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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Secure Fair Pay for Truckers Working Overtime

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    March 06, 2025
    Washington D.C.— U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said today he has joined Senate colleagues to introduce bipartisan legislation that would ensure truckers are compensated fairly for the hours that they are on the clock, including overtime.
    “Truck drivers are a central part of Oregon’s fast-moving economy, and they should be fairly compensated for their labor,” said Wyden. “I’ve heard throughout my nearly 1100 town halls how rural areas especially need career opportunities for young Oregonians and veterans. I’ll continue to keep my foot on the pedal for initiatives like this to help workers get their fair share and make it easier for small businesses and consumers to send and receive their outstanding Oregon goods.”
    In response to an Executive Order by former President Biden, the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Freight and Logistics Supply Chain Assessment in February 2022, which highlights high turnover rates and compensation issues in the trucking industry. Among its recommendations, the Department called on Congress to repeal the motor carrier provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to allow truckers to earn fair overtime pay.
    The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act would repeal the motor carrier provision of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which excludes many truckers from overtime protections enjoyed by other workers.
    The legislation was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Mark Takano, D-Calif., and Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J. In addition to Wyden, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.
    The Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act is supported by Teamsters and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.
    “The exclusion of truck drivers from federal overtime protections must come to an end,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “The Teamsters Union is proud to support the Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act, which will right the decades long wrong that serves only to harm drivers to the benefit of their employers.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Senate Judiciary Democrats File Misconduct Complaint Against Interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin With D.C. Bar

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
    March 06, 2025
    Requesting a disciplinary investigation into Martin, SJC Dems cite multiple abuses of power by Martin
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led all Senate Judiciary Democrats in filing a professional misconduct complaint against Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin with the D.C. Bar.
    In a letter to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel at the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, which handles complaints against lawyers who are barred in D.C., the Senators cite multiple abuses of power by Martin, including dismissing charges against his own client and using the threat of prosecution to intimidate government employees and chill the speech of private citizens.
    The Senators begin by articulating lapses in judgment involving failures to recuse from cases involving previous clients involved in the January 6th insurrection, writing: “While in private practice, Mr. Martin appeared as defense counsel in cases related to the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.  On January 21, 2025, Mr. Martin personally submitted a motion to dismiss the eight felony counts and two misdemeanors against Joseph Padilla, who had already been convicted and sentenced for these charges… Similarly, Mr. Martin appeared as defense counsel for January 6 defendant William Chrestman… Mr. Martin only moved to withdraw from his representation of Mr. Chrestman on February 4, 2025… There is also evidence indicating that Mr. Martin, since his appointment as Interim U.S. Attorney, has communicated directly with January 6 defendants who were not his clients.”
    The Senators continue by citing multiple threats of prosecution to intimidate government employees and chill the speech of private citizens, writing: “Since assuming the duties of Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Mr. Martin has also engaged in additional, repeated conduct that appears to violate Rule 8.4(d), as well as Rule 3.8’s special responsibilities for prosecutors. Specifically, Mr. Martin has made numerous extrajudicial statements that threaten prosecution with the apparent intent of intimidating government employees and chilling the speech of private citizens.”
    The Senators conclude with a request for a professional misconduct investigation into Martin, writing: “Mr. Martin’s conduct not only speaks to his fitness as a lawyer; his activities are part of a broader course of conduct by President Trump and his allies to undermine the traditional independence of Department of Justice investigations and prosecutions and the rule of law.  When a government lawyer, particularly one entrusted with a leadership role in the nation’s foremost law enforcement agency, commits serious violations of professional conduct, it undermines the integrity of our justice system and erodes public confidence in it. Public confidence would be further eroded if such serious misconduct is met with no consequences. Therefore, we submit this letter of complaint to respectfully request that the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel initiate an investigation and take appropriate disciplinary proceedings pursuant to Rule XI of the Rules Governing the District of Columbia Bar.”
    In addition to Durbin, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).
    For a PDF copy of the complaint against Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Ed Martin, click here.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Joins Senate Colleagues to Demand Trump Administration Ensure Legal Representation for Vulnerable Children in Immigration Custody

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined 33 of her Senate colleagues in a letter demanding that Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum ensure legal services are available, as required by law, for unaccompanied children caught up in the U.S. immigration system. Last month, the Trump Administration issued a stop work order to organizations that provide legal services for unaccompanied children. Then, following public pressure, the order was rescinded.
    “Pausing or terminating the provision of legal services to unaccompanied children under this contract runs directly counter to the requirements of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) and places 26,000 unaccompanied children at increased risk of trafficking, exploitation, and other harm,” wrote the Senators. “The TVPRA, passed by Congress in 2008 on a bipartisan basis, requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, that all unaccompanied children have counsel to represent them in legal proceedings and protect them from mistreatment, exploitation, and trafficking.”
    “Cutting off access to legal services makes it more likely that the government will lose track of unaccompanied children, given the challenges such children would face in independently appearing for immigration court hearings, submitting address updates, or otherwise communicating with immigration authorities,” they continued. “Not only will this make children more vulnerable to trafficking, but it will also create further inefficiencies in an already backlogged immigration court system.”
    The full letter can be found HERE.
    Senator Rosen has been clear in her support for securing the border and making sure the asylum process is humane and orderly. Last month, she helped introduce legislation to reaffirm access to legal counsel during immigration proceedings. She has also been outspoken in opposing mass deportation, and strongly supporting DACA and TPS recipients and their families. She also condemned the Trump Administration’s decision to revoke a previously authorized TPS extension for Venezuelans. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: On Senate Floor, Rosen Calls on Trump Administration to Reverse Layoffs at Department of Veterans Affairs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    Watch Senator Rosen’s Full Remarks HERE.
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) took to the Senate floor to oppose the actions of the Trump Administration and Elon Musk to mass fire employees working at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In her speech, Senator Rosen called for them to reverse course on these layoffs, and  emphasized the impact that these cuts have had on Nevada veterans and their ability to access the care and benefits they earned through their service.
    Below are excerpts of Senator Rosen’s floor remarks:
    Mr. President,
    I rise today to speak out against the harmful actions taken by the Trump administration and Elon Musk.
    What they’re doing, it isn’t about “government efficiency.” 
    They’re mass firing the men and women who help provide vital services that countless Nevadans rely on, from Medicaid to food assistance.
    And this is being felt in nearly every corner of our country. 
    It’s impacting our veterans who rely on the VA,  our seniors who rely on Social Security and Medicare, our families who rely on Medicaid and CHIP for their kids’ health care, and so many others.
    The actions taken by the Trump Administration and Elon Musk, an unelected billionaire, are tearing at the fabric of American society.
    And this is no way to run a country, and the people in my state, they’re being hurt in the process.
    And so today, I want to focus on a specific aspect of the Trump firings: how it’s impacting veterans. Not just veterans across the country, but particularly those veterans in Nevada. 
    Just yesterday, it was reported that Elon Musk and his “DOGE” tech bros are planning to cut 80,000 employees from the Department of Veterans Affairs. 80,000.
    This is in addition to the 1,000 VA employees they have already laid off, which included people who staffed the Veterans Crisis Hotline.
    And so, maybe Mr. Musk and his team, his team of, like I said, teenybopper tech bros, they don’t understand the magnitude of their actions. So, let me explain to them what the VA does. What the VA means.
    The Department of Veterans Affairs provides critical health care to the men and women who were willing to sacrifice their very lives for our nation, and for their families. It provides them with the benefits that they have earned and that they, frankly, deserve.
    It is quite literally the least that we can, as a nation, do for our veterans. 
    Firing those employees who work at the VA will hurt our veterans, plain and simple. 
    It will hurt veterans not only because they rely on VA staff, but because many of those who work at the VA are themselves veterans. The VA [is] the largest employer of veterans in this nation.
    […]
    You know, many veterans already face significant challenges in accessing the care and the services that they need: long wait times for medical appointments, overwhelmed but dedicated staff, and a system already stretched thin that they have created barriers that delay essential care. 
    And these layoffs, these layoffs, the Trump layoffs, they’ll only worsen an already difficult situation. 
    […]
    With these positions being eliminated, there will be fewer hands to process claims, handle scheduling, and make sure that our veterans are getting the care and attention that they deserve. 
    This is going to lead to even longer wait times for veterans, further delays in access to care, resulting in potentially worse health outcomes for our veterans.
    It is simply unconscionable that, after years of sacrifice and service, that our veterans will suffer due to cuts being made by people like Elon Musk, who were never elected by the American people. 
    So I urge this administration to take immediate action to halt and reverse these unnecessary and, frankly, unjust layoffs. 
    We must always stand up for our veterans. We must always stand up for the workers who serve them.
    God bless our veterans. God bless our troops.
    I thank you, Mr. President.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 03.06.2025 Senate Approves Coast Guard Authorization Act Unanimously

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), introduced the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, and it passed the Senate by unanimous consent. The bipartisan measure was agreed to at the end of last year by leaders of both the Senate Commerce Committee and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, but the session ended before final passage could occur. The bill authorizes funding to strengthen the Coast Guard’s ability to protect our borders, facilitate maritime commerce, unleash American energy, bolster deterrence efforts, and improve support for Coast Guard personnel and their families.
    Sen. Cruz delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor regarding the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025:
    “The United States Coast Guard is essential to protecting our Nation’s maritime borders from threats like illegal drugs, illegal immigration, and transnational crime.  The Coast Guard saves American lives and ensures that commerce flows smoothly at our ports.  
    “The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 is bipartisan legislation that Senator Cantwell and I negotiated and agreed to with House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen.  It authorizes funding to bolster the Coast Guard’s critical missions of border security, facilitating maritime commerce, and enforcing the rule of law in domestic and international waters.
    “I want to draw attention to several key provisions in this bill.
    “Last year, the Coast Guard seized over 106 metric tons of cocaine.  Unfortunately, cartels are now using technology like miniature, remote-controlled drone ships to smuggle drugs across our maritime border.  Without this legislation, the Coast Guard would remain unable to prosecute criminals using these remote-controlled, autonomous vessels.  
    “The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 expands the Coast Guard’s and Customs and Border Protection’s use of cutting-edge tools like Tactical Maritime Surveillance Systems, which are blimp-based radar systems—to find and interdict drug runners, poachers, and human traffickers at the Texas-Mexico border in the Gulf of America, in San Diego, Key West, and San Juan Puerto Rico.  
    “I ask my colleagues to stand with me and support President Trump’s vision of protecting our borders from drugs and illegal immigrants and of building ships to revitalize the Coast Guard’s fleet.  I urge my colleagues to support the Coast Guard Authorization Act.”
    Read the bill text here.
    BACKGROUND
    The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 makes several enhancements to the Coast Guard’s operations by:

    Expanding efforts to interdict and prosecute illicit drug trafficking. The Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act will now ensure the United States can prosecute drug traffickers who utilize remote-controlled or autonomous vessels to smuggle illegal narcotics.

    Protecting personnel from illicit drug exposure. All Coast Guard installations will be required to maintain a supply of medication to treat opioid overdoses, including fentanyl.

    Upgrading icebreaker fleet. The bill directs the Coast Guard to establish a replacement plan for aging icebreaking tug fleets and expedite the delivery of new icebreakers.

    Addressing grossly negligent operations of vessels. With the steady rise of vessel traffic on U.S. waterways, individuals who operate a vessel in a grossly negligent manner and cause serious bodily injury will be held accountable with appropriate criminal penalties.

    Mapping Arctic maritime routes. The Arctic Circle has strategic economic and military significance for the United States. This provision would promote American interests in the region and improve emergency response capabilities and infrastructure needed to support vessel traffic.

    Increasing the Coast Guard’s deterrence capabilities. With increased instances of illegal fishing operations and illicit drug trafficking in the South China Sea, it is critical that the United States Coast Guard and Taiwan Coast Guard Administration conduct joint and integrated maritime operational and leadership training to combat violations of maritime law and threats to our national security.

    Improving the livelihoods of Coast Guard families. The Coast Guard will grant a cash allowance to pregnant officers to purchase maternity-related uniform items, allow the Coast Guard to acquire more housing, and identify Coast Guard duty locations in which there is a misalignment between the basic allowance for housing and prevailing housing costs.

    Refining procedures to prevent and respond to sexual assaults. The Coast Guard will establish confidential reporting for sexual harassment, strengthen protective orders for victims, and provide access to the Department of Defense’s Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database. The bill also overhauls the transfer process for victims and allows victims of sex-related offenses to request temporary separation.

    Requiring the Coast Guard Academy to study its safety infrastructure. The Coast Guard Academy will be required to modify policy related to sexual assault matters, install electronic locking mechanisms to secure cadet rooms and common spaces, and update the Academy’s Board of Visitors to ensure better Congressional oversight and engagement.

    Adding units to the Coast Guard’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program. The bill will increase the number of units from 14 to 20 to better recruit and retain a robust and well-qualified Coast Guard officer corps.

    With about 2,000 Coast Guard personnel stationed in Texas, the Service’s men and women have contributed significantly to Texas’s border security and economy. The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 will specifically help Texans by:

    Allowing the Coast Guard to use a proven, performance-driven approach for inspecting foreign flag tank vessels.An overwhelming majority of the Coast Guard’s gas carrier compliance exams are conducted in Texas. Performance-driven examinations will allow the Coast Guard to work more efficiently and advance President Trump’s direction to ‘Unleash American Energy.’

    Establishing safety zones for space activities and offshore energy development activities. Texas is home to a robust commercial space and energy industry, and this authority allows the Coast Guard to establish safety zones in support of space launches and recovery, as well as offshore energy development activities, ensuring more job growth and greater energy security.

    Streamlining the process of data sharing between the Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.Tactical maritime surveillance systems (TMSS) at the Coast Guard Station on South Padre Island will be used for the purposes of data integration and information sharing with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to aid in the detection and interdiction of illegal aliens and fish poachers.

    Upgrading Coast Guard facilities to support border security operations and future aviation missions. The bill specifically requires studies on improving Texas-based Coast Guard Stations on South Padre Island, Port Aransas, and Port O’Connor, as well as the Coast Guard Air Station in Corpus Christi.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine & Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Security, Combat Corruption and Drug Trafficking in the Caribbean

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, and U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Caribbean Basin Security Authorization Act, bipartisan legislation to improve security cooperation, combat drug trafficking, strengthen the rule of law, counter malign influence from China and Russia, and expand natural disaster resilience in the Caribbean region.

    “What happens in the Caribbean affects the security and economic prosperity of the United States,” said Kaine. “This bipartisan legislation is critical to promoting stability, countering China’s growing influence, and combating drug cartel activity in the region. Not only will I continue to urge the Administration to carry out the foreign assistance investments that Congress has previously voted to fund, I will continue to push for legislation like this one to work with our partners to protect our national security.”

    The Caribbean Basin Security Authorization Act would boost support for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), a foreign assistance program that began in 2009 and includes Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad, and Tobago. Specifically, the legislation would:

    • Authorize funding between Fiscal Years 2025-2029 for CBSI to promote citizen safety, security, and rule of law; prioritize efforts to combat corruption; counter malign influence from the China, Russia, Iran, and other authoritarian regimes; and promote strategic engagement, including consultation with civil society and the private sector.
    • Require the Secretary of State, in consultation with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, and the Inter-American Foundation, to promote efforts to improve disaster response and resilience.
    • Require the Secretary of State, in consultation with USAID, to submit an implementation plan for CBSI within 180 days of enactment.
    • Encourage increased law enforcement collaboration between CBSI beneficiaries and Haiti – a country that is on the brink of collapse.
    • Promote greater U.S. interagency cooperation in implementing CBSI.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff Lead Entire California Delegation in Urging FEMA to Extend LA Fire Victims Assistance Deadline

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Schiff Lead Entire California Delegation in Urging FEMA to Extend LA Fire Victims Assistance Deadline

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), along with the Chairs of the Republican and Democratic Congressional Delegations — Representatives Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18) — led the entire bipartisan California Congressional delegation in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to extend the application deadline for federal disaster assistance for victims of the Los Angeles fires to May 9, 2025. Currently, the application deadline for most federal disaster assistance programs is March 10, 2025. 

    “Due to the massive scale of destruction caused by the January wildfires, many victims will not know the total sum of their losses or whether these losses exceed their insurance coverage before the end of the 60-day application period. The widespread damage to infrastructure has made access to many homes in the affected areas difficult or impossible,” wrote the lawmakers. “Additionally, many fire victims have lost computers, cell phones, and other technological devices, limiting their ability to submit applications and to receive messages transmitted by FEMA and other authorities pertaining to relief.”

    “We urge you to swiftly extend the application deadlines so that Southern Californians impacted by the fires can evaluate their losses with ample time and apply for relief. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your commitment to delivering relief to those who lost their homes, businesses, and loved ones in this disaster,” continued the lawmakers.  

    According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Eaton, Palisades, and Hurst fires destroyed over 11,600 homes, displaced 22,600 households, and took at least 29 lives. These fires devastated homes, schools, businesses, places of worship, and entire neighborhoods. Initial estimates show that the economic losses resulting from these fires could make this one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. 

    Senator Padilla has fought relentlessly to secure and protect Southern Californians’ access to desperately needed disaster relief aid. In the immediate aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, Padilla and Senator Schiff led 47 bipartisan members of the California Congressional delegation in successfully urging President Biden to grant Governor Gavin Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration to expedite timely relief to Los Angeles County residents impacted by these disasters. Padilla also delivered remarks on the Senate floor urging his Republican colleagues and President Trump to provide essential disaster recovery aid to California without conditioning it on the passage of partisan legislation.

    Last month, Padilla introduced bipartisan legislation to create a national Wildfire Intelligence Center to streamline federal response and create a whole-of-government approach to combat wildfires. He also announced a package of three bipartisan bills to bolster fire resilience and proactive mitigation efforts, including the Wildfire Emergency Act, the Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act, and the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act. In January, Padilla introduced another suite of bipartisan bills to strengthen wildfire recovery and resilience, including the Wildland Firefighter Paycheck Protection Act to protect firefighter pay.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Acting Administrator Hamilton, 

    As members of the California delegation, we write to express our appreciation for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) assistance and support in response to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles this past January. We also write to respectfully urge FEMA to approve Cal OES’s request to extend the application deadline for Individual Assistance (IA) to May 9, 2025, for victims under the January 8, 2025, California Wildfires and Straight-line Winds Major Disaster Declaration. 

    As you know, FEMA has the authority to extend these deadlines in extraordinary circumstances, such as this disaster. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Eaton, Palisades, and Hurst fires destroyed over 11,600 homes, displaced 22,600 households, and took 29 lives. These fires devastated homes, schools, businesses, places of worship, and entire neighborhoods. Initial estimates find that the economic losses resulting from these fires could make this one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. 

    Currently, the application deadline for Individual Assistance through FEMA is March 10, 2025, in line with the standard 60-day application period for most disaster declarations. Due to the massive scale of destruction caused by the January wildfires, many victims will not know the total sum of their losses or whether these losses exceed their insurance coverage before the end of the 60-day application period. The widespread damage to infrastructure has made access to many homes in the affected areas difficult or impossible. Additionally, many fire victims have lost computers, cell phones, and other technological devices, limiting their ability to submit applications and to receive messages transmitted by FEMA and other authorities pertaining to relief. For these reasons, it is imperative that FEMA grant California’s request to extend the IA application deadline to May 9, 2025. 

    We urge you to swiftly extend the application deadlines so that Southern Californians impacted by the fires can evaluate their losses with ample time and apply for relief. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your commitment to delivering relief to those who lost their homes, businesses, and loved ones in this disaster.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven Meets With North Dakota’s U.S. Senate Youth Program Delegates

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven
    03.06.25
    WASHINGTON — Senator John Hoeven this week met with Martin Bergstedt, a senior at Enderlin High School, and Cady Wang, a senior at Davies High School in Fargo, who were chosen to represent North Dakota as delegates to the 63rd annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP). The program brings students from across the country to Washington, D.C. to meet with senators, the president, a Supreme Court Justice and cabinet officials.  
    “We congratulate Martin and Cady on being selected as North Dakota’s Senate Youth Program delegates and commend their dedication to academics and community service,” said Hoeven. “This prestigious, merit-based program offers students a unique opportunity to learn about the federal government while also providing scholarships to support their education.”
    Martin Bergstedt
    Martin Bergstedt, a senior at Enderlin High School, is president of the Future Business Leaders of America chapter. He also serves as FCCLA vice president, a National Honor Society member, yearbook editor and pep club leader. A National Merit semifinalist and accomplished speaker, he is a three-time state champion and two-time national qualifier in Speech and Debate. Actively involved in the Enderlin Endowment Fund, he plans to pursue a career in corporate finance.
    Cady Wang
    Cady Wang, a senior at Davies High School in Fargo, advises the North Dakota Health and Human Services Youth Advisory Board, representing nearly 200,000 youth statewide. She promotes health care equipment recycling and supports True Friends summer camp for individuals with disabilities. As a Research Science Institute participant, she now interns at North Dakota State University, working with local farms on sustainable agriculture. She plans to study environmental engineering and public policy at MIT, followed by a master’s in public policy focused on climate change and sustainability.
    About USSYP
    Created in 1962 by Senate Resolution 324, the USSYP has been sponsored by the Senate and fully funded by The Hearst Foundations since the program’s inception. Senate testimony states that the impetus for the program is “to increase young Americans’ understanding of the interrelationships of the three branches of government, learn the caliber and responsibilities of federally elected and appointed officials, and emphasize the vital importance of democratic decision making not only for America but for people around the world.” 
    Each year, this competitive, merit-based program brings 104 of the most outstanding high school students — two from each state, the District of Columbia and the Department of Defense Education Activity — to Washington, D.C. for an intensive week-long study of the federal government and those who lead it. The program’s mission is to help instill within each student delegate a more profound knowledge of the American political process and a lifelong commitment to public service. 
    In addition to the program week, the Hearst Foundations provides each student with a $10,000 undergraduate college scholarship with encouragement to continue coursework in government, history and public affairs. Transportation and all expenses for Washington Week are also provided by The Hearst Foundations because, as stipulated in S.Res.324, no government funds are utilized.
    The chief educational officer in each state selects the delegates after nomination by teachers and principals. This year’s delegates were designated by Kirsten Baesler, North Dakota Superintendent of Public Instruction.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch, Crapo, Justice Send Letter Seeking Policy Clarification to NCAA On Biological Males in Women’s Locker Rooms

