectively bargain for better pay, benefits, and working conditions that their VA colleagues have.”

    U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) also cosponsored the legislation.

    The legislation is endorsed by National Nurses United (NNU), the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), American Federation of Labor (AFL), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), National Association of Government Employees (NAGE), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), VoteVets and Union Veterans Council of AFL-CIO.

    Full text of the legislation can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper Celebrates National Small Business Week, Slams Trump Admin’s Tariff-Taxes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado
    Over two-thirds of small businesses say that Trump admin’s reckless tariff-taxes will hurt their business, according to WSJ poll
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper joined 81 Senate colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution declaring the week of May 5th as “National Small Business Week.” The measure recognizes the entrepreneurs and innovators who promote growth and create jobs across America.  
    “This week is National Small Business Week. Our week to celebrate the small businesses that power our economy and create jobs across Colorado,” said Hickenlooper. “The problem is, most small businesses aren’t in the mood to celebrate. The Trump admin’s tariff-taxes have created chaos and uncertainty for our small businesses.”
    Hickenlooper is a former small business owner and a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Colorado is home to over 715,000 small businesses that employ over 1.1 million Coloradans.
    Hickenlooper has been outspoken about the effects of the Trump administration’s tariffs on small businesses. 
    “Their reckless tariff-taxes – and their chaotic rollout – are creating so much uncertainty that they’ve literally paralyzed businesses,” Hickenlooper said in a video posted to his social media accounts. “It’s next to impossible to plan anything when their on-again, off-again tariffs make it impossible for small businesses to know whether they’ll be able to afford what they need to stay alive and grow… The bottom line: we should be supporting our small businesses, not crushing them.”
    Hickenlooper also called on Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler to address the impacts of the Trump administration’s tariffs on small businesses and sent a letter to the Trump administration demanding answers on the national security and economic impacts of their tariffs on Canadian goods. 
    In a Giddy Up-Date newsletter posted to his Substack, Hickenlooper details how the Trump admin’s trade wars have “frozen businesses in their tracks.” 
    “Trump promised to lower prices on his first day in office. Instead, his administration announced major tariffs across the board and picked trade wars with our most valuable trading partners, like Mexico and Canada. We’re already seeing Mexico, Canada, and the other countries retaliate, targeting American businesses and producers with their own tariffs,” wrote Hickenlooper. “It’s especially harmful for the smallest businesses – the newest entrepreneurs – who are the most vulnerable… I know so many small businesses in Colorado and across the country are still reeling trying to figure out how to move forward in these unpredictable times.”
    Two Hickenlooper bills that make it easier for small businesses to access and offer retirement plans for their employees have been signed into law. Hickenlooper’s very first bills introduced as Senator focused on small business. His initial package of bills would help more women and underrepresented communities receive investment capital and give Native American small businesses a voice at the highest levels of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Last Congress, Hickenlooper introduced the Supporting Community Lenders Act and Investing in All of America Act, both of which focus on increasing access to affordable capital for small businesses. He intends to reintroduce both bills this Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –