NewzIntel.com

Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Wyden, Cortez Masto, Padilla Seek Watchdog Investigation of Potential Trump Admin. Violations of Taxpayer Privacy Laws

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, (D-OR), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) wrote to the acting Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration seeking an investigation into reports that the Trump administration is providing highly-sensitive and legally-protected taxpayer data to the Department of Homeland Security and DOGE personnel potentially violating federal privacy laws.
    For years, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has encouraged immigrants to pay taxes with assurances that this information would remain confidential. In return, immigrants have paid billions of dollars in taxes each year. The senators’ request comes after Treasury Secretary Bessent signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Homeland Security to provide an unprecedented level of access to taxpayer data for open-ended investigations. Several high-ranking IRS officials, including the acting commissioner and chief privacy officer, then announced their imminent departures from the agency. The IRS already has the tools to share sensitive information with law enforcement. Instead enhancing public safety, it will put millions of immigrants in danger of deportation merely because they followed the guidance of previous Democratic and Republican administrations and paid their taxes.
    “Taxpayer data held by the IRS is, by design, subject to some of the strongest privacy protections under federal law, the violation of which can trigger civil and criminal sanctions, including up to five years in prison. Congress passed these protections in the 1970s after President Nixon weaponized the IRS against his political enemies. These legal protections for taxpayer data apply to all taxpayers and are an essential foundation for our tax system, which requires the voluntary submission of information to the government. Voluntary tax compliance depends on taxpayers having faith that their confidential information will not be used for anything other than tax administration…
    “Immediately following Bessent’s execution of the [agreement with DHS], several IRS leaders announced their resignations, including Acting IRS Commissioner Melanie Krause and Chief Privacy Officer Kathleen Walters, raising further questions about whether they resigned to avoid being a party to a criminal conspiracy to violate tax privacy law… 
    “The risks created by these activities cannot be overstated… [IRS] data can be inaccurate because of identity theft, keypunch errors, obsolete address information, and a wide range of other reasons. If DHS relies on the same data to deport millions of people without validating its accuracy, it is likely to end up making grave errors that impact American citizens and immigrants with valid legal status.”
    The letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren, (D-MA) Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Andy Kim (D-NJ).
    To read the full text of the letter, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Statement on Latest Safety Incident at DCA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    Published: April 10 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement regarding an incident at Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) where two airplanes bumped into each other on the tarmac:
    “Thank God no one was hurt this time. We need a full investigation into this incident as soon as possible. We have said this over and over and hate having to say it again: when planes are taking off and landing every minute of the day, FAA funding is cut, air traffic controllers are fired, and current staff is spread thinner to cover more—that is when mistakes happen. The traveling public deserves action.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing on INDOPACOM, U.S. Forces Korea, and Budget Requests

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a hearing on force posture and budget requirements in the Indo-Pacific region and U.S. Forces Korea. Throughout the full committee hearing, the Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), Admiral Paparo, and the Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, General Xavier Brunson, testified on force requirements, budget necessities and our capabilities in the region.
    During his opening remarks, Chairman Wicker addressed the growing threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party in the region with respect to Taiwan, along with security issues linked to Russian and North Korean cooperation. Specifically, Chairman Wicker made clear that our underinvestment in INDOPACOM has allowed the Chinese People’s Liberation Army to contest our ability to gain air superiority in a conflict in East Asia. Chairman Wicker also stressed that a reduction of our military presence in South Korea would undermine deterrence of both North Korea and China. Chairman Wicker concluded by noting the centrality of the role played by nuclear weapons in deterring conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.
    Read Senator Wicker’s hearing opening statement as delivered.
    At this point, we hold a hearing on U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and U.S. Force Korea.  At the outset, I would like to thank Admiral Paparo and General Brunson for their distinguished service to our country.
    Last year at this hearing, I stated that the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific was shifting in China’s favor.  Since then, the Chinese Communist Party has significantly increased its coercive activity toward Taiwan and the Philippines.  Last week, the Chinese conducted an exercise called Strait Thunder 2025A.  This exercise demonstrated the extent to which the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) could execute a maritime blockade of Taiwan and pummel it with missile strikes.   As China conducts more exercises with Taiwan in mind, it also escalates the rhetoric against the island.  Last week, a Chinese military officials called Taiwan’s democratically elected president a “parasite.”
    The Chinese have also substantially increased their harassment of our Filipino allies.  China’s vast Maritime Militia, backed by the PLA Navy and Chinese Coast Guard, is using increasingly aggressive tactics to advance its expansive claims in the South China Sea.  The Second Thomas Shoal remains a major flashpoint. Chinese maritime militias have tried to keep the grounded Filipino Navy ship, the Sierra Madre, from being resupplied.  Secretary Hegseth recently visited the region.  I was pleased to see that he reaffirmed our Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines, reminding the world that the treaty applies to attacks on the Filipino armed forces anywhere in the South China Sea.  Even so, it is clear that the Chinese have been emboldened by four years of weakness during the past administration.
    There is another reason China has become so confident in its malign schemes.  Xi Jinping has steadily modernized his military, and that hardware has made him more brazen.  China boasts the world’s largest navy.  It also has an air force that is capable of denying the U.S. air superiority in the First Island Chain- we’ll certainly want to ask about that, gentlemen.  Its missile force can saturate our theater defenses.  China has been expanding its nuclear arsenal at a pace that far outstrips our own.  Multiple STRATCOM commanders have called China’s growth ‘breathtaking.’  In just a few short years, Beijing has built more intercontinental ballistic missile launchers than the United States.  Meanwhile, our own modernization programs languish from past neglect.
    But China is not the only urgent threat in the Indo-Pacific.  The Biden administration chose to ignore North Korea.  It allowed Kim Jong Un to increase his nuclear arsenal and project his military into the European theater to aid Vladimir Putin in Russia’s war against Ukraine.   Kim Jong Un has abandoned the goal of unification of the Korean Peninsula – and again, we’ll want to talk about that – and has declared South Korea to be the principal enemy.  The North Korean nuclear and missile arsenal continues to grow and diversify.  With the rogue nation adopting a strategic doctrine that embraces nuclear first use.
    Kim will surely seek remuneration for his support to Moscow.  The Russian technology transfers and military assistance Kim receives will help him to further strengthen his strategic missile forces.  The continued demonstrations of Russia, China, and North Korea aligning and cooperating should be of great concern to all in the West.  This concern should then lead to action.  If we are to maintain global peace and stability, we must continue taking steps now to rebuild our military and reestablish deterrence.
    As I noted in my Peace Through Strength report last May, it is time to make a generational investment in our national security- and I do believe that view is bipartisan.  We must be able not only to deter and defeat the People’s Liberation Army, but also to maintain deterrence in other theaters.  Our adversaries, led by Bejing, are playing a global game.  We must be smarter and more agile than they are across the board.
    Last year, INDOPACOM’s unfunded requirements list totaled $3.5 billion dollars.  This year’s unfunded requirement list was $11 billion, and virtually none of that was funded under the full-year CR.  This is unacceptable – and also, I hope we’re going to get from everyone an accurate and full assessment of the various unfunded requirements. We need real growth in the FY26 budget request, in addition to a historic defense reconciliation package.
    We need more survivable long-range munitions, more assured U.S. command and control systems, and an improved ability to counter China’s increasingly capable cyber and space systems.  We need a wholesale overhaul of our logistics infrastructure and a rapid deployment of unmanned systems.  We need a renaissance in our camouflage and deception programs, and we need a drastic improvement in our shipbuilding.  The risk is simply too high for us to avoid making these changes.
    So, I look forward to hearing our distinguished, and well-informed witnesses and having a candid conversation about what this committee and this Senate and this Congress can do – this year – to begin address these challenges.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Military Leaders Agree with Warren: Effectively Delivering Child Care, Education Benefits to Service Members Is Vital for National Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    April 09, 2025
    Round 1 Exchanges (YouTube) | Round 2 Exchanges (YouTube)
    Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Warren, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, asked military leaders about their work to improve wages for staff at military child care centers and protect education programs for servicemembers. 
    A 2023 DoD task force found that the best way to improve the shortage of child care workers at military Child Development Centers (CDCs) was to raise the workers’ wages. As a result, Congress tasked DoD with redesigning the compensation model. Senator Warren pressed personnel leaders of the branches about when they plan to release and implement the reworked model. All leaders said they would follow up later. 
    “We don’t say to our military families, ‘Here’s this really hard job,’ and then not give them the support that they need to be able to carry it out…My job is to keep turning up the heat until we actually get this done and pay them better,” said Senator Warren. 
    Senator Warren also highlighted how recent cuts to the civilian workforce at DoD make life harder for military families and pointed to the recent closure of a CDC in Utah due to workforce reductions. All of the leaders agreed that cuts that affect child care affect military readiness. 
    In her second round of questioning, Senator Warren brought up the government’s shortcomings on delivering education benefits to servicemembers, specifically its failure to deliver on statutorily-promised student debt relief and leaving servicemembers vulnerable to predatory actors.
    All of the witnesses agreed that leaving servicemembers vulnerable to predatory schools and lenders hurts the military’s recruitment and retention efforts. All of the military leaders also agreed that DOD must do everything possible to deliver debt cancellation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, as is statutorily required by Congress. 
    Senator Warren has submitted proposals for the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act to address these issues. Her proposals require DOD to provide quarterly updates on its work to implement a statutorily required data match to make it easier for servicemembers to get access to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program; require the Government Accountability Office to analyze the challenges servicemembers face with student loan debt repayment; and to require the Pentagon to use the same procedures as the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to more diligently monitor fraud, waste, and abuse at schools that receive more than $600 million in servicemember tuition assistance each year. 
    Transcript: Opening Statement at Hearing to receive testimony on Department of Defense personnel policies and programs in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Future Years Defense ProgramSenate Armed Services CommitteeApril 9, 2025 
    Round 1: Child Care
    Senator Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, every parent in this country understands how hard it is to find high quality, affordable, available child care. And for our military families, the task can be just whole orders of magnitude harder. Often they have to navigate finding child care while they’re on long deployments, abrupt relocations, and nonstandard work hours. And if military families can’t find child care, they just may not be able to serve. 
    I appreciate that at least two of you specifically mention child care when we talk about our servicemembers and our force readiness. DOD knows how important child care is—and that is why it runs the nation’s largest employer-based child care system. It’s high quality and affordable, but right now, it is facing a huge shortage of child care workers, which means fewer child care slots and literally thousands of families on waitlists.
    In 2023, a DOD task force investigated the staffing shortages and confirmed that, in order to fix this problem, we need to increase child care workers’ wages. So in last year’s NDAA, we tasked DOD with redesigning the compensation model, and starting to implement it by April 1st. But here we are a year later, and you haven’t even finalized the redesign—much less begun implementation that was supposed to have started – what was it, 8 days ago? 
    So for each witness, I want to ask: When can we expect to see the updated compensation model and when can we expect to see implementation begin? 
    Lieutenant General Eifler, let’s start with you. And I’ll be writing these down. So what’s the date? 
    Lieutenant General Brian S. Eifler, U.S. Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel: Thanks, Ranking Member. Yeah, so I am not clear on that date because I know – I believe all the services are working with the Department of Defense on finalizing that. I do believe the CR has some impacts because of funding for it – 
    Senator Warren: No, I’m sorry. The CR has impacts on your implementation. It does not have an impact on your obligation to update your compensation model. You’re supposed to do the modeling with the money you got. So when can I expect to see your updated model? 
    Lieutenant General Eifler: I would have to follow up with you, Senator, because I am not clear on when that’s going to be in place. 
    Senator Warren: Okay, well I hope you’re clear that you’re already way past due. 
    Lieutenant General Eifler: Yes, yes, Senator. 
    Senator Warren: Alright. Vice Admiral Cheeseman, what about you? What’s the date? 
    Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman, Jr., U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Personnel: Senator, similar answer. We’re working with our OSD partners on when that date would be. And when I have a more informed answer, I’ll get back with you, ma’am. 
    Senator Warren: Yeah, well, I’d like to have an answer that suggests that you guys are paying attention to this. We didn’t put this in the law just for the fun of it. It wasn’t advisory. It was for you to actually perform by a date certain. 
    Lieutenant General Borgschulte? 
    Lieutenant General Michael J. Borgschulte, U.S. Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs: Senator Warren, thank you very much for bringing this up. This is personal to me. I’ve got kids. I’ve got a spouse that has a career, and we have used our world class child care at every duty station. 
    Senator Warren: Good for you. So when? 
    Lieutenant General Borgschulte: And so, I’ll get back – we have increased the wages. I’ll get back to you with a specific date, but we have over 40,000 kids in our child and youth programs. I mean think about that. That’s a retention effort and that allows them to be free to go fight. I just appreciate you bringing that up. 
    Senator Warren: Okay, so you said many nice things and the fact that you’ve actually moved toward increasing wages puts you a step ahead of the other two people to your right. 
    Lieutenant General Borgschulte: We’ll take that, Senator. I’ll get you back an exact answer on that.
    Senator Warren: I’ve got to have this done. Okay? Gotta have this done. 
    Lieutenant General Miller? 
    Lieutenant General Caroline M. Miller, U.S. Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower: Yes, ma’am. We’ve actually increased our wages 18 – 
    Senator Warren: Also good. How about your plan? 
    Lieutenant General Miller: We have a plan. I can get it over to you, ma’am. 
    Senator Warren: Oh great. You actually have it? We weren’t able to find it, so I am delighted. 
    Lieutenant General Miller: I will send over what we have done over the last year, which has been quite significant – 
    Senator Warren: Okay, it’s an updated compensation model, is what you’re required to do under the law. Okay? And then start implementing that model. So thank you, I hope that’s right, Lieutenant General Miller. 
    Ms. Kelley? 
    Ms. Katharine Kelley, U.S. Space Force Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital: Senator, we leverage the Air Force for our CDCs so the model that General Miller is referencing would be applicable for Guardians as well. 
    Senator Warren: So you’re sending it back in the other direction. Yours will be ready when his is ready? 
    Ms. Kelley: No, ma’am. General Miller. 
    Senator Warren: Oh, I’m sorry. I was taking you to the other end, I apologize.   
    Ms. Kelley: The Air Force runs the Child Development Centers that the Space Force Guardians leverage, so the adjusted salaries that the Air Force has to include the fee assistance programs that are unbelievably helpful for our CDC workers. We’ve seen significant improvement. 
    Senator Warren: You know, I just want to say on this: I understand that I am unpleasant about this and then tend to be even more unpleasant if this doesn’t get done. You all fully understand why this is so important. And so important anytime. We don’t say to our military families, “Here’s this really hard job,” and then not give them the support that they need to be able to carry it out.    
    So I appreciate that you all seem to understand that. My job is to keep turning up the heat until we actually get this done and pay them better. 
    Let me bring out just one more, of course. This is all about making sure we have the staff needed to bring down military child care waitlists. But of course, that’s not going to happen if we’re slashing the civilian workforce. Two weeks ago, a Child Development Center in Utah closed because of cuts to its civilian staff.  
    So let me just ask: do you agree that cutting child care by laying off civilian child care workers makes life harder for military families? 
    Ms. Kelley, we’ll start at your end this time. 
    Ms. Kelley: Senator, I absolutely agree that lack of child care is a readiness issue for all the services and certainly for the Space Force.
    Senator Warren: Good. General Miller? 
    Lieutenant General Miller: Yes, ma’am. It is a readiness issue. 
    Senator Warren: Thank you. General Borgschulte? 
    Lieutenant General Borgschulte: Senator Warren, I agree 100%. We have not shut any down and don’t plan to. 
    Senator Warren: I hope that’s right, but it really is the reminder that these civilian cuts can have profound effects for our active duty servicemembers. 
    Vice Admiral Cheeseman? 
    Vice Admiral Cheeseman: Senator, thanks for the question. For our child care employees, they are funded out of non-appropriated funds. We have not let anybody go. In fact, our staffing levels have increased by 10% over the last year and we’ve decreased the waitlist by about 1,000 spots. 
    Senator Warren: That is really terrific to hear. Thank you very much and I appreciate your getting that on the record. 
    General Eifler? 
    Lieutenant General Eifler: Yes, Ranking Member, totally concur. We have not shut down any and we do believe it’s a readiness issue because of that. 
    Senator Warren: Good. I appreciate that. And now, in the name of the Chair, I call on Ms. Hirono. 
    Round 2: Education
    Senator Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, when Congress passed the G.I. Bill in 1944, a grateful nation promised to help servicemembers with the cost of their education. This was a thank you for the sacrifices to our country. The promise is not charity; it is an ironclad commitment and it is key to how we recruit and maintain a fighting force. Survey after survey has demonstrated how important this promise is, both for recruitment and to retention. And I see you are nodding along with this. 
    Too often, the federal government has failed to live up to our promise. Not delivering on the student debt relief that servicemembers were entitled to, or leaving them vulnerable to predatory lenders. For example, after student loan repayments restarted after the pandemic, the CFPB found servicemember complaints about student loan servicers went up, thanks to hours-long hold times and other customer service failures with the companies that were managing their loans. Meanwhile, the V.A. has warned about the rise of scams where predatory schools will promise “immediate student debt cancellation” that doesn’t really exist in order to lure veterans into enrolling. 
    Again, I would like to go down the line, if we can, with our witnesses for this question. Just yes or no. Does it undermine our ability to recruit and retain personnel when we let bad actors scam our servicemembers out of the educational benefits that they have earned and been promised by the United States government? 
    Lieutenant General Eifler, if I can start with you. 
    Lieutenant General Eifler: Yes, Ranking Member. 
    Senator Warren: Vice Admiral Cheeseman? 
    Vice Admiral Cheeseman: Senator, yes ma’am. Absolutely. 
    Senator Warren: Lieutenant General Borgschulte? 
    Lieutenant General Borgschulte: Yes ma’am, absolutely. Our Marines should not be scammed. 
    Senator Warren: Lieutenant General Miller? 
    Lieutenant General Miller: Yes ma’am. 
    Senator Warren: And Ms. Kelley? 
    Ms. Kelley: Yes ma’am, absolutely. 
    Senator Warren: That is the reason that I have proposed language in this year’s NDAA to protect servicemembers from predatory actors. This committee has worked in a bipartisan fashion before to ensure that servicemembers get the educational benefits that they have earned under a bipartisan law signed by President George W. Bush back in 2007. The federal government will cancel the student loans of people who work in the public service and faithfully pay their loans for at least a decade as a way to honor their public service. Last year, Senator Cortez Masto and Senator Moran led a successful effort to require DOD and the Education Department to perform a data match so all eligible servicemembers automatically receive the public service loan forgiveness that the law says that they have earned. 
    So, once again, I want to go down the line with our witnesses. Is it important that DOD do everything it can to deliver debt cancellation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to all eligible servicemembers as statutorily required by Congress? 
    Lieutenant General Eifler? 
    Lieutenant General Eifler: Yes, Ranking Member. 
    Senator Warren: Vice Admiral Cheeseman? 
    Vice Admiral Cheeseman: Yes ma’am.
    Senator Warren: Lieutenant General Borgschulte? 
    Lieutenant General Borgschulte: Yes ma’am. 
    Senator Warren: Lieutenant General Miller? 
    Lieutenant General Miller: Yes, Senator Warren. 
    Senator Warren: And Ms. Kelley? 
    Ms. Kelley: Yes ma’am, absolutely. 
    Senator Warren: Okay, good, we are in a good place. Once again, though, this is work that remains unfinished. I have submitted an NDAA proposal requiring DOD to provide quarterly updates until the Public Service Loan Forgiveness data match is implemented, and also requiring the GAO to analyze the challenges servicemembers face with student loan debt repayment. I have also submitted a proposal to require DOD implement the same risk-based surveys the VA is already statutorily required to use to monitor fraud, and waste, and abuse at schools that receive more than $600 million in servicemember tuition assistance each year. 
    These are programs that matter to our servicemembers. And I appreciate having all of you as allies to make sure our servicemembers get what the American people promised them. So thank you very much and thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for letting me do this. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Response to Warren Request, Education Department Watchdog Will Investigate Trump and DOGE’s Attempts to Gut Agency