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) led a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker, urging the organization to clarify its stance on the privacy and safety of female athletes in women’s changing rooms.
    “Our hardworking female athletes should not be forced to share private, safe spaces like bathrooms and locker rooms with biological males. It’s wrong, dangerous, and out of step with the beliefs of the American people,” said Risch. “I’m proud to call on the NCAA to address the gaps in student-athlete policies and protect women and girls in sports.”
    “Female athletes invest immense time and effort to excel in sports, only to face the prospect of unfair competition from biological males in women’s categories,” said Crapo “While I am grateful for the NCAA’s quick action to comply with President Trump’s Executive Order to protect opportunities for women in sports, the NCAA should extend those protections for female student athletes in the locker rooms.”
    “I’m a coach, and I know the last thing any athlete needs is to be distracted or concerned with their own safety or privacy while in a locker room. I really believe the NCAA has made the right move following President Trump’s order, but let’s be clear across the board that a women’s locker room is for women only. I’ll always work to make sure women athletes, like those I coach back in West Virginia, feel safe while changing in locker rooms and competing in athletic events,” said Justice.
    Risch, Crapo, and Justice are joined by U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Jim Banks (R-Ind.) in sending the letter.
    Read the full letter HERE.?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch Leads Bill to Protect Law-Abiding Gun Owners and Hold ATF Accountable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
    WASHINGTON – U.S Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced legislation today with U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) to improve the fairness, speed, and transparency of background checks and application processes for National Firearms Act (NFA) items. The ATF Transparency Act will ensure law-abiding gun owners experience a fair and speedy application process when exercising their Second Amendment rights.
    “Law-abiding gun owners wrongfully denied their Second Amendment rights should be able to appeal their case through an efficient, transparent process,” said Risch. “My ATF Transparency Act is simple. It codifies the current appeals process, holds the ATF to a higher standard, and gives Idaho’s lawful gun owners a faster, fairer process for firearm applications.”
    “Lawful gun owners should not be denied their constitutional right to own a firearm because of unchecked bureaucratic rulings,” Crapo said. “A more transparent review and appeals process for those improperly flagged by the ATF will give individuals the due process they rightly deserve.”
    “The Second Amendment is an integral part of our Montana way of life, and law-abiding citizens should not have to worry about their constitutional rights being denied because of a processing error,” said Daines.“This legislation will create a quick and transparent appeals process for Montanans who have been wrongfully flagged by the ATF, and I’ll continue to stand up for our right to keep and bear arms.”
    “No system is infallible, including the federal bureaucracy. The ATF Transparency Act would help ensure law-abiding Americans aren’t denied their Second Amendment rights due to mistakes in their background checks that may wrongfully prevent them from owning a firearm,” Hyde-Smith said. “I credit Senator Risch for leading the charge to fix this injustice.”
    “Unelected D.C. bureaucrats at the ATF should not be able to criminalize law-abiding gun owners nor throw up roadblocks for appealing unfair rulings,” said Lummis. “I’m proud to work with my Senate colleagues to bring much needed accountability and transparency to the ATF and enhance Americans’ constitutional right to bear arms.”
    “As a lifelong gun owner and supporter of the Second Amendment, I came to the Senate with the mission of protecting this sacred Constitutional right of all Kansans,” said Marshall. “The ATF Transparency Act furthers this mission by requiring the ATF to develop an appeals process to protect Americans’ background checks from being wrongfully denied. This is a commonsense step forward to safeguard the Second Amendment, and I am proud to stand alongside my colleagues in support.”
    The ATF Transparency Act has received support from Gun Owners of America and National Rifle Association.
    “Gun Owners of America is proud to endorse Sen. Risch’s legislation to eliminate ATF’s bureaucratic loopholes in the already unconstitutional National Firearms Act. ATF has deceived Congress and the American public with inaccurate NFA approval estimates for far too long. There is no reason that a NFA approval time should take longer than a normal background check, especially since ATF has shown they are able to rapidly approve forms after Congress instructed them to. A Right Delayed is a Right Denied” said Aidan Johnston, Director of Federal Affairs, Gun Owners of America.
    “The ATF Transparency Act is a crucial piece of legislation that will allow individuals the opportunity to appeal their denied application of National Firearms Act items. The ambiguity of denials is an issue that must be resolved and the NRA thanks and applauds Sen. Risch for reintroducing this important legislation and standing up for all Americans’ Second Amendment rights,” said John Commerford, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action.
    The ATF Transparency Act would:

    Codify the appeals process to protect law-abiding Americans’ background checks from being wrongfully denied;

    Require the ATF to process applications within 3 days. If the ATF fails to do so, applications will be automatically approved; and

    Requires the Government Accountability Office and DOJ to report on the number of NFA items involved in unresolved background checks, recommend ways to reduce unresolved checks, and report on the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System involvement.?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Reintroduces Legislation to Preserve Idaho’s 190th Fighter Squadron

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
    Washington, D.C.–Since 1991, the U.S. Air Force fighter fleet has been severely reduced.  U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) reintroduced the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act, S. 873, to preserve U.S. Air Force (USAF) fighter force structure and prioritize the recapitalization of the 39 service-retained, combat-coded fighter squadrons available to the U.S. Secretary of Defense to respond globally to world events.
    “Highly-trained, experienced and prepared forces are a key component of our country’s national defense,” said Crapo.  “Closures of fighter squadrons within the U.S. Air Force’s Reserve component mean a permanent loss of these experienced pilot and maintainers.  We must preserve and protect National Guard fighter squadrons, like the Idaho Air National Guard’s 190th Fighter Squadron, from force reductions that could harm our national security.  This is a critical priority as we continue to face threats from foreign adversaries like Russia, China and Iran.”
    “A strategy for the future of our Air National Guard fighter fleets strengthens our national security,” said Hickenlooper.  “Our bipartisan bill directs the Air Force to update all National Guard fighter squadrons, including the Buckley-based 140th Wing, in order to preserve their flying missions and retain their experienced pilots.”
    “Passage of the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2025 is crucial to ensuring our Air Force remains ready and lethal,” said Major General Tim Donnellan, Adjutant General of Idaho and Commander of the Idaho National Guard.  “The Idaho Air National Guard’s 190th Fighter Squadron has a long history of operational excellence, and sustaining its capabilities and the expertise of its pilots is vital to protecting and defending America and its interests. As threats continue to evolve, maintaining a modernized and fully equipped fighter fleet is critical to preventing conflict and winning wars. We appreciate the continued support of our leaders in Congress who recognize the indispensable role the Air National Guard plays in delivering security around the globe.”
    “Air National Guard fighter wings operate at 1/3rd the cost of their active-duty counterparts but still provide the same ‘fight-tonight’ capability,” said Major General Laura Clellan, Adjutant General of Colorado.  “By acting as a retention net for talent exiting active duty and serving as a cost-effective model to both develop and retain fighter pilots, the Air National Guard presents the nation with an unrivaled value proposition. Throw in the secondary uses of Air Guardsman domestically such as wildfire mitigation, homeland airspace defense, and manpower for civil support all for a fraction of the cost of an active-duty Wing; the Air Guard’s value proposition truly is unparallelled. By providing 30% of the fighter force, for 1/3rd the cost, Air National Guard fighter wings operate as a shining example of efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars. It’s simple, we provide more for less, without sacrificing capability.”
    “Our ability to fight and win the wars of the future will require robust combat air power,” said Major General Francis McGinn (Ret.), National Guard Association of the United States President.  “The Air National Guard is a critical part of that equation, making up 30 percent of USAF combat air power with only 7 percent of the total Air Force budget. The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act will ensure the Air National Guard, the USAF reserve, and the active component have the modernized fleet they need to deter and deny our enemies. I thank Sen. Crapo, Sen. Hickenlooper, and their colleagues for their continued support of our the National Guard community.”
    Idaho’s 190th Fighter Squadron has deployed frequently, supporting combat operations across Southwest Asia.  Notable missions include its largest deployments, which occurred in 2020 in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and in 2016 in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, as well as past support for Operations Enduring Freedom (2008), Iraqi Freedom (2007, 2003) and Southern Watch (2003).  The unit is set to deploy again in 2025.
    Crapo and Hickenlooper led introduction of the bill in the 118th Congress.  The Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act contained a portion of the previous version of the Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act that requires the U.S. Air Force to develop a plan to sustain and recapitalize fighter fleets for the Air National Guard.
    Of the 25 ANG Fighter Squadrons in existence today, 15 do not have a recapitalization or modernization plan to replace retiring legacy fighters.  The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act would:
    Raise the minimum number of fighters in the Air Force inventory, requiring nearly two-thirds of aircraft to be combat capable;
    Establish a robust reporter requirement to track Air Force Fighter force structure, giving Congress oversight authority of force structure modifications;
    Prioritize recapitalization of Active Duty, Reserve and ANG units that are “service-retained” (i.e. not assigned to combatant commander) to maximize fighter assets; and
    Require a report on recapitalization of ANG fighter squadrons.
    Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mark Kelly (D-Arizona), Jim Banks (R-Indiana), Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan), Rick Scott (R-Florida), Gary Peters (D-Michigan), Todd Young (R-Indiana), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Maryland), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Alex Padilla (D-California), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) and Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) joined as original co-sponsors.
    Representatives Don Bacon (R-Nebraska) and Jason Crow (D-Colorado) are leading identical companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
    The Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act is supported by the National Guard Association of the Untied States (NGAUS) and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS).
    Bill text available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Crapo Statement at Deputy Treasury Secretary Nomination Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo
    Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered the following remarks at a hearing to consider the nomination of Michael Falkender to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.
    As prepared for delivery:
    “Today we will consider the nomination of Mike Faulkender to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.  
    “Mr. Faulkender, congratulations on your well-deserved nomination and thank you for your willingness to serve in this important position.  
    “The U.S. Treasury Department is responsible for overseeing several issues of importance to the U.S. economy.  This includes economic policy and financial markets, managing the U.S. government’s finances and debt, the Social Security and Medicare trust funds and financial sanctions, to name just a few.  
    “The Deputy Treasury Secretary plays a primary role in the formulation and execution of Treasury policies and programs in all aspects of the Department’s activities.  Along with Secretary Bessent, the Deputy Treasury Secretary will be thoroughly involved in Congress’s efforts to craft pro-growth tax policies that will benefit all Americans and allow U.S. businesses to compete on the global stage.  If confirmed, I look forward to working with you to achieve these goals. 
    “Mr. Faulkender previously served as the Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy at the Treasury Department during the first Trump Administration.  During that time, he played a key role in important policy discussions, like the CARES Act, among other critical initiatives.  For his devoted service, he was awarded the Alexander Hamilton Award for Distinguished Leadership, the highest service award granted at Treasury.  
    “As a university professor and leading economist, Mr. Faulkender’s work has focused on an array of topics relevant to the position for which he has been nominated, including investment considerations for multinational corporations, the corporate capital structure, risk management, corporate liquidity and executive compensation. 
    “Mr. Faulkender, I have reviewed your background and responses to all questions we posed to you during our rigorous review process.  Based upon your public and private sector experience, academic credentials and areas of focus and training, you are highly qualified to serve as Deputy Treasury Secretary in this Administration.  
    “As Ranking Member for the last four years, I have both supported and opposed nominees put forth by the Biden Administration, but I have never objected to a nomination hearing.  The Finance Committee has an arduous nomination process and once the nominee completes all the steps, he or she deserves a public hearing, followed by a vote. 
    “I thank Mr. Faulkender for his cooperation and responsiveness during this exacting process.  He has met with members and staff of this Committee, has gone through our rigorous review and has been open in answering all of our questions.  
    “My colleagues have sent several letters requesting information on Department of Government Efficiency-related work at Treasury and the IRS, and it is important that Treasury and the IRS be transparent about their actions.   
    “To date, meaningful information has been provided on both topics, and I expect this will continue. 
    “For example: on February 4, 2025, Treasury provided a letter outlining the review and access of Treasury’s IT infrastructure and payment systems, including Mr. Krause’s role; on February 12, Treasury provided a follow-up letter attaching detailed witness declarations of the four Treasury employees that are involved in pending legal cases related to the Administration’s government efficiency initiatives; and on February 26, Treasury provided the memorandum of agreement between OPM and IRS for an OPM detailee to the IRS.   
    “During the committee due diligence meetings, Mr. Faulkender stated that if he was confirmed, he would ensure the requested briefing would be provided to Congress on the Treasury payment systems, as well as be responsive to all questions put forward by Members of Congress, including this Committee. 
    “As a reminder, I and other Republicans sent several letters to Treasury and the IRS during the Biden Administration with questions on numerous issues including the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), safeguarding taxpayer information, the American Rescue Plan Act and reducing return inventory during tax season, to name a few.  Many times, I did not receive a response for several months.  
    “Mr. Faulkender, I appreciate your commitment to respond to Members of this Committee, including as part of this hearing.  
    “Congratulations again on your nomination, and I look forward to working with you.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Colleagues Call on Pres. Trump to Reinstate Fired Veterans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    30% of federal workforce pre-Trump admin were veterans
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper, along with 20 of his Senate colleagues, called on President Donald Trump to reinstate veterans that the administration illegally fired. More than 640,000 veterans work for federal agencies, approximately 30% of the federal workforce. The Trump administration has fired an estimated 5,800 veterans so far.
    “Your Administration’s actions are damaging the economic security and morale of our military and veteran families, the federal government’s ability to recruit and retain high-quality talent, and ultimately, our national security,” wrote the senators. “We demand that you cease your attacks on our nation’s heroes, who have already given so much in defense of our country, and immediately reinstate those who have been illegally fired with their full back pay and benefits.”
    Veterans perform crucial work for American people, our national security, and our way of life. Specifically, veterans make up 50% of the Department of Defense (DOD) workforce and 30% of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce. Colorado is home to over 400,000 veterans.
    Yesterday, it was reported that the Trump administration has plans to fire over 80,000 employees, including veterans, from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    The senators continued: “Among those fired are veterans, military spouses, caregivers, survivors, and Guard and Reserve members with exemplary performance reviews – including 2,400 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and thousands of employees at the Department of Defense (DOD). These men and women have dedicated their careers to serving veterans and their nation.”
    Full text of the letter is available HERE and below.
    Dear President Trump,
    We are increasingly concerned by the real-life negative impacts your Administration’s directives are having on our nation’s military and veteran community. This includes the abrupt and indiscriminate termination of more than 30,000 employees across the federal government. Among those fired are veterans, military spouses, caregivers, survivors, and Guard and Reserve members with exemplary performance reviews – including 2,400 employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and thousands of employees at the Department of Defense (DOD). These men and women have dedicated their careers to serving veterans and their nation. In return, your Administration has upended their lives and casually discarded their service without any notice or justification – all for a statistic on a press release.
    Federal civil service has long been a preferred path for military-affiliated populations, allowing them to continue serving our country while offering competitive wages, benefits, and much-needed stability. In return, every single agency in our government and every single taxpayer benefits from these experienced, talented, and dedicated employees. Across the federal government, veterans make up approximately 30 percent of the workforce – more than 640,000 veterans. At DOD, where you have announced the imminent firing of 5,400 employees, with plans to cut anywhere from 35,000 to 56,000 in the near future – the percentage of veterans is nearly 50 percent. And at VA, where veterans are able to do work directly impacting their fellow veterans, the percentage of veteran employees is nearly 30 percent. Each and every day, these veterans perform duties vital to the American people, our national security and our way of life.
    Rather than leading these employees and utilizing their talents to better serve veterans and taxpayers, you have chosen to fire them in an abrupt, inconsistent, unjustified, and unlawful way with no consultation with Congress and absolutely no transparency or accountability to the American people. Your Administration’s actions are damaging the economic security and morale of our military and veteran families, the federal government’s ability to recruit and retain high-quality talent, and ultimately, our national security. We demand that you cease your attacks on our nation’s heroes, who have already given so much in defense of our country, and immediately reinstate those who have been illegally fired with their full back pay and benefits.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Scott, Rep. Pfluger Seek to Boost American Energy Production

