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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: RI Delegation Blasts Trump Admin’s Claw Back of Public Health Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed

    WASHINGTON, DC – As the Trump Administration announces that it will claw back $11.4 billion in previously awarded federal funding to state and local health departments, the Rhode Island congressional delegation is teaming up to say that the Trump Administration’s short-sighted approach to public health is leaving local communities more susceptible to preventable outbreaks of dangerous diseases, like measles.

    The federal funding being targeting for recoupment by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) include investments that have significantly strengthened local preparedness for public health emergencies, made it easier for people to get safe and effective vaccinations, and supported community health workers on the frontlines of keeping their neighbors safe and healthy.  Additionally, portions of the $11.4 billion being pulled back across the nation were being used to address health disparities in high-risk and vulnerable populations, like seniors and low-income families who were most affected by the pandemic.

    In Rhode Island, the CDC has cancelled four grants totaling over $30 million that support the state’s post-pandemic initiatives. Despite the CDC’s claim that these funds were being pulled back because the pandemic ended, the claw backs come at a time when lessons learned from the pandemic can be critical in helping states better respond to future public health emergencies.

    Much of the funding being pulled back by the Trump Administration had to be expended within the next six months. In many cases, the undisbursed federal funding was being used to help communities address public health issues beyond COVID and strengthen successful programs that helped save lives and kept communities informed and healthy.

    “Penny-wise and pound-foolish sums up this latest Trump move. Clearly the Trump Administration has learned no lessons from their botched COVID-19 response during President Trump’s first term nor their current mismanagement of measles outbreaks across the nation.  The programs being targeted were critical in helping states respond to and recover from the pandemic and helped to create new public health infrastructure that will be critical to responding to future public health emergencies,” said Senator Reed. “By failing state and local public health departments and allowing us to lapse in our preparedness for future emergencies, the Trump Administration’s CDC claw back is a sure-fire way to ensure we get caught flat-footed for future pandemics.”

    “Our delegation supports preparedness and response capacity to keep Rhode Islanders safe from public health threats.  This claw back is not helpful to Rhode Island’s medical community,” said Senator Whitehouse.

    “Federal public health funding helps keep Rhode Islanders safe, supports frontline health workers, and strengthens Rhode Island’s ability to respond to future health emergencies,” said Representative Seth Magaziner. “It’s outrageous that the Trump Administration is clawing back these vital resources. We should be expanding access to public health—not gutting programs like these to pay for tax breaks to benefit the wealthy.”

    “As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By stealing funding dedicated to bolster Rhode Island’s public health infrastructure, the Trump administration is leaving our community less prepared and less safe for future emergencies,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “I join my delegation colleagues in demanding the immediate restoration of critical funds. This decision leaves our state and local health departments without the tools and resources necessary to keep Rhode Islanders healthy and safe.”

    Although the COVID-19 pandemic has ended, the disease is still claiming hundreds of lives across the nation each week. The public health emergency declared for COVID ended on May 11, 2023.  Additionally, researchers across the nation are still working to better understand and treat long COVID.

    The delegation also emphasized that Trump’s CDC claw back of federal public health funding comes as over 300 cases of the dangerously contagious measles virus have been reported in 15 states, including Rhode Island.  As the Trump Administration targets federal public health agencies for mass-firings and scientific censorship, disease surveillance is being weakened, research is being halted, irresponsible vaccine skepticism is being touted by top Trump public health officials, and preventable diseases are spreading across America.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Joins Colleagues to Fight for Social Security Recipients

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    03.26.25
    Cantwell Joins Colleagues to Fight for Social Security Recipients
    As DOGE hacks away at Social Security, Seattle constituent was incorrectly marked dead; this week, he’s still fighting SSA to get his money back; Cantwell: These billionaires are “so out of touch with the American people.”
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, joined Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and other Democratic colleagues at a press conference standing up for Social Security in the face of multiple Trump Administration efforts that will make it harder for recipients to access the benefits they earned and are entitled to.
    “Social Security is a contract between citizens and their government, so they can retire with dignity. 1.4 million people in the State of Washington want that right, of what they sacrificed and paid in to have that retirement. But what have they gotten out of the Trump administration?” Sen. Cantwell said. “First, cutting the workforce, then trying to cut offices, then coming up with a suggestion that that you should re-register to even qualify for Social Security. Is that any way to meet the contractual obligation our government has to help people have a minimal amount of dignity in retirement? But no – instead, this administration is trying to claim fraud.” 
    Referencing previous remarks from billionaire and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on a conservative podcast claiming that anyone who complains about missed Social Security payments must be a fraudster, Sen. Cantwell added: “I guess he is so out of touch with the American people that he doesn’t understand that people are depending on that for a lifeline.”
    Yesterday, during a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Sen. Cantwell pressed Frank Bisignano — President Trump’s pick to serve as Commissioner of the Social Security Administration — on recent comments by Trump officials attacking Americans’ Social Security benefits.
    WATCH MORE:
    MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow: “Washington state Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell today bringing a story from her home state paper.”
    KXLY Spokane: “Senator Maria Cantwell grilled President Trump’s pick to oversee Social Security.”
    KEPR Pasco: “Cantwell says the cuts by President Trump and Elon Musk’s DOGE team are already impacting Washingtonians.”
             
    In the State of Washington, 1.4 million people receive Social Security. Below is a breakdown of Social Security Recipients by county:

    County

    Number of Social Security Recipients

    King Co.

    312,000+

    Spokane Co.

    115,000+

    Clark Co.

    98,000+

    Yakima Co.

    46,000+

    *County data sourced from SSA.gov*
    At yesterday’s hearing, Sen. Cantwell referenced a constituent in Seattle who was incorrectly presumed dead shortly after Elon Musk sicced his DOGE team on the Social Security Administration. DOGE staffers were specifically tasked with seeking out evidence that tens of millions of dead people are receiving Social Security benefits – a false claim made by both President Trump and Musk. Subsequently, Ned Johnson was incorrectly listed as dead by SSA, which failed to issue his next Social Security check and clawed back over $5,000 in prior benefits payments from his and his wife’s joint bank account.
    Sen. Cantwell said in the hearing, “And then what did he do? He had to go down to the building in Seattle, the federal building that you’re trying to close, and stand in line for hours and hours and hours to try to say he wasn’t dead and to stop taking his money.”
    Although his money was originally returned, on Monday the Social Security Administration withdrew the same amount from Mr. Johnson’s bank account yet again. He also found out that the administration had notified his Medicare carrier of his “demise,” so Mr. Johnson and his wife, Pam, went without health insurance for three months, KUOW reported this morning.
    Sen. Cantwell has been a long-standing champion for Social Security and protecting Washingtonian’s benefits. Sen. Cantwell co-sponsored and voted in December 2024 to pass the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act, which repealed two Social Security policies that unfairly limited payments for people who also receive a pension from a job that is not covered by Social Security, as well as their surviving spouses and widow(ers). In 2018, Sen. Cantwell introduced and passed the Tribal Social Security Fairness Act to correct a long-standing inequity in the Social Security Act that prevented elected tribal leaders from contributing to and accessing Social Security benefits.
    Video of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks today are available HERE, audio HERE, and a transcript is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Fentanyl Overdose Tracking

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    03.26.25

    Cantwell Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve Fentanyl Overdose Tracking

    The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act would expand use of tools that record fatal and nonfatal overdoses in near-real-time; WA first responders say better data collection could help identify overdose hotspots so they can deploy resources faster & save lives

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, reintroduced the bipartisan Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act. The bill would direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to states, units of local government, law enforcement task forces, and tribes to adopt and implement an overdose data collection program, including the Overdose Data Mapping Application Program (ODMAP).

    The bill was drafted by and reintroduced alongside Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and John Cornyn (R-TX). Originally introduced in September, it unanimously passed the Senate in December but was not brought up by the House of Representatives before the end of last session.

    “When responding to fentanyl overdoses, an extra minute can save a life,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Tracking fatal and non-fatal opioid overdoses will help our first responders, law enforcement, and public health professionals better target and prevent OD spikes and surge resources to communities that need them the most.”

    “The fight to end addiction and drug abuse in our communities requires a robust understanding of the problem at hand. By investing in local partners, we empower communities to more effectively track drug abuse trends and prevent future overdoses,” Sen. Grassley said. “I’m glad to support this cost-effective plan to expand vital data collection programs.”

    During Sen. Cantwell’s 10-city fentanyl roundtable tour across Washington state, she heard from multiple officials on the front lines of the epidemic that expanding ODMAP could help prevent overdoses and save lives. Expanding ODMAP would provide near real-time awareness of known or suspected overdose incidents across the United States, supporting public safety and public health efforts to coordinate immediate responses to sudden spikes in overdoses.

    The bill has supporters across the State of Washington:

    PUGET SOUND:

    “Effective and timely overdose prevention and response activities rely upon high-quality data. Within the ecosystem of Seattle, King County, and community teams working to address opioid overdose, timely and targeted data are always the starting point for interventions. We endorse legislation that will expand similar shared platforms of overdose data collection, mapping, and analysis,” said Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins.

    “This bill would help Everett and communities across the country address the fentanyl and opioid crisis by implementing proven cutting-edge data tools to track overdoses,” said Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin. “The City of Everett supports all efforts to implement data-driven methods to address this critical issue and is proud to support the Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act.”

    “The opioid epidemic affects all corners of our community,” said King County Sheriff Patricia Cole-Tindall. “I welcome Senator Cantwell’s efforts to help address this by building on the programs we have in place. Bringing more resources to fight this crisis is an essential step in saving lives.”

    “The importance of a robust data collection tool, such as the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program, that facilitates the near real-time tracking of fatal and nonfatal overdoses, and the administration of opioid reversal medications, cannot be overstated. By Senator Cantwell introducing this important bill, the Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act, participating agencies and entities will be better able to identify overdose spikes and trends, allowing for rapid responses and deliberate strategies to save lives,” said NW HIDTA Executive Director Jonathan Weiner.

    EASTERN WA:

    “In critical emergencies, first responders need accurate information to act fast. This legislation would improve data collection, giving police officers and firefighters the reliable tools they need to protect and serve their communities,” said Spokane Mayor Lisa Brown.

    “As first responders on the frontlines of the opioid crisis, we see the devastating impact of overdoses every day. Expanding access to real-time overdose data through ODMAP is critical for improving emergency response, identifying emerging trends, and ultimately saving lives. The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act will provide vital support to local communities and agencies like ours, ensuring we have the tools needed to respond effectively to this crisis. I strongly support this bill and urge its swift passage,” said Spokane Fire Chief Julie O’Berg.

    “Fentanyl and other illicit drugs pose a significant risk to the health and well-being of Spokane citizens. The overwhelming majority of these substances make their way to our county from neighboring foreign countries such as Mexico. Investment in real-time overdose mapping technology will help law enforcement disrupt the flow of Fentanyl in the United States. Having accurate data on where overdose spikes occur will go a long way towards securing safer communities and saving lives threatened by the fentanyl crisis,” said Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels.

    “With over thirty-three years in law enforcement and currently serving as police chief in Spokane, Washington, I witness firsthand the devastating impact of the opioid crisis on individuals, families, and entire communities. The Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act is a crucial step forward in equipping law enforcement, first responders, and public health professionals with the necessary tools to track, respond to, and prevent overdoses more effectively. This bill expands access to real-time overdose data collection tools, such as the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP). These tools enable us to identify trends, coordinate responses, and allocate resources where they are most needed. By utilizing existing DOJ funding, this legislation enhances our ability to combat the opioid epidemic without imposing additional financial burdens on taxpayers. I wholeheartedly support this initiative because timely, accurate data saves lives. The ability to monitor overdose spikes and share critical information across agencies allows us to act more swiftly, prevent more deaths, and ultimately foster safer, healthier communities,” said Spokane Police Chief Kevin Hall.

    CENTRAL WA:

    “The collection of data on overdoses is critical to the effectively addressing the serious opioid problem in this country.  Knowing when and where overdoses occur can enable agencies to focus on the areas needing more attention.  Funding for programs designed to collect overdose data is essential in the fight against the opioid epidemic,” said Yakima County Sheriff Robert Udell.

    “Having a single platform to share overdose data is essential to saving lives, guiding decisions, and preventing overdoses. ODMAP (Overdose Mapping) is the platform.  ODMAP allows for the collaboration and real-time data sharing between law enforcement, fire departments, EMS, hospitals, and health departments,” said Kennewick Police Chief Chris Guerrero.

    “Using ODMAP locally throughout our county has already proven invaluable in identifying overdose hotspots and enabling rapid, targeted responses. Expanding its use statewide has the potential to transform how we address the fentanyl crisis in Washington. By standardizing overdose tracking across the state, we can pinpoint trends, respond more effectively, and deploy life-saving resources faster than ever. This tool is more than just data—it empowers us to act decisively and collaboratively to save lives and combat this devastating epidemic,” said Melissa Sixberry, Director of Disease Control at the Yakima Health District.

    “In order to make the most appropriate moves to facilitate change, we must have good, accurate data. Otherwise we are blindly throwing darts at a board. ODMAP will allow for the most appropriate distribution of resources to help combat the nation-wide opioid epidemic. Without it, we will continue to potentially ignore high impacted areas that may desperately need the assistance,” said Cameron Haubrich, Chief of the Sunnyside Fire Department.

    “ODMAP creates a unified, real-time system to track and respond to overdoses, enabling first responders, health departments, and law enforcement to allocate resources more effectively. By identifying overdose hotspots and trends as they happen, we can deploy targeted interventions and engage communities in prevention efforts,” said Grant County Sheriff Joey Kriete when the bill passed the Senate in December.

    “ODMAP is a game-changer in fighting the overdose epidemic! With the real-time data from ODMAP, responders and communities can monitor overdose events, identify patterns, deploy resources where needed, and ultimately save lives! In the State of Washington, we currently only track overdose deaths which grossly underestimates the true magnitude of the overdose epidemic (by 6200%),” said Alicia Stromme Tobin, Executive Director of Safe Yakima Valley, when the bill passed the Senate in December. “ODMAP provides agencies with a tool to track fatal and nonfatal overdoses. By providing a comprehensive view of overdose trends, ODMAP fosters collaboration across public health, law enforcement and EMS, allowing for more targeted interventions and prevention efforts. I applaud Senator Cantwell for recognizing the tremendous positive impact ODMAP will have on saving lives! Congratulations and well done!”

    “Solutions start with a hope, hope is the gateway for innovation and collaboration, and efforts like ODMAP are the tools that communities need to impact the fentanyl crisis and save lives,” said Yakima Police Department Lt. Chad Janis when the bill passed the Senate in December.

