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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: MEDIA ADVISORY: Sanders to Hold Town Hall on Teacher Pay Crisis with Hundreds of Educators from Across the Country

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, July 22 — Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), will hold a town hall on Thursday with more than 100 teachers and educational leaders at the U.S. Capitol to discuss the teacher pay crisis impacting schools, students and communities.
    Joining Sanders at the town hall will be Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.); Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Princess Moss, vice president of the National Education Association (NEA); and educators from across the country.
    “It is simply unacceptable that, in the richest country in the history of the world, 40% of teachers have to work extra jobs just to make ends meet. The situation has become so absurd that four hedge fund managers on Wall Street make more money in a single year than every kindergarten teacher in America combined — nearly 120,000 teachers,” Sanders said. “We need the best education system in the world, and that means we need the best teachers. To get the best teachers, we need to pay them what they deserve.”
    Today in America, nearly one in eight teaching jobs is vacant or filled by a teacher who is not fully certified. Approximately one-third of all public school teachers make less than $60,000 a year — including more than 90% of starting teachers. Hundreds of thousands of teachers have to work two or three jobs during the school year to make ends meet. Meanwhile, the average weekly wage for public school teachers has decreased by 5% over the past 30 years, adjusted for inflation. Today, 44% of public school teachers quit the profession within five years.
    “Wages for public school teachers are so low that in 36 states, the average public school teacher with a family of four qualifies for food stamps, public housing and other government assistance programs. We have got to do better than that,” Sanders continued. “No teacher in America should make less than $60,000 a year. If we are going to have the best public school system in the world, we have got to radically change our attitude toward education and make sure that every teacher in America receives the compensation that they deserve for the enormously important and difficult work that they do.”
    At the town hall, Sanders will hear directly from educators about how low wages, burnout and disinvestment are affecting both teacher morale and the quality of public education.
    Details
    What: Save Public Education: Pay Teachers What They Deserve
    Who:
    Sen. Bernie Sanders
    Sen. Ed Markey
    AFT President Randi Weingarten
    NEA Vice President Princess Moss
    More than 100 teachers from across the U.S.
    When: Thursday, July 24, 12:30 p.m.
    Where: Washington, D.C. Location available upon RSVP. The event will also be livestreamed on Sanders’ social media.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 22nd, 2025 Heinrich, Bennet, Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation to Expand and Improve Access to Clean Water for Tribal Families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    Half of households on Native American reservations lack access to reliable water sources, clean drinking water, or adequate sanitation

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), introduced the Tribal Access to Clean Water Act to dramatically expand access to clean water for Tribal families by investing in water infrastructure. This bill would increase funding through the Indian Health Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Bureau of Reclamation to support water infrastructure projects in Tribal communities and help provide clean water to Native American households that currently lack access.

    “Nearly half of Native American households lack access to clean and reliable water supplies. That is completely unacceptable,” said Heinrich. “By addressing a significant backlog of infrastructure projects and removing barriers to federal programs that provide technical and financial assistance to Tribes, this legislation is an important step toward delivering clean drinking water to all families in Indian Country.”

    “Too many Tribal communities in Colorado and across the country cannot access clean, safe water,” said Bennet. “This legislation builds on our efforts to improve access for Tribes in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It fulfills the federal government’s promise to provide these communities with the clean water they deserve.”

    “Clean drinking water is a basic necessity. Yet, so many of our Tribal communities have been left without the infrastructure. It’s unacceptable,” said Hickenlooper. “Let’s cut red tape and invest in modern resources to finally deliver safe, accessible water to every Tribe.”

    Lack of access to clean drinking water is a significant barrier for many Native American communities. According to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Native American households are 19 times more likely than white households to lack indoor plumbing.

    The Tribal Access to Clean Water Act will:

    • Authorize the USDA to make grants and loans for technical and financial assistance, as well as for construction;
    • Increase funding authorizations for USDA’s Rural Development Community Facilities Grant and Loan Program by $100 million per year for five years, provide $30 million per year specifically for technical assistance, and ensure that Native communities are treated equitably and appropriately when considered for grants and loans;
    • Increase funding authorizations for existing programs of the Indian Health Service for water and sanitation facilities construction over a five-year period, including for community facilities ($2.5 billion), technical assistance ($150 million), and operation and maintenance assistance ($500 million); and
    • Authorize $90 million over five years for the Bureau of Reclamation’s existing Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program.

    “Water is a sacred resource given to us to protect. It is of the utmost importance that Tribes have access to clean water not only for personal consumption and economic development but also for cultural purposes. Many tribes in the Southwest rely on access to clean water to carry on our culture and traditions. We thank U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich and Michael Bennet for reintroducing the Tribal Access to Clean Water Act,” said Myron Armijo, Santa Ana Pueblo Governor.

    “It is far past time to ensure that Native people have the same level of basic water service most Americans take for granted,” said Manuel Heart, Chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. “This bill’s recognition of the need for technical support and operation and maintenance assistance for Tribal water supply facilities is not only essential to realizing the benefit of investment in water infrastructure, but also a critical step toward increasing Tribal independence and governance capabilities.”

    “Some of the starkest examples of the public health impacts from not having clean, running water in the home are right in our backyards,” said Anne Castle, co-founder of the initiative on Universal Access to Clean Water for Tribal Communities. “Higher incidence of respiratory disease, gastrointestinal infections, diabetes, and cancer are all linked to ‘water poverty’ – the lack of access to secure and healthy household water – which is particularly acute for Native American households. With targeted resources and Federal agency coordination, we have the ability to solve this longstanding inequity in Indian country.”

    “For far too long, many indigenous Americans – American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians – have gone without access to a clean and safe drinking water supply,” said John Echohawk, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Native American Rights Fund and member of the Pawnee Nation. “These are not isolated or regional deficiencies, but rather a nationwide disparity in access to a basic ingredient of life. This bill will help to address gaps in current support for Tribal drinking water access and help to fulfill the Federal government’s treaty and trust responsibility to Native American Tribes.”

    “Every American is entitled to access to clean drinking water,” said Ken Norton, Chairman of the National Tribal Water Council. “But this undeniable truth simply does not hold for far too many Tribal households. It is well past time to bring the necessary resources to bear that will allow all Tribal families to enjoy the same basic services most Americans take for granted.”

    “Water is a basic human right and this bill fulfills the government’s trust obligation to Tribes and Indigenous communities to ensure all Native populations have access to clean drinking water,” said Garrit Voggesser, Senior Director of Tribal Partnerships and Policy, National Wildlife Federation. “For far too long more than half of the country’s Indigenous peoples haven’t had access to clean drinking water. Water must be accessible to not only support public health, but also meet historical, cultural, ecological, and rights-based needs.”

    Heinrich initially introduced this legislation with Bennet in 2021. He also successfully fought to include funding to improve Tribal access to clean water in the Infrastructure Law. The law included $3.5 billion for the Indian Health Service Sanitation Facilities Construction program to address needs for tribal sanitation facilities and services, $1 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation to support legacy rural water supply projects, which will benefit Tribes, and increased funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act State Revolving Funds.

    In addition to Heinrich, Bennet, and Hickenlooper, this bill is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).

    The text of the bill is available here.

    A summary of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 22nd, 2025 Heinrich Announces Committee Passage of Over $205 Million for New Mexico’s Military Installations and Significant Wins for Veterans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    Investments Heinrich championed include childcare assistance, improved telehealth & rural health services, & expanded homelessness prevention programs

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill. With Committee passage of this bill, Heinrich secured support for over $205 million for New Mexico’s military installations and significant wins for New Mexico’s veterans, including over $32 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for five local projects.

    “For our nation’s veterans and military families, this bill keeps our promise: that when they come home, they will receive the recognition, education, housing, and health care that they have earned through their service. It also strengthens New Mexico’s role as a leader in national security and bolsters our local economies,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This bill will also ensure that our service members are best equipped with state-of-the-art technology and resources to defend freedom at home and abroad. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I am committed to doing everything I can to support the heroic Americans who sacrifice so much to keep us safe.”

    Heinrich is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the former Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.

    New Mexico Military Construction

    Heinrich secured Committee support of investments in seven New Mexico projects.

    Heinrich successfully included funds for the following projects:

    • $90,000,000 for the construction of a 192-bed dormitory for airmen at Cannon Air Force Base.
    • $83,000,000 for the construction of a new Space Rapid Capabilities Office Headquarters on Kirtland Air Force Base.
    • $18,250,000 to construct a new Explosive Operations Building at Kirtland Air Force Base, which is essential for the safe and efficient handling, inspection, and storage of munitions in alignment with Air Force operational requirements.
    • $3,200,000 to construct a Child Development Center (CDC) on Kirtland Air Force Base that supports the growing childcare needs of Kirtland Air Force Base personnel.

    Heinrich also secured language addressing the ongoing energy infrastructure needs at White Sands Missile Range, ensuring troop readiness and training is prioritized.

    Heinrich and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) also successfully included funding for the following projects:

    • $8,100,000 to renovate and construct a training facility for Security Forces at Cannon Air Force Base. This will help support the continued growth of this Security Force unit.
    • $2,000,000 to restore and improve antiterrorism technology at the Wyoming Gateat Kirtland Air Force Base.
    • $700,000 to finish the design of a new High Speed Test Track at Holloman Air Force Base.

    Support for Veterans

    Heinrich secured Committee support for key veteran programs.

    Suicide Prevention

    Heinrich successfully secured $18,866,195,000 for mental health treatment, including $697,760,000 for suicide prevention outreach. Heinrich also secured language encouraging the VA to use predictive modeling and analytics for veteran suicide prevention in the Recovery Engagement and Coordination for Health-Veterans Enhanced Treatment (REACH VET) program. This innovative solution would identify veterans with evidence-based risk factors for suicidal ideation in order to get help to veterans before a potential mental health crisis.

    In 2020, Heinrich voted in favor of the Commander John Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act of 2019 (P.L. 116-171), which supported and authorized the REACH VET program.

    Rural Health

    Heinrich successfully secured $342,455,000 for the VA’s Office of Rural Health and its Rural Health Initiative to continue supporting veterans with services like transportation to appointments for highly rural veterans, utilization of innovative transportation service technologies, and outreach to highly rural veterans.

