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Category: US Senate

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts on Trump Message to Congress: “America is Back”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), reacted to President Trump’s speech to a Joint Session of Congress. He made the following comments while on a conference call with Nebraska media:
    “Last night, America heard from a President who got right to the point with the first line of his address: America is back,” said Ricketts. “President Trump is committed to ushering in a new Golden Age for the United States. I am excited about the newfound opportunities presented to all Americans because we have President Trump back in office. Americans elected President Trump to secure the border, unleash American energy, and restore American strength. Last night, the President laid out a grand vision for how we can accomplish those goals.”
    [embedded content]
    TRANSCRIPT:
    Senator Ricketts: “Last night, America heard from a President who got right to the point with the first line of his address: America is back.
    “President Trump is committed to ushering in a new Golden Age for the United States.
    “I am excited about the newfound opportunities presented to all Americans because we have President Trump back in office.
    “Americans elected President Trump to secure the border, unleash American energy, and restore American strength.
    “Last night, the President laid out a grand vision for how we can accomplish those goals.  
    “The days of open borders, overregulation, and appeasement are over. And not a moment too soon. 
    “I will do all I can to help President Trump deliver prosperity and keep Americans safe. 
    “Our Border Patrol agents need more tools to stop drugs, crime, and illegal border crossings. 
    “The President made clear he will stand strong with them. 
    “His policies are already working. Last month, we saw the lowest number of illegal border crossings in recorded history. 
    “I support dozens of Senate solutions to codify his policies in federal law.  
    “Another key part of President Trump’s vision is unleashing American energy. 
    “We’re blessed with incredible natural resources here at home. 
    “By cutting red tape and streamlining processes, we can unleash those resources. 
    “We can make America energy dominant. 
    “That’s how we can lower energy prices and deliver prosperity for our families across the country. 
    “Those are my priorities as a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. 
    “The President also highlighted the work of DOGE and what it is doing to attack wasteful, fraudulent, and abusive federal spending. 
    “As a former Governor and businessman who did similar work at the state level, it was refreshing to hear what they’re doing. 
    “So for example, one agency had 13,000 employees and had 37,000 software licenses. 
    “Many of those licenses had never even been used or opened. 
    “Additionally, DOGE has found 22 million individuals on our Social Security rolls who are too hold to be alive.
    “This is government waste in its most obvious form. 
    “We need to bring both business sense and common sense to cut red tape and streamline the federal bureaucracy. 
    “Last week, I introduced the Improper Payments Transparency Act to help identify wasteful spending. 
    “I’ll keep fighting for transparency and accountability with our spending. 
    “Lastly, we heard President Trump talk about extending his historic tax cuts. 
    “The Trump tax cuts brought prosperity to American families. 
    “I will work with the President to extend and make permanent the Trump tax cuts so that all Americans can get ahead once again. 
    “We can restore the American dream. 
    “President Trump spoke about restoring American strength on the world stage. 
    “Biden’s appeasement-first policy led to new conflicts.  
    “Now, President Trump’s strong leadership is bringing the world closer to peace. 
    “Our enemies will no longer doubt our resolve. 
    “I’m working to support those priorities on the Foreign Relations Committee. 
    “President Trump’s address last night was about renewing the American Dream. 
    “That means restoring a strong border, a strong military, and a strong energy policy. 
    “I will continue doing all I can to support President Trump as he works toward those goals.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell-Led Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill Unanimously Passes Senate

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    03.06.25
    Cantwell-Led Coast Guard Reauthorization Bill Unanimously Passes Senate
    Bill would authorize USCG “Whale Desk” for additional 2 years to help ships steer clear of Puget Sound Orcas and other whales; Legislation would establish first-ever tribal advisor to increase collaboration with WA state tribes on native issues and conservation efforts
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Senate unanimously passed the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2025 that would reauthorize $30.45 billion for the U.S. Coast Guard for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026. The bill was introduced last month by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee.
    The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.
    Ahead of the bill’s passage, Sen. Cantwell delivered a speech on the Senate floor:
    “The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 provides the tools that our Coast Guard needs now to protect our shores, keep our maritime [industry] moving,” said Sen. Cantwell. “It includes [investments] in Base Seattle, the home port to our nation’s current icebreakers, the future of our heavy icebreaker fleet […] The bill also reauthorizes the Puget Sound Whale Desk for another two years, [which] helps ship steer clear of our cherished orca and whale populations, and it also increases collaboration between Washington tribes and the Coast Guard. And the bill invests in critical safety programs.”
    “Moving forward, we have more to do to support the Coast Guard. They needed our help with their assets, and they need access to shipyards,” she said.
    Among many important provisions, the legislation includes historic protections for service members from sexual assault and harassment, boosts workforce development programs and availability of affordable housing, increases funding to help the U.S. Coast Guard deliver on critical priorities such as icebreakers and 52-foot heavy-weather lifeboats, raises penalties for abandoned and derelict vessels, and encourages more collaboration with tribes.
    The legislation authorizes $14.93 billion for FY25 and $15.51 billion for FY26. The full bill text of the bipartisan U.S. Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 is available HERE. 
    Sen. Cantwell secured language for programs critical to Washington state in the legislation. Among those provisions, her bipartisan legislation:
    Expands Affordable Housing Opportunities: Allows the Coast Guard to acquire housing that is available both on the market and in new housing construction programs. This is particularly important in coastal areas — like Cape Disappointment, Grays Harbor, and Port Angeles — where Coast Guard families face a difficult time accessing affordable, quality housing due to competition with seasonal rentals and other challenges associated with remote units. This bill also expands the Coast Guard’s ability to enter into long-term leases for medical facilities, child development centers, and training facilities to expand access to services for Coast Guard families while reducing administrative overhead expenses and allowing for additional improvements to these facilities.
    Increases Federal Funding to Deliver on Icebreakers and Heavy Weather Lifeboats: The legislation increases authorized funding by 30% compared to 2024 appropriated funding levels, which will help the Coast Guard deliver on critical priorities such as polar icebreakers, 52-foot heavy-weather lifeboats, and other priority acquisition programs.
    Seattle will be home for the Coast Guard’s fleet of 3 polar icebreakers.
    Sen. Cantwell recently toured U.S. Coast Guard Station Disappointment, where the future fleet of heavy-weather lifeboats will be homeported to support search and rescue missions, which is critical to safety of people working in the fishing and maritime sector in Pacific and Grays Harbor counties. In 2023, Sen. Cantwell secured a downpayment of $12 million to replace the heavy-weather boats in the 2023 Appropriations Act.
    Creates the First-Ever Tribal Advisor: Creates a new senior position within the Coast Guard to advise the Commandant and other Coast Guard leaders on how the Coast Guard can work more closely with tribes. The new Special Advisor would also be charged with ensuring the Coast Guard upholds trust responsibilities to tribal governments, improving tribal engagement and consultation activities, and ensuring that tribes have a voice on Coast Guard programs that impact tribes including oil spill preparedness and response, fisheries oversight, and the protection of natural resources.
    Boosts Local Tribal Partnerships to Improve Conservation: Provides the Coast Guard with new authorities to support habitat conservation and other resilience projects with state, local, and tribal governments. This important new authority would ensure tribes and other organizations can partner with the Coast Guard to protect treaty fishing rights and maintain access to cultural and natural resources.
    Reauthorizes the Whale Desk: Extends the Whale Desk at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound by two years, through FY2028. Authored by Senator Cantwell in the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act of 2022, the “Whale Desk” at Sector Puget Sound gives vessel operators and mariners near real-time data about the location of whales to reduce encounters that disturb whales, including noise pollution and ship strikes. The pilot program also includes a “hotline” where callers can report whale sightings in real time. The data collected will be valuable for researchers who track whale migration patterns.
    According to the Coast Guard, 75 whale sightings have been reported to the Sector Puget Sound Whale Desk since its opening in December 2023.
    Sen. Cantwell helped celebrate the launch of the Whale Desk in February 2024. Photos and videos are available HERE and HERE.
    Supports the Commercial Fishing and Maritime Industries: Continues to authorize the use of a satellite tracking system to mark fishing gear locations, which ensures gear is not lost and avoids potential damage by derelict gear. It also supports fishing vessels engaging in temporary towing operations as part of salmon hatchery development in Alaska.  The bill also creates new training and credentialing opportunities for qualified mariners, veterans, and the general public seeking to become mariners. It also expedites processing times for merchant mariner licensing documents to help close this critical workforce gap.
    Maps Arctic Maritime Routes: The Bering Sea is expected to see increased fishing, commercial, and other vessel traffic over the coming decades. As a key international trade and maritime route, this bill requires an analysis of projected traffic in the Bering Strait, and the emergency response capabilities and infrastructure needed to support this increased vessel traffic and prevent oil spills in the Bering Sea and the Arctic.
    Boosts International Pacific Cooperation: Requires the Coast Guard to develop a plan to increase international training opportunities in the Pacific, including with the Taiwan Coast Guard. This coordination will strengthen American relations, combat illegal fishing, and boost international security in the Pacific.
    Cracks Down on Abandoned Vessels: Improves oversight of derelict and abandoned vessels by requiring the Coast Guard to develop and maintain an inventory list of these vessels to improve tracking, management, and coordination between federal, state, tribal, and other relevant entities. It authorizes a new federal penalty of $500 a day for abandoning vessels.
    Abandoned and derelict vessels pose unique and costly threats to coastal communities and ecosystems by leaking pollutants and imperiling marine traffic. According to the WA Department of Natural Resources, DNR removed 319 derelict and abandoned boats from Washington state waterways between 2021 and 2023.
    Protects Personnel from Illicit Drug/Fentanyl Exposure: As the Coast Guard carries out important drug interdiction missions to stop the flow of illegal drugs, this bill requires all installations to maintain a supply of naloxone or similar medication to treat opioid or fentanyl overdoses or exposure by Coast Guard members and the public in search and rescue or response calls.
    Requires Stronger Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) Prevention and Response: The bill would establish or update numerous Coast Guard and Academy authorities and programs to improve reporting, oversight, prevention, and accountability related to sexual misconduct. These provisions were drafted in response to Operation Fouled Anchor, which revealed gross mishandling of sexual assault and sexual harassment cases of U.S. Coast Guard personnel.
    A full breakdown of these protections is available HERE.
    Supports Coast Guard Families Stationed in Washington:
    Creates the First Vice Admiral of Personnel: To support the more than 40,000 active service members, the bill establishes a new Vice Admiral leadership position solely focused on supporting the needs of personnel and their families, from housing to health care, investments in childcare, and improving recruitment and training programs.
    Jump Starts Hiring of Health and Family Service Providers Across Entire Service: Provides direct hiring authority to swiftly fill more than a hundred vacancies, including behavioral and mental health professionals, medical specialists, childcare service providers, housing supervisors, criminal investigators, and other positions to protect the health and wellbeing of Coast Guard members and their families. It also adds two new telemedicine rooms at the Coast Guard Academy.
    Improves College-to-Service Career Pathways: Updates the College Student Pre-Commissioning Program to allow more colleges and universities to participate and to increase recruitment of students interested in commissioning into a Coast Guard career. 
    Prepares Tsunami Evacuation Plans: Requires the development of tsunami evacuation and preparedness plans for Coast Guard units in tsunami zones, including across the West Coast and Pacific Northwest. It also requires the Coast Guard to consider vertical evacuation as a lifesaving option for Coast Guard members.
    Bolsters National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
    Supports NOAA Corps Officers: To support the hundreds of NOAA’s commissioned officers, the bill makes improvements to personnel management, education assistance programs, pilot recruitment programs, and more. NOAA Corps members help manage maritime research, support disaster response, and monitor weather forecasting including hurricanes and atmospheric rivers, as well as performing other cutting-edge weather forecast and research needs.
    Modernizes NOAA Vessel Fleet: Authorizes replacement and modernization of the NOAA research vessel fleet and improves oversight of the fleet, which helps maintain our nation’s weather and scientific buoy network, conducts fisheries research, maps the ocean floor including in the Arctic, and supports other important oceanographic and conservation priorities.
    Removes Aging NOAA Vessels: Allows NOAA to use the proceeds of obsolete vessel sales to support the acquisition or repair of other NOAA vessels to help make the fleet more resilient in the future.
    Video of Sen. Cantwell’s speech on the Senate floor today is HERE; audio is HERE; and a transcript is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Rosen, Markey Introduce Legislation to Prevent the Political Weaponization of the FCC, Protect First Amendment

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)
    Luján Bill Comes Amid FCC Probes Into Broadcasters That Were Previously Dismissed
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, and U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) announced the introduction of the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act, legislation that would prohibit the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from revoking broadcast licenses or taking action against broadcasters based on the viewpoints they broadcast. The legislation would reaffirm the importance of the independence of the FCC, including that the President should not mandate the FCC’s agenda. U.S. Representatives Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), and Jennifer McClellan (D-Va) lead companion legislation in the House.
    “The Trump administration’s weaponization of the FCC and intimidation of broadcast stations for political purposes is a serious threat to the First Amendment,” said Senator Luján. “The FCC and the President should not hold the power to revoke broadcasting licenses and censor free speech simply because they disagree with the viewpoints that are broadcasted. That is why I’m proud to lead this legislation to make it clear that the FCC operates independent of any political agenda. Free speech and freedom of the press is a pillar of our democracy, and I am committed to defending it from politically motivated attacks.”
    “A free and independent press is a foundational part of defending the first amendment and ensuring Americans have access to information,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “It is clear President Trump intends to use every available avenue to intimidate and silence broadcast media that challenges his viewpoints. The weaponization of the FCC to launch baseless attacks on NPR and PBS show exactly the bullying tactics Donald Trump will use to censor dissent. That’s why Senator Luján and I are introducing this legislation that will ensure our media is protected from government attacks no matter their point of view.”
    Specifically, the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act would:
    Explicitly state that the FCC is an independent agency and that they must not use their authority to execute politically motivated attacks against licensees.
    Prohibit the FCC from taking action (including revoking any license or authorization) against any person based on the viewpoints disseminated.
    Prohibit the FCC from placing conditions based on viewpoint disseminated on any transaction approval.
    This bill has no effect on the FCC’s authority to take action on violations explicitly outlined in other sections of the Communications Act, including with regard to obscenity, lottery, fraud, or incitement under the First Amendment. 
    “When Congress created the FCC, it had witnessed firsthand how fascist governments in Europe used control of radio broadcasting to spread propaganda and suppress the free press. Determined to prevent that from happening in America, Congress established the FCC as an independent agency to safeguard press freedom. For nearly a century, the FCC has upheld this mission. But now, the current Chair has abandoned this long-standing tradition, turning the agency into a tool for the President’s agenda of press intimidation and suppression of criticism. It is a national tragedy that such a bill is even necessary. However, Public Knowledge applauds Senator Luján for standing up to the Administration’s bullying and giving defenders of a free press a cause to rally behind,” said Harold Feld, Senior Vice President of Public Knowledge.
    “The First Amendment prohibits the government, including the FCC, from dictating what content the media covers and how they cover it. It is this freedom of the press that enables us to hold our government accountable when they overreach. Efforts to retaliate against the press for the viewpoints they express is not only unconstitutional, but will make all of us less informed about the world we live in. We thank Senator Lujan for introducing the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act to protect freedom of the press,” said Jenna Leventoff, Senior Policy Counsel, American Civil Liberties Union.
    “This bill sends exactly the right message, at a time of remarkable danger for freedom of the press in this country. Just a few years ago, Brendan Carr was an FCC commissioner proclaiming that newsroom decisions about how to frame stories should be beyond the reach of government bureaucrats like him. Now, he is our chief censor, eager to threaten those very same newsrooms any time Donald Trump snaps his fingers. Free Press Action thanks Senator Luján, Representatives Matsui, Barragan, and McClellan, and all members supporting this legislation,” said Matt Wood, Vice President of Policy at Free Press Action.
    Senator Luján’s introduction of the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act follows his call to FCC Chair Carr to stop the weaponization of FCC in light of recent attacks against both broadcasters and public media.
    The legislation is supported by the American Civil Liberties Union, Public Knowledge, and Free Press Action.
    Full bill text is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Republicans Reject Durbin’s Resolution To Condemn Russia’s Abduction Of Ukrainian Children

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    March 07, 2025

    Since Russia’s full-scale war started in 2022, the Russian government has abducted, forcibly transferred, or facilitated the illegal deportation of at least 20,000 Ukrainian children

    WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Co-Chair of the Senate Ukraine Caucus, asked for unanimous consent (UC) to pass a simple resolution he introduced condemning Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children and called on Russia to work with the international community to return all abducted Ukrainian children to their families. Since Russia’s full-scale war of aggression started in 2022, the Russian government has abducted, forcibly transferred, or facilitated the illegal deportation of at least 20,000 Ukrainian children. Senate Republicans rejected the resolution.  They also objected to every other straightforward resolution offered by Senate Democrats, including urging Russian President Putin to end the war, clarifying that Russia started the war, stating that Russia committed war crimes, reaffirming the U.S.-Ukraine relationship and support for its sovereignty, and clarifying that no nation should forcibly seize territory of another. 

    “War brings out the worst in humans. And Russia, under the bloody leadership of Vladimir Putin, has committed some of the worst wartime atrocities that a mind can imagine. Mass murders, rapes, torture, and deliberate targeting of hospitals and civilians, that’s been the three-year strategy of Vladimir Putin,” said Durbin.

    “But one of the most horrific of these atrocities is Russia’s kidnapping of Ukrainian children… Since Russia’s full-scale war of aggression started in 2022, the government of Russia has abducted, forcibly transferred, or facilitated the illegal deportation of at least 20,000 Ukrainian children,” said Durbin. “The depravity of Putin’s strategy is hard to imagine. But Putin and his government know no humanity or morality. It is not surprising that Putin would stoop to such a repulsive strategy.”

    “That is why I am asking unanimous consent to pass a resolution condemning Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children. And I am calling on Russia to work with the international community to return all of these children to their families. There is no tasteful way to violate the sovereignty of another nation.  But Putin takes depravity to a new extreme with his kidnapping of Ukrainian children. This barbaric act must be condemned—it should be easy for members on both sides of the aisle to just imagine for a moment if this had happened to American children. It has to be a priority of any peace process to acknowledge Putin’s responsibility for the invasion and the terrible policies in Ukraine,” Durbin continued.

    Last week, Durbin introduced 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. U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Alex Padilla (D-CA) are cosponsors of the legislation. Bill text can be found here.  

    Durbin also joined U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and others in leading a simple resolution last week that expresses continued solidarity with the people of Ukraine and condolences for the loss of thousands of lives to Russian aggression; rejects Russia’s attempts to militarily seize sovereign Ukrainian territory; reaffirms U.S. support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine; and states unequivocally that Ukraine must be at the table for negotiations on its future.

    Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

    Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

    Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Praises VP Vance’s Texas Border Visit

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after Vice President JD Vance and other members of the Trump administration visited Eagle Pass, Texas, a hotspot for illegal border crossings during the Biden-Harris administration:
    “While his predecessor, Kamala Harris, reluctantly visited the border a mere two times for sanitized photo-ops during her reign as border czar, I commend Vice President JD Vance for making it a priority to come to the Texas-Mexico border during his first six weeks in office.”
    “For far too long, the responsibility of enforcing federal immigration laws fell to the State of Texas and its taxpayers—but not anymore. In just weeks, the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration has led to a record low level of attempted illegal border crossings and thousands of arrests of illegal immigrants.”
    “President Trump, Vice President Vance, and the entire administration are proving to the American people that they are taking their mandate seriously, and I look forward to continuing to work with them to secure our nation’s borders.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Make it Easier for Rural Veterans to Access Health Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), are introducing legislation aiming to help veterans in rural areas get transportation to health care appointments. The Supporting Rural Veterans Access to Healthcare Services Act, would reauthorize the Highly Rural Transportation Grant (HRTG) Program, a service that provides roughly 2.7 million veterans with access to free transportation services to VA-authorized health care appointments.
    “Veterans in rural Maine communities already face challenges when it comes to accessing quality, affordable care because of distance to VA medical facilities and availability of health care workers,” said Senator King. “The bipartisan Supporting Rural Veterans Access to Healthcare Services Act would provide rural veterans with travel assistance to appointments, ensuring they can more easily and efficiently access providers and treatments. Where veterans choose to live should not impede their ability to get the care they earned and deserve. I want to thank my Veterans Affairs Committee colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their work to make sure our rural veterans get the support they need — from Maine all the way to Alaska.” 
    “North Dakota is home to many veterans who rely on transportation assistance to access their healthcare services,” said Senator Cramer. “Reauthorizing the Highly Rural Transportation Grant Program will ensure veterans can travel to their medical appointments, whether in the community or at a VA facility directly facilitating access to the care they’ve earned.”
    “Living in a small, highly-rural community far from a major metropolitan center does not justify a veteran losing or receiving limited access to the health care they have sacrificed for and earned,” said Senator Sullivan. “Transportation assistance is life-saving for Alaska’s veterans. I am glad to introduce legislation to reauthorize the Highly Rural Transportation Grant Program with Alaska-specific provisions to ensure our veterans are able to reach their VA appointments without lengthy delays or debilitating costs.” 
    The legislation is supported by Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).
    “Transportation to VA medical facilities remains a major challenge for the 2.7 million veterans who live in rural areas and are enrolled in VA care,” said Daniel Contreras, DAV National Commander. “DAV is proud to support the Supporting Veterans Access to Healthcare Services Act as it would improve rural veterans’ access to VA medical treatment. We applaud Sens. Cramer and King for their leadership in re-introducing this vital bipartisan legislation that will help ensure our nation keeps its promises to America’s veterans.”
    “Among the post-9/11 wounded, ill, and injured veterans we serve, just over half report that they have experienced some degree of difficulty accessing health care through VA,” said Jose Ramos, WWP’s Vice President for Government and Community Relations. “The Supporting Rural Veterans Access to Healthcare Services Act would help ensure that transportation to appointments is one less barrier for veterans in rural areas to be concerned about.  Wounded Warrior Project is pleased to support this legislation, and we thank Senators Cramer, King, and Sullivan for their leadership in supporting better pathways to health for our nation’s veterans.”
    Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King has been a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act. Last month, in a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, Senator King joined his colleagues in urging for immediate action to secure veterans’ personal information provided by VA or other agencies to Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), a measure that would protect millions of veterans’ medical records stored in VA’s computer systems. In addition, he helped pass the Veterans COLA Act, which increased benefits for 30,000 Maine veterans and their families. Recently, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation alongside SVAC Chairman Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) to improve care coordination for veterans who rely on both VA health care and Medicare. Recently, Senator King was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. Last year, he was recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren Slams Big Tech CEOs for Cozying Up to Trump Admin, Attempting to Score Billions in Tax Handouts at Working Families’ Expense

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
    March 06, 2025
    Senator Warren demands answers from Tesla, Amazon, Meta, Apple, Alphabet CEOs about lobbying efforts, impacts of possible tax giveaways
    “It’s no secret why [corporations like yours are] throwing millions of dollars into lobbying President Trump and Republicans in Congress at this very moment: the result of your lobbying efforts could net you billions of dollars.” 
    Text of Letters (PDF) 
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, wrote to Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla; Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon; Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta; Tim Cook, CEO of Apple; and Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet, regarding the cumulative $75 billion in tax giveaways  — handed out at the expense of working families — that their companies could receive after cozying up to the Trump administration. 
    As part of President Trump’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, among many corporate giveaways, Republicans in Congress decided to end a corporate tax break known as research and development (R&D) expensing to help pay for their tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. This tax break allowed companies to deduct the total cost of their R&D expenses immediately, instead of deducting them over time, as is the standard practice in the tax code. This change was one of the few parts of the 2017 bill that forced companies to pay higher taxes. Now, corporations want to revert back to the pre-2017 rules — and not only do corporations want to apply immediate R&D expensing to future tax years, but they are also pushing to retroactively apply these deductions to 2022, 2023, and 2024.
    “[Corporations like yours] want to retroactively apply these tax deductions to investments they already made in the past, amounting to nothing more than a tax handout to massive corporations for past investment decisions,” wrote Senator Warren.
    While these corporations claim that not allowing immediate expensing “significantly limits businesses’ ability” to invest in R&D, these claims are false. In fact, since R&D expensing ended in 2022, the R&D spending of each of the five companies increased significantly.
    “[E]ven as your R&D investments have increased since R&D expensing ended, [each of your companies] ha[ve] lobbied to bring back this corporate tax break and find other ways to slash your tax bill even lower,” said Senator Warren. 
    All five companies belong to trade organizations intensely lobbying for the retroactive application and extension of R&D expensing, including the Chamber of Commerce. Just last year, Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Tesla spent over $63 million lobbying for corporate tax breaks that include retroactive and immediate R&D expensing. All five companies also poured millions into President Trump’s campaign or inauguration. 
    “It’s no secret why [corporations like yours are] throwing millions of dollars into lobbying President Trump and Republicans in Congress at this very moment: the result of your lobbying efforts could net you billions of dollars,” said Senator Warren. 
    Collectively, the five companies are projected to win $75 billion if Congress awards them retroactive R&D tax expensing — nearly double what the federal government spends on child nutrition programs each year. Senator Warren called it a “fantastic return on investment for the millions [they] have spent lobbying on the tax fight.” 
    According to a new, independent analysis by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), from retroactive application of R&D expensing alone: 

    Tesla stands to gain at least $2.5 billion.

    Amazon stands to gain at least $22 billion.

    Meta stands to gain at least $15 billion.

    Apple stands to gain at least $10 billion.

    Alphabet stands to gain at least $24 billion.

    “American taxpayers will shoulder the burden of tax cuts for [the companies], and they deserve answers about your efforts to secure massive tax breaks for billionaire corporations,” concluded Senator Warren. 
    Senator Warren asked the companies to provide clarity on their lobbying expenses for tax legislation this year, their trade associations’ advocacy for tax cuts, their political donations to officials advocating for their tax cuts, and how retroactive tax breaks would affect their outlook for stock buybacks and executive compensation by March 19, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Trump Announces Presidential Delegation to Turin, Italy to attend the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    President Donald J. Trump today announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to Turin, Italy to attend the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics World Winter Games, on March 7, 2025.
    Mrs. Usha Vance, Second Lady of the United States, will lead the delegation.
    Members of the Presidential Delegation:
    Mr. Shawn Crowley, Chargé d’Affaires a.i., U.S. Embassy to Italy and San Marino
    T.H. Trent Michael Morse, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of Presidential Personnel 
    Mr. Riley M. Barnes, Senior Bureau Official of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, U.S. Department of State 
    Mr. Douglass Benning, Consul General, U.S. Consulate Milan, Italy 
    Mrs. Rachel Campos-Duffy, FOX News Host and wife of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation
    Mr. Boris Epshteyn, Senior Counsel and Senior Advisor to President Donald J. Trump
    Mr. Richard Walters, Partner at FGS Global

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Announces Reopening of Baring Post Office

    US Senate News:

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

    Wednesday, March 05, 2025

    Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) announced the reopening of the Post Office in Baring, Missouri. The Post Office originally closed due to tornado damage in August 2023 and Senator Hawley has been working to restore services ever since.

    In September 2023, Senator Hawley sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis Dejoy seeking an update on the status of the Baring Post Office. During a Senate hearing in 2024, Senator Hawley, again, pushed Postmaster DeJoy for a timeline to rebuild the Baring Post Office. He questioned DeJoy about it, again, later in the year. Senator Hawley also introduced legislation that would establish a clear timeframe for reopening rural post offices that experience closure due to natural disaster damage or other unforeseen circumstances.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Confronts Democrat Witness for Sympathizing with Violent Antisemitic Protesters, Discriminatory DEI

    US Senate News:

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

    Wednesday, March 05, 2025

    In a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) confronted Kevin Rachlin, the Washington director of The Nexus Project, over his refusal to unequivocally condemn university campuses’ coddling of antisemitic criminals. The Senator went on to press Rachlin—a witness invited by Senate Democrats—about Rachlin’s support for universities’ DEI systems and the reverse discrimination they promote.
    “If you come to this country on a student visa, you are here as a guest of the United States for particular purposes,” Senator Hawley stated. “If you assault a Jewish student on campus, you ought to be out of here. And we ought to make it clear to people that we are no going to tolerate it,” he continued, triggering a loud applause from the room.
    [embedded content]
    Watch the full exchange here, or click on the image above.
    “Shouldn’t we condemn . . . DEI officials for saying ‘Israeli students are colonizers,’ ‘Jewish-American students are colonizers,’ ‘Israel is an apartheid state?” Senator Hawley asked. “That is wrong—full stop, no conditions.”
    Rachlin proceeded to defend DEI programs.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Padilla Denounces Trump Administration’s Disregard for the Rule of Law

    US Senate News:

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

    WATCH: Padilla: “A President feeling unconstrained by the courts, by the Constitution, and the rule of law is no President at all. It’s a power-hungry, wannabe king.”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered remarks on the Senate floor denouncing President Trump and his Administration for their blatant disregard for the rule of law and sounded the alarm on their threats to our justice system.

    As the courts block many of President Trump’s blatantly illegal Executive Orders, Padilla condemned Vice President J.D. Vance and Elon Musk’s recent statements trying to intimidate judges and undermine the rule of law.

    Padilla also slammed Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) nominees who have repeatedly refused to commit to upholding their oaths to defend the Constitution. Last week, Padilla warned against these dangerous DOJ nominees, many of whom have represented Trump in a personal capacity.

    Key Excerpts:

    • I too rise today to defend the principles at the core of our democratic republic. That we are a government of laws and institutions, not of individuals. That no billionaire has more rights than any worker. And that no President has more rights than any citizen of our country. That we are a government of three coequal branches, providing checks and balances on each other. And bottom line: that no one is above the law.
    • Yet as we stand here today, the Trump Administration is clearly, openly laying the groundwork to reject all of these principles. They’re operating under their idea that the President, his cabinet of loyalists, and an unelected billionaire “advisor” can simply ignore the law or courts in rulings that they disagree with.
    • The Judiciary does not work for Donald Trump. It is a separate, coequal branch of government. The courts, colleagues, work for the American people.
    • For Americans watching from home, here’s how I can boil it down. Let’s ask ourselves, do you believe that the President can simply ignore the law? Do you believe that the President should be all-powerful? Do you believe that if you have to follow the law, then the President of our country should have to follow it as well?
    • For years, we’ve known that if a President did try to push the boundaries of what’s legal and what’s not — we could count on an independent Department of Justice to enforce court rulings. But over the past few weeks, what we’ve seen in Judiciary Committee is nominee after nominee appear before us and refuse to simply commit to upholding the law.
    • A President feeling unconstrained by the courts, by the Constitution, and the rule of law is no President at all. It’s a power-hungry, wannabe king.
    • What we’re asking of our Republican colleagues today isn’t anything radical. It’s the fundamental principle that men and women dedicated to themselves nearly 250 years ago in the founding of our nation — that we shall be ruled of, by, and for the people — not of, by, and for a king or dictator.

    Video of Senator Padilla’s remarks is available here.

    Footage of his remarks can be downloaded here.

    Senator Padilla has fought to hold Trump’s DOJ nominees accountable and has warned against the Trump Administration’s attack on the rule of law. Padilla opposed advancing Attorney General Bondi’s nomination after she refused to affirm birthright citizenship, which is constitutionally guaranteed, and declined to disavow the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen during her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing. He also sounded the alarm on Kash Patel’s reckless nomination to be Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), delivering remarks ahead of Patel’s confirmation at a press conference outside FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C. and in a speech on the Senate floor. Padilla also recently questioned three of President Trump’s DOJ nominees, raising concerns over Republican DOJ nominees’ apparent willingness to disregard the rule of law and ignore court orders they disagree with. Additionally, Padilla joined Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats earlier this year in demanding answers from Bondi, Patel, and other Trump Administration nominees and officials on the removal or reassignment of career law enforcement officials across the DOJ and FBI.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley Lauded for “Leadership and Commitment” to Credit Suisse Investigation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing examining the rising tide of antisemitism, Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) entered into the hearing record a letter from The Simon Wiesenthal Center applauding Grassley’s efforts to “expose the hidden truth about Swiss banks’ collaboration with the Nazis before, during, and after World War II.”
    Grassley’s investigation of Credit Suisse has uncovered thousands of buried records documenting the bank’s historic servicing of Nazi-linked accounts. At Grassley’s request, Argentine President Javier Milei has committed to provide relevant records to assist in the investigation.  

    Dear Chairman Grassley,

    I had the honor and privilege of knowing and working for nearly thirty years with the late Simon Wiesenthal. Mr. Wiesenthal survived six Nazi concentration camps and later became the original “Nazi Hunter.” I learned many life lessons from this giant of humanity, who was first a victim of the Nazis and then a pursuer of justice. His constituency was six million Jewish ghosts, and the families and survivors who continue to cry out for justice.

    Two of his statements guide me and define The Simon Wiesenthal Center: “Hope lives when people remember” and “Freedom is not a gift from heaven, it must be fought for every day.”

    Chairman Grassley, these statements perfectly describe your devotion and tenacity in helping The Simon Wiesenthal Center to expose the hidden truth about Swiss banks’ collaboration with the Nazis before, during, and after World War ll.

    As the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, we want to thank you again for your leadership and commitment to the finding truth. Your recent letter to Argentine President Milei inspired him to order the opening of all Argentina’s archives for the first time in history. This will provide a full picture of the activities of the Nazis and their enablers, notably including more details about the post-WWII ratlines that allowed major Nazi war criminals escape to South America.

    Your steadfast support and President’s Milei’s unprecedented response also means that millions of people, many born long after that horrific era, will learn crucial lessons from the Nazi era that have major relevance today in a world riven with unprecedented antisemitism. The Simon Wiesenthal Center knows that with your leadership, this Committee will expose the complete truth about the economic components of genocide and antisemitism, and those who have escaped the full weight of accountability will receive history’s reckoning.

    God Bless you,

    Rabbi Abraham Cooper

    Associate Dean and Director of Social Action

    Simon Wiesenthal Center

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Democrats Refuse to Recognize the Judicial Branch’s Jurisdictional Limits

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today stood up for the constitutional system of checks and balances and called out Democrats’ years long crusade against the federal court system.

    In response to Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) request for unanimous consent on a resolution affirming the Constitution vests judicial power in the federal courts, Grassley noted, “I’ve made very clear that we have a separation of powers and each branch has to respect the others’ powers.” Grassley then offered an amendment to the Durbin resolution that highlighted Democratic efforts to delegitimize the courts, recognized the lawlessness of the Biden administration and acknowledged jurisdictional and constitutional limits to courts’ authority. Grassley’s amendment affirms that the executive branch must comply with all lawful federal court rulings. Durbin objected to the commonsense amendment.

    Grassley pointed out Democrats have spent years degrading the federal court system, yet “now that we have a Republican president, [Democrats] appear to have a newfound respect for the courts.” He concluded by urging the Committee to review the ongoing abuse of nationwide injunctions and temporary restraining orders that Democrats have also questioned in the past.

    Video and a transcript of Grassley’s remarks are below.

    [embedded content]

    VIDEO

    I’ve always advocated due respect for the federal courts. In particular, over the last few years, I’ve opposed a vicious smear campaign by Democrats designed to undermine faith in our Supreme Court and our judicial system.

    Now that we have a Republican president, my Democratic colleagues appear to have a newfound respect for the courts. It wasn’t very long ago that they were singing a different tune.

    In the last few years, Democrats have called the Supreme Court, “controlled by creepy right-wing billionaires, a radical Supreme Court, and a partisan and reactionary court.”

    One of my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee said, “The idea that you can trust a Supreme Court… has been blown to smithereens.”

    Another Committee colleague declared, “I oppose these Justices.”

    And yet another Committee colleague questioned, “How can they call it an honorable Court… the far-right justices… are cherry-picking their way through constitutional text and history to impose their own ideological agenda on the American people.”

    Over the last few years, Democrats have repeatedly threatened the Court for ruling in ways they did not like.

    Famously, in 2020, the Senate Democratic Leader threatened the Court to influence its rulings on abortion.

    He said, “I want to tell you, Gorsuch. I want to tell you, Kavanaugh. You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. You won’t know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.”

    In the wake of the 2024 presidential immunity decision, Democratic House Minority Leader said, “House Democrats will engage in aggressive oversight and legislative activity with respect to the Supreme Court to ensure that the extreme, far-right justices in the majority are brought into compliance with the Constitution.”

    I’m happy that Democrats have finally discovered the importance of respecting the judiciary. They certainly didn’t hold this view when President Biden was in office.

    President Biden ignored the Court’s position that the CDC’s eviction moratorium was unconstitutional and his own lawyers’ advice that he couldn’t do it. He went ahead and extended it anyway, and the Court had to strike it down.

    President Biden boasted that the Court’s decision on student loan forgiveness “didn’t stop him.”

    The Biden administration undermined the Court’s 2023 decision that racial discrimination in college admissions is unconstitutional, and even issued a Dear Colleague letter on how to circumvent that ruling.

    More broadly, President Biden flouted law after law throughout his entire administration. He ignored the plain text of our immigration laws, the parole statute and our civil rights laws in the name of advancing his agenda.

    You know what? I heard no complaint from my Democratic colleagues.

    Although I fully agree that Congress [must] stand for the rule of law, this resolution is a partisan messaging statement.

    President Trump has been clear on this. Just a few weeks ago, he said, “I always abide by the courts and then I’ll have to appeal it… the answer is I always abide by the courts.”

    There have been numerous extreme orders from various district courts improperly encroaching on core Article II powers. President Trump and his administration have worked diligently to abide by those orders, no matter how outrageous, by appealing them and challenging their scope and reach. He is completely within his right to do so and his conduct is appropriate and legitimate.

    Our constitutional system has a robust system of checks and balances. The Executive Branch must abide by the courts and the courts must also ensure that their rulings are respectful of jurisdictional limits and the separation of powers.

    Some of the recent orders from individual district judges, issued on an expedited basis with very broad nationwide impact, have concerned me. I think Congress needs to examine this issue closely.

    Concerns about nationwide injunctions and temporary restraining orders have been raised by both sides of the aisle, across presidential administrations. If my colleagues want to work with me on it, we will head down that route of addressing those abuses.

    For today’s purposes, however, this resolution is incomplete. And coming from Democrats, I think it shows that they’re totally inconsistent. It unfairly targets President Trump, it ignores the Democratic attacks on the legitimacy of the court and it ignores President Biden’s flagrant violations of law.

    So, I’m offering Senator Durbin an opportunity that he can’t turn down, a resolution to highlight the inappropriate attacks by Democrats against the legitimacy of the Supreme Court, and to clarify that the Executive Branch must comply with lawful orders of federal courts.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Grassley, Iowa Congressional Delegation Call on USDA to Assist Turkey Farmers Impacted by aMPV

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined the entire Iowa congressional delegation to urge Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins and Farm Service Agency Acting Administrator Kimberly Graham to deliver critical financial relief for Iowa’s turkey producers who have been severely impacted by avian metapneumovirus (aMPV).

    Specifically, the delegation requested USDA allow aMPV to qualify as an eligible adverse event under the Livestock Indemnity Program, which provides financial compensation to farmers who have experienced high levels of livestock death due to adverse events such as a natural disaster or disease.

    “Iowa’s sharp decline in turkey production is reflective of the national turkey industry at large. Despite devastating financial shortfalls and supply chain disruptions caused by aMPV, there are currently no federal assistance programs available to offset these devastating losses, leaving many family-owned operations at risk of closure. Without immediate support, the viability of these farms—and the stability of the U.S. turkey industry—is in jeopardy,” the members wrote.

    “To mitigate these losses and prevent future outbreaks, we urge the USDA Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA) to consider determining aMPV as an eligible adverse event under the Livestock Indemnity Program so that our farmers can access much-needed financial relief to affected producers,” the lawmakers concluded.

    Since its identification in the fall of 2023, aMPV has spread to all turkey producing states, having a major impact on turkey farmers, processors, small businesses and the consumer supply chain. aMPV has caused some Iowa turkey farmers to lose 30 to 50 percent of their flocks since the fall of 2023, threatening producer stability and the broader national turkey supply.

    In 2024, Iowa farmers lost an estimated 569,700 turkeys due to aMPV– a loss of $18 million in farm income.

    Last month, Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) also urged Rollins to quickly address the ongoing spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), the largest animal health outbreak in U.S. history.

    Text of the letter to Rollins and Graham follows:

    March 4, 2025

    The Honorable Brooke Rollins
    Secretary of Agriculture
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20250

    The Honorable Kimberly Graham
    Acting Administrator of FSA
    Farm Service Agency
    1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
    Washington, D.C. 20250

    Secretary Rollins and Acting Administrator Graham,

    We write today with deep concerns regarding the avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), an acute respiratory virus of turkeys and poultry breeding stock, and the devastating impact it has had on Iowa’s turkey farmers. Given the severe implications threatening the viability of turkey operations, we ask that the U.S. Department of Agriculture consider providing immediate financial assistance to the nation’s turkey producers by allowing aMPV to qualify as an eligible adverse event under the Livestock Indemnity Program.

    The aMPV virus, or Turkey Rhinotracheitis, is a highly contagious, viral respiratory disease that can infect turkeys, broilers, layers, and breeders for up to four weeks, leading to high flock mortality, reproductive disorders, and potentially a permanent reduction in egg production.

    Since its identification in the fall of 2023, the disease has spread to all turkey producing states, having a major impact on turkey farmers, processors, small businesses, and the consumer supply chain. Iowa turkey farmers have reported flock losses ranging from 30 percent to 50 percent due to aMPV, threatening both their livelihoods and the broader U.S. turkey supply. Last year alone, Iowa’s farmers lost an estimated 569,700 turkeys due to aMPV. This attributed to a loss of $18 million in farm income.

    Iowa’s sharp decline in turkey production is reflective of the national turkey industry at large. Despite devastating financial shortfalls and supply chain disruptions caused by aMPV, there are currently no federal assistance programs available to offset these devastating losses, leaving many family-owned operations at risk of closure. Without immediate support, the viability of these farms—and the stability of the U.S. turkey industry—is in jeopardy.

    We appreciate the USDA’s efforts in authorizing the importation of one inactivated vaccine and three live vaccines for aMPV. As this process develops, it is critical that the USDA act swiftly to approve its use and expedite its distributions across the nation. In the interim, turkey farmers continue to suffer substantial losses without any meaningful financial safety net.

    To mitigate these losses and prevent future outbreaks, we urge the USDA Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA) to consider determining aMPV as an eligible adverse event under the Livestock Indemnity Program so that our farmers can access much-needed financial relief to affected producers.

    We appreciate your consideration and look forward to working together to support American

    turkey farmers during this crisis. Should you have any questions about this request, please

    contact Congressman Zach Nunn’s Legislative Assistant, Madeline Willis, at

    madeline.willis@mail.house.gov.

    Sincerely,

    Zach Nunn

    Member of Congress

    Randy Feenstra

    Member of Congress

    Ashley Hinson

    Member of Congress

    Mariannette miller-Meeks, M.D.

    Member of Congress

    Charles Grassley

    United States Senator

    Joni K. Ernst

    United States Senator

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Unveils INNOVATE Act to Usher in Golden Age of American Innovation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)

    WASHINGTON – Today, at the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship hearing on ushering in the Golden Age of American innovation, Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) unveiled her Investing in National Next-Generation Opportunities for Venture Acceleration and Technological Excellence (INNOVATE) Act to reauthorize and reform the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs that enable small businesses to bring innovation to the defense industrial base.
    Ernst detailed how her bill will cut red tape to make way for new applicants, eliminate corporate welfare for mills, and strengthen protections against China’s attempts to steal taxpayer-funded intellectual property.

    Watch Chair Ernst’s full opening remarks here.
    The SBIR-STTR programs allocate a portion of participating federal agencies’ research and development budgets to small businesses to accelerate their development of critical technologies. In 2022, Ernst led the SBIR and STTR Extension Act to reform and reauthorize the programs by establishing a new foreign ties vetting requirement and a new measurement of small businesses’ success in commercializing research, among other improvements.
    The INNOVATE Act:
    Eliminates small business welfare and reorients SBIR-STTR to its original purpose as merit-based seed funding for innovators by:

    Eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) preferences in the award process and requiring businesses with dozens of awards to be commercially viable and not exclusively rely on SBIR awards as a source of perpetual revenue.

    Accelerates innovation among new SBIR awardees across America by:

    Reserving 2.5% of the SBIR allocation for smaller, one-time $40,000 awards to new applicants with a shorter, streamlined application focused on the commercialization potential of their innovation.

    Promotes transition for battle-ready SBIR-STTR technologies by:

    Empowering the Department of Defense (DoD) to scale the most-promising technologies to long-term contracts by using existing funds to establish targeted, larger-dollar awards to bridge the “valley of death.”

    Closes loopholes and strengthens due diligence assessment of foreign risks by:

    Defining foreign risk to provide a consistent baseline for agencies’ evaluation of potential awardees, implementing a clear list of ties to foreign countries of concern that deem a small business ineligible for awards, and strengthening federal agencies’ ability to claw back award dollars if a small business exposes SBIR-STTR-funded intellectual property to adversarial influence.

    Streamlines the bloated SBIR-STTR program operations by:

    Eliminating underperforming pilot programs and restricting the number of award proposals that a single company can offer annually.

    Ernst’s full opening remarks:
    “With its authorization expiring at the end of this fiscal year, today we turn our attention to the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs, or SBIR-STTR. This program has effectively partnered federal agencies with private sector entrepreneurs to scale research and development projects aimed at addressing the pressing challenges of the day.
    “While we’ve seen a measure of success over the years, through the committee’s oversight efforts, agency studies, and GAO reports, it is clear SBIR is in need of additional reforms to safeguard taxpayer funds and enable this program to meet its full potential. 
    “Despite the funding spanning 11 agencies and countless critical technology areas, SBIR has demonstrated an incredible potential to revitalize our small business industrial base and preserve America’s technological leadership. The cutting-edge technologies being generated are already serving to enhance competition, improve supply chains, and increase overall readiness.
    “For these reasons, I am excited to announce that today I am introducing the ‘Investing in National Next-Generation Opportunities for Venture Acceleration and Technological Excellence’ or ‘INNOVATE’ Act, a bill to reauthorize and comprehensively reform the SBIR-STTR program.
    “My legislation streamlines and simplifies existing processes, directs the funding toward projects based on merit, channels funding to help accelerate the most promising projects towards final stage commercialization, protects against waste and abuse, and introduces enhanced protections and accountability tools to prevent these new technologies from getting into the hands of our foreign adversaries. 
    “First, the INNOVATE Act reforms Phase I to provide new applicants with a simplified, two-page proposal process with smaller, one-time awards so that more innovators throughout the country can have access to this program, even if they can’t hire professional grant-writers. My bill also eliminates DEI preferences. These measures enable agencies to scout the best proposals based on substance from across the country. I am committed to ensuring open competition for innovators with traditionally lower engagement in the program.
    “Second, my bill addresses the practice of ‘SBIR mills,’ where firms benefiting from their beltway connections and grant writing expertise have been able to collect an outsized portion of the funding, with fewer results to show for it. 
    “This problem was verified by both the GAO, the government accounting office, and the DoD’s Defense Industrial Board, which reported that the firms that got the most awards, were less productive in terms of commercialization, investments, and patents, than those who got fewer awards. 
    “To prevent the use of Phase I or II funding as a permanent source of revenue, my bill imposes a $75 million lifetime cap. It forces small businesses with dozens of awards to demonstrate commercial traction or follow-on contracts with non-SBIR dollars. 
    “Third, my bill empowers DoD to repurpose underutilized and overly regulated STTR Phase II funding to more efficiently scale the most promising technologies for long-term contracts for deployment through ‘strategic breakthrough awards.’ For these awards of up to $30 million, the bill limits eligibility to small businesses making clear progress towards commercialization and with an identified DoD end user. It also requires 100% matching funds to ensure that firms have skin in the game and aren’t just in it for corporate welfare. These reforms will enable more flexible use of SBIR funding to help bridge the ‘valley of death’ for the companies on the verge of success.
    “Finally, my bill builds upon my longstanding work to safeguard these new SBIR technologies from being stolen by our adversaries. For years, China and other state actors have stolen intellectual property and proprietary secrets from American businesses and universities. That is why I championed the foreign ties due diligence program reforms in the 2022 reauthorization. But we have found that more needs to be done.
    “That’s why my INNOVATE Act introduces a new definition of ‘foreign risk’ to create a stronger risk assessment baseline standard that must be applied consistently across all agencies. It implements a clear list of ties to foreign countries of concern that disqualify an applicant.  And it empowers agencies with clear claw back authority if a small business exposes SBIR-funded products to adversarial influence post-award.
    “By targeting SBIR funds to the very best inventors in the country.
    “By cutting off the unserious applicants who are just after corporate welfare.
    “By providing a boost to the best companies who need it to get over the final hurdles.
    “And by better protecting our taxpayer-funded innovations from going directly to China, the SBIR-STTR program can expedite new technologies, increase economic opportunity, and attract investment back into our towns and cities – and help to usher in a new Golden Age of Innovation for America.
    “I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this across the finish line. It’s up to us, the members of this committee, to work together to optimize this important program.
    “I’d like to thank the witnesses for being here today and being willing to share their experience and expertise with us.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Hosts Roundtable to Address Energy Access and Affordability in Massachusetts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Stakeholders from Massachusetts and national energy assistance organizations discuss funding shortfalls, rising energy burdens, and the urgent need to strengthen LIHEAP

    Senator Markey Speaks with LIHEAP Roundtable Attendees

    Washington (March 5, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, today convened a roundtable with Massachusetts-based Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) providers, consumer advocates, and national energy assistance organizations to discuss the urgent need to strengthen and expand LIHEAP to better serve families struggling with rising energy costs.

    At the roundtable, Senator Markey underscored the growing demand for heating and cooling assistance through LIHEAP as energy prices continue to rise and reaffirmed his commitment to push for full program funding. Roundtable participants discussed how LIHEAP funding cuts have forced providers to ration aid, leaving many low-income households without critical energy assistance. In Massachusetts, LIHEAP applications have surged by 20 percent in the past year, and the number of first-time applicants has increased by 50 percent. Participants also highlighted the lack of dedicated cooling assistance in many states, including Massachusetts, leaving vulnerable residents at risk as extreme summer heat events become more frequent due to climate change.

    “Heating and cooling isn’t a luxury – it is a necessity. But too many families are having to choose between heating and cooling their home or putting food on the table,” said Senator Markey. “In Massachusetts, energy prices have skyrocketed as climate change fuels more extreme weather, making accessible and affordable heating and cooling assistance a lifeline for low-income families. We need to strengthen and expand LIHEAP so working families can pay their bills and heat their homes in the winter and cool their homes in the summer.”

    At the roundtable, Senator Markey announced the forthcoming reintroduction of the Heating and Cooling Relief Act, which aims to ensure LIHEAP serves more families in need by increasing funding, expanding eligibility, and improving access to cooling assistance. The bill would transform LIHEAP from a limited relief program into a robust safeguard against energy poverty, ensuring households can afford safe, reliable energy year-round.

    “Senator Markey has supported LIHEAP since it was first enacted more than 40 years ago during a period of very high heating oil prices. We are again facing high winter home energy prices but also record summer cooling prices,” said Mark Wolfe, Executive Director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association. “As a result, families are facing high levels of utility debt, and millions could be facing the shut-off of power this year if additional LIHEAP funding is not provided. Fortunately, we have members of Congress like Senator Markey who have supported LIHEAP funding each and every year. With the support of members of Congress like Senator Markey low-income families will not have to choose between paying for food or their home energy bill.”

    “The National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC) is pleased to join Senator Markey to plan for the future of LIHEAP for Massachusetts and the country,” said Katrina Metzler, Executive Director at The National Energy and Utility Affordability Coalition (NEUAC). “Avoiding energy poverty is critical to protecting the health and safety of families, and Senator Markey’s leadership in fighting energy insecurity is legend. Protecting LIHEAP is our highest priority, and Senator Markey shares that priority.”

    Director of Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) Energy Services Andrea Mendoza said, “Heating and cooling costs have risen to unprecedented levels, crippling households and their ability to afford necessities like food and heat. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) continuously enables millions of individuals and families to mitigate these challenges. We must continue to work across sectors, raise awareness, and develop solutions to improve access to economic success, and better health outcomes in our communities. ABCD thanks Senator Markey for being a tireless champion for LIHEAP and for the opportunity to participate in this discussion.”

    “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Senator Markey for letting me take part in this discussion regarding the importance of LIHEAP,” said Liz Berube, Executive Director at Citizens for Citizens. “Not only was I given the chance to share our fear of funding cuts in a program that supplements the cost of heating and cooling, but I was also able to convey the successful impact LIHEAP has on thousands of hard working families, their children, and elderly as we continue to keep our most vulnerable populations warm in safe and healthy homes. The Senator continues to be such a great leader and supporter of our LIHEAP program!”

    “On behalf of the residents and families of Berkshire County, I would like to express my gratitude for Senator Markey’s longtime and steadfast support of the LIHEAP program. This program is vital in assisting our energy burdened families remain safe and warm through the cold Massachusetts winters,” said Deb Leonczyk, Executive Director of the Berkshire Community Action Council. “It has become ever more crucial as the cost of energy continues to rise. We must not allow this program to be cut or eliminated, as the health of our community is at stake. We are fortunate to have Senator Markey working at the forefront of this cause.”

    “Senator Markey has shown unwavering support for the LIHEAP program over these many years. We look forward to working with the Senator to ensure LIHEAP is able to keep struggling families connected to critical energy service year-round, particularly during periods of extreme cold and extreme heat,” said Olivia Wein, Senior Attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.

    Senator Markey is a champion for expanding energy assistance and fighting for full LIHEAP funding. In April 2024, he signed onto an appropriations letter led by Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), calling for robust LIHEAP funding in the FY2025 budget. He has also successfully advocated for emergency LIHEAP funding releases and will soon reintroduce his Heating and Cooling Relief Act, which he originally introduced with Representative Jamaal Bowman in January 2022, to significantly expand the program. In October 2023, he celebrated the release of $130 million in LIHEAP funding for Massachusetts, helping residents afford winter heating costs. Additionally, he has pushed for greater investments in home efficiency and electrification to help low-income families reduce their energy burdens.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Blasts OMB Deputy Director Nominee on Reckless Federal Workforce Cuts

    US Senate News:

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

    WATCH: Padilla grills nominee for his support of cutting programs Americans rely on to pay for billionaire tax cuts

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, questioned Dan Bishop, nominee for Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), on his support of OMB and the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) irresponsible mass cuts to the federal workforce. He also pressed Bishop on whether he agrees with OMB Director Russell Vought’s agenda of putting federal employees into “trauma.”

    Senator Padilla outlined the devastating impacts of these cuts — and future funding and hiring freezes — on California families.

    • PADILLA: President Trump has made clear that the OMB’s sole mission, at least as he wishes it, under his Administration, is to cut programs, the very programs that so many Americans rely on in order to pay for another massive round of tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. In fact, during his address to Congress just last night, he doubled down on DOGE’s wildly unpopular agenda of chaos and corruption, proudly listing the ways he has and will continue to devastate communities.
    • PADILLA: Mr. Bishop, I’d like for you to speak to the Californians that I represent for a minute here. I want them to hear how you’ll justify ripping away important services and programs while raising the cost of everything — that’s the impact that we’re seeing from this Administration. My constituents deserve to know exactly who to thank for these reckless cuts. 