    SOUTHWEST WA:

    “Vancouver strongly supports the Opioid Overdose Enhancement Act and urges the Department of Justice to award grants for the adoption and implementation of the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP). As Vancouver Fire responded to over 400 overdose calls in 2024, it has become increasingly clear that gathering and analyzing overdose data is a significant challenge. Our current process of manually searching medical records for specific call information is labor-intensive and costly. A centralized database would be invaluable in identifying overdose hotspots, tracking trends, and saving lives. This federal legislation is a crucial step toward streamlining these efforts and addressing the opioid crisis effectively,” said Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle.

    “Vancouver Fire responded to more than 400 overdose calls in 2024. It has been a consistent challenge for us to gather data because it requires us to dig deep into our medical records system and search for keywords that will identify the specific call information. This process is labor intensive and time consuming. A centralized database would be very helpful to allow us to not only track location hotspots, but also trends. We fully support federal legislation that streamlines this process,” said Vancouver Fire Chief Brennan Blue.

    “Senator Cantwell’s bill to implement the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program is a critical step in combating the opioid crisis. By providing timely data on overdoses and opioid reversal medication applications, this program will allow local departments of health and law enforcement to respond quickly and effectively, saving lives, holding opioid dealers accountable, and targeting resources where they’re needed most.  I strongly endorse this vital legislation,” said Vancouver Police Chief Troy Price.

    “Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) supports the Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act and Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Grant Program. With the rise of opioid related incidents in our district as well as in the counties we serve, CCFR has worked with community partners to address opioid use, overdose, and treatment. Through our CARES Program and in partnership with neighboring fire districts and the Clark County’s Medical Program Director’s Office, CCFR has implemented administration of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) during the time of an opioid related incident or overdose. CCFR crews are able to introduce buprenorphine as well as provide leave-behind Narcan for individuals following administration of opioid overdose reversal medication. In partnership with treatment centers in the county, CARES is able to provide immediate referrals to these facilities in order to assist community members seeking treatment,” said John Nohr, Fire Chief of Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue.

    “The Washington Fire Chiefs Association fully endorses Senator Cantwell’s Opioid Overdose Data Collection Enhancement Act.  We believe that a crucial component of the Act, which supports adoption and implementation of the Overdose Detection Mapping Application (ODMAP), will place critical, data-driven, information into the hands of first responders, saving lives,” said Kristan Maurer, President of Washington Fire Chiefs Association, Fire Chief of Clark County Fire District 6.

    OLYMPIC PENINSULA:

    “Having access to real-time data is critical to getting ahead of the overdose crisis. With the rapidly changing drug supply, these kinds of data allow us to identify overdose clusters and communicate with individuals at risk as well as community partners so that we can help prevent overdoses in the future,” said Allison Berry, Health Officer for Clallam County & Jefferson County.

    The bill is also endorsed by several coveted national law enforcement organizations including: National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), National HIDTA Directors Association (NHDA), National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agencies (NASDEA), Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Major County Sheriffs Association (MCSA).

    ODMAP was developed in 2017 by the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) as a free, web-based, mobile-friendly platform for near real-time reporting and monitoring of suspected fatal and non-fatal overdose events, as well as instances where opioid overdose reversal medications such as Naloxone were administered. It displays overdose data within and across jurisdictions, helping agencies identify spikes and clusters of suspected overdose events in their community, neighboring communities, and across the country.

    As of February 2025, approximately 5,330 agencies across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico are using the platform. Over 2.9 million overdose events have been entered into ODMAP and more than 36,000 users registered.

    Washington state has not adopted ODMAP statewide, however, localities in the state utilize the program. In 2025, 77 agencies across 17 counties in Washington state use ODMAP, and have logged 2,248 entries into ODMAP. In 2024, 7,857 entries were logged. Yakima County, Spokane County, and the City of Seattle have recently implemented programming that allows their data to instantaneously populate the ODMAP dashboard with all overdose responses. Elsewhere in the state, ODMAP coverage is limited and therefore only captures a portion of the overdose instances occurring.

    Currently, overdose data in Washington state is only available to government health partners and only contains fatal overdose cases (which are released months or years after the fact). Overdose counts are released publicly via Washington State’s Department of Health website. However, they only provide instances of fatal overdoses (a small fraction of all overdose incidents) and are hampered by significant delays. Currently, the most recent data populating the DOH overdose death rate data dashboard is from the fourth quarter of 2023.

    In 2023 and 2024, Sen. Cantwell traveled across the State of Washington to 10 communities — Tacoma, Everett, Tri-Cities, Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, Port Angeles, Walla Walla, Yakima, and Longview – hearing from people on the front lines of the fentanyl crisis, including first responders, law enforcement, health care providers, and people with firsthand experience of fentanyl addiction.  She also participated in the National Tribal Opioid Summit, a gathering of approximately 900 tribal leaders, health care workers, and first responders from across the country hosted by the Tulalip Tribes following the first-ever statewide summit hosted by the Lummi Nation.  Sen. Cantwell has since used what she heard in those roundtables and related events to craft and champion specific legislative solutions, including:

    • The Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act, which would permanently classify illicit fentanyl knockoffs as Schedule I drugs;
    • The Stop Smuggling Illicit Synthetic Drugs on U.S. Transportation Networks Act, which would crack down on the trafficking of illicit synthetic drugs, like fentanyl, using the U.S. transportation network;
    • The FEND Off Fentanyl Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden, which will help U.S. government agencies disrupt opioid supply chains by imposing sanctions on traffickers and fighting money laundering;
    • The Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act, which would require that all pill presses be engraved with a serial number and impose penalties for the removal or alteration of the number;
    • The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, which would list xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance while protecting the drug’s legal use by veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers, enable the Drug Enforcement Administration to track xylazine’s manufacturing to ensure it is not diverted to the illicit market;
    • The TRANQ Research Act of 2023, signed into law by President Biden, which will spur more research into xylazine (also called “tranq”) and other novel synthetic drugs by directing the National Institute of Standards and Technology to tackle these issues; and
    • The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act, which would bolster Tribal law enforcement agencies by helping them hire and retain tribal law enforcement officers by raising their retirement, pension, death, and injury benefits to be on part with those of federal law enforcement officers.

    In addition, Sen. Cantwell voted for a series of federal funding bills allocating $1.69 billion to combat fentanyl and other illicit drugs coming into the United States, including an additional $385.2 million to increase security at U.S. ports of entry, with the goal of catching more illegal drugs like fentanyl before they make it across the border.  Critical funding will go toward Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) technology at land and sea ports of entries. NII technologies—like large-scale X-ray and Gamma ray imaging systems, as well as a variety of portable and handheld technologies—allow U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help detect and prevent contraband from being smuggled into the country without disrupting flow at the border.

    A full timeline of Sen. Cantwell’s actions to combat the fentanyl crisis is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Slams Tesla Attacks, Crockett’s Rhetoric Against Fellow Texans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

    WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) blasted two of the latest examples of Democrats’ unhinged behavior because President Trump was delivered a mandate on November 5th: Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) using derogatory and unacceptable language against fellow Texans Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Democrats – who once considered themselves champions of electric vehicles – attacking Tesla cars and showrooms in Texas and nationwide. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

    “Just two days ago, police officers found what they called multiple incendiary devices at a local Tesla dealership in North Austin, where I live…This prompted a full bomb squad to respond, and an investigation is still under way.”

    “The Associated Press has reported that there have been at least 50 demonstrations around the country focused on Tesla, while more are planned, not just here in the United States, but around the world in countries like England, Spain, and Portugal.”

    “Some Tesla owners have reported incidents of vandalism on their personal vehicles. Some have even been spray painted with swastikas.”

    “We should not hesitate to call this what it is: Domestic terrorism…It’s reminiscent of the violent unrest that plagued our nation with the BLM riots that happened during the summer of 2020.”

    “We live in a democratic republic, not a banana republic.”

    “Placing bombs and lighting cars on fire is not an appropriate means of expressing dissenting views in a country like the one we are blessed to live in.”

    “I was disappointed to see one of my fellow Texans in our congressional delegation go so far as to condone these kind of activities.”

    “Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett recently made comments encouraging violent protests at a virtual rally. She said, ‘All I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down.’”

    “I would expect better than this sort of incendiary rhetoric from a member of Congress, who was elected to her position because of the very democracy we are fortunate to enjoy.”

    “This isn’t the only thing she said recently that has raised eyebrows and resulted in condemnation. Congresswoman Crockett recently commented that our governor, Governor Greg Abbott—who happens to be a paraplegic as a result of a terrible accident years ago—she referred to him as ‘Governor Hot Wheels.’”

    “Then Senator Cruz, my colleague, the junior senator from Texas, she said should ‘Be knocked over the head, like hard.’ This is disgraceful, and we should call it for what it is.”

    “This is a disturbing trend in political rhetoric, one that has turned to violence.”

    “All Americans and all Texans deserve better.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Mullin Applauds Houthi Strikes, Slams Democrat Foreign Policy Weakness on Fox News

    US Senate News:

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

    ICYMI: Mullin Applauds Houthi Strikes, Slams Democrat Foreign Policy Weakness on Fox News

    Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) joined Fox News’ Hannity to discuss recent Houthi strikes, successes of the Trump administration, and hypocrisy from the Left. Highlights below.

    Sen. Mullin’s full interview can be found here.
    On the Houthi strikes:
    “It’s very rare that you see a group of powerful people like the President has around him in his cabinet, and people that are advising him, to have an open conversation. They have disagreements, but they work it out. They come up with a conclusion in a very short period of time, and they decide to literally deliver lethal strikes to the Houthis, to who which President Biden and his administration just sat on their hands. Let’s keep in mind, this is the same group that attacked our Navy 174 times since 2023 and the Biden administration couldn’t even make a decision to even aggressively go after them. And here in this conversation, you had cabinet members, you had advisors for President Trump that spoke just like they do to the American people on this chat, and delivered a blow that needed to take place.”
    “So, I think it one, it’s revealing, and it’s great that they did it. It should have never happened, like you said, but what’s really the story here, Sean is they’re trying to distract themselves from the disastrous decisions that the Democrat Party is having.”
    On hypocrisy from the Democrat Party:
    “Keep in mind the NBC and CBS polling that you just referred to has the Democrat party’s favorabilities in the 20s. Chuck Schumer is fighting for his job here on the hill, and they’re taking this nothing story and trying to blow it out of proportion. And every time something like this happens, they call on the Republicans to resign, but yet we heard nothing on them calling on a vegetable, that was ruling the country for four years, to resign.
    On the Biden Administration’s appeasement of adversaries:
    “This current administration is… bringing back peace through strength. They’re going after our adversaries in an aggressive way. They’re taking the fight straight to them, where the Biden administration tried to appease them, tried to talk nice to them, and did nothing when criminals were coming across our southern border, and they knew that.”
    On President Trump’s successes:
    “What President Trump is trying to do is restore law and order in our streets and abroad, and he’s doing that aggressively in a faster pace than what we’ve seen. We’ve seen American citizens be released from prison with us having to give nothing to them just because they respect President Trump. Our southern border is down, and illegal crossings are down by over 90%, and we’re going aggressively after our enemies.”
    On President Trump delivering on his promises:
    “Keep in mind that Houthis, as I said, have been attacking us since 2023 and the Biden administration has done nothing. President Trump doesn’t just speak false words of trying to be tough. He delivers on his promises, promises made, promises kept, and he’s going to continue to deliver on those promises, regardless of what the distraction the Democrat Party wants to throw at us.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer, Fetterman, McCormick Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand VA Burial Benefits

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – In 1985, U.S. Air Force Veteran Dennis “Denny” Krisfalusy and his wife, Lois, tragically died during an earthquake in Mexico City. While neither of their remains were found, Dennis received a memorial headstone at the Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Pennsylvania. Lois was ineligible to have her name added due to a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) date restriction. Under existing law, the VA can only provide burial markers or headstones for spouses and dependent children who died after Nov. 11, 1998, and before Oct. 1, 2025.

    U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Dave McCormick (R-PA) introduced their bipartisan Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act today to eliminate this restriction and permanently expand VA burial benefits for veterans and their families.

    “Families of service members sacrifice and serve alongside their loved ones, but outdated restrictions prohibit the VA from providing a memorial headstone for military spouses and dependents if they passed away before 1998,” said Cramer. “I joined Senator Fetterman in reintroducing our bipartisan Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act to remove this hurdle, honoring the service of these family members to our nation.”

    “We can never repay the debt we owe our veterans and their families for their sacrifices to keep our country safe. We have a responsibility to honor those sacrifices regardless of when a family member died,” said Fetterman. “Lois Krisfalusy should be honored with her husband, Dennis – but arbitrary barriers are preventing that. It’s common sense that families like theirs deserve to be laid to rest together, and I’m proud to lead a bipartisan effort to correct this injustice.”

    “Our veterans put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms, and we owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid,” said McCormick. “I’m proud to support this commonsense bill amending restrictions on military memorial headstones for families of veterans before 1998. Bureaucracy should not stand in the way of our veterans and their families being laid to rest honorably while also recognizing their service.”

    Click here for bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer Questions FWS, EPA Nominees on WOTUS, Cooperative Federalism in EPW Hearing

    US Senate News:

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

    ***Click here for audio. Click here for video.***

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing to discuss nominees to serve in the Trump administration. The hearing featured testimony from Brian Nesvik, nominee for Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Jessica Kramer, nominee for Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water.

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    U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) questioned Kramer on the EPA’s Waters of the United States (WOTUS) interim guidance and upcoming rulemaking, which it announced on March 12. He asked her to explain the guidance, why it complies with the U.S. Supreme Court’s prescriptive decision in Sackett v. EPA, and how the previous rule did not align with Sackett.

    “It is a straightforward guidance document that essentially says that an implementation [of a WOTUS rule], EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers, they’re going to follow the law,” said Kramer.

    “To your point, Sackett was prescriptive. It was prescriptive in a number of ways, specifically focused around wetlands, which is what the guidance document focused on,” explained Kramer. “Sackett held that the Rapanos plurality was correct, which means that the significant nexus test that had been previously applied and implemented by both agencies no longer stands. It specifically focuses on the fact that only those wetlands that are adjacent to or abutting relatively permanent waters are jurisdictional moving forward. While Sackett was very prescriptive in certain aspects, there are some terms and phrases of ambiguity that are remaining from the courts. I’m thinking about things like the phrase ‘continuous surface connection’ [and] ‘relatively permanent waters.’ What does it mean to be connected to a relatively permanent water and then the age-old question of, is this ditch in or out? […] Any potential rulemaking that would be taken by the agency would hope to shore up those remaining areas of ambiguity so a landowner can confidently stand on their property and know whether or not they have a WOTUS or they don’t have a WOTUS.”