    An estimated 2.7 million rural and highly rural veterans are enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Many rural veterans enrolled in the VA health care system are at an advanced age, with approximately 54 percent aged 65 or older. With the aging veteran population growing increasingly medically complex and more likely to be diagnosed with chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease, each requiring more frequent, ongoing, and costly care, these funds would help close the gap and get highly rural veterans the care they need.

    Telehealth Services

    Heinrich successfully secured $6,356,035,000 to sustain and increase telehealth capacity and expand the reach of VA medical providers to veterans in highly rural areas through the use of in-home telehealth and remote patient monitoring services. The bill also supports the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) rulemaking to eliminate copays for all virtual medical appointments of any type and especially for primary and preventative care appointments.

    Preventing Veteran Homelessness

    Heinrich successfully secured $3,459,121,000 to prevent veteran homelessness, including $702,821,000 to bolster the Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program, which would meet the needs of veterans including help with the rising costs of household goods; $670,900,000 for case management and administration of Housing and Urban Development – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers; $323,100,000 for the Grant and Per Diem Program, which would support transitional housing and assist veterans in achieving housing stability; and, $139,843,000 for Veterans Justice Outreach and Legal Services for Veterans grants to award community-based organizations with funds to assist veterans with legal issues like accessing benefits, navigating family law, and securing safe and stable housing.

    Veterans Affairs Service Purchasing (VASP) Program

    Heinrich successfully secured report language directing the VA to explain why it abruptly ended the Veterans Affairs Service Purchasing program, a critical program that would keep veterans who were unable to pay their mortgage in their homes. At least 130 New Mexico veterans could be impacted by this administration’s shortsighted decision to end the Veterans Affairs Service Purchasing program without loss mitigation policies.

    Access to Medications for Substance Use Disorder

    Heinrich successfully secured $709,573,000 for the Opioid Prevention and Treatment programs at the VA, including $454,086,000 for treatment programs and $254,487,000 to continue implementation of the Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act. Heinrich voted in favor of this bill’s authorizing legislation, the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, in 2016 (P.L. 114-198).

    Veteran Family Resource Program

    Heinrich successfully secured language to require a status report on the Veteran Family Resource Program rollout, including authorities and funding needed to ensure a successful, continued rollout that reduces rates of child abuse and neglect among families with veterans. Services would include interventions like case management assistance to address evidence-based risk factors like housing and food insecurity in veteran families.

    Childcare Assistance

    Heinrich successfully secured an additional $3,000,000 in the VA’s overall budget to support the expansion of childcare centers at VA medical facilities through a pilot program. Heinrich originally voted in favor of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-163) while Congressman for New Mexico’s 1stCongressional district. This bill led to the VA’s initial childcare pilot program to assess feasibility and advisability of providing childcare services to veterans receiving mental health and intensive health care services.

    As a result, in 2016, the VA launched a childcare pilot program to implement three (3) free, drop-in childcare service centers across three locations in the states of New York and Washington. Survey data indicate nearly a third of veterans are interested in childcare services and approximately 10 percent have had to cancel or reschedule medical appointments due to lack of childcare.

    Grants for Construction of State Extended Care Facilities

    Heinrich successfully secured $171,000,000 in construction funds for state extended care facilities. In New Mexico, there is only one VA long-term care facility, despite demand for additional capacity and facilities. These facilities are particularly important to ensure aging and disabled veterans receive the appropriate level of care.

    Medical and Prosthetics Research

    Heinrich successfully secured $943,000,000 to fund medical, rehabilitative, and health services research and support basic and clinical studies that advance knowledge leading to improvements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and disabilities. Medical and prosthetic research at the Department of Veterans Affairs includes the fields of prosthetics, orthotics, adaptive equipment for vehicles, sensory aids, and related areas.

    VA Court of Appeals

    Heinrich successful secured language requiring the VA to improve transparency surrounding the large back log of cases at the VA Court of Appeals. According to last year’s Annual Report, there is a backlog of 200,805 cases.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz, Banks Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Build More Affordable Housing, Address America’s Growing Housing Crisis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) today introduced the Build More Housing Near Transit Act. The bipartisan legislation continues Senator Schatz’s efforts to address America’s housing shortage by offering federal benefits and encouraging local governments to build more housing near transit-oriented urban and suburban spaces, where options are especially lacking.

    “The clearest way out of our national housing shortage is by building more housing,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bipartisan bill incentivizes cities and towns to build housing when they expand or redevelop their public transit systems. This will help put more families in homes, grow local economies, and cut carbon pollution. It’s a win for everyone.”

    “This bill makes it easier for communities to build homes for working families by cutting red tape and giving them the freedom to create strong, family-friendly neighborhoods near public transit,” said Senator Banks.

    Specifically, the legislation directs the Secretary of Transportation to provide a scoring boost to the competitive grant applications of public transit projects that include regulatory reforms that legalize new housing near stations, including removing expensive parking mandates, streamlining approval for new housing, allowing houses on smaller lots, raising height limits, and other pro-housing policies.

    Currently, 47 percent of renter households are cost-burdened, and lack of housing options in transit-friendly areas is a major contributor to this. In addition, transportation costs are often a household’s second-largest expenditure behind housing, meaning more housing in transit areas would have a two-fold benefit.

    By offering easier access to transit centers, the Build More Housing Near Transit Act will connect more employees with jobs and boost economic output, as well as reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased public transit ridership. It will also make federal transportation projects more efficient and ensure federal dollars are used most effectively.

    “America is experiencing a severe housing shortage that affects every aspect of American lives and the economy,” said Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth Action. “The Build More Housing Near Transit Act addresses the critical link between transportation and housing and would create greater access to affordable commutes and abundant housing. We applaud the lead sponsors for introducing this bill, serving as an example of how the federal government can use its leverage to ensure the right types of housing are available in the places people want to live.”

    “For decades, the federal government has funded mass transit projects in cities whose growth control laws do not allow people to live near and ride on transit. The Build More Housing Near Transit Act finally corrects this. It protects transit riders and the federal taxpayer from spending scarce transit capital on projects doomed by rigid zoning regulations to low housing growth and low future ridership, while uplifting projects in localities that welcome housing & transit ridership growth. This bill is the essential first step in restoring bipartisan confidence in America’s mass transit investments for taxpayers and transit riders alike,” said Alex Armlovich, Senior Housing Policy Analyst for the Niskanen Center.

    The full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan & Colleagues Seek to Reauthorize Young Fishermen’s Development Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
    07.22.25
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) have introduced bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Young Fishermen’s Development Act, first signed into law by President Trump in 2021, to continue to mitigate the challenges and hurdles facing the next generation of entrants into the fishing industry. The legislation would authorize $2 million annually through FY 2031 to support regional training opportunities and apprenticeship programs for individuals building their early careers in the fishing industry.
    “Over the last four years, the Young Fishermen’s Development Program has helped reduce the high barriers and costs that too often prevent prospective fishermen from filling the ranks of the fishing sector,” said Senator Sullivan. “We want to ensure the next generation of fishermen can continue utilizing these grants, training opportunities, and apprenticeship programs that will bolster our fishing fleet and maintain Alaska’s status as the global superpower of seafood. I urge my colleagues to join us in reauthorizing this important program that is focused on reversing the ‘greying’ of the fleet, supporting our many coastal communities, and empowering our fishermen to continue sustainably harvesting our world-class seafood.”
    “Fishing is a cornerstone of the Massachusetts economy, and a vital economic driver for the nation, but there are far too many barriers preventing young people from joining the industry,” said Senator Markey. “With this legislation, we are reaffirming our commitment to the next generation of fishermen by working to build their ability to push off the dock into fulfilling careers at sea. I thank my colleagues for their partnership on this bill and will continue to fight for this important program and our fishing communities.”
    “This legislation provides our next generation of fishermen with the resources they need to be successful, and keep Wild Alaska Seafood on tables around the country,” said Senator Murkowski. “The Young Fishermen’s Development Act equipped our next generation of fishermen with important education, hands-on training, and financial resources. I thank Senator Sullivan for his advocacy on this issue, and look forward working alongside him to reauthorize the YFDA and ensure these benefits continue to be realized by young Alaskans.”
    “The fishing industry is crucial to the economic success of coastal Mississippi,” said Senator Wicker. “The Young Fishermen’s Development Act encourages future generations of anglers to take advantage of opportunities to perfect their skills. Fishermen of all ages should have the resources to be successful.”
    “The Fishing Communities Coalition and our members from across the country are deeply grateful to Senator Sullivan and the bipartisan, multi-coastal, bicameral cosponsors of this legislation for their commitment to the continued success of the Young Fishermen’s Development Program,” said Noah Oppenheim, coordinator of the Fishing Communities Coalition. “The nation’s community-based commercial fisheries have benefitted from this small but mighty program through enhanced workforce development and safety training opportunities. The reauthorization of this program will support hundreds of additional early-career fishermen as they begin working in America’s oldest profession. Five years ago President Trump signed the original Young Fishermen’s Development Act into law, and we look forward to supporting this bill as it advances through Congress and lands on his desk once again.”
    “Commercial fishing is an inherently dangerous way of life, with the challenges only increasing as our oceans warm and storms intensify,” said Linda Behnken, executive director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association. “To be successful, young fishermen need a host of skills. Senator Sullivan’s support for the YFDA funds that skill building, providing the boost our young bloods need to succeed.”
    “This program has support from across the political spectrum because it’s about investing in American jobs and food security,” said Michelle Stratton, executive director of FCC founding member Alaska Marine Conservation Council. “Senator Sullivan and Senator Murkowski’s strong support for the YFDA five years ago recognized the importance of our domestic fishing fleet. Their support today is a reaffirmation of their commitment to ensuring future generations of harvesters and fishing communities can thrive for generations to come.”
    The fishing industry employs more individuals than any other industry in Alaska. However, barriers such as high costs to enter a fishery, financial risk, and limited entry-level opportunities make it difficult for young men and women to gain access to the fishing industry.
    Senator Sullivan’s legislation would:
    Provide training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen entering the industry.
    Authorize competitive grants to support new and established local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen, including programs, workshops, and fishing related services.
    Authorize $2 million annually for program funding.
    Congressman Nick Begich (R-Alaska) has led the introduction of companion legislation in the House.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Mullin joins Fox News’ “The Big Ben Show”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)
    Washington, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), joined the Fox News podcast, “The Big Ben Show” hosted by Ben Domenech. The Senator discussed getting President Trump’s nominees confirmed, America leading the way again on the world stage under President Trump, and the influx of jobs to Oklahoma. Highlights below.
    The full interview can be found here.
    On President Trump’s Unique Cabinet and Secretary Hegseth’s Confirmation:
    “If you’re going to change D.C., you’ve got to bring new people in that want change. And it was a resistance… The hardest one to get through, Secretary Hegseth… The President and I sat down and talked about it, and he said, ‘What do you think?’ And I said, ‘Man, just go for it.’ He goes, ‘I agree. Let’s just go for it.’ He said, if we can win this one, we can win them all. And he said, ‘You think Pete can do it?’ And I said, ‘Have you seen him? He hasn’t backed down.’ All the stories coming out about him. He’s going right at it. His wife was walking the hallways. And I said he’s the perfect one to be the first one out the gate, and it set the tone.
    “Literally Hegseth’s nomination set the tone for this administration, because he tackled it head on and said, bring it. Don’t care. We’re going to bring it. And this is the cast of characters that I’m putting around me, and all of them have a passion for change, and the media is losing their ever-loving mind over it because they can’t wrap their hand around it, because why? They’re doing things different.”
    On the vacuum left between Trump Administrations:
    “The best thing that happened to Trump 45 versus Trump 47, is the world got a taste of 46 and they hated it. They realized the hole that is left when the United States doesn’t lead. And when the United States isn’t leading what happens around the world?”
    On America leading again:
    “I met with the Secretary of NATO. I had dinner with him the other night… He said, we need a leader that’s going to lead. Otherwise, you have a NATO body that you have a bunch of different fractions. When you have one person that people look at and respect from a strength perspective, not fear, strength… So foreign affairs, we’re in the best position we’ve ever been. I talk to foreign leaders all over the world on a weekly basis and they are excited about America being back.”
    On the influx of jobs to Oklahoma:
    “Oklahoma has received an unbelievable amount of influx in manufacturing jobs, from pharmaceuticals to literally smelting plants, to the Northern Hemisphere’s largest paper plant because of the friendly environment it brings… You want an opportunity for your kids to be able to make a living there, and not just get by, not just scrape by, but make a living.” 
    On the household income in Oklahoma booming under the Trump Administration:
    “The average household income in Oklahoma when I first got in office 12 years ago, was $37,000. That has increased to over $50,000 now… But it’s continuing to grow every single day and this administration has put it on steroids. So, what we’re seeing is that people were having to leave communities like Adair County, they’re able to stay there because of the investments happening all around us, and so our kids don’t have to leave home anymore. So, our small towns that were dying, they’re able to thrive again… they’re able to drive and come back and stay right there in their own communities.”
    On Senator Mullin’s role in the Senate:
    “We want to be where we can be the most effective… I wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think we were being effective… But the fact that we’re being so dominant in winning right now is exciting to me.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan & Colleagues Seek to Reauthorize Young Fishermen’s Development Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