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    April 10, 2025
    Response from Education Department Inspector General (PDF)
    Washington, D.C. – Following a request led by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), the Department of Education’s Acting Inspector General (IG) agreed to open an investigation into the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education (ED). The investigation will cover how recent mass firings and buyouts for ED’s workforce affect the Department’s efficiency and effectiveness in serving students, teachers, and families across the country. 
    “This investigation will help reveal what’s at stake for those families. While Donald Trump and Elon Musk side with the billionaires, I will never stop fighting for our kids,” said Senator Warren in response to the investigation announcement.
    In early March, ED fired nearly 50 percent of the Department’s staff. Just one week later, President Trump signed an executive order instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take “all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.” Soon after, the President also announced that he would move management of federal student loans to the Small Business Administration (SBA) and shift programs for students with disabilities to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
    “We will be conducting reviews…in order to identify the cumulative effect of staffing reductions…along with any actions that the Department should consider to help ensure productive and efficient operations following its workforce changes,” wrote the Acting Inspector General, René Roque. “We hope to begin issuing these reports in the summer of 2025, and we may identify additional work to be performed based on the results of our initial reviews.”
    On March 27, 2025, Senator Warren led the call for this independent investigation into the Trump administration’s actions. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) also joined the letter.
    Last week, Senator Warren launched the Save Our Schools campaign to fight back against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle ED and highlight the consequences for every student and public school in America. 
    As part of the campaign, Senator Warren will amplify the real-life impacts of cuts to ED; lead investigations to hold the Trump administration accountable, including ED Secretary Linda McMahon and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE); and bring students, teachers, parents, and unions into the fight to protect access to public education.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Protect Communities from Gun Violence

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced bipartisan legislation to combat gun violence. The Banning Unlawful Machinegun Parts (BUMP) Act would prohibit the sale of bump stocks and other devices or modifications that allow semi-automatic firearms to increase their rate of fire and effectively operate as fully automatic weapons. Senator Rosen (D-Nev.) is a cosponsor of the BUMP Act, and companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Dina Titus (D-Nev.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.).
    “It’s been nearly eight years since the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival massacre changed my hometown forever,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Bump stocks like the one used by the shooter have no place in our communities. I will never forget the events of October 1, 2017, and will never stop fighting to permanently ban these dangerous devices.”
    “Nearly eight years after the Harvest Festival massacre we still do not have a federal law banning these deadly devices,” said Representative Titus. “Bump stocks continue to pose a threat to innocent lives and Congress must act. Without a federal law firmly banning them, federal regulations and court rulings could allow bump stocks on our streets and in our neighborhoods, raising the risk of more mass shootings.”
    A full list of endorsements, a one page summary, and the full text of the BUMP Act can be found at the preceding links.
    Senator Cortez Masto has pushed to reduce gun violence, including through expanding background checks and other commonsense gun violence prevention measures. She voted to pass the bipartisan Safer Communities Act to close the so-called “boyfriend loophole.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: BREAKING: Republicans Block Cortez Masto’s Efforts to Exempt Our Allies Israel and Ukraine from Harmful Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    FTPs for TV stations is available here.
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) called out Republican politicians for blocking efforts to exempt American allies under attack, Israel and Ukraine, from the Trump Administration’s harmful tariffs. On the Senate floor, Cortez Masto sought unanimous consent to pass her legislation which would exempt Israel and Ukraine from blanket tariffs that President Trump has slapped on these wartime economies.
    “We all know that targeted tariffs can be a useful tool to protect critical American manufacturing and combat our enemies, but that isn’t what President Trump is doing. Instead, he’s punishing our allies Israel and Ukraine,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Both these countries are currently under attack. They need the United States to be standing with them, not hitting them with nonsensical tariffs that could cause them even more harm. It is outrageous that my Republican colleagues blocked an opportunity to fix this and come together to protect our allies.”
    America’s ally Israel originally got hit with a 17% tariff – even though we maintain a Free Trade Agreement with them – their adversary Iran got tariffed at 10%. The Trump Administration put no tariffs on Russia, but charged Ukraine with a 10% tariff. As Senator Cortez Masto was speaking on the floor, President Trump announced via tweet that over 75 countries, including Israel and Ukraine, will be tariffed at 10% for the next 90 days.
    Senator Cortez Masto has consistently stood with Israel. She has repeatedly voted to deliver critical funding to support Israel’s national Security, and has urged the Administration to crack down on the finances of international terrorist organizations, including Iran’s state sponsorship of terrorism. She has also been a strong advocate for the U.S. to stand up to Russian aggression and support Ukrainian sovereignty. Cortez Masto has voted to pass bipartisan legislation to support Ukraine and helped pass bipartisan economic sanctions that were signed into law to hold Russia accountable for its illegal invasion of Ukraine.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Thune Introduce Bill to Alleviate Burdensome Tax Requirements for Individuals Working in Multiple States

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Thune (R-S.D.) introduced the Mobile Workforce State Income Tax Simplification Act, bipartisan legislation that would simplify and standardize state income tax collection for employees who travel outside of their home state for temporary work.
    While some states require state income tax filing for as little as one day of work in the state, this legislation would establish a common-sense 30-day threshold to help ensure that an equitable tax is paid to the state and local jurisdiction where the work is being performed, while alleviating burdensome tax requirements for employees and employers. Both Nevada and South Dakota have no income tax which limits the ability for residents to offset taxes paid in other states. This legislation would ensure that Nevada workers who temporarily travel outside of the state for work aren’t unfairly punished. 
    “Mobile workers who temporarily work outside of their home state should not find a surprise tax bill come April,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m proud to introduce this common-sense bill alongside Senator Thune to cut red tape and protect workers across the United States.”
    “It is complicated and unfair for an individual who lives in a state like South Dakota, with no state income tax, to have to file income taxes in multiple states for simply temporarily working in those states – in some cases, for as little as 24 hours – and not be able to recover any income tax payments he or she has to make,” said Senator Thune. “The current framework is overly burdensome, and our legislation would provide much-needed relief by creating a common-sense, across-the-board standard for mobile employees who spend a short period of time during the year working across state lines.”
    Senator Cortez Masto has consistently supported efforts to cut taxes and lower costs for hardworking Nevadans. Earlier this week, the Senator introduced the Tax Cut for Workers Act to give millions of working Americans a much-needed tax break, as well as American Families Act to permanently expand the Child Tax Credit. She helped pass critical expansions to the Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue plan, and has been fighting to permanently increase this vital relief for working families. Cortez Masto also helped introduce the No Tax on Tips Act to exempt tipped wages from federal income tax. Additionally, Senator Cortez Masto supports raising the federal minimum wage and eliminating the minimum wage gap for tipped workers nationally.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Cornyn Introduce Bill to Aid Law Enforcement Who Have Suffered from Brain Injuries

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) introduced their Public Safety Officer Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Health Act, which would increase awareness of concussions and brain injuries among public safety officers. This legislation is being led in the House of Representatives by Congressmembers Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Don Bacon (R-Neb.), and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.).
    Traumatic brain injuries can lead to serious issues, including difficulties with memory, concentration, and communication. Concussions are considered a mild traumatic brain injury, which is usually temporary but can take months to heal.
    “When law enforcement officers get a concussion or traumatic brain injury on the job, it is our responsibility to come together and care for them,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “These public servants put themselves in harm’s way every single day. I’m working to ensure the men and women who keep our communities safe get the treatment and support they deserve.”
    “Law enforcement officers do not shy away from danger and risk their own health and safety to protect our communities,” said Senator Cornyn. “We need to do everything we can to support these heroes when they sustain a traumatic brain injury in the line of duty, and this legislation would help them identify signs of a concussion and seek swift treatment before it leads to more serious complications.”
    The Public Safety Officer Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury Health Act would require the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to collect and make publicly available information on traumatic brain injuries specifically for public safety officers and provide recommendations and protocols for identifying, diagnosing, and treating concussions. It would also have the CDC share information with mental health professionals on the connection between concussions and traumatic brain injuries with acute stress disorders and suicidal inclinations.   
    As the former top law enforcement official in Nevada, Senator Cortez Masto has been a leading advocate in the Senate for our police officers and is part of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus. The Senator recently reintroduced the Invest to Protect Act to set aside $250 million to help local police invest in training, mental health support, and recruitment and retention, as well as the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act to ensure the families of retired law enforcement officers who were killed as a result of their service are not unjustly denied benefits. She has repeatedly secured historic funding for the Byrne JAG grant program, the leading source of criminal justice funding in the country. Her bipartisan bills to combat the crisis of law enforcement suicide and provide mental health resources to police officers have been signed into law by presidents of both parties.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Joins Bipartisan Effort to Help More American Households Save Energy and Money Through Weatherization