    Kramer also committed to visiting North Dakota during the WOTUS rulemaking process.

    Cramer asked the witnesses to give a primer on their interpretations of cooperative federalism.

    “What cooperative federalism means to me is that there are certainly roles that are very clearly defined, for both the federal government and the state government,” responded Nesvik. “And broadly speaking, most wildlife species are the responsibility of the individual states to manage with the exception of those who have been listed under the Endangered Species Act, and then there are a few other acts, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Horse and Burro Act. There’s some other species that certainly have a federal rule. But at the end of the day, there is an opportunity on all of those, both state- managed species and federal- managed species for the two entities to work together with their common stakeholders to find solutions. It’s a more efficient way to run government. It’s better when the states and the federal government are working together on these things. And as long as they stay within their own lane on those things that are sovereign to their particular entity, whatever that may be, whether it’s the federal government or the state.”

    “We’ve talked about Waters of the United States, but I’m going to focus on the Underground Injection Control Well Program in the Safe Drinking Water Act,” responded Kramer. “This is an example of a program that can be delegated from the federal implementation […]  to the state for them to actually implement the program. The great thing about that is that the states know their resources best. Part of this is the remaining oversight rule that EPA has to ensure that the states are continuing to implement these programs consistent with the requirements of the federal law. It also allows the states the ability to be more stringent in the restrictions that they put in place, which again, states know their resources best to the extent that there is a need for a little bit of additional protection from their perspective, that is the ability to do it. It’s that joint working together, recognizing expertise of the states while also maintaining the oversight role that is required under the federal law.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murkowski joins Senator Reverend Warnock in Bipartisan Effort to Lower Housing Costs for Servicemembers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    03.26.25
    Washington, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (R-GA) introduced bipartisan legislation to lower housing costs for servicemembers in Alaska and across the country. The bipartisan Basic Allowance for Housing Restoration Act will ensure servicemembers and their families receive their full housing allowance. In Fiscal Year 2015, Congress cut servicemembers’ housing allowance, decreasing Base Allowance for Housing (BAH) coverage from 100% of estimated housing costs to 95%. This cost-sharing has hurt military families, many of whom already face issues of food insecurity and other expenses. Companion legislation was also introduced in the House by Reps. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10) and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) earlier in the month.
    “Alaska is home to many critical military installations with serious missions, but our servicemembers and their families face some of the highest costs-of-living in the country – especially when it comes to housing.” said Senator Murkowski. “No member of our military should have to pay exorbitant out-of-pocket costs to have a roof over their head while serving our nation. It’s time for Congress to address this and take care of our servicemembers by raising the Basic Allowance for Housing back to 100 percent.”
    “Georgia is a military state, and with all that we ask from our servicemembers and their families, ensuring they have quality, affordable housing is the least we can do,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “I have long been a champion for our servicemembers in Georgia and across the nation, which is why I am proud to partner with Senator Murkowski to champion the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Restoration Act. Our bill will help ensure military families who sacrifice so much to serve our nation can access safe, dignified housing, and I look forward to introducing companion legislation in the Senate.”
    The legislation is endorsed by the Military Officers Association of America, the Military Housing Association, The American Legion, the Military Family Advisory Network, and the National Military Family Association.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Adjusts Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts into the United States

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    COUNTERING TRADE PRACTICES THAT THREATEN TO IMPAIR U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation invoking Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to impose a 25% tariff on imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts, addressing a critical threat to U.S. national security.
    President Trump is taking action to protect America’s automobile industry, which is vital to national security and has been undermined by excessive imports threatening America’s domestic industrial base and supply chains.
    The 25% tariff will be applied to imported passenger vehicles (sedans, SUVs, crossovers, minivans, cargo vans) and light trucks, as well as key automobile parts (engines, transmissions, powertrain parts, and electrical components), with processes to expand tariffs on additional parts if necessary.
    Importers of automobiles under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will be given the opportunity to certify their U.S. content and systems will be implemented such that the 25% tariff will only apply to the value of their non-U.S. content.
    USMCA-compliant automobile parts will remain tariff-free until the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), establishes a process to apply tariffs to their non-U.S. content.

    The President is exercising his authority under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to adjust imports to protect our national security.
    This statute provides the President with authority to adjust imports being brought into the United States in quantities or under circumstances that threaten to impair national security.

    MAINTAINING A RESILIENT DOMESTIC INDUSTRIAL BASE: President Trump is taking action to end unfair trade practices that jeopardize U.S. national security.
    The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities and choke points in global supply chains, undermining our ability to maintain a resilient domestic industrial base.
    Legislation, pre-existing trade agreements like the USMCA, revisions to the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, and subsequent negotiations have not sufficiently mitigated the threat to national security posed by imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts.
    These new tariffs aim to ensure the U.S. can sustain its domestic industrial base and meet national security needs. 
    STRENGTHENING AMERICA’S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY: President Trump’s decision to implement tariffs on imports of automobiles and automobile parts will protect and strengthen the U.S. automotive sector.
    Foreign automobile industries, bolstered by unfair subsidies and aggressive industrial policies, have expanded, while U.S. production has stagnated.
    In 1985, American-owned facilities in the United States manufactured 11.0 million automobiles, representing 97% of overall domestic (American- and foreign-owned) production of automobiles.
    In 2024, Americans bought approximately 16 million cars, SUVs, and light trucks, and 50% of these vehicles were imports (8 million).
    Of the other 8 million vehicles assembled in America and not imported, the average domestic content is conservatively estimated at only 50% and is likely closer to 40%.
    Therefore, of the 16 million cars bought by Americans, only 25% of the vehicle content can be categorized as Made in America.

    The United States trade deficit in automobile parts reached $93.5 billion in 2024.
    Currently, the U.S. automobile and automobile parts industry (American-owned and foreign-owned firms) employs approximately one million U.S. workers.
    Employment in automotive parts manufacturing totaled approximately 553,300 jobs in 2024, a decline of 286,000 jobs or 34% since 2000.
    In 2023, Research and Development (R&D) by American-owned automobile manufacturers amounted to only 16% of global R&D spending. R&D by American-owned firms lagged behind the EU, which controlled 53% of global R&D.
    TARIFFS WORK: Studies have repeatedly shown that tariffs can be an effective tool for reducing or eliminating threats to impair U.S. national security and achieving economic and strategic objectives.
    A 2024 study on the effects of President Trump’s tariffs in his first term found that they “strengthened the U.S. economy” and “led to significant reshoring” in industries like manufacturing and steel production.
    A 2023 report by the U.S. International Trade Commission that analyzed the effects of Section 232 and 301 tariffs on more than $300 billion of U.S. imports found that the tariffs reduced imports from China and effectively stimulated more U.S. production of the tariffed goods, with very minor effects on prices.
    According to the Economic Policy Institute, the tariffs implemented by President Trump during his first term “clearly show[ed] no correlation with inflation” and only had a temporary effect on overall price levels.
    An analysis from the Atlantic Council found that “tariffs would create new incentives for US consumers to buy US-made products.”
    Former Biden Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen affirmed last year that tariffs do not raise prices: “I don’t believe that American consumers will see any meaningful increase in the prices that they face.”
    A 2024 economic analysis found that a global tariff of 10% would grow the economy by $728 billion, create 2.8 million jobs, and increase real household incomes by 5.7%.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Autombile Parts Into the United States

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    class=”has-text-align-center”>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
    A PROCLAMATION
    1.  On February 17, 2019, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effects of imports of passenger vehicles (sedans, sport utility vehicles, crossover utility vehicles, minivans, and cargo vans) and light trucks (collectively, automobiles) and certain automobile parts (engines and engine parts, transmissions and powertrain parts, and electrical components) (collectively, automobile parts) on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862) (section 232).  Based on the facts considered in that investigation, the Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that automobiles and certain automobile parts are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States. 
    2.  In Proclamation 9888 of May 17, 2019 (Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States), I concurred with the Secretary’s finding in the February 17, 2019, report that automobiles and certain automobile parts are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.  I also directed the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative), in consultation with other executive branch officials, to pursue negotiation of agreements to address the threatened impairment of the national security of the United States with respect to imported automobiles and certain automobile parts from the European Union, Japan, and any other country the Trade Representative deems appropriate.
    3.  The Trade Representative’s negotiations did not lead to any agreements of the type contemplated by section 232.
    4.  In Proclamation 9888, I also directed the Secretary to monitor imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts and inform me of any circumstances that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate the need for further action under section 232 with respect to such imports.
    5. The Secretary has informed me that, since the February 17, 2019, report, the national security concerns remain and have escalated.  The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities and choke points in global supply chains, undermining our ability to maintain a resilient domestic industrial base.  In recent years, American-owned automotive manufacturers have experienced numerous supply chain challenges, including material and parts input shortages, labor shortages and strikes, and electrical-component shortages.  Meanwhile, foreign automotive industries, propelled by unfair subsidies and aggressive industrial policies, have grown substantially.  Today, only about half of the vehicles sold in the United States are manufactured domestically, a decline that jeopardizes our domestic industrial base and national security, and the United States’ share of worldwide automobile production has remained stagnant since the February 17, 2019, report.  The number of employees in the domestic automotive industry has also not improved since the February 17, 2019, report. 
    6.  I am also advised that agreements entered into before the issuance of Proclamation 9888, such as the revisions to the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), have not yielded sufficient positive outcomes.  The threat to national security posed by imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts remains and has increased.  Investments resulting from other efforts, such as legislation, have also not yielded sufficient positive outcomes to eliminate the threat to national security from such imports.
    7.  After considering the current information newly provided by the Secretary, among other things, I find that imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts continue to threaten to impair the national security of the United States and deem it necessary and appropriate to impose tariffs, as defined below, to adjust imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts so that such imports will not threaten to impair national security.
    8.  To ensure that the imposition of tariffs on automobiles and certain automobile parts in this proclamation are not circumvented and that the purpose of this action to eliminate the threat to the national security of the United States by imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts is not undermined, I also deem it necessary and appropriate to establish processes to identify and impose tariffs on additional automobile parts, as further described below.
    9.  Section 232 provides that, in this situation, the President shall take such other actions as the President deems necessary to adjust the imports of the relevant article so that such imports will not threaten to impair national security.  
    10.  Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), authorizes the President to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of statutes affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction.
    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code; section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended; and section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, do hereby proclaim as follows:(1)  Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, all imports of articles specified in Annex I to this proclamation or in any subsequent annex to this proclamation, as set out in a subsequent notice in the Federal Register, shall be subject to a 25 percent tariff with respect to goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 3, 2025, for automobiles, and on the date specified in the Federal Register for automobile parts, but no later than May 3, 2025, and shall continue in effect, unless such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.  The above ad valorem tariff is in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported automobiles and certain automobile parts articles.(2)  For automobiles that qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the USMCA, importers of such automobiles may submit documentation to the Secretary identifying the amount of U.S. content in each model imported into the United States.  “U.S. content” refers to the value of the automobile attributable to parts wholly obtained, produced entirely, or substantially transformed in the United States.  Thereafter, the Secretary may approve imports of such automobiles to be eligible to apply the ad valorem tariff of 25 percent in clause (1) of this proclamation exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content of the automobile.  The non-U.S. content of the automobile shall be calculated by subtracting the value of the U.S. content in an automobile from the total value of the automobile.(3)  If U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) determines that the declared value of non-U.S. content of an automobile, as described in clause (2) of this proclamation, is inaccurate due to an overstatement of U.S. content, the 25 percent tariff shall apply to the full value of the automobile, regardless of the actual U.S. content of the automobile.  In addition, the 25 percent tariff shall be applied retroactively (from April 3, 2025, to the date of the inaccurate overstatement) and prospectively (from the date of the inaccurate overstatement to the date the importer corrects the overstatement, as verified by CBP) to the full value of all automobiles of the same model imported by the same importer.  This clause does not apply to or otherwise affect any other applicable fees or penalties.(4)  The ad valorem tariff of 25 percent described in clause (1) of this proclamation shall not apply to automobile parts that qualify for preferential treatment under the USMCA until such time that the Secretary, in consultation with CBP, establishes a process to apply the tariff exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content of such automobile parts and publishes notice in the Federal Register.(5)  For avoidance of doubt, clause (4) of this proclamation does not apply to automobile knock-down kits or parts compilations.  Clause (4) of this proclamation applies only to individual automobile parts as defined by Annex I to this proclamation that otherwise meet the requirements of clause (4) of this proclamation.(6)  The Secretary, in consultation with the United States International Trade Commission and CBP, shall determine the modifications necessary to the HTSUS to effectuate this proclamation and shall make such modifications to the HTSUS through notice in the Federal Register.  (7)  Within 90 days of the date of this proclamation, the Secretary shall establish a process for including additional automobile parts articles within the scope of the tariffs described in clause (1) of this proclamation. In addition to inclusions made by the Secretary, this process shall provide for including additional automobile parts articles at the request of a domestic producer of an automobile or automobile parts article, or an industry association representing one or more such producers, where the request establishes that imports of additional automobile parts articles have increased in a manner that threatens to impair the national security or otherwise undermines the objectives set forth in any proclamation issued on the basis of the Secretary’s February 17, 2019, report or any additional information submitted to the President under clause (3) of Proclamation 9888 or clause (9) of this proclamation. When the Secretary receives such a request from a domestic producer or industry association, the Secretary, after consultation with the United States International Trade Commission and CBP, shall issue a determination regarding whether to include the articles within 60 days of receiving the request.  Any additional automobile parts articles that the Secretary has determined to be included within the scope of the tariffs described in clause (1) of this proclamation shall be so included on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time the day after a notice in the Federal Register describing the determination of the Secretary.  The notice in the Federal Register shall be made as soon as practicable but no later than 14 days after the Secretary’s determination.(8) Any automobile or automobile part, except those eligible for admission under “domestic status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, that is subject to the duty imposed by this proclamation and that is admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after the effective date of this proclamation, in accordance with clause (1) of this proclamation, must be admitted as “privileged foreign status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.41, and will be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading.(9)  The Secretary shall continue to monitor imports of automobiles and automobile parts.  The Secretary also shall, from time to time, in consultation with any senior executive branch officials the Secretary deems appropriate, review the status of such imports with respect to national security.  The Secretary shall inform the President of any circumstances that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate the need for further action by the President under section 232.  The Secretary shall also inform the President of any circumstance that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate that the increase in duty rate provided for in this proclamation is no longer necessary.(10)  No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this proclamation.(11)  The Secretary may issue regulations and guidance consistent with this proclamation, including to address operational necessity.(12)  CBP may take any necessary or appropriate measures to administer the tariffs imposed by this proclamation.(13)  Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Hampshire Congressional Delegation Calls on FEMA to Resume Life-Saving Firefighter Trainings Frozen by Trump Administration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), alongside U.S. Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), are calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to direct the National Fire Academy (NFA) to resume training courses for firefighters that were cancelled due to the Trump Administration’s federal funding freeze. The letter to Acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton comes after the delegation received an outpouring of concern from Granite State firefighters who rely on the free programs offered by NFA to maintain and improve the skills they use to save lives. 