    07.22.25

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) have introduced bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Young Fishermen’s Development Act, first signed into law by President Trump in 2021, to continue to mitigate the challenges and hurdles facing the next generation of entrants into the fishing industry. The legislation would authorize $2 million annually through FY 2031 to support regional training opportunities and apprenticeship programs for individuals building their early careers in the fishing industry.

    “Over the last four years, the Young Fishermen’s Development Program has helped reduce the high barriers and costs that too often prevent prospective fishermen from filling the ranks of the fishing sector,” said Senator Sullivan. “We want to ensure the next generation of fishermen can continue utilizing these grants, training opportunities, and apprenticeship programs that will bolster our fishing fleet and maintain Alaska’s status as the global superpower of seafood. I urge my colleagues to join us in reauthorizing this important program that is focused on reversing the ‘greying’ of the fleet, supporting our many coastal communities, and empowering our fishermen to continue sustainably harvesting our world-class seafood.”

    “Fishing is a cornerstone of the Massachusetts economy, and a vital economic driver for the nation, but there are far too many barriers preventing young people from joining the industry,” said Senator Markey. “With this legislation, we are reaffirming our commitment to the next generation of fishermen by working to build their ability to push off the dock into fulfilling careers at sea. I thank my colleagues for their partnership on this bill and will continue to fight for this important program and our fishing communities.”

    “This legislation provides our next generation of fishermen with the resources they need to be successful, and keep Wild Alaska Seafood on tables around the country,” said Senator Murkowski. “The Young Fishermen’s Development Act equipped our next generation of fishermen with important education, hands-on training, and financial resources. I thank Senator Sullivan for his advocacy on this issue, and look forward working alongside him to reauthorize the YFDA and ensure these benefits continue to be realized by young Alaskans.”

    “The fishing industry is crucial to the economic success of coastal Mississippi,” said Senator Wicker. “The Young Fishermen’s Development Act encourages future generations of anglers to take advantage of opportunities to perfect their skills. Fishermen of all ages should have the resources to be successful.”

    “The Fishing Communities Coalition and our members from across the country are deeply grateful to Senator Sullivan and the bipartisan, multi-coastal, bicameral cosponsors of this legislation for their commitment to the continued success of the Young Fishermen’s Development Program,” said Noah Oppenheim, coordinator of the Fishing Communities Coalition. “The nation’s community-based commercial fisheries have benefitted from this small but mighty program through enhanced workforce development and safety training opportunities. The reauthorization of this program will support hundreds of additional early-career fishermen as they begin working in America’s oldest profession. Five years ago President Trump signed the original Young Fishermen’s Development Act into law, and we look forward to supporting this bill as it advances through Congress and lands on his desk once again.”

    “Commercial fishing is an inherently dangerous way of life, with the challenges only increasing as our oceans warm and storms intensify,” said Linda Behnken, executive director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association. “To be successful, young fishermen need a host of skills. Senator Sullivan’s support for the YFDA funds that skill building, providing the boost our young bloods need to succeed.”

    “This program has support from across the political spectrum because it’s about investing in American jobs and food security,” said Michelle Stratton, executive director of FCC founding member Alaska Marine Conservation Council. “Senator Sullivan and Senator Murkowski’s strong support for the YFDA five years ago recognized the importance of our domestic fishing fleet. Their support today is a reaffirmation of their commitment to ensuring future generations of harvesters and fishing communities can thrive for generations to come.”

    The fishing industry employs more individuals than any other industry in Alaska. However, barriers such as high costs to enter a fishery, financial risk, and limited entry-level opportunities make it difficult for young men and women to gain access to the fishing industry.

    Senator Sullivan’s legislation would:

    • Provide training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen entering the industry.
    • Authorize competitive grants to support new and established local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen, including programs, workshops, and fishing related services.
    • Authorize $2 million annually for program funding.

    Congressman Nick Begich (R-Alaska) has led the introduction of companion legislation in the House.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sullivan & Colleagues Seek to Reauthorize Young Fishermen’s Development Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan

    07.22.25

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski (both R-Alaska), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) have introduced bipartisan legislation reauthorizing the Young Fishermen’s Development Act, first signed into law by President Trump in 2021, to continue to mitigate the challenges and hurdles facing the next generation of entrants into the fishing industry. The legislation would authorize $2 million annually through FY 2031 to support regional training opportunities and apprenticeship programs for individuals building their early careers in the fishing industry.

    “Over the last four years, the Young Fishermen’s Development Program has helped reduce the high barriers and costs that too often prevent prospective fishermen from filling the ranks of the fishing sector,” said Senator Sullivan. “We want to ensure the next generation of fishermen can continue utilizing these grants, training opportunities, and apprenticeship programs that will bolster our fishing fleet and maintain Alaska’s status as the global superpower of seafood. I urge my colleagues to join us in reauthorizing this important program that is focused on reversing the ‘greying’ of the fleet, supporting our many coastal communities, and empowering our fishermen to continue sustainably harvesting our world-class seafood.”

    “Fishing is a cornerstone of the Massachusetts economy, and a vital economic driver for the nation, but there are far too many barriers preventing young people from joining the industry,” said Senator Markey. “With this legislation, we are reaffirming our commitment to the next generation of fishermen by working to build their ability to push off the dock into fulfilling careers at sea. I thank my colleagues for their partnership on this bill and will continue to fight for this important program and our fishing communities.”

    “This legislation provides our next generation of fishermen with the resources they need to be successful, and keep Wild Alaska Seafood on tables around the country,” said Senator Murkowski. “The Young Fishermen’s Development Act equipped our next generation of fishermen with important education, hands-on training, and financial resources. I thank Senator Sullivan for his advocacy on this issue, and look forward working alongside him to reauthorize the YFDA and ensure these benefits continue to be realized by young Alaskans.”

    “The fishing industry is crucial to the economic success of coastal Mississippi,” said Senator Wicker. “The Young Fishermen’s Development Act encourages future generations of anglers to take advantage of opportunities to perfect their skills. Fishermen of all ages should have the resources to be successful.”

    “The Fishing Communities Coalition and our members from across the country are deeply grateful to Senator Sullivan and the bipartisan, multi-coastal, bicameral cosponsors of this legislation for their commitment to the continued success of the Young Fishermen’s Development Program,” said Noah Oppenheim, coordinator of the Fishing Communities Coalition. “The nation’s community-based commercial fisheries have benefitted from this small but mighty program through enhanced workforce development and safety training opportunities. The reauthorization of this program will support hundreds of additional early-career fishermen as they begin working in America’s oldest profession. Five years ago President Trump signed the original Young Fishermen’s Development Act into law, and we look forward to supporting this bill as it advances through Congress and lands on his desk once again.”

    “Commercial fishing is an inherently dangerous way of life, with the challenges only increasing as our oceans warm and storms intensify,” said Linda Behnken, executive director of the Alaska Longline Fishermen’s Association. “To be successful, young fishermen need a host of skills. Senator Sullivan’s support for the YFDA funds that skill building, providing the boost our young bloods need to succeed.”

    “This program has support from across the political spectrum because it’s about investing in American jobs and food security,” said Michelle Stratton, executive director of FCC founding member Alaska Marine Conservation Council. “Senator Sullivan and Senator Murkowski’s strong support for the YFDA five years ago recognized the importance of our domestic fishing fleet. Their support today is a reaffirmation of their commitment to ensuring future generations of harvesters and fishing communities can thrive for generations to come.”

    The fishing industry employs more individuals than any other industry in Alaska. However, barriers such as high costs to enter a fishery, financial risk, and limited entry-level opportunities make it difficult for young men and women to gain access to the fishing industry.

    Senator Sullivan’s legislation would:

    • Provide training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen entering the industry.
    • Authorize competitive grants to support new and established local and regional training, education, outreach, and technical assistance initiatives for young fishermen, including programs, workshops, and fishing related services.
    • Authorize $2 million annually for program funding.

    Congressman Nick Begich (R-Alaska) has led the introduction of companion legislation in the House.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley, Blumenthal Unveil Bipartisan Bill Empowering Working Americans to Sue Big Tech, AI Companies for Stealing Creative Works

    US Senate News:

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

    Monday, July 21, 2025

    Today, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) introduced bipartisan legislation to protect consumers’ data rights and hold Big Tech companies accountable for illegally pirating creators’ copyrighted works to train their artificial intelligence (AI) models.

    Senator Hawley’s legislation follows his recent Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing where he sounded the alarm on AI companies’ willful engagement in “the largest intellectual property theft in American history.”

    “AI companies are robbing the American people blind while leaving artists, writers, and other creators with zero recourse. It’s time for Congress to give the American worker their day in court to protect their personal data and creative works. My bipartisan legislation would finally empower working Americans who now find their livelihoods in the crosshairs of Big Tech’s lawlessness,” said Senator Hawley.

    “This bill embodies a bipartisan consensus that AI safeguards are urgent—because the technology is moving at accelerating speed, and so are dangers to privacy. Enforceable rules can put consumers back in control of their data, and help bar abuses. Tech companies must be held accountable—and liable legally—when they breach consumer privacy, collecting, monetizing or sharing personal information without express consent. Consumers must be given rights and remedies—and legal tools to make them real—not relying on government enforcement alone,” Senator Blumenthal said.

    Senators Hawley and Blumenthal have previously teamed up to put power back in the hands of users when it comes to Big Tech. Last Congress, they introduced a bipartisan framework to implement guardrails for AI that would protect consumers.

    The AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act will: 

    • Bar AI companies from stealing and training on copyright works. The bill safeguards individuals’ copyrighted materials from being used in AI training or AI-generated content without permission. 
    • Create a federal tort for data misuse. The legislation allows individuals to sue any person or company that appropriates, uses, sells, or exploits their personal data or copyrighted works without clear, affirmative consent. 
    • Provide transparency for creators. The bill requires companies to clearly disclose every third party that will access an individual’s data at the time consent is sought. 
    • Ensure robust remedies. The legislation provides for stiff financial penalties, injunctive relief, and protects the ability of individuals to sue in court and join class actions. 

    Read the full bill text here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lummis Releases Discussion Draft for Comprehensive Digital Asset Market Structure Legislation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    Washington, D.C. –  U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) joined Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC) and U.S. Senators Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN) in releasing a discussion draft of the Banking Committee provisions of comprehensive digital asset market structure legislation, building on principles developed in collaboration with Chairman Scott to establish a clear regulatory framework for the digital asset industry.

    “The time for regulatory uncertainty in the digital asset space has come to an end,” said Lummis. “This discussion draft represents a thoughtful, balanced approach that will provide the clarity our innovators need while providing robust consumer protections. We cannot allow regulatory confusion to continue driving American innovation overseas. Market structure legislation will establish clear distinctions between digital asset securities and commodities, modernize our regulatory framework, and position the United States as the global leader in digital asset innovation.”

    The discussion draft incorporates key principles designed to:

    • Establish Clear Legal Definitions: Create statutory distinctions between digital asset securities and commodities, providing regulatory certainty and predictability for market participants
    • Allocate Regulatory Authority: Clearly delineates jurisdiction between Federal agencies, ensuring appropriate oversight without regulatory overlap or gaps
    • Modernize Federal Law: Updates securities regulations to account for the unique characteristics of digital assets and distributed ledger technology
    • Protect Consumers and Market Participants: Implements appropriate registration and risk management requirements for centralized digital asset intermediaries while preserving self-custody rights
    • Target Illicit Finance Measures: Include focused provisions to prevent money laundering and sanctions evasion while supporting innovation
    • Foster Responsible Innovation: Encourage federal regulators to provide clear guidance and utilize tools like no-action letters and regulatory sandboxes

    The discussion draft recognizes the different risk profiles of centralized firms versus decentralized protocols and acknowledges that distributed ledger technology extends beyond financial applications. It also emphasizes that tokenization represents an evolution of financial infrastructure that enhances efficiency and transparency.

    Senator Lummis and Chairman Scott are issuing a Request for Information (RFI) for stakeholders to submit feedback on the draft and on a wide range of questions. To participate in the RFI, please submit your feedback to MarketStructure_RFI@banking.senate.gov. 

    A copy of the discussion draft can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hagerty Introduces Thomas Rose, Trump’s Nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Poland

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Tennessee Bill Hagerty

    WASHINGTON—Today, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, introduced Thomas Rose, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Poland, at a nomination hearing.

    *Click the photo above or here to watch*

    Remarks as prepared for delivery:

    I’m honored to introduce a friend, a principled conservative, and a steadfast supporter of America First and U.S. national interests abroad—Mr. Thomas Rose, President Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Ambassador to Poland.

    Tom is an exceptional pick to represent the United States to one of our strongest European allies.

    Tom’s qualifications are reflected in his lifetime of experience and success in public service and in journalism.

    As a young journalist, he covered the apartheid crisis in South Africa, political changes in the Philippines, and the fall of the Berlin Wall—and his documentary about the plight of Soviet Jews was nominated for an Emmy award.

    He was then trusted to hold a number of significant management roles in media, including as publisher and CEO of The Jerusalem Post, one of the most influential English-language newspapers in the Middle East.

    Tom later served as Chief Strategist and Senior Advisor in the Office of the Vice President during President Trump’s first term, when I had the opportunity to see firsthand his strategic insight, deep patriotism, and clear-eyed understanding of America’s role in the world.

    Most recently, Tom has co-hosted a talk show where he has demonstrated a deep understanding of global affairs, a consistent commitment to conservative principles, and an ability to clearly articulate America’s interests and values to a broad audience—qualities essential for advancing U.S. interests and strengthening the U.S.-Poland relationship at this critical time.

    Throughout his life and career, Tom has shown he can navigate complex issues with clarity, courage, and decisiveness.

    Poland is one of our most vital partners in Europe—Poland is the biggest spender on defense as a portion of GDP in NATO and Poland serves as a critical bulwark on the alliance’s eastern flank.

    We need someone with Tom’s talents to advance America’s foreign policy in Poland, to serve as a bridge between our two governments, to advocate for our national interests, and to champion the principles that have made the U.S.-Poland partnership so robust.

    Tom is exactly the right person to serve as our nation’s next ambassador in Warsaw, and I urge my colleagues on this Committee to support his nomination.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King to Africa Command Nominee: “We’re Taking Our Eye off the Terrorism Ball”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) questioned a Trump Administration nominee about his thoughts on the current role of ISIS, Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups within the African region. In his exchange with Air Force Lieutenant General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, nominee to be general and Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), King asked if America’s focus on Asian nations in the Pacific is undercutting its ability to root out and counter terrorism in Africa and the Middle East.

    “General Anderson, one of the things that concerns me, and it relates somewhat to the aid question, but more generally is the rise of terrorism. And you mentioned September 11th. That was 19 people, and my concern is with our so-called pivot to the Indo-Pacific we’re taking our eye off the terrorism ball. Could you share with us the thoughts about the status of Al Qaeda and ISIS in Africa, and what we should be watching out for and being concerned of?” Senator King asked.

    “Yes, Senator, I appreciate that concern, and if confirmed, I will definitely make this a priority to assess as it’s been four years since I was at SOCAFRICA [Special Operations Command Africa],” General Anderson responded. “With that said though, we have seen the terrorist groups move much of their operations into the ungoverned spaces of Africa, both ISIS and Al-Qaeda. We’re seeing ISIS active in Somalia as well as in West Africa – ISIS West Africa. AQIM [Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb] and their affiliate, JNIM [Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin], are also very active in the Sahel, both with intent to attack US interests.”

    General Anderson continued, “Whether or not they have that capability is not clear. And so, to your point, one of the greatest concerns we have is having enough resources and enough relationships to be able to understand how these threats are progressing. So, we have an adequate amount of indicators and warnings and we know what the threat to the United States could be so we could take action. The access is also critical with our partners to understand what’s happening with these threats, and I would also say what is happening with some of the other powers there, and how they may be working with them or maybe not acting in our interests, so that we can understand what the threat landscape is on the continent.”

    As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator King is recognized as an authoritative voice on national security, foreign policy issues, and an active, vocal supporter of the importance of democratic values and defeating terrorism. Senator King traveled to the Middle East last month, to get a closer look at the threats to stability in the region, calling for continued American engagement in the region.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Cosponsors Bill to Prohibit Sharing of Personal Data of DACA Program Applicants with Immigration Officials

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) has joined legislation to prohibit the sharing of sensitive personal data, like taxpayer and health information, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act would provide a statutory guarantee to current and prospective Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program applicants, also known as Dreamers, that the private information they provide in their applications will not be used against them. This comes as the Trump Administration increases information sharing to advance its mass deportation agenda.

    The Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act will prohibit the DHS Secretary from disclosing information included in an individual’s application for the DACA program to law enforcement agencies, including ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), for any purpose other than the implementation of the DACA program, with limited exceptions.

    “Dreamers are productive, established members of our community woven into the fabric of our lives; neighbors and friends that go to school, work at the local store, and contribute honestly to American society no matter the passport they hold,” Senator King said. “The Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act would allow thousands of law-abiding Dreamers to continue living their lives and making contributions to society without fear of their personal information being misused by those enforcing the administration’s misguided deportation agenda.”

    Since 2012, more than 825,000 people have received deferred action pursuant to DACA, contributing an estimated $140 billion to the U.S. economy in spending power and paying $40 billion in combined federal, payroll, state, and local taxes. In 2021, a federal district court judge paused the DACA program and prevented USCIS from approving any new DACA applications. In March 2025, however, a Fifth Circuit decision giving United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) the authority to start processing initial DACA applications from states other than Texas went into effect.

    Last month, the Trump Administration gave Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personal data, including immigration status, on millions of Medicaid enrollees and announced it would require some undocumented immigrants to register with DHS. The Administration also finalized an agreement giving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) access to taxpayer data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, the Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently gained access to key immigration databases, including the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) Courts and Appeals System (ECAS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Data Business Intelligence Services, which contains information on noncitizens who have applied for DACA, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Unaccompanied Alien Children portal.

    Specifically, the Protect DREAMer Confidentiality Act will:

    1. Direct the DHS Secretary to protect the information included in an individual’s application to the DACA program from disclosure to ICE, CBP, and any other law enforcement agency for any purpose other than the implementation of the DACA program;
    2. Prohibit the DHS Secretary from referring anyone with deferred enforcement protections pursuant to the DACA program to ICE, CBP, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and any other law enforcement agency; and
    3. Provide limited exceptions for when an individual’s application information may be shared with national security and law enforcement agencies, namely:
      1. To identify or prevent fraudulent claims;
      2. For particularized national security concerns; and
      3. For the investigation or prosecution of a felony, provided that the felony in question is not related to the applicant’s immigration status.

    In addition to King, this bill is cosponsored by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Brian Schatz (D-HI), John Fetterman (D-PA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Patty Murray (D-WA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Peter Welch (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jack Reed (D-RI), Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT).

    Senator King is a strong opponent of the Trump Administration’s continued efforts to repeal protections for DACA recipients. He has repeatedly sought a legislative solution to provide stability for DACA recipients. Most recently, he sent a letter to Acting Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Angelica Alfonso-Royals, highlighting the popular support for providing Dreamers a pathway to citizenship and request that the Trump Administration comply with the recent Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling to resume processing applications for DACA. Previously, Senator King joined a group of his Senate colleagues in a letter urging former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to immediately take up the bipartisan House-passed American Dream and Promise Act, which would establish a path to citizenship for Dreamers and immigrants with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). In addition, King led a bipartisan proposal with Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) that would have provided legislative protections for Dreamers.

    A one-page summary of the bill is here.

    The text of the bill is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján Secures Nearly $17 Million in Federal Investments for New Mexico in Committee-Passed Appropriations Bills

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) announced funding secured for New Mexico communities through the Appropriations Committee’s bipartisan passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Bill and Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) Appropriations Bill.

    From both appropriations bills, Senator Luján secured $16,820,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for key local projects that will strengthen our national security, boost violence intervention programs, and equip law enforcement with the resources needed to keep New Mexico communities safe.  

    “Across New Mexico, these vital investments will deliver resources to enhance public safety in our communities and upgrade infrastructure at our military bases to boost our military’s readiness and safety,” said Senator Luján. “This funding will equip our brave law enforcement officers with the tools they need to protect New Mexicans, support programs aimed at reducing youth violence and violence in Tribal communities, and reinforce critical infrastructure at our military bases. I’m proud to have fought to secure these investments for our communities, and I’ll continue working to deliver the federal support our families and communities need and deserve.”

    The Committee process is the first step, and the appropriations bills will next be considered by the full U.S. Senate.

    Senator Luján Secured Nearly $17 Million for the Following Local Projects:

    Strengthening New Mexico’s Air Force Bases:

    • $8,100,000 for infrastructure upgrades at Cannon Air Force Base, specifically for ADAL Security Forces Facility. Secured by Senator Luján and Senator Heinrich.
    • $2,000,000 for infrastructure upgrades at Kirtland Air Force Base, specifically for the design for the Wyoming Gate Project. Secured by Senator Luján and Senator Heinrich.
    • $700,000 for infrastructure upgrades at Holloman Air Force Base, specifically for the design for the Holloman High Speed Test Track. Secured by Senator Luján and Senator Heinrich.

    Boosting Public Safety Throughout New Mexico:

    • $1,069,000 for the City of Albuquerque’s Real Time Crime Center for the purchase of law enforcement technology.
    • $1,042,000 for Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office to purchase a new fleet of vehicles.
    • $1,031,000 for the New Mexico Department of Public Safety Police to provide 5G technology in fleet vehicles. Secured by Senator Luján, Senator Heinrich, and Representative Stansbury in the House-companion bill.
    • $1,000,000 for UNM Office of the Medical Investigator DNA processing laboratory to allow for the purchase of equipment for DNA identification. Secured by Senator Luján and Senator Heinrich.
    • $500,000 for Bernalillo Country public safety technology upgrades to address high rates of crime in the Albuquerque metro area. Secured by Senator Luján, Senator Heinrich, and Representative Vasquez in the House-companion bill.
    • $250,000 for the San Juan County Partnership’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program to assist in mitigating individuals with substance use disorder or mental/behavioral health challenges from continuously interacting with law enforcement.

    Funding Violence Intervention and Prevention Programs:

    • $1,0350,000 for the City of Albuquerque’s expansion of school-based violence intervention program to assist at risk students by improving grades and reducing youth violence.
    • $93,000 for the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native women to address challenges in domestic violence and sexual violence in Tribal communities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Leads Colleagues in Urging FAA to Expedite Delivery of Federal Resources for Michigan Airports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) led a bipartisan group of his Senate colleagues in urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to expedite the disbursement of grant funding that helps upgrade airport infrastructure and makes air travel more efficient. In a letter to FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, Peters expressed the importance of investments from both the Airport Improvement Plan (AIP) and Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) programs, which provide formula-based funding awards to nearly 3,300 public-use airports across the nation, including Michigan’s 18 commercial airports and nearly 70 additional public use airports across the state. Despite these investments being made annually, funding is often not available to airports until late June or July, which impacts some airports’ ability to fully leverage these investments.  

    “For small airports with limited resources and in states with truncated construction seasons due to severe weather, this delay poses significant challenges,” the senators wrote. “It results in project cancellations, increased costs, and makes each federal dollar less effective.”

    The Senators went on to highlight the role that airports play in stimulating economic growth and job creation, arguing that more timely investments from AIP and AIG would help improve economic development initiatives in communities across the country.

    The Senators continued: “Small and large airports alike are also critical arteries for interstate commerce, tourism travel, and local economic growth. Recent reports show U.S. commercial airports supported 12.8 million jobs and produced $1.8 trillion in economic output in 2024 and general aviation supported over 1.3 million jobs and $339.2 billion in total economic output in the U.S. We all have a vested interest in reducing red tape and maximizing the effectiveness of AIP and AIG entitlement funds. Doing so would ensure airports can deliver projects without unnecessary delays or cost escalations and provide greater benefits to the constituents we all serve.” 

    The letter is supported by the Michigan Department of Transportation, National Association of State Aviation Officials, the American Association of Airport Executives, and the Transportation Construction Coalition.

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Bills to Eliminate Burn Pits and Help Veterans Exposed to Burn Pits 

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this week introduced the Waste and Illegal Property Eradication (WIPE) Act and the Health Records Enhancement Act, bipartisan, bicameral bills that would improve, expand, and enhance protections for veterans under the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT) Act in addition to eliminating burn pits to help prevent future toxic exposure cases. U.S. Representatives Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) introduced companion legislation for both bills in the House. U.S. Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY-24) is a cosponsor of the Health Records Enhancement Act in the House. 
    The WIPE Act is cosponsored by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and would improve servicemember health and strengthen national security by improving how the U.S. military eliminates dangerous materials both at home and overseas. This legislation invests in safer disposal systems for the future by replacing outdated and harmful waste disposal practices with modern, secure alternatives and will incur no increase in overall defense spending by offsetting the same amount from funds allocated for current open-air waste disposals in contingency operations. The WIPE Act’s provisions prohibiting the use of open-air burn pits and use of the disposal systems were included in the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).  
    The Health Records Enhancement Act will improve data collection on burn pit and toxic substance exposure by allowing family members to provide the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense to with vital health data and observations of health conditions related to toxic exposure for designated individuals or deceased veterans. 
    “When we passed the PACT Act, we took a major step forward to ensure the cost of the war will include the cost of caring for the warrior. But we can—and must—do more to address the risk burn pits and other toxic substances pose for our veterans,” said Senator Welch. “These bills will improve protections for veterans exposed to toxic substances and invest in waste disposal alternatives that will eliminate burn pits. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan group in introducing these essential, common-sense bills.”  
    “Our servicemembers make extraordinary sacrifices to defend our nation, and we owe it to them to ensure they are not exposed to unnecessary harm while serving,” said Senator Tillis. “These commonsense bills allow us to invest in safer, more secure waste disposal systems to eliminate the use of toxic burn pits and improve data collection on burn pit exposure to better protect the health of our troops and veterans.” 
    “As an emergency medicine physician and founder of the bipartisan Burn Pits Caucus, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating health consequences toxic exposure has had on our servicemembers. The WIPE Act and Health Registry Enhancement Act take urgent, practical steps to eliminate burn pits and strengthen protections for veterans who have already suffered too much. These bipartisan bills are about accountability, prevention, and doing right by the men and women who sacrificed for our country. We must ensure no generation of veterans is ever again left to suffer from toxic exposure,” said Representative Dr. Ruiz. 
    “Exposure to toxic emissions from burn pit toxins has led to tragic consequences for far too many members of our military community.  We owe it to our heroes to transition to safer, more sustainable waste management technologies,” said Representative Bilirakis.  “We have a moral obligation to explore ways to protect public health, reduce environmental harm, and fulfill our responsibility to those impacted by outdated and dangerous disposal practices. Our bill is an important step in the right direction.” 
    Senator Welch has championed efforts to limit toxic substance exposure among veterans in the Senate, including supporting legislation to educate servicemembers on the impact of burn pits and other airborne hazards and improve data collection on veterans affected by toxic exposure. Last year, Senator Welch introduced the bicameral Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0 Act, which passed as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and the bipartisan Burn Pit Elimination Act, both bills that would improve protections for veterans under the PACT Act and prevent future toxic exposure cases.   
    Last Congress, a bipartisan amendment led by Sens. Welch, Tillis, and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) requiring the VA to conduct a review on mortality and toxic exposure data for veterans who served in Kosovo passed with bipartisan support in the Senate. Senator Welch also cosponsored the Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act, Reducing Exposure to Burn Pits Act, and Toxic Exposure Education for Servicemembers Act, bills that build on the PACT Act to provide increased support for veterans exposed to burn pits, improve data collection on burn pit and toxic substance exposure, and help mitigate future toxic substance exposure for servicemembers. 
    Learn more about the WIPE Act and read the full text of the bill. 
    Learn more about the Health Records Enhancement Act and read the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Ban Toxic Metals from Baby Formula

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Caroline Tabler or Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353July 22, 2025
    Cotton, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Ban Toxic Metals from Baby Formula
    Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced the Safe Baby Formula Act, legislation that would ban all toxic heavy metals from baby formula and require the FDA to study the effects of metals in formula.
    This legislation is cosponsored by Senators Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Rick Scott (R-Florida), and Josh Hawley (R-Missouri).
    “New parents should not have to worry about toxic heavy metals being a part of their infant’s formula, or what potential side-effects they may have. This legislation will bring much-needed transparency to the FDA’s rules around infant formula,” said Senator Cotton.
    “The health and safety of our children are paramount. They are our future and God’s greatest blessings, and I believe we should take every necessary step to ensure parents are well-equipped to raise strong families. I’m proud to join Senator Cotton in introducing the Safe Baby Formula Act, because ‘Making America Healthy Again’ starts with precious babies,” said Senator Britt.
    Text of the bill may be found here.
    The Safe Baby Formula Act would:
    Direct FDA to conduct a study on the impact that exposure to toxic heavy metals through infant formula has on infant health; and
    Direct FDA to ban toxic heavy metals from being included in infant formula all together.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Britt, Hill Work to Protect Small Business Access to Capital, Fight Regulatory Overreach

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced legislation in response to the finalization of the Biden administration’s Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) 1071 Small Business Lending Data Collection rule requiring small business lenders to collect and report social data on small businesses seeking loans.

    The senators’ Preventing Regulatory Overreach to Empower Communities to Thrive and Ensure Data privacy (PROTECTED) Act would shield small financial institutions and Main Street businesses from the burdensome compliance costs associated with the CFPB rule as well as limit the number of small businesses impacted and significantly reduce the amount of data required to be collected and reported.

    “As the backbone of our economy, small businesses need access to capital. Identity-based data collection requirements handed down from Washington jeopardize lenders’ ability to provide vital investments and invite the federal government to pick winners and losers based on factors other than sound underwriting. Our legislation cuts this red tape for small and local financial institutions, including those trusted by farmers and rural communities, so they can focus on helping entrepreneurs and business owners launch or expand operations,” Boozman said. 

    “The CFPB under the last administration operated virtually unchecked—with no real Congressional oversight—and in an authoritarian manner, creating a regulatory nightmare for the very people and businesses it was meant to protect,” said Britt. “The PROTECTED Act delivers much-needed regulatory relief for community banks, farm credit lenders, CDFIs, and equipment financers. Importantly, this legislation safeguards small businesses by limiting excessive data collection and protecting consumer privacy. I’m proud to lead this effort to provide critical changes to this harmful rule.”

    “I will always advocate for small businesses across Alabama and our nation –– they’re the backbone of our country and what make our communities so unique — and our community banks play a pivotal role in providing these businesses with vital access to capital,” Britt continued. “This CFPB rule would have damaging downstream effects on our most rural and underserved communities. In the absence of a full repeal, this bill makes critical changes needed to ensure small lenders can continue to meet the needs of Main Street businesses.”

    The Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee Rep. French Hill (AR-01) is leading similar legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    “America’s small businesses depend on affordable and accessible credit, and community banks play a crucial role in their success. The CFPB’s current approach under the 1071 rule restricts credit and places unfair burdens on our community banks. The PROTECTED Act provides a clear path forward for how the Bureau can revise the 1071 rule to best support small businesses while ensuring responsible lending. I thank Senator Britt and Senator Boozman for working with me on companion legislation to the Small LENDER Act to support policies that help small businesses grow and achieve success,” said Hill.

    The PROTECTED Act also establishes critical safeguards to prevent the CFPB from publishing sensitive consumer data and requires the Bureau to conduct updated cost-benefit analyses prior to the rule’s implementation. Its effective date would be three years after the completion of these updated analyses and publication in the Federal Register, followed by a two-year grace period. 

    Boozman has pushed back against the regulation, designed to implement Sec. 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act, and CFPB’s implementation that attempts to pick small business winners and losers based on social factors. The senator also supported a Congressional Review Act resolution to reverse the Biden-era CFPB rule.

    Click here for full bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman Joins Push to Expand Access to Mental Health Care for Farmers, Rural Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), Chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, joined a bipartisan group of colleagues led by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) to introduce the Farmers First Act of 2025, legislation aimed at strengthening mental health resources for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. The Farmers First Act of 2025 reauthorizes and increases funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), a program that connects agricultural workers to critical stress assistance and mental health services.

    “Arkansas farmers face unique challenges that are often beyond their control and can take a serious toll on their mental health – from unpredictable weather and market volatility to the isolation that often comes with rural life,” Boozman said. “We have a responsibility to ensure they are not facing these burdens alone. This legislation builds on our efforts to deliver meaningful support and expand access to mental health care in rural communities.” 

    “Wisconsin’s farmers and ranchers work hard every day to keep their businesses running and our Made in Wisconsin agricultural economy moving forward. But too often, the stress, isolation, and physical demands of this job leave them with nowhere to turn when it all gets to be too much,” Baldwin said. “I’m working to make sure our farmers and rural communities have the resources they need because no one should have to fight these battles alone.”

    “Iowa farmers work tirelessly from sunrise to sundown – rain or shine – to feed and fuel the world. Their work isn’t easy, and mental health issues, including suicide, are too common in our agriculture community, which is why I’m working to ensure farmers have better access to mental health resources,” Ernst said. 

    The Farmers First Act of 2025 would authorize $15 million annually for FRSAN through fiscal year 2030, up from the current $10 million. These funds will help state departments of agriculture, extension services and nonprofits provide:

    • Suicide prevention training for farm advocates;
    • Behavioral health specialists to serve agricultural communities;
    • Support groups tailored to farmers, ranchers and farmworkers; and
    • Expanded crisis hotlines and referral services.

    Boozman helped establish FRSAN in the 2018 Farm Bill and has consistently advocated for its expansion. The program currently operates through four regional centers and has proven effective in increasing access to mental health services in rural areas. 

    Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tina Smith (D-MN) have co-sponsored the bill.

    The Farmers First Act of 2025 also has the support of the National Farmers Union, National Rural Health Association, National Milk Producers Federation, Agriculture Retailers Association, The National Council, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, Organic Trade Association, American Psychological Association Services, NCBA CLUSA, Farm Credit Council, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, Organic Farmers Association, National Pork Producers Council, American Soybean Association, Midwest Dairy Coalition, Farm Aid, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Corn Growers Association, Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, Sustainable Food Policy Alliance, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, National Organic Coalition, Farmer Veteran Coalition and American Farm Bureau Federation. 

    Bill text is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Leads Bipartisan Effort to Help Small Nonprofits Offer Retirement Plans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.-13) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Small Nonprofit Retirement Security Act. The bill would help small nonprofit organizations offer retirement plans by extending federal tax incentives currently only available to for-profit employers.

    “The Nevadans who have spent their entire lives giving back to their communities by working in the nonprofit sector should be able to count on stability when they retire,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan legislation will reduce the barriers that nonprofits face in creating retirement accounts for their employees, leveling the playing field between nonprofit and for-profit organizations.”

    Under current law, tax-exempt organizations are not eligible for small business retirement plan start-up credits because they do not pay federal income taxes. This creates a barrier for many nonprofits, which employ nearly ten percent of the U.S. workforce and contribute an estimated $65 billion annually in payroll taxes. The Small Nonprofit Retirement Security Act would allow nonprofits to apply small business retirement plan start-up credits against their payroll tax liability, giving them access to the same retirement incentives already available to for-profit organizations. This legislation provides up to $5,000 per year in tax credits to help nonprofits launch retirement plans, with an additional $500 annually for those that adopt automatic enrollment.

    Senator Cortez Masto has consistently worked support Nevada’s retired population – protecting Social Security and Medicare, lowering costs, and ensuring Nevada seniors can retire with dignity. She helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act, allowing Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices and capping the cost of insulin at $35-a-month for Medicare recipients. Cortez Masto has also introduced bipartisan legislation to improve the transparency of Medicare Advantage plans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sens. Budd, Blunt Rochester Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Streamline American Manufacturing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), members of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, introduced the bipartisan Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act. The bill would amend the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to align the timelines for multiple advanced manufacturing initiatives to every four years on the same cycle.
    “Unleashing the next generation of technological innovation will make Americans’ everyday lives easier, create new jobs, and help American companies stay competitive in the global market. North Carolina has one of the most talented workforces in the nation, which has made the Old North State a leader in advanced manufacturing. I am proud to partner with my colleague, Senator Blunt Rochester, on this common-sense bill to ensure that our nation has a clear vision to keep American manufacturers ahead in the technological race and driving our economy forward,” said Senator Budd.
    “I have spent my career in Congress working to strengthen American manufacturing to create jobs and lower costs for hardworking people in Delaware and across the nation. The introduction of our bipartisan Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act is another critical step in that effort. This bill will ensure everyone can be on the same page and cut unnecessary red tape across the American manufacturing sector. I am grateful to Senator Budd for his partnership on this effort on behalf of our constituents and look forward to working with our colleagues on the Commerce Committee and throughout the Senate to get this bill passed into law,” said Senator Blunt Rochester.
    “The U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Council welcomes the introduction of the Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act. This legislation is a beneficial, commonsense, and bipartisan step that will improve the alignment of important national strategy initiatives for domestic advanced manufacturing.  The USMIC appreciates this effort to improve the national planning process,” said Franz Wuerfmannsdobler, Executive Director of the U.S. Manufacturing Innovation Council.
    Read the full bill text HERE.
    BACKGOUND
    As it currently stands, the Manufacturing USA Strategic Plan establishes a 3-year planning cycle for updating the 17 Manufacturing USA Institutes, as mandated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act. However, the National Strategy for Advanced Manufacturing is updated every four years on a different cycle.
    The alignment established under the Streamlining American Manufacturing Strategy Act will set clear goals, synchronize data collection, and increase collaboration for U.S. advanced manufacturing stakeholders.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Bipartisan Delegation Meet with Canadian Prime Minister, Discuss Critical U.S.-Canada Trade Partnership  

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    On a bipartisan trip to Ottawa, Senator Cortez Masto highlighted the harm President Trump’s trade war with Canada is having on Nevada’s travel and tourism economy

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) returned from a bipartisan trip to Canada with Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.). While there, they met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to support the resolution of unnecessary trade conflicts between the United States and Canada, which are raising costs for American families and hurting Nevada’s travel and tourism industries.