    The reckless DOGE cuts championed by President Trump haphazardly removed people working to contain the bird flu outbreak, thousands of seasonal National Park Service employees, and nuclear weapons security officials. Padilla pressed Bishop on his previous statements in his confirmation hearing in the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, in which he consistently claimed that President Trump’s firing of civil servants was not indiscriminate. Bishop repeatedly dodged Padilla’s questioning.

    • PADILLA: The last six weeks, that’s all the time that it’s taken for President Trump and the Office of Management and Budget to wreak havoc across critical government programs. During your confirmation hearing in the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee last week, I heard you insist multiple times that President Trump’s firing of civil servants was not indiscriminate. Is that correct?
    • BISHOP: That’s correct, and I continue to hold that view.
    • PADILLA: All right, so was it not indiscriminate, or was it intentional when President Trump fired scientists fighting the bird flu outbreak while the cost of eggs continues to soar?
    • BISHOP: We’d have to look at the details of that, Senator. I’m not aware of the specific point you’re making.
    • PADILLA: You’re a smart man. You’re a smart man. I know you’ve seen the details. Was it indiscriminate or intentional when President Trump fired military veterans operating the Veterans Crisis Line?
    • BISHOP: I’d have to look at the details of that Senator. I don’t as I said, I, I’m…
    • PADILLA: … I’m asking these questions because you seem to be applauding Elon Musk’s efforts and this DOGE strategy and chaos.
    • BISHOP: I certainly am.
    • PADILLA: … To make matters worse, you know, in so many areas of these indiscriminate firings, they’ve had to scramble to hire them back shortly after they realized their colossal error. And I could go on and on with additional examples. But let’s be clear: this is not a one-time adjustment, as Mr. Bishop has characterized it.

    Senator Padilla also referenced OMB Director Vought’s previous statements of his mission to put federal employees into “trauma.” Padilla questioned Bishop on his alignment with this goal, especially given the traumatic mass firings since Vought’s confirmation.

    • PADILLA: There’s example after example of exactly that happening, given the activity of the last six weeks, and especially since Mr. Vought was confirmed. Is that what you’re signing up for? To help facilitate that? To help further that? Putting federal employees into trauma?
    • BISHOP: You know, Senator, that comment in one of his writings that’s been taken or in one of the speeches has been taken out of context.
    • PADILLA: It’s pretty clear and direct.
    • BISHOP: No, it really, it really, it’s been used in a misleading way. I’ve seen — what he, what he means is that federal employees, that the American people need federal employees to perform. If federal employees themselves on surveys…
    • PADILLA: How do they perform when they’re in trauma? When they’ve been traumatized by their employer?

    Video of Senator Padilla’s full questioning is available here.

    Senator Padilla spoke on the Senate floor last month in strong opposition to the chaotic OMB funding freeze memo and Russell Vought’s nomination. He also protested the Budget Committee advancing Vought’s nomination to be OMB director behind closed doors, despite the Trump Administration’s unprecedented attempt to freeze federal funding. Padilla questioned Vought on disaster relief funding to help Southern California recover and rebuild after the recent fires during his nomination hearing.

    More information on today’s hearing is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Colleagues to Trump Administration: Ensure Legal Representation for Children in Immigration System

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Colleagues to Trump Administration: Ensure Legal Representation for Children in Immigration System

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, demanded the Trump Administration protect Congressionally mandated legal representation for unaccompanied children in the immigration system. The letter comes in response to the Trump Administration’s stop work order last month to organizations that provide legal services for unaccompanied children. Last week, following public pressure, the order was rescinded, however confusion and uncertainty still remains.

    Padilla joined 31 other Senators in demanding that Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum continue legal services for unaccompanied children involved in immigration proceedings as required by law. The termination of legal services for unaccompanied children violates the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) and risks the safety of 26,000 unaccompanied children to trafficking, exploitation, and other harm.

    “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,” wrote the Senators. “Not only will this make children more vulnerable to trafficking, but it will also create further inefficiencies in an already backlogged immigration court system.”

    “Every day without access to counsel is another day in which vulnerable children face grave danger by human traffickers, abusers, or other bad actors, without an advocate at their side,” continued the Senators.

    Access to legal services, including representation, is essential for providing unaccompanied children fairness in the legal process. Without an attorney, many of these children face enormous roadblocks to advocate for themselves in a challenging immigration system because of their age, development, and language barriers.

    The TVPRA was passed by Congress in a bipartisan manner in 2008 and requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide counsel for unaccompanied children as much as possible by representing them in legal proceedings and protecting them from exploitation and abuse.

    Padilla signed the letter, led by Senators Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), along with Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Senator Padilla is a leading voice in Congress opposing President Trump’s anti-immigrant actions and rhetoric. He sharply criticized Trump’s harmful executive orders targeting immigrants at the start of his second Administration. Last week, Padilla denounced Trump’s transfer of immigrants from the United States to Guantánamo as unlawful and demanded answers regarding these transfers. He also condemned the Trump Administration’s intended use of Bureau of Prisons (BOP) facilities to detain immigrants as part of President Trump’s mass deportation plan. Additionally, Padilla cosponsored the Born in the USA Act to effectively block the implementation of Trump’s unconstitutional executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship for certain children born in the United States, or a similar subsequent executive order. Last year, Padilla emphasized the dangers and immense economic costs of the Trump Administration’s mass deportation plans during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

    Earlier this year, Senator Padilla introduced the Access to Counsel Act to ensure that U.S. citizens, green card holders, and other individuals with legal status can consult with an attorney, relative, or other interested parties to seek assistance if they are detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for more than an hour at ports of entry, including airports.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear Secretary Kennedy and Secretary Burgum:

    We write to express our strong opposition to the February 18, 2025 stop work order issued regarding your agencies’ contract for the provision of legal services for unaccompanied children. Although the order has now been rescinded, we are concerned about the chaos and confusion it caused for legal services providers and the children they serve. Any disruption to services for unaccompanied children is alarming, particularly in light of recent reports of the administration’s intent to place unaccompanied children into removal proceedings.

    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. 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. Shirking this statutory mandate heightens the risk of harm for these uniquely vulnerable children.

    Access to legal services often provides unaccompanied children their only hope for a fair legal process. Unaccompanied children’s age, developmental stage, and communication and comprehension constraints make it virtually impossible for them to effectively navigate the complex and adversarial immigration system without an attorney at their side. The government-funded legal services provided under this contract are, in many cases, the only thing preventing a two or three-year-old unaccompanied child from facing court proceedings alone against a government attorney seeking their deportation. 

    Attorneys are vital to unaccompanied children’s comprehension of and compliance with immigration requirements and processes. From fiscal year (FY) 2005 through June of FY 2019, 98 percent of juveniles placed in removal proceedings who were represented by a lawyer appeared for their hearings. 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. Not only will this make children more vulnerable to trafficking, but it will also create further inefficiencies in an already backlogged immigration court system. Moreover, attorneys help children understand their options and are often in a position to facilitate prompt voluntary departures, where appropriate.

    For these reasons, we urge you to publicly commit to maintaining this contract. We further request a briefing about why the contract was paused and your plan for compliance with your statutory mandate to ensure that children have counsel in immigration proceedings.

    Every day without access to counsel is another day in which vulnerable children face grave danger by human traffickers, abusers, or other bad actors, without an advocate at their side. Thank you for your consideration of this critical issue.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: March 5th, 2025 Tribal Water Rights Settlements Legislation Passes Unanimously Out of Senate Committee

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    WASHINGTON – A slate of Tribal water rights settlement bills introduced by U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) passed unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs today. The legislation next heads to the Senate floor for consideration.

    The full slate of Tribal water rights settlements legislation includes:

    • The Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Rights Settlements Act;
    • The Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act;
    • The Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act; and
    • The Navajo Nation Rio San José Water Rights Settlement Act.
    • Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments;
    • The Technical Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act;

    “I’m proud to fight for these bills to finally unlock critical water infrastructure funding from these water rights settlements and ensure Tribes have the resources to use the water they own,” said Heinrich. “These settlements are supported by all parties involved, including Tribal and non-Tribal communities. Congress should pass these urgently needed bills to help communities manage their precious and limited water resources.”

    “Water rights are part of the federal trust responsibility for our Tribal communities,” said Luján, a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee. “I’m proud to have helped advance this critical legislation, allowing our Tribal communities to promote water security and complete much-needed water infrastructure projects. I’m particularly proud that my legislation to amend the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project has advanced, ensuring the resources and time needed to deliver clean drinking water to communities in northwestern New Mexico. These pieces of legislation will help fulfill our trust responsibility and promote water security for Tribes and Pueblos, as well as non-Tribal users, in New Mexico.”

    “This legislation upholds our trust responsibility to Tribes and helps bring certainty to disputes about water across the Southwest. The settlements included in these bills secure clean, reliable water for Navajo Nation, Jicarilla Apache Nation, 11 pueblos, and the rural communities that are their neighbors across New Mexico,” said Leger Fernández. “It is with great expectation that I reintroduce this legislation which reflects decades of negotiation and collaboration. We must pass these bills so the scarce water resources our communities need to thrive for generations to come are available to all.”

    “In New Mexico, we know water is life,” said Stansbury. “That’s why these Tribal Water Settlement bills are so important. These pieces of legislation will give water rights back to our Tribes and Pueblos, ensuring the federal government upholds our Trust and Treaty Responsibilities. Indigenous people have been stewards of the land and water since time immemorial, and now is the time for them to lead these efforts.”

    “New Mexicans know the importance of safe and reliable water access, and today’s progress brings us one step closer to securing these fundamental resources for our Tribal communities. I’ll continue to honor my commitment to our Tribes and Pueblos to ensure they have the water infrastructure they need to thrive,” said Vasquez.

    The Rio San José and Rio Jemez Water Rights Settlements Act is led by Heinrich and Leger Fernández. Luján, Stansbury, and Vasquez are original cosponsors. The bill would implement two fund-based water settlements: one between the Pueblos of Jemez and Zia, the United States, the State of New Mexico, and non-Tribal parties; and another between the Pueblos of Acoma and Laguna, the United States, the State of New Mexico, and non-Tribal parties. The settlements are strongly supported by all parties involved.

    Heinrich and Leger Fernández previously introduced this legislation in March 2023. The bill received a hearing and was reported out of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in December 2023. The House version of this bill received a legislative hearing in the House Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee in July 2024.

    Read the full bill text here.

    The Ohkay Owingeh Rio Chama Water Rights Settlement Act is also led by Heinrich and Leger Fernández. Luján and Stansbury are original cosponsors. The bill establishes a trust fund to implement the negotiated settlement between the United States, the State of New Mexico, the City of Española, the Asociación de Acéquias Norteñas de Rio Arriba, El Rito Ditch Asociación, La Asociación de las Acéquias del Rio Tusas, Vallecitos y Ojo Caliente, the Rio de Chama Acéquia Association, and Ohkay Owingeh to settle the Pueblo’s water claims in the Rio Chama Basin. The funding will be used for Ohkay Owingeh’s development of water resources to ensure the Pueblo has appropriate water infrastructure to use the water that they have claim to in the basin.

    Heinrich and Leger Fernández initially introduced the bill in June 2024. The bill then received a key hearing before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in July 2024.

    Read the full bill text here.

    The Zuni Indian Tribe Water Rights Settlement Act is led by Heinrich and Vasquez. Luján, Stansbury, and Leger Fernández are original cosponsors. The bill authorizes $685 million to support a trust for sustainable water management and infrastructure development that upholds the federal government’s trust responsibility while protecting the sacred Zuni Salt Lake. The bill ratifies the settlement between the federal government, State of New Mexico and Zuni Tribe that affirms their water rights for irrigation, livestock, storage, and domestic and other uses.

    Heinrich and Vasquez initially introduced the bill in July 2024. The bill received a key hearing before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in September 2024.

    Read the full bill text here.

    The Navajo Nation Rio San José Water Rights Settlement Act is led by Heinrich and Leger Fernández. Luján, Stansbury, and Vasquez are original cosponsors. This bill would approve the water rights settlement for the Navajo Nation as well as participating non-Tribal parties in the Rio San José watershed.

    Heinrich and Leger Fernández initially introduced this bill in September 2024. The bill then received a key hearing before the Senate Indian Affairs Committee that same month.

    Read the full bill text here.

    The Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project Amendments is led by Luján and Leger Fernández. Heinrich and Stansbury are original cosponsors. The bill amends the Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project to ensure it has the resources and time needed to reach completion to deliver drinking water to northwestern New Mexico communities.

    The Navajo Gallup Water Supply Project was first authorized as part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009, which settled the Navajo Nation’s water rights in the San Juan Basin of New Mexico and funded the design and construction of the waterline to reach an estimated 250,000 people by the year 2040. Upon completion, the Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project will provide a long-term, sustainable water supply from the San Juan River to roughly 43 Chapters on the eastern Navajo Nation, the southwestern portion of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, and the City of Gallup, which currently rely on a rapidly depleting groundwater supply of poor quality.

    Luján, Leger Fernández, and Heinrich initially introduced the bill in June 2023. The bill was passed out of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee in November 2023.

    Read the full bill text here.

    The Technical Corrections to the Northwestern New Mexico Rural Water Projects Act, Taos Pueblo Indian Water Rights Settlement Act, and Aamodt Litigation Settlement Act is led by Luján and Leger Fernández. Heinrich and Stansbury are original cosponsors. This bill authorizes the appropriation of $6.3 million for the Navajo Nation Water Resources Development Fund; $7.8 million for the Taos Pueblo Water Development Fund; and $4.3 million for the Aamodt Settlement Pueblos’ Fund, which covers Nambé, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, and Tesuque Pueblos. It will support water resources development projects for the Tribes.