    The delegation wrote, in part: “We are writing to express our concern that the National Fire Academy (NFA) has cancelled courses pending a review of agency programs. Firefighters and other stakeholders throughout New Hampshire have contacted us to express their disbelief that firefighters will not be able to receive the instruction and training they need to maintain and improve the skills they use to save lives.” 

    They continued: “Since its establishment, the NFA has offered training and related programs to generations of firefighters and other first responders. We have heard from New Hampshire firefighters and first responders that these are specialized courses the NFA provides for free that are not available elsewhere in the U.S.” 

    They concluded: “Denying or delaying crucial training for first responders, including firefighters, will put their lives at risk and the lives of the people across the U.S. who depend on firefighters to save their lives and livelihoods. We urge FEMA to immediately direct the NFA to resume training and related activities.” 

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    As a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Shaheen has consistently secured resources to support New Hampshire’s firefighters. During the ongoing Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process, Shaheen has pushed to increase funding to $385 million for both the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs, an increase of $122 million over FY 2024. Shaheen also recently joined her Senate colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to reverse course on a hiring freeze for seasonal firefighters. 

    Senator Hassan has led efforts to support New Hampshire firefighters, helping advance the bipartisan Fire Grants and Safety Act through the Senate Homeland Security Committee and the Senate. The bill was signed into law last year, renewing and extending until 2028 the AFG and SAFER programs. Last year, the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation announced more than $2.9 million in federal funding to support Granite State fire fighters. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Warren Seek to Strengthen SEC Whistleblower Program

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) reintroduced legislation to strengthen whistleblower protections at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The bipartisan SEC Whistleblower Reform Act of 2025 would ensure timely processing of whistleblower claims and protect whistleblowers from retaliation. 

    “Patriotic whistleblowers root out waste, fraud and abuse taking place in the shadows, and we should thank them for recovering billions of valuable taxpayer dollars. I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation to increase government accountability by safeguarding the SEC’s Whistleblower Program,” Grassley said.

    “It’s more important than ever to protect whistleblowers who report wrongdoing in the federal government. We’re witnessing President Trump, Elon Musk, and their operatives dismantle entire agencies, install loyalists, undermine consumer and investor protection laws, access sensitive personal information about millions of Americans, and do favors for their billionaire friends at the expense of everyone else. I’m proud to stand with whistleblowers who shine a light on that kind of corruption, and to co-lead this effort to strengthen the whistleblower protections at the SEC,” Warren said.

    “Now more than ever, it’s critical that we protect the brave public servants willing to do what’s right and expose wrongdoing. There is bipartisan agreement that we must strengthen whistleblower protections to ensure they don’t face retaliation for the risks they take,” said Senator Cortez Masto.

    “The SEC Whistleblower Reform Act is urgently needed legislation to protect innocent investors from frauds. Since its inception under the Dodd-Frank Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Whistleblower Program has recouped over $6.3 billion in sanctions, placing billions back in the hands of honest investors and taxpayers … The SEC Whistleblower Reform Act redresses the erosion of anti-retaliation protections following Digital Realty. It is a bipartisan, common-sense legislation. It rebuilds the protective framework for whistleblowers that made the SEC Whistleblower Program a success,” said Chairman of the National Whistleblower Center’s Board of Directors Stephen M. Kohn.

    Additional cosponsors are Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.).

    Specifically, the SEC Whistleblower Reform Act of 2025 would:

    1. Protect whistleblowers who report violations to a direct superior from retaliation. Currently, they are only protected if they report directly to the SEC or certain officials.
    2. Ensure that claims and awards are processed in a timely manner. Although the SEC has recently improved, it previously had a years-long backlog of claims.
    3. Clarify that whistleblowers cannot waive their rights through a pre-dispute arbitration agreement.

    Since Grassley helped create the SEC’s whistleblower program in 2010, it has achieved tremendous success. In Fiscal Year 2024, the SEC reported awarding over $255 million to whistleblowers and received over 24,000 whistleblower tips.

    The full text of the bill is available HERE.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Blunt Rochester, Marshall, Luján Applaud Senate Passage of Resolution Marking DVT and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    Download photo with Todd Robertson HERE

    WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) welcomed unanimous Senate passage of their resolution designating March as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Awareness Month. Grassley spoke on the Senate floor today to raise awareness about the issue and to highlight the work of Des Moines resident Todd Robertson, the National Blood Clot Alliance’s Patient Liaison.

     “We want to bring attention to the fact that this health problem affects about 900,000 Americans and contributes to 10 billion dollars in medical costs annually. While blood clots can be life-threatening, they are preventable and treatable. I’m thankful that Des Moines, Iowa, resident Todd Robertson is working on this issue and was in my office yesterday to discuss what can be done even beyond passing this resolution,” Grassley said.

    “This is a deeply personal issue for me, and as someone who understands what it’s like to lose a loved one to blood clots, I am passionate about empowering Americans to know the signs and symptoms of this condition. No family should experience what mine and so many others have had to go through. This resolution is a first step to encouraging awareness, advocacy, and action on blood clots so that they know how to get help before it’s too late. I am grateful to Senators Grassley and Luján for joining me in this effort and proud that the resolution passed overwhelmingly,” Blunt Rochester said.

    “Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) affects millions of Americans each year and claims thousands of lives from blood clots associated with the condition. Early detection and prevention are crucial in reducing the devastating impact of these conditions. By raising awareness of DVT and Pulmonary Embolism, we can help prevent complications and save lives,” Luján said. 

     “During DVT and Pulmonary Embolism Awareness Month, it’s critical we share information regarding the serious risks associated with these conditions. After practicing medicine for over 25 years, I have a deep understanding of the devastating effects of blood clots. By increasing awareness and encouraging early detection, we can empower Americans at risk to take proactive steps in preventing these potentially fatal conditions and ultimately save lives,” Marshall said.

     “I want to thank Senators Grassley, Blunt Rochester, Marshall and Luján for their bipartisan leadership in raising awareness of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism for the third straight year. I am passionate about raising awareness of the risk of blood clots, as someone who has suffered from seven blood clots, including a close call with pulmonary embolism. Right now, only six percent of Americans know what a blood clot is, so it is critical that more Americans become aware of their risks and take steps to prevent and treat blood clots, which can be life-threatening,” said Des Moines resident Todd Robertson, a National Blood Clot Alliance Patient Liaison and Board of Directors member.

    Read the full resolution HERE.

    Background:

    DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in the deep veins of the body, such as the arm, abdomen, around the brain and, most commonly, in the leg. The most serious complication of DVT is PE, in which a part of the clot breaks off, travels through the bloodstream and causes a blockage in the lungs.

    DVT and PE affect as many as 900,000 Americans every year. Age, pregnancy or chronic illness can increase the risk of developing DVT. Leading an active lifestyle, eating a balanced diet and frequently moving to enhance the body’s blood flow can help prevent DVT and PE from occurring. Early detection and diagnosis of DVT and PE are critical to prevent serious complications. Iowans can learn more by visiting StopTheClot.org, hosted by the National Blood Clot Alliance.

    Grassley received the 2023 Congressional Blood Clot Champion Award from the National Blood Clot Alliance for his efforts to raise public awareness around DVT and PE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At Hearing, Warren Warns Trump Administration’s Attacks on Military Diversity Are “Wildly Self-Destructive”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    March 26, 2025

    Warren: “Tying the hands of the academies as they compete with other top universities for talented faculty will undercut the academies and, over time, undercut the leaders the academies are teaching.” 

    Video of Remarks (YouTube)

    Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, delivered opening remarks highlighting how Republican attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts at military academies endanger national security, worsen military recruiting challenges, and limit the growth of talented students. Senator Warren also submitted letters for the record from 24 Naval Academy and West Point alumni who shared the importance of the academies and their concerns about the direction that the Trump Administration is taking them.

    Transcript: Hearing to Conduct Oversight and Receive Testimony on the Status of the Military Service Academies
    Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel
    March 26, 2025
    As Delivered

    Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I’m also looking forward to continuing the bipartisan tradition of this subcommittee and I hope to work with you and all of our members to make sure we improve the lives of our servicemembers, their families, and our civilian workforce, so that they can stay focused on the mission of keeping Americans safe.

    I want to start by extending my condolences to the four families that just lost loved ones during a training mission in Lithuania. They remind us – those who go into harms’ way and their families are always at risk and put it on the line for the people of the United States of America. We are a deeply grateful nation. 

    I am glad that we’re starting this year focusing on how we recruit and retain our next generation of military leaders. Our military service academies are among the top academic institutions in the nation. 

    West Point, the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy provide a quality education, and they recruit and train almost 20 percent of our military officers.  

    Currently, our military academies are very selective—almost as tough to get into as the top colleges in this country. But that knife cuts both ways. Every student admitted to the military academies has other options. Academy students are often highly recruited by other schools. The competition for talent—for tomorrow’s leaders—is already fierce. Attacks on our military academies or policies that shrink the pool of young Americans who will consider applying for military service will cause lasting damage to our military and to our nation. 

    The latest U.S. census found that the youngest generation of Americans is more diverse than ever. That means we need our military academies to continue developing successful leaders from all walks of life—not push away strong recruits because they feel unwelcome or undervalued. 

    Ham-fisted efforts to reshape the academies are bound to backfire. For example, a mix of military practitioners and civilian instructors have successfully worked together for decades to shape students at the service academies into a lethal fighting force. In the same way that competition for talent exists for academy students, the same competition is true for faculty. Well-respected professors have options, and many are aggressively recruited. When Secretary Hegseth seemed to suggest that academies should have fewer civilian professors, and when the Department of Defense imposes a ban on travel by civilian personnel, it suggests that the military doesn’t care about civilians supporting its mission and that it will make it harder to attract and keep top talent to teach tomorrow’s military leaders. 

    The foolishness of the travel ban was immediately apparent. Testing sites for military entrance exams were forced to close or reduce hours, so fewer young people could apply to the military. While DOD has begun to allow civilians to travel to these testing sites again, these attacks on civilian personnel who help to support our military are worrying, and civilian personnel are key to helping our academies successful as well.

    Our military students deserve the best teachers, people who are experts in their field. Tying the hands of the academies as they compete with other top universities for talented faculty will undercut the academies and, over time, undercut the leaders the academies are teaching.  

    Students need to develop their skills both inside the classroom and outside as well. I’m sure that many of us can think of sports teams and extracurricular activities that helped shape our experiences at school, that helped build our communities, and made us better leaders. Surely as a coach, Chairman Tuberville saw students’ leadership skills develop and grow through out-of-classroom work.  

    The Executive Order’s attacks on clubs at academies that it considers DEI isn’t creating more effective warfighters – it’s cutting off students from opportunities to grow as leaders. 

    When we’re trying to maintain a military force that can deter China, we can’t afford to be shutting down engineering clubs. But under President Trump, West Point has already disbanded chapters of the National Society of Black Engineers and the National Society of Women Engineers. Both organizations have been praised repeatedly for helping recruit and retain more young engineers for military service. Closing those chapters at the military academies while those chapters remain open at more than 600 other colleges and universities does not help our military recruit top talent.  

    This committee held two hearings on recruiting last year, and both hearings made clear that the United States cannot meet our recruiting goals without women. The Army met its recruiting goals in 2024 primarily because of new female recruits – there was an 18 percent increase in women signing up for active duty compared to an increase of just 8 percent for men. Let me be clear: these women are not looking for a preference or a handout. They just want a chance to compete straight up.

    But we won’t be able to attract the women we need if they see a new glass ceiling on their opportunity to command. By removing women like Chief of Naval Operations Vice Admiral Franchetti from leadership roles simply because they are women and confirming a Secretary of Defense who has a long record opposing women in combat, the Trump administration has already set a tone from the top that women are not welcome. 

    We are already hearing concerns that women are hesitant to join certain military jobs because they believe they won’t be welcome solely due to their identity, not because of their qualifications. 

    Black recruits face their own challenges. When a Black Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a man who served honorably for over 40 years and who outlined our most successful strategy to deal with foreign terrorists, is fired solely because President Trump cannot imagine that he earned the job on the merits, Black military recruits across the nation get the message: your race makes you vulnerable. And when national organizations to support Black college students who major in engineering are suddenly dropped at the military academies while those organizations remain lively at more than 600 other colleges and universities, the message that the military academies may not welcome you gets even louder. 

    Recruiting and retaining talent—including Black and female talent—is a critical job for the future security of our nation. Pushing away more than half our future leaders is wildly self-destructive.  

    Mr. Chairman, twenty-four alumni from West Point and the Naval Academy have written to me, sharing their stories about what the academies mean to them and why they are concerned about the direction this administration wants to take them. I would like to enter those into the record for their letters and their testimony. 

    Let me read from just one of them, who wrote that these attacks on diversity are “a direct affront to the principles upon which our military was built and a betrayal of the sacrifices made by generations of service members.” Let those words sink in. A betrayal. We owe them better than that.

    I look forward to this hearing and hearing the testimony of the witnesses who are here today. I thank you for being with us. 

    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Liccardo Introduce Bill to Expand the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Liccardo Introduce Bill to Expand the Golden Gate National Recreation Area

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Representative Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.-16) introduced legislation to expand and improve the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The bicameral bill would allow the National Park Service to acquire the 896-acre Scarper Ridge property in San Mateo County adjacent to Rancho Corral De Tierra, a 3,858-acre site which is already managed by the Park Service. The bill previously passed the Senate by unanimous consent in December 2024.

    “The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is one of the most popular urban parks in the world, flush with rich biodiversity, extensive military artifacts, and stunning recreational opportunities,” said Senator Padilla. “Expanding the park’s boundary to incorporate the Scarper Ridge Property would allow the National Park Service to help protect critically threatened and endangered plants and wildlife, while connecting public lands and hiking trails for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.”

    “My ancestor, José Francisco Ortega, trudged near Scarper Ridge while exploring the sweeping expanse of these hills as a scout on the Portolá Expedition in the 1770’s — the first non-indigenous person to hike through this mountain range or to see the San Francisco Bay from land. While I will never witness this landscape in the pristine context that Ortega did, I have introduced this legislation to protect Scarper Ridge and its breathtaking coastal vistas for future generations,” said Representative Liccardo.