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Chris Coons (D-DE) in introducing the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act. The bipartisan legislation seeks to improve public health and lower household energy costs by bolstering the federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which covers home weatherization, window replacement, sealing air leaks, ventilation improvements and other key energy-saving measures.
    “Weatherizing homes is one of the most effective tools we have to help Granite State families save money on their monthly utility bills while also reducing emissions,” said Senator Shaheen. “By expanding access to the Weatherization Assistance Program, this commonsense bipartisan legislation would allow more households to implement cost-saving energy efficiency measures that create new jobs and boost New Hampshire’s economy.”
    “This bipartisan, cost-effective bill is about saving families and taxpayers money, cutting air pollution, and generating good-paying clean-energy jobs.  Passing the Weatherization Assistance Program Improvements Act will help save families in need real money on their energy bills while also benefitting the U.S. economy, environment, and public health.  It would help reduce demand on energy grids nationwide which helps keep utility rates lower and frees up financial resources for family essentials, like groceries and medicine.  By expanding the program to include critical home repairs, we can alleviate economic hardship, address healthy housing disparities, and improve energy efficiency for those households who need it most,” said Senator Reed.
    “The Weatherization Assistance Program is a proven, cost-effective way to permanently decrease energy usage while reducing low-income Americans’ energy bills,” said Senator Collins.  “This bipartisan bill would help build on the significant investments we have secured for the Weatherization Assistance Program so that more Americans are able to make improvements that will allow them to affordably heat their homes.”
    “During the baking heat of summer and the freezing winds of winter, too many families across this country struggle to pay their heating and cooling bills,” said Senator Coons. “The Weatherization Assistance Program has already helped thousands of Delawareans trying to make ends meet, and this legislation lowers rising energy bills for thousands more by giving low-income families support to make their homes more energy efficient while creating new clean energy jobs and reducing the impact of climate change. 
    Specifically, the bill would serve more low-income households that are currently unable to receive weatherization services because their homes are in need of significant repairs. The bill would authorize a Weatherization Readiness Fund, providing $30 million a year for five years to help those in need repair structural issues and prepare homes for weatherization assistance, increasing the number of homes the program is able to serve. It also seeks to raise the amount of funding allowed to be spent on each home to keep up with current labor and material costs and would raise the cap on the amount of funding allowed to be spent on renewable energy upgrades in each home. These provisions are essential updates to a program that has helped so many families over the past few decades.
    The Weatherization Assistance Program helps homes become more energy efficient through measures like installing insulation, updating heating and cooling systems and updating electrical appliances. For every dollar invested by WAP, $4.50 is generated in combined energy savings and non-energy benefits such as improved health and job creation, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Since 1976, the Weatherization Assistance Program has helped more than seven million low-income families reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. The U.S Department of Energy estimates that these upgrades help each household save $283 in energy bills annually. In addition to saving families money, energy efficient homes also help cut down on our carbon footprint, reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.
    As a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Shaheen helped secure $3.5 billion in additional funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, including $18 million for New Hampshire. Shaheen has long-championed the Weatherization Assistance Program to lower energy costs for low-income families in New Hampshire, as well as the State Energy Program, which assists states with the development of energy efficiency renewable projects. In the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bills, Shaheen helped defend key efficiency programs at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) from cuts, including securing $366 million for weatherization efforts and $66 million for the State Energy Program, which work to bring down energy bills for families and communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ranking Member Hassan Highlights Bipartisan Ways to Cut Waste, Fraud, and Abuse at First Joint Economic Committee Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, helped lead a hearing yesterday focused on ways to use artificial intelligence and data to improve government efficiency and reduce waste, fraud, and abuse. In her first remarks as Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, Senator Hassan emphasized the importance of bipartisan collaboration and highlighted the potential of new technologies to save taxpayer dollars.
    “We need to keep working together across the aisle to save taxpayer dollars by reducing waste, fraud, and abuse. As we will discuss in today’s hearing, there are many ways to do so by embracing new technologies and better data analytics. These types of tools can help an investigator identify potential fraud, or a caseworker streamline an application process,” Senator Hassan began. 
    She also said that actions from the Trump Administration and Elon Musk are not improving government efficiency: “Whether the government is providing health care for veterans, Social Security checks for seniors, or loans for small businesses, we should continually strive to improve the taxpayer experience – but Mr. Musk’s slash-and-burn tactics are doing the opposite,” Senator Hassan emphasized. “In addition, I want to bring the Committee’s attention to the fact that the Administration’s decision to fire 17 Inspectors General who investigate fraud – that’s what they do – is completely counterproductive to the goal of improving government efficiency.”
    You can watch Senator Hassan’s opening statement here or see below, and you can watch the full hearing here:
    I just really want to thank you for calling today’s hearing on a really important topic and, to your point, a topic that has a lot of bipartisan interest and a lot of bipartisan potential. As this is the first JEC hearing this Congress, I also want to say how much I look forward to working with you, Mr. Chairman, in your new role as Chair of the Committee and my new role as Ranking Member. I really look forward to working together and I’ve appreciated our conversations so far. And I’m glad we’re starting out with a topic that we can find some real common ground on – cutting waste, fraud, and abuse through the use of innovation. I also want to thank the four witnesses for testifying before the Committee and sharing your expertise on this topic. We need to keep working together across the aisle to save taxpayer dollars by reducing waste, fraud, and abuse.
    As we will discuss in today’s hearing, there are many ways to do so by embracing new technologies and better data analytics. These types of tools can help an investigator identify potential fraud or a caseworker streamline an application process. I know that all four of our witnesses today will outline ways that the government can better deploy technology. I really look forward to building off these ideas moving forward.
    Before we get to the introduction of our witness, though, I do want to just note my serious concerns with the reckless actions so far of Elon Musk and DOGE. Whether the government is providing health care for veterans, Social Security checks for seniors, or loans for small businesses, we should continually strive to improve the taxpayer experience – but Mr. Musk’s slash-and-burn tactics are doing the opposite. In addition, I want to bring the Committee’s attention to the fact that the Administration’s decision to fire 17 Inspectors General who investigate fraud – that’s what they do – is completely counterproductive to the goal of improving government efficiency.
    I firmly believe that we should be cutting waste, fraud, and abuse and that we can do so without making life harder for children, families, and seniors all across our country. I hope the conversations, including the one that we will have this afternoon, can help us chart a better path forward. So again, I thank you Mr. Chair and to our witnesses for agreeing to testify today. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Hassan, Paul, Hickenlooper, Lee Reintroduce Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Prices by Streamlining Generic Drug Approval Process

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rand Paul (R-KY), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Mike Lee (R-UT) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to streamline the approval process for generic drugs, which will help generics enter the market more quickly and lower prescription drug prices for patients. Last Congress, this legislation advanced from Committee with a bipartisan 19-2 vote.
    “Skyrocketing prescription drug prices are forcing too many Granite Staters to choose between their health and their financial security,” said Senator Hassan. “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will help address a critical obstacle in the generic drug approval process that keeps affordable alternatives off of pharmacy shelves. By requiring more transparency from the FDA and streamlining the drug approval process, this bill will help deliver lower-cost medications to Americans faster.” 
    “No one should have to play a complicated guessing game with the FDA simply to bring a safe, effective, and affordable drug to market. The Increasing Transparency in Generic Drug Applications Act will help low-cost generics get to American consumers faster,” said Dr. Paul.
    “More generic drugs means lower health care costs for Americans. Unnecessary and unclear FDA approval processes delay them from reaching the shelves,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “Our bill speeds up the process to help Americans save more.”
    “Generic drugs have made the prescription drug market much more competitive, offering cheaper alternatives to their brand name counterparts. Streamlining the generic drug approval process by eliminating the pointless guessing game manufacturers are forced to play would eliminate red tape and bring down costs for American families,” said Senator Lee.
    “S. 1302 expedites generic submission by creating process efficiencies for FDA and Industry. These efficiencies will enhance patient access to lower-cost medicine. When generic medicines become available, they bring immediately lower prices for lifesaving and lifechanging medications. We are thankful for the work done thus far by Senators Hassan, Paul, Hickenlooper, and Lee,” said John Murphy, III, President & CEO for the Association for Accessible Medicines.
    Currently, the FDA requires certain generic drug manufacturers to demonstrate that they have the same active and inactive ingredients in the same concentration as the reference brand name drug. However, when a generic drug contains the wrong amount of inactive ingredients, the FDA cannot disclose the exact error, forcing manufacturers to engage in an often lengthy guessing game to reach the right balance. This legislation would require the FDA to more clearly identify the specific differences between the generic and brand name drug, thereby streamlining the approval process, helping more generics reach the market more quickly, and lowering prescription drug prices overall. 
    This measure is part of Senator Hassan’s ongoing efforts to lower health care costs for Americans. Senator Hassan previously led successful bipartisan efforts to help eliminate surprise medical billing, which has prevented millions of surprise bills. Senator Hassan also helped pass into law three bipartisan measures to increase access to generic and biosimilar medications. Additionally, Senator Hassan successfully pushed to cap insulin costs for those on Medicare as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, which became law in 2022. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 04/10/2025 Blackburn, Cantwell, Heinrich Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Transparency, Combat AI Deepfakes & Put Journalists, Artists & Songwriters Back in Control of Their Content

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) reintroduced the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act (COPIED ACT) to combat harmful deepfakes. The bill would set new federal transparency guidelines for marking, authenticating and detecting AI-generated content, protect journalists, actors and artists against AI-driven theft, and hold violators accountable for abuses.  

    “Artificial intelligence has given bad actors the ability to create deepfakes of every individual, including those in the creative community, to imitate their likeness without their consent and profit off of counterfeit content,” said Senator Blackburn. “The COPIED Act takes an important step to better defend common targets like artists and performers against deepfakes and other inauthentic content.” 

    “The bipartisan COPIED Act I introduced with Senator Blackburn will provide much-needed transparency around AI-generated content,” said Senator Cantwell. “The COPIED Act will also put creators, including local journalists, artists and musicians, back in control of their content with a provenance and watermark process that is very much needed.”

    “Deepfakes are a real threat to our democracy and to Americans’ safety and well-being,” said Senator Heinrich. “I’m proud to support Senator Cantwell’s COPIED Act that will provide the technical tools needed to help crack down on harmful and deceptive AI-generated content and better protect professional journalists and artists from having their content used by AI systems without their consent. Congress needs to step up and pass this legislation to protect the American people.”

    The COPIED Act (S. 1396):

    Bill Text and Summary

    • Creates Transparency Standards: Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop guidelines and standards for content provenance information, watermarking and synthetic content detection. These standards will promote transparency to identify if content has been generated or manipulated by AI, as well as where AI content originated. The bill also directs NIST to develop cybersecurity measures to prevent tampering with provenance and watermarking on AI content.
    • Puts Journalists, Artists and Musicians in Control of Their Content: Requires providers of AI tools used to generate creative or journalistic content to allow owners of that content to attach provenance information to it and prohibits its removal. The bill prohibits the unauthorized use of content with provenance information to train AI models or generate AI content. These measures give content owners—journalists, newspapers, artists, songwriters, and others—the ability to protect their work and set the terms of use for their content, including compensation.
    • Gives Individuals a Right to Sue Violators: Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general to enforce the bill’s requirements.  It also gives newspapers, broadcasters, artists, and other content owners the right to bring suit in court against platforms or others who use their content without permission.
    • Prohibits Tampering with or Disabling AI Provenance Information: Currently, there is no law that prohibits removing, disabling, or tampering with content provenance information. The bill prohibits anyone, including internet platforms, search engines and social media companies, from interfering with content provenance information in these ways.  

