NewzIntel.com

Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Durbin, Klobuchar, Colleagues to Trump Admin: No Refunds for January 6 Insurrectionists

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Durbin, Klobuchar, Colleagues to Trump Admin: No Refunds for January 6 Insurrectionists

    Senators to Attorney General Bondi: “To take the position that January 6 insurrectionists should now receive refunds is unacceptable”
    “The Department should direct Interim U.S. Attorney Martin to change course”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) led six of their Senate colleagues in strongly objecting to the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) misguided position that the federal government should refund restitution payments made by convicted January 6 insurrectionists for damage they caused to the Capitol building. In their letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Senators urged her to direct Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin to reverse course.
    “We write to strongly object to the Department of Justice’s argument in an April 8 court filing that the federal government should refund restitution payments made by some of the convicted January 6 insurrectionists. The arguments advanced by the government in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia under Interim U.S. Attorney Edward Martin’s leadership are both insulting to the American people and inconsistent with separation of powers principles,” wrote the Senators.
    The violent mob that stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021 attempting to prevent the certification of the 2020 election results caused roughly $3 million in damages to the Capitol building, injured more than 100 law enforcement officers, and threatened members and their staff. Damage to the building included widespread vandalism, ruined furniture, shattered glass, broken doors, defaced artwork, and the desecration of the halls of Congress. Convicted January 6 insurrectionists paid about $400,000 in court-ordered restitution to cover the damages they caused, which has since been transferred to the Treasury Department, from where they can only be withdrawn by Congress.
    The DOJ argued in an April 8, 2025 court filing that the federal government should refund a convicted January 6 insurrectionist who paid $570 in restitution for his role in the insurrection after his case was vacated on appeal because of President Trump’s sweeping pardon of convicted January 6 insurrectionists. The Senators expressed serious policy and legal concerns with this position, including that it would violate the fundamental U.S. principle of separation of powers and that it would fully shift the cost of January 6-related repairs from the convicted insurrectionists to taxpayers.
    “The Department should direct Interim U.S. Attorney Martin to change course and forgo any attempt to use the pardon power as a basis to usurp the United States’ right to the January 6 restitution payments and impair Congress’ ability to use these funds to offset the cost to taxpayers of repairs from the January 6 insurrection,” continued the Senators.
    “We condemn the Justice Department’s position that the federal government should financially reward January 6 insurrectionists who ransacked the Capitol, attacked law enforcement officers, and threatened the lives of those who serve here,” concluded the Senators. “The roughly $400,000 received in restitution is little justice for the $3 million’s worth of damage done to the Capitol, the injuries sustained by Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officers serving on that day, and the terror inflicted on those trapped inside during the attack. To take the position that January 6 insurrectionists should now receive refunds is unacceptable.”
    In addition to Padilla, Durbin, and Klobuchar, the letter was also signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
    Senator Padilla has repeatedly condemned the deadly January 6 Capitol insurrection and helped pass legislation to prevent similar attacks from threatening our democracy. He previously cosponsored and applauded the passage of the bipartisan Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act, which modernized the outdated Electoral Count Act of 1887 to ensure the electoral votes tallied by Congress accurately reflect each state’s vote for president.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Attorney General Bondi:
    We write to strongly object to the Department of Justice’s argument in an April 8 court filing that the federal government should refund restitution payments made by some of the convicted January 6 insurrectionists. The arguments advanced by the government in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia under Interim U.S. Attorney Edward Martin’s leadership are both insulting to the American people and inconsistent with separation of powers principles.
    On January 6, 2021, a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol, attacking and injuring more than 100 law enforcement officers, causing nearly $3 million in damages, and threatening the lives of those who serve here. After violently overpowering law enforcement to illegally enter the Capitol, insurrectionists desecrated the halls of Congress by graffitiing the building, smashing windows and doors, damaging artwork, and destroying furniture, in an attempt to disrupt Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 election.
    While we can never undo the harm these insurrectionists caused to our nation and our Capitol, many of those convicted for their crimes were ordered to pay restitution to cover some of the physical damage they inflicted. Hundreds of individuals were convicted for their roles in the January 6 attack and paid about $400,000 in court-ordered restitution. The Justice Department’s assertion that the government should now offer refunds to insurrectionists and instead have the American taxpayer pay the full cost for the damage these offenders caused is offensive and flies in the face of legal precedent limiting the pardon power.
    As the Justice Department acknowledged in its April 8 court filing, a pardon does not affect the vested rights of others, and the United States’ right to restitution vests when the restitution has been sent to the Treasury Department. Once these funds are in the Treasury, only Congress has the power to withdraw the funds; the President cannot use his pardon power to do so. The Department should direct Interim U.S. Attorney Martin to change course and forgo any attempt to use the pardon power as a basis to usurp the United States’ right to the January 6 restitution payments and impair Congress’ ability to use these funds to offset the cost to taxpayers of repairs from the January 6 insurrection.
    We condemn the Justice Department’s position that the federal government should financially reward January 6 insurrectionists who ransacked the Capitol, attacked law enforcement officers, and threatened the lives of those who serve here. The roughly $400,000 received in restitution is little justice for the $3 million’s worth of damage done to the Capitol, the injuries sustained by Capitol Police and D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officers serving on that day, and the terror inflicted on those trapped inside during the attack. To take the position that January 6 insurrectionists should now receive refunds is unacceptable.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff, Torres Slam DHS Immigration Enforcement in Pomona Harming Economy, CA Communities

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Schiff, Torres Slam DHS Immigration Enforcement in Pomona Harming Economy, CA Communities

    Lawmakers urge DHS to “focus enforcement against those who pose a legitimate risk to public safety and to work with Congress on a pathway to citizenship for the immigrants who are essential to our economic success.”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Representative Norma Torres (D-Calif.-35) condemned the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) indiscriminate immigration enforcement raids in Pomona, California as part of President Trump’s cruel mass deportation agenda that are terrorizing California communities and harming the economy. The lawmakers demanded answers on recent egregious DHS enforcement actions — without notice or coordination — including the arrest of at least 10 day laborers outside of a Home Depot, the detainment of a small business owner at gunpoint outside of his barbershop, and an enforcement raid at a Pomona auto body shop conducted with the Riverside County Sherriff’s department.
    Padilla, Schiff, and Torres underscored the deep distrust and economic chaos these enforcement raids foster, hurting entire communities and national supply chains and keeping consumers at home out of fear.
    “We write with deep concern regarding recent immigration enforcement actions conducted in Pomona, California, that have caused widespread fear, disrupted local businesses, and harmed community trust in law enforcement,” wrote the lawmakers.
    “Enforcement actions that indiscriminately disrupt immigrant communities – particularly without transparency or local coordination – threaten not only individual rights but also the economic stability and public safety of entire cities like Pomona,” continued the lawmakers. “Pomona’s small businesses are already feeling the impact. Customers are afraid to shop. Workers are afraid to show up for work.”
    The lawmakers highlighted that California’s economy — now the fourth largest in the world — relies on the contributions of immigrant labor, as immigrants and their children make up the majority (55 percent) of California’s workforce, with immigrants alone comprising 34 percent of the state’s population. Last year, undocumented immigrants contributed $87 billion in household income, $66 billion in spending power, $50 billion to Social Security, and $14 billion to Medicare. They emphasized that immigrant workers make up a significant portion of California’s leading agriculture, health care, and construction sectors. Immigrant construction workers comprise over 40 percent of California’s construction workforce, and are already doing essential work to help Los Angeles County rebuild from the devastating wildfires earlier this year.
    The lawmakers stressed that rather than indiscriminately targeting long-term residents with no criminal records, DHS should work with Congress to help provide these immigrants with a pathway to citizenship. Senator Padilla previously introduced the Citizenship for Essential Workers Act, which would create a pathway to citizenship for immigrant essential workers, including Dreamers, as his first bill in Congress.
    “While no one disagrees with targeting violent criminals for deportation, the enforcement actions in Pomona demonstrate that the Department is indiscriminately targeting all noncitizens for removal — including those who have no criminal records and who have been living in and contributing to our communities for decades,” added the lawmakers. “These actions do not make us safer and are contrary to the ideals that we all stand for. We urge you to instead focus enforcement against those who pose a legitimate risk to public safety and to work with Congress on a pathway to citizenship for the immigrants who are essential to our economic success.”
    The lawmakers concluded their letter by demanding information on the raids, including why local officials were not notified and what steps DHS is taking to rebuild trust with immigrant communities.
    “We urge your Department to review these operations carefully and to recommit to an immigration enforcement strategy that prioritizes public safety, upholds civil rights, and reflects the economic realities and moral values of our nation,” concluded the lawmakers.
    Senator Padilla blasted the Pomona immigration raids last week, emphasizing that indiscriminate immigrant enforcement hurts our communities and economy.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Noem,
    We write with deep concern regarding recent immigration enforcement actions conducted in Pomona, California, that have caused widespread fear, disrupted local businesses, and harmed community trust in law enforcement.
    According to press reports, the City of Pomona in our home state of California has been at the epicenter of recent immigration enforcement activity, much of which has been conducted without giving notice to local officials:
    On Tuesday, April 22, Martin Majin-Leon, a long-time resident and small business owner, was detained at gunpoint in front of his barbershop, terrorizing his family and community. He was released after 30 hours, but the trauma persists. Pomona Mayor Tim Sandoval expressed frustration, commenting to federal officials that they were “terrorizing our community.” Reports suggest DMV records may have played a role in his targeting, raising concerns about data-sharing between state agencies and federal immigration authorities.
    Meanwhile, that same day, federal immigration enforcement agents detained as many as 20 day laborers outside a Home Depot in Pomona, where witnesses saw agents arrive in marked and unmarked vehicles around 8 a.m. The Pomona Police Department had no prior knowledge of the operation, and conflicting reports have persisted regarding whether U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or other federal law enforcement entities were responsible for the detentions.
    Later that week, on Friday, April 25, another major enforcement action occurred at Moon Auto Collision in Pomona, executed jointly by Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies and Homeland Security Special Response Teams under the auspices of a narcotics warrant. Pomona city officials, including Mayor Tim Sandoval, were given no prior notice. Mayor Sandoval, upon visiting the scene, underscored the devastating impact these operations have had on community trust and the economic health of local businesses.
    Enforcement actions that indiscriminately disrupt immigrant communities – particularly without transparency or local coordination – threaten not only individual rights but also the economic stability and public safety of entire cities like Pomona. Pomona’s small businesses are already feeling the impact. Customers are afraid to shop. Workers are afraid to show up for work. One local business owner told reporters, “Customers are scared. They are not coming to buy anything. They are not coming to get repairs done.”
    While no one disagrees with targeting violent criminals for deportation, the enforcement actions in Pomona demonstrate that the Department is indiscriminately targeting all noncitizens for removal — including those who have no criminal records and who have been living in and contributing to our communities for decades. These actions do not make us safer and are contrary to the ideals that we all stand for. We urge you to instead focus enforcement against those who pose a legitimate risk to public safety and to work with Congress on a pathway to citizenship for the immigrants who are essential to our economic success.
    California’s economy – now the fourth largest in the world – demonstrates the strength and contributions of immigrant labor. Immigrants and their children comprise 55 percent of California’s workforce. Immigrants alone account for 34 percent of the state’s population and paid $168 billion in taxes last year, while generating over $400 billion in spending power. Undocumented immigrants contributed $87 billion in household income and $66 billion in spending power, alongside $50 billion to Social Security and $14 billion to Medicare.
    Additionally, in the wake of the destructive wildfires that devastated Los Angeles County earlier this year, immigrant construction workers—who make up more than 40 percent of the workforce in California—are essential to the community’s ability to rebuild and recover. Put simply, in critical sectors such as agriculture, construction, and health care, immigrant workers are indispensable to our community.
    Accordingly, we respectfully request answers to the following:
    1. Why weren’t local officials in Pomona notified about recent enforcement actions?
    2. Which federal law enforcement entities were involved in or aware of these enforcement actions?
    3. Has DHS responded to local law enforcement’s request for answers?
    4. What protocols exist to coordinate with local law enforcement and elected officials before conducting large-scale enforcement actions?
    5. How does DHS plan to comply with the April 29, 2025 court order from the Eastern District of California barring Border Patrol agents from detaining or arresting individuals without reasonable suspicion of illegal presence, as required by the Fourth Amendment?
    6. Was California Department of Motor Vehicles data accessed in the case of Martin Majin-Leon?
    7. What safeguards exist to prevent improper use of state data for immigration enforcement purposes?
    8. What steps is DHS taking to rebuild trust with immigrant communities that have been traumatized by these events?
    We urge your Department to review these operations carefully and to recommit to an immigration enforcement strategy that prioritizes public safety, upholds civil rights, and reflects the economic realities and moral values of our nation.
    Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Demands Investigation into Trump Administration’s Potential Criminal Activity Against Harvard University

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    May 02, 2025
    Senator joins Schumer, Warren and Markey to sound the alarm about abuses that could also lead to targeting other schools, hospitals, churches and more
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today demanded an investigation into the Trump Administration for potential criminal activity related to its threat to weaponize the IRS to revoke the non-profit status of Harvard University. 
    Wyden, along with Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA), called on Acting Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Heather Hill to conduct an immediate investigation into whether Trump is targeting Harvard’s non-profit status  for blatantly political purposes after Trump posted: “Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax-Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’”
    In a letter to Hill, the senators wrote, “It is both illegal and unconstitutional for the IRS to take direction from the President to target schools, hospitals, churches, or any other tax-exempt entities as retribution for using their free speech rights.
    “It is further unconscionable that the IRS would become a weapon of the Trump Administration to extort its perceived enemies, but the actions of the President and his operatives have now made this fear a reality,” they wrote. “We request that you review whether the President or his allies have taken any step to direct or pressure the IRS to take politically-motivated actions regarding the tax-exempt status of the President’s political targets.”
    The lawmakers noted that losing tax exempt status can devastate a non-profit, underscoring the importance of an objective review of an organization’s actions. Only after a careful review, and an opportunity to appeal, can the IRS revoke tax exempt status, not at the arbitrary and erratic whims of one person.  
    “Churches and synagogues, non-profit hospitals and clinics, charter and private schools, and any others that land on the President’s target list will be forced to relinquish their free speech rights in order to remain in existence, or otherwise face this organizational death sentence,” cautioned the senators. 
    Full text of the letter is here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Blackburn Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen After School Programs, Reduce Crime Among At-Risk Youth

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) reintroduced the bipartisan Advancing Frequent and Tailored Education to Rebuild Safe Communities and Help Orchestrate Opportunities and Learning (AFTER SCHOOL) Act. This bill would create and support after school programs focused on reducing violent crime. 
    “Providing young Nevadans in at-risk neighborhoods with after school activities not only enriches their lives, but also reduces crime,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Unfortunately, many communities across the Silver State don’t have the resources they need to fund these programs. This bipartisan legislation fills that gap.”
    A recent study found a 28 to 35 percent reduction of total arrests and a 45 to 50 percent reduction in violent crime by youth participating in specific after school programs, as well as a 21 percent reduction in recidivism. The AFTER SCHOOL Act would establish a grant program through the Department of Justice to help schools and non-profits establish, maintain, and strengthen these after school programs that are so effective. School districts and non-profits in counties with a juvenile offense rate higher than 10 percent would be eligible to receive funds through the non-competitive grant. 
    You can find the full bill text here.
    Senator Cortez Masto has delivered critical support to students and schools across Nevada. She helped secure nearly $12 million in funding for the Communities in Schools (CIS) program, which works with local partner organizations to provide eligible students and their families with essential services, including mental health care and access to high-quality afterschool and leadership programs. She has also secured $950,000 to help Clark County School District better support students recovering from substance abuse and mental health struggles. Cortez Masto’s provision to increase the number of mental health professionals in schools was included in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which was signed into law. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Discusses Impact Of Trump’s Tariffs On Chicago Small Businesses Owners

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    May 02, 2025
    CHICAGO— U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined small business owners in Lincoln Park to discuss the impacts of President Trump’s tariffs.
    “The Trump Tariffs are already driving up costs for manufacturers, disrupting our supply chains, and inspiring retaliatory tariffs, which will hurt small businesses like Lori’s Shoes, Art Effect, and Lost Soul Found, as well as their customers,” said Durbin. “President Trump has doubled down on these tariffs with nothing to show for it. Our small businesses here in Chicago are terrified to fail or be forced to lay off employees as they face the brunt of this trade war.”
    “The premise that the tariffs are making America rich, and the origin pays for the import tariff, is unequivocally false. A tariff is a tax on American businesses and American consumers. To set the record straight – the importer of record, in this case Lori’s Shoes, is 100% financially responsible for these tariffs on our imports,” said Matt Andre, Footwear Buyer, Lori’s Shoes.
    “The uncertainty of the future of small business in the United States and the livelihood of manufacturers is hanging on these tariffs. As a small business owner, we rely on these imports. I worry that come Christmastime, we’ll have empty shelves and empty storefronts in our community,” said Esther Fishman, Owner, Art Effect.
    “As a city retailer, I know how much we all love strolling down a vibrant street, popping into unique shops, and discovering something unexpected—it’s part of what makes urban life feel alive. But that experience is under real threat. Tariffs, rising costs, and economic uncertainty are making it harder for small businesses to survive, and if we’re not careful, the rich variety we cherish could be replaced by empty storefronts and sameness,” said Suzanne D’Addario Brouder, Owner, Lost Soul Found.
    In the wake of Trump’s tariff standoff, manufacturers have laid off thousands of workers, and foreign countries have retaliated by slapping their own tariffs on U.S. agricultural and manufactured goods. Current tariffs could result in up to 15,000 job cuts in the Chicago area and a $3 billion drop in its gross domestic product. 
    Durbin spoke on the Senate floor about the impact President Trump’s tariffs will have on small businesses, manufacturers, consumers, and workers in Illinois, which received $127 billion of imports from China, Canada, and Mexico in 2023. Durbin also joined fellow U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture member U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and 17 of their colleagues in a letter to ask U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer for information on how the Trump Administration’s tariffs will impact farmers across the nation.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Statement On President Trump’s Budget Proposal