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Congressman August Pfluger (R-Texas) introduced the Unlocking Domestic LNG Potential Act. This legislation would place the permitting process in the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and eliminate the U.S. Department of Energy’s authority on LNG exports.
    During the Biden-era energy crisis, the administration made an ill-advised decision to halt the approval process for liquified natural gas exports, halting America’s then-booming natural gas exports.
    “Unlocking American energy production not only plays a vital role in safeguarding our national security, but is the path to lowering energy costs for families across the nation,” said Senator Scott. “Relying on bad actors undoubtedly puts America last, not first. With President Trump back in office, we will be energy independent and dominate once again.”
    “President Biden spent four years pandering to progressive climate extremists and restricted future energy exports instead of unleashing American energy production to provide our allies with a secure, affordable energy source. We finally have a President back in office who understands that having efficient, reliable, and affordable energy is the key to U.S. national security,” said Rep. Pfluger. “This legislation cuts the red tape by removing the Department of Energy’s export authorization requirement and streamlining the permitting process. Energy security is national security, and I thank Senator Scott for leading this bill in the Senate and look forward to pushing for its passage in both chambers.”
    Senator Scott and Congressman Pfluger were joined by Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Rick Scott (R- Fla.), and Representatives John Joyce (R-Pa.), Julia Letlow (R-La.), Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), Roger Williams (R-Texas), Troy Balderson (R-Ohio), Craig Goldman (R-Texas), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Jake Ellzey (R-Texas), Pete Sessions (R-Texas), and Brian Babin (R-Texas). 
    Find the legislation text here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts, Klobuchar Introduce Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act. The bipartisan bill would allow companies to preserve Renewable Identification Number credits (RINs) under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, when the fuel for use is in ocean-going vessels.
    “Expanding the use of biofuels like renewable diesel strengthens American energy independence, supports Nebraska agriculture, and reduces emissions,” said Senator Ricketts.“This bipartisan bill will deliver new market opportunities for Nebraska farmers who have played a crucial role creating a strong renewable diesel economy.”
    “Domestically produced biofuel strengthens our energy independence, supports our farmers, and boosts rural economies,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This common sense legislation will expand markets for farmers and fuel producers by providing ocean-going vessels a lower carbon fuel.”
    “Ocean-going cargo ships, tankers, and passenger vessels have a need for low-carbon, low-sulfur biodiesel and renewable diesel which provides an additional market for biofuels,” said Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), the bill’s lead in the U.S. House of Representatives. “This legislation allows for RINs to be generated for renewable marine fuel without requiring an obligation on any parties. I thank my colleagues for supporting this legislation which opens the door for communities, like farmers in Iowa, to engage, and be involved, in the marine fuel industry and conversation.”
    Bill text can be found here.
    “This bill is a win for everyone who values stronger markets, cleaner energy, and a stronger, safer America,” said Dawn Caldwell, Executive Director of Renewable Fuels Nebraska. “It’s a commonsense step to put renewable energy to work on the high seas, which will support our country’s farmers and producers while moving us one step closer to energy independence. We’re grateful to Senator Ricketts for leading on this issue that is so crucial to Nebraskans. And we call on his colleagues in Congress to pass it quickly and look forward to President Trump signing it into law.”
    “Soybean farmers are constantly looking for new and innovative markets for our crop, including new opportunities for soy-based biofuels,” said Caleb Ragland, President of the American Soybean Association and soybean farmer from Kentucky. “The Renewable Fuels for Ocean-Going Vessels Act seeks to allow biofuels to truly tap into the marine transportation market through the RFS, and we appreciate the work of Senator Rickets, Senator Klobuchar, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks, and Congressman Garamendi as they continue to advocate for soy-based biofuels.”
    “Global shipping companies are looking to U.S. farmers and fuel producers to take the lead in providing clean fuels,” said Kurt Kovarik, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels. “This commonsense legislation will remove a regulatory roadblock and enable U.S. biodiesel and renewable diesel producers in partnership with soy and canola growers to meet the needs of shipping companies at a competitive price. It will allow refiners and blenders to keep RFS credits for fuel used in ocean-going vessels that are currently being sacrificed.”
    “Biofuels are an important pathway for future fuels for the maritime industry. And the United States with its vast biofuel feedstocks and resources creates an enormous economic opportunity for the nation’s farmers to produce fuels to meet the growing global demand for alternative fuels,” said Jennifer Garson, Executive Director of the Sustainable Maritime Coalition. “However, in order to match this enormous supply with the maritime sector, the biofuels industry needs the Renewable Fuels for Oceangoing Vessels Act. This Act is critical for compliance, as RINS are the currency of the RFS program and we applaud its reintroduction in this Congress.”
    BACKGROUND:
    The RFS excludes “fuel used in ocean-going vessels” from the definition of transportation fuels and from refiners’ and blenders’ obligations. Refiners and blenders are currently required to retire RINs from any biodiesel and renewable diesel used in vessels with Class 3 engines operating in international waters, including the Great Lakes. In the first ten months of 2023, more than 5 million D4 RINs were retired under this rule.
    The Environmental Protection Agency, however, allows companies to generate and use RINs for “additional renewable fuel,” which includes heating oil and jet fuel. The Renewable Fuel for Ocean-Going Vessels Act would expand the RFS definition of additional renewable fuel and allow companies to use or sell the RINs associated with biodiesel and renewable diesel used in ocean-going vessels.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Senators Call for Investigation into Trump’s Purge of Workers Protecting Americans’ Health and Safety