    Major Endorsements

    SAG-AFTRA

    “For SAG-AFTRA, protecting the ability of our members to control their images, likenesses, and voices is paramount. The capacity of AI to produce stunningly accurate digital representations of performers poses a real and present threat to the economic and reputational well-being and self-determination of our members.  Senator Cantwell’s legislation would ensure that the tools necessary to make the use of AI technology transparent and traceable to the point of origin will make it possible for victims of the misuse of the technology to identify malicious parties and go after them. We need a fully transparent and accountable supply chain for generative Artificial Intelligence and the content it creates in order to protect everyone’s basic right to control the use of their face, voice, and persona. We applaud Senator Cantwell for her leadership on the issue and support this legislation as part of a comprehensive approach to preventing unauthorized abuse of this transformative technology.” – Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator

    Nashville Songwriters Association International

    “The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the world’s largest songwriter advocacy trade association, applauds Senators Maria Cantwell, Blackburn and Heinrich for introducing legislation to help put transparency guardrails around Generative Artificial Intelligence for human creators. Specifically, we note her including artists in the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act and recognizing it is more financially feasible for songwriters and other human creators to adjudicate these matters in a local civil court when possible. NSAI will work with her office toward adoption of this important legislation.” – Barton Herbison, Executive Director NSAI

    Recording Academy

    “The Recording Academy applauds Chair Cantwell and Senators Blackburn and Heinrich for their commitment to the ethical use of AI and their recognition of the need for guardrails that provide transparency and protection for creators. We look forward to continuing to work with them as this process moves forward.”  – Todd Dupler, Chief Advocacy and Public Policy Officer

    National Music Publishers’ Association

    “We greatly appreciate Senator Cantwell’s leadership on preventing the unauthorized use and dissemination of deepfakes. The Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act of 2025 ensures that AI-generated content is clearly identified and that there is recourse when those labels are tampered with. As AI-generated music continues to disrupt the legitimate market, it is essential that listeners know where their music is coming from. Artists and songwriters deserve protection against unauthorized imitations and this legislation is an important step towards that goal.” – David Israelite, President and CEO

    Recording Industry Association of America

    “Protecting the life’s work and legacy of artists has never been more important as AI platforms copy and use recordings scraped off the internet at industrial scale and AI-generated deepfakes keep multiplying at rapid pace. RIAA strongly supports provenance requirements as a fundamental building block for accountability and enforcement of creators’ rights. Leading tech companies refuse to share basic data about the creation and training of their models as they profit from copying and using unlicensed copyrighted material to generate synthetic recordings that unfairly compete with original works. We appreciate Senators Cantwell, Blackburn and Heinrich’s leadership with the Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act of 2025 that would grant much needed visibility into AI development and pave the way for more ethical innovation and fair and transparent competition in the digital marketplace.” – Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO

    The Television Academy

    “The Television Academy, representing nearly 30,000 members across all disciplines of the television industry, applauds Senator Cantwell for reintroducing the COPIED Act. As artificial intelligence and digital replication technologies evolve, the need for transparency is tantamount. This bill will set necessary federal transparency guidelines for marking, authenticating, and detecting AI-generated content. Further, it gives the broad membership of the Television Academy the ability to control their voice, likeness, and creative expressions, and give content owners the ability to pursue recourse if their content is used without permission. The Television Academy looks forward to helping get the COPIED Act adopted.” – Maury McIntyre, President and CEO

    NewsGuild-CWA

    “Journalists are essential to a free and fair democracy. Too many media companies are attempting to replace journalists with AI, resulting in false, misleading clickbait and the decimation of our news ecosystems. It is essential that journalists are not replaced by misguided media companies looking to maximize profits at the expense of human-driven journalism that informs the public and holds our institutions accountable. We thank Senator Cantwell for her leadership on ensuring fair and equitable use of Artificial Intelligence that puts the worker and their rights at the center of the deployment of this new technology.” – Jon Schleuss, President  

    News/Media Alliance

    “The News/Media Alliance, representing over 2200 news, magazine, and digital media publishers worldwide, applauds the leadership of Senators Cantwell, Blackburn and Heinrich to address the need for AI regulation. We look forward to working with them to refine and advance this critical legislation to ensure news publishers and creators of quality content are adequately protected. Legislation should balance the innovation around these emerging technologies with preserving quality, accuracy, and a thriving free press, and Senators Cantwell, Blackburn and Heinrich have taken a major step forward to accomplish that by introducing this bill.” – Danielle Coffey, President and CEO

    National Newspaper Association
    “We appreciate Senator Cantwell for taking on this difficult and disturbing issue. Deepfakes fly in the face of the true intent of the First Amendment. It’s important that citizens continue to trust local news sources to bring them quality journalism that has been vetted and verified.” – John Galer, Chair, National Newspaper Association Board of Directors; Publisher of The Journal-News in Hillsboro, IL

    America’s Newspapers

    “America’s Newspapers, the trade association representing more than 1,500 local community newspapers, commends Senator Maria Cantwell for introducing legislation that addresses the emerging problem of deepfakes. It is critical to our democracy that news organizations provide their communities with trusted information and news. The issue of deepfakes must be addressed to maintain consumer confidence in news providers. We look forward to working with Sen. Cantwell on this important legislation.” – Dean Ridings, CEO

    Rebuild Local News
    “The proliferation of deepfakes is an enormous problem that’s going to get much worse if lawmakers and regulators don’t act. This will be particularly dangerous when it comes to residents getting information about their local communities because the collapse of local news has left us with fewer journalistic watchdogs. We commend Senator Cantwell for shining a spotlight on this issue and we look forward to working with her to devise appropriate policies in this complex area.” – Steven Waldman, President

    National Association of Broadcasters

    “Deepfakes pose a significant threat to the integrity of broadcasters’ trusted journalism,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “We are grateful to Ranking Member Cantwell and Sens. Blackburn and Heinrich for reintroducing this bill to protect the authenticity of the vital local and national news that radio and television stations provide our communities. We also applaud efforts to prohibit the use of broadcasters’ news content to train generative AI systems without express consent and compensation to the news creator. We look forward to working with the committee to help advance this bill and these fundamental principles critical to our ability to continue serving communities with trusted news.” – Curtis LeGeyt, President and CEO

    Artist Rights Alliance

    “The Artist Rights Alliance (ARA) applauds Senator Cantwell for introducing legislation to combat deception and confusion in the AI marketplace and protect artists from the unauthorized and unethical use of AI. As AI technology continues to evolve at breakneck speed, we must ensure that creators do not fall victim to deepfakes and other abuses of their very personhood. ARA is grateful for Senator Cantwell’s commitment to building a framework for responsible AI that is grounded in the fundamental principles of transparency and choice.” – Jen Jacobsen, Executive Director

    Human Artistry Campaign
    “Deepfakes pose an existential threat to our culture and society, making it hard to believe what we see and hear and leaving individual creators vulnerable as tech companies use our art without consent while AI-generated content leads to confusion about what is real. Requiring transparency is a meaningful step that will help protect us all – ensuring that nonconsensual, harmful content can be removed quickly and providing a clear origin when our life’s work has been used.” – Dr. Moiya McTier, Senior Advisor

    Public Citizen

    “Public Citizen strongly believes that every person has a right to know when they are seeing, hearing or engaging with AI-generated content.  This is critical for the purposes of maintaining social trust in our society. A poll found that 79 percent of people polled worry the information they are seeing online is fake or meant to confuse. Senator Cantwell’s Content Origin Protection and Integrity from Edited and Deepfaked Media Act of 2025 is an important step towards safeguarding truth and trust in the AI age. This legislation addresses key issues surrounding deepfakes and AI-generated media by directing NIST to develop robust standards for detecting and labeling synthetic content and promotes provenance protections for AI generated content. If passed, this bill would promote online transparency and ethical AI use, which is desperately needed in today’s online ecosystem.” – Richard Anthony, Emerging Technologies Policy Advocate

    The Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL), the Songwriters Guild of America (SGA), and Music Creators North America (MCNA)

    “The Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL), the Songwriters Guild of America (SGA), and Music Creators North America (MCNA) applaud Senator Cantwell for initiating a crucial, beginning step towards addressing the myriad of existential threats to the American songwriter and composer community posed by unregulated generative artificial intelligence.  As the leading organizational representatives for America’s music creators, our independent groups represent many thousands of composers and songwriters, solely. We formulate our policy positions without undue outside influence from third parties, and we extend our enthusiastic support for introduction of the proposed bill.  The urgent need to require all generative AI users to deal transparently and fairly with the creative community cannot be overstated, and we look forward to working with Senator Cantwell’s office in addressing these and the many other challenges and opportunities provided by GenAI technologies in the immediate future.” – Ashley Irwin, SCL President & MCNA co-chair

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 04/10/2025 Blackburn, Klobuchar Introduce Bill to Help Rescue More Victims of Human Trafficking

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the Combating Trafficking in Transportation Act, which would give states flexibility with federal funding to post human trafficking awareness signage at rest stops and welcome centers along the Interstate System, helping to educate the public and better support survivors of human trafficking:

    “As human traffickers move their victims across the country, they travel on the same highways and visit the same rest stops and gas stations as everyone else, which creates multiple opportunities to identify these victims,” said Senator Blackburn. “This bipartisan legislation would give all states the flexibility to take advantage of signage campaigns that have been proven effective to rescue more men, women, and children from this heinous crime.”

    “We must do everything in our power to stop human trafficking, and public awareness campaigns are a proven, effective tool to combat this issue,” said Senator Klobuchar. “That is why we are introducing bipartisan legislation to provide more information about signs of trafficking and how to help victims. This bill will give law enforcement crucial information to take on criminals and get more victims to safety.”

    BACKGROUND

    • Human trafficking is a multibillion-dollar industry, generating over $250 billion in profits each year. Individuals trafficked in the United States, whether through labor or sex trafficking, are transported on our nation’s interstate system. 
    • Victim identification is essential to disrupting transnational trafficking rings, and public awareness is key to these efforts. Signage campaigns detailing ways to recognize and report human trafficking have been extremely successful. 
    • One public awareness signage campaign in Texas led to a 30 percent increase in calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, ultimately resulting in over 1,000 survivors being identified.

    COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN TRANSPORTATION ACT

    Specifically, the Combating Trafficking in Transportation Act would: 

    • Amend the list of eligible projects under the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the RAISE Discretionary Grant Program to include the procurement and installation of human trafficking awareness signage at rest stops and welcome centers along the Interstate System; and
    • Add a 16th seat to the Department of Transportation Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking specifically for a representative from state departments of transportation.

    Click here to read the bill text.

    ENDORSEMENTS

    This legislation is supported by Truckers Against Trafficking, Engage Together, Street Grace, A21, 3Strands Global Foundation, Raven, Polaris Project, Pearl at the Mailbox, Lynn’s Warriors, Empowered Network, Love Never Fails, Compassion First, Survivor Led Solutions, SK Sultana, Bridge 2 Future, There is Hope for Me, Mentari, Resiliency Foundation, World Without Exploitation, Yellowstone Human Trafficking Task Force, Wealth Management Ministries-Prevention Works Joint Task Force and Coalition, Chains Interrupted, One More Child, Campaign Against Human Trafficking, and Hope for Justice.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Applauds SBA Cracking Down on Fraud

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    Published: April 10, 2025
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) applauded the Small Business Administration (SBA) for implementing strong, new protections to its loan application process to protect against fraudsters.
    The changes come after an Ernst-requested investigation exposed that $5.4 billion in loans were given to individuals without Social Security numbers, including $312 million to individuals claiming to be children under the age of 11, as part of the more than $200 billion in fraud that plagued pandemic-era loan programs. 
    “Criminals have stolen hundreds of billions from taxpayers over the last few years because the SBA lacked basic safeguards,” said Ernst. “I am glad to see Administrator Loeffler continue to refocus the agency on its core mission of serving Main Street by ensuring that tax dollars designed to help small businesses actually do so, instead of getting stolen by criminals. I will keep working to hold con artists who stole from the SBA accountable and recoup every cent.” 
    Some of the commonsense measures taken by the SBA include citizenship verification, date of birth verification, and automatic fraud alerts for any applicant claiming to be younger than 18 years old or older than 115 years of age. 
    Background:
    Ernst has relentlessly pursued COVID fraud to ensure criminals are held accountable.
    After a shocking report revealed that the Biden SBA failed to pursue nearly two million individuals suspected of stealing pandemic aid, Ernst introduced the SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act to extend the statute of limitations to 10 years for key pandemic aid programs to ensure every bad actor who stole from taxpayers is caught.
    In a comprehensive 2023 report, Ernst outlined the Biden SBA’s effort to discount the full extent of fraud and cast doubt on the legitimate estimates made by expert investigators.
    Ernst’s tireless advocacy forced the Biden administration to eventually take action to recover billions in COVID aid in January 2024.
    Last month, the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship advanced Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Ernst’s Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act which prevents criminals convicted of defrauding the SBA from receiving future assistance from the agency.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Ban Retail Storefronts Owned by Foreign Adversaries from U.S. Military Bases

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
     
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353April 10, 2025
    Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Ban Retail Storefronts Owned by Foreign Adversaries from U.S. Military Bases
    Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), and Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida) today introduced the Military Installation Retail Security Act to prohibit the Department of Defense (DoD) from authorizing, renewing, or extending long-term retail agreements with companies owned or controlled by adversarial nations on U.S. military bases. The legislation also requires the review of all retail stores on military bases nationwide to determine if there are foreign ties to China, Russia, Iran, or North Korea. 
    Congressman Pat Harrigan (North Carolina-10) introduced companion legislation in the House.
    “We shouldn’t be allowing Chinese-affiliated companies in the United States, let alone on our military bases. This bill will ensure our adversaries can’t exploit our military,” said Senator Cotton.
    “Our military readiness depends upon security and surveillance. Adversarial nations have no place owning and operating businesses on U.S. military bases, all the while gaining personal identification information of American citizens, just to turn a profit. That is why I am proud to introduce the Military Installation Retail Security Act, to close this loophole by taking targeted action to prevent malign actors from embedding themselves within our military communities where they can threaten our national security and exploit personal data,” said Senator Budd.
    “Allowing companies controlled by our biggest foreign adversaries – like Communist China, Russia, and North Korea – to operate on U.S. military bases is a completely unacceptable threat to our national security that risks an enemy gaining sensitive personal and military data. The Military Installation Retail Security Act will close the loopholes that allow these bad actors to gain footholds within our military communities, ensuring that our military bases remain secure, and that foreign enemies aren’t profiting off our service members and their families. This should be common sense, and I urge my colleagues to support its quick passage,” said Senator Scott.
    “My team uncovered that GNC is fully owned by the Chinese Communist Party and operating more than 80 stores on U.S. military bases. That’s not just a problem; it’s a direct threat to our national security. We moved quickly to get a solution on the table and introduced the Military Installation Retail Security Act in the House. I’m glad to have Senator Budd step in to help drive this forward and make sure CCP-owned companies have zero place inside America’s military infrastructure,” said Congressman Harrigan.
    Full text of the bill may be found here.
    Background:
    Retail stores on U.S. military bases gain direct and prolonged access to our nation’s servicemembers and their families while operating in a sensitive base environment, which creates serious risks for surveillance. This gives companies, owned by foreign adversaries, unprecedented access to personally identifiable information such as names, payment methods, and purchase history.
    GNC—which started as a small, family-owned health-food store in Pittsburgh in 1935—was bought by the Chinese state-owned Harbin Pharmaceutical Group after the supplement retailer filed for bankruptcy in 2020. Currently, this Chinese-owned company operates over 80 locations on U.S. military bases. 
    On base at North Carolina’s Fort Bragg, GNC operates four storefronts serving 53,700 troops, who make up nearly 10% of the U.S. Army alone. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Lee Introduces Bill to Stop Secret Meetings of DC Council

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee
    Legislation to reverse DC city council’s action exempting themselves from Open Meeting Act to avoid public scrutiny
    WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a bill to repeal a recent action by the city council of the District of Columbia which established secret planning meetings away from the oversight of Congress and the American people. The DC Council took this action with the expressed purpose of working around President Trump’s recent executive order to stop crime in Washington and clean up the city.
    “Our nation’s capital should be safe and beautiful, but after President Trump created a task force to achieve exactly that, DC City Councilmembers used an emergency process to exempt themselves from a sunshine law mandating open meetings” said Sen. Lee. “Council Chairman Phil Mendelson explicitly said that he was “tired of having to defend against the challenges from the press.” The DC Council should be enthusiastically cooperating with the President of the United States in cleaning up Washington and fighting crime, not ducking accountability to make plans in secret. My bill reverses their wrongheaded policy.”    
    Failures of governance in the District of Columbia include:
     
    You can read the bill text HERE. 
    You can read President Trump’s Executive Order HERE.  
    You can read the Washington Post’s exclusive coverage HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: April 10th, 2025 VIDEO: Heinrich Delivers Opening Remarks During Nomination Hearing to Consider Dr. Dario Gil for Under Secretary of Science at DOE & Preston Wells Griffith III for Under Secretary of Energy at DOE

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    VIDEO: Heinrich Delivers Opening Remarks in Hearing to Consider DOE Nominations, April 10, 2025.