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    May 02, 2025
    The proposal continues President Trump’s petulant, destructive efforts to slash critical public health funding and foreign aid assistance
    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement on President Trump’s abysmal budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2026 that cuts funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by nearly half:
    “It’s no surprise that President Trump proposed a federal budget that reflects his true priority – funding tax breaks for billionaires by betraying hard-working Americans and gutting the basic programs that keep us healthy and safe.  He is eviscerating funding for school districts that serve low-income students, rental and utility bill assistance, and child care programs, while decimating medical research that cancer and Alzheimer’s patients rely on.  What about this ‘makes America great again?’
    “But Congress ultimately holds the power of the purse.  I will fight tooth and nail to restore lifesaving funding for our federal research agencies like NIH and advocate for the foreign aid our allies need.  I hope that my Republican colleagues will find the courage to stand up for their constituents and fund these critical programs, rather than bow to President Trump and his band of billionaires.”
    President Trump’s proposed budget:
    Entirely eliminates the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which helps low-income households pay critical energy bills.
    Delivers an $18 billion cut to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) — including by eliminating some institutes altogether – severely hampering research and development that lead to breakthroughs in cancer, Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, and countless other conditions.
    Slashes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) budget by over $3.5 billion, while entirely eliminating critical programs preventing youth smoking, suicide, childhood lead poisoning, and cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
    Guts the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) by $1.7 billion, worsening access to medical, dental, and behavioral health care for rural communities, pregnant women, and children.
    Cuts the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration’s (SAMHSA) budget by over $1 billion, imperiling patient access to critical treatments in the midst of an opioid epidemic, and slashing funding for youth mental health services.
    Cuts the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by $674 million, undermining the key Agency charged with ensuring access to health insurance coverage, including Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
    Delivers the first-ever $1 trillion Pentagon topline—funneling billions into wasteful nuclear weapons modernization and a so-called “Golden Dome” missile shield that represents a dangerous escalation in nuclear brinkmanship.
    Reduces the Internal Revenue Service budget by $2.5 billion below FY2025 levels. This would be a 20 percent cut to the IRS budget, which has been frozen at $12.3 billion since FY2023.
    Cuts $4.5 billion from Title 1 and K-12 funding by reducing Department of Education staff that handle Title 1 funds and consolidates 18 competitive and formula grant programs into a $2 billion formula grant, giving States more discretion with Title 1 funds.
    $27 billion in cuts to the State Rental Assistance Block Grant, which provides for Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, Public Housing, Project-Based Rental Assistance, Housing for the Elderly, and Housing for Persons with Disabilities.
    Cuts $3.3 billion from the Community Development Block Grant, which provides funds for local governments to pursue affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization services.
    $770 million cut to the Community Services Block Grant, which provide for basic needs support and poverty alleviation in local communities facing economic need.
    Guts U.S. diplomacy and global engagement with an 83 percent cut to the State Department and International Affairs budget. This includes a drastic reduction in foreign aid, slashing over $20 billion from programs that support global health, humanitarian relief, and democracy promotion.
    Cuts $15 billion in IIJA clean energy grants.
    Cuts $1.5 billion from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is tasked with monitoring, predicting, and forecasting the weather and climate.
    Nearly $1 billion in cuts to Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) programs that support tribal operations.
    Cuts $3.5 billion in basic assistance to refugees like housing, food, clothing, access to basic services; cuts another $2.6 billion in humane services to migrants that provide shelter, access to community services, and education—including to migrant farmworkers’ children.
    Eliminates the EPA’s Environmental Justice Program.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Senator Mullin Leads Capitol Tour for Durant Area Chamber of Commerce and Oklahoma Electric Cooperative

    US Senate News:

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

    RELEASE: Senator Mullin Leads Capitol Tour for Durant Area Chamber of Commerce and Oklahoma Electric Cooperative

    Washington, D.C. –On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) led a special evening tour of the U.S. Capitol for nearly 50 visiting Oklahomans from the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce and the Oklahoma Electric Cooperative. Throughout the tour, Senator Mullin took questions and detailed many of the most historic sites in the building, including the Speaker’s Balcony, Old Supreme Court Chamber, the Crypt, and of course, the Capitol Rotunda. Photos from the tour are below. 
    “Serving Oklahoma in the U.S. Senate is one of the great honors of my life. It’s extremely humbling to work in the United States Capitol, and it’s always a blessing to walk through our country’s rich history with Oklahomans visiting Washington. As always, I am grateful to the people of Oklahoma for sending me here to fight for them and I enjoy showing them around their nation’s capital any chance I get,” said Senator Mullin.
    Planning a trip to Washington, D.C.? Senator Mullin’s office is glad to help Oklahomans set up tours of the United States Capitol and The White House. The Washington office can also provide information for many D.C. monuments, museums, memorials, and other attractions. Please fill out a tour request form here: https://www.mullin.senate.gov/services/tour-requests/. 
    Need help with a federal agency? Senator Mullin’s office may be able to assist. Learn more and get in touch by filling out a casework form on Senator Mullin’s website here: https://www.mullin.senate.gov/services/help-with-a-federal-agency/. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Mullin Joins CNN on Mike Waltz’ UN Nomination, Champions President Trump’s National Security Team

    US Senate News:

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

    ICYMI: Mullin Joins CNN on Mike Waltz’ UN Nomination, Champions President Trump’s National Security Team

    “The President is doing exactly what he said. He made promises in the campaign. He’s kept his promises. He’s putting America back on track where they need to go, and this cabinet is the one that’s helping to deliver those promises for the people.”
    Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper to discuss the recent promotion of President Trump’s National Security Advisor, Michael Waltz. The Senator congratulated Waltz on his nomination to Ambassador to the United Nations and noted his willingness to keep serving this country says a lot about his character and lifetime of service. Additionally, he pointed out media bias against the cabinet and referenced strong U.S. military recruitment numbers as evidence of America’s confidence in the Commander in Chief, President Trump, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

    Sen. Mullin’s interview can be found here.
    On Waltz’ nomination to the Ambassador to the United Nations:
    “The fact that he’s going from an appointed position to a cabinet position, will tell you how much he wanted to keep Mike around.”
    On the confidence in President Trump and his defense team:
    “The President and Secretary Hegseth, they work every day together, and they are making a difference. You see that in retention. You see that in recruiting numbers. Inside the DOD, we’re hitting retention numbers that we haven’t seen in years, and we’re seeing recruiting numbers pass anything that ever came into the Biden administration.”
    On the media bias surrounding the president’s cabinet:
    “One thing this cabinet is use to is heat. The media reports, what 100% of the news on Pete Hegseth is negative? 97% on the President is negative. I think 89% negative news on Bobby Kennedy. And I would say that would probably run parallel with Mike Waltz too. So, the negative press that the media and the bias media is going to give them, it doesn’t work. It doesn’t affect their job. You see what they’re doing. They’re doing a great job. The President is doing exactly what he said. He made promises in the campaign. He’s kept his promises. He’s putting America back on track where they need to go, and this cabinet is the one that’s helping to deliver those promises for the people.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mullin, Bice Host Live Telephone Town Hall Marking President Trump’s First 100 Days

    US Senate News:

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

    Mullin, Bice Host Live Telephone Town Hall Marking President Trump’s First 100 Days

    Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, April 30th, 2025, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) and Representative Stephanie Bice (OK-05) hosted a live telephone town hall event for Oklahomans marking President Trump’s first 100 days of his second term in office. During the call, Mullin and Bice provided quick legislative updates before opening the phones to take questions from constituents.
    “This week’s telephone town hall event was an easy and convenient way for thousands of Oklahomans to receive a timely update on our work in Washington and speak with us directly about the issues that matter most to them,” said Senator Mullin. “We discussed many of the victories from President Trump’s first 100-days, including on border security, the economy, DOGE, and more. It’s vital for Oklahomans to have a voice as we continue to advance legislative priorities for the second Trump administration, and I appreciated everyone who took the time to join our important conversation.”
    If you missed the live event, the full telephone town hall is available for audio playback on Facebook HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven: $3 Million in State Funding a Key Step in Advancing FNC Veterans Memorial Center

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    05.02.25
    Senator Marks Milestone as State Now Participating in Larger Effort to Build a First-Class Federal Cemetery for Veterans
    BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today joined the signing of Senate Bill 2265, legislation which provides $3 million in state funding for the development of a Veterans Memorial Center at the Fargo National Cemetery (FNC). The bill was sponsored by Senators Scott Meyer, Randy Burckhard, Kathy Hogan, Larry Luick and Ron Sorvaag and Representative Austen Schauer. The funds will become available once the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides final approval of the project plan and authorizes construction to begin, priorities which Hoeven continues working to advance at the federal level.
    At the signing ceremony with Governor Kelly Armstrong, the bill’s sponsors and members of the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard, Hoeven outlined how:
    The state is now participating in larger, long-term efforts to build a first-class federal veterans cemetery, on par with the state-run North Dakota Veterans Cemetery (NDVC) in Mandan.
    Hoeven stressed that this federal-state-local partnership is a proven model, which has helped provide $9 million in federal funding for improvements at the NDVC.

    Today’s milestone builds upon his efforts on the Senate Veterans Affairs and Military Construction Appropriations Committee to:
    Secure the original site for establishing the FNC.
    Expand the cemetery’s footprint from 5 to 35 acres.
    Provide initial enhancements to the cemetery’s infrastructure to better support burials and improve comfort for visitors and volunteers.