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    March 06, 2025
    Air travel, flood and wildfire response, infectious disease control, nuclear safety, veterans’ healthcare and benefits, food safety are all at risk after massive layoffs
    “Congress and the public need to better understand the full impact of these terminations on our health and safety, given that the Administration and Musk clearly do not.”  
    Text of Letter (PDF) 
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting an investigation into how the recent mass firings of probationary federal workers have impacted Americans’ health and safety. 
    In recent weeks, President Trump has fired at least 25,000 probationary federal employees. Despite termination letters from many agencies citing “poor performance,” probationary employees appear to have been fired in indiscriminate batches, regardless of their individual performance. 
    Thousands of these fired workers were responsible for protecting Americans’ health and safety, across areas like air travel, flood and wildfire response, infectious disease control, nuclear safety, veterans’ healthcare and benefits, food safety, and managing the opioid epidemic. 
    The Trump Administration has since called some of the firings an “accident” and scrambled to rehire certain workers — including people who’d worked on the bird flu outbreak, nuclear security, veterans’ health, and health services in Tribal communities. To date, agencies have not been able to rehire all of the workers affected and continue to face critical workforce shortages. 
    “Rather than make government more efficient, these firings appear to have created massive inefficiencies and put the American people at risk,” wrote the senators. 
    As the Trump administration implements its “plans for large-scale reductions in force,” over 200,000 probationary workers are expected to be laid off, and private companies are expected to benefit. In fact, some private companies, including some owned by or connected to Elon Musk and other Trump officials, have begun entering agencies to take the role of fired workers. 
    “Unlike the federal government, those companies are not responsible for prioritizing Americans’ health and safety interests, and we are concerned that they will not do so,” said the senators. 
    The senators requested that GAO’s investigation cover the duties of fired probationary workers, attempts to hire those workers back, data on how the terminations are impacting Americans’ health and safety, and more. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: At Hearing, Military Transportation Command Chief Agrees with Warren: Right-To-Repair is Crucial for National Security

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    March 06, 2025
    “[T]he last thing our troops should be doing is waiting around for contractors who charge more for slower repairs.” 
    Video of Exchange (YouTube) 
    Washington, D.C. – At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) questioned General Randall Reed, Commander for Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), about the importance of the military’s ability to have the right to repair its own equipment.
    TRANSCOM is responsible for air, land, and sea transportation that provides logistical support for troops around the world but is facing increasing challenges receiving the parts and supplies they need, which becomes even more concerning in a wartime scenario. 
    General Reed testified that even after Congress provided the Air Force with $10 billion to increase the availability of the C-5, one of its aircraft that carries cargo and personnel, its ability to complete missions dropped from 52% to 46% between 2022 and 2023. 
    The Air Force blamed the low C-5 availability on a lack of parts. Defense contractors often include restrictions in their contracts that deny the military the technical data needed to make these parts and repairs itself, which would often be cheaper and faster. General Reed agreed that providing the military with more flexibility to repair parts would increase the military’s ability to respond to threats. 
    Last year, Senator Warren and Senator Charles Grassley secured a provision in the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act to create pilot programs for the services to reverse-engineer the parts they need. In an effort to further address this national security risk, Senator Warren introduced the Servicemember Right-to-Repair Act, which would improve the military’s ability to repair their equipment faster, easier, and at a lower cost to taxpayers. 
    Transcript: Hearing to examine the posture of the United States Transportation Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2026 and the Future Years Defense ProgramSenate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management SupportMarch 5, 2025 
    Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for holding this hearing. TRANSCOM is responsible for making sure that our military and our allies get everything they need to win on the battlefield, whether it is a new engine for a fighter jet in the Middle East or a missile battery in the Philippines. And that means that TRANSCOM knows better than anyone why it is a very big problem if the military doesn’t have the right to repair its own equipment. 
    General Reed, one of TRANSCOM’s major workhorses, is the C-5M Super Galaxy, a strategic transport aircraft that carries cargo and DOD’s personnel around the world. But in 2022, it was only able to fly its mission only 52 percent of the time. That means nearly half of the time commanders needed it, it wasn’t there. Congress saw this, said that is not acceptable, and gave the Air Force $10 billion to fix that problem. 
    General Reed, about how often was the C-5 mission-ready the next year after you got the money? 
    General Randall Reed, United States Air Force Commander, United States Transportation Command: What I can tell you is that, in 2023, the mission-capable rate of the C-5 was about 46%.
    Senator Warren: About 46%. So, it went from 52% to 46%. We could reasonably ask, what happened? Well, the Air Force said the supply chain for replacement parts had dried up, and when companies can’t or won’t meet DoD’s needs, one option is for the military to actually make the parts themselves so you can get things up and running. It’s often cheaper and faster anyway, but you can’t do that if big defense contractors slip restrictions into their contracts that deny the military the technical data that they need to be able to make these repairs. 
    General Reed, it’s your responsibility to make sure the warfighter gets everything they need. How important is it to national security for C-5s to be ready to respond to commanders’ requests to carry cargo and personnel?
    General Reed: The C-5 is a key aircraft for us, and some of the things that we may be asked to do in the future. It would actually produce about 20% of the lift for us. 
    Senator Warren: So, you need this thing ready to go? 
    General Reed: Yes, we do.
    Senator Warren: So, TRANSCOM’s job is getting harder here because our enemies are making it more difficult to send ships and planes to our troops. As Senator Wicker was talking about a minute ago, this is contested logistics, and TRANSCOM models show that the “fight to get into the fight” means that getting critical materials to our troops is only going to get harder over time. That means the last thing our troops should be doing is waiting around for contractors who charge more for slower repairs. 
    General Reed, do you agree that giving the military more flexibility to repair parts in the field will increase our military readiness? 
    General Reed: I do, Senator. 
    Senator Warren: Good. Thank you, General Reed. Senator Grassley and I got a provision into last year’s NDAA for the military to start a pilot program to reverse engineer parts for sole source programs. It’s a good start, but it is a backstop, because reverse engineering can actually take years to get done, but if DoD negotiates with contractors for the right to repair from the start, that means our men and women in uniform get their equipment faster and at a lower cost to the taxpayers. 
    That’s exactly what my Servicemember Right-to-Repair Act does. It has bipartisan support here in the Senate. What’s happening right now is fundamentally wrong and we can put a stop to it.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Presidential Message on the 255th Anniversary of the Boston Massacre, 2025

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Today our Nation commemorates the 255th anniversary of the Boston Massacre—the singular event that ignited the movement for American independence.  To this day, it stands as a defining crucible of the American Revolution.
    The years leading up to this tragic moment were marked by escalating tensions between the Patriots and the British Parliament.  The imposition of unjust global trade regimes and burdensome taxes, including the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, inspired the American Colonies in their bid for Freedom. 
    On the wintry evening of March 5, 1770, a fight broke out in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, between the British Redcoats and unarmed American Colonists.  The violence escalated as the soldiers fired their muskets into the crowd at the Custom House.  When the smoke cleared on King Street, three civilians were dead, two fatally wounded, and six more injured. 
    This massacre sparked outrage among the Colonists.  It has echoed throughout history as a seminal moment in the long and fraught battle for American liberty.  Roughly five years later, the first shots were fired in Revolutionary War—and the American Colonists ultimately secured their independence, paving the way for the birth of the greatest Nation in the history of the world. On this, the 255th Anniversary of the Boston Massacre, we pay tribute to and honor those who have paid the ultimate price in defense of America’s cherished values.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Joins Effort to Combat Fentanyl Crisis

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) recently joined a bipartisan group to introduce legislation that aims to more forcefully go after criminals trafficking drugs and stop fentanyl from ravaging West Virginia communities. The legislation, known as the HIDTA Enhancement Act, would reauthorize the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program—which brings together federal and local law enforcement to stop drug trafficking—and provide them with greater resources to cover more activities to enhance fentanyl prevention and seizures. 
    “Every West Virginian has been impacted by the opioid crisis, and fentanyl being trafficked into our communities has made the problem exponentially worse,” Senator Capito said. “The brave law enforcement officers of HIDTA are working every day to stop illicit fentanyl and other illegal drugs in their tracks. I am proud to introduce this legislation that will continue to support the HIDTA program’s mission, provide additional resources to stop the trafficking of fentanyl, and save lives across the country.”
    Specifically, the HIDTA Enhancement Act:
    Reauthorizes the HIDTA program at $333 million annually through 2030, increasing support for law enforcement efforts to combat drug use and trafficking.
    Increases authorization for competitive grants to $14,224,000 and expands use of funds to include enhanced fentanyl seizure and interdiction activities.
    Directs collaboration between the Attorney General and the Executive Boards of each designated HIDTA.
    Requires ONDCP to provide a report within the annual National Drug Control Strategy describing the use of HIDTA funds to investigate fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances. 
    See what stakeholders are saying about the HIDTA Enhancement Act:
    “Drug trafficking organizations continue to negatively impact the health and stability of our communities nationwide. The lethality of the drugs sold, coupled with the violence associated with their operations necessitate broad action and strategies designed to foster collaboration and effectiveness. The HIDTA program convenes law enforcement partners from federal, state, and local agencies, fostering investigative and enforcement practices designed to disrupt and dismantle these groups. Senator Capito’s leadership to ensure that the HIDTA program is funded through the HIDTA Enhancement Act is critical and prioritizes the welfare of communities throughout West Virginia and the nation,” Jeff Beeson, Washington/Baltimore HIDTA Executive Director, said.
    “Fentanyl and other deadly drugs have taken so many young lives in the last few years; devastating the family members left behind to suffer the loss, and no area has been affected more than Appalachia. This bill reauthorizing the HIDTA program is vital as it facilitates collaboration among Federal, State, Local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and will allow the program to continue to combat the drug crisis in West Virginia, all of Appalachia, and the entire nation. Given the profound impact Fentanyl has had on so many families, schools, and communities across the nation, this bill will be instrumental in enabling the HIDTA program to continue the important work of investigating the violent Drug Trafficking Organizations, many with direct Cartel connections, bringing this poison into our country. Senator Capito’s dedication and commitment already has, and will continue to have, a huge impact on the issue. I am truly grateful to Senator Capito for her long-time commitment in keeping the country secure from the drugs that are plaguing the Appalachia region and the entire nation,” Vic Brown, Appalachia HIDTA Executive Director, said.
    “The NNOAC commends Senators Kelly, Blackburn, Capito, Cortez Masto, and Klobuchar for their efforts to put forward legislation that provides significant resource increases to the HIDTA Program by reauthorizing it at $333 million annually. The surge in drug poisoning deaths, especially from fentanyl, shows that more needs to be done. The HIDTA Enhancement Act will go a long way in assisting law enforcement with its efforts to detect and mitigate the threat of these dangerous substances. The HIDTA Program is the gold standard in bringing federal, state, and local resources together, and we are encouraged that this legislation will provide more to rid our communities of the scourge of illegal narcotics,” Eric Brown, President of the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, said. 
    “The Drug Enforcement Association of Federal Narcotics Agents (DEAFNA) strongly supports the HIDTA Enhancement Act to strengthen the proven successful efforts of HIDTAs across the USA. 300 Americans are dying daily from a drug overdose, this bill sponsored by Senators Kelly, Blackburn, Capito, Cortez Masto, and Klobuchar demonstrates determined unity to address these disturbing numbers. HIDTA’s commingled federal, state, local and tribal task forces are uniquely situated throughout the United States to disrupt and dismantle drug trafficking organizations determined to make a living on the backs of Americans dealing with drug addiction. The HIDTA Enhancement Act, authorizing the HIDTA program at $333 Million (annually), reflects determined efforts providing law enforcement agencies with necessary resources supporting drug law enforcement and prevention,” Marshall Fisher, President, DEAFNA, said.    
    “The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) applauds Senators Kelly, Blackburn, Capito, Cortez Masto, and Klobuchar for their ongoing efforts to combat the fentanyl epidemic and for advocating for essential resources to support our mission of protecting communities across the nation. The HIDTA Enhancement Act would provide law enforcement with critical tools to target drug traffickers and prevent fentanyl from entering our communities. We also appreciate that the bill would reauthorize the HIDTA program at $333 million annually — an essential increase. The devastating impact of fentanyl on our communities requires us to adopt new and effective strategies, and this bill will equip us to meet that challenge head-on. We stand ready to support all efforts to advance this important legislation,” Megan Noland, Executive Director, MCSA, said. 
    BACKGROUND:
    The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, administered by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), supports collaboration between federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to reduce drug trafficking and misuse. There are 33 regional HIDTAs across the U.S., covering counties in all 50 states. HIDTA helps law enforcement share information, coordinate efforts, and pursue the most significant drug threats. In 2022 alone, HIDTAs seized an estimated $22 billion in illicit drugs and cash.
    In West Virginia, there are currently 24 counties that are designated a HIDTA. When she served as chair of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Capito provided the largest increase and amount of funding ever for the HIDTA program, a level that continues to the present time.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman Honored for Support of Boys & Girls Club

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs CEO Beth Presley presents Sen. John Boozman with the Boys & Girls Club of America 2025 Champion of Youth Award.

    WASHINGTON—The Boys & Girls Club of America has recognized U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) as a recipient of its 2025 Champion of Youth Award for his work advocating legislation to combat childhood hunger and championing programs that provide meals to eligible American children at no cost to kids or their families.

    There are 5,400 Clubs across the nation, offering a second home to over 400,000 American children each day. Boozman, a product of the Jeffrey’s Boys Club in Fort Smith, reflected on its lasting impact through community involvement, nurturing good habits and friendships, and the opportunity to be connected to mentors.  

    “As a former participant myself, I know firsthand how the organization can positively change lives by providing a safe, supportive and fun environment for kids and teens to grow and reach their full potential,” said Boozman. “The Boys & Girls Club also plays an important role in providing access to nutritious meals for children during the summer months, an initiative I have championed, and we are grateful for its partnership to address food insecurity. Being recognized for supporting its mission is truly a full-circle moment and an honor I deeply appreciate.”

    Beth Presley, Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs CEO, alongside other Arkansan participants and leaders representing clubs in Fort Smith, Van Buren, El Dorado and statewide leadership, presented the award to Boozman at the organization’s 11th annual National Days of Advocacy event on Capitol Hill.

    Sen. Boozman with Arkansas Boys & Girls Club leaders upon receiving the 2025 Champion of Youth Award.

    “It was an incredible honor to present Senator John Boozman with the Boys & Girls Club Champion of Youth Award. As a distinguished alumnus of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club, Senator Boozman has never forgotten the impact of the Club on his own life, and he continues to be a tireless advocate for young people across Arkansas and the nation. His dedication to ensuring that all children have access to the opportunities, resources, and mentorship they need to succeed is truly inspiring. We are grateful for his unwavering support and proud to recognize him for his lifelong commitment to empowering the next generation,” said Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs CEO Beth Presley.

    “As an alumnus of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs Club, Senator Boozman is a testament to the impact of Boys & Girls Clubs. Since entering public office, Senator Boozman has remained a strong supporter of Boys & Girls Clubs in Arkansas and the youth they serve. We are especially grateful for his work to prevent childhood hunger which has enabled Clubs in Arkansas and around the country to provide more meals and snacks to youth at no charge to their families. It is an honor to provide Senator Boozman with our 2025 Champion of Youth Award,” said Senior Vice President of Government Relations for Boys & Girls Clubs of America Missy Dugan.

    As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry and co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus, Boozman has long advocated for increasing access to school and summer feeding programs. In recent years, Boozman successfully led passage of legislation modernizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) summer meals program and permanently allowing states flexibilities to reach more food-insecure children when school is out.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Blasts Trump’s Plans to Decimate the Department of Education

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray: “It does not take a former teacher to tell you how obliterating the Department of Education hurts students. I think even a preschooler could tell you this is a terrible, terrible idea.”
    Murray: “Trump and Musk don’t know what it’s like to count on their local public school having the resources to get their kids a great education. They don’t know why Pell Grants are so important. And they don’t care to learn why. They want to break the Department, break our government, and enrich themselves.”
    ICYMI: Ahead of Confirmation Vote, Senator Murray Blasts Linda McMahon’s Nomination: “We Cannot Have a Secretary of Education Who Doesn’t Believe in Having a Secretary of Education”
    ICYMI: Murray sends letter this morning demanding answers about Education Department’s reckless personnel plans
    ***VIDEO HERE***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democratic colleagues at a press conference to blast President Donald Trump’s expected Executive Order calling for the abolition of the Department of Education—and his plans to begin gutting the Department with mass firings.
    Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:
    “Let’s be clear: We may not know when, but we absolutely do know Trump is preparing to ask the Department of Education to slam every door they can in the face of our students.
    “And let’s not pretend for one single second we think he is serious about doing so while following the law—because the very premise of his plan—shuttering the Department of Education—fundamentally goes against the bipartisan laws we’ve passed establishing and funding it.
    “And it goes against a very basic principle in this country that we put our kids first, that we do everything we can to set them up for success, and that our future depends on whether our kids get the support they need to grow and thrive.
    “It does not take a former teacher to tell you how obliterating the Department of Education hurts students. I think even a preschooler could tell you this is a terrible, terrible idea.
    “Trump and Elon Musk want to do to the Department of Education what they did to USAID.
    “They don’t care what they can legally do—they will act first and not care about the consequences.
    “Trump’s move to dismantle the Department of Education, fire the people who keep it running, and terminate funding will mean fewer teachers at public schools.
    “It will mean students stuck with outdated technology.
    “It will mean less access to special education for students with disabilities—and states and schools will have to pick up the costs.
    “It will mean no enforcement of basic education standards and no data helping us know what is working, and what is not.
    “It will also mean more barriers keeping students out of higher education, fewer career training opportunities, and fewer watchdogs protecting our students from predatory for-profit colleges, from predatory student lenders, and from discrimination, harassment, and sexual assault on campus.
    “That is all just the reality, and get ready for the disinformation now. Because you can bet when they realize how painful and unpopular this is: they are going to try and pretend everything is roses. They will say ‘oh this won’t go away’ and ‘oh we’ll just move this somewhere else.’ As if we haven’t already seen how they operate—with as much chaos, and pain, and damage as they can inflict.
    “We know that playbook. We are seeing it everywhere.
    “And as we saw from Trump last time, just because a program won’t disappear—that doesn’t mean it will still work! In Trump’s first term, he didn’t “abolish” Public Student Loan Forgiveness, it is also written in federal law, but he broke it as badly as he possibly could—to the point where 99 percent of applications were rejected—so how is that functionally any different?
    “And that’s what Trump, Musk, and McMahon are planning to do to the entire Department: break it up into pieces and then break the pieces.
    “Trump and Musk don’t know what it’s like to count on their local public school having the resources to get their kids a great education. They don’t know why Pell Grants are so important. And they don’t care to learn why. They want to break the Department, break our government, and enrich themselves.
    “However, we are not going to let the Department and the programs it supports for our kids go down without a fight.
    “I first got into politics many years ago to save an education program. I was told I couldn’t make a difference because I was just a mom in tennis shoes. But here is the thing: there are a lot of moms and dads in tennis shoes out there, and they do not play when it comes to their kids’ futures.
    “I saved that program back then by getting moms and dads to join with me, speak up, and say ‘wait, our kids come first.’
    “And we are going to fight for our students, teachers, and schools the same way by getting moms and dads—and, yes, students too—to speak up, by making clear: this is not some program you play politics with. This is about our kids. And we will not let anyone—not if they are the President, not if they are the richest man in the world—put our kids’ futures on the chopping block.”
    _______________________________________
    Senator Murray has been calling out the Trump administration’s devastating plans to worsen public education in America. She’s pressed the Trump administration on its plans to shutter the Department, blasted its dismantling of its research arm, and forcefully opposed Linda McMahon’s nomination and plans to execute Trump’s disastrous agenda. This morning, she sent a letter to the Department demanding answers about its reckless personnel plans that will hurt students, parents, and schools.
    Senator Murray has championed students and families at every stage of her career—fighting to help ensure every child in America can get a high-quality public education. Among other things, Senator Murray negotiated the bipartisan Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), landmark legislation that she got signed into law, replacing the broken No Child Left Behind Act. As a longtime appropriator, she has successfully fought to boost funding to support students and invest in our nation’s K-12 schools, and she has secured significant increases to the Pell Grant so that it goes further for students pursuing a higher education. Senator Murray also successfully negotiated the FAFSA Simplification Act, bipartisan legislation to reform the financial aid application process, simplify the FAFSA form for students and parents, and significantly expand eligibility for federal aid.
    In March 2020, Senator Murray introduced the Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act to support students as COVID-19 spread, and she proceeded to work across the aisle to deliver resources to schools to support students in the CARES Act in March 2020 and in December 2020 through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). In March 2021, Senator Murray helped secure critical resources for K-12 schools in the American Rescue Plan, which was passed without any Republican votes. She also worked to require a portion of the resources are specifically used to address learning loss—and has pushed to ensure the resources are being used effectively to help students get back on track. In the years since, Senator Murray has fought to renew federal investments in our schools, ensure resources are used effectively and consistent with federal laws, and successfully defeated House Republicans’ efforts to gut federal educational funding as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee in the 118th Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murray Grills Trump’s FDA Nominee on Cancellation of Critical Vaccine Meeting, Upholding Science on Mifepristone, Contraception

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ICYMI: In Letter to Makary, Sens. Murray, Baldwin, Alsobrooks Raise Alarm over Decision to Cancel Critical FDA Flu Shot Meeting Amid Worst Flu Season in 15 Years
    *** VIDEO of Senator Murray’s FULL questioning HERE***
    Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chairof the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, questioned Dr. Martin “Marty” Makary, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at a HELP committee hearing on his nomination. Murray pressed Dr. Makary on the FDA’s abrupt cancellation—in the middle of the worst flu season in 15 years—of its annual advisory committee meeting to make recommendations for the flu vaccines for the upcoming flu season, which she led a letter pressing for answers about last week, and about whether he would uphold the science and evidence-based approvals for contraception and medication abortion such as mifepristone, which has been proven safe and effective for decades but is now under attack by anti-abortion extremists peddling cherry-picked junk science.
    Murray began by pressing Dr. Makary on the sudden cancellation last week of the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) meeting: “Last week I sent you a letter, along with some of my colleagues, asking you about the FDA’s cancellation of that vaccine advisory committee meeting,” Murray said. “This is a meeting that takes place annually, for at least 30 years, to make recommendations for which influenza strains should be included in the flu vaccines for the upcoming flu season. And for the first time in decades, FDA cancelled that meeting—with no explanation given, no new date chosen. That is, I believe, unprecedented and dangerous.”
    “In 2022, you raised concerns when the FDA was considering not holding a vaccine committee meeting to authorize COVID-19 boosters for kids 12 to 15, and at the time you said it was ‘unconscionable’ and ‘undermined the integrity of the FDA’s standard process’ to not hold that committee meeting,” Murray continued her line of questioning.
    “So if you are confirmed, will you commit to immediately reschedule that FDA vaccine advisory committee meeting?”
    Dr. Makary dodged the question, saying he was not involved in that decision and that he would “immediately reevaluate which sessions the leadership of that center, which decisions, which topics could benefit from…”
    “So what goes into a reevaluation? This is done every year so we know what flu vaccine to have. What are you reevaluating?” Murray interrupted.
    Makary again denied having any awareness or involvement in the decision, and said it was something he would “look at” if confirmed. “Okay, I am very unclear because the FDA is the gold standard for all of us,” Murray replied. “And this committee hearing is what has always been what we look to, the FDA look to, the American people look to, to determine what the flu vaccine is. What are you going to look at to make a determination and figure something else out now, decades into this? What are you re-looking at?”
    When Makary dodged again, saying he was not involved in the decision to cancel the meeting, Murray interrupted: “I understand that, but I assume you would say ‘yes, I will reconfirm it immediately so we can let our public health experts and doctors know what flu [vaccine] to have next fall.’”
    “As I understand it, the committee members and the scientists at the FDA, the career professional scientists at the FDA, look at the recommendations of the international GIP group…”
    “I’m just asking, you just told me that you are going to ‘reevaluate’ it, and I want to know, what you are reevaluating it on,” Murray interrupted. “What are you looking at to make a decision whether to reconvene it?”
    “In conjunction with the center director of the Biologics Center, I would reevaluate which topics deserve a convening of the advisory committee members on VRBPAC and which may not require a convening,” Makary said.
    “So what would we base our decision on?… How will we know what flu to take next year—vaccine—if this committee doesn’t reconvene and make their recommendation?,” Murray pressed.
    Makary again dodged the question and said again that he wasn’t involved in the decision. “I just thought you would say ‘yes we’re, going to reconvene’ because who knows what’s coming,’” Murray replied.
    Murray continued her questioning by asking about FDA’s role in upholding the science on mifepristone, a critical medication millions of women rely on for reproductive health care including for abortion care and miscarriage care. “On mifepristone, because FDA does play a really critical role in making sure we have safe and effective medications. Contraception and medication abortion have been approved by the FDA for many, many decades, based on mountains of high-quality evidence and expert scientific judgment. So, if you are confirmed, will you commit to upholding the science and evidence-based drug approvals for all FDA-approved products, including contraception and medication abortion?’
    “You have my commitment to follow the independent scientific review process at the FDA, which is a tried and true process and has been around and so, that is my commitment to you, Senator,” Makary said.
    “Well I want to be clear, there have been over 100 high-quality studies over more than two decades backing up the science and safety of mifepristone,” Murray concluded.
    As a longtime appropriator and former Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, Senator Murray has a long history of demanding accountability and careful oversight when it comes to the safety of products families use every day. At the end of 2022, Senator Murray passed legislation giving FDA new authority to, for the first time ever, regulate the safety of cosmetic products and force a recall when necessary—and she successfully fought to secure funding for this important work last year as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Senator Murray has also previously pressed FDA and industry for answers and action regarding asbestos in children’s make up kits, demanded answers from Johnson & Johnson regarding asbestos found in baby powder, and was a leading voice in holding FDA accountable and pushing for solutions following the infant formula contamination and shortage crisis in 2022.
    Senator Murray led her colleagues forcefully opposing the nomination of notorious anti-vaccine activist RFK Jr. to be Secretary of HHS and she has long worked to combat vaccine skepticism and highlight the importance of scientific research and vaccines. In 2019, Senator Murray co-led a bipartisan hearing in the HELP Committee on vaccine hesitancy and spoke about the importance of addressing vaccine skepticism and getting people the facts they need to keep their families and communities safe and healthy. Ahead of the 2019 hearing, as multiple states were facing measles outbreaks in under-vaccinated areas, Murray sent a bipartisan letter with former HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander pressing Trump’s CDC Director and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health on their efforts to promote vaccination and vaccine confidence.
    Senator Murray leads the Democratic caucus on reproductive health care and, throughout her career, has beat back countless Republican attempts to defund Planned Parenthood and other family planning services—and is widely credited with successfully pushing the Bush administration’s FDA to follow the science and make Plan B available over the counter. Senator Murray led the response in Congress to FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a lawsuit brought by Republican anti-abortion extremists trying to rip away access to mifepristone, a safe and effective abortion medication that was approved by FDA in 2000—Murray led multiple amicus briefs, organized her colleagues, and raised the alarm at every turn. Last June, the Supreme Court dismissed the case on standing groups but Murray made clear that “the nationwide threat to medication abortion has not gone away—far from it. If Donald Trump and his anti-abortion allies return to power, they will do everything they can to rip away access to mifepristone and ban abortion nationwide.” Murray also spearheaded efforts in Congress urging the FDA to follow the science and review the application of Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill, after the FDA’s Advisory Committee voted unanimously to recommend FDA approval.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republicans Reject Sen. Welch’s Resolution Condemning Russia’s Brutal Invasion

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    Welch Speaks on Senate Floor Reaffirming Support for Ukraine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) last night took to the Senate floor alongside Democratic colleagues to reaffirm that Congress and the American people stand with President Zelenskyy and will not abandon the people of Ukraine as they defend their country against Russia’s unjust invasion. In his remarks, Senator Welch asked the Senate to agree to a resolution reaffirming the United States’ support for the principle that no country can take another by force or threat of force. Senate Republicans rejected Senator Welch and his colleagues’ resolutions. 
    “America’s global alliances and leadership have been anchored on the principle that no country should seize and occupy the territory of another country by force…My hope is that we in the United States Senate would reaffirm those principles of territorial integrity and do that on behalf of the American people. And I have introduced a resolution that does just this,” said Senator Welch. “I think all of us know that’s among the most fundamental propositions holding together the world’s very fragile peace. It’s also a fundamentally American principle that we have advocated for and defended. And it’s a principle that we must uphold today on behalf of the people and the sovereignty of Ukraine—not just for their benefit, but for our national security.” 
    Read the full text of the resolution here, and watch Senator Welch’s speech below: 
    Read the Senator’s remarks as delivered here.
    On the third anniversary of the Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Senator Welch joined Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and his colleagues in introducing the Protecting our Guests During Hostilities in Ukraine Act, legislation that would provide temporary guest status to Ukrainians and their immediate family members who are already in the United States through the “Uniting for Ukraine” parole process. The bill allows Ukrainians to stay and work in the U.S. until the Secretary of State determines that hostilities in Ukraine have ceased and it is safe for them to return. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Trump’s Deregulation Effort Has Already Saved Families Thousands of Dollars

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    TO: WHITE HOUSE COMMS STAFFFROM: CEA STAFFSUBJECT: PRESIDENT TRUMP SAVES AMERICAN FAMILIES $2,100 EACH BY HALTING COSTLY BIDEN REGULATIONS
    SummaryPresident Biden piled on nearly $2 trillion in new regulations over his four years in office, dramatically increasing costs for everyday working people and businesses — and left billions of dollars more in proposed rules still in the pipeline. Upon taking office, President Trump immediately blocked these proposed rules and has initiated an aggressive deregulatory agenda that requires substantial cuts in existing regulations for each new agency rule. President Trump is committed to cutting senseless red tape that will lower costs, lead to higher growth, and usher America into its Golden Age.
    Since returning to office, President Trump has saved Americans over $180 billion, or $2,100 per family of four, by halting proposed Biden-era regulations.
    The Biden Administration added more than $1.8 trillion, or $21,090 per family of four, in new regulatory costs, far surpassing any other administration on record.
    72% of these new regulatory burdens ($1.3 trillion or $15,457 per family of four) were the result of new EPA rules.
    Rolling back just automobile-related rules will save consumers over $1.134 trillion.
    In 2024, the Biden Administration set an all-time record by publishing 107,262 pages of final rules, proposed rules, and other public notices in the Federal Register.
    This stands in stark contrast to President Trump, who recently announced a bold deregulation initiative that requires the elimination of ten existing rules or guidance documents for every new regulation.
    Details
    Notable regulatory actions by President Trump via executive order include:
    Among finalized Biden EPA rules, the following edicts were the most expensive:
    $870 billion: Mandated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and a 50% reduction in other pollutant emissions from light-duty and medium-duty vehicles for model years 2027 and beyond.
    $180 billion: Mandated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in passenger cars and light trucks for model years 2023 and beyond.
    $106.19 billion: Unnecessary water regulations.
    $39 billion: Mandated the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter emissions in heavy-duty engines.

    Other notable costly Biden Administration regulations include:
    Department of the Treasury
    $84.1 billion: New mandates that certain entities disclose their beneficial owners to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

    Department of Transportation
    $45.2 billion: New mandates for increased fuel efficiency in passenger cars and light trucks for model years 2027 and beyond, and increased fuel efficiency for vans and heavy-duty pickups for model years 2030 and beyond.

    Department of Health and Human Services
    $43.15 billion: New mandates for Medicare and Medicaid Programs, increased nursing staffing levels in nursing homes, and additional reporting requirements for certain institutional services.
    $27.77 billion: New Medicaid and CHIP Program mandates

    Department of Defense
    $42.26 billion: New mandates to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI).

    In addition to the expensive regulations highlighted above, the Biden Administration also excelled at producing ridiculous regulations:
    A U.S. Postal Service regulation “requiring mailers to solely use the Cremated Remains shipping supplies provided by the Postal Service when mailing human or animal cremated remains, also referred to as cremains or ashes, domestically or internationally.”
    A Federal Trade Commission regulation “requiring manufacturers of home audio amplifiers making power-related claims to calculate power output using uniform testing methods to allow consumers to easily compare amplifier sound quality.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Merkley introduce bipartisan bill to curb the practice of legacy admissions at colleges

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in introducing the bipartisan Fair College Admissions for Students Act. The bill would prohibit higher education institutions from participating in federal student assistance programs if the institution practices legacy admissions. 
    “Louisiana’s students work hard for an opportunity to get into their dream college. However, the practice of legacy admissions undermines good academic performance. The Fair College Admissions for Students Act would make sure that higher education institutions make decisions about who can attend their schools based on merit,” said Kennedy.  
    “As the first in my family to go to college, I know the struggles facing students whose parents have never been through the process before or don’t have the money for expensive test prep or advisors to help them craft the perfect essay. Children of donors and alumni may be excellent, well-qualified students, but the fact is they are the last people who should get an additional leg up in the complicated and competitive college admissions process. To counter the unfair advantage of money and connections in accessing higher education, Senator Kennedy and I are teaming up to put an end to taxpayer dollars propping up this system that only serves the rich and powerful,” said Merkley. 
    According to the National Center for Education Services, during the 2022-2023 academic year, more than 570 institutions admitted to considering legacy status when making admissions decisions.
    The Fair College Admissions for Students Act would prevent higher education institutions from participating in federal assistance programs if they use preferential treatment in the admission process to applicants on the basis of their relationships to donors to the institution or alumni of the institution.
    Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) also cosponsored the bill.
    Full text of the Fair College Admissions for Students Act is available here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy on taxpayer-funded NPR, PBS: “The audience for public radio and public television is declining”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) explained why taxpayer-funded news services, including National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), have declining audiences. Kennedy argued that the federal government should stop funding these programs through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in a speech on the Senate floor.
    Key excerpts of the speech are below: 
    “The audience for public radio and public television is declining. Let me say that again. The audience for public radio and public television, which your tax dollars pay for, is declining.
    “Why is that? There are a lot of reasons for it, but I will tell you one. People used to tune into PBS and NPR and Corporation for Public bias—Public Broadcasting, Freudian slip there—because those stations played it right straight down the middle, but they don’t anymore. They are very, very biased in their reporting. We all know that. I mean, all you have to do is listen to them.”
    . . .
    “I support the First Amendment, but they don’t have an inalienable right to report these things using opinion journalism that no fair-minded American can construe as anything but representing one point of view with your tax dollars.
    “I am going to try to stop subsidizing media—not just PBS and not just NPR—but any form of media that somehow is getting federal taxpayer dollars. It is just not right. It is not fair. I have a bill to do that. . . . I think President Trump and Mr. [Elon] Musk are going to pursue it on their own, and I think that is a very good thing.”
    Watch Kennedy’s full speech here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Senator Marshall Joins Fox Business to Discuss Tariffs, President Trump’s Joint Address Before Congress, and DOGE

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) joined Charles Payne with Fox Business today to discuss President Donald Trump’s tariffs strategy, the President’s address before Congress, and the actions taken by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
    [embedded content]
    You may click HERE or on the image above to watch Senator Marshall’s full Fox Business interview.
    On President Trump’s Tariffs Strategy
    “First and foremost, my farmers and ranchers are patriots. There’s not a county in Kansas that has not been impacted by fentanyl poisoning, and that’s why they’re willing to stand beside President Trump and secure our borders, and that Canada and Mexico can do more than just that.
    “Beyond that, though, there are so many more levers that President Trump can pull. We’ve been through this with him before. In Trump 1.0, he did these tariffs on China, and like he just said, he went out and gave us $28 billion of those tariffs. But then he gave us China phase one – record sales in the commodities as well.
    “And then he went on in that Presidency, and he gave us trade agreements, really good trade agreements for agriculture, with Mexico, with Canada, with South Korea, and Japan. There are opportunities out there.
    “And lastly, the other two levers he can pull if he gives us year-round E15, that could replace two-thirds of our export market for corn. And lastly, he can give us the certainty of a 5-year Farm Bill. So, there’s other things he can do besides just the tariffs. Don’t look at the tariffs in them in and of themselves.”
    On the President’s Address Before a Joint Session of Congress
    “I think the President has given us hope. For the first time in five years, since I found out what COVID was and Joe Biden became President, for the first time, America has hope again. We’re bullish on America, that we can leave this world better than we found it, that we can go to places that we never thought we could go to, not just going to Mars. There are so many more things, instead of our country contracting…
    “I think we walked out of there excited, [I’m] disappointed that my colleagues across the aisle couldn’t stand. They couldn’t stand for the First Lady. They couldn’t stand for a young boy that had survived brain cancer and was deputized into the Secret Service, and the other families as well.”
    On DOGE’s Impact So Far
    “I told Elon today he’s not going fast enough. And I think I got a little laugh out of him. I’ve gotten to know Elon a little bit better over the last four or five years. I think the first thing I want to let Americans know is he’s a patriot now too. That’s kind of my theme of the day. He’s a patriot, that he’s all in, he’s doing a great job.
    “The big misconception I think people see out there is that Elon is not in there doing the work. He’s an advisor. There are DOGE employees who went through the federal government employment process like everybody else, and they’re just in there, shining a flashlight on the fraud, waste, abuse, and incompetence…
    “He’s had a great success in the past. I think there’s an opportunity to curb 10, 15, 20% of this federal government. And you know what would really help our farmers, is if the federal government to stop borrowing money and get our interest rates down. That’s what would really help my farmers.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House passes Kennedy resolution to repeal Biden admin rule targeting offshore oil and gas production

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives today passed Sen. John Kennedy’s (R-La.) Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution of disapproval to reverse the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) rule that targeted oil and gas production in the outer continental shelf. The resolution passed with bipartisan support, and it now moves to the president’s desk for signing.
    “In waging war on oil and gas producers, the Biden administration drove up prices for families and jeopardized our energy security. I am proud to see that the House passed my resolution to help bring back America’s energy dominance, and I look forward to President Trump signing it into law,” said Kennedy.
    Rep. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) introduced the companion resolution in the House of Representatives. 
    “Congress has taken a decisive step to protect American energy independence and support our workers. By overturning Biden’s BOEM’s overreaching rule, we are unleashing our nation’s vast resources, they tried to handcuff with red tape, driving up costs, stifling innovation, and making us more dependent on foreign energy. I look forward to President Trump taking swift action to sign this resolution into law. Together, we are reaffirming our commitment to an energy policy that prioritizes American jobs, economic growth, and national security,” said Ezell.
    Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) helped introduce the resolution in the Senate.
    “House passage of our resolution of disapproval moves us another step forward in overturning Biden’s regulatory assault on oil and gas production in the Gulf.  I look forward to President Trump signing this resolution while we look for other policies we can repeal,” said Hyde-Smith.
    Background:
    On Sept. 3, 2024, the Biden administration published a rule requiring all new oil and gas leaseholders on the outer continental shelf to submit an archaeological report to the BOEM before drilling or laying pipelines. The rule burdens lessees with conducting costly surveys for marine archaeological resources, such as shipwrecks or “cultural resources.”  
    This rule replaces BOEM’s long-standing policy of requiring oil and gas operators to conduct archaeological surveys only when there was a “reason to believe” that an archaeological resource may be present.
    The Biden administration admitted that this rule would harm small oil and gas producers most, writing, “100 percent of the increased Gulf of [America] compliance cost . . . would be borne by operators that are small entities.” Small and independent operators account for one-third of all oil production in the Gulf of America.
    On Feb. 4, 2025, Kennedy introduced his CRA joint resolution of disapproval to repeal the rule. This is one of more than 225 harmful regulations that the Biden administration levied against the oil and natural gas industry.
    The full resolution is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Leads Colleagues in Demanding Answers on National Security Impacts of Trump’s Tariffs on Canadian Goods

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) led five of her Senate colleagues in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent demanding answers on the national security impacts on President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods. On Tuesday, the Trump Administration implemented a 25 percent tariff on all goods imported from Canada, taxing working families for their food, energy, and car purchases.
    “By targeting a partner that is critical to U.S. mineral, food, and energy security, these measures threaten to undermine American national security,” wrote the Senators. “Canada provides essential minerals that power our weapons systems, nourish our crops, and heat our homes. Blanket tariffs that restrict our ability to source these minerals and make us more reliant on adversarial partners like Venezuela, China, and Russia raise fundamental national security questions.”
    Specifically, the Senators demanded answers to the following questions:
    How will the administration ensure that the additional 10 percent tariff on Canadian critical minerals does not increase costs and lead to shortages or reduced supply?
    How will the administration ensure that the additional 25 percent tariff on Canadian minerals such as potash [common in agricultural fertilizer] does not increase the cost of food production and impair the ability of American farmers to fill our dinner tables with affordable and abundant food?
    How will the administration ensure that new tariffs on Canadian minerals and energy products do not lead the United States to increase our sourcing from China, Russia, Belarus, and Venezuela?
    Are there any precautionary or preemptive actions that the administration has taken or plans to take to ensure that potential Canadian restrictions or bans on the export of critical minerals do not impair U.S. national security?
    How will the administration ensure that the additional 10 percent tariff on nickel imports from Canada does not lead additional Western miners to shutter and increase U.S. reliance on Chinese companies?
    How will the administration ensure that new tariffs on Canada do not work counter to delivering affordable, reliable energy to U.S. consumers?
    In 2023, the United States imported $47 billion in minerals from Canada, like the nickel alloys necessary for the production of military equipment and weapons. Canadian minerals help reduce America’s reliance on trade with China.
    Canada is also the world’s largest producer and exporter of potash, a critical component for fertilizer. More than 90 percent of the potash imported for use by American farmers comes from Canada, and a decrease in trade with Canada likely results in increased trade with Russia, Belarus, and China – the world’s next three largest potash producers.
    Additionally, the United States relies on Canadian crude oil imports to supplement its own energy production. Reducing the importation of Canadian crude oil increases America’s reliance on less friendly foreign oil sources, such as Venezuela.
    Additional signatories to the letter include Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
    Read the full letter here.
    Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts in Congress to strengthen our national security and supply chains. She has consistently blocked burdensome taxes on mining and wrote important provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bolster Nevada’s critical mineral supply chain. She’s also introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the domestic supply chain for rare-earth magnets, which are critical components of cell phones, computers, defense systems, and electric vehicles, but are almost exclusively made in China.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders Calls for Committee Investigation into DOGE, Subpoena for Musk

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, March 6 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), today called for a formal committee investigation into the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and a subpoena of Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, to testify about his plans for running the federal government.
    Sanders’ remarks, as prepared for delivery, are available below:
    Mr. Chairman, for a wide variety of reasons, I am strongly opposed to President Trump’s Deputy Secretary of Labor nominee, Keith Sonderling. But more importantly than my views on Mr. Sonderling is the reality that it really does not matter who becomes Deputy Labor Secretary.
    In a few moments, we will be hearing from President Trump’s nominee to be the next Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, Martin Makary. Truthfully, and with respect to Dr. Makary, it does not matter who the next FDA commissioner is.
    I think everybody on this committee and the people of America understand who is running the government, and it’s not going to be the Secretary of Labor. It’s not going to be the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. With all due respect to President Trump’s nominees, the person who is running the government right now is Elon Musk.
    Mr. Musk has taken it upon himself, with the support of President Trump, to virtually dismantle the United States government. Yesterday, shockingly – and I speak as the former chairman of the Veterans Committee – it is outrageous and beyond belief that while veterans put their lives on the line to defend our country, yesterday, we heard that 80,000 employees at the V.A. are going to be terminated.
    Virtually all Americans understand how important Social Security is to the well-being of our seniors. Yesterday, we learned they are on their way to get rid of half of Social Security employees, at a time when Social Security is now grossly understaffed. Mr. Musk has ordered HHS, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Education to fire employees, hand over confidential and sensitive data and defy judicial orders.
    Mr. Chairman, if we are serious about exercising our constitutional responsibilities, which I hope all of us are, it is critical for our committee to hear from the person who is in fact in charge of the federal government.
    Yesterday, it was reported that Mr. Musk met with Republican senators, at a private meeting for 90 minutes, and plans to do the same with Republican members of the House. That’s fine.
    The Washington Post reported Mr. Musk gave his cell phone number to Republican senators and promised to communicate more effectively with congressional Republicans. That’s fine.
    But you know what? My constituents in Vermont and constituents all over this country want to know what the hell is going on with the federal government right now. And it’s not going to be the next Deputy Secretary of Labor who is going to tell them.
    So if we are serious, Mr. Chairman, about our oversight responsibilities, we must find out what is going on in the federal government. And the way we do that is bringing Mr. Musk before this committee.
    Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I would like to make a motion.
    I move that pursuant to its authority under Rules 25 and 26 of the Standing Rules of the Senate, and Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedure of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hereby authorizes an investigation into the actions of the United States DOGE Service at agencies within the committee’s jurisdiction, and pursuant to the same authority, authorizes the chairman to subpoena Mr. Elon Musk for testimony regarding those actions.
    I ask for the yeas and nays.

    MIL OSI USA News –