    Luján and Leger Fernández initially introduced this bill in December 2023.

    Read the full bill text here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer Questions Nominees at EPW Hearing on American Excellence Compared to Global Polluters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
    Click here for audio. Click here for video
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing today to consider the nominations of David Fotouhi to serve as Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Aaron Szabo to serve as Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation of the EPA.
    Fotouhi served in the EPA as Acting General Counsel during the first Trump administration. Szabo previously served on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Council on Environmental Quality. 
    U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) questioned the witnesses on the difference between the United States’ leadership in emissions compared to the rest of the world. Even as the U.S. grows its economy, manufacturing base, and energy sector, emissions have been reduced. In particular, emissions from the energy sector over the last 20 years have sharply decreased. As Szabo explained in his opening statement, since the enactment of Clean Air Act in 1970, “the United States has made remarkable progress in reducing air pollution. We have seen significant decreases in carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, lead, ground level, ozone, particulate matter, and other hazardous air pollutants.”
    [embedded content]
    Cramer asked Szabo and Fotohui about why companies would invest in the U.S. if there is a noncompetitive regulatory environment and how the United States measures up.
    “This isn’t going to be shocking anyone, but we have significantly decreased, both our greenhouse gas and traditional air pollution emissions tremendously, especially over the past 20 years,” said Szabo. “Other countries, such as China, have significantly increased their greenhouse gas emissions as well as their traditionally air pollution emissions over the years. What we are seeing now actually is that international emissions, […] traditional air pollution from China impacts states like California, due to the transport from the Pacific. Generally, if we shut off all greenhouse gas emissions in this country tomorrow, that would not have any real impact with the increases that we’ve seen from other countries around the world, specifically China.”
    “American greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by something like a million tons per year while China’s have increased by something like six to seven million tons per year, completely swamping our hard-earned reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,” responded Fotohui. “So I think, to the extent there needs to be work to be done to address that issue, it needs to be done both domestically and globally.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine, Britt, Carbajal, Lawler Lead Introduction of Bipartisan, Bicameral Proposal to Make Child Care More Affordable

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Katie Britt (R-AL) and U.S. Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) and Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) introduced the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act—bipartisan, bicameral legislation that form a bold proposal to make child care more affordable and accessible by strengthening existing tax credits to lower child care costs and increase the supply of child care providers. Over the last few decades, the cost of child care has increased by 263%, forcing families to make impossible choices. More than half of all families live in child care deserts. Meanwhile, child care workers are struggling to make ends meet on the poverty-level wages they are paid and child care providers are struggling to simply stay afloat. The crisis—which was exacerbated by the pandemic—is costing our economy, resulting in $122 billion in economic losses each year.

    “The child care crisis is holding our families and economy back. I hear from Virginia parents all the time about how hard it is to find affordable child care, from child care providers who are forced to leave their jobs because of low wages, and from businesses who are having trouble finding the employees they need,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation, and I hope more of my colleagues will join us in passing this comprehensive proposal to support child care providers, make it easier for families to access the care they need, and boost economic growth by providing parents with the opportunity to get back into the workforce.”

    “We applaud Sens. Britt and Kaine and Reps. Lawler and Carbajal for their bipartisan, bicameral efforts to identify innovative and impactful policy solutions that will increase access to quality child care for America’s working families, bolstering the workforce and economy. These two bills mark a major milestone to begin addressing employer and employee needs, as well as supply-side issues that impact the availability of care,” says Bipartisan Policy Center Action President Michele Stockwell.

    “The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act is forward-thinking legislation that will tackle the child care challenges plaguing too many working parents, employers, and providers,” said First Five Years Fund Executive Director Sarah Rittling. “By refining tax credits and expanding access, this plan will deliver real relief to countless families. We’re grateful to Senators Britt, Kaine, Ernst, and Shaheen for their leadership in finding bipartisan and practical solutions that put working families first.”

    Kaine has long been pushing to expand access to child care. In 2023, he introduced the Child Care Stabilization Act to expand vital child care funding to help providers keep their doors open, and has championed the Child Care for Working Families Act to expand access to child care, raise wages for providers, and lower costs for families by ensuring no family pays more than 7% of their income on child care. He has also introduced bipartisan legislation to develop, administer, and evaluate early childhood education apprenticeships.

    The proposal contains two bills because one proposes changes to existing tax credits, falling under the jurisdiction of the Senate Finance Committee, and the other authorizes a new pilot program, falling under the jurisdiction of the Senate HELP Committee.

    Child Care Availability and Affordability Act

    The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act would make child care more affordable by:

    • Increasing the size of the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) and making it refundable, allowing lower income working families with out-of-pocket child care expenses to benefit from the credit for the first time. The proposal substantially expands the maximum CDCTC to $2,500 for families with one child and $4,000 for families with two or more children.
    • Strengthening the Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) to allow families to deduct 50% more in expenses (up to $7,500).
    • Allowing eligible families to benefit from both the DCAP and the CDCTC when their child care expenses exceed the DCAP threshold. This will have big benefits for middle income families who currently do not access the CDCTC but have particularly high child care costs.
    • Radically bolstering the underutilized Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit—commonly referred to as 45F—to encourage businesses to provide child care to their employees. The Kaine-Britt plan would increase the maximum credit from $150,000 to $500,000, and the percentage of expenses covered from 25% to 50%. The legislation also includes a larger incentive for small businesses—a maximum credit of $600,000—and allows for joint applications for groups of small businesses who want to pool resources.

    The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act is cosponsored by Senators Joni Ernst (R-IO), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Curtis (R-UT), Angus King (I-ME), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Susan Collins (R-ME).

    The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act is endorsed by A+ Education Partnership, Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors, Alabama Arise, Alabama School Readiness Alliance, American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), Arizona Early Childhood Education Association, Big Blue Marble Academy, Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPCA), Bright Horizons, Business Council of Alabama, Busy Bees North America, Care.com, Chamber of Progress, Chamber RVA, Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA), Child Care Aware of Virginia, Child Development Schools, Children’s Institute, Cincinnati Regional Chamber, Council for Professional Recognition, Early Care & Education Consortium (ECEC), Early Learning Policy Group, LLC, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Educare Learning Network, First Five Years Fund (FFYF), Gingerbread Kids Academy, Hampton Roads Chamber, Healthy Families America, Healthy Kids Alabama, Independent Restaurant Coalition, Jesuit Conference of the United States, Kaplan Early Learning Company, Kiddie Academy, KinderCare Learning Companies, Learning Care Group, Lightbright Academy, Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), Manufacture Alabama, Metrix IQ, Mobile Area Education Foundation, Moms First, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), National Child Care Association (NCCA), North Carolina Licensed Child Care Association, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC), Ohio Association of Child Care Providers, Parents as Teachers National Center, Prevent Child Abuse America, Primrose Schools, Santa Barbara South Cost Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Majority, Small Business Majority, Start Early, Solvang Chamber of Commerce, Teaching Strategies, Texas Licensed Child Care Association, The Nest Schools, Third Way, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Beach Vision, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF), VOICES for Alabama’s Children, Voices for Virginia’s Kids, and YMCA of the USA.

    Full text of the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act is available here.

    Child Care Workforce Act

    Because many child care providers are forced out of the industry by low wages—which makes it even harder for families to find affordable child care—the Child Care Workforce Act would make it easier to access child care, by establishing a competitive grant program for states, localities, Tribes, and Tribal organizations that are interested in adopting or expanding pay supplement programs for child care workers to increase supply and reduce turnover. Within that program:

    • Grantees would provide supplements, paid out at least quarterly, directly to both home-based and center-based licensed child care providers licensed by the state.
    • There would be a required evaluation of impacts on turnover, quality of child care, availability of affordable childcare, and alleviating the financial burden on child care providers. Model programs exist in Virginia, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Maine, and the District of Columbia, with evaluations demonstrating large effects on the supply of workers, educator turnover, and worker well-being and satisfaction.

    The Child Care Workforce Act is cosponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

    The Child Care Workforce Act is endorsed by A+ Education Partnership, Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors, Alabama Arise, Alabama School Readiness Alliance, Arizona Early Childhood Education Association, Big Blue Marble Academy, Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPCA), Bright Horizons, Business Council of Alabama, Busy Bees North America, Care.com, Chamber of Progress, Chamber RVA, Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA), Child Care Aware of Virginia, Child Development Schools, Children’s Institute, Cincinnati Regional Chamber, Council for Professional Recognition, Early Care & Education Consortium (ECEC), Early Learning Policy Group, LLC, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, Educare Learning Network, First Five Years Fund (FFYF), First Focus Campaign for Children, Gingerbread Kids Academy, Hampton Roads Chamber, Healthy Families America, Healthy Kids Alabama, Independent Restaurant Coalition, Jesuit Conference of the United States, Kaplan Early Learning Company, Kiddie Academy, KinderCare Learning Companies, Learning Care Group, Lightbright Academy, Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), Manufacture Alabama, Metrix IQ, Mobile Area Education Foundation, Moms First, National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), National Child Care Association (NCCA), National Council of Jewish Women, National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), North Carolina Licensed Child Care Association, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce (NVC), Ohio Association of Child Care Providers, Parents as Teachers National Center, Prevent Child Abuse America, Primrose Schools, Santa Barbara South Cost Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Majority, Small Business Majority, Start Early, Teaching Strategies, Texas Licensed Child Care Association, The Nest Schools, Third Way, UVentura Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Beach Vision, Virginia Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF), VOICES for Alabama’s Children, Voices for Virginia’s Kids, YMCA of the USA, and ZERO TO THREE.

    Full text of the Child Care Workforce Act are available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tuberville Speaks with NIH Nominee, Calls for Radical Transparency at the NIH

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Tommy Tuberville (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – Today,U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) spoke with Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya, President Trump’s nominee to lead the National Institutes of Health (NIH) during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. During his remarks, Bhattacharya explained his plan to root out waste within the NIH and how he will earn back the trust of the American people by ensuring transparency.

    Read Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or on YouTube or Rumble.

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you doctor for being here. It’s always good to run into somebody that’s name’s harder to say than mine and mispronounced more.

    You’ve got a hard job in front of you, but I share the ideas and desire that the President has to root out waste and the fraud that we have in this country. Because if we don’t, we’re not gonna have a country left. It’s gonna be gone. And he’s doing the right thing. You’re gonna have a tough job. You’re gonna have to put your team together and do the same thing. We have got to make sure we use American taxpayers’ money the right way.

    So, kind of give me your plan of how you’re gonna do this—when you come into office and are confirmed how you’re gonna put your team together?”

    BHATTACHARYA: “Thanks Senator, I should say this: I have a background as an economist as well as being a doctor. And to me, that background, what it leads me to do is understand that every dollar wasted on a frivolous study is a dollar not spent—every dollar wasted on administrative costs that are not needed—is a dollar not spent on research. The team I’m gonna put together is gonna be hyper-focused to make sure that the portfolio grants that the NIH funds is devoted to the chronic disease problems of this country. It’s gonna be devoted to making sure we have not just incremental progress, but research projects that have the capacity to make huge advances in treatment for cancer, for diabetes, for obesity. That’s how I’m going to decide what the team is.

    And the NIH […], I’m blessed in some ways because it already has so many excellent scientists there to advise me on the on the areas I don’t know about. And I wanna tap [into] that resource. I wanna make sure I talk to every single person who who’s already a leader at the NIH to understand where those opportunities are.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Yeah. Well, thank you.

    You know, for the past four years, I’ve been on this Committee, and we’ve obviously gone through COVID [which was] devastating to not just our country, but the world.

    Transparency and trust is gonna have to be earned again from a lot of people. Most people across this country don’t know what the hell NIH stands for. Okay? But now they do because of COVID. You said that science has to be reliable, exactly. But people also have to trust, you know, we’re finding out now we have biolabs in Ukraine—where a war is going on, and we’re funding them.

    I mean, and so you’ve got to be on top of that, and the American people have to trust you that you will say, ‘Listen, we’re gonna keep an eye on, you know, the biolabs in North Carolina,’ or wherever we have them. Because it scares me to death of what’s going on. 

    What’s your plan there of getting trust back in this country?”

    BHATTACHARYA: “Senator first of all […], I want to work with Congress to make sure that there’s appropriate regulation of any risky research. The NIH […] I don’t think should be doing any research that has the potential to cause a pandemic. And I want to work with Congress to make sure that happens.

    As far as trust, I think the key thing is we have to be utterly open, if I’m confirmed, I’ll be at the head of an organization that’s a scientific organization. As a citizen, I would often look for FOIA responses from the NIH Freedom Information Act request, and they’d be fully redacted during the pandemic.

    You can’t have trust unless you are transparent. And if I’m confirmed as an NIH Director, I fully commit to making sure that the American people can see all of the activities of the NIH openly, with limited sort of obfuscation. [The NIH has been characterized this way], I think unfortunately, [because of the] way that they’ve interacted with American people.”

    TUBERVILLE: “And I think that starts with being very visual on television, telling people, you know, the truth. Don’t hide anything because we’ve been hiding things for years and that that doesn’t work. We found that out.

    You know, Chairman Cassidy and I led a letter to the NIH under the last administration asking questions about a grant that the NIH funded focused on children transitioning genders. The study followed all these children—two of them committed suicide. Devastating. 

    So, how can we ensure the NIH doesn’t grant funds to things like this?”

    BHATTACHARYA: “Well, first of all, I think it’s if you have a negative result and it’s politically inconvenient to you, usually, you have an obligation to scientists to report it. Right? 

    So, the NIH funds a study that shows that the gender transition doesn’t reduce suicide rate among, you know, adolescents. That researcher has an obligation to report it even though she may think it’s politically inconvenient. So, I wanna make sure that NIH research is required to report even negative results. And there’s ways to do that we can talk about.