    WASHINGTON — In his opening remarks during the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s nomination hearing to consider Dr. Dario Gil for the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Under Secretary of Science and Preston Wells Griffith III for DOE’s Under Secretary of Energy, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Committee, sought assurances from the nominees to follow the law as enacted by Congress.

    In addition to noting the importance of the Under Secretaries’ roles in delivering for the Department and the American people, Heinrich highlighted how the hearing comes on the heels of significant reductions in the Department’s workforce, grant and loan funding freezes, contract uncertainties and the so-called “hit list” of programs targeted for termination, all of which threaten the important work of the Department.

    Heinrich’s remarks as delivered are below:

    Thank you, Chairman Lee, and welcome Mr. Griffith and Dr. Gil.

    The Committee meets this morning to consider the nominations of Mr. Griffith to be Under Secretary of Energy and Dr. Gil to be Under Secretary of Science. I understand that Ms. Sgamma will not be appearing before this Committee today.

    The Office of Under Secretary of Energy was established in 1977 to perform functions and duties assigned by the Secretary.

    The Office of Under Secretary for Science was added in 2005 to serve as the Secretary of Science and Technology Advisor to oversee the Department’s research and development programs and to carry out additional duties assigned by the Secretary.

    The flexibility built into these two offices has enabled different Secretaries to shift functions and programs between the two Under Secretaries. Most recently, Secretary Granholm combined both science and energy offices under the Under Secretary for Science, and she consolidated the Department’s loan and infrastructure programs under the Under Secretary of Energy, renaming the office the Under Secretary for Infrastructure.

    I am told that Secretary Wright has kept Secretary Granholm’s organizational structure, at least for now. But I’m most interested to hear from Dr. Gil and Mr. Griffith, what issues they believe will be in their portfolios, whether there are any plans or if there have been discussions about reorganizing these offices.

    Overhanging our hearing this morning are, of course, the reductions in the Department’s workforce, the grant and loan funding freezes, the contract uncertainties and the so-called “hit list” of programs targeted for termination, all of which threaten the important work of the Department.

    I will be particularly interested to hear from the two Under Secretary nominees how they will balance their competing obligations to the President who has nominated them, and the statutory requirements enacted by Congress, governing the department’s programs.

    Thank you, Chairman.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: April 10th, 2025 Heinrich, Stansbury Lead Reintroduction of Buffalo Tract Protection Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, reintroduced their Buffalo Tract Protection Act to permanently withdraw minerals from development on four parcels of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands in southern Sandoval County, including the Buffalo Tract and the Crest of Montezuma. U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) are original cosponsors.

    “As New Mexicans have been saying for over a decade: the Buffalo Tract is the wrong place for a gravel mine. It would decrease home values, diminish quality of life, and degrade a vital wildlife corridor linking the Sandia and Jemez Mountains. It would also disregard the cultural significance of Buffalo Tract to the Pueblos of Santa Ana and San Felipe as well as the San Antonio de las Huertas Land Grant heirs,” said Heinrich, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.  “We need to pass this bill to make the protections that local communities fought for permanent.”

    “The protection of New Mexico’s lands and waters is integral to our cultures, ways of life, and our natural resources. We must fight to protect these resources now more than ever,” said Stansbury. “Working collaboratively with our Pueblo and Tribal nations, Sandoval County, and local stakeholders, I am proud to re-introduce the Buffalo Tract Protection Act. This bill will help permanently protect these sacred and ancestral lands of San Felipe and Santa Ana Pueblos, safeguard the health of our communities, and preserve our ecosystems for generations to come.”

    “New Mexico’s public lands are sacred to our communities and heritage. I am proud to join Senator Heinrich and Representative Stansbury in introducing this crucial legislation to help protect our public lands for years to come,” said Luján. “This legislation responds to the significant concerns of rural, Tribal, and traditional communities about the harmful impacts of gravel mining and safeguards our landscapes and wildlife for future generations.”

    “I’m proud to be an original co-sponsor of the Buffalo Tract Protection Act,” said Leger Fernández. “The Buffalo Tract contains sacred landscapes that hold deep cultural and spiritual meaning for the Pueblos of Santa Ana and San Felipe and generations of New Mexicans. This bill protects those lands from mining and honors the voices of the communities who have spoken clearly for over a decade. We’re making sure these lands remain a place where people can experience their beauty for generations to come — not a site for gravel pits that threaten their beauty, wildlife, and history.”

    For years, local communities, Tribes, and homeowners have advocated for the protection of the Buffalo Tract and Crest of Montezuma. These lands hold ancestral and spiritual significance for the Pueblos of San Felipe and Santa Ana, and also provide accessible outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking, sightseeing, and hunting.

    In 2023, the BLM initiated a public engagement process to consider management changes for four public land parcels in the Placitas area. In response to overwhelming support, the BLM withdrew mineral rights on approximately 4,200 acres for the next 50 years. When passed, the Buffalo Tract Protection Act would make these protections permanent under federal law.

    Heinrich first introduced the legislation with then-U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) in 2016 after working with local stakeholders and the community to find a solution that would protect public health and the many traditional uses of these public lands. Stansbury began leading the House bill when she joined Congress in 2021.

    A map of proposed boundaries is here.

    The text of the bill is here.

    The Buffalo Tract Protection Act is endorsed by Santa Ana Pueblo, San Felipe Pueblo, Land Use Protection Trust, New Mexico Wild, Eastern Sandoval Citizens Association, Sundance Mesa Homeowners Association, La Mesa Homeowners Association, Anasazi Homeowners Association, Pathways: Wildlife Corridors of NM, and Sandoval County Commission.

    A list of endorsements and statements of support are here.

    Heinrich Background:

    • May 2024: Heinrich convenes a celebration with local community members, land grants and Pueblos to commemorate their successful decades long work to protect the Buffalo Tract from mining for 50 years with BLM’s finalized proposal announced in April 2024.
    • April 2024: Heinrich issues statement celebrating the BLM’s decision to protect the Buffalo Tract from mining for 50 years.
    • September 2023: Heinrich issues statement welcoming the Biden administration’s proposal to protect Buffalo Tract that comes after his efforts with Pueblos and local community efforts to protect the Buffalo Tract.
    • March 2023: Heinrich, Stansbury call on Interior Department to withdraw Buffalo Tract from mineral development during community event.
    • May 2022: Heinrich, Stansbury lead a letter requesting that the U.S. Department of Interior administratively withdraw over 4,200 acres of BLM land near Placitas, New Mexico from mineral development.
    • November 2021: Heinrich’s Buffalo Tract Protection Act passes out of committee.
    • October 2021: Heinrich’s Buffalo Tract Protection Act gains support of BLM in key hearing. 
    • February 2021: Heinrich and Luján reintroduce the Buffalo Tract Protection Act.
    • February 2019: Heinrich and Udall reintroduce the Buffalo Tract Protection Act.
    • July 2016: Heinrich and Udall introduce the Buffalo Tract Protection Act.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: April 10th, 2025 N.M. Delegation Reintroduce Legislation to Permanently Protect Chaco Canyon

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    New Mexico Delegation Moves to Protect Sacred Site for Years and Generations to Come

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) reintroduced the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, legislation to protect Chaco Canyon and the greater sacred landscape surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The legislation will prevent future leasing and development of oil, gas, and minerals on non-Indian federal lands within a 10-mile buffer zone around the park. This proposed Chaco Protection Zone will preserve the sacred sites and cultural patrimony within Chaco Canyon and the surrounding landscape for generations to come.

    Located in northwestern New Mexico, the Greater Chaco landscape is a region of great cultural, spiritual, and historical significance to many Pueblos and Tribes that contains living sacred sites. Chaco was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is one of only 24 such sites in the United States.

    In 2023, the Biden Administration announced it would commence a 20-year Administrative Withdrawal of non-Indian federal lands in the 10-mile buffer zone. That welcome step has been successful and is still in place but is under threat from the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress. By contrast, this legislation would provide permanent protections for the Greater Chaco Region by withdrawing non-Indian federal lands from new mineral development in perpetuity.

    “Chaco Canyon is one of the most important living cultural landscapes on the planet. It holds deep meaning for many communities and Pueblos across New Mexico,” said Heinrich, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “Our Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act will prevent new oil and gas development in the vicinity of Chaco Culture National Historical Park and permanently protect the Chaco Canyon landscape. I am proud to stand alongside the Pueblos, Tribal Nations, and New Mexicans who have called for permanent protection of this irreplaceable and sacred landscape.”

    “Chaco Culture National Historical Park – and the Greater Chaco Region – is one of the world’s greatest treasures that must be protected for our future generations. Chaco holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for Tribes and Pueblos and is one of only a handful of World Heritage Sites in the United States,” said Luján. “With the New Mexico Delegation, I am proud to reintroduce legislation to permanently protect the Greater Chaco Region. This legislation is a longstanding priority for Pueblo and Tribal communities, environmental advocates, and the New Mexico Delegation to ensure we protect our sacred sites. I look forward to working with my colleagues to protect Chaco Canyon and the Greater Chaco Region for generations to come.”

    “When we visit Chaco Canyon and the Greater Chaco Region, we better understand America’s ancient history and wisdom about astronomy. It is a sacred area that educates, inspires, and compels us to reflect on our shared history and the communities we love today,”said Leger Fernández. “I am reintroducing the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act, along with my colleagues in the New Mexico Congressional Delegation, so that we may preserve this irreplaceable, living landscape that so many Indian Tribes and Pueblos still use for traditional purposes. I will continue to work with surrounding communities and Tribal nations to preserve this jewel of New Mexico so future generations may be humbled by its beauty.”

    “Pueblo and Tribal leaders have fought to protect the sacred and ancestral lands of Chaco Canyon for generations, and the United States government must step up to ensure these lands remain protected,” said Stansbury, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee. “This legislation will protect sacred lands and sites for future generations, but we must not stop here. Protecting places like Chaco Canyon from the Trump Administration takes all of us. I am proud to join Pueblo and Tribal leaders, and the New Mexico delegation to re-introduce this critical piece of legislation.”

    “Chaco Canyon is sacred to Tribal communities and vital to our understanding of the Southwest’s cultural and environmental heritage. I’m proud to stand with leaders across New Mexico to permanently protect this irreplaceable site from future drilling and destruction. We have a responsibility to honor the voices of Indigenous leaders, safeguard our public lands, and preserve Chaco’s legacy for generations to come,” said Vasquez.

    “This legislation reflects the APCG’s long-standing commitment to protect Chaco Canyon and the Greater Chaco Region. Through countless meetings, cultural resource studies, and tireless advocacy, we have guided this effort forward. We extend our profound appreciation to Senator Luján, Representative Leger Fernández, our New Mexico Congressional Delegation, and all who stand with our Pueblos in ensuring these sacred landscapes remain a source of inspiration and cultural continuity for generations to come,” said James R. Mountain, Chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors.

    “As a Diné allottee and community organizer, I welcome the reintroduction of the Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act as a critical step to defend our land, air, water, and sacred sites. For too long, extractive industries have threatened our health, culture, and future generations. This Act moves us closer to honoring the deep spiritual and cultural significance of Chaco while protecting the integrity of our homelands,” said Joseph Franklin Hernandez, Indigenous Energy Organizer, Naeva, Navajo Nation.

    “We are thankful and grateful for the reintroduction of the Chaco Cultural Heritage Protection Act. This would enhance our connections to the land and tell the generations ahead of the history of ancestral knowledge in astronomy, architecture, and independence. All of this in the time of pillage and extraction, the tourism economy will be enhanced.  To Our Congressional Leaders, you have our vote of endorsement,” said Former Navajo Councilman Daniel Tso.

    To ensure Indian lands and non-federal lands retain rights to develop their lands as the surrounding area is protected, this legislation strengthens protections for infrastructure and development on private, state, and Tribal lands, including Navajo allotments. According to a 2022 federal assessment of the proposed 10-mile buffer zone, only 10 Navajo allotments will be highly impacted by a withdrawal.