    “Canada is one of America’s closest trade partners and allies, and in Nevada, we have a special connection with our neighbors to the north,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Every year, well over a million Canadians visit the Silver State. Despite the chaos of the Trump presidency, I will continue to fight to ensure American workers are treated fairly, while strengthening our ties with Canada to bolster our tourism economy and promote American national security. We can do both.”

    In 2024, Canada was Nevada’s most important foreign market for travel, and 1.49 million Canadian visitors traveled to the state, primarily to Las Vegas. Since President Trump took office, however, the relationship between the United States and Canada has declined, threatening this vital travel and tourism relationship. The airlines with direct flights from Canada to Las Vegas have shown significant passenger declines this year, including a decrease of 64 percent for Flair, 34.6 percent for WestJet, and 22 percent for Air Canada. Overall, visitation from Canada to Las Vegas is down 14.5 percent this year.  

    The Senators also met with Foreign Minister Anita Anand, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Industry Melanie Joly and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc. The members raised a number of trade, tourism and economic issues, the importance of partnering on national security and cybersecurity, and on working together to combat fentanyl trafficking. 

    Senator Cortez Masto has continued to push the Trump Administration to address the impacts of Trump’s tariffs on working families and Nevada small businesses. During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Cortez Masto pressed U.S. Trade Representative Greer about the impacts of President Trump’s blanket tariffs on Nevadans, particularly those employed in the tourism and hospitality industry. The Senator introduced the Tariff Transparency Act to require the U.S. International Trade Commission to publicly investigate how Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada would impact the American people.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOD Raises Ceiling of Contract with General Dynamics for Vital Work in Grand Forks

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) announced it has increased the size of its contract with General Dynamics, a global aerospace and defense company, by $34,273,921 to reflect growing numbers of test activities and missile track fusion work performed at Grand Forks and other sites for the Space Development Agency (SDA). This announcement brings the total cumulative value of the contract, which is expected to be completed by Sep. 30, 2029, to $1,106,722,296.

    As chair of the Senate Armed Services (SASC) Airland Subcommittee, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) leads the effort to advance space-based capabilities and missions, both in North Dakota and across the nation.

    “With the 319th Reconnaissance Wing flying RQ-4 Global Hawks and providing vital warfighting and ground-based capabilities, the innovative defense ecosystem at Grand Forks Air Force Base is unmatched,” said Cramer. “Raising the contract ceiling will allow General Dynamics to better support our Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture ground management, integration, operation, and sustainment efforts. This crucial investment is proof of the global expertise that resides right here in Grand Forks.”

    In April, General Michael Guetlein, the DOD’s Golden Dome leader, joined Cramer and SDA Director Derek Tournear in touring North Dakota’s defense capabilities. The group saw recent updates at SDA Operations Center North and visited Cavalier Space Force Station. During the visit, the group viewed on-going U.S. Space Force activities throughout the state.

    Last year, Cramer flipped the switch to bring the SDA Operations Center North online at Grand Forks Air Force Base (GFAFB), participated in a Grand Forks Base Retention Committee meeting, toured the University of North Dakota (UND) National Security Corridor, and announced new Navy personnel at GFAFB. Cramer also joined E-Space CEO Greg Wyler in meeting with UND faculty and SDA staff to discuss workforce development and initiatives, and announced educational initiatives between SDA and UND.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Throws Down the Gauntlet on Outbound Investment to Counter China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) highlighted his priorities for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including his Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart (FIGHT) China Act, which would safeguard the United States against the growing threat posed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) by prohibiting and requiring notification of U.S. investment in certain technologies in China. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

    “One of the things that I’m going to be focusing on as part of the defense authorization bill is to finally address outbound investment in China.”

    “As we speak, U.S. companies are spending billions of dollars in China, investing in Chinese companies, particularly those involved in critical technologies like quantum computing and Artificial Intelligence.”

    “I’ve been raising alarm bells for a number of years now and working toward a solution to this critical, strategic concern for a long time.”

    “I have something to announce to my colleagues here: I’m not going to give up.”

    “I’m not willing to take no for an answer on something that is so critical to our national security.”

    “What good does it do to continue to increase our defense spending if American investors are simultaneously making investments in China in what amounts to the arsenal of our number-one strategic adversary?”

    “Earlier this year, I introduced the Foreign Investment Guardrails to Help Thwart China Act, or the FIGHT China Act.”

    “Secretary Bessent and his colleagues at the Treasury Department have been great allies and great partners in providing us with technical assistance on this legislation.”

    “I would urge both our House and Senate colleagues to ensure that this year’s National Defense Authorization Bill addresses this critical issue.”

    “It’s time for Americans to stop investing in China’s military.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Statement on Republican Megabill Adding More Than $4 Trillion to the Deficit Over the Next 10 Years

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement regarding the official score from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that President Trump and Republicans’ megabill will add $3.4 trillion to the budget deficit through 2034, before accounting for added interest costs. Including additional interest, the bill will increase borrowing by $4.1 trillion:
    “The official CBO score on President Trump and Republicans’ ‘Big, Ugly Bill,’ which comes weeks after the law’s passage because Republicans fast-tracked it, confirms what we’ve been saying all along: when push comes to shove, Republicans will always do whatever it takes to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. We wish they could bring that same determination to lowering the deficit and helping working- and middle-class families. Today’s news is further proof that the partisan megabill remains a bad deal for Americans—exploding the debt, forcing millions off their health insurance, slashing food assistance programs, and killing jobs. We will keep working to safeguard Virginians from the disastrous impacts this law will have for Virginia and the country.”
    The Republican law, which Warner and Kaine strongly opposed, makes massive cuts to health care, nutrition assistance, and other critical programs that Virginians rely on in order to cut taxes for the ultra-wealthy. While the bill was being considered in the Senate, Warner and Kaine introduced a series of amendments in an attempt to improve the legislation, but Republicans blocked them. Under the Republican bill, hundreds of thousands of Virginians will lose health insurance because of cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and many rural hospitals will lose federal funding from Medicaid, putting them at risk of closure.
    78,000 Virginians will lose access to some benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Virginia will be required to contribute an estimated $263 million annually in state cost-share for benefits, which have always been fully federally funded. The law jeopardizes clean energy jobs in Virginia by phasing out clean energy and energy efficiency tax credits and incentives that were passed in the Inflation Reduction Act. The law gives the top 0.1% a $250,000 tax cut and makes it harder for students to access student loans. The legislation also includes $85 million to move the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia to Houston, Texas; the full cost to move the space shuttle is estimated to be $300 million to $400 million.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Statement on Republican Megabill Adding More Than $4 Trillion to the Deficit Over the Next 10 Years

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement regarding the official score from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that President Trump and Republicans’ megabill will add $3.4 trillion to the budget deficit through 2034, before accounting for added interest costs. Including additional interest, the bill will increase borrowing by $4.1 trillion:

    “The official CBO score on President Trump and Republicans’ ‘Big, Ugly Bill,’ which comes weeks after the law’s passage because Republicans fast-tracked it, confirms what we’ve been saying all along: when push comes to shove, Republicans will always do whatever it takes to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. We wish they could bring that same determination to lowering the deficit and helping working- and middle-class families. Today’s news is further proof that the partisan megabill remains a bad deal for Americans—exploding the debt, forcing millions off their health insurance, slashing food assistance programs, and killing jobs. We will keep working to safeguard Virginians from the disastrous impacts this law will have for Virginia and the country.”

    The Republican law, which Warner and Kaine strongly opposed, makes massive cuts to health care, nutrition assistance, and other critical programs that Virginians rely on in order to cut taxes for the ultra-wealthy. While the bill was being considered in the Senate, Warner and Kaine introduced a series of amendments in an attempt to improve the legislation, but Republicans blocked them. Under the Republican bill, hundreds of thousands of Virginians will lose health insurance because of cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and many rural hospitals will lose federal funding from Medicaid, putting them at risk of closure.

    78,000 Virginians will lose access to some benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Virginia will be required to contribute an estimated $263 million annually in state cost-share for benefits, which have always been fully federally funded. The law jeopardizes clean energy jobs in Virginia by phasing out clean energy and energy efficiency tax credits and incentives that were passed in the Inflation Reduction Act. The law gives the top 0.1% a $250,000 tax cut and makes it harder for students to access student loans. The legislation also includes $85 million to move the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia to Houston, Texas; the full cost to move the space shuttle is estimated to be $300 million to $400 million.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Statement on Republican Megabill Adding More Than $4 Trillion to the Deficit Over the Next 10 Years

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement regarding the official score from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that President Trump and Republicans’ megabill will add $3.4 trillion to the budget deficit through 2034, before accounting for added interest costs. Including additional interest, the bill will increase borrowing by $4.1 trillion:

    “The official CBO score on President Trump and Republicans’ ‘Big, Ugly Bill,’ which comes weeks after the law’s passage because Republicans fast-tracked it, confirms what we’ve been saying all along: when push comes to shove, Republicans will always do whatever it takes to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy. We wish they could bring that same determination to lowering the deficit and helping working- and middle-class families. Today’s news is further proof that the partisan megabill remains a bad deal for Americans—exploding the debt, forcing millions off their health insurance, slashing food assistance programs, and killing jobs. We will keep working to safeguard Virginians from the disastrous impacts this law will have for Virginia and the country.”

    The Republican law, which Warner and Kaine strongly opposed, makes massive cuts to health care, nutrition assistance, and other critical programs that Virginians rely on in order to cut taxes for the ultra-wealthy. While the bill was being considered in the Senate, Warner and Kaine introduced a series of amendments in an attempt to improve the legislation, but Republicans blocked them. Under the Republican bill, hundreds of thousands of Virginians will lose health insurance because of cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, and many rural hospitals will lose federal funding from Medicaid, putting them at risk of closure.

    78,000 Virginians will lose access to some benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Virginia will be required to contribute an estimated $263 million annually in state cost-share for benefits, which have always been fully federally funded. The law jeopardizes clean energy jobs in Virginia by phasing out clean energy and energy efficiency tax credits and incentives that were passed in the Inflation Reduction Act. The law gives the top 0.1% a $250,000 tax cut and makes it harder for students to access student loans. The legislation also includes $85 million to move the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia to Houston, Texas; the full cost to move the space shuttle is estimated to be $300 million to $400 million.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray Demands Army Secretary Driscoll Answer for Closure of JBLM Museum

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    The Army recently announced that 29 museums will be closed or consolidated, including the Lewis Army Museum at JBLM

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, demanding answers as to why the Lewis Army Museum at Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) will be closed, and shared how important the museum is for celebrating the rich history of military service at JBLM. The Lewis Army Museum is the only certified U.S. Army Museum on the entire West Coast.

    The Army recently announced that 29 museums will be closed or consolidated, in order to direct more resources toward “readiness and lethality,” the list includes the Lewis Army Museum at JBLM. The Army Museum Enterprise provided no explanation when it announced it will shrink from 41 museums at 29 locations, to 12 field museums and four training support facilities at 12 locations.

    Senator Murray began her letter by detailing the storied history of the soldiers the museum honors, “JBLM is named after Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition and was established in 1917 to train the 91st ‘Wild West’ Division before deploying to Germany in World War I. Since then, JBLM soldiers have continued to serve bravely in all military conflicts. JBLM is home to Audie Leon Murphy, who earned fame as the most highly decorated American Soldier of World War II , and General John Shalikashvili, who later became the 13th Chairman on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.  JBLM is full of rich history that deserves to be celebrated, not brushed to the side.”

    “Educating our communities on the Army’s history is key to instilling national pride amongst servicemembers and the general public,” Senator Murray continued. “In fact, Secretary Hegseth has been very vocal about preserving our military’s history for the sake of improving morale. In the dedication of his book, Modern Warriors, Hegseth said ‘the legacy of our warriors is worth of elevation – a reflection of what we should really value.’ By closing the Lewis Army Museum, you are doing the exact opposite by not honoring the incredible sacrifice and service the men and women who have been stationed at JBLM have provided. You have said that ‘telling that story [of the Army] will directly lead to a recruiting boom,’ and there seems to be no better way to continue to tell that story than to continue to keep these important museums open to the public.”

    Senator Murray concluded her letter by pushing for answers and emphasizing that JBLM was never consulted or given the opportunity to provide input if this decision was made to cut costs, writing: “According to the U.S. Army Center of Military Housing, the decision was made as a cost-cutting measure so the Army can direct more resources toward ‘readiness and lethality’ and will save $114 million over 10 years. Yet this decision comes at a time when President Trump is requesting a historically high defense budget of $1.01 trillion for fiscal year 2026, a 13.4 percent increase compared to fiscal year 2025.  If this decision was made for cost-saving measures, JBLM was never consulted or given the opportunity for input. Colonel Kent Park, the outgoing garrison commander, said he heard of the closure through the media, and the closure was never discussed with him.”

    Full text of the letter is available HERE, and below:

    The Honorable Daniel Driscoll

    Secretary of the Army

    1600 Army Pentagon

    Washington, DC 20310-1600

    July 21, 2025

    Dear Secretary Driscoll:

    I am writing to express my concern and disappointment regarding the Army’s decision to shut down and consolidate 29 of its 41 military museums across the country, including the Lewis Army Museum, which honors the soldiers of Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM) in my home state of Washington. JBLM is named after Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition and was established in 1917 to train the 91st “Wild West” Division before deploying to Germany in World War I.Since then, JBLM soldiers have continued to serve bravely in all military conflicts. JBLM is home to Audie Leon Murphy, who earned fame as the most highly decorated American Soldier of World War II, and General John Shalikashvili, who later became the 13th Chairman on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. JBLM is full of rich history that deserves to be celebrated, not brushed to the side.

    In 1973, JBLM established the Lewis Army Museum to honor its soldiers and educate the public on the value of service. Located in the Red Shield Inn, the building was originally built during World War I by the Salvation Army to accommodate soldiers and their families and it was converted into a museum in 1973. Today, the Lewis Army Museum is the only certified U.S. Army Museum on the entire West Coast. It has an extensive display spanning from decorated artillery shells made in the trenches during World War I to pocket guides given to servicemembers before they deployed to Vietnam. It also showcases military vehicles, vintage uniforms, weapons, art, and other memorabilia donated by local veterans in the Puget Sound area.

    Educating our communities on the Army’s history is key to instilling national pride amongst servicemembers and the general public. In fact, Secretary Hegseth has been very vocal about preserving our military’s history for the sake of improving morale. In the dedication of his book, Modern Warriors, Hegseth said “the legacy of our warriors is worth of elevation – a reflection of what we should really value.” By closing the Lewis Army Museum, you are doing the exact opposite by not honoring the incredible sacrifice and service the men and women who have been stationed at JBLM have provided. You have said that “telling that story [of the Army] will directly lead to a recruiting boom,” and there seems to be no better way to continue to tell that story than to continue to keep these important museums open to the public.

    According to the U.S. Army Center of Military Housing, the decision was made as a cost-cutting measure so the Army can direct more resources toward “readiness and lethality” and will save $114 million over 10 years. Yet this decision comes at a time when President Trump is requesting a historically high defense budget of $1.01 trillion for fiscal year 2026, a 13.4 percent increase compared to fiscal year 2025. If this decision was made for cost-saving measures, JBLM was never consulted or given the opportunity for input. Colonel Kent Park, the outgoing garrison commander, said he heard of the closure through the media, and the closure was never discussed with him.

    JBLM’s community is proud of its history and continued service to our nation and our servicemembers. Without an explanation given for this announcement, I request comprehensive answers to the following questions before August 11, 2025:

    1. What is the annual operating cost of the Lewis Army Museum?
    2. What processes and evaluations did the Army undertake to inform the decision to close the Lewis Army Museum?
    3. What is the plan to provide the Army Veterans located on the West Coast with a museum honoring their service to the nation?
    4. Why was the Lewis Army Museum chosen to close and other military museums allowed to remain open?
    5. What do you plan on doing with the artifacts in the Lewis Army Museum? Will the public still be able to see them somewhere after closure?
    6. Was there a public comment period on the planned museum closure decision? If so, what was the timeline and what feedback did the Army receive from the community?
    7. How is the Army planning to use the additional funds to enhance mission readiness and lethality?
    8. Are there specific programs that will absorb the additional funding? If so, which ones?

    Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and I look forward to your prompt and thorough response.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: July 16th, 2025 Heinrich Statement on Voting Against Intelligence Authorization Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement on voting against the 2026 Intelligence Authorization Act: 

    “The Intelligence Committee has an important obligation to ensure our intelligence agencies operate within the bounds of the law and respect the constitutional rights of Americans. At a time when the Trump Administration is defying the rule of law and undermining the very protections our Constitution guarantees, robust Congressional oversight is more important than ever.

    “While the 2026 Intelligence Authorization Act includes some provisions aimed at accountability, it falls far short. Instead of strengthening independent oversight, it weakens the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, effectively endorsing this Administration’s arbitrary purges of career intelligence professionals. It also fails to address the current DNI’s documented missteps, including the blatant politicization of intelligence under her leadership. And I have deep concerns about matters raised — or ignored — in the classified annex.

    “Our Intelligence Community should never be handed a blank check, especially under an Administration that has shown such disregard for democratic norms and the rule of law.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley, Moore Introduce Resolution Condemning International Persecution of Christians

    US Senate News:

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

    Monday, July 21, 2025

    U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), along with Congressman Riley Moore (R-W.Va.), introduced a resolution condemning the persecution of Christians around the world.

    “Our country was founded on religious liberty. We cannot sit on the sidelines as Christians around the world are being persecuted for declaring Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We must condemn these heinous crimes,” Senator Hawley said. “Year after year, the number of Christians murdered by extremists in Nigeria has numbered in the thousands. Millions more have been displaced. We cannot allow this to continue. I urge my colleagues to join me in condemning the persecution of Christians around the world by supporting this resolution.”

    “Around the world, our brothers and sisters in Christ face rampant persecution for simply acknowledging the name of Jesus. That is unacceptable. In Nigeria alone, more than 50,000 Christians have been martyred and more than 5 million have been displaced simply for professing their faith. During a Divine Liturgy in Damascus last month, an islamic jihadist opened fire on worshippers and detonated an explosive device — killing at least 30 and wounding dozens more. These examples illustrate the violence and death Christians face on a daily basis,” said Congressman Moore. “Unfortunately, decades of U.S. foreign policy blunders have exacerbated this crisis, with ethno-religious cleansing accelerating in Iraq after our failure to stabilize the country following the 2003 invasion. We as lawmakers cannot continue to sit idly by. I urge my colleagues to join me in condemning the persecution of Christians across the globe.”

    The bill is endorsed by ADF International, Heritage Action for America, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, In Defense of Christians, Global Christian Relief, CatholicVote, Advancing American Freedom, Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE), Family Policy Alliance, Christians Engaged, and Save the Persecuted Christians.

    Read the full resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News –