    But I think as far as, like, the prioritization of studies, as I was telling Senator Paul, I think we wanna make sure that the studies are focused on the diseases that really are hurting Americans—obesity—a lot of the research that, you know, it’s so easy to come up with, examples of this. One of a shrimp on a treadmill for instance, that was once funded. It’s not that I’m necessarily against research like that, but the American taxpayer should be focused on the needs of American taxpayers. And the research should be focused on those needs, the health needs of Americans. And I want to make sure that the NIH, if confirmed, focuses on exactly that.”

    TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Good luck.”

    BHATTACHARYA: “Thank you so much.”

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lawmakers Raise Questions about Proposed Trump Administration Selloff of Federal Properties in Oregon

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    March 05, 2025

    Oregon senators and representatives ask why the rush to dispose of federal properties in Baker City, Eugene, Medford, Portland & Troutdale

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, Andrea Salinas, Janelle Bynum and Maxine Dexter today asked why the Trump administration proposed earlier this week to dispose of federal properties paid for by taxpayers in Baker City, Eugene, Medford, Portland and Troutdale.

    “Given Donald Trump’s checkered legacy in the private sector of multiple bankruptcies and real estate deals gone awry, forgive me if I’m more than a little skeptical when that dubious record gets applied to the public sector,” Wyden said. “I’m nowhere near convinced this fire sale of federal assets throughout Oregon is in the best interest of U.S. taxpayers who paid for these facilities or for all Oregonians who depend on them for a reliable power grid, a functional court system, constituent services and more.”

    “For a man who spent his whole life treating everything as one big real estate transaction, it’s no surprise Trump doesn’t grasp that federal buildings in our communities provide a central place for folks to access government agencies and the everyday essential services they provide, like keeping our electric grid functioning and providing help with the IRS and Social Security,” said Merkley. “The Department of Government Inefficiency has struck again, and I’ll be pushing to keep this short-sighted deal for Oregonians from closing.”

    “There are many ways to make the government more efficient, but a rushed sale of federal buildings that house agencies and services important to Oregonians will not accomplish that goal,” said Bonamici. “ I will continue to stand against Elon Musk and his team of DOGE bros as they work to undermine government and purge critical federal workers.”

    “It does not make any sense to demand all federal workers to return to in-person work and then turn around and push the sale of the buildings they work in,” said Hoyle. “This is random and reflects the ongoing chaos of this administration.” 

    “From help with filing Social Security claims to accessing veterans’ benefits, federal buildings house a number of important services for Oregonians,” said Salinas. “It is troubling that the Trump Administration would move to sell federal facilities across Oregon without offering a clear reason to the taxpayers who pay for these spaces. To me, it seems like President Trump and Elon Musk are trying to take away critical services from working families. I’m not buying what they’re selling, and I join my colleagues in demanding answers.”

    “This doesn’t do anything to help Oregonians,” said Bynum. “I’m still waiting for this administration to spend their time on lowering costs, creating jobs, and improving our quality of life. That’s my focus.”

    “DOGE wants to sell off the building, our district office, that everyone from Hood River to East Portland depends on for constituent services to the highest bidder,” Dexter said. “This is more of the same from Trump: cruelty in the name of ‘efficiency.’ I will work from a folding table if I have to, but you better believe that I’m going to keep serving our community even if Trump cancels our lease.”

    The list of federal properties in Oregon on the national list of federal properties slated for disposal earlier this week by the General Services Administration include the following:

    • David J. Wheeler Federal Building, Baker City
    • Eugene Federal Building, Eugene
    • James A. Redden U.S. Courthouse, Medford
    • USGS Building, Medford
    • USGS Warehouse, Medford
    • Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building, Portland
    • 911 Federal Building, Portland
    • BPA Building, Portland
    • Troutdale Metal Shed, Troutdale
    • Troutdale Warehouse, Troutdale

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Reaffirm Congress’ Authority to Maintain Trade Restrictions on Russia

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    March 05, 2025

    Washington D.C.—U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., today led Senate colleagues, including Senator Jeff Merkley, in a letter to Donald Trump reaffirming Congress’ authority to maintain trade restrictions on the Russian Federation while it continues its war of aggression against Ukraine. 

    “Vladimir Putin is a ruthless dictator who has led the Russian Federation into a war of aggression against Ukraine with the explicit goal of denying Ukraine and its people their collective rights to independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” wrote the senators after Trump sandbagged talks between the United States and Ukraine last Friday and claimed Ukraine “should have never started [the war].”“Our country, in coordination with our allies and partners and with bipartisan support has imposed sweeping financial sanctions, stringent export controls, and aggressive trade restrictions on the Russian Federation.”

    In 2022, Congress passed the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act which revoked Russia’s permanent normal trade relations status to ensure Russian goods and services do not enjoy privileged, “most-favored nation” access to the U.S. market. Congress also passed the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act which banned the importation of all energy products from the Russian Federation.

    According to these laws, the Russian Federation must reach an agreement relating to the withdrawal of its forces and cessation of military hostilities that is accepted by the free and independent government of Ukraine, recognize the right of the people of Ukraine to independently and freely choose their own government, and pose no immediate military threat of aggression to any NATO member before the president can restore normal trade relations.

    “In light of your worrisome statements, we wish to remind you that you must not—and cannot, under statute—attempt to restore normal trade relations or lift the import ban on Russian energy products unless and until Ukraine’s peace demands are met and their free and independent government has accepted a peace agreement,” continued the senators. “Ukraine must be at the table to determine its future, and conditions for peace cannot be imposed on Ukraine.”

    The letter was led by Wyden and Cortez Masto. In addition to Wyden, Cortez Masto and Merkley the letter was signed by Senators Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Peter Welch, D-Vt.

    The full text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dr. Rand Paul Reintroduces Bipartisan Risky Research Review Act to Oversee Gain-of-Function Research

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul

     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    March 5, 2025

     Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced the bipartisan Risky Research Review Act, a first-of-its-kind proposal to establish a Life Sciences Research Security Board within the Executive Branch. This independent board will oversee the funding of gain-of-function research and other high-risk life sciences research that potentially poses a threat to public health, safety, or national security.

    “We must demand accountability for the grave oversights that were revealed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety of our nation and the trust in its institutions depend on it. My bill not only strengthens transparency but also ensures that public health decisions are made in the best interest of the American people, free from financial motives and prioritizing national security,” said Dr. Paul. 

    U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, is an original cosponsor of the legislation in the Senate. 

    “Life science research can yield breakthroughs that help protect the health of Americans, but it must be done with proper safeguards in place,” said Sen. Peters. “By creating an independent oversight agency, this bill will help maintain control of high-risk research, to ensure it’s effective, innovative, and safe.”

    U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment, introduced the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    “Gain-of-function research is reported to be a potential target of a future President Trump Executive Order. As someone who has extensively investigated COVID-19 origins and biosafety concerns in foreign labs, it is clear to me that greater oversight measures are needed to review gain-of-function research of concern and risky experiments that involve virus transmission in humans. The National Institutes of Health has proven they are not capable of properly reviewing risky research applications, as in the case of EcoHealth Alliance. I believe the Risky Research Review Act establishes crucial oversight measures to alleviate the legitimate and significant concerns of the American people, thus reestablishing trust in our public health agencies,” said Rep. Griffith.  

    The Life Sciences Research Security Board will serve as an independent body responsible for thoroughly evaluating gain-of-function research and other potentially harmful studies involving high-consequence pathogens. Currently, the funding and study of life sciences research lack sufficient government oversight, allowing American taxpayer dollars to be spent without proper safeguards. Dr. Paul’s legislation establishes a much-needed stringent review process for the board to assess high-risk research and decide whether tax dollars should support specific research proposals, ensuring accountability and strengthening transparency.

    The Risky Research Review Act will:

    1. Establish an Independent Oversight Board: Form a Life Sciences Research Security Board dedicated to protecting public health, safety, and national security by evaluating and issuing binding determinations on high-risk life sciences research proposals seeking federal funding.
    2. Define High-Risk Research: Specify high-risk life sciences research as studies with potential dangerous uses, or dual-use research of concern involving a high-consequence pathogen, or gain-of-function research.
    3. Ensure Board Independence: Position the board as an independent agency within the Executive Branch, consisting of one executive director, five non-governmental scientists, two national security experts, and one non-governmental biosafety expert, each serving up to two four-year terms.
    4. Restrict Funding Without Approval: Prohibit federal agencies from awarding funding for high-risk life sciences research without board approval.
    5. Mandate Majority Vote: Require a majority vote of board members to approve high-risk life sciences research.
    6. Empower the Board: Authorize the board to compel agencies to turn over necessary information and records, including classified information.
    7. Demand Full Disclosure: Require life sciences research grant applicants to declare if their research falls under high-risk life sciences categories or involves select agents or toxins.
    8. Automatic Referral: Mandate that all positive attestations are automatically referred to the board.
    9. Continuous Subcontract Disclosure: Require grant recipients to continuously disclose subcontracts or subawards to agencies, with agencies required to submit these disclosures to the board.
    10. Annual Reporting: The board will submit an annual report to the appropriate congressional committees and publish it online, summarizing determinations, findings, and information about entities and sub-awardees involved in high-risk life sciences research.

    You can read the Risky Research Review Act HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dr. Paul Reintroduces Transparency Bill on Royalties Paid to Government Officials

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Rand Paul

     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

    March 5, 2025

     Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343

     

    WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reintroduced his Royalty Transparency Act. This legislation increases transparency on royalty payments paid to Executive Branch officials and makes the financial disclosure forms public for federal advisory committee members such as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Under current law, federal employees are not required to publicly disclose the source or amount of royalty payments received in service of their official duties. Additionally, the financial disclosures of members of federal advisory committees are not available to the public, despite the fact that these committees make recommendations to federal agencies that have a significant impact on the day-to-day lives of Americans. This lack of transparency prevents taxpayers from holding individuals accountable within the federal government for conflicts of interest and other abuses.

    Dr. Paul’s legislation introduces long-overdue accountability by requiring Executive Branch employees to publicly disclose royalty payments for inventions developed during their employment with the federal government on their financial disclosure reports.

    “Distrust in public health officials is at an all-time high. One way to restore trust is to make sure that public policy isn’t influenced by personal gain,” said Dr. Paul. “The Royalty Transparency Act will allow more information to be seen by the public to ensure federal decision makers, and the policies they write, aren’t being influenced by the royalty payments they receive.”

    U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) is an original cosponsor of the legislation in the Senate. 

    “I am proud to support the Royalty Transparency Act, ensuring federal employees’ transparency and accountability to the American people,” said Sen. Rick Scott. “Under current law, bureaucrats like Anthony Fauci and NIH employees were able to receive millions in royalty payments from companies outside the federal government without requirements for reporting, raising serious questions about potential conflicts of interest and fueling distrust in the federal government. Our bill will bring much-needed transparency to these payments by requiring they be publicly reported, helping to hold bureaucrats accountable to the American people and restoring trust in the federal government.” 

    U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Environment, introduced the bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    “For too long, federal bureaucrats concealed the royalties they received, who they were paid by, what they were compensated for and how much they were paid,” said Rep. Griffith. “As the Trump Administration ushers in a new era of transparency in our federal government, the Royalty Transparency Act will foster greater government transparency and accountability by requiring government officials in federal agencies to disclose the royalties that they receive as a result of their government service. I am excited to work with Senator Paul so we can shine a light on these royalties and hold federal bureaucrats to a greater standard of accountability.”

    For years, Dr. Paul has been working to expose the potential conflicts of interest that may arise when millions of dollars in royalties are paid to federal employees serving their official duties. In 2022, Dr. Paul spearheaded a letter with four other members of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requesting information on disclosures of royalty payments made by third-party providers to NIH employees. However, federal agencies, including NIH, have refused to release the information. Through litigation, Open the Books obtained redacted documents and uncovered that approximately 2,400 NIH scientists have been awarded over $300 million in royalties in the last decade, which translates to an average payment of $135,000 per scientist. Since NIH claims that it is not required to disclose this information, it’s still unknown how much each payment amounted to, or why a payment was made. Dr. Paul’s legislation aims to ensure that federal agencies, including NIH, cannot evade scrutiny from Congress and the public, holding federal employees to a higher standard of accountability.

    The Royalty Transparency Act mandates that royalty payments received by federal employees from the U.S. Government be disclosed in their financial reports. It also requires members of advisory committees, particularly those at risk of conflicts of interest due to royalties or other financial connections, to adhere to the same standards of financial disclosure as are prevalent across the government. Furthermore, the bill requires that public financial disclosures be made available online, increasing transparency for American taxpayers. The bill introduces greater congressional oversight over the financial disclosure process for executive branch employees and strengthens measures to prevent conflicts of interest in federal procurement.