    The legislation bolsters the working group and community plan he worked to establish for building a facility at the FNC that incorporates local input and adequately addresses the needs of veterans, their families and volunteers.
    “With this $3 million, the state is now joining in our effort to form an innovative partnership with the federal government and the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard. That’s how we will provide an outstanding federal cemetery that is worthy of our veterans, just as we did for the state-run North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. Our thanks go to Senators Meyer, Burckhard, Hogan, Luick and Sorvaag and Representative Schauer for shepherding this bill through the state legislature, and we appreciate the support of Governor Armstrong,” said Senator Hoeven. “We continue working to secure key support from the administration to keep this project moving forward. Ultimately, this is about providing the kind of facilities our veterans and their families have earned and properly honoring their service to our nation.”
    “As the son of a Vietnam veteran, it was the honor of my legislative career to secure funding for upgrades at the Fargo National Cemetery,” said Senator Meyer. “Senator Hoeven’s invaluable leadership brought all parties to the table, and I’m proud that the state of North Dakota did their part to commemorate our veterans.”
    “”The passage of SB 2265 sends an important message to veterans and their families: We care. We care about you while serving. We care about you when you leave the military, and ultimately, we care for you when your times comes to end,” said Representative Schauer. “Our goal is to bring the Fargo National Cemetery to the same high standard as the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan. That is a high bar, but attainable when we work together to achieve it.”
    Developing the Veterans Memorial Center
              Under the community plan developed by the Hoeven-led working group, the Fargo Memorial Honor Guard may develop and donate a commemorative work, such as a memorial center, to the VA National Cemetery Administration (NCA). Hoeven advanced this option with the VA to save the project time and cost, while reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
    The Fargo Memorial Honor Guard was officially named as the 501(c)(3) responsible for building the center in October, utilizing the Impact Foundation to provide financial oversight for the project. Hoeven continues making the case to the VA for the Honor Guard’s proffer and working to ensure approval of the project’s conceptual design. The senator also secured commitments from VA Secretary Doug Collins and Sam Brown, the nominee to be VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs (USMA), to work with him on building the Veterans Memorial Center, which will include the following amenities:
    Gathering area to be used by family and friends of the deceased veteran prior to or following the interment.
    Gallery to showcase the lives and service of our veterans.
    Offices for VA staff.
    Breakroom for the Honor Guard members.
    Indoor restrooms.
    Garage to accommodate a hearse.
    Parking lot.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Coons, Tillis, colleagues introduce bipartisan, bicameral legislation to restore American innovation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Judiciary Committee’s Intellectual Property Subcommittee, and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, reintroduced the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA). This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will restore patent eligibility to important inventions across many fields while also resolving legitimate concerns over the patenting of mere ideas, the mere discovery of what already exists in nature, and social and cultural content that everyone agrees is beyond the scope of the patent system. It also affirms the basic principle that the patent system is central to promoting technology-based innovation.
    Representatives Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) and Scott Peters (D-Calif.) introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    “When American innovators know their ideas are eligible for patent protection, they take the risks that push us into the future – whether that’s the next medical test or the latest AI technology,” said Senator Coons. “PERA restores clarity to the law on what can be patented and what cannot – guidance that federal courts have been requesting for years and that the Supreme Court has refused to provide. Congress must step up to provide America’s inventors with the stable legal foundation they need to produce the cutting-edge technologies that power our economy.”
    “Clear, reliable, and predictable patent rights are imperative to enable investments in the broad array of innovative technologies that are critical to the economic and global competitiveness of the United States, and to ensuring the national security of our great country,” said Senator Tillis. “Unfortunately, a series of Supreme Court decisions have rendered patent eligibility law unclear, unreliable, and unpredictable, resulting in U.S. inventors being unable to obtain patents in areas where our economic peers offer patent protection. This is particularly concerning in the economically critical areas of biotechnology and artificial intelligence. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation maintains the existing statutory categories of eligible subject matter, which have worked well for over two centuries, while addressing inappropriate judicially created eligibility limitations by creating clear rules for what is eligible. We cannot allow foreign adversaries like China to overtake us in key areas of technology innovation due to the current state of patent eligibility law. I look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders on this important matter. Passing patent eligibility reform is one of my top legislative priorities.”
    “American innovators have been at a disadvantage in recent years because of the U.S. patent system,” said Representative Kevin Kiley. “Convoluted Supreme Court rulings and tests on subject matter eligibility have made it increasingly difficult for inventors to receive patents, leading to foreign companies overtaking our own. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the bi-partisan Patent Eligibility Restoration Act, which will dramatically reverse this trend, and unleash a tide of economic growth and job creation here at home.”
    “For more than two centuries, a U.S. patent has guaranteed inventions will be protected from theft, helping the U.S. become the innovation capital of the world. San Diego, in particular, is the proud home of a thriving life sciences and technology ecosystem that has benefited from these protections,” said Representative Peters. “Over the last 15 years, however, several Supreme Court decisions have created confusion about what exactly is eligible for a patent. Innovators, consumers, and even the judges who adjudicate patent law have called on Congress to provide clarity on what can be patented. I look forward to working with Congressman Kiley, Senator Coons, and Senator Tillis to advance our Patent Eligibility Restoration Act and protect American innovation.” 
    Due to a series of Supreme Court decisions, patent eligibility law in the United States has become confused, constricted, and unclear in recent years. This has resulted in a wide range of well-documented negative impacts – inconsistent case decisions, uncertainty in innovation and investment communities, and unpredictable business outcomes.
    In 2021, all 12 then-sitting judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit lamented the state of the law. Witnesses and stakeholders from a wide array of industries, fields, interest groups, and academia have testified and submitted comments confirming the uncertainty and detailing the detrimental effects of patent eligibility confusion in the United States. There is now widespread bipartisan agreement in Congress and across all recent administrations that reforms are necessary to restore the United States to a position of global strength and leadership in key areas of technology and innovation, such as medical diagnostics, biotechnology, personalized medicine, artificial intelligence, and 5G technology.
    The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act achieves this critical goal by restoring patent eligibility to important inventions across many fields, while also resolving legitimate concerns over patenting of mere ideas, the mere discovery of what already exists in nature, and social and cultural content that everyone agrees is beyond the scope of the patent system, which is a system aimed at promoting technology-based innovation. As a general approach, the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act maintains the existing statutory categories of eligible subject matter, which have worked well for over two centuries, but eliminates the overly malleable set of current judicial exceptions – replacing them with five specific and clear statutory exclusions. By eliminating and replacing the current judicial exceptions, the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act provides predictable patent eligibility for important computer-implemented technological developments and medical advances, creating a solid bedrock for America’s innovation future.
    The following organizations support the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act: Innovation Alliance, C4IP, AUTM, AIPLA, IEEE-USA, USIJ, MDMA, BIO, NCLifeSci, Adeia, Nokia, Sisvel, Conservatives for Property Rights, Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund, U.S. Business & Industry Council, Center for a Free Economy, Center for Individual Freedom, American Policy Center, Less Government, 60 Plus Association, American Association of Senior Citizens, Frontiers of Freedom, Consumer Action for a Strong Economy, Center for American Principles, Prosperity for Us Foundation, Market Institute, Inventors Defense Alliance, Lauder Partners, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Heritage Action, 21C, Netlist, and FICPI.
    “Congress has not made substantive changes to what subject matter is patentable in the United States since the Patent Act of 1793, making it difficult for courts, inventors, and the public to understand how 21st-century technologies fit within an 18th Century patent statute,” said Andrei Iancu, board co-chair of C4IP and former Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director from 2018 to 2021. “I commend Congress for advancing PERA in order to finally modernize our patent laws and promote U.S. global leadership in biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and other modern technologies.” 
    “PERA provides the clarity needed to unlock the full potential of cutting-edge technologies and solidify U.S. leadership in scientific and technological breakthroughs,” said David Kappos, board co-chair of C4IP and former Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director from 2009 to 2013. “We cannot allow legal uncertainty to stall the next wave of American innovation.”
    “Patent Eligibility is an important issue for cancer patients – both for life-saving, early diagnosis and for promising new treatments.  PERA will provide the certainty needed to enable innovative breakthroughs to reach patients. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute applauds Congress for introducing and advancing this important bill – the patients are waiting,” said the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
    “Passing PERA is essential if the US is to catch up to Europe and Asia, especially China,” said Judge Paul Michel (retired). “They make eligible for patenting many classes of inventions held ineligible here. The very uncertainty of the zone of eligibility is itself an obstacle to companies getting the investments they need to compete both domestically and globally. Only Congress can fix this chaotic mess because the courts are trapped in their own harmful precedents.” 
    “In my former court, which hears patent cases on appeal, concurring and dissenting opinions in patent eligibly cases have proliferated,” said Judge Kathleen O’Malley (retired). “Veteran jurists have described the state of affairs as ‘incoherent,’ ‘unclear,’ ‘fraught,’ and ‘inconsistent.’ The Patent Eligibility Restoration Act would return clarity to patent eligibly law and encourage continued innovation in key emerging technologies – technologies that are central to the United States remaining the world’s innovation leader.”
    “NCLifeSci thanks Senator Tillis for reintroducing the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act of 2025, which restores the confidence in our nation’s patent laws by bringing much needed clarity to Section 101 of the Patent Act. Confidence that the life sciences industry needs to robustly invest in the future of medicine. For too long, fields like diagnostics, precision medicine, cell and gene therapy, RNA medicine, and digital health have been threatened by unclear and uncertain patent-eligibility standards that put America’s innovators at a disadvantage, and that discourage local investment. Through this legislation, our members – which include leading innovators who operate cutting-edge gene therapy manufacturing facilities here in North Carolina and research potential treatments and cures for Alzheimer’s and cancer —will be able to continue to take the bold risks and make the high levels of investment necessary to take fields like these to their next level, with the confidence that our patent laws will continue to hold up through future waves of technological progress,” said the NC Life Sciences Organization.
    “The Innovation Alliance applauds Senators Tillis and Coons and Representatives Kiley and Peters for sponsoring the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act, which will provide much needed predictability and clarity to the hopelessly confused law of patent eligibility.  The Supreme Court has provided no workable framework to guide patent owners or the courts, and it has repeatedly refused to clarify the law, rejecting requests by the Federal Circuit and others to do so time and again. Investment dollars are flowing out of the United States as a result, jeopardizing the future of America’s innovation economy. It is past time for Congress to act,” said the Innovation Alliance.  
    “This bipartisan and much-needed bill would strike a decade of judicial tinkering that has needlessly turned the question of patent eligibility into a confusing mess and harmed the U.S. versus our economic competitors. While the U.S. has spent a decade holding back innovations in areas such as fintech, diagnostic solutions and medical devices trying to figure out whether they are ‘abstract’ or not, our competitors are moving forward and protecting these inventions. PERA would be particularly beneficial to American startups and innovators by providing the clarity needed to attract investment for new ventures in essential areas such as medical devices, diagnostics, manufacturing and a whole new range of advancements powered by software,” said the Alliance of U.S. Startups & Inventors for Jobs.
    “AUTM – the association representing technology transfer professionals – thanks Senators Tillis and Coons and others for their leadership in introducing PERA. This legislation is crucially needed to address the ambiguities that the courts have created about what is, and what is not, patent eligible. At a time when the U.S. is competing for innovation leadership, its patent system needs to clearly delineate this process so that it can move forward on numerous discoveries that otherwise would wither on the vine,” said AUTM.
    “The reintroduction of the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act (PERA) marks a pivotal move toward restoring clarity and consistency in U.S. patent law. By providing clear statutory guidelines, PERA offers inventors, entrepreneurs, and research institutions the certainty needed to innovate confidently. We commend Senator Tillis and Senator Coons for their leadership on this critical issue and remain committed to collaborating with Congress to support a patent system that fosters transparency and predictability,” said the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA).
    “The Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform applauds Congress for reintroducing PERA. This legislation represents a significant step forward in clarifying patent eligibility while maintaining necessary standards on what is ultimately patentable. 21C applauds these efforts as they will make sure that the United States remains the most attractive place in the world to invest, invent, and grow,” said the Coalition for 21st Century Patent Reform (21C).
    The text of the bill is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Hurd, Neguse, DeGette, Crow, Pettersen Urge Trump Admin to Reinstate Fired Forest Service Red Card Holders, Help Prevent Wildfire Incidents