    “We are grateful to Congressman Liccardo and Senator Padilla for carrying on the work started by Congresswoman Eshoo and Senator Padilla to expand and improve the Golden Gate National Recreation Area on the San Mateo County Coast. With help from public and private funds, POST bought this 896-acre property in 2014. Because of its unique habitats, species of wildlife, and opportunities for public trails, we have long hoped it would be incorporated into the Rancho Corral de Tierra landscape. Having champions like Senator Padilla and Congressman Liccardo at the Federal level is vital so that biodiverse coastal areas like these are preserved for Californians to enjoy forever,” said Gordon Clark, President of Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST).

    The Golden Gate National Recreation Area consists of more than 80,000 acres of diverse properties managed by the National Park Service across three Bay Area counties that includes historic sites, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and open space for outdoor recreation. In addition to famous landmarks like Alcatraz Island and the Presidio of San Francisco, the park includes hundreds of acres of open space on the San Mateo County Coastside.

    Senator Padilla previously secured language in the FY 2023 appropriations package to allow the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to move forward on construction of a seawall and other permanent structures on federal land managed by the Golden Gate National Recreation Area to protect critical infrastructure and recreational space from climate change and sea level rise.

    A map of the proposed expansion is available here.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy champions No Dollars for Dictators Act to stop U.S. tax dollars from flowing to Russia, China, Iran

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today introduced the No Dollars for Dictators Act of 2025 to prevent state sponsors of terrorism and perpetrators of genocide from receiving American tax dollars via special drawing rights from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) without congressional approval.

    “The Biden administration allowed China, Russia, Iran and Syria to collect billions of dollars from the IMF without ever consulting Congress. My bill would ensure that Congress has a say before the IMF doles out American tax dollars to countries that hate us,” said Kennedy.  

    Sens. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Jim Justice (R-W. Va.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) cosponsored the bill.

    “The Biden-Harris administration bypassed Congress and allocated unauthorized funds to oppressive nations like China, Russia, and Iran, which pose a clear threat to our security. The No Dollars for Dictators Act would prevent taxpayer money from supporting dictators under future administrations through the International Monetary Fund,” said Blackburn.

    “Our enemies should not benefit from U.S. taxpayers, especially when they undermine our nation’s security. It’s time Congress steps in on behalf of the American people and puts an end to this reckless spending that supports dictators and terrorists,” said Justice.

    “American taxpayers want their dollars to work in their best interests, not financially supporting dictators of dangerous and adversarial regimes like Communist China, Iran, Venezuela and more. Over the course of the Biden administration, the former president authorized billions of dollars to be funneled to these regimes through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) without a single act of Congress. President Trump is rightly putting Americans first and ensuring their tax dollars are providing a return for them. The No Dollars for Dictators Act will protect U.S. tax dollars from fueling the evils of dictators or terrorists who seek to destroy our way of life,” said Scott.

    Background:

    • In 2021, President Biden approved the largest-ever allocation of special drawing rights at the IMF totaling $650 billion. He did this without consent from Congress. Large portions of that allocation flowed to dictators and countries that actively oppose American interests and violate human rights.
    • China alone received $38 billion in special drawing rights. Russia received $16 billion. Iran, Syria and Venezuela also received billions. Syria and Iran are state sponsors of terrorism.
    • While some have claimed that special drawing rights offer the U.S. a no-cost way to assist poor countries, this is demonstrably false. This IMF allocation requires the U.S. to issue debt to cover the loans issued through special drawing rights. The U.S. must pay interest on that debt, and that interest would exceed any interest that the U.S. may receive on the loans it issues. 
    • There is no requirement that countries that receive loans from the U.S. through special drawing rights ever repay the principal. As a result, the financial burden of these loans falls on the U.S. taxpayer.

    Text of the No Dollars for Dictators Act is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy explains how Canada could fend off new American tariffs: “Reduce your tariffs to zero”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    Watch Kennedy’s comments here.

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) argued that Canada should consider dropping its tariffs against the U.S. to zero if it would like to avoid the reciprocal tariffs that the Trump administration is using to level the playing field for American producers in a speech on the Senate floor.

    Key excerpts of the speech are below:

    “I want to say this unequivocally: Canada is one of my favorite countries in the world. The American people and the people of Canada are friends, and I would like our economies to be friends—and I mean that. But lately, we have been having a gentle disagreement—some would say not so gentle—in terms of tariffs and trade and our economy.”

    . . . 

    “When you have got your neighboring country and good friend that is eight times smaller than you are [economically] and, in terms of population, is 10 times smaller than you are, and your neighbor is selling $63 billion more in goods to you than you are selling to them, that seems kind of unfair. And the president, as we all know, has made that point very vociferously.

    “In response, the Canadian government, the new Prime Minister [Mark] Carney, he has pretty much bowed up. When Pres. Trump said: ‘Well, the tariffs are uneven, so I am going to raise American tariffs.’ Carney has bowed up and said: ‘Well, Pres. Trump, you don’t believe in free trade. You are not a free trader. If you raise your tariffs, then I am going to raise mine even more.’ And that is how you get into a trade war.” 

    . . .

    “Let’s avoid a trade war. Let’s let those good Canadian companies compete with good American companies in selling goods into the U.S., and let’s let those good American companies compete with those good Canadian companies in terms of selling goods into Canada, and may the best, cheapest product win.

    “That is my respectful challenge to P.M. Carney tonight. If you think Pres. Trump is being unfair and is not a free trader, then reduce your tariffs to zero, and ask Pres. Trump to reduce our tariffs to zero on Canada, and let’s go back to being friends again.”

    Background:

    • On April 2, 2025, Pres. Trump plans to announce a new round of tariffs on American trade partners. The Trump administration is planning to implement reciprocal tariffs, meaning that the U.S. will levy the same tariff that other nations levy against American products.
    • Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent said he is optimistic that the U.S. will not have to implement some of these tariffs because other countries, including Canada, will see the reciprocal nature of the tariffs and negotiate them down.  

    Watch Kennedy’s full speech here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis, Warner Introduce Legislation to Update Performing Artist Tax Deduction

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act, bipartisan legislation that would update the Qualified Performing Artist (QPA) tax deduction, an above-the-line tax deduction which allows certain performing artists to deduct the cost of expenses incurred in the course of their employment. 

    “The arts play a vital role in North Carolina’s culture and economy, yet many artists struggle with financial burdens that make it difficult to sustain their careers,” said Senator Tillis. “By updating this outdated tax deduction, this commonsense legislation ensures that hardworking artists can deduct necessary expenses, just like other professionals. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to provide long-overdue tax relief to the creative community.”  

    “Middle class and up-and-coming artists have found their home in the Commonwealth making meaningful contributions to our rich culture,” said Senator Warner. “This legislation levels the playing field for more artists by treating them like the small businesspeople they are, enriching our society and spurring our commerce.”

    “We commend Senators Warner and Tillis for championing tax fairness for our members and all entertainment professionals. Their bipartisan leadership ensures our members’ voices continue to be heard on this critical issue. It’s time to lower the cost of living for entertainment workers by including PATPA in tax legislation expected later this year, correcting an oversight that has taken money out of the pockets of middle-class IATSE members since 2017,” said Matthew D. Loeb, International President, International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

    “With just a few weeks until Tax Day, Senator Tillis and Senator Warner could not have better timed this critically important bipartisan bill that would mean actors, stage managers and other creative professionals won’t have to pay hundreds, and sometimes thousands of dollars more in taxes simply due to common business costs like their agents and managers fees and travel to auditions. I’m grateful for the leadership of Senator Tillis and Senator Warner and look forward to working with them as we fight to make this bill law,” said Brooke Shields, President, Actors’ Equity Association. 

    “Entertainment is one of the United States’ top industries, and the work of performing artists has made an immeasurable impact on our national identity. It’s time for the tax code to address the skyrocketing business costs of this highly risky profession and allow performers to deduct legitimate expenses such as agent and manager fees. This will enable working-class performers to continue supporting local economies that generate income from performers living and working in their communities. SAG-AFTRA enthusiastically supports the reintroduction of the bipartisan Performing Artist Tax Parity Act in the Senate and applauds Sens. Tillis and Warner for their work in addressing the financial challenges of those who dedicate their lives to human artistry,” said Fran Drescher, President, SAG-AFTRA.

    “The Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA) is a critical step toward restoring financial fairness for performing artists across the country. For too long, we’ve been unfairly burdened by a tax system that fails to recognize the realities of our profession. This legislation paves the way for artists to be treated less like expendable contractors and more like the vital parts of an institution that we are. It’s an important step toward ensuring that performing artists are no longer penalized for the cost of doing our jobs and toward a future where we receive the same workplace protections and benefits as others who work within the companies we sustain,” said Ned Hanlon, President, American Guild of Musical Artists. 

    “Addressing the unique challenges artists and musicians face under the tax code is imperative to supporting the creative community’s impact on culture and the economy. RIAA appreciates Senators Warner and Tillis’ continued leadership driving the bipartisan, bicameral Performing Artist Tax Parity Act. This bill is designed to balance outdated burdens on performers now and enable the next generation to thrive,” said Mitch Glazier, Chairman and CEO, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

    “The Motion Picture Association thanks Sens. Thom Tillis and Mark Warner for re-introducing the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA) – an important bipartisan effort to deliver essential economic relief to a creative community that includes more than 2.3 million jobs supported by the film, television, and streaming industry. The MPA is again proud to endorse this legislation and support the American creative economy,” said Charles Rivkin, Chairman and CEO, Motion Picture Association.

    “The bipartisan and bicameral Performing Artist Tax Parity Act is commonsense legislation that benefits working musicians.  PATPA makes long overdue updates to restore the intention our tax code.  We are grateful to Senators Tillis and Warner for championing fairness for all performing artists and arts workers,” said Tino Gagliardi, President, American Federation of Musicians.

    “Supporting working artists through tax relief creates ripple effects that build more vibrant communities across the country. Beyond the arts and culture sector’s $1.1 trillion economic impact, one of the largest public opinion studies ever conducted on the arts in the U.S. found that 86% of Americans believe arts and culture improve their community’s quality of life and livability. By modernizing the tax code nationally, we can support artists and strengthen every community. We applaud Senators Warner and Tillis for introducing the Senate companion to the Performing Arts Tax Parity Act, alongside the House bill championed by Representatives Buchanan and Chu, to modernize an outdated tax code that hasn’t been updated since 1986,” said Erin Harkey, CEO, Americans for the Arts.

    “Musicians nationwide are essential contributors to the U.S. workforce and the communities in which they perform,” said Simon Woods, President and CEO, League of American Orchestras. “We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Tillis and Warner in re-introducing this critical legislation to support tax fairness for performing artists.”

    “The Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA) is a lifeline for the artists who bring independent stages to life. The Senate is taking an important step toward building a fairer, more sustainable live ecosystem that benefits independent stages, artists, audiences, and communities alike. We hope that Congress will move quickly to enact PATPA this year,” said Stephen Parker, Executive Director, National Independent Venue Association. 

    Background: 

    The Qualified Performing Artist tax deduction has not been updated since its inception in 1986 and is currently only available to those making less than $16,000 a year, meaning that very few artists qualify. This legislation would update and increase the income ceiling to $100,000 for individuals and $200,000 for married joint filers, allowing more lower- and middle-income performing artists to receive tax relief for work-related expenses. This bill also indexes the deduction for inflation so it automatically adjusts for increases in the cost of living in the future. 

    Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 24, 2025, by Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Judy Chu (D-CA).

    The Performing Artist Tax Parity Act is endorsed by numerous organizations advocating for the rights of emerging artists, including the Actors’ Equity Association, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, and the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs.  

    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth: Pete Hegseth Needs to Resign in Disgrace

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth

    March 26, 2025

    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of both the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—issued the following statement after new reporting confirmed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent classified war plans in a Signal group chat with other Trump Administration officials, putting the lives of our men and women in uniform at greater risk and undermining the effectiveness of the mission:

    “Pete Hegseth is a f*cking liar. This is so clearly classified info he recklessly leaked that could’ve gotten our pilots killed. He needs to resign in disgrace immediately.

    “Hegseth and every other official who was included in this group chat must be subject to an independent investigation. If Republicans won’t join us in holding the Trump Administration accountable, then they are complicit in this dangerous and likely criminal breach of our national security.”

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER REVEALS: MUSK AND TRUMP ARE TRYING TO BREAK SOCIAL SECURITY IN NY AS ‘DOGE’ ENDANGERS $7+ BILLION IN MONTHLY CHECKS FOR OVER 4 MILLION NEW YORKERS; SENATOR SOUNDS ALARM TO PROTECT SOCIAL…

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer

    Social Security Services Are Breaking Down For New Yorkers Who Rely On Monthly Checks To Live, With NY Offices Closing, Websites Crashing, Hours Long Wait Times, And Now ‘DOGE’ Firing 7,000+ SSA Workers Who Help Seniors, Disabled, & Families Get Their Benefits

    Senator Breaks Down Impact Region By Region In NY Of ‘DOGE’ Destructive Attacks On Social Security Benefits For 4.3M NY-ers That Threatens Their Monthly Checks And Services

    Schumer: ‘DOGE’ Cabal Needs To Get Their Hands Off NY Seniors’ & Families’ Social Security Checks

    Amid reports of the Social Security Administration (SSA) core operations breaking down from the Trump administration and ‘DOGE’ systematic attacks and rash cuts, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer sounded the alarm on the looming crisis for over 4 million New York seniors, people with disabilities, and families who rely on their monthly checks to live, pay rent, buy food and make ends meet.  

    In the past month, the SSA website has already crashed four times in 10 days, blocking millions from accessing their accounts, and seniors have had to wait more than two hours on clogged phone lines. 

    “When it comes to Social Security, Trump and ‘DOGE’ are purposely causing chaos and inefficiency to attack the program millions of New York seniors and families rely on to make ends meet. It’s appalling and they need to back off,” said Senator Schumer. 

    ‘DOGE’ has already taken credit for closing two NY Social Security Offices in Westchester and Chemung County, and are pursuing further cuts, including eliminating 12% of agency staff.

    “This is a direct attack on New York seniors’ Social Security checks. From Rochester to Rockland County, nearly 4 million New Yorkers rely on Social Security every month. But right now, Trump and Musk, two billionaires, are trying to take a chainsaw to your Social Security benefits by closing offices, firing staff, shutting off the phone lines, and adding burdensome bureaucratic rules for seniors, people with disabilities and their families. It’s outrageous, and, if they continue to cut Social Security operations to the bone, the system soon won’t be able to function,” said Senator Schumer. “These cuts make no sense – they are closing offices and saying they want to shut down phone service at the same time, how do they expect seniors to get their benefits? Already the Social Security safety net is breaking at the seams. If no one can take your call, if the website keeps crashing, if they fire the staff that process your claims, that’s a cut in benefits. New Yorker’s aren’t falling for it and won’t stand for it. I have a simple message for ‘DOGE’ and Trump: Hands off New Yorkers Social Security.”

    Schumer said these massive cuts to services come as ‘DOGE’ plans to cut off Social Security 1-800 phone helplines and require in-person visits, which, in tandem with massive staffing cuts, experts say will lead to massive disruptions for New Yorkers relying on over $7+ billion in benefits every month. The senator said we need congressional Republicans, especially those in the NY delegation, to stand up to ‘DOGE’ and tell them to get their hands of New Yorkers’ Social Security.

    A county-by-county breakdown of Social Security beneficiaries across New York can be found here for SSI and Old Age, Survivors, and Disability benefits. Schumer said this impact can be seen at a staggering level across every region of Upstate NY:

    Region

    Social Security Beneficiaries Receiving Monthly Checks or SSI

    Total Payments Per Month

    Capital Region

    287,704

    $509,831,000

    Western New York

    359,603

    $607,973,000

    Rochester-Finger Lakes

    323,274

    $564,706,000

    Central New York

    197,407

    $338,701,000

    Hudson Valley

    487,974

    $942,849,000

    Southern Tier

    203,366

    $331,706,000

    Mohawk Valley

    113,343

    $177,575,000

    North Country

    114,890

    $178,568,000

    UPSTATE NY TOTAL

    2,087,561

    $3,651,909,000

    Schumer said staffing shortages, office closures and mandatory in-person identity checks will make it more difficult for people to access the assistance they need to receive their Social Security benefits. Elon Musk has targeted Social Security, calling it a “ponzi scheme” and saying that Social Security is “the big one to eliminate”. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik said his mother wouldn’t call and complain if she didn’t receive her Social Security benefits. Schumer said rather than making the government more efficient, these cuts will reduce government efficiency by making it more difficult for Social Security beneficiaries to receive their hard-earned benefits. Former Social Security Administrator Martin O’Malley said these cuts will crush our seniors and most vulnerable, and the system could collapse within a month, interrupting benefits.

    ‘DOGE’ & TRUMP WANT DEEP CUTS TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINSTRATION

    THOSE DEEP CUTS MEAN DEEP IMPACTS FOR NEW YORKERS
    • Over 12% of SSA staff are planned to be cut, that is 7,000+ who help run the agency.
    • SSA staff is already at the lowest level in 50 years.
    • ‘DOGE’ is already closing regional offices across the country, including listing offices in Westchester & Chemung County as on the chopping block, with more coming.
    • Trump and Musk are no longer allowing seniors to claim benefits or change payment information over the phone, forcing them to drive to offices ‘DOGE’ is attempting to close.
    • Trump’s acting head of Social Security attempted to shut down the entire agency, endangering benefits, instead of kicking DOGE out of SSA.
    • The SSA website has already crashed four times in 10 days this month, locking out 4+ million NY seniors, disabled, and families.
    • Phone lines already 2+ hour long wait times, and new in person requirements could severely hurt places like Upstate NY and rural areas.
    • If cuts continue, wait times would sky rocket:
      • 9 months to process disability claims
      • 8 months for benefit appeals
      • 11 months for benefit hearings according to SS experts.
    • Former Social Security Administrator Martin O’Malley said, “Ultimately, you’re going to see the system collapse and an interruption of benefits… I believe you will see that within the next 30 to 90 days.”  

    Already, the SSA website has crashed four times in ten days this month, preventing millions of Social Security beneficiaries across the country from logging into their online accounts. Beneficiaries are calling for help but with fewer workers to answer phones due to staffing cuts, wait times are much longer.

    In addition, the Trump administration issued new guidance that millions of Social Security recipients must verify their identities in person at agency field offices, which they were previously able to do over the phone. The Trump administration is closing six of the ten regional offices that oversee field operations. Schumer said this will particularly hurt rural areas and New Yorkers with mobility issues who have trouble accessing in-person offices who may live far from a field office or have limited internet access, especially given an alarming pattern of SSA local office closures. Earlier this year, the White Plains Social Security office lease was terminated and listed on the ‘DOGE’ website as cost saving in addition to the Big Flats office in Chemung County.

    Schumer added, “Elon Musk may not understand how a senior citizen depends on Social Security payments to buy food and pay rent, but New Yorkers do. Social Security is not a ‘ponzi scheme’ or ‘government waste’; it is a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers that I’m calling on my Republican colleagues in Congress, especially in the New York delegation, to help us protect.”

    Social Security has been a crucial piece of the social safety net since President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the law creating it in 1935, and it was designed to be self-sufficient. It has a dedicated revenue source from payroll taxes, which workers split with their employers. Schumer has expressed concerns that layoffs and sudden closures mean hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and millions of Americans who depend on Social Security could be in serious trouble.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo: Bisignano Committed to Improving Social Security Administration for Beneficiaries

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.—During a U.S. Senate Finance Committee hearing to consider the nomination of Frank Bisignano to serve as the next Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) praised the nominee’s qualifications, including his over-30 years of experience implementing innovative and operational improvements at leading financial institutions.  Crapo and Bisignano discussed his vision for the agency, and his plans to improve customer service and employee satisfaction issues.  

    Chairman Crapo concluded the hearing by saying, “You know how to deliver what we all want from Social Security, and we are all looking forward to moving expeditiously with your nomination.”

    Watch Crapo’s opening statement here and line of questioning here or above.

    On addressing Social Security customer service issues:

    Crapo: As we’ve talked about for years, individuals seeking assistance from SSA have faced long wait times, or even inability to gain access, and the agency is now undergoing significant organizational changes.  Could you just put a little more flavor into what you described as what your objectives are and how you will achieve them, to make this agency responsible to the American people?

    Bisignano: It’s a mission critical function, and it’s been 89 years where over 200 million American have been beneficiaries of payments.  Today, over 100 million Americans pay into the system, and the ability to receive payments on time and accurately is job one.  The ability to process any type of claim we receive is job one, and the ability to be available. . . . We must put the beneficiaries first.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Statement on Nomination of Idaho’s Alex Adams to be HHS Assistant Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

    Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) issued the following statement after President Trump nominated Alex Adams, Idaho’s current Department of Health and Welfare Director, to be the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Assistant Secretary for Family Support:

    “Alex has shown a deep commitment to Idahoans’ health throughout his tenure as Director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.  His leadership and dedication to expanding care in underserved areas reflects the commonsense, results-driven approach he will bring to HHS.  Alex’s additional experience as Governor Little’s budget and regulatory director will also prove invaluable in right-sizing the scope of government in improving the health and wellbeing of all Americans.  I look forward to swiftly considering his nomination before the Finance Committee.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Hickenlooper Hears from Coloradans Harmed by Trump Administration Cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Hickenlooper toured CU Anschutz, hosted roundtables in Denver and Aurora on proposed VA and Medicaid cuts, and joined postal workers at a rally
    In case you missed it, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper recently held multiple events throughout the Denver metro area to talk with Coloradans affected by the Trump administration’s chaotic actions.
    Hickenlooper held a roundtable at Inner City Health on the impacts of potential Medicaid cuts and the significant consequences they’d have on Coloradans. Hickenlooper voted against the Republican budget resolution, which would strip critical services that Coloradans rely on like Medicaid.
    He then visited CU Anschutz to tour the facility and hear from researchers concerned about how the funding cuts impact their research and scientific progress.
    Hickenlooper also heard from veterans and laid off VA employees at the Aurora Mental Health Center. Veterans make up 30% of the federal workforce, and the Trump administration has fired an estimated 6,000 veterans so far. The Trump administration also has plans to cut 80,000 VA employees.
    Hickenlooper also joined postal service workers and supporters on the steps of the Colorado Capitol to show support for USPS employees in the face of attempts by the Trump administration to privatize and reduce service.
    Check out the headlines below:
    Colorado Public Radio: Sen. Hickenlooper Tours CU Anschutz and Hears from Young Researcher Hurt by NIH Cuts
    A young researcher wearing a lab coat, transfers fluids using a pipette. The lab where the postdoctoral student is working was on a stop on Senator John Hickenlooper’s visit at CU Anschutz medical center on Tuesday. Cancer researcher Heidi Ford told him about how the student is studying how the immune system responds to breast cancer cells.
    …Hickenlooper told the group he thought his Republican colleagues see the damage that’s being done, and most Americans, “may be suspicious about certain aspects of science, but they believe in the progress that it creates. They believe that long term, this is the right thing to invest in.”
    9 News (Denver): Sen. Hickenlooper Comments on Harms of NIH Funding Cuts to Colorado Research
    Today Senator John Hickenlooper took a walk through the CU Anschutz Cancer Lab, one of many medical research centers across the country in danger of losing millions in federal funding.
    “They’re doing research back there that I saw where they’re actually being able to differentiate between which cells the chemo will attack and letting the normal cells go on about their business keeping you healthy. That’s so exciting, and now we’re suddenly going to give them a gut punch and pull their funding?”
    Colorado Sun: Funding cuts to CU-Anschutz could erase years of medical research contributed by patients, advocates fear
    As the ALS disease that will one day claim her life progressed, Barbara Johnson enrolled in a clinical trial at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus funded by the federal National Institutes of Health.
    …Then, in the statement recorded by her daughter and played through her voice assistant, she directed a message to the man sitting on the other end of a long conference table from her, U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, a Colorado Democrat.
    “Does NIH really want to cut loose these years of research, one study building on the results of another, and all those lifesaving waves?”
    Hickenlooper toured a lab and participated in a panel discussion Tuesday at the Anschutz Campus as part of an effort to understand how proposed cuts to NIH funding would impact research on the campus — and, in fact, already are.
    …Researchers who participated in the panel discussion with Hickenlooper talked of the worry coursing through their labs and weighing on the long-term planning of their graduate students.
    “There’s a lot of stress in academia right now,” Heide Ford told Hickenlooper during a tour of her lab, which studies cancer cells.
    …Hickenlooper vowed to take these stories back to Washington, D.C., with him in the hopes of persuading Senate colleagues to oppose the funding cuts.
    He rejected a more confrontational approach, saying that he believes many Republicans in Congress support science and believes a number are “getable” by finding common ground.
    “Telling someone why they’re wrong and why you think you’re right never works,” he said. “Our country needs to figure out how we’re going to get unified around science again.”
    The most powerful way to do that, he said, is by sharing the stories of researchers and the work they do — and the risk that funding cuts could derail it.
    “I think as more people in Colorado or across the country hear about these setbacks in terms of consistent funding for real medical research that changes the world, I think people are going to be pissed off,” Hickenlooper said. “I think we’re going to hear from them, and we should. This is irresponsible.”
    Denver Gazette: Amid Trump cuts, Colorado medical leaders worry about losing ‘generation of researchers’
    A group of Colorado medical leaders on Tuesday expressed fears that proposed cuts to the National Institutes of Health medical research grants would not only hurt current research but risk losing “a generation of researchers.”
    Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper sat at a roundtable with 16 local medical CEOs, presidents and researchers to discuss NIH’s decision to cut “indirect cost” rates for medical research grants.
    …Prior to the discussion, Hickenlooper toured the campus’ cancer lab, which focuses on cancer research treatments. The entire lab is funded by NIH grants.
    Sentinel Colorado: Hickenlooper collects stories at Aurora round-table to persuade Republicans to halt cuts to VA, veterans
    Colorado veterans, Veteran Affairs employees and a Colorado senator say they are angry and fearful over the way the Trump Administration is handling massive federal government cuts and layoffs.
    …Democratic Sen. John Hickenlooper held the group discussion along with Aurora Mental Health and Recovery to talk with veterans and VA employees about the administration’s cuts and firings and how they affect veterans and military-connected families in Colorado.
    Hickenlooper said it made him angry, which he says is rare for him, adding that he can count on one hand the times congress has made him angry.
    “The talk about waste, fraud and abuse in the Veterans Administration drives me nuts,” Hickenlooper said. “Any time I hear people discrediting and tearing down the Veterans Administration in any way, it gets me in a place that I don’t usually go to.”
    …“This is egregious,” Hickenlooper said.
    Hickenlooper said he knows “for a fact” from the years he was Colorado governor that the VA never had enough funding, so the Trump cuts will hurt veterans significantly.
    Hickenlooper said he enjoys “good” relationships with 20 to 25 Republican senators right now. He said he hopes to take the veterans’ stories from Aurora to share with those GOP senators and persuade them to make changes.
    “The more stories I can give to them about what’s really happening, the better,” Hickenlooper said. “The sooner we’re going to turn this around and begin to recognize and deliver on some of that funding that you guys are all deserving of.”
    Colorado Newsline: Colorado veterans cut under Trump feel ‘like trash,’ Hickenlooper told
    Ryan Bevard worked at a hospital within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eight years before he got a position he had been vying for as a social work associate.
    …U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper, a Colorado Democrat, listened to Bevard and about two dozen other veterans talk about how the Trump administration’s funding cuts and layoffs have affected their ability to access health care and other benefits at the Aurora Mental Health Center Tuesday.
    “These veterans put their life on the line,” Hickenlooper said. “In many cases they suffered debilitating consequences to their physical health, to their mental health, things that are never going to be back 100% the way they were.”
    …Hickenlooper said the notion that the VA is riddled with “waste, fraud and abuse” — which is what Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency is tasked with targeting — angers him. He called the “draconian cuts” to the VA “egregious,” and said he doesn’t think his Republican colleagues in the congressional majority have heard how cuts and layoffs have affected veterans. He said he has good relationships with about 20 to 25 Republican senators, and the sooner they hear stories like those shared with him in Aurora, the sooner VA funding will be restored.
    “I don’t think they’ll be happy with what they’re going to hear,” Hickenlooper said. “They believe in the military, they believe that people that have served our country in defense deserve to be cared for. I think almost all of them do.”
    Veterans losing their jobs without cause will further worsen the increasing suicide rates among veterans, Hickenlooper said. He said he supports shrinking the government, but “random firings without cause” is “not how to do it.”
    “Everyone who’s still working is filled with doubt and anxiety, so they’re not doing a good job,” Hickenlooper said. “You’re not making government more efficient, you’re making them less efficient.”
    CBS (Colorado Springs): Sen. Hickenlooper speaks at postal workers rally
    “Liberal or conservative or in between, wherever you fall on the political spectrum: you deserve your mail and the services that the post office provides and that’s very important”
    Colorado Springs isn’t the only place where the rallies popped up; workers up in Denver were also protesting. Senator John Hickenlooper spoke at that rally: “What President Trump is doing here (and he’s doing it elsewhere) is not only illegal, it’s unconstitutional, and I think when you look at what the postal service does, it delivers mail to every person regardless of your zip code, and I recognize how hard that is, right? I’ve traveled to every corner of this state, you know, there’s some pretty remote towns, but everybody in this state gets the mail.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Velázquez Introduce Bicameral Legislation to Support Music Education for More Students

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-7) introduced a resolution that aims to support and provide students with more access to music and arts in our schools. The Music In Our Schools Month Resolution would support music in schools by affirming the importance of music education, highlighting the benefits students receive from its instruction, and recognizing the hard work of music educators across the country. 
    “Music has been in America’s schools since before our nation’s inception, and research shows that access to a music education promotes development and teaches valuable skills that kids carry with them into adulthood,” said Senator Booker. “However, many kids today lack access to music education in their schools. This resolution recognizes the impact music has made on the culture of the United States, and the importance of ensuring every public school has the resources and support they need to include music in their curriculum.” 
    “Music education opens doors for students in so many ways, whether creatively, emotionally, or academically,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “With arts federal arts funding under threat, we must recognize the importance of music education to students across the country and honor the teachers who make it possible.”
    The resolution is endorsed by a broad coalition of organizations and institutions, including ArtPride New Jersey Foundation, New Jersey Council for the Humanities, New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA), Newark School of the Arts, Wharton Arts, Art Educators of New Jersey, Arts Ed NJ, NJ Symphony, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Music Will, El Sistema USA, Conn Selmer, Inc., Music Travel Consultants, Musicians Abroad, Heart of America Choir, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, Bennett Travel, Education Through Music, A. Cuthbertson Consulting, the Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society, JazzSLAM, the Tullman Family Office, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Percussive Arts Society (PAS), Rock and Soul Forever Foundation / TeachRock, George Mason University, League of American Orchestras, New Harmony Line, Feierabend Association for Music Education (FAME), the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, and the Music Teachers National Association, National Association for Music Education.
    “Music is a powerful force that brings people together, fosters creativity, and strengthens communities. By supporting Music in Our Schools Month, we affirm the vital role that music education plays in shaping an innovative and empathetic society,” said Adam Perle, President & CEO of ArtPride New Jersey Foundation.
    “Music, like the humanities, helps us explore and share the stories that embody the human experience. It connects us across time and culture, fostering understanding, creativity, and community. The New Jersey Council for the Humanities is proud to support Music in Our Schools Month because every student deserves the opportunity to engage with this essential part of our shared heritage,” said Carin Berkowitz, Ph.D., Executive Director, New Jersey Council for the Humanities.
    “On behalf of the members of the New Jersey Music Educators Association, I’d like to thank Senator Booker for sponsoring this important resolution in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Music in Our Schools Month. This year’s theme, United Through Music, reminds us that despite our differences, music has the power to challenge perspectives, inspire action, and bridge divides. For four decades, this initiative has highlighted the critical role of high-quality music education in shaping well-rounded, career-ready students. As a core academic subject, music education fosters essential skills such as collaboration, teamwork, and critical thinking. Beyond performances, it nurtures creativity, self-discipline, and resilience while supporting students’ social-emotional well-being. We urge communities to recognize and celebrate music education as a vital part of every student’s learning experience,” said David Westawski, President, New Jersey Music Educators Association (NJMEA).
    “At Newark School of the Arts, we believe music education fosters creativity, discipline, and emotional expression. Our inclusive program develops technical proficiency while instilling an appreciation for the cultural and historical significance of music, encouraging collaboration and innovation. We support Senator Booker’s Resolution for March 2025 as Music in Our Schools Month and urge others to join us,” said Sharon Salvador, Interim Executive Director, Newark School of the Arts.
    “As a proud product of a public school music program, I know firsthand the transformative power of music education. At Wharton Arts, we see every day how music fosters creativity, confidence, and community. Senator Booker’s ‘Music in Our Schools’ bill ensures that all students, regardless of background, have access to these life-changing opportunities. We strongly support this initiative and applaud his commitment to music education,” said Helen H. Cha-Pyo, Artistic Director, Wharton Arts.
    “Art Educators of NJ (AENJ), proudly stands in support of our colleagues across all artistic disciplines, including the resolution of Music in Our Schools Month. We recognize the invaluable role that music plays in the development of our youth and we are thrilled to celebrate the creative journey of New Jersey’s young artists. Together, we champion the importance of the arts in education and the endless possibilities it brings to our future creators,” said Tamika Diaz, President, Art Educators of New Jersey.
    “Arts Ed NJ proudly supports the Senate resolution designating March 2025 as Music in Our Schools Month. As a national leader in arts education access, New Jersey understands that music and the arts are essential to student wellbeing, engagement, and academic success. Every day, we see how the arts provide a vital space for students to express themselves, build resilience, and develop the critical skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex world. A comprehensive arts education is not a luxury—it is a cornerstone of creativity, critical thinking, and innovation, ensuring a vibrant and thriving future for our communities and our nation,” said Wendy Liscow, Executive Director, Arts Ed NJ.
    “As President & CEO of New Jersey Symphony, I express my support for the designation of March 2025 as Music in Our Schools Month. As both a patron of the arts and President & CEO of an arts organization, I believe that this resolution is vital to the Garden State and is in line with our mission of bringing the arts and music education to all residents in New Jersey. I am proud to be a part of such a dynamic organization that has been a key contributor to the arts in the state. I am especially proud of our Youth Orchestra, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary season, as well as our other education and community programs in Newark, N.J., and throughout the state. We will continue this expansion of music education into Jersey City, N.J., and serve even more youth with the opening of a new Symphony Center arts venue and education complex. New Jersey is the place to be for music, and this Music in Our Schools Month resolution is a vital step to ensuring future generations receive an opportunity to develop musical talent and a love for the artform,” Terry D. Loftis, President & CEO, NJ Symphony.
    “Since 1997, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center has offered music education programs in Greater Newark schools, from assemblies on jazz history to programs that teach middle-schoolers to write musicals,” says John Schreiber, NJPAC’s President and CEO. “Our arts education programs touch more than 50,000 students every season through performances, masterclasses, in-classroom residencies and instruction in jazz, hip hop, acting and musical theater. We know the latest science shows us that the arts are profoundly beneficial to our physical and mental well-being, at every age. And we see every day how engagement with the arts is life-enhancing for our students — and how sometimes it can transform a young person’s future,” said John Schreiber, President and CEO, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).
    “On behalf of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, I am honored to support this Resolution for Music in Our Schools Month. Music is a means to speak across cultures and generations – a communication tool that often transcends spoken language, uniting us where other means fail. Students in schools with strong music programs often see improved academic performance, enhanced social interaction, and higher motivation,” said Karen Bingert, Executive Director of NJPSA. “As every principal in New Jersey can attest, music education and programming can provide students with a powerful outlet for self-expression, allow them to explore emotions and creativity in ways that words sometimes cannot, develop essential life skills, improve communication, and collaborate with others toward a common goal. We thank Senator Booker for his leadership in introducing this  important Resolution, and we urge all Senators to demonstrate their commitment to the value of arts in education by supporting this pertinent measure.”
    The Music In Our Schools Month Resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA).
    To read the full text of the resolution, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Rated The #1 Most Effective U.S. Senator For Third Congress In A Row

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) has been rated the most effective U.S. Senator for the third time in a row by the nonpartisan Center for Effective Lawmaking, which released its biannual effectiveness ratings for the 118thCongress (2023-2024). Peters was also rated the most effective Senator by the Center in the 116th (2019-2020) and 117th (2021-2022) Congresses. In the 118th Congress, Peters earned the highest effectiveness score for a U.S. Senator ever recorded in the fifty years since the Center for Effective Lawmaking began tracking this data. He also becomes the first Senator in more than four decades to be named most effective three times in a row. Peters achieved this recognition by authoring 15 standalone bills that were passed and signed into law. He also authored 10 additional bills that were passed into law as part of larger legislative packages, including bipartisan legislation that established a Northern Border Mission Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County. 

    “My top priority in the Senate has always been working in a bipartisan way to get things done for Michiganders, from supporting Michigan manufacturing, to protecting our Great Lakes, to strengthening our national security,” said Senator Peters. “I’ve found that building relationships based on trust, respect, and compromise, with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, is the key to finding commonsense solutions to the challenges we face, and I’ll keep fighting every day to deliver results for Michiganders and Americans across our country.”

    “At the top of the list—for the third congress in a row—is Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, who (as we noted previously) had the rare distinction of being the overall most effective lawmaker in the Senate in the 116th Congress, despite Democrats being the minority party in the Congress. As we noted in our analysis four years ago, Sen. Peters’s feat cannot be found anywhere else in the Center for Effective Lawmaking data,” wrote the Center for Effective Lawmaking.

    The Center continued by saying, “every bill that he sponsored that became law had at least one Republican cosponsor who was also advocating for its passage. For several of his sponsored bills, we likewise see that the only cosponsors of the legislation were Republican senators. As such, Sen. Peters’s practice of coalition building and cosponsorship continues to comport with Center for Effective Lawmaking research showing that bipartisan lawmakers are much more effective than partisan lawmakers, even when in the majority party.”

    “With the announced retirement of Senator Peters… it is clear that the United States Senate has lost a notable degree of lawmaking capacity, in comparison to more recent congresses, such that it is less obvious as to who will serve as the most prominent legislative leaders in future years,” the Center said.

    The Center for Effective Lawmaking is a joint initiative between the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, which rates each member of Congress based on a number of factors including the bills they sponsor, how far those bills move through the lawmaking process, and how substantial their bills are. To read the full report from the Center for Effective Lawmaking, click here. 

    Peters has been repeatedly named one of the most effective and bipartisan senators. During the 117th Congress, Peters was the author and principal sponsor of 19 bills signed into law, the most by a U.S. Senator during a single Congress in more than 40 years, according to the Congressional Research Service and the Senate Historical Office. Peters was recognized as the 2nd-most bipartisan Senator – and the most bipartisan Democrat – in 2023, according to rankings released by the nonpartisan Lugar Center and McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University. The Lugar Center also ranked Peters the 3rd-most bipartisan Senator for his work during the 117th Congress (2021-2022).

    Below is a recap of the key bills Peters authored that were passed and signed into law during the 118th Congress: 

    Established Northern Border Mission Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base: Peters secured his bipartisan Northern Border Coordination Act as a provision in the annual national defense bill that was signed into law last year. The provision expanded the operations and duties of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Northern Border Mission Center. Peters secured $3 million last March to establish and operate this Center at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, where it is collocated with current DHS components. The Center, which DHS is already working to set up, will coordinate with state, local, and Tribal governments, and other key stakeholders, to ensure DHS and its operational components are able to fulfill their security mission at the Northern Border.   

    Protecting Burial Benefits for Military Families: Peters passed bipartisan legislation into law to ensure our military families can continue to be laid to rest together in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries. This law grants the VA the authority to bury the spouse or child of a service member in the tragic case that their death precedes the servicemember.  

    Supporting Firefighters and Emergency Responders: Peters’ Fire Grants and Safety Act was signed into law, reauthorizing key federal grant programs that help support fire departments across the country. The bill reauthorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program, and the United States Fire Administration (USFA). These programs are used by local fire departments to address staffing needs, purchase equipment, develop fire training and education programs, and improve emergency medical services. 

    Reducing Confusion for Disaster Relief Applicants: Peters authored a bill that was signed into law to create one application deadline for two Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs that individuals use for disaster assistance. The law ensures that both the Disaster Unemployment Assistance Program (DUA) and Individuals and Households Program (IHP) has the same deadline, making it easier for applicants to apply for assistance when rebuilding their lives after a disaster.  

    Expanding Financial Support for Maritime Students: Peters authored and passed into law his CADETS Act, expanding the Student Incentive Payment Program eligibility for financial assistance to cadets who attend one of the six State Maritime Academies and commit to a post-graduation service obligation to include any qualified student who will meet the age requirements for enlistment in the U.S. Navy Reserve at their time of graduation. This law will encourage more cadets to continue serving our country after graduation, strengthening Michigan’s robust maritime sector and national security. 

    Reusing Federally Owned Property: Peters passed a bill into law to ensure federal agencies are reusing excess federal property, including office supplies, automobiles, and heavy machinery, before buying new products in order to save taxpayer dollars.  

    Improving Oversight of Federal Grant Programs: Peters’ bipartisan Financial Management Risk Reduction Act was signed into law, helping to safeguard taxpayer dollars by making audit data more accessible and increasing opportunities to identify potential misuse of federal grant programs.  

    Holding Federal Agencies Accountable for Performance Goals: Legislation authored by Peters was signed into law to ensure federal agencies are effectively carrying out their missions for the American people. The law requires the White House Office of Management and Budget to regularly conduct reviews of agency performance and ensure they are following strategic plans.  

    Strengthening National Safety System for Commercial Drivers: Peters’ bipartisan bill was signed into law to safeguard funding for the Commercial Driver’s License Information System (CDLIS). The CDLIS is a crucial, nationwide computer system that ensures commercial drivers have only one license and one complete driver record. State driver licensing agencies utilize the CDLIS to complete safety procedures such as sharing out-of-state convictions and withdrawals, transferring the driver record when a commercial driver license holder moves to another state, and responding to requests for driver status and history.

    Bolstering Department of Homeland Security Joint Task Forces: Peters authored and passed a bill into law extending the Joint Task Forces authority, allowing DHS to establish joint operations using DHS personnel and resources to secure U.S. land and maritime borders, address homeland security threats, and establish regional operations to tackle ongoing homeland security challenges like drug smuggling and trafficking. 

    Supporting Victims of Human Trafficking: Peters’ bipartisan legislation to enhance the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to combat human trafficking was signed into law. The law makes permanent and expands the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Victim Assistance Program that helps provide support to individuals impacted by human trafficking. It will also help to provide additional support to the dedicated HSI personnel who are working to combat these horrific crimes. 

    Strengthening Federal Building Security: Bipartisan legislation authored by Peters was signed into law requiring federal agencies to adequately respond to security recommendations issued by the Federal Protective Service (FPS) within 90 days to protect visitors and employees in federal buildings from a range of security threats. 

    Improving Efficiency of Legislative Process: Peters passed bipartisan legislation into law to help eliminate procedural delays and improve efficiency in the legislative process. The law provides the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) with timely access to the information they need to complete their analysis of the budgetary impacts of legislation, which is required prior to almost all votes in the Senate. 

    Recognizing the Contributions of Trailblazing Michiganders: Peters also led several bills that were signed into law to honor trailblazing Michiganders and their extraordinary contributions to our state, including: 

    • A bill to designate the United States Postal Service office located at 2075 West Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor, Michigan, as the “Robert Hayden Post Office.” Robert Hayden – born in Detroit in 1913 – achieved national and international recognition for his poetry, as well as essays and other works of literature, with much of his work touching on the Black American experience as part of the greater human experience. In 1976, he became the first African American to be appointed Consultant in Poetry by the Library of Congress – a role that is now known as Poet Laureate.  
    • A bill to designate the United States Postal Service office located at 90 McCamly Street South in Battle Creek, Michigan, as the “Sojourner Truth Post Office.” After escaping slavery in 1827, Sojourner Truth embarked on a path to preach for emancipation. Throughout her life, Truth fought bravely against racial injustices and spoke up for women’s suffrage. In 1857, Truth moved to Harmonia, a former utopian community that was later incorporated into Battle Creek, Michigan, and spent the rest of her life advocating in various spheres.             
    • A bill to designate the United States Postal Service office located at 155 South Main Street in Mount Clemens, Michigan, as the “Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson Post Office.” Alexander Jefferson – born in Detroit – served in the military during World War II. During his time with the Tuskegee Airmen, Jefferson was shot down in France and captured by Nazi ground troops. He was a prisoner of war in German-occupied Poland before he was freed by General George Patton’s U.S. Third Army. Jefferson returned to Michigan, where he became a U.S. Postal Service letter carrier, earned a teaching certificate, and obtained a master’s degree in education from Wayne State University. In 2016, Senator Peters helped honor Jefferson at a ceremony for France’s Knight of the Legion of Honor Medal – the highest honor France bestows on people who have carried out actions of great value to their nation.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts Discusses Importance of Indo-Pacific Allies like the Philippines in Deterring Communist China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), the second-ranking Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, discussed the importance of maintaining America’s alliances in the Indo-Pacific. Ricketts focused on how America’s key alliance with the Philippines has helped deter Communist China. During the hearing, Senator Ricketts said the following:

    “Since the signing of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the Philippines has been one of our key allies in the Indo-Pacific. However, in recent years, the alliance has grown both more important and even more key as far as our strategic alignment. Despite being outmatched militarily and economically, the Philippines has demonstrated incredible resolve in resisting Beijing’s unlawful aggression in the South China Sea,” Ricketts said. “It [the Philippines] is also able to act as an important voice within the ASEAN against Communist China’s other pressure campaigns as you all have been talking about. But most important is what the alliance provides us militarily… and the expansion of the EDCA bases and the 9 strategic sites that they’ve given us access to to enhance our ability to deter Communist China in the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea and other key theaters.”

    Ricketts made the comments in a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The hearing was entitled: “Shared Threats: Indo-Pacific Alliances and Burden Sharing in Today’s Geopolitical Environment.”The Committee heard testimony from Victor Cha, President of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair at CSIS; Oriana Skylar Mastro, Center Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies; and Randy Shriver, Chairman of the Board of the Project 2049 Institute.

    Click here to watch the questioning.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Asks EPA, FWS Nominees about Regulatory Certainty, West Virginia Priorities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led a hearing on the nominations of Brian Nesvik to be Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Jessica Kramer to be Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Sean Donahue to be General Counsel of the Environmental Protection Agency.

    During the hearing, Chairman Capito questioned the nominees about the process of working with state government officials, aspects of the federal permitting process, and the Muddy Creek Restoration Project in West Virginia. 

    HIGHLIGHTS:

    IMPORTANCE OF STATE INTERACTION:

    CHAIRMAN CAPITO: 

    “I’ve heard from my West Virginia government officials of instances when they’ve tried to advise [FWS] on these local issues, and it’s sort of fallen on deaf ears. So because of your interactions in the past, will you please share your experience as Director of Wyoming Game and Fish with your department’s efforts to coordinate with those state regional [FWS] field offices, and how that experience will inform your efforts to strengthen the relationship between the service and those state agencies?”

    BRIAN NESVIK:

    “I have had many years of opportunity to interact with and work directly with different employees of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, all the way from field employees, up to previous directors. One of the things that, certainly at times, there’s this natural tension and friction between state and federal agencies. But I think one of the things that’s been very helpful for me, and would be helpful for me in this position, if I’m confirmed, is understanding both my frustrations with some of those decisions and interactions, but also understanding what challenges those folks face, as well.”

    SECTION SEVEN CONSULTATIONS:

    CHAIRMAN CAPITO:

    “[Endangered Species Act] Section Seven consultations are an important step in the federal permitting process, ensuring that threatened and endangered species, as well as critical habitats, are not jeopardized. While there are deadlines the Service must meet for these consultations, they are often missed, the deadlines are missed, leading to costly delays. Will you commit to expediting Section Seven consultations while ensuring wildlife and their habitats are protected?”

    BRIAN NESVIK:

    “I know it’s an issue, I’m very interested in digging into and trying to find out, you know, where we can find some efficiencies. I’m a strong believer, as I said, in using technology. Oftentimes processes get bogged down, and there’s a lot of, every day, there’s new technology available to help with those things. And I’m interested in looking at that, and my commitment to you is that I will take the deep dive into this issue.”

    MUDDY CREEK RESTORATION PROJECT:

    CHAIRMAN CAPITO:

    “In West Virginia, we saw firsthand how innovative state-led approaches can deliver real environmental results. I’m talking about the Muddy Creek Restoration Project. It successfully restored 19 miles of waterways that was impacted by acid mine drainage, using a cost effective watershed-based strategy. And this model was faster, more efficient, less expensive, and initially it was launched under the Trump administration. Later, it was touted by the Biden administration for its success, but it was ultimately abandoned in favor of a slower, more bureaucratic process that threatens the progress of being able to clean up Muddy Creek. If confirmed, how will you get the EPA’s water office back to proven, results-driven approaches like this Muddy Creek model I’m speaking about?”

    JESSICA KRAMER:

    “If I have the honor of being confirmed, one of the things that we will focus on in the Office of Water is looking at every one of the regulatory matrixes that we implement as the EPA, and looking for opportunities for both innovation as well as expediting, ensuring that we are still fulfilling our statutory and regulatory obligations. The project you mentioned is an exact opportunity for us to try to replicate, to look for those additional opportunities and to offer, not only for other locations in West Virginia, but also across the country.”

    Click HERE to watch Chairman Capito’s questions.

    Click HERE to watch Chairman Capito’s opening statement.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Statement On Trump Administration Closing DHS Watchdog Offices

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    March 26, 2025

    WAHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Wednesday released the following statement on the Trump administration closing three watchdog offices within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

    “This is yet another illegal power grab by the Trump administration to shutter independent agencies created and funded by Congress. Closing these three offices — the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, and the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman — is an attempt to bypass any scrutiny or oversight of their cruel agenda. By doing so, the Trump administration has eliminated most safeguards on immigration detention at a time when watchdog offices are most needed. The result will leave people being held in detention vulnerable to abuse, make the immigration system more chaotic than it already is, and increase costs for taxpayers. Once again, the Trump Administration is choosing to create more challenges at the border than trying to solve them.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Senator Mullin Welcomes Lawton-Fort Sill Community Leaders to Washington, Holds Q&A

    US Senate News:

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

    RELEASE: Senator Mullin Welcomes Lawton-Fort Sill Community Leaders to Washington, Holds Q&A

    Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke with Lawton-Fort Sill community leaders about issues facing our national defense, addressed DOGE cuts concerns, answered questions about advancing the community, and bolstered his support for Lawton’s lasting impact on the state and our national defense industrial base.

    As the Senator noted in his remarks, a crucial piece to Lawton-Fort Sill’s standing as a premiere national defense hub is the Fires Innovation Science and Technology Accelerator (FISTA). It is a model private-public partnership for communities to replicate across the country to support America’s warfighters. As our nation transitions to modern warfare, our defense needs have changed, and it’s more important than ever that we adapt to the needs of today’s warfighter. Partnerships like FISTA put Lawton at the center of advanced weaponry and engineering, which attracts high-paying jobs and business from across the nation to Oklahoma’s growing defense industrial base. 

    “What you guys are doing with FISTA is remarkable. It shows partnership, a private-public partnership,” said Sen. Mullin “It is something that while other communities may have tried it, I would say Lawton has led it in understanding what it is actually capable of doing.” 

    “The Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce is grateful for the work our Oklahoma delegation is doing in Washington, D.C. and appreciates each of them taking the time to meet with the Lawton community leaders to update us on the future of our country under the current administration,” Austin Rabon, Chairman of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce.

    Additional highlights from Sen. Mullin’s remarks are below:

    “The President came in very strong on this, saying that he wants to make reforms. He doesn’t want to weaken our military, he wants to strengthen it. But we feel like there’s a lot of opportunities to strengthen it by being more efficient, being more efficient on how we spend the money, being more efficient on the programs that we do, looking at what programs we’re paying for that shouldn’t be there.”  

    “There’s some technology that we’re paying for that we started developing 12 years ago. I’m sorry, that technology’s out of date. There’s technology that we’re still working on, platforms we’re still working toward, that was designed to fight the war on terror, not the conventional fight that’s facing us down the road. We’re still paying those… That’s part of the cuts. We’re saying there’s no point in us still using that platform of technology that is not useful today.”

    “General Brown… was very proud of what we’re doing in Oklahoma. I will tell you, that’s continued throughout the Department of Defense and you guys, by setting that standard so high for other communities to look at, is a huge bragging point for me. So, thank you for giving me something to hang on.”

    “I think we have a true, once in a generation, opportunity to make real changes for the generations that come behind us.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville, Moore Reintroduce Bill to Boost Alabama Pecan and Tree Nut Farmers, Increase Healthier Options for Seniors  

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville is continuing his efforts to boost Alabama’s agriculture community and make healthy foods more accessible for Alabama’s more than 54,000 seniors by reintroducing the Farmers’ Market Expansion Act, legislation that would make pecans and other tree nuts eligible for the USDA’s Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Senator Tuberville’s legislation would make tree nuts, including pecans and shelled nuts, available for participating seniors. AgriPulse first reported the bill’s introduction.
    “The Farmers’ Market Expansion Act would be a huge win for both our seniors and tree nut farmers by making it easier for seniors to incorporate pecans into their diet,” said Senator Tuberville. “Not only are pecans delicious, but they are a great source of nutrients needed for brain, bone, and heart health. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Moore to support Alabama’s farmers and Americans seeking healthier lives. As Alabama’s voice on the Senate Ag Committee, I’ll continue advocating for Alabama’s farmers and bringing important ag and nutritional priorities to the table.”
    U.S. Senator Ben Luján (D-NM) joined Senator Tuberville in introducing the legislation. U.S. Representative Barry Moore (R-AL-01) is leading companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    “Adding tree nuts, especially shelled pecans, to the Seniors’ Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program benefits Alabama producers and seniors,” said Rep. Moore. “Pecans are an important part of Alabama’s agriculture, and we are hopeful this legislation creates competitive markets for our tree nut producers. I am proud to work alongside Senator Tuberville to deliver this much needed legislation for Alabama’s farmers and the American people.”
    The Farmers’ Market Expansion Act is endorsed by the National Pecan Federation, Southeastern Pecan Growers Association, Almond Alliance, American Pistachio Growers, California Walnut Commission, Alabama Pecan Growers Association (APGA), Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries, Alabama Farmers Federation (ALFA), Alabama Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (AFVGA). Text of the bill can be found here. 
    “The attention to the pecan industry in Alabama continues to grow. The opportunity for Pecans to be added to the Senior Market Nutrition Program would be a huge win for Alabama growers. The pecan nut has the highest amount of Antioxidants of any tree.  The fit here is a benefit to all open additional market for growers provide high quality nutrition for seniors’.  Thank you, Coach, for your focus and commitment to Alabama Farmers,” said Brian Futral, President of the Alabama Pecan Growers Association (APGA).
    “I’m grateful to Senator Tuberville for reintroducing the Farmers Market Expansion Act. Alabama is home to 170 farmers markets and 114 farm stands that would benefit from adding tree nuts to the Seniors’ Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). Adding pecans to this program would provide our seniors with another healthy choice in addition to fresh produce, while also supporting Alabama’s hardworking pecan growers. This would be a win for our farmers, for our seniors and for Alabama agriculture,” said Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries Commissioner Rick Pate.
    “The Almond Alliance supports Senator Tuberville and Representative Barry Moore’s introduction of the Pecan and Tree Nut Producers Assistance Act, which would allow nutrient-dense, locally grown tree nuts—such as almonds—to be included in the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. This bill supports both the health of low-income seniors and the economic vitality of almond growers. Including nutritious, locally grown tree nuts in the program benefits consumers and producers alike,” saidAlexi Rodriguez, President and CEO, Almond Alliance.
    “The National Pecan Federation is proud to support the reintroduction of this legislation, which would include tree nuts in the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). The inclusion of pecans in the SFMNP will expand the market for pecan producers across the country and increase consumer access to a healthy and delicious product. We appreciate the opportunity to include pecans in new local markets that will benefit seniors in our communities,” said Larry Don Womack, Chairman of the National Pecan Federation.
    “The Southeastern Pecan Growers Association supports the reintroduction of the Farmers’ Market Expansion Act, which would include access to local pecans for eligible seniors. This potential market is especially important to our smaller growers who are actively looking to place their pecan products in local and community-based markets. The passage of this bill would create success for pecan producers across the Southeast, while providing consumer access to a new, highly nutritious product,” said Justin Jones, Chairman of the Southeastern Pecan Growers Association.
    BACKGROUND:
    The SFMNP provides fresh, nutritious, locally-grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey to eligible low-income seniors. These seniors must be 60 years of age or older and have a household income of no more than 185% of the federal poverty level. Eligible seniors can exchange coupons for program products at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. 
    According to the USDA, in fiscal year 2022, the SFMNP had 757,751 seniors participate and 15,089 farmers sold products through the program across the country. Annual program benefits vary per state between $20 – $50 per year, with over 54,000 eligible seniors in Alabama. 
    According to the USDA Economic Research Service (ERS), common tree nuts are considered almonds, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, and walnuts. With this legislation, these tree nuts would be eligible for the SFMNP.
    Alabama is one of the country’s top pecan producers, ranking eighth nationally. Growers across the state harvested approximately 3 million pounds across 9,000 pecan-bearing acres in 2022. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, Alabama had over 762 producers who harvested 7,276 pecan-bearing acres.
    During Farm Bill listening sessions throughout Alabama last Congress, Senator Tuberville had outreach from several pecan growers who were seeking to add pecans to the farmers’ market program. Pecan producers have had seniors seeking to purchase whole and shelled pecans through the program, but cannot due to current restrictions. 
    Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP, and Aging Committees.

    MIL OSI USA News –