    The Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act is supported by the All Pueblo Council of Governors (APCG), Archaeology Southwest, Native Lands Institute, New Mexico Wild, Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project, New Mexico Wildlife Federation, New Mexico Voices for Children, The Wilderness Society, Conservation Lands Foundation, Environment New Mexico, Sierra Club, and the National Wildlife Federation.

    Additional supporting quotes are here.

    A summary of the bill is here.

    Full text of the bill is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy: There Is Thievery Happening Down The Street. They Are Stealing From The People Of This Country, And We’re Not Going To Let Them Get Away With It.

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    Click HERE (14:37) to Watch Murphy’s Remarks

    WASHINGTON–Following House Republican’s passage of the budget resolution, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, on Thursday joined Fair Share America’s rally and grassroots organizers from more than 30 states, to call out Donald Trump’s tax cut scam and demand Congress stand with working families instead of billionaires and corporations.

    Murphy pointed to the fight over Obamacare in 2017 as proof that grassroots resistance can stop even the most powerful forces in Washington: “[Republicans’] number one priority was to repeal the Affordable Care Act, right? To get rid of health care for 20 million Americans. I was here during that time, and I remember that the political pundits, all the smart people in Washington, said it’s a done deal. It’s their number one agenda. They control the House. They control the Senate. They control the White House. Obamacare is dead, right? [But] they didn’t kill it because we mobilized, because we organized, because we threw sand in the gears at every single point in that process, because what they were trying to do was so deeply immoral, but it was also so deeply unpopular.”

    Murphy slammed Trump and his billionaire friends for trying to strip away the vital services working Americans depend on, just to squeeze out more profits for themselves: “I frankly don’t even know what it would be like to be a billionaire with an extra $100,000, right? I have no idea. I have no idea the kind of rapacious greed that it takes for somebody to demand more when you have so much. But you know what I do know? I know what it feels like for somebody who is living paycheck to paycheck, right? Who relies on Medicaid in order to make sure that their sick child gets the medications they need. I know what it feels like for that person to wake up one day and have their safety net ripped out from under them, right? I know the pain, the agony that that involves.”

    “And so we have a job to do,” Murphy continued. “We have the power – not the billionaire class, not the thieves down the street – we can do, in 2025, exactly what we did in 2017. We can be a constant presence, not just here in Washington, but back in their states. If they won’t meet with you, go find them. Show up to their offices, show up to their public events, right? Demand that they answer to you why they are putting the billionaires first.”

    Murphy concluded: “I know that you can wake up every day and feel anxious, and feel angry about what they’re trying to do to our country, what they’re trying to do to Medicaid, what they’re trying to do to give billionaires tax cuts, but also wake up with a little sense of joy, right? A little sense of joy, because you are here today, because you are at a point in your life where you can speak truth to power. You live in a country where accountability still exists. You live in a nation where you can stand up, speak up and stop evil from being perpetuated on the people of this country. So, I’m angry. I am anxious. But I am also joyous. Because I know that when the day comes, we are going to be able to stand together and say that together, united, we were able to stop the biggest transfer of wealth ever in this country, from the middle class and the poor to the rich. We will stop this tax cut for the wealthy.”

    A full transcript of his remarks can be found below:

    MURPHY: “All right, who matters more: the people or the billionaires?”

    CROWD: “The people!”

    MURPHY: “Let me ask you again, who matters more: the people or the billionaires?”

    CROWD: “The people!”

    MURPHY: “Listen guys, we have work to do, right? We have work to do. There is thievery happening down the street. They are stealing from the people of this country, and we are not going to let them get away with it.”

    CROWD: “No!”

    “So listen, this is really important, what you’re doing, and I just want to remind you of a similar moment. So back in 2017 when Trump was president the first time, what was their number one priority? Their number one priority was to repeal the Affordable Care Act, right. To get rid of health care for 20 million Americans. I was here during that time, and I remember that the political pundits, all the smart people in Washington, said it’s a done deal. It’s their number one agenda. They control the House. They control the Senate. They control the White House. Obamacare is dead, right? 

    “But, did they kill it?”

    CROWD: No!!

     MURPHY: “And they didn’t kill it because we mobilized, because we organized, because we threw sand in the gears at every single point in that process, because what they were trying to do was so deeply immoral, but it was also so deeply unpopular, right? 

    “And what they are trying to do right now, this reverse Robin Hood, in which they steal from the poor and the middle class in order to enrich the very, very wealthy– who’s asking for that in this country?”

    CROWD: “No one!”

    MURPHY: “No one. No one is asking to throw millions of people off their health care, to close rural hospitals and drug treatment centers all across the country, just so that a billionaire can get another $100,000 in a tax break. No one is asking for that in this country. 

    “I frankly don’t even know what it would be like to be a billionaire with an extra $100,000, right? I have no idea. I have no idea the kind of rapacious greed that it takes for somebody to demand more when you have so much. 

    “But you know what I do know? I know what it feels like for somebody who is living paycheck to paycheck, right. Who relies on Medicaid in order to make sure that their sick child gets the medications they need. I know what it feels like for that person to wake up one day and have their safety net ripped out from under them, right? I know the pain, the agony that that involves. 

    “And so we have a job to do. We have the power – not the billionaire class, not the thieves down the street – we can do, in 2025, exactly what we did in 2017. We can be a constant presence, not just here in Washington, but back in their states. If they won’t meet with you, go find them. Show up to their offices, show up to their public events, right? Demand that they answer to you why they are putting the billionaires first. 

    “The people in this country have the power. There are more of us than there are of them. Democracy is fragile, it is under assault today, but it is still alive in America, right? The people of this country still have the power. 

    “What they are doing is immoral. What they are doing is unpopular. They are having a hell of a time passing it as we speak. All we have to do is convince a handful of Republicans that they will never ever set foot in their offices again if they vote for this billionaire tax cut. 

    “So listen, do the work. Do the work. And I’ll just end with this. Listen, I know that you can wake up every day and feel anxious and, feel angry about what they’re trying to do to our country, what they’re trying to do to Medicaid, what they’re trying to do to give billionaires tax cuts, but also wake up with a little sense of joy, right? A little sense of joy, because you are here today, because you are at a point in your life where you can speak truth to power. You live in a country, right, where accountability still exists. You live in a nation where you can stand up, speak up and stop evil from being perpetuated on the people of this country, right? 

    “So I’m angry. I am anxious. But I am also joyous. Because I know that when the day comes, we are going to be able to stand together and say that together, united, we were able to stop the biggest transfer of wealth ever in this country, from the middle class and the poor to the rich. We will stop this tax cut for the wealthy. Thank you, everybody.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan Legislation for VA Accountability Passes Senate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

    04.10.25

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC), celebrated the passage of the Protecting Regular Order (PRO) for Veterans Act in the Senate. Sen. Sullivan, along with 10 of his Senate colleagues, introduced the legislation to establish greater accountability and oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) after a stunning multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall in 2024 followed by a multi-billion-dollar surplus two months later. This budget debacle came after the VA mismanaged funds, resulting in $10 million dollars’ worth of bonuses being improperly awarded to senior management at the VA. These bonuses ranged from $40,000 to $100,000 each, significantly more than the average disability benefits a veteran receives in a year.

    The PRO Vets Act institutes a three-year requirement for the VA to provide quarterly, in-person budget reports to Congress to encourage greater oversight and financial accountability, and withholds bonuses for senior VA and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) personnel if there are future financial shortfalls.

    “America’s veterans, who’ve served and sacrificed greatly for our country, deserve a Department of Veterans Affairs that is held to the highest possible standard of accountability,” Sen. Sullivan said. “The shocking budget debacle last year demonstrated that this agency is not meeting that high bar that we all expect. I want to thank my Senate colleagues for joining me in passing legislation to establish basic accountability measures at the VA, like quarterly in-person budget reports to Congress and the withholding of bonuses for senior VA and OMB leaders involved in any future budget debacle. I urge my colleagues in the House to pass our PRO Vets Act for commonsense guardrails on VA leadership that will help safeguard the benefits of our courageous veterans who’ve sacrificed so much on our behalf.”

    Below is a timeline of Sen. Sullivan and his colleagues’ recent work to address the lack of accountability at the VA:

    • In the summer of 2024, the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) announced that it was experiencing a historic budget shortfall of $15 billion and would need $3 billion immediately to ensure the delivery of veterans’ benefits.
    • On July 31, 2024, Senators Sullivan and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) sent a letter to the SVAC chairman demanding an immediate hearing on the reported budget shortfall.
    • On September 18, 2024, SVAC held a hearing on the funding shortfall and Sen. Sullivan introduced the PRO Vets Act.
    • On September 19, 2024, Sen. Sullivan attempted to pass the PRO Vets Act as an amendment to a VA supplemental funding package, but it was blocked by Senate Democrats.
    • On November 18, 2024, Sen. Sullivan and 15 of his colleagues sent a letter to the SVAC chairman demanding greater accountability and oversight of the VA.
    • On February 5, 2025, Sen. Sullivan and 10 of his colleagues introduced the PRO Vets Act in the Senate.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murkowski Argues for Congressional Oversight of Tariffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    04.10.25
    Washington, DC – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) made her case that Congress needs to reassert its authority – starting with oversight of levying tariffs. In light of the recent trade policies enacted by the executive branch, Senator Murkowski spoke about the role that belongs to Congress, but emphasized that institution has slowly ceded its responsibility to the executive over the last century.
    Click here to watch the Senator’s remarks.
     
    Below is the text of Murkowski’s remarks as delivered.
    Thank you, Mr. President.
    Yesterday was a day that really captured the attention of the world. We’ve all been talking about tariffs for a little bit, but yesterday was the day that really brought the focus to what was going on here in the United States.
    At 12:01 in the morning on Wednesday, President Trump’s tariffs on the countries with which the United States has had the largest trade deficits went into effect on top of the 10% tariff rates that had previously applied to all countries, which had been initiated on Saturday, April 5. Just hours later, yesterday afternoon, the President announced a 90-day pause and lowered reciprocal tariffs to 10% and at the same time, announced that he was raising tariffs on China to 125% – now today, it looks like that number is closer to 145%.
    So, to say that this has been a dizzying week in Washington, DC is probably an understatement. Those of us that are following the markets, it’s been somewhat head-spinning. I’m not going to comment here on the floor today about the negotiating tactics of President Trump. I think he is legendary, and really world renowned, for his skills in bringing nations to the table. We’re seeing some of this play out literally as we speak. Other countries that have approached the administration to have discussions about tariffs. This is a unique kind of leverage, most certainly keeping those across the table off balance. But bringing the world potentially to the brink of a ruinous trade war certainly qualifies as a very unique point of leverage.
    The effort to try to reshore manufacturing here in this country is important, it’s admirable, and it’s something that we should all be working towards. But, I think there has been general agreement that the message from the administration has been decidedly mixed, which leads to further confusion among our trading partners and our allies. If nobody understands where the finish line is, it’s hard to reach it.
    I don’t want to focus my comments here this afternoon about these possible strategies and end results of these policies. But I want to focus more on the process of how these tariffs were imposed, because I believe it is yet another example of Congress choosing to cede its powers to the executive branch. And if the global implications of these tariffs have shown us nothing else, it’s that measures that are as important as these should be considered by the 535 elected individuals that are in tune with the American people, rather than vesting that with just one individual acting unilaterally.
    It’s under Article One, Section Eight of our United States Constitution that clearly enumerates that “Congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises.” In other words, the power to levy tariffs rests with us here in the Congress.
    So why have we seen the executive take control over tariff rates? The answer lies in almost in a centuries-long series of bills that we have seen here that Congress has voluntarily enacted and laid down its authority for the executive to pick up.
    Following the disastrous Smoot Hawley Act of 1930 which plunged our nation deeper into the Great Depression, Congress passed the following legislation. First, it was the Reciprocal Trade Agreements Act of 1934, which authorized the president to make limited tariff rates without congressional review on top of negotiating bilateral, reciprocal trade agreements.
    Then, it was the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, which broadened the President’s trade powers to include multilateral trade agreements, while also allowing the president to unilaterally impose tariffs if imports could threaten national security.
    Then, the Trade Act of 1974, which allowed the president to protect U.S. workers by adjusting tariffs if foreign countries engaged in unfair trade practices.
    And then, just a few years later, it was the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977, which gives the president authorities to address declared emergencies if “unusual and extraordinary” threats exist to national security, foreign policy, or to the economy. So those powers include, you probably guessed it, the authority to regulate or prohibit imports.
    So, in his April 2 executive order, President Trump declared a national emergency because of a lack of reciprocity in our bilateral trade relationships and our trading partners’ economic policies that suppress domestic wages. He is authorized to do so under the National Emergencies Act of 1976, so I want to be clear about all of this: I know some people might not like it, but all of what he has done is clearly above board. The president is clearly within his powers to impose tariffs on our allies, like Mexico and Canada and the EU, just as much as he is with our adversaries, like China and Russia and Iran.
    President Trump, and President Biden before him, took this route because Congress has largely relegated tariff authority to the president through the laws that effectively cede to the executive.
    And my friends, it’s just one more example of Congress abdicating instead of legislating. In my time here, I have seen a troubling pattern, in both bodies, where the party that controls the White House seems all too comfortable relinquishing authority to the President, and then rubber stamping whatever policies the executive wants enshrined into law.
    Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress have deferred to the executive to call the shots, in my view, for far too long. Now we use the phrase around here a lot: “co-equal branches of government.” I use it all the time. But the reality is, Congress was created in Article One of the Constitution. We’re given far more authority than the executive. All you need to do is look in your handy dandy little pocket constitution. Ours is a lot longer.
    Look at the authorities that we have:
    Congress may impeach and remove a President and members of the judiciary;
    Congress can override a presidential veto of legislation;
    Congress appropriates the money that funds the operation of all branches of government; and
    It is Congress that again, needs to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises.
    We also say a lot around here that “business loves certainty.” I would suggest the country’s entire tariff regime being subject to the whims of one individual lends anything but certainty. And that’s why I have signed on to Senator Grassley and Senator Cantwell’s legislation. They call it the Trade Review Act of 2025, and it would reclaim this branch’s authority and duty to help manage tariffs as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
    The bill requires notice to Congress of the imposition of, or increase, in any tariffs. It requires notice to Congress in 48 hours. With that congressional notification, it has to include an explanation of the president’s reasoning for imposing or raising the tariffs, as well as providing an analysis of potential impact on American businesses and consumers.
    And I can tell you, the Alaskans that I’m talking to back home would really like the last part of this: an analysis of how this is going to impact us.
    And then another provision within the Grassley-Cantwell Act is within 60 days, Congress would pass a joint resolution of approval on the new tariff. Otherwise, all new tariffs on imports would expire after that deadline.
    What this act effectively would do would be to reaffirm Congress’s role with regards to tariffs. It allows for a greater engagement, if you will, between the executive and the congressional branch. Allows for the debate, allows for that engagement, allows for that understanding.
    So, again, I’m hearing from folks all over back home, because they’re worried we already pay high costs for just about everything in Alaska. They’re worried about what it’s going to mean for groceries, for cars, for furniture, electronics, even coffee.
    We had a visit with a group of high school students on the on the steps yesterday, and they were from all over the state. We had some from Ketchikan, all the way out to King Cove, and out in the YK Delta. And the first question from one of the 16-year-old’s in that group was, “Can you tell me what’s going on with tariffs? How is this going to impact us?”
    I really appreciated that question from that 16-year-old who’s paying attention to what’s going on. He’s got questions. He’s here in Washington, DC, and he’s figuring he’s going to get some answers from his senator.
    Alaskans are facing consequences. They want to know they have a voice in it, and their voice is us. It’s their senator, it’s their representative. That’s our role here.
    Now it’s been suggested, and the president himself has issued a statement about this legislation: he’s indicated that he does not support it, and that he would veto it. That is absolutely within his power.
    But, we also have powers have powers here in Congress, and we need to assert them. And so, I would hope that this bill is maybe just the start, maybe just the toe in the water, where we’re starting to see Congress reassert its authority.
    Because if we don’t stand up for the institution, if we don’t stand up for the legislative branch of our government by debating this issue by holding votes, debating. Let’s debate this! Let’s have a vote on the Trade Review Act. Because if we just sit back, if we don’t assert our authority, we’ve only got ourselves to blame when we don’t like the direction that may be taken.
    The executive has slowly arrogated more and more power since the end of World War II, and it’s dramatically accelerated post-9/11. We here in Congress have stood by, and we’ve accepted it. We’ve said it’s okay. I think it’s time for Congress to reassert itself, whether it’s on tariffs, whether it’s on the power of appropriation, whether it’s overseeing the bodies, the agencies that we as a body have authorized.
    So, let’s legislate. Let’s remember our role is to legislate. We owe that to those that we represent, as well as to this institution, for the long-term good of the nation.
    And with that, Mr. President, I yield the floor.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Lee Introduce Legislation to Repurpose Woke USAID Funding to Improve Veterans’ Homes