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Red card holders are USFS employees qualified to prevent and respond to wildfire incidents
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Representatives Jeff Hurd, Joe Neguse, Diana DeGette, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen urged Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to reinstate roughly 3,000 U.S. Forest Service (USFS) staff who hold Incident Qualification Cards (known as “red cards”) ahead of peak wildfire season. Red cards are issued to USFS staff who complete the required training and experience to help fight wildfires outside their full-time jobs.
    “The layoff of red card holding Forest Service employees has substantially weakened our nation’s firefighting workforce,” urged the lawmakers. “The Forest Service is now entering peak fire season in a compromised position, placing an even greater fire danger on communities across Colorado. The loss of red card holders threatens public safety, undercuts local economies, and undermines years of local wildfire prevention efforts.”
    The lawmakers estimate that since January, the administration has fired roughly 3,000 red-card holders across the country.
    The text of the letter is available HERE.
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: With Medicaid Cut Details Looming, Cantwell Releases Snapshot Report Showing How WA’s Seniors Could Suffer

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    05.02.25
    With Medicaid Cut Details Looming, Cantwell Releases Snapshot Report Showing How WA’s Seniors Could Suffer
    In exclusive survey, 67 of 68 WA nursing homes say even a 5% Medicaid cut would force them to reduce long-term care services, nearly 2/3rds say they would consider closing Next week, Congressional Republicans are expected to release the details of their plan to cut $880B from the vital program
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released a snapshot report highlighting the impact that Medicaid cuts would have on Washington state’s highly-ranked long-term care system for seniors and people with disabilities.
    “Medicaid pays for essential long-term care for over 100,000 seniors and people with disabilities in the State of Washington,” said Sen. Cantwell. “As this report shows, cuts to Medicaid could force nursing homes to consider closing, strip away access to home care for seniors who want to age at home, and put dangerous stress on emergency services.”
    Report highlights include:
    An exclusive new survey of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) 775 WA home care workers—94% of the 3,787 respondents said that their clients would likely need care at an ER if their home care stopped.
    New information on how crucial Medicaid funding is for our state’s nursing homes—on average, WA nursing homes receive 52.3% of their revenue from Medicaid.
    An exclusive new survey of 68 WA nursing homes, which found that 67 of 68 would cut services if Medicaid were cut by 5% or more, and 65% would consider closing.
    Statewide data showing that 105,700 Washingtonians receive home-based long-term services and supports through Medicaid.
    In the coming weeks, Congressional Republicans are expected to release details of their plan to cut $880 billion from Medicaid, the federal program that insures many low-income adults and children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities.
    Medicaid is a crucial support for WA’s long-term care system, paying for home care workers that help seniors and people with disabilities stay in their homes. When these patients need a level of care that only a nursing home can provide, Medicaid can reimburse nursing homes for that care.
    Based on surveys, interviews, and data from nursing homes, home care workers, emergency services providers, and area agencies on aging, the report details how Medicaid cuts would endanger a long-term health care system that is ranked #2 in the nation by AARP.
    Cuts to Medicaid could devastate this system by creating a double-crisis: More people needing to go to a nursing home, combined with fewer nursing home beds. According to Lynn Kimball, Executive Director of Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, “there are not enough nursing home beds in our region or across the state to respond to the number of people who would end up needing support if Medicaid no longer funded home care.”
    Medicaid cuts would affect all Washingtonians by putting a greater burden on emergency services. Says Pat Songer, COO and Chief of EMS at Cascade Medical in Leavenworth: “Stripping Medicaid coverage from individuals in long-term or home care settings forces EMS providers to become the safety net of last resort. Without access to routine care, vulnerable patients are left with no option but to call 911 for basic health needs—putting additional pressure on an already strained emergency medical system. This policy shift doesn’t save money; it shifts cost and care to frontline responders, undermining patient outcomes and EMS sustainability, especially in rural communities.”
    The full snapshot report is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: During Veterans Hearing, King Receives Support for Lockbox Bill to Save Veterans Lives

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a hearing of the Senate Veterans Affairs (SVAC) Committee, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) spoke with Dr. Thomas O’Toole, the Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Health for Clinical Services and the Deputy Medical Officer for Veterans’ Health Administration for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about the need to prioritize preventative measures to mitigate veteran suicide. During the exchange, Dr. O’Toole agreed that Senator King’s bipartisan legislation to provide veterans with a firearm lockbox would decrease veteran suicide by creating a time and space barrier between suicidal ideation and lethal action.
    “I want to turn to one other point. 74% of veteran suicides involve firearms. With female veterans it is even higher. Senator Sheehy from Montana and I have a bill that basically would have the V.A. provide a free lockbox to veterans who ask for them. They don’t have to be connected to the V.A., they just have to be veterans. It is a voluntary program. The whole idea is to have some space between the idea of suicide and going through with it. Lock boxes are one way to do that. Is this something that makes sense to you?” questioned Senator King.
    “It is, Senator. I think anything we could do to create space between the idea and the action is critically important and the literature in the data supports that. I know that is not one of the bills we are here to discuss today, but the notion of lethal means safety and strategies for how to best facilitate that, including the use of lockboxes, is something the V.A. is very interested in working with the committee on,” replied Dr. O’Toole.
    “I’m hoping to get the bill in the next round. It seems to me the glaring number, 74%, involving firearms, that gives us a place where we need to focus,” said Senator King.
    Introduced with Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) in March, the Saving Our Veterans’ Lives Act would:
    Offer lockboxes to veterans with or without identified risks, and with or without VHA-enrollment;
    Allocate sufficient funding for lockboxes;
    Distribute lockboxes both through the VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services (PSAS) and firearm retailers;
    Promote public education campaigns.
    Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King has been a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act.  Last year, he was recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans” and in February, Senator King was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. In a recent SVAC hearing, Senator King stressed the importance of supporting servicemembers shifting to civilian status; the first few months after leaving active duty are often the most fragile for veterans and put them at an increased risk for self-harm and suicide.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Statement on FY26 Budget Request Defense Topline

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell
    LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman, Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, released the following statement on the outlined President’s budget request:
    “It is peculiar how much time the President’s advisors spend talking about restoring peace through strength, given how apparently unwilling they’ve been to invest accordingly in the national defense or in other critical instruments of national power. In March, the Trump Administration missed a tremendous opportunity to answer their predecessors’ chronic underinvestment in the U.S. military with robust, full-year funding for FY25. Now, it appears the Trump Administration’s FY26 defense budget request will double down on the Biden Administration’s material neglect for the glaring national security threats challenges about which they speak with great alarm.
    “Make no mistake: a one-time influx reconciliation spending is not a substitute for full-year appropriations. It’s a supplement. OMB accounting gimmicks may well convince Administration officials and spokesmen that they’re doing enough to counter the growing, coordinated challenges we face from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and radical terrorists. But they won’t fool Congress. The correct response to the most dangerous threats to U.S. interests in decades is not a fifth straight budget request that proposes a real-dollar cut to the U.S. military.
    “America cannot expect our allies to heed calls for greater annual defense spending if we are unwilling to lead by example. Fortunately, Presidential budget requests are just that: requests. Congress will soon have an opportunity to ensure that American power – and the credibility of our commitments – are appropriately resourced. I hope and expect that my colleagues will join me in placing America’s national security first as we begin the FY26 appropriations process.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Colleagues Call Out Trump Admin’s Plan to Undermine Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Executive order opens door for administration to limit free speech, punish public servants and nonprofits who are not aligned with the admin’s policies
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper along with 17 of his Senate colleagues sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon raising alarm about the Department of Education’s order that would limit eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which helps teachers, veterans, and nurses pay off their education debt through their public service.
    “Under the guise of national security, [this order] unfairly targets organizations that serve marginalized communities, such as those advocating for immigrants or protecting vulnerable children, with no evidence of illegal activity,” wrote the lawmakers. “Revoking PSLF eligibility for public service workers who serve across communities nationwide is both reckless and harmful.”
    The PSLF program was created by Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush to encourage more people to enter public service by providing loan forgiveness after 10 years of working full-time for a federal, state, local, or Tribal government organization or certain nonprofit organizations. Since the program was created, it has provided teachers, nurses, veterans, first responders, and other public servants with needed student loan relief.
    In the letter, the senators called on the Secretary to: 
    Ensure that all eligibility criteria are strictly followed under the law passed by Congress
    Prioritize processing PSLF applications that are eligible for forgiveness immediately
    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below:
    Dear Secretary McMahon:
    We write to express our strong opposition to the Department of Education’s (Department) order to initiate the formal rulemaking process to limit eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Since March 7, 2025, our dedicated public service workers have faced immense uncertainty and anxiety due to President Trump’s Executive Order #14235 which directed the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Treasury to redefine “public service” to align with the administration’s political agenda. This move contradicts the core tenets of public service and the original intent and purpose of the PSLF program.
    PSLF was established under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 under President George W. Bush with bipartisan support and provides student loan forgiveness to individuals who work in qualifying public service jobs. The program aims to support those in roles such as government employees, teachers, nurses, active-duty service members, veterans, and non-profit workers by offering them loan forgiveness after they make 120 qualifying monthly payments under an eligible repayment plan. PSLF was established to encourage professionals to dedicate their careers to public service, easing their financial burden while contributing to the well-being of our communities. However, navigating the program’s requirements has proven complex, and many borrowers have encountered challenges in applying for or receiving the forgiveness they are due.
    The program has long been plagued with challenges. In 2017, less than one percent of the first cohort was eligible for forgiveness.  Under President Trump’s first term, fewer than 7,000 applicants were approved for forgiveness, less than three percent of total applicants. President Biden took steps to streamline the process, and under his administration, over one million applicants have been approved for forgiveness.  The program has over 2.4 million cumulative PSLF borrowers with eligible employment and open loans.  Under Executive Order #14235, this framework reverses the previous administration’s efforts to administer the PSLF program more effectively after years of unnecessary roadblocks.
    The PSLF program supports local, state, and federal government employees and those at tax-exempt nonprofits under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. However, certain nonprofits, like labor unions and partisan political groups, do not qualify. This order’s vague and arbitrary restrictions on which organizations qualify for PSLF are deeply troubling. Under the guise of national security, it unfairly targets organizations that serve marginalized communities, such as those advocating for immigrants or protecting vulnerable children, with no evidence of illegal activity. Furthermore, the broad language of the order could lead to political repression and the chilling of free speech, where organizations or individuals deemed “non-conforming” to the administration’s views could be stripped of the very support they rely on to carry out their public service missions. We have already seen what can happen when the President targets organizations for doing the right thing for the country. We are fearful this is yet another tool for President Trump to go after any group or organization that does not show loyalty to his political, partisan agenda.
    At your nomination hearing on February 13, 2025, you testified in front of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee that you would fully implement existing public service loan forgiveness programs because they “have been passed by Congress …  That is the law.”  Your statement reinforced a commitment to upholding the law and supporting individuals who dedicate their careers to public service. It’s time to back up your words, follow the law, and step up as a true champion of the PSLF program.
    We request your immediate action and assurance on the following: Ensure that all eligibility criteria are strictly followed under the law passed by Congress. There should be no exceptions or compromises regarding compliance with the established statute. And prioritize processing PSLF applications that are eligible for forgiveness immediately. The severe reduction of employees at the Federal Student Aid office gives us grave concerns that these eligible borrowers will not be processed in a timely manner.  Regardless of the Trump and Elon Musk administration, these borrowers have met the criteria, done the work, and are entitled to the relief they were promised.
    Revoking PSLF eligibility for public service workers who serve across communities nationwide is both reckless and harmful. We urge you to uphold the law, adhere to congressional intent, and protect PSLF from future attacks. We look forward to your response on this critical matter.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Expand Great American Outdoors Act, Protect Public Lands

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner joined Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Angus King (I-ME) in introducing the America the Beautiful Act, legislation that builds on the senators’ landmark Great American Outdoors Act by strengthening and reauthorizing the Legacy Restoration Fund (LRF) and addressing the serious maintenance backlog in national parks and public lands.
    “Our Great American Outdoors Act was transformative for America’s national public lands and the many communities whose economies depend on them,” said Sen. Warner. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to continue this great work. Investing in our beautiful natural treasures is a not only boosts our tourism economy but preserves these landmarks for generations to come.”
    Specifically, this legislation reauthorizes the LRF through 2033 and increases funding to $2 billion per year to help address the maintenance backlog in national parks and public lands. Currently, the maintenance backlog for each agency is as follows:
    U.S. Park Service: $23.26 billion
    U.S. Forest Service: $8.695 billion
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: $2.65 billion
    U.S. Bureau of Land Management: $5.72 billion
    U.S. Bureau of Indian Education: $804.5 million
    Joining Sens. Warner, Daines, and King in introducing this legislation are Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). The senators’ Great American Outdoors Act was one of the largest-ever investments in conservation and public lands in our nation’s history. Signed into law by President Trump in 2020, the bipartisan legislation provided billions of dollars to improve infrastructure and expand recreation opportunities in national parks and other public lands after years of underinvestment led a massive backlog in needed maintenance and repairs to Park Service sites. In Virginia alone, this historic legislation has provided over $470 million for projects at Virginia’s 22 park service units and supported thousands of jobs.
    The America the Beautiful Act is supported by over 40 public lands, conservation and recreation groups.
    “America’s parks are our legacy to uphold — and bold action is essential to fulfill that promise. The National Park Foundation applauds Senators Daines and King for their leadership in introducing bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund. Since its establishment through the Great American Outdoors Act, this vital program has already delivered billions toward transformative infrastructure projects across our national parks. As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, reauthorizing this investment affirms a bold democratic ideal — that every generation deserves to experience our parks as we do today. We look forward to working with Congress to ensure these magnificent landscapes and historic sites can continue welcoming visitors for generations to come,” said Jeff Reinbold, President and CEO, National Park Foundation.
    “The National Forest Foundation thanks Sens. Daines, King, Cramer and Warner for their leadership in investing in the future of America’s public lands.  The investments in recreation infrastructure as outlined in the America the Beautiful Act will benefit the economies of local communities and enhance the enjoyment of the millions of visitors who hike, camp, hunt, fish, paddle, and play in our nation’s 193-million acres of National Forests and Grasslands,” said Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, President and CEO, National Forest Foundation.
    “The Appalachian Trail Conservancy is grateful for the leadership of Senators Daines, King, Cramer, and Warner for the America the Beautiful Act. Chronic underinvestment, extreme weather events, and heavy use have left our public lands in a precarious position. The Appalachian Trail relies on more than 5,000 volunteers and dozens of partners to keep it accessible to people and functional for nature. With ATC in its 100th year, the long-term care needs for the A.T. and its connected national parks and forests have never been clearer. This legislation will increase the monetary support, public awareness, and the impact of partners like the ATC in addressing critical deferred—and cyclic—maintenance needs for our public lands. We are proud to strongly endorse this legislation and will work diligently for its enactment,” said Sandra Marra, President and CEO, The Appalachian Trail Conservancy.
    Full text of the bill is available here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Democrats Demand Investigation into Elon Musk’s Alleged Abuse of White House Position for Personal Gain

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, led a coalition of senior Senate Democrats in sending a letter to President Donald J. Trump demanding an investigation into reports that senior White House advisor Elon Musk has used his government role to improperly advance his personal business interests abroad. The senators cited recent reporting on a disturbing pattern in which Musk allegedly leveraged high-level access to U.S. trade policy to pressure foreign governments – including India, South Africa, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan, and Lesotho – into granting favorable treatment to his satellite internet provider Starlink in apparent exchange for U.S. policy concessions. These allegations, if true, would constitute a serious violation of federal ethics laws and a profound breach of public trust.
    “Public servants must serve Americans, not their own bank accounts,” the senators wrote. “These alleged actions are an egregious breach of public trust, degrade our credibility with allies and partners, and potentially violate U.S. laws.”
    In addition to Warner, the letter was signed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee; Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair, Senate Appropriations Committee; Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member, Senate Budget Committee; Jack Reed (D-RI), Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee; Chris Coons (D-DE), Ranking Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense; Brian Schatz (D-HI), Ranking Member, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; Ed Markey (D-MA), Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship; Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works; Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member, Senate Agriculture Committee; Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member, Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
    The letter details instances of Musk meeting with foreign leaders – including those from India and Bangladesh – inside the White House complex and the Blair House, shortly before their governments fast-tracked regulatory approvals for Starlink. In one example, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission issued what was described as “the swiftest recommendation” in its history for a Starlink license shortly after officials requested a delay in U.S.-imposed tariffs and met with Musk on White House grounds.
    The senators noted that these developments came amid ongoing U.S. trade negotiations, raising serious questions about potential quid pro quo arrangements. The senators further warned that allowing a special government employee to influence foreign trade decisions to benefit their private ventures represents not only a potential legal violation but a corrosion of America’s international credibility.
    The senators also condemned the misuse of taxpayer-funded government properties for personal business dealings, writing, “The White House and the Blair House are not merely buildings – they are enduring symbols of American democracy and service. To use this public property for personal enrichment is not only a betrayal of the public trust – it also sends a dangerous signal that power is not a solemn responsibility, but an asset to be exploited for personal gain.”
    The lawmakers called on President Trump to launch a full investigation into Musk’s conduct, to publicly disclose the findings, and to provide Congress with a complete account of Musk and his associates’ use of government positions for personal benefit.
    A copy of the letter is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Senator Mullin Visits University of Oklahoma’s Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab

    US Senate News:

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

    RELEASE: Senator Mullin Visits University of Oklahoma’s Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab

    Washington, D.C. – During the April in-state work period, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), visited the University of Oklahoma’s Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab (SAML) in Norman. SAML is at the forefront of high-tech manufacturing research and workforce training, serving both federal and industry partners. The lab is expanding through an exciting new collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 
    While touring the lab, Senator Mullin met with OU students, including some employees from Tinker Air Force Base, and learned how they utilize the lab’s resources to design, test, and enhance manufacturing processes.

    “The Sooner Advanced Manufacturing Lab (SAML) at OU is an incredible asset to the world-class defense industry in Oklahoma,” said Senator Mullin. “I am proud of the work they are doing to spur innovation and produce elite products.”
    “The U.S. military and defense industrial base face constant challenges to speed up critical equipment repairs, reduce costs, and maintain legacy systems to ensure combat mission readiness. SAML is playing a crucial role in meeting these needs while also developing a skilled workforce to support Oklahoma’s growing defense sector,” Gen (ret.) Robin Rand, Executive Director of OU’s Oklahoma Aerospace and Defense Innovation Institute 

    Background:
    SAML was established in 2021 following an initial $1.8 million federal grant to purchase a state-of-the-art direct metal 3D laser printer, enabling the on-site production of metallic (titanium) components used for characterization and analysis that is essential for optimizing advanced manufacturing processes.
    SAML combines education, research and development and industry support for the growth of the manufacturing and defense industries in Oklahoma. 
    OU’s expanded relationship with Oak Ridge National Lab will expand capabilities and establish a cutting-edge additive manufacturing center in Norman, which will collaboratively advance research, training and workforce development in metal additive manufacturing, hybrid manufacturing, machining and data analytics.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: MarketWatch: Elizabeth Warren presses Bessent for answers after his remarks at private Wall Street event

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    April 25, 2025
    Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, on Friday pressed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to explain why he gave “inside information” on President Donald Trump’s tariff plans to Wall Street insiders and not the broader public.
    Speaking at a closed-door, invitation-only event hosted by JPMorgan Chase on Tuesday, Bessent said that the tariff standoff between China and the U.S. would soon de-escalate. When reports of his remarks leaked to the press, it caused stocks to rocket higher. Trump then spoke to reporters, essentially confirming Bessent’s remarks.
    …
    Read the full article here.
    By:  Greg RobbSource: MarketWatch

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: HuffPost: Elizabeth Warren Marks 100 Days Of Trump By Reading Aloud 100 Reports Of His Corruption

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    April 29, 2025
    Donald Trump is 100 days into his second presidency, and to mark the occasion, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) plans to read into the congressional record what she says are 100 cases of Trump using the presidency to personally benefit himself and his allies.
    “One hundred days, one hundred acts of corruption,” Warren will say in a Tuesday night speech on the Senate floor. HuffPost obtained a copy of her planned remarks.
    “When he ran for office, Trump promised repeatedly that he would lower costs ‘on day 1,’” reads her speech. “But instead of following through on his promise, Trump and his administration have paved the way for the president, his top officials, and his billionaire buddies to personally feed at the trough of government corruption.”
    “So, count with me,” Warren plans to say before launching into a list of 100 things she says Trump has done to enrich himself and punish his perceived political enemies.
    …
    Read the full article here.
    By:  Jennifer BenderySource: HuffPost
    Previous Article

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boston.com: Warren questions Walgreens sale, warns of potential impact on healthcare access

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    April 29, 2025
    Sen. Elizabeth Warren is demanding answers from Sycamore Partners over its proposed $10 billion acquisition of Walgreens, warning the deal could threaten healthcare access for Massachusetts residents.
    In a letter to the private equity firm Sycamore Partners on Tuesday, Warren listed a series of questions aimed at ensuring there won’t be a repeat of the Steward Health Care debacle and to prevent “pharmacy deserts” in the state. 
    Questions include: 
    Does Sycamore plan to close any additional Walgreens stores in Massachusetts?
    Does Sycamore plan to sell the real estate from any Walgreens stores, including through sale-leaseback transactions?
    Does Sycamore plan on firing any Walgreens employees?
    …
    Read the full article here.
    By:  Beth TreffeisenSource: Boston.com
    Previous Article

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Statement for World Press Freedom Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, released the following statement ahead of World Press Freedom Day, which is celebrated annually on May 3: 
    “A free press is essential, both here in America and internationally. It is vital that journalists are protected—not impeded, silenced, or threatened. 
    “The Trump White House has shown nothing but distain for the constitutionally-protected press, abusing the immense powers of the Executive by obstructing the media at all costs. President Trump has entered frivolous legal battles with press outlets he disagrees with. His administration has threatened and sought to block federal funding, including for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS, NPR, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, and the Voice of America, among others. The FCC and the Department of Justice, pressured by President Trump, have targeted reporters. Freedom of the press is under attack in America.  
    “Reporters and members of the press are also targeted abroad, where many have been imprisoned, assaulted, and killed. This year alone, 15 journalists and media workers have been killed while reporting, 13 of them in Palestine, and one in Ukraine. Last year was the deadliest ever, with at least 124 killed, 82 of whom died in Palestine. 
    “On World Press Freedom Day I honor Dylan Collins, a Vermonter and talented video journalist for the AFP news agency. Dylan was attacked and wounded by Israeli Defense Forces while reporting in Southern Lebanon. Five of his colleagues were also hurt, and a fellow journalist traveling with him died. The Vermont Delegation met with Dylan after the attack by the IDF, and demanded the Department of State and the Department of Justice conduct credible and thorough investigations into the attack, which we believe violated U.S. and international law. To date, the U.S. government has failed to investigate this deplorable attack on an American journalist. I am committed to demanding accountability for Dylan and his colleagues. 
    “Freedom of the press is enshrined in the First Amendment. It is an essential part of our nation’s DNA. On World Press Freedom Day and every day, I will stand up for the safety and freedom of journalists—here in America and around the world.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Opposes Trump’s Plan to Defund NPR & PBS

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – President Donald Trump tried and failed in his first term to kill federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CBP) but is now taking another shot at undercutting NPR and PBS stations across the country.  Yesterday evening, President Trump signed an executive order seeking to prohibit federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). 
    Last month, the Trump White House issued a statement accusing NPR and PBS of allegedly promoting “radical, woke propaganda.”
    U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) strongly opposes the move to eliminate public broadcasting and silence unbiased, fact-based reporting and educational programming.
    “Public broadcasting is for the public benefit in every single state across this great country.  It provides trusted local and national news, culture, lifesaving emergency alerts, and public safety information.  NPR and PBS stations play an important role in the media landscape.  They are not ratings driven or just trying to reach one target demographic.  Whether you’re listening in Idaho, Alabama or Rhode Island, NPR and PBS are fact-based and their goal is to inform and ensure all voices can be part of the national discussion.  It’s not sensationalized or slanted: It is civic-minded.  At a time when newsrooms are shrinking, and when billionaires are buying up and controlling the editorial content of big papers, TV, and the internet, public broadcasting is the opposite: It’s for everyone and not beholden to any individual or ideology,” said Senator Reed.
    CPB is a private, nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 under the leadership of former U.S. Senator John O. Pastore (D-RI).  CPB is the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting and the largest single source of funding for public radio, television, and related online and mobile services.  However, both NPR and PBS are only partly funded by federal funds and rely heavily on private donations.
    According to America’s Public Television Stations, there are over 160 locally-operated, locally-controlled, locally-focused public television stations that serve communities small and large across the country.  In Rhode Island, the state’s public television and radio stations have partnered to offer local original news and programming, as well as national broadcasts ranging from “All Things Considered” to “Sesame Street.”
    Reed noted that Trump is working to end federal support for NPR and PBS at the same time he is trying to curtail the free press and limit unbiased news in favor of his preferred right-wing media outlets. 
    “President Trump seems to want all news to be about how great he thinks he is.  He routinely attacks the media and doesn’t want people to have facts – he wants right-wing stenographers parroting his version of the facts.  His FCC Chair has threatened news outlets and suggested their “licensed operations” could be in jeopardy because of immigration coverage that ran afoul of the President’s preferred spin and narrative.  I hope Americans will contact their representatives in Congress and urge them to support public broadcasting.  It is valuable to have unbiased news to keep the administration’s deeds in the limelight and keep people well informed,” said Reed.
    CBP receives about $535 million annually in federal funds which it uses to provide grants to hundreds of local stations nationwide. The stations use the federal funds to produce their own programming or to purchase programming from services such as NPR and PBS that is then broadcast to local audiences.
    While Trump can ask Congress to defund CBP, he cannot force NPR and PBS off the air entirely.  Both networks have revenue that comes from non-profit grants, advertising, and voluntary viewer and listener donations.  However, if Trump claws back the federal funding it would likely force small, local stations to cease operations, likely in rural and less populated regions that President Trump claims don’t get enough from the government.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on President Trump’s Preliminary Budget Request

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray: “This is a proposal to raise costs and make life harder—and worse—for working people in every part of the country.” 
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on President Trump’s fiscal year 2026 preliminary budget request, which proposes slashing critical investments in non-defense programs that matter immensely to families and our country’s competitiveness and future.  
    The Trump administration says this proposal will cut domestic funding by $163 billion (-23%); however, the real cut may be far worse—potentially exceeding a 30%, or more than $200 billion, cut to non-defense discretionary (NDD) spending. This preliminary request is very light on details. It fails to delineate funding levels for thousands of key programs, including programs like Head Start, which Trump reportedly wants to eliminate—and it is critical that this administration promptly provide its full budget request. 
    “President Trump has made his priorities clear as day: he wants to outright defund programs that help working Americans while he shovels massive tax breaks at billionaires like himself and raises taxes on middle-class Americans with his reckless tariffs.  
    “This budget proposal would set our country back decades by decimating investments to help families afford the basics, to keep communities safe, and to ensure America remains the world leader in innovation and lifesaving research. Donald Trump wants to slash funding for research into treatments and cures for cancer and other devastating diseases that have saved millions of patients’ lives, and he wants to kick hundreds of thousands of Americans out of their homes. He’s proposing to divest from America’s small businesses, ax funding for families to afford their energy bills, and rip resources away from students and teachers. Trump wants to rip away funding to safeguard Americans’ health, protect our environment, and to help rural communities and our farmers thrive. This president wants to turn our country’s back on Tribes—and let trash pile up at our national parks. Trump is even proposing to cut investments to prevent violent crime, go after drug traffickers, and tackle the opioids and mental health crises. 
    “This is a proposal to raise costs and make life harder—and worse—for working people in every part of the country, and it is a proposal to fundamentally make America less safe, healthy, and strong. China’s President Xi Jinping is no doubt thrilled at Trump’s proposal to halve our investments in scientific and biomedical research—and abandon America’s global leadership role. 
    “This president believes we should shred at least $163 billion in investments here at home that make all the difference for families and have been essential to America’s success—but that we should hand billionaires and the biggest corporations trillions in new tax breaks. That is outrageous—and it should offend every hardworking American who wants their tax dollars to help them live a good life, not pad the pockets of billionaires.
    “This preliminary budget proposal is exceptionally light on details we desperately need—but this much is clear: Trump wants to eviscerate programs that matter most to working families. 
    “I will work with my colleagues in Congress to firmly reject Trump’s draconian proposal to slash investments in families and America’s future. But that alone is not enough because, at this very moment, Trump is brazenly ignoring our laws and blocking hundreds of billions of dollars owed to the American people—and we need Republicans in Congress to finally join us to force Trump to put an end to his devastating funding freeze.” 
    More specifics on President Trump’s budget request will be available HERE later today. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz Statement On Trump’s Politicization Of Holocaust Remembrance

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
    Published: 04.29.2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement after President Donald Trump removed former President Joe Biden’s appointees from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, including former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff – less than a week after Holocaust Remembrance Day.
    “President Trump’s decision to fire members of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council is wrong and deeply disrespectful. This move politicizes Holocaust remembrance and disrespects the victims, survivors, and the fight against antisemitism. Some things should never be used for politics — this is one of them.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz: Proposed HHS Testing Plan To Withhold Vaccines From Select Kids, Families Risks Lives, Mirrors Immoral Tuskegee Experiment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
    WASHINGTON – Following reports that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., would radically change testing vaccines by introducing placebo testing, including for well-researched diseases like measles and polio, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) spoke out on the Senate floor, warning that the new move would risk lives and threaten public health.
    In his remarks, Schatz compared the new HHS plan to the unethical Tuskegee Experiment which began in 1932 by the U.S. Public Health Service. The study withheld treatment from hundreds of African American men to observe the effects of the disease. The first person to raise the alarm about the cruelty of the experiment in 1965 was Schatz’s father, Dr. Irv Schatz.
    “It means that they would take a bunch of kids, divide them into two groups, and give some of the kids the vaccine for rubella and mumps or polio, and then they would take the other half and give them a placebo – dummy vaccine that doesn’t work. It’s not supposed to work,” said Senator Schatz. “Let me tell you something about my father. My father was the only doctor on the record for the first couple of years after the Tuskegee Experiments on African American men, in which they withheld lifesaving medicine from hundreds of African American men, believing that they were expendable, to ‘observe the disease process.’ What they are contemplating – and I don’t know how serious this is – but what they’re contemplating is that at scale with children.”
    Schatz has repeatedly warned against Secretary Kennedy’s views and record, highlighting his pivotal role in causing a measles outbreak in Samoa in 2019, which resulted in over 5,700 people getting infected and 83 people – mostly young children – dying.
    The full text of his remarks can be found below. Video is available here.
    Yesterday, the Health Secretary, RFK Jr., announced that the Department would subject all new vaccines, including vaccines for children and vaccines for well-researched diseases like measles and polio to placebo testing.
    So what does that mean? It means that they would take a bunch of kids, divide them into two groups, and give some of the kids the vaccine for rubella and mumps or polio, and then they would take the other half and give them a placebo. A dummy vaccine that doesn’t work. It’s not supposed to work. And then they would study how the kids fared, to let the disease process continue. Let me tell you something about my father. My father was the only doctor on the record for the first couple of years after the Tuskegee experiments on African American men, in which they withheld lifesaving medicine from hundreds of African American men, believing that they were expendable, to “observe the disease process.” What they are contemplating –and I don’t know how serious this is – but what they’re contemplating is that at scale with children.
    I am hoping that the department clarifies today that’s not what they meant. That is fake news. But as of now, they are contemplating population wide experiments on children. To see how the disease process progresses. There should be a hundred United States senators opposed to that, and I pray that they back off of this by the end of the day.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Statement On President Trump’s Executive Order To End Federal Funds For NPR And PBS

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    May 02, 2025
    CHICAGO – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) sent the following statement after President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to prohibit federal funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB):
    “The ruthless cuts and attacks on our federal government was not enough for President Trump—now he is going after public broadcasting, which has been providing unbiased, informative, and breaking news for years, especially for our nation’s rural communities. As a democracy, we pride ourselves on having a strong freedom of the press. With President Trump’s executive order, we will only backslide. This is dangerous and I implore my Republican colleagues to act to reverse the President’s course—our democracy depends on it.” 
    Through the government funding bill passed earlier this year, CPB will receive $535 million in advanced appropriations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027. However, the Trump Administration has rescinded all funding that goes directly to NPR and PBS, including funding appropriated for FY 2025, FY 2026, and FY 2027. NPR and PBS provide educational programming for young children, unbiased and local new, especially in rural communities, and lifesaving emergency alerts during natural disasters.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Demands Attorney General Bondi To Recuse Herself From Any Work Benefitting Private Prison Company Due To Conflicts Of Interest

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    May 02, 2025
    Durbin cites Bondi’s previous representation of GEO Group and her current role overseeing DOJ’s immigration enforcement efforts, builds on his amped up Congressional oversight of Trump Administration’s immigration detention agenda
    CHICAGO – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi to recuse herself from any Justice Department (DOJ)-related work that could benefit her former lobbying client, the GEO Group, a major private prison contractor whose largest source of revenue is from contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
    In a letter to Attorney General Bondi, Durbin raises serious ethical concerns due to her past representation of the GEO Group and her current role in overseeing DOJ’s immigration enforcement efforts, given DOJ’s central role in advancing the Trump Administration’s immigration agenda. He also seeks clarification on whether appropriate recusals and ethical safeguards have been implemented, considering Bondi’s prior lobbying for the GEO Group and recent actions undermining internal ethics oversight.
    Durbin began with a specific call for recusal, writing: “With DOJ’s outsized role implementing President Trump’s immigration enforcement and mass deportation agenda and the GEO Group securing long-term, multimillion-dollar contracts in recent weeks,  we call on you to recuse yourself from any and all DOJ activities, communications, or policy decisions related to immigration detention, enforcement, and contracting that could directly or indirectly benefit the GEO Group or impact its federal contracts.”
    Durbin then cited multiple memoranda that have escalated DOJ involvement in immigration enforcement since the start of the Trump Administration.
    Durbin continued by outlining the GEO Group’s significant influence in the private prison industry and recent actions that undercut the Attorney General’s promises during her confirmation hearing, writing: “During your confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, when asked if you would recuse yourself from any matters involving your past clients, such as the GEO Group, you said you ‘[would] consult with the career ethics officials within the Department of Justice and make the appropriate decision.’ Yet, within weeks of President Trump assuming office, then-Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove removed the Department’s senior career ethics official and replaced him with two political appointees with limited experience. This marks a dramatic break from past Democratic and Republican administrations, which rightly entrusted a senior career DOJ official, not political appointees, with critical decisions on ethics, recognizing that politicizing this role would endanger both the Department’s integrity and its employees.”
    Durbin concluded with admonishing the stripping of critical safeguards at the Department before making a series of information requests, writing: “Given the removal of critical safeguards designed to ensure that the actions of Department officials are ethical, we can no longer be sure you have properly recused yourself from matters related to the GEO Group. With DOJ fully integrated into the Administration’s immigration enforcement agenda and GEO securing long-term, multimillion-dollar contracts as a result, you cannot credibly claim neutrality on enforcement matters. The ethical considerations are too great to ignore.”
    For a PDF of the letter to Attorney General Bondi, click here.
    The demand for recusal is the latest step in Durbin’s ongoing inquiry into medical and mental health care in DHS’s facilities. Yesterday, Durbin sent oversight requests to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and three major private contractors operating immigration facilities—CoreCivic, the GEO Group, and LaSalle Corrections—seeking clarity on the spending of taxpayer dollars, existing safeguards and accountability measures, and protection of detainees’ rights.
    Earlier this year, Durbin released a revealing investigative report on inadequate care in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facilities and pressed for further investigation into deficient medical care in CBP detention facilities after whistleblower reports alleged systemic failures by DHS to ensure proper oversight of its medical care contractor.
    Durbin continues to actively investigate care in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities, which he initiated with letters to ICE and the Government Accountability Office. A June 2024 report from the American Civil Liberties Union, Physicians for Human Rights, and American Oversight found that 95 percent of documented deaths in ICE custody between 2017-2021 were likely preventable.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Graham Statement on Vice President Vance Visit to Nucor Steel

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on Vice President JD Vance visiting Nucor Steel in Huger, South Carolina.
    “I’m very pleased that Vice President Vance chose Nucor Steel in South Carolina to make the case for bringing high-paying manufacturing jobs back to America. I would urge the American people to support President Trump as he cleans up the trade mess that’s built up over the past 60 years.
    “I have been a strong supporter of Nucor Steel. They have had to compete against China and other countries dumping low-cost steel. The Vice President made it clear the days of taking advantage of American businesses are over. I’m very glad he chose a South Carolina business to highlight this much-needed change.”

    MIL OSI USA News –