    You can read the Royalty Transparency Act HERE.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Statement on Commerce Secretary Announcement on BEAD Funding

    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.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, released the below statement following Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s statement that the department will be pausing and reviewing the BEAD program. The purpose of the pause is to make it more efficient and easier to deploy broadband.
    “I appreciate Secretary Lutnick wanting to improve the BEAD program after learning the Biden administration added many unnecessary mandates that led to delays in getting broadband deployed in West Virginia. It has been nearly three and a half years since BEAD was signed into law and it hasn’t connected a single person in my state,” Senator Capito said. “West Virginia has jumped through every hoop to deploy the $1.2 billion in broadband funding, which is sure to be a game changer for our state’s connectivity goals. While I am all for improving the program, I do not want to see West Virginia wait longer than is necessary or have to redo their proposals and application. I will continue to push to get the more than 97,000 unserved locations and nearly 15,000 underserved locations across West Virginia connected through the BEAD program as quickly as possible.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Opening Statement at Hearing on Nominations of Fotouhi, Szabo to Leadership Roles at the Environmental Protection Agency

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    To watch Chairman Capito’s opening statement, click here or the image above.
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led ahearing on the nominations of David Fotouhi to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Aaron Szabo to be Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation of the EPA.
    In her opening remarks, Chairman Capito recognized the deep environmental experience that both nominees have gained through roles in both the public and private sectors. Additionally, Chairman Capito highlighted the importance of the nominees’ roles in returning the EPA to its core mission of protecting our nation’s air, land, and water, without inhibiting economic development in accordance with laws established by Congress.
    Below is the opening statement of Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) as delivered.
    “Today we will receive testimony from David Fotouhi, the nominee to serve as the Environmental Protection Agency’s Deputy Administrator and from Aaron Szabo, to serve as the EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. These are two very important positions in the Agency.
    “So, I’m looking forward to this productive conversation about how Mr. Fotouhi and Mr. Szabo will ensure President Trump’s agenda to get the Agency back to its core mission and reestablish American energy dominance.
    “Mr. Fotouhi currently is a partner at Gibson Dunn and Crutcher, where he has represented clients on matters relating to environmental law. He previously served as the Acting General Counsel and Principal Deputy General Counsel at the EPA. He is no stranger to EPA. Mr. Fotouhi has been recognized by multiple national law publications for his work in environmental and energy law, and as a leader on those issues.
    “Mr. Fotouhi’s previous experience at the EPA provides him a wealth of perspective on the Agency’s critical role in protecting our nation’s air, land, and water while doing so within the boundaries of the legal authority that Congress has established.
    “The EPA Deputy Administrator is generally tasked with overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Agency. In this role, Mr. Fotouhi will coordinate the work of the EPA’s important air, water, and chemicals offices, in addition to the EPA’s Regional offices research, enforcement, and General Counsel teams. Effectively integrating the Agency’s work will be at the top of Mr. Fotouhi’s list of responsibilities.
    “Facilitating economic growth while protecting public health and the environment requires the Agency to establish consistent and legally defensible regulations, fairly and clearly enforce those rules, and communicate with the states, communities, and entities impacted by these regulations.
    “Mr. Szabo, President Trump’s nominee to serve as the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation, is currently serving as a Senior Advisor to the EPA Administrator after representing a wide variety of clients in the private sector on energy and environmental matters. For more than ten years, Mr. Szabo worked as a career civil servant, first for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, then the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, known as OIRA, and then the Council on Environmental Quality.
    “As an NRC career staff member, Mr. Szabo was repeatedly recognized with awards for his excellent performance in the Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation. In June of 2016, during Mr. Szabo’s tenure working for the Obama Administration’s OIRA, he received the Special Achievement Award. Mr. Szabo’s nomination to lead the Office of Air and Radiation will place him in a central role to roll back the Biden administration’s extreme attack on reliable, baseload energy sources. 
    “Under the Biden EPA, American energy producers were subject to a barrage of legally suspect regulations that were intended to bankrupt oil, gas, and coal companies. These attacks led to increased energy costs on American families, reduced electric reliability, and undermined our energy security.
    “In contrast to the Biden administration’s agenda, President Trump’s agenda will right size our environmental regulations within the bounds of the laws passed by this Congress and past Congresses, while in turn increase energy production, enable innovation, and unleash economic growth while protecting the environment. As Administrator Zeldin stated during his confirmation hearing, the EPA has far too often exceeded the legal authority Congress has provided in law.
    “This pattern, repeated during the Obama and then Biden Administrations, forced American businesses to pay for costly compliance requirements, even though the underlying regulation was ultimately struck down by the courts. Today’s nominees understand the impact of the Obama-Biden regulatory strategy.
    “Mr. Fotouhi and Mr. Szabo have represented a wide range of energy and environmental clients in legal and regulatory proceedings, as well as counseled clients on environmental compliance and due diligence. While some might suggest that representing regulated entities, particularly ones they don’t like or agree with in private practice, should bar attorneys like Mr. Fotouhi and Mr. Szabo from serving in these roles. But I believe that view misses the extensive value of both of the nominees’ public and private experiences. 
    “It is important for all of the EPA’s staff, especially senior leadership, to understand how the Agency’s use of statutory authority and enforcement tools affect states and regulated entities, as well as how that regulatory action can best achieve compliance and maximize positive environmental outcomes.
    “I am confident our witnesses’ legal training, previous government experience, and professional experience will serve them well in the positions for which they have been nominated.
    “The EPA must get back to what it does best, facilitating cleanup of polluted sites in communities across America, establishing scientific sound and achievable regulations, and fulfilling the ‘cooperative federalism’ model of working with states to meet national environmental standards.
    “I look forward to exploring these issues in more detail with our witnesses.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Capito Asks Fotouhi, Szabo about Importance of Cooperative Federalism, Energy Reliability in Nominations Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    To watch Chairman Capito’s questions, click here or the image above.
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led ahearing on the nominations of David Fotouhi to be Deputy Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Aaron Szabo to be Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation of the EPA. During the hearing, Chairman Capito asked the nominees about the importance of cooperative federalism and addressing America’s energy reliability concerns, as well as establishing EPA rules consistent with laws passed by Congress.
    HIGHLIGHTS:
    COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM:
    CHAIRMAN CAPITO:
    “The environmental laws are based on the principle of which states are co-regulatory partners with the federal government. Rather than considering them, the states, as partners, the previous Administration has sort of overlooked and treated the states as subordinates. State and local environmental agencies are dedicated to working together with federal regulators, and a lot of times, certainly understand the areas, their own regions, a lot better. State agencies are best suited to understand the diversity in their geographic, economic, and social elements…will you commit to engaging with states under the cooperative federalism framework to establish workable rules and implementation strategies, this is for both of you, to protect public health and the environment?”
    DAVID FOTOUHI:
    “Yes, absolutely. The environmental statutes, as you said, broadly speaking, are drafted in a way that the federal government, and states, and tribes, and others work in partnership to achieve the results that Congress intended when those statutes were promulgated, doing so in a way that empowers states through cooperative federalism, as you mentioned, providing the technical assistance that states need to understand their resources best. Also to encourage states and tribes to assume the responsibility for federal permitting programs will be a priority of mine if confirmed.”
    AARON SZABO:
    “The importance of cooperative federalism, as David mentioned, it is important that states have the primary role in regulating. They know what’s best for their states. It’s something I believe, and it’s something the Clean Air Act requires. States know how to regulate their entities the best, and it’s important to allow them to do that under the Clean Air Act. Additionally, it’s also important not to punish those states for emissions that are not the fault of their own state. I think that we can work better, in a cooperative manner with the states, and provide those environmental protections faster.”
    ENERGY RELIABILITY:
    CHAIRMAN CAPITO:
    “We know that the Clean Power Plan, and certainly you have a lot of experience with this, intentionally designed to impose unattainable requirements to cause the early retirement of a lot of our coal and natural gas plants. But, during the same time, prices have skyrocketed and our reliability has been called into question. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation forecast that well over half of the U.S. will face potential electricity shortages and blackout risks, and this is a largely result of reduced supply baseload power….as you oversee and implement the Clean Air Act, statutory obligations to protect public health and environment, will you ensure that the Agency takes into account electric reliability and energy affordability on the impacts on American families?”
    AARON SZABO:
    “If confirmed, we are bound by what is stated in the Clean Air Act, and that includes the consideration of costs and impacts on the country. With respect to any action within section 111 that the Clean Power Plan was, or the Clean Power Plan 2.0, whichever version you want to call it, was established under, we must follow the law and that includes the consideration of impacts on electricity reliability.”
    DAVID FOTOUHI:
    “I think the Agency needs to heed the decision of the Supreme Court in the West Virginia case. In particular, that was very clear that EPA is not a grid-wide energy regulator. It is not an entity that is responsible for determining whether generation shifting should occur between different sources. EPA should always, when implementing the Clean Air Act or any other program, abide by its statutory authority that Congress has delegated to it.”
    DURABLE RULE MAKING: 
    CHAIRMAN CAPITO: 
    “Mr. Fotouhi, you have served as an attorney who has advised and litigated on behalf of both private clients and the EPA for almost 15 years. How would that experience guide your approach to ensuring that EPA’s rules are consistent with statute and durable for the long term?
    DAVID FOTOUHI:
    “Rule of law is my touchstone. It’s extremely important to me as a professional, as an environmental lawyer, as it was the case when I served at EPA in my role there, advising the administrator on options and legal issues. The critical touchstone has to be in every occasion, ensuring that we are following the congressional authorization and statutory language that’s been drafted by Congress. The Supreme Court has been very clear on this point, repeatedly. In the Biden administration alone, the Biden EPA lost every Supreme Court case that it had in front of the court over the last four years. We need to restore trust in EPA’s actions, and part of that is to ensure that those actions are done consistently with the law, and that we are not over reading our statutory authority and exceeding the boundaries that this Congress has placed on the agency.”
    Click HERE to watch Chairman Capito’s questions.
    Click HERE to watch Chairman Capito’s opening statement.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trump Touts Alaska LNG as a Top Priority of New Administration

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
    03.05.25
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today celebrated President Donald Trump’s endorsement of the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project as a top priority of his new administration in the President’s joint address to Congress last night.
    Sen. Sullivan has been a relentless advocate for the Alaska LNG Project as an opportunity to provide abundant, clean-burning, low-cost energy to Alaskans, promote American energy security, and deepen America’s alliances with its Indo-Pacific partners, particularly Japan and South Korea. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sen. Sullivan has taken four trips to Japan and South Korea to promote the project, talking to numerous potential investors and the senior-most government and private sector officials in each country. More recently, he has spoken directly with President Trump on several occasions about the project and gave him the comprehensive document called, “America’s Gasline.” The senator has also had extensive conversations with nearly all of President Trump’s cabinet officials about the Alaska LNG Project, garnering their support.
    “My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska, among the largest in the world, where Japan, South Korea and other nations want to be our partner with investments of trillions of dollars each,” President Trump said. “There’s never been anything like that one. It will be truly spectacular. It’s all set to go. The permitting is gotten.”
    [embedded content]
    “The fact that the President of the United States was highlighting the Alaska LNG Project as one of the biggest things he wants to get done for America was huge for our state and huge for our country,” Sullivan said in an interview following the address. “It’s not going to happen overnight, but the fact that we have the President and his entire cabinet fully putting their shoulder into this was quite remarkable…Governor Dunleavy and I pitched the Trump administration on having the President mention this in his State of the Union…I hope a lot of Alaskans saw that we have been working this really hard, because we have a great opportunity—the private sector elements of this are coming together, the foreign government elements of this giant project are coming together. But when you get the President and his entire cabinet saying, we’re going to get this done, and he tells the American people that, I don’t think that’s ever happened before for Alaska…It was a big night for us, and I’m really excited.”
    The Alaska LNG Project will be capable of providing more than three billion cubic feet of low-cost, low-emission natural gas to Alaskans, Americans, and to allied nations around the world each day. It is also projected to create up to 10,000 construction and 1,000 operations jobs.
    Below is a timeline of Sen. Sullivan’s recent work on advancing the Alaska LNG Project and deepening the energy security ties between the U.S. and America’s Japanese and Korean allies.
    On February 24, 2025, Sen. Sullivan had an Alaska LNG focused meeting with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum at the Department of the Interior.
    On February 7, 2025, President Trump announced a “joint venture” on Alaska oil and gas between the United States and Japan.
    On January 8, 2025, Sen. Sullivan personally pitched President Trump on the Alaska LNG Project.
    On December 17, 2024, Sen. Sullivan focused on the Alaska LNG Project in his meeting with now-Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.
    In August of 2024, Sen. Sullivan participated in a bipartisan Senate delegation visit to Japan and South Korea, and discussed the Alaska LNG Project with numerous senior government and business leaders in both countries.
    In February 2024, Sen. Sullivan and seven of his Senate colleagues introduced a Senate resolution recognizing the importance of trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
    On October 8, 2023, Sen. Sullivan penned an op-ed in the Anchorage Daily News urging Alaskans to unite in advancing the Alaska LNG Project as a critical solution to Alaska’s energy needs.
    In June 2023, Sen. Sullivan visited South Korea and Japan, where he met with senior government and private sector officials about the Alaska LNG Project. Similar to his October 2022 visit to Tokyo, Sen. Sullivan convened an Alaska LNG Summit of U.S. and Korean energy and policy leaders with the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. Following the visit, the U.S. Embassy in Seoul established an Alaska LNG Task Force.
    On May 18, 2023, Sen. Sullivan introduced the Indo-Pacific Strategic Energy Initiative Act, legislation to promote the financing and development of new energy infrastructure projects in the Indo-Pacific region—with a focus on natural gas—in order to end U.S. allies’ dependance on Russian natural gas in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
    In May 2023, Sen. Sullivan spoke at the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference about the Alaska LNG Project and opportunities to deliver clean-burning, low-cost gas to Alaskans and to America’s Indo-Pacific allies.
    In May 2023, Sen. Sullivan, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Rep. Mary Peltola (D-Alaska) welcomed a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upholding the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) approval of the Alaska LNG Project.
    On March 6, 2023, Sen. Sullivan led a letter with his Senate colleagues to U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel urging the Biden administration to publicly support the export of abundant U.S. natural gas to America’s allies in Europe and Asia, particularly Japan, which has prioritized energy security in its term leading the G7.
    On December 16, 2022, Sen. Sullivan welcomed a new national security strategy and related documents released by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that focuses on deepening Japan and the U.S.’s national security cooperation.
    In October 2022, Sen. Sullivan visited Japan and South Korea to advocate for the Alaska LNG Project. In Tokyo, Sen. Sullivan and Ambassador Emanuel convened an Alaska LNG Summit of U.S. and Japanese energy and policy leaders. Prior to the summit, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo established an Alaska LNG Task Force.
    In June 2022, Sen. Sullivan and Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R-Alaska) visited Japan to meet with Japanese companies, utilities, and government ministries about the Alaska LNG Project.
    In August 2021, Sens. Murkowski and Sullivan secured a provision in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act making the Alaska LNG Project eligible for a federal loan guarantee of roughly $30 billion that is indexed to inflation.
    In August 2020, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a final, unconditional order authorizing the Alaska LNG Project to export LNG.
    In May 2020, FERC granted the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) authorization to construct and operate the Alaska LNG Project.
    Between 2014 and 2022, the Alaska LNG Project secured all of its necessary federal permits and authorizations.

    MIL OSI USA News –