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced the Veterans First Act of 2025, which will redirect wasteful taxpayer funding previously allocated for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to instead pay for outstanding repairs in state veterans’ homes. This legislation follows the Trump administration’s actions to largely shut down USAID after it was revealed that the agency was using taxpayer funds to pay for woke, leftist priorities. As Alabama’s representative on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Sen. Tuberville is always looking for ways to improve the lives for our veteran heroes.
    “Let’s be honest, USAID was largely being used as a Democrat slush fund under Joe Biden,” said Sen. Tuberville. “We don’t need to waste BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars on research in Wuhan or transgender operas in Colombia when our own veterans are living in horrible conditions. There are more than 160 state veteran homes across the country that provide long-term care to eligible military veterans. The VA currently offers construction grants that cover up to 65% of renovation costs, but funding constraints can cause years of delays for homes that are waiting to receive federal funds to match the funds approved at the state level. This critical legislation would provide sufficient federal funding to cover all outstanding Priority 1 VA State Home Construction projects that already have the state-matching funds. Our veteran heroes were willing to lay down their lives for our freedom. The least we can do is make sure they have a decent place to call home.
    “Our bill takes 2 billion dollars that was going to be thrown into the USAID money pit and distributed to radical progressive causes across the globe, and instead puts it toward desperately needed housing and hospitals for the men and women who defend America. We should put our veterans before any foreign interests or organizations,” said Sen. Lee. 
    “Under the Biden-Harris Administration, taxpayer dollars were wastefully sent overseas to fund DEI initiatives while the pressing needs of veterans here at home were ignored,” said Rep. Taylor. “Under President Trump, Republicans are getting our Nation’s priorities straight and our Heroes are at the top of the list. I am proud to lead this bill to ensure State Veterans Homes across our country are equipped with the funding to meet our veterans’ needs.”
    Specifically, the Veterans First Act of 2025 would:
    Redirect $2 billion of USAID funds toward State Veteran Home repairs and renovations,
    Provide sufficient funding to cover all outstanding Priority 1 VA State Home construction grants,
    These are ready-to-go projects that already possess state-matching funds and are only awaiting federal matching funds to being work.

    Put America’s veterans first and reorient our nation’s spending priorities.
    Representative Dave Taylor (R-OH-02) led the effort in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    Read full text of the legislation here. 
    BACKGROUND:
    Sen. Tuberville represents Alabama’s more than 400,000 veterans on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and has worked to make quality improvements for veterans. He has introduced several pieces of legislation that have been signed into law, including the Supporting Families of the Fallen Act, Restoring Benefits to Defrauded Veterans Act, and legislation to streamline Post-9/11 benefits for service members and their dependents.
    Already this year, Sen. Tuberville introduced several pieces of legislation aimed at helping veterans, including the Veterans’ Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025, Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act, HBOT Access Act, andVeteran Fraud Reimbursement Act.
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Chairs Personnel Subcommittee Hearing Focused on Recruiting

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – As Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) led a hearing on Department of Defense (DOD) policies and programs ahead of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). During the hearing, Sen. Tuberville spoke with the witnesses about heightening recruitment standards in order to get the strongest fighting force possible and staffing shortages across military hospitals and clinics. 
    Witnesses included:
    Lieutenant General Brian S. Eifler, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel for the United States Army
    Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman, Jr., Chief of Naval Personnel for the United States Navy
    Lieutenant General Michael J. Borgschulte, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs for the United States Marine Corps
    Lieutenant General Caroline M. Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services for the United States Air Force
    And Ms. Katharine Kelley, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital for the United States Space Force
    Read excerpts of Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below and watch on YouTube or Rumble. 

    “Alright, the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel meets this afternoon to provide an important opportunity for senior leaders at the Department of Defense to highlight areas where Congress can support and strengthen our military’s most valuable asset—its people. People are our most valuable asset. I think we should all know that. Those who volunteer to serve, in and out of uniform, are the backbone of our national defense, and this is a critical discussion as we prepare for the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2026.
    I want to thank our witnesses for joining us today:
    Lieutenant General Brian S. Eifler, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel for the United States Army
    Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman, Jr., Chief of Naval Personnel for the United States Navy
    Lieutenant General Michael J. Borgschulte, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs for the United States Marine Corps
    Lieutenant General Caroline M. Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services for the United States Air Force
    Ms. Katharine Kelley, Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Human Capital for the United States Space Force
    I’m glad to see our military refocusing on warfighting and readiness after the previous administration prioritized DEI, abortion, and other progressive policy initiatives over lethality. [That is] one of the reasons we’re here today. This shift is already leading to a renewed enthusiasm for personnel for military service among the American people.
    While I’m encouraged by the recent improvements in military recruitment, I’m increasingly concerned about the quality of the recruits we’re bringing in. Many of the services have lowered their standards to meet [recruitment] goals. The Army and Navy’s prep courses have seen some success, but that success only matters if they’re actually raising the academic and physical performance of our recruits. The caliber of the men and women we bring in directly affects readiness levels and the long-term strength and effectiveness of our military. So, I’d like the witnesses to address the effect that lowered enlistment standards could have on long-term attrition and readiness, and how you are ensuring you are not sacrificing quality for quantity.
    I’d also like to address the health of the force in this hearing. Military hospitals and clinics are facing staffing shortages, leading to reduced access to care, which ultimately impacts the health and retention of service members and their families. This, combined with lower recruiting standards, means the force is more susceptible to health issues like obesity and mental health challenges. I’d like to hear what the Services are doing to ensure the health and readiness of their military personnel.
    In recent years, this Subcommittee has invested heavily into the quality of life of service members, ensuring they and their families, have the resources and support necessary to thrive both in and out of uniform. This remains a priority. However, these investments will be undermined if we fail to address the quality of recruitment and health of the force. Sustaining a healthy and effective military goes beyond simply meeting the recruiting missions—it requires a commitment to the well-being and long-term readiness of every single service member.
    Thank you to the witnesses for appearing today. I look forward to your testimony.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville Defends Trump Administration’s Efforts to Make the VA More Efficient

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    “Under President Biden, the VA increased its staff 80,000 people. You’d think that this would mean that we would increase the efficiency of our VA [by] 80,000 percent. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.”
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) objected to Democrats’ efforts to halt the Trump administration’s actions to make the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) more efficient.
    Excerpts from Senator Tuberville’s remarks can be found below, and his full remarks can be viewed on Rumble or YouTube. 
    “Reserving the right to object.
    On November the 5th, President Trump was given a mandate: get this country straightened out. This included waste, fraud, and abuse in our federal government, over all agencies.
    The VA is a perfect example. Under President Biden, the VA increased its staff 80,000 employees in four years. Let me repeat that. Under President Biden, the VA increased its staff 80,000 people. You’d think that this would mean that we would increase the efficiency of our VA [by] 80,000 percent. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
    Despite the Biden administration ballooning the size of the department, the VA has nothing to show for it. In fact, wait times and backlogs have gone up [under Biden]. Hasn’t worked. So, these cuts are not [unwarranted.] They are completely necessary.
    By reducing the number of employees, these savings can be redirected to actually providing veteran healthcare and benefits, while still protecting VA’s mission of critical jobs like doctors, nurses, and claims processors. Do the job it was meant to do. And phasing out non-mission critical jobs like DEI officers and interior designers, [to name] just a few, is necessary to get this job done.
    Now, I don’t wanna oversimplify this. I know these problems at the VA exist. They always have existed. Since 2015, the VA care has been on the government accountability [watch]list. High risk. That means it’s being audited. Are they doing their job? Not very good reviews. We have to do better for our veterans. I come from a military family, spent many hours in the VA. Some are good, some are not so good.
    Let’s stand up for our veterans. The VA’s [priorities] across the board [are essential]—from overseeing simple things like safety [to] access of care. And it’s not by having more people, it’s by having better people. The VA is not supposed to be a massive bureaucracy. That’s not what it was meant to be. It was created to serve our veterans.
    This resolution being put forward would directly prevent President Trump from carrying out his mandate that the American people gave him. The American people have spoken and the days of business as usual are over. The VA is going to get better.
    For these reasons, Madam President, I object.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Banks Make Push for Transparency in Medicaid Payments to Abortion Providers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) in cosponsoring the Abortion Funding Awareness Act. This bill requires states to publicly report detailed information about Medicaid payments to abortion providers, including how much was paid, what services were funded, and data on the abortions performed. It aims to increase transparency around taxpayer funds used in connection with abortion-related services.
    “Zero taxpayer dollars should be used to pay for abortions,” said Sen. Tuberville. “I stood alone for nearly a year in fighting against the Biden administration’s taxpayer-funded abortion-related travel policy at the Pentagon. Using Medicaid funds to pay for abortions is no different. Every life is sacred, and I will always fight for the unborn and the taxpayers.”
    “A majority of Americans agree that taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to fund abortions. My bill exposes states that abuse tax dollars this way, aiming to protect unborn lives in the process,” said Sen. Banks.
    Sens. Tuberville and Banks were joined by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ted Budd (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Todd Young (R-IN) in cosponsoring the legislation.
    Rep. Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) led the effort in the U.S. House of Representatives. 
    Americans United for Life, SBA Pro-Life America, and Concerned Women for America LAC endorsed the legislation.
    Read full text of the legislation here. 
    BACKGROUND:
    Key Provisions of the Abortion Provider Transparency Act are:
    Encouraging pro-life values by exposing Medicaid’s corrupt use of American taxpayer dollars for abortions
    Ensuring transparency of American taxpayer dollars, by requiring states to report:
    Medicaid payments made to abortion providers
    Annual reports to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on all abortion payments using taxpayer funds
    All reports and findings to the state’s website

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tuberville Joins Kudlow to Discuss How President Trump’s Tariffs Strategy is Working for Alabama

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    “We got a lot of panicans here in the Capitol, but at the end of the day, President Trump holds the cards.”
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined Larry Kudlow on Fox Business to discuss how President Trump’s tariffs strategy is working for Alabama workers and farmers.
    Read excerpts from the interview below or watch on YouTube or Rumble.

    KUDLOW: “Alabama Senator, Mr. Tommy Tuberville. Senator Tuberville, welcome, sir. So, you hear Mr. Trump […] brought everyone to the table. You know, I was talking to Senator Blackburn and others. They didn’t go to the Chinese table. They went to the United States [of] America Donald Trump table. So, it looks like Trump’s Art of the Deal was correct all along, Senator Tuberville. What do you make of it?”
    TUBERVILLE: “Well, exactly right, Larry. We got a lot of panicans here in the Capitol, but at the end of the day, President Trump holds the cards. All those cards are the American taxpayers, Larry. They’re behind President Trump. They understand what he’s trying to do. This is gonna be our last chance. We’ll never have a President like him again—simply for the fact that he knows what he’s doing. He’s a business guy, and he knows that we cannot continue to let China steal, defraud us, do everything possible to build their country up while we’re going south. We need to continue this. And again, we need to work with these people, you know, he’s got them standing in line at the White House. I’m sure that’s one of the reasons he has a 90-day pause [while] countries were just waiting to get in the door, but China’s not coming. I’m for just hammering China. Keep putting tariffs on them. Make them hurt because they are building right and left their military—one day they think they’re gonna take us on. We cannot allow that to happen, Larry. You know that.”
    KUDLOW: “Well, I think one of the offshoots of the discussion with China for Mister Trump. Look, 125% tariff. China’s not gonna be able to sell into our market. But selling all their subsidized manufacturing stuff with cheap wages, that’s their whole economy. So, we are just cutting them off at the knees. I guess what I’m saying is, Trump has completely outfoxed Xi Jinping. Trump is the master of the chessboard, not Xi.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Exactly. Larry, China sends daily 300 container ships that have thousands of containers on each ship, 300 a day to the United States of America with mostly junk. Okay? It should be made in the United States of America. Now they make some […] car parts and things like that. But at the end of the day, we can do that here. And President Trump knows we have to get manufacturing back. Bill Clinton [and] NAFTA almost put us under. I go through small towns, Larry, in Alabama, and manufacturing’s gone. Nobody lives there. The streets are closing down. If we don’t get it back now, it’ll never happen.”
    KUDLOW: “What are your folks in Alabama saying about the trade deal and all the discussion that goes with it?”
    TUBERVILLE: “Well, you got some car manufacturers that say, you know, ‘We got a problem,’ maybe a problem with powertrains coming in, you know, from some of the car dealers and manufacturers. But at the end of the day, the ones that I’m worried about, I’m worried about the bottom 50% of the people that actually work in this country, the people that make $50,000, $60,000 and below and our farmers. Larry, my god. If we don’t do something to help our farmers, it’s over. We lost 150,000 [farms] during the Biden administration. They’re having a terrible year this year with the weather—planting season is going on right now. They’re gonna have to replant [and] they’re gonna have a tough time even getting close to making a profit. So, he has to help with the commodity prices and President Trump will do that with these tariffs.”
    KUDLOW: “You know, we made a deal with the phase one trade deal with China. They’re supposed to have purchased a lot of farm commodities, they never did. They broke the deal. So now the farmers are in trouble. What do you—do you want federal spending for the farmers? Subsidies for the farmers? Tax cuts? Tell me what you want.”
    TUBERVILLE: “Well, what we did right before Christmas, Larry, they had a terrible last year, the year before that was really awful. Input costs under Biden were out of sight. You know, a cotton picker ten years ago was $600,000 dollars. Now it’s $1.5 million. It’s out of control. And it’s out of control because people across the world are taking advantage of us. We gave them $10 billion dollars—the farmers—right before Christmas to get a loan for this year’s crops. Now again, what did I just tell you, they planted their crops in the south, and they just got wiped out. We got 10, 15 inches of rain. And so, it’s gonna be tough on the farmers, but I’ll tell you they’re resilient. They’ll work hard. All we need to do is help them just a little bit, and they’ll be there.”
    KUDLOW: “Yes, sir. Yes, sir. Senator Tommy Tuberville, thank you for your wisdom as always.”
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Gillibrand, Wyden Lead A Group Of 21 Senators In Demanding That The Trump Administration Stop Their Attacks On Social Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and Senator Ron Wyden, ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, led a group of 21 senators in a letter calling on the Trump administration and the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to stop their attacks on Social Security.

    This letter comes in the wake of the administration’s repeated actions to weaken the Social Security Administration (SSA), which include staffing cuts, plans for indiscriminate closures of field offices around the nation, and limits to phone services. These cuts are upending the lives of older adults and people with disabilities who rely on the Social Security benefits that they have earned to pay their rent, purchase groceries, and afford medical bills.

    “The changes undertaken by SSA leadership and the DOGE disregard the reality of daily life for those millions of Americans,” wrote the senators. “They are spearheaded by the out-of-touch, unelected leadership of the DOGE. They hurt our nation’s older adults and people with disabilities—our grandparents, our friends, and our neighbors. And they risk debilitating the Social Security System and denying Americans the money they are owed.”

    In addition to Gillibrand and Wyden, the letter to Acting SSA Commissioner Leland Dudek was signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Peter Welch (D-VT), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

    The full text of the senators’ letter is available here or below:

    Dear Acting Commissioner Dudek:

    We write to denounce the incessant havoc sparked by the Trump Administration’s continual cuts to the Social Security Administration (SSA). Changes implemented by SSA leadership and the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) include heinous staffing cuts, plans for indiscriminate closures of field offices around the nation, and limits to phone services. It is difficult to see how DOGE’s attacks on the SSA, and the complicity shown by SSA leadership, will improve efficiency when we are already hearing stories upon stories of how SSA’s changes have damaged the system responsible for ensuring timely, accurate payments—upending the lives of older adults and people with disabilities who rely on Social Security benefits that they earned to pay their rent, groceries, and medical bills.

    Social Security lifts 22 million Americans, including 16 million older adults, out of poverty. Many older adults rely on Social Security for life-saving sustenance—to ensure they have food to eat, a roof over their heads, and money to pay for medications. In fact, 40 percent of older Americans rely on Social Security as their only source of retirement income. Over seven million veterans received a Social Security benefit in 2024, while SSDI and Supplemental Security Income serve millions of workers with disabilities and their children. DOGE’s attacks on the SSA will break down access to services, affect timely and accurate payment of benefits,6 and have disastrous consequences for Americans everywhere.

    It is precisely because older adults, people with disabilities, and other deserving Americans count on Social Security that we are deeply concerned with efforts by DOGE and SSA leadership to impede access to SSA services. SSA has announced plans to slash at least 12 percent of its workforce, and offered a buyout incentives to staff, at a time when SSA staffing is at a 50-year low. SSA has also announced plans to close six of its ten regional offices, which coordinate and support the efforts of SSA employees. DOGE, meanwhile, has placed dozens of SSA offices across the country on the chopping block. At the same time, SSA has decided to limit the services it makes available over-the-phone, after backing down from broader restrictions following an outcry by older adults and people with disabilities. SSA’s new limits on over-the[1]phone services are still unacceptable, and the process used by SSA—swift revisions after public outcry—suggest the agency is not talking to the Americans who rely on Social Security the most before it makes its decisions. Instead, it appears that SSA leadership is pushing out half-baked ideas that lead to public confusion and panic.

    SSA leadership should strive to serve the public, not Elon Musk and his cronies with the DOGE. We are already witnessing the consequences of SSA’s complicity in DOGE’s irresponsible actions and cruel intentions. Scammers have taken advantage of the confusion surrounding SSA changes to defraud older adults. The SSA website crashed 4 times in 10 days because servers were overloaded; phone wait time and foot traffic to field offices have skyrocketed. This chaos does not create “efficiency.” It harms older adults and people with disabilities while undermining a program that is already efficient: Even as Social Security uplifts millions of older adults and people with disabilities, less than one percent of Social Security payments are improper—a percentage that includes underpayments as well as overpayments.

    We are pleased that Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, is skilled with technology, lives his life with unfettered access to services, and has not experienced what it is like to live with a severe disability or financial hardship. We are also pleased that the Trump Administration’s supposed “leadership” is comfortable enough to believe older adults will not mind a missed Social Security payment. However, their experiences do not reflect the experiences of millions of Americans who rely on Social Security. The changes undertaken by SSA leadership and the DOGE disregard the reality of daily life for those millions of Americans. They are spearheaded by the out-of-touch, unelected leadership of the DOGE. They hurt our nation’s older adults and people with disabilities—our grandparents, our friends, and our neighbors. And they risk debilitating the Social Security System and denying Americans the money they are owed.

    In light of our concerns, we ask that you answer the following questions:

    1. Reports indicate that an internal memo proposing changes to the Social Security claims process was circulated within SSA on March 13, 2025. The memo also reportedly details how the changes could significantly impact the ability of Social Security recipients to access their benefits, including through “longer wait times and processing time” and “increased challenges for vulnerable populations.” Please provide:
    1. An unredacted copy of the March 13, 2025 memo, which was sent from Acting Deputy Commissioner Doris Diaz to Acting Commissioner Leland Dudek;
    1. Copies of any other written communications that are related to the March 13, 2025 memo, including e-mail, texts, letters, memorandums, or other documents; and
    1. Copies of any written communications, including e-mail, texts, letters, memorandums, or other documents, related to SSA’s decision to revise its changes to phone services, as announced on March 26, 2025.
    1. SSA’s new limitations on over-the-phone services are likely to increase the number of visitors per-week to SSA field offices, a potential impact reportedly detailed by SSA leadership in its March 13, 2025 memo. The DOGE website lists numerous SSA offices throughout the United States that will have their lease terminated, and one analysis suggests that 47 SSA offices are slated for closure.

    Please answer the following questions about potential SSA field office closures:

    1. SSA claims in a press release on March 27th that the SSA “has not permanently closed or announced permanent closure of any local field office.” Public reporting shows that multiple SSA field offices across the country were publicly slated for lease termination, many of which were taken off DOGE’s website prior to the press release.
    1. Explain the reason for the removal of the field offices previously listed for lease termination on the DOGE website.
    1. Explain why the SSA did not issue a public correction of the information provided on SSA lease termination after its removal off the DOGE website.
    1. Provide detailed information on each location on the DOGE and GSA lease termination lists that include an SSA office, including any locations that include an SSA field office but are leased by other federal departments, such as the General Services Administration. Please include the following information for each location:
    1. What SSA functions operate out of the location, whether the location is open to the public, what services the location provides to the public, and how many members of the public visit the location each day.
    1. How the SSA office will be impacted by the lease termination listed on the DOGE website, including which services at the SSA office will cease to be offered to the public and whether the SSA office will be closed entirely.
    1. Which field offices is SSA planning to close, or considering for closure, through December 31, 2026, regardless of whether the location appears on the DOGE lease termination list? Please provide a detailed list that includes the name, city, and state of each field office.
    1. How will SSA analyze the impact of potential field office closures on people who use SSA services in light of SSA’s new limitations on over-the-phone services? If SSA does not plan to include the new limitations on over-the-phone services when analyzing potential field office closures, please explain why.
    1. SSA’s new limitations on over-the-phone services are likely to drive more people to use the SSA website, including “my Social Security” accounts, when filing for benefits or making changes to their payments. Past oversight conducted by the Senate Aging Committee demonstrated that federal departments and agencies often fail to make their websites fully accessible for people with disabilities, as required by law. Further, the unelected billionaire running DOGE demonstrated his callous disregard for people with disabilities when he decimated Twitter’s accessibility team after taking over the company.
    1. How many staff held a role in ensuring SSA website accessibility for people with disabilities on January 20, 2025?
    1. How many staff held a role in ensuring SSA website accessibility for people with disabilities on April 8, 2025?
    1. How many staff with a role in ensuring SSA website accessibility for people with disabilities were fired or accepted a buyout between January 20, 2025 and April 8, 2025?
    1. How many contracts related to ensuring SSA website accessibility for people with disabilities have been delayed or cancelled since January 20, 2025? Please describe each delayed or cancelled contract and provide a justification for each delay or cancellation.
    1. How many tests to evaluate SSA websites for accessibility for people with disabilities have been delayed or cancelled since January 20, 2025? Please provide a justification for each delayed or cancelled accessibility test.
    1. Please describe how SSA consulted with older adults and people with disabilities before making the initial decision, announced on March 18, 2025, to implement new limits to over-the-phone services. Please include the names of groups representing older adults and people with disabilities that were contacted for feedback. If SSA did not conduct this outreach, please explain why.
    1. Please describe how SSA will collect feedback from older adults and people with disabilities on the impact of its limits to over-the-phone services once those limits have been implemented, including:
    1. The groups representing older adults and people with disabilities that SSA will work with to collect feedback; and
    1. The number of in-person meetings, virtual meetings, and town-hall style meetings related to the limits on over-the-phone services that SSA will conduct through December 31, 2026, the planned locations of those events, and plans by SSA leadership to participate in those events and answer questions.

    If SSA does not plan to collect feedback from older adults and people with disabilities in this fashion, please explain why.

    Thank you for your attention to this matter. Please respond by April 22, 2025.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Joins 178 Colleagues In Introducing Bill To Raise Federal Minimum Wage To $17 By 2030

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Raise the Wage Act alongside 32 of her colleagues in the Senate and 146 members of the House of Representatives. This bicameral legislation would raise the minimum wage to $17 for all workers and gradually eliminate subminimum wages for tipped workers, workers with disabilities, and youth workers.

    Last year, nearly one in four workers in the U.S. made less than $17 per hour. In New York, the minimum wage is currently $15.50 in most parts of the state and $16.50 on Long Island and in New York City, and Westchester. According to analysis by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), passing the Raise the Wage Act would provide raises to 213,000 New Yorkers.

    “A living wage is critical to make sure that Americans can pay their bills, feed their families, and put a roof over their heads,” said Senator Gillibrand. “No one working full-time in the United States should be living in poverty. This legislation will help lift workers out of poverty, drive economic growth, and reduce income inequality, and I am committed to working with my colleagues to get it passed.”

    Today, the value of the current federal minimum wage – $7.25 per hour – is the lowest it has been since 1956 and has declined significantly since it was last increased in 2009. Black and Hispanic workers disproportionately feel the burden of these low wages as compared to their white counterparts, and that disparity is even worse for women of color. Nearly 40 percent of Hispanic women and 35 percent of Black women make less than $17 per hour.

    Gillibrand is joined on the Raise the Wage Act by 32 senators: Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    Additionally, over 85 organizations endorsed the legislation, including Service Employees International Union (SEIU), AFL-CIO, American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Business for a Fair Minimum Wage, Communications Workers of America (CWA), Economic Policy Institute (EPI), Equal Pay Today, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT), National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA), National Education Association (NEA), National Employment Law Project (NELP), The National Partnership for Women & Families, National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), One Fair Wage, Oxfam America, Patriotic Millionaires, UNITE HERE, United Autoworkers (UAW), United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW), United for Respect, and United Steelworkers (USW).

    The text of the